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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2014

Registration No. 333-194390

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 4

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

QUOTIENT LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Jersey, Channel Islands   2835   Not applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

Pentlands Science Park

Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian

EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom

Tel: 011-44-0131-445-6159

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Stephen Unger

Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc.

301 South State Street, Suite S-204

Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940

(215) 497-7006

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Alejandro E. Camacho, Esq.

Per B. Chilstrom, Esq.

Clifford Chance US LLP

31 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

(212) 878-8000

 

Glenn R. Pollner, Esq.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

(212) 351-4000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public : As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

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

 

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

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 14, 2014

 

5,000,000 shares

LOGO

Ordinary Shares

 

 

This is the initial public offering of our ordinary shares. No public market currently exists for our ordinary shares. We are offering all of the 5,000,000 ordinary shares offered by this prospectus. We expect the initial public offering price to be between $9.00 and $11.00 per ordinary share.

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “QTNT.”

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings. See “Prospectus summary—Implications of being an emerging growth company.”

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any ordinary shares, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock in “ Risk factors ” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

       Per ordinary share    Total
Initial public offering price    $                                         $                         
Underwriting discounts (1)    $                                         $                         
Proceeds, before expenses, to us    $                                         $                         
(1)   See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding underwriter compensation.

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 750,000 ordinary shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us, to cover over-allotments, if any, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be $                 and our total proceeds, before expenses, will be $                .

The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth under “Underwriting.” Delivery of the shares will be made on or about                     , 2014.

 

UBS Investment Bank   Baird   Cowen and Company

 

 

Prospectus dated                 , 2014


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

     Page  

Prospectus summary

     1   

Risk factors

     12   

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

     45   

Use of proceeds

     47   

Dividend policy

     48   

Capitalization

     49   

Dilution

     51   

Selected consolidated financial data

     53   

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

     55   

Business

     77   

Management

     106   

Executive compensation

     114   

Certain relationships and related party transactions

     123   

Principal shareholders

     125   

Description of share capital

     127   

Comparison of Jersey, Channel Islands Law and Delaware Law

     133   

Our ordinary shares and trading in the United States

     138   

Shares eligible for future sale

     140   

Certain tax considerations

     142   

Cautionary statement on the enforceability of civil liabilities

     148   

Underwriting

     149   

Legal matters

     157   

Experts

     158   

Where you can find more information

     159   

Index to financial statement s

     F-1   

 

We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Do not rely upon any information or representations made outside of such sources. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell, or soliciting an offer to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer, sale or solicitation is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us is accurate only as of its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreement, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant made to you or for your benefit. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date they were made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

Our trademark portfolio includes both United States and foreign trademark registrations and pending United States and foreign trademark applications. Other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus are generally referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.

Certain market and industry data and forecasts included in this prospectus were obtained from independent market research, industry publications and surveys, governmental agencies and publicly

 

 

 

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available information. We did not fund and are not otherwise affiliated with the third party sources that we cite. Industry surveys, publications and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market or industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk factors” in this prospectus.

Under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, only holders of ordinary shares in uncertificated form in CREST (an electronic clearing system in the United Kingdom) and legal owners of shares in certificated form may be recorded in our share register as legal shareholders.

Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will hold the ordinary shares sold in this offering in certificated form on behalf of and as nominee for investors who purchase beneficial interests in ordinary shares through this offering. We and DTC have no contractual relationship. Investors who purchase the ordinary shares (although recorded as owners within the DTC system) are legally considered holders only of beneficial interests in those shares and will have no direct rights against us. Each ordinary share reflected within the DTC system will represent evidence of beneficial ownership of one certificated ordinary share held by Cede & Co. The ordinary shares reflected within the DTC system will be freely transferable with delivery and settlement through the DTC system. Our ordinary shares included in this offering will be issued in certificated form and beneficial interests in the ordinary shares as reflected in the DTC system will be, once approved, traded on The NASDAQ Global Market. References in this prospectus to the ordinary shares being listed or traded on The NASDAQ Global Market shall mean the beneficial interests in the ordinary shares held by Cede & Co. Investors may, through their broker, elect to withdraw their ordinary shares from the DTC system, receive a share certificate and be listed as our legal shareholders, subject to customary fees. Please see “Our ordinary shares and trading in the United States.”

Our fiscal year ends on March 31. Unless otherwise noted, any reference to a year preceded by the word “fiscal” refers to the twelve months ended March 31 of that year. For example, references to “fiscal 2013” refer to the twelve months ended March 31, 2013. Any reference to a year not preceded by “fiscal” refers to a calendar year.

For investors outside of the United States:     We have not and the underwriters have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than the United States. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ordinary shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.

 

 

 

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Prospectus summary

This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our ordinary shares and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, especially “Risk factors” beginning on page 12 and our financial statements and the related notes beginning on page F-1, before deciding to buy our ordinary shares. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Quotient,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Quotient Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries.

OVERVIEW

We are an established, commercial-stage diagnostics company committed to reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care through the development and commercialization of innovative tests for blood grouping and serological disease screening, commonly referred to as transfusion diagnostics. Blood grouping involves specific procedures performed at donor or patient testing laboratories to characterize blood, which includes antigen typing and antibody identification.

Through our subsidiary Alba Biosciences Limited, or Alba, we have over 30 years experience manufacturing and supplying conventional reagent products used for blood grouping within the $2.8 billion global transfusion diagnostics market. We are developing MosaiQ TM , our proprietary technology platform, to better address the comprehensive needs of this large and established market. We believe MosaiQ TM has the potential to be a transformative technology, significantly reducing the cost of blood grouping in the donor and patient testing environments, while improving patient outcomes.

Transfusion medicine demands the highest standard of performance, quality and service. However, there has not been a major advancement in the automation of transfusion diagnostics over the past two decades. Consequently, complex and expensive manual testing procedures remain necessary in both donor and patient testing laboratories. We believe that, if approved for sale, MosaiQ TM will be the first commercially available, fully automated testing platform capable of simultaneously identifying all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies in either donor or patient blood, eliminating manual testing. MosaiQ TM is also designed to perform all currently mandated serological disease screening tests, such as HIV and Hepatitis, and enable the low cost detection of additional pathogens, thereby increasing the safety of the blood supply.

We have designed MosaiQ TM to offer a breadth of diagnostic tests that is unmatched by any commercially available transfusion diagnostic instrument platform. Time to result for MosaiQ TM will be significantly quicker than existing methods for extended antigen typing and antibody identification and is expected to be equivalent to the time to result for current instrument platforms performing basic antigen typing. We believe that customer adoption of MosaiQ TM will lead to improved patient outcomes through better and easier matching of donor and patient blood, given cost-effective extended antigen typing. Improved patient outcomes using MosaiQ TM include the potential for reduced incidence of alloimmunization, where the patient develops allo-antibodies to foreign antigens introduced to the body through transfused blood. MosaiQ TM will also offer the opportunity for substantial cost savings and a range of operational efficiencies for donor and patient testing laboratories.

Our internal feasibility studies have demonstrated a high degree of concordance, across a range of key blood group specificities, between results generated using the MosaiQ TM methodology and results generated using predicate technologies for blood grouping. We used column agglutination technology (or

 

 

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CAT, a blood group testing system that incorporates microcolumns and glass bead microparticles) and, where CAT was not feasible, manual testing techniques, as the predicate technologies for our internal feasibility studies. Our antigen typing feasibility study demonstrated concordance of approximately 99% or greater for most tested specificities and our antibody identification feasibility study demonstrated overall concordance of 99.7%. We are continuing to optimize our blood grouping tests for MosaiQ TM .

MosaiQ TM will comprise two separate consumables, one for blood grouping and one for serological disease screening, and initially a high-throughput instrument. We expect to install the manufacturing system for the consumables and begin formal validation studies of the system by the end of 2014. Prototype units of the initial MosaiQ TM instrument are also forecasted to be available at this time. We plan to commence formal field trials for the consumables and the initial MosaiQ TM instrument in the second half of 2015 and we expect to file the necessary regulatory submissions to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and other required marketing clearances in the first half of 2016. We anticipate initial commercial sales of MosaiQ TM consumables, for research use only, in the first half of 2016. If approved for sale, we anticipate full commercial launch for MosaiQ TM in Europe during the second half of 2016 and in the United States during the first half of 2017.

Through Alba, which we acquired in 2007, we have a proven track record and significant expertise in product development, manufacturing and quality, uniquely tailored to the highly regulated transfusion diagnostics market. Since we acquired Alba, we have introduced a range of FDA-licensed products in the United States under the Quotient brand, which we sell directly to donor testing laboratories, hospitals, and independent testing laboratories. We have also increased our emphasis on the development, manufacture, and sale of conventional reagent products to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, such as Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. (or Ortho), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (or Bio-Rad) and Grifols S.A. (or Grifols).

We generated total revenue of $14.4 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and total revenue of $15.1 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. We generated product sales revenue of $13.8 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and $12.3 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. A significant portion of these product sales revenues, 71% and 73%, respectively, were derived from products sold by standing purchase order. We incurred a net loss of $4.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and a net loss of $5.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013.

OUR COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

We believe that our competitive strengths include the following:

 

  Ø  

Large and established market with attractive industry fundamentals .    We operate within the $2.8 billion global transfusion diagnostics market, which is integral to healthcare systems around the world. In 2011, 92 million blood donations were collected globally. We also estimate that over 90 million patients are blood grouped annually in the developed world. The donor testing market is highly concentrated. In the United States, the American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions account for approximately 70% of donor units tested.

 

  Ø  

Extensive expertise developing, manufacturing and commercializing products for the transfusion diagnostics market .    We have developed and manufacture over 40 conventional reagent products that are sold in the United States, a highly regulated market. Since 2010, we have sold directly to over 725 hospitals, donor collection agencies and independent testing laboratories throughout the United States.

 

 

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  Ø  

MosaiQ TM —a transformative technology for the transfusion diagnostics market .    If approved for sale, we anticipate MosaiQ TM will be the first fully automated, commercially available testing platform capable of simultaneously identifying all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies, eliminating manual testing, which is complex and expensive. We believe MosaiQ TM will deliver significant cost savings and operational efficiencies for donor testing laboratories and hospitals, while improving patient outcomes.

 

  Ø  

Established technical feasibility .     Our internal feasibility studies have shown a high degree of concordance between results generated using the MosaiQ TM methodology and results generated using predicate blood grouping technologies, which we believe establishes technical feasibility for blood grouping. We have also adopted a similar approach for our disease screening consumable.

 

  Ø  

Advanced development and commercialization plan .    By combining current scientific methods, well-characterized tests and known manufacturing technologies, we believe we have substantially reduced the risks associated with the development of MosaiQ TM . We are working with highly experienced technology development and engineering partners, including The Technology Partnership plc and STRATEC Biomedical AG, and collaborating with key potential customers. We intend to commercialize MosaiQ TM ourselves in the highly concentrated donor testing market. Within the more fragmented global patient testing market, we intend to enter into an arrangement with one or more commercial partners to ensure successful commercialization.

 

  Ø  

Attractive “razor/razor blade” business model with limited reimbursement exposure .    We intend to pursue a “razor/razor blade” business model for MosaiQ , placing instruments and securing long-term agreements for the supply of blood grouping and/or disease screening consumables used by those instruments. MosaiQ is designed to be a highly cost-effective solution. We expect to generate attractive profit margins, while delivering substantial cost savings to our customers. We anticipate that MosaiQ will not be directly subject to reimbursement by governmental or commercial third-party payors in the United States.

 

  Ø  

Experienced senior management team .    We have a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of success within the healthcare industry. Our senior management team has an average of 15 years of individual industry experience, with a balance of skills covering strategy, operations, product development, commercialization and financial management.

OUR MARKET OPPORTUNITY

The global transfusion diagnostics market is large and established. Extensive blood grouping procedures are undertaken prior to transfusion in order to prevent transfusion reactions, which can range from mild to fatal. Donor blood and plasma is also screened for specific diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis.

Total annual product sales, consisting primarily of reagents and instruments, in the global transfusion diagnostics market amounted to $2.8 billion in 2011, of which $1.3 billion occurred within the United States. We believe product sales to the highly concentrated donor testing market accounted for approximately $1.9 billion, with the more fragmented patient testing market accounting for the remaining $0.9 billion of sales.

According to the World Health Organization, 92 million blood donations were collected globally in 2011, with 48% being collected in 37 “high-income” countries. In addition, over 20 million plasma donations are collected each year in the United States and Europe. In the United States, 16 million blood donations were collected during 2011 based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions collect or test approximately 70% of the donated blood in the United States.

 

 

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We estimate that over 90 million patients are blood grouped annually in the developed world, although only a small portion of these patients actually receive a blood transfusion.

LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT BLOOD GROUPING AND DISEASE SCREENING METHODS

A significant proportion of the overall cost of blood grouping is accounted for by the ongoing need for complex manual testing procedures. Additionally, with over 30 clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies to characterize, the required reagents for blood grouping (whether performed on instruments or manually) are both complex and extensive.

Existing blood grouping methods and instruments have a number of additional drawbacks, including:

 

  Ø  

Extensive antigen typing is not widely undertaken pre-transfusion due to cost and complexity, resulting in more patients developing antibodies, which complicates future transfusions;

 

  Ø  

Requirement for highly trained laboratory technicians;

 

  Ø  

Extensive, complex and expensive reagent requirements, some with shelf lives under 30 days;

 

  Ø  

Supply shortages of licensed reagents for some rare, but clinically significant blood-group antigens;

 

  Ø  

Incremental supervision, technical training and quality assurance costs;

 

  Ø  

Potential for testing or labeling errors given the large manual component;

 

  Ø  

Lower red blood cell or plasma yields for donor collection agencies;

 

  Ø  

Difficulty testing patients that can provide only low volumes of blood samples;

 

  Ø  

Costly service and support infrastructure needed to maintain multiple instrument platforms; and

 

  Ø  

Inability of existing instrument platforms to connect to laboratory automation (or track-based) systems.

Serological disease screening is already largely automated. However, it is undertaken using two separate instrument platforms, neither of which is integrated with commonly used blood grouping instruments.

THE MOSAIQ TM SOLUTION

We believe that MosaiQ TM has the potential to transform transfusion diagnostics by substantially reducing costs and offering a range of operational efficiencies within donor and patient testing laboratories, while also improving patient outcomes through a more complete characterization of donor and patient blood.

MosaiQ TM will comprise two separate consumables, one for blood grouping and one for serological disease screening, and initially, a high-throughput instrument. The MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable will consist of two protein microarrays: one printed with red blood cells and the other printed with antibodies. Our novel approach incorporates existing, well-characterized tests for all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies onto a single multiplex consumable. Using the same approach, we plan to incorporate all currently mandated serological disease screening tests onto a second disease screening consumable. Both consumables are designed to be processed using the same MosaiQ TM high-throughput instrument.

We are collaborating with key potential donor and patient testing customers on the content of the MosaiQ TM consumables and the design and function of the MosaiQ TM instrument, including the American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions, along with several other major healthcare institutions.

 

 

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MosaiQ TM Advantages

We expect the use of MosaiQ TM for blood grouping and disease screening will offer both major cost saving opportunities and clinical benefits, including:

 

  Ø  

Improved clinical decision making and better matching of donor and patient blood;

 

  Ø  

Extended antigen typing for all donor units;

 

  Ø  

Comprehensive antibody identification;

 

  Ø  

Significantly reduced need for complex, manual testing procedures;

 

  Ø  

Standardization of blood grouping, reducing the potential for testing or labeling errors;

 

  Ø  

Consolidation of multiple instrument platforms;

 

  Ø  

Significantly simplified consumable requirements;

 

  Ø  

Substantially improved time to result for complex blood grouping procedures;

 

  Ø  

Significantly lower patient sample volume requirements;

 

  Ø  

Significantly increased shelf life for red blood cell-derived tests;

 

  Ø  

Reduced consumable waste;

 

  Ø  

Lower sample logistics costs;

 

  Ø  

Potential to electronically match donor and patient blood; and

 

  Ø  

Ability to integrate onto existing laboratory automation (track-based) systems.

OUR STRATEGY

In pursuing the MosaiQ TM opportunity, we will continue to optimize the blood-grouping and disease screening tests, while working closely with our development partners to complete the manufacturing scale-up for the consumables and develop and manufacture the initial high-throughput instrument. In addition, we intend to:

 

  Ø  

collaborate with our key potential customers;

 

  Ø  

continue our dialogue with regulators to obtain required regulatory licenses and clearances;

 

  Ø  

engage one or more commercial partners for the global patient testing market; and

 

  Ø  

commercialize MosaiQ TM for the global donor testing market.

We also intend to pursue a number of strategies in our conventional reagent business, including strengthening the Quotient brand, expanding our customer base and reinforcing our relationship with the FDA and other key regulators.

RISKS AFFECTING US

Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that you should understand before making an investment decision. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results. These risks are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk factors” following this prospectus summary and include:

 

  Ø  

We have incurred losses since our commencement of operations and expect to incur losses in the future.

 

 

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  Ø  

The development of MosaiQ™ includes many factors, including factors beyond our control, and we may not commercialize it on a timely basis, or at all.

 

  Ø  

Obtaining regulatory authorization for MosaiQ TM will take time, require material expenditures and ultimately may not succeed.

 

  Ø  

Our substantial reliance on third parties to develop MosaiQ TM exposes us to a number of risks that may delay the development and commercialization of MosaiQ TM or result in higher costs to us.

 

  Ø  

MosaiQ TM consumables have not been manufactured on a commercial scale and are subject to unforeseen scale-up risks.

 

  Ø  

We expect to rely on third parties to conduct studies of MosaiQ™ and our other transfusion diagnostics products that will be required by the FDA or other regulatory authorities and those third parties may not perform satisfactorily.

 

  Ø  

Our commercial success will largely depend upon the degree of market acceptance of MosaiQ™ by donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories.

 

  Ø  

We are dependent upon our three largest OEM clients for a substantial portion of our total revenues. If any of our key OEM customers terminates or reduces the scope of its relationship with us, our product sales will suffer.

 

  Ø  

The transfusion diagnostics market is highly competitive. If we fail to compete effectively, our business and operating results will suffer.

 

  Ø  

If we or our commercial partners fail to comply with extensive foreign and domestic regulations, sales of our products in new and existing markets and the development and commercialization of any new product candidates, including MosaiQ TM , could be delayed or prevented.

 

  Ø  

Approval and/or clearance by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities for our transfusion diagnostics products could take significant time and require significant development expenditures.

 

  Ø  

The extent to which we can protect our products and technologies through intellectual property rights that we own, acquire or license is uncertain.

 

  Ø  

MosaiQ TM depends on certain technologies that are licensed to us. We do not control these technologies and any loss of our rights to them could prevent us from manufacturing our products.

IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY

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

 

  Ø  

reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

 

  Ø  

not being subject to non-binding shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements; and

 

  Ø  

an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

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We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earlier of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period. We may choose to take advantage of some or all of these reduced disclosure obligations. The JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We are choosing to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

CORPORATE HISTORY AND INFORMATION

Quotient Limited is a limited liability no par value company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. Our registered address is Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, JE2 3RT, Jersey, Channel Islands. Our agent for service of process is our wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc., 301 South State Street, Suite S-204, Newton, Pennsylvania 18940.

We were incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands in 2012. Our principal executive offices are located at Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom, and our telephone number is 011-44-0131-445-6159. Our website address is www.quotientbd.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase our ordinary shares.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Ordinary shares offered by us

5,000,000 shares

 

Ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering

14,376,547 shares

 

Option to purchase additional shares

750,000 shares

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from our sale our ordinary shares in this offering will be approximately $43.5 million, or approximately $50.5 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

  With the net proceeds from this offering, we expect to invest (i) approximately $26.0 million on the conversion of the MosaiQ TM manufacturing facility and the installation of the initial manufacturing system for consumables, and (ii) approximately $12.0 million on development of the initial MosaiQ TM consumables and instrument. We will use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

Prior to final allocation of the net proceeds of this offering as described under “Use of proceeds,” we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering on an interim basis in high-quality, short-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments or certificates of deposit.

 

Risk factors

Investing in our ordinary shares involves risks. See the section titled “Risk factors” beginning on page 12 and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.

 

Proposed NASDAQ Global Market symbol

“QTNT”

 

 

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The number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding following this offering is based on 9,376,547 ordinary shares issued as of March 31, 2014 and excludes:

 

  Ø  

64,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant as of March 31, 2014, at an exercise price of $9.38 per ordinary share;

 

  Ø  

779,462 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2014, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.52 per ordinary share; and

 

  Ø  

1,500,000 ordinary shares reserved for future grant or issuance under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2014 Plan, which will become effective in connection with this offering.

Unless otherwise noted, the information in this prospectus assumes the following:

 

  Ø  

the conversion immediately prior to this offering of all outstanding preference shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares into ordinary shares, and the consolidation immediately prior to this offering of 100 outstanding ordinary shares into 32 new ordinary shares, resulting in, as of December 31, 2013, an aggregate of 9,356,533 ordinary shares;

 

  Ø  

the conversion of an outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares as of December 31, 2013 into a warrant to purchase 64,000 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering;

 

  Ø  

no options, warrants or shares were issued after December 31, 2013 and no outstanding options or warrants were exercised after December 31, 2013;

 

  Ø  

the effectiveness of our Amended Articles of Association immediately prior to this offering; and

 

  Ø  

the sale of all ordinary shares offered by this prospectus other than the ordinary shares subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ordinary shares.

 

 

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Summary consolidated financial data

The following tables summarize our consolidated financial data. The consolidated statement of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of income data for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have prepared the unaudited consolidated interim financial information presented below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for these periods. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future and our results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year. You should read the summary of our financial data set forth below together with our financial statements and the related notes to those statements, as well as “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary financial data in this section are not intended to replace our financial statements and the accompanying notes.

 

 

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    Year ended March 31,     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
      2013     2012     2011     2013     2012  
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)  
                      (unaudited)  

Consolidated statement of loss:

         

Revenue:

         

Product sales

  $ 13,753      $ 11,550      $ 9,545      $ 12,332      $ 10,319   

Other revenues

    618        669        489        2,768        618   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    14,371        12,219        10,034        15,100        10,937   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

    (7,169     (6,749     (5,628     (6,271     (5,384
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    7,202        5,470        4,406        8,829        5,553   

Operating expenses:

         

Sales and marketing

    (2,252     (1,674     (1,456     (2,057     (1,630

Research and development, net of government grants

    (2,617     (1,749     (1,703     (4,916     (1,883

General and administrative expenses:

         

Compensation expense in respect of share options and management equity incentives

    (471     —          —          (701     (335

Other general and administrative expenses

    (6,353     (6,011     (5,346     (5,442     (4,584
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total general and administrative expense

    (6,824     (6,011     (5,346     (6,143     (4,919
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (11,693     (9,434     (8,505     (13,116     (8,432
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

    (4,491     (3,964     (4,099     (4,287     (2,879

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense, net

    (234     (340     (312     (582     (192

Other, net

    11        (169     (210     (83     29   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expenses), net

    (223     (509     (522     (665     (163
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

    (4,714     (4,473     (4,621     (4,952     (3,042

Provision for income taxes

    —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

  $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders

  $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621   $ (4,952   $ (3,042

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

  $ (62.97   $ (78.04   $ (81.16   $ (34.34   $ (40.82

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

    74,866        57,317        56,936        144,178        74,523   

 

     As of December 31, 2013  
     Actual     Pro Forma (1)      Pro Forma  as
Adjusted (2)
 
           (in thousands)         
           (unaudited)         

Consolidated balance sheet data:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $ 13,756       $ 57,275   

Total assets

     26,378        26,378         69,897   

Long-term debt

     14,579        14,579         14,579   

Total liabilities

     22,184        21,763         21,763   

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ (26,569   $ 4,615       $ 48,134   

 

(1)   Pro forma gives effect to (i) the conversion and consolidation of all outstanding preference shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares as of December 31, 2013 into an aggregate of 9,356,533 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and (ii) the conversion of an outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares as of December 31, 2013 into a warrant to purchase 64,000 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and the resultant reclassification of our warrant liability to shareholders’ equity (deficit).
(2)   Pro forma as adjusted reflects the pro forma adjustments discussed in footnote (1) and gives effect to our issuance and sale of ordinary shares at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

 

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Risk factors

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus, before deciding whether to invest in our ordinary shares. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND FUTURE PLANS

Investors should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we expect to encounter in the markets in which we compete, and the prospects of our development projects, particularly MosaiQ TM . Factors that may contribute to fluctuations in our operating results include many of the risks described in this section. These fluctuations may make financial planning and forecasting difficult. In addition, these fluctuations may result in unanticipated decreases in our available cash, which could negatively affect our business and prospects. Investors should not rely on our operating results for any prior periods as an indication of our future operating performance.

We have incurred losses since our commencement of operations and expect to incur losses in the future.

We have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from operations in each fiscal year since we commenced operations in 2007. As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $10.1 million. We expect our operating losses to continue at least for the next several years as we continue our investment in the development and commercialization of MosaiQ TM . Our total revenue was $15.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, $14.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and $12.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Our net loss was $5.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, $4.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and $4.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing and commercializing MosaiQ TM and the other products we may develop, we are unable to predict the magnitude of any future operating losses. Our historic losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our cash resources, shareholders’ deficit and working capital. Our ability to achieve or sustain profitability is based on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including market acceptance of our products, future product development, and our market penetration and margins.

We may need to raise additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, and which may cause dilution to shareholders, restrict our operations or adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

We may need or decide to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financing or through other means. In particular, we expect to fund our remaining development costs for MosaiQ from a combination of funding sources, including through the extension or expansion of our credit facilities or the issuance of new equity. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain this or other additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, and any additional financings could result in additional dilution to our then existing shareholders or restrict our operations or adversely affect our ability to operate our business. If we are unable to obtain needed financing on acceptable terms, we may not be able to implement our business plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to meet our business objectives, our

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

share price may fall and investors may lose some or all of their investment. If we raise funds by issuing equity securities, the percentage ownership of our then shareholders will be reduced.

If we do not achieve, sustain or successfully manage our anticipated growth, our business and prospects will be harmed.

We have experienced significant revenue growth in a short period of time. If we are unable to maintain adequate revenue growth, our financial results could suffer. Furthermore, significant growth will place strains on our management and our operational and financial systems and processes. If we do not successfully forecast the timing of regulatory authorization for product marketing and subsequent demand for our products or manage our anticipated expenses accordingly, our operating results will be harmed.

The development of MosaiQ TM includes many factors, including factors beyond our control, and we may not commercialize it on a timely basis, or at all.

Our future revenue growth and profitability will substantially depend on our ability to successfully commercialize MosaiQ TM . We will need to complete development and obtain marketing authorizations from the FDA and other regulatory authorities before we can commercialize MosaiQ TM . Our ability to successfully commercialize MosaiQ TM may be affected by the following factors, among others:

 

  Ø  

the scope of and progress made in our development activities;

 

  Ø  

our ability to successfully complete field trial studies;

 

  Ø  

our ability to obtain and maintain FDA and other regulatory authorizations;

 

  Ø  

threats posed by competing technologies;

 

  Ø  

our, or any commercial partner’s, ability to market MosaiQ TM to donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories;

 

  Ø  

our ability to successfully optimize the individual tests to be included on both the blood grouping and disease screening consumables;

 

  Ø  

the occurrence of unforeseen technical difficulties in the design and build of the manufacturing system for the consumables;

 

  Ø  

the occurrence of unforeseen technical difficulties in the design and manufacturing of the initial high-throughput instrument;

 

  Ø  

the occurrence of unforeseen technical difficulties in the development of software and the integration of the consumables, the instrument and software;

 

  Ø  

delays resulting from the failure of third-party suppliers or contractors to meet their obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner; and

 

  Ø  

endorsement and acceptance by donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories.

Development and commercialization of novel products, such as MosaiQ TM , is inherently uncertain. At any point, we may abandon development of MosaiQ TM or we may be required to expend considerable resources addressing unforeseen technical challenges or otherwise to complete and commercialize MosaiQ TM , which would adversely impact potential revenue and our expenses. In addition, any delay in

 

 

 

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product development would provide others with additional time to commercialize competing products before we introduce MosaiQ TM , which in turn may adversely affect our growth prospects and operating results. Although we believe that our cost estimates and our project completion and commercialization schedule for MosaiQ TM are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the actual costs or time required to complete the project will not substantially exceed our current estimates.

Obtaining regulatory authorization for MosaiQ TM will take time, require material expenditures and ultimately may not succeed.

MosaiQ TM will be subject to CE-marking in Europe. In the United States, the FDA has indicated that it will require MosaiQ TM to obtain approval of a biologics license application, or BLA, for the blood grouping consumable and traditional 510(k) clearances for the instrument and the initial disease screening consumable, comprising two tests, Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, and syphilis. The final disease screening consumable, comprising additional tests, will be subject to BLA approval. The process of complying with the requirements of the FDA and comparable agencies is generally costly, time consuming and burdensome, and regulatory authorization is never guaranteed, irrespective of time and financial expenditures. Furthermore, given the complexities of the regulatory pathway for MosaiQ TM , there may be delays in obtaining marketing authorization, or we may not be able to obtain marketing authorization at all. Moreover, the manufacturing process of the MosaiQ TM consumables is based on novel technologies and the FDA and regulatory agencies in other jurisdictions may have limited experience reviewing product candidates using these technologies, which may also result in delays in obtaining regulatory authorization for MosaiQ TM .

Among other things, our manufacturing facility will be subject to pre-approval inspection by the FDA and other applicable regulators. In addition, we are required to perform field trial studies to obtain regulatory authorizations for MosaiQ TM . Field trial studies are subject to factors within and outside of our control and the outcome of these studies is uncertain. For example, success in early feasibility studies may not be replicated in later field trial studies. Although our internal blood grouping feasibility studies have demonstrated a high degree of concordance, across a range of key specificities, between results generated by the MosaiQ TM methodology and results using predicate technologies for antigen typing and antibody identification, and although our initial feasibility work on the disease screening consumable has been positive, there is no guarantee that our analytical testing will meet the FDA’s or other regulatory authorities’ requirements, that our field trial studies will be successful, that the FDA or other regulatory authorities will provide marketing authorization for MosaiQ TM based on the studies we have completed or, if we obtain market authorization, that the prognostic information that may be reported will differentiate MosaiQ TM from alternatives in the United States or other markets. Even if our field trials are successful and we obtain the necessary regulatory authorizations, the regulatory review process will still take time and require material expenditures.

Our substantial reliance on third parties to develop MosaiQ TM exposes us to a number of risks that may delay the development and commercialization of MosaiQ TM or result in higher costs to us.

We have outsourced certain elements of the development of MosaiQ TM . Our dependence on third parties for the development of our manufacturing system for consumables and our initial high-throughput instrument may subject us to a number of risks. For example, our third-party developers may not be able to develop or manufacture components of the MosaiQ TM system, or may apply insufficient resources to the development of MosaiQ TM in the manner required to meet our technical and commercial requirements, on our expected timetable or within our expected cost estimates. If our existing third-party developers are unable, or fail, to meet our requirements, there can be no assurance that we will be able to

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

enter into relationships with other third parties necessary to successfully develop MosaiQ TM . Any of these risks could materially harm our business and adversely affect our future revenues.

MosaiQ TM consumables have not been manufactured on a commercial scale and are subject to unforeseen scale-up risks.

While we have developed working prototypes of the MosaiQ TM consumables, there can be no assurance that we can manufacture MosaiQ TM consumables at a scale that is adequate for our commercial needs. We may face significant or unforeseen difficulties in manufacturing the MosaiQ TM consumables, including but not limited to:

 

  Ø  

technical issues relating to manufacturing products on a commercial scale at reasonable cost, and in a reasonable time frame;

 

  Ø  

difficulty meeting demand or timing requirements for consumable orders due to excessive costs or lack of capacity for part or all of an operation or process;

 

  Ø  

lack of skilled labor or unexpected increases in labor costs needed to produce or maintain our manufacturing systems or perform certain required operations;

 

  Ø  

changes in government regulations or in quality or other requirements that lead to additional manufacturing costs or an inability to supply product in a timely manner, if at all; and

 

  Ø  

increases in raw material or component supply cost or an inability to obtain supplies of certain critical supplies needed to complete our manufacturing processes.

These and other difficulties may only become apparent when scaling up the manufacturing of the MosaiQ TM consumables to more substantive commercial scale. In the event our MosaiQ TM consumables cannot be manufactured in sufficient commercial quantities, our future prospects could be significantly impacted and our financial prospects would be materially harmed.

We expect to rely on third parties to conduct studies of MosaiQ™ and our other transfusion diagnostics products that will be required by the FDA or other regulatory authorities and those third parties may not perform satisfactorily.

We do not have the ability to independently conduct the field trial studies or other studies that may be required to obtain FDA and other regulatory clearances or approvals for MosaiQ TM as well as our conventional reagent products. Accordingly, we expect to rely on third parties, such as independent testing laboratories and hospitals, to conduct such studies. Our reliance on these third parties will reduce our control over these activities. These third-party contractors may not complete activities on schedule or conduct studies in accordance with regulatory requirements or our study design. We cannot control whether they devote sufficient time, skill and resources to our studies. Our reliance on third parties that we do not control will not relieve us of any applicable requirement to prepare, and ensure compliance with, various procedures required under good clinical practices. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or regulatory obligations or meet expected deadlines, if the third parties need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to their failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for other reasons, our studies may be extended, delayed, suspended or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for MosaiQ TM or our other transfusion diagnostic products.

 

 

 

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Our commercial success will largely depend upon the degree of market acceptance of MosaiQ TM by donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories.

MosaiQ TM may not gain sufficient market acceptance by donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories. If the product does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by these critical customer groups, our future revenue growth and profitability would be materially impacted. The degree of market acceptance of MosaiQ TM will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

  Ø  

the efficacy and potential advantages of MosaiQ TM over alternative technologies, techniques and products, including both conventional technologies such as existing testing methods from Ortho, Immucor, Bio-Rad, Grifols and Beckman Coulter, as well as new technologies from such companies or new competitors;

 

  Ø  

limitations contained in the approved labeling for MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

the willingness of our target customers to transition from existing technologies, products and procedures and to adopt MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

the ability to offer attractive pricing for MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

the strength of marketing and distribution support and the timing of market introduction of competitive products; and

 

  Ø  

outcomes from field trial studies, the regulatory approval process, and other publicity concerning MosaiQ TM or competing products.

Our efforts to educate donor collection agencies, hospitals, independent testing laboratories and other members of the medical community on the benefits of MosaiQ TM may require significant resources and may never be successful. Such efforts to educate the marketplace may require more resources than are required by conventional or new technologies marketed by our competitors. If we were to incorrectly forecast our ability to penetrate various markets, expenditures that we make may not result in the benefits that we expect, which could harm our results of operations. Moreover, in the event that MosaiQ TM is the subject of industry or clinical guidelines, field trial studies or scientific publications that are unhelpful or damaging, or otherwise call into question the benefits of MosaiQ TM , we may have difficulty convincing prospective customers to adopt MosaiQ TM .

Our commercialization plan for MosaiQ TM in the patient testing market depends on entering into arrangements with one or more commercial partners.

A key element of our commercialization strategy for MosaiQ TM is to identify and engage one or more partners with existing global sales and support infrastructures to commercialize MosaiQ TM for the patient testing market. Until we engage such a partner to assist us in our commercialization efforts in this highly fragmented market, we do not believe we would be able to optimally commercialize MosaiQ TM without significant additional funds to build a global sales and support infrastructure. To date, we have not entered into any such commercialization arrangements. Any commercial partner with whom we may enter into such arrangements may not commit sufficient resources, as MosaiQ™ may compete for time, attention and resources with such partner’s internal programs, or otherwise may not perform its obligations as expected. Even if we successfully establish new commercialization arrangements, these relationships may never result in the successful commercialization of MosaiQ TM .

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

Other companies or institutions may develop and market novel or improved methods for transfusion diagnostics, which may make MosaiQ™ less competitive or obsolete.

The market for transfusion diagnostics is large and established, and our competitors may possess significantly greater financial resources and have larger development and commercialization capabilities than we do. Although we are not aware of any companies that are pursuing an alternative fully automated blood grouping and disease screening platform like MosaiQ TM , a platform or technology that competes with MosaiQ TM may be developed . We may be unable to compete effectively against these competitors either because their diagnostic platforms are superior or because they may have more expertise, experience, financial resources or stronger business relationships.

We have leased a factory in Eysins, Switzerland, which will become the principal manufacturing site for the MosaiQ TM consumables, and any delay in completing the conversion of this factory space or obtaining regulatory approval, may delay or prevent the launch of MosaiQ TM .

We have leased a manufacturing facility in Eysins, Switzerland, which will become the principal manufacturing site for the MosaiQ TM consumables. Conversion of this facility is expected to require a significant capital commitment, and our failure to complete this project on time and on budget may result in the need for us to raise and expend additional capital. In addition, the building, installation and validation of the MosaiQ TM manufacturing system is subject to many risks, including the fact that, in connection with products that will be sold in the United States, this new facility will be subject to a pre-approval inspection by the FDA, and, in connection with products sold outside the United States, this new facility will be subject to pre-approval inspection by applicable foreign regulators, which could prevent or delay the launch of MosaiQ TM .

Our near-term success is dependent upon our ability to expand our customer base and introduce new conventional reagent products.

Our current customer base is primarily composed of donor testing laboratories and hospitals that use our conventional reagent products for blood grouping, along with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs (for example, Ortho, Bio-Rad and Grifols). Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to expand our customer base and increase our market penetration of existing customers through the development and commercialization of new products after obtaining regulatory authorization. Attracting new customers and introducing new products requires substantial time and expense. Any failure to expand our existing customer base, or launch new products, would adversely affect our operating results.

Our financial performance depends in part upon our ability to successfully develop and market new products in a rapidly changing technological and economic environment. If we fail to successfully introduce new conventional reagent products, we could lose market share. We could also lose market share if our competitors introduce new products or technologies that render our conventional reagent products less competitive or obsolete. In addition, delays in the introduction of new products due to regulatory, developmental or other obstacles could negatively impact our revenue and market share, as well as our earnings.

 

 

 

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We are dependent upon our three largest OEM clients for a substantial portion of our total revenues. If any of our key OEM customers terminates or reduces the scope of its relationship with us, our product sales will suffer.

We develop, manufacture and sell a range of our conventional reagent products to customers who are major OEMs. These products are sold in bulk, for inclusion in products manufactured by these OEM customers, or as finished, vialled products. Product sales to our three largest OEM customers accounted for 64% of our total revenues and product sales to Ortho accounted for 55% of our total revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. If any of our OEM customer agreements are terminated, particularly our agreement with Ortho, or the scope of our OEM customer relationships is otherwise reduced, our product sales could decrease, and our results of operations may be negatively impacted. In particular, a change of control of any of our OEM customers could negatively impact our relationship. Further, we may not be able to enter into new customer agreements on satisfactory terms, or at all.

Our OEM customers, including Ortho, are also our competitors. Our business may be harmed if, as a result of the commercialization of MosaiQ TM , Ortho or our other OEM customers perceive MosaiQ TM as a competitive product, resulting in a discontinuation of Ortho’s or our other OEM customers’ purchases from us. Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of Ortho, has reportedly agreed to sell Ortho to Carlyle Group L.P., a global asset management firm.

Gross margin volatility may negatively impact our profitability.

Our gross margin has been volatile from period to period in the past and may be volatile in the future due to various factors, including changes in product mix, shipment cycles and manufacturing costs. Gross margins on our conventional reagent products vary depending upon the product, with whole blood control products, rare antibodies and red blood cell-derived products generating higher margins. Depending upon the sales mix of these products, our gross margin could vary significantly from period to period. Our conventional reagent products are manufactured by us. As such, gross margins for these products could be impacted by a rise in the costs of raw materials and labor, as well as overhead and the efficiency of our manufacturing operations. Our gross margin may also be negatively impacted by increased competition. Specifically, suppliers in the market seeking to maintain or grow market share may foster a competitive environment of pricing pressures that could negatively impact the profitability of product sales.

If we are unable to maintain our network of direct sales representatives, we may not be able to generate anticipated sales of our current or future products.

We expect our direct sales representatives to develop long-lasting relationships with the customers they serve. If our direct sales representatives fail to adequately promote, market and sell our conventional reagent products, our sales could significantly decrease. If a substantial number of our direct sales representatives were to leave us within a short period of time, our sales could be adversely affected. If a direct sales representative were to depart and be retained by one of our competitors, we may be unable to prevent them from helping competitors solicit business from our existing customers, which could further adversely affect our sales. We may be unable to hire additional qualified direct sales representatives to work with us. We may also not be able to enter into agreements with them on favorable or commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Failure to hire or retain qualified direct sales representatives would prevent us from expanding our business and generating sales.

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

We or our suppliers may experience development or manufacturing problems or delays that could limit the growth of our revenue or increase our losses.

We may encounter unforeseen situations in the manufacturing of our conventional reagent products that could result in delays or shortfalls in our production. Our suppliers may also face similar delays or shortfalls. In addition, our or our suppliers’ production processes may have to change to accommodate any significant future expansion of our manufacturing capacity, which may increase our or our suppliers’ manufacturing costs, delay production of our products, reduce our product gross margin and adversely impact our business. If we are unable to keep up with demand for our products by successfully manufacturing and shipping our products in a timely manner, our revenue could be impaired, market acceptance for our products could be adversely affected and our customers might instead purchase our competitors’ products. In addition, developing manufacturing procedures for new products would require developing specific production processes for those products. Developing such processes could be time consuming and any unexpected difficulty in doing so can delay the introduction of a product.

Demand for our products depends in part on the operating budgets of our customers and their spending levels, a reduction in which could limit demand for our products and adversely affect our business.

In the near term, we expect that our revenue will be derived primarily from sales of our conventional reagent products to hospitals and independent testing laboratories for blood grouping, either directly or through our OEM customers. The demand for our products will depend in part upon the operational budgets of these customers, which are impacted by factors beyond our control, such as:

 

  Ø  

global macroeconomic conditions;

 

  Ø  

changes in the regulatory environment;

 

  Ø  

differences in budgetary cycles;

 

  Ø  

market-driven pressures to consolidate operations and reduce costs; and

 

  Ø  

market acceptance of new technologies.

Our operating results may fluctuate due to reductions and delays in expenditures by our customers. Any decrease in our customers’ budgets or expenditures, or in the size, scope or frequency of operating expenditures, could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

The transfusion diagnostics market is highly competitive. If we fail to compete effectively, our business and operating results will suffer.

We face significant competition in the transfusion diagnostics market. We currently compete with established diagnostic companies that design, manufacture and market instruments and consumables for blood grouping. We believe our principal competitors in the transfusion diagnostics market are Ortho, Immucor and Bio-Rad.

Most of our current competitors have greater financial resources than we do, making them better equipped to fund research and development, manufacturing and marketing efforts or license technologies and intellectual property from third parties. Our competitors can be expected to continue to improve the performance of their products and to introduce new products with competitive price and performance characteristics. Although we believe we have advantages over our competitors, maintaining these advantages will require us to continue to invest in research and development, sales and marketing and customer service and support.

 

 

 

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Our current competitors are either privately owned, publicly-traded companies or are divisions of publicly-traded companies, and enjoy a number of competitive advantages over us, including:

 

  Ø  

greater name and brand recognition, financial and human resources;

 

  Ø  

broader product lines;

 

  Ø  

larger sales forces and more established distributor networks;

 

  Ø  

substantial intellectual property portfolios;

 

  Ø  

larger and more established customer bases and relationships; and

 

  Ø  

better established, larger scale, and lower cost manufacturing capabilities.

We believe that the principal competitive factors in all of our target markets include:

 

  Ø  

cost of capital equipment;

 

  Ø  

cost of consumables and supplies;

 

  Ø  

reputation among customers;

 

  Ø  

innovation in product offerings;

 

  Ø  

flexibility and ease-of-use;

 

  Ø  

accuracy and reproducibility of results;

 

  Ø  

compatibility with existing laboratory processes, tools and methods;

 

  Ø  

breadth of clinical decisions that can be influenced by information generated by tests; and

 

  Ø  

economic benefit accrued to customers based on testing services enabled by products.

We cannot assure investors that we will be successful in the face of competition from new products and technologies introduced by our existing competitors or new companies entering our markets. In addition, we cannot assure investors that our competitors do not have or will not develop products or technologies that currently or in the future will enable them to produce competitive products with greater capabilities or at lower costs than ours.

New technologies, techniques or products could emerge that might offer better combinations of price and performance than our current or future products and systems.

It is critical to our success that we anticipate changes in technology and customer requirements and to successfully introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new, enhanced and competitive technologies that meet the needs of current and prospective customers. If we do not successfully innovate and introduce new technology into our product lines or manage the transitions to new product offerings, our revenues, results of operations and business will be adversely impacted. Competitors may be able to respond more quickly and effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or customer requirements. We anticipate that we will face increased competition in the future as existing companies and competitors develop new or improved products and as new companies enter the market with new technologies.

 

 

 

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We are dependent on single source suppliers for some of the components and materials used in our conventional reagent products, and supply chain interruptions could negatively impact our operations and financial performance.

Our products are manufactured by us and we obtain supplies from a limited number of suppliers. In some cases, critical components required to manufacture our products may only be available from a sole supplier or limited number of suppliers, any of whom would be difficult to replace. The supply of any of our manufacturing materials may be interrupted because of poor vendor performance or other events outside our control, which may require us, among other things, to identify alternate vendors and result in lost sales and increased expenses. Even if the manufacturing materials that we source are available from other parties, the time and effort involved in validating the new supplies and obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals for substitutes could impede our ability to replace such components in a timely manner or at all.

In particular, some of our conventional reagent products are derived from blood having particular or rare combinations of antibodies or antigens, which are found in a limited number of individuals. If we had difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of such blood, we would need to establish a viable alternative, which may take both time and expense to either identify and/or develop.

The loss of a sole supplier would impair our ability to deliver products to our customers in a timely manner and would adversely affect our sales and operating results and negatively impact our reputation. Our business would also be harmed if any of our suppliers could not meet our quality and performance specifications and quantity and delivery requirements.

If our Edinburgh, Scotland facility becomes unavailable or inoperable, we will be unable to produce and ship many of our conventional reagent products.

All our conventional reagent products are produced in our Edinburgh, Scotland manufacturing facility. While we believe we have reliable suppliers of raw materials, our reagent production is highly dependent on the uninterrupted and efficient operation of the Edinburgh, Scotland facility and we currently have no alternative manufacturing capabilities. Therefore, if a catastrophic event occurred at the Edinburgh, Scotland facility, such as a fire or contamination, many of our products could not be produced until the manufacturing portion of the facility was restored and cleared by the FDA. We maintain a disaster plan to minimize the effects of such a catastrophe and we have obtained insurance to protect against certain business interruption losses (we have £22 million of coverage for our Edinburgh manufacturing facility and an additional £1 million of coverage for our research and development activities). However, there can be no assurance that such coverage will be adequate or that such coverage will continue to remain available on acceptable terms, if at all.

Our customers, including our U.S. commercial operations, receive all of their conventional reagent products from our Edinburgh, Scotland manufacturing facility. If circumstances arose that disrupted our international distribution of products from Edinburgh, we would need to establish an alternate distribution channel, which may take both time and expense to establish.

The landlord for our Edinburgh, Scotland manufacturing operation is Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, or SNBTS. The lease on our Edinburgh, Scotland facility ends in August 2014. We have commenced discussions with SNBTS to extend this lease to allow us time to design and build a new manufacturing facility near Edinburgh, Scotland. There can be no assurance that SNBTS will extend the existing lease on acceptable terms or terms equivalent to those we currently have.

 

 

 

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We plan to build a new, expanded manufacturing facility for our conventional reagent products, which may result in overlapping operations and duplicative costs, impair manufacturing operations, delay or prevent the launch of new products or require us to expend additional capital.

To meet expected future demand for our conventional reagent products, we plan to lease a new expanded manufacturing facility in Edinburgh, Scotland near our existing manufacturing facility. Although the new facility will be leased, we will fund its design and completion using our existing cash balances. This project is expected to require a capital commitment of approximately $6 million, and our failure to complete the new facility on time and on budget may result in the need for us to expend additional capital and may impair the efficient operation of our manufacturing system. In addition, moving our manufacturing operations to a new facility may result in overlapping operations and duplicative costs during the transition period. Furthermore, changes in our manufacturing process or procedure, including a change in the location where our products are manufactured, will require prior FDA review and approval of the manufacturing process and procedures. Any new facility will be subject to a pre-approval inspection by the FDA and would again require us to demonstrate product comparability to the FDA. There are comparable foreign requirements as well. This review may be costly and time consuming and could delay or prevent the launch of any new product.

We generate a substantial portion of our revenue internationally and are subject to various risks relating to our international activities.

A significant proportion of our revenues are earned in U.S. Dollars but the costs of our manufacturing operations are payable mainly in Pounds Sterling. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar could impact our financial results adversely. We believe a significant percentage of our future revenue and costs will come from international sources.

Engaging in international business also involves a number of difficulties and risks, including:

 

  Ø  

required compliance with existing and changing foreign regulatory requirements and laws;

 

  Ø  

required compliance with anti-bribery laws, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act, data privacy requirements, labor laws and anti-competition regulations;

 

  Ø  

export or import restrictions;

 

  Ø  

various reimbursement and insurance regimes;

 

  Ø  

laws and business practices favoring local companies;

 

  Ø  

longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;

 

  Ø  

political and economic instability;

 

  Ø  

potentially adverse tax consequences, tariffs, customs charges, bureaucratic requirements and other trade barriers;

 

  Ø  

difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations; and

 

  Ø  

difficulties protecting or procuring intellectual property rights.

The occurrence of any of these factors in the countries in which we operate could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

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Our term loan agreement contains restrictive and financial covenants that may limit our operating flexibility.

Our $15 million term loan agreement with MidCap Financial contains certain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to merge with other companies or consummate certain changes of control, acquire other companies, engage in new lines of business, make certain investments, pay dividends, transfer or dispose of assets, amend certain material agreements or enter into various specified transactions. We therefore may not be able to engage in any of the foregoing transactions unless we obtain the consent of the lender or terminate the term loan agreement. The loan agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including minimum revenue requirements, and is secured by all of our assets. There is no guarantee that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow or sales to meet the financial covenants or pay the principal and interest under the agreement. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that future working capital, borrowings or equity financing will be available to repay or refinance the amounts outstanding under the agreement.

Undetected errors or defects in our products could expose us to product liability claims, harm our reputation or decrease market acceptance of our products.

The sale and use of products or services based on our technologies could lead to the filing of product liability claims if someone were to allege that one of our products contained a design or manufacturing defect, which resulted in the failure to adequately perform the analysis for which it was designed. A product liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time consuming to defend, either of which could materially harm our business or financial condition. We maintain insurance that includes product liability coverage of approximately $8 million as of December 31, 2013 and we believe our insurance coverage is adequate for our business. However, there can be no assurance that insurance coverage for these risks will continue to be available or, if available, that it will be sufficient to cover potential claims or that the present level of coverage will continue to be available at a reasonable cost. Our existing insurance may have to be increased in the future if we are successful at introducing new transfusion diagnostics products and this will increase our costs. Under certain of our customer and license agreements, we have agreed to provide indemnification for product liability claims arising out of the use of our products. In the event that we are held liable for a claim or for damages exceeding the limits of our insurance coverage, we may be required to make substantial payments.

Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

  Ø  

decreased demand for our products and product candidates;

 

  Ø  

injury to our reputation;

 

  Ø  

costs of related litigation;

 

  Ø  

substantial monetary awards to patients and others;

 

  Ø  

loss of revenue; and

 

  Ø  

the inability to commercialize our products and product candidates.

Any of these outcomes may have an adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and may increase the volatility of our share price.

We may also be subject to warranty claims for damages related to errors or defects in our products. A material liability claim or other occurrence that harms our reputation or decreases market acceptance of our products could harm our business and operating results. In the event that we experience a product performance problem, we may be required to, or may voluntarily recall or suspend selling the products until the problem is resolved. Depending on the product as well as the availability of acceptable substitutes, such a product recall or suspension could significantly impact our operating results.

 

 

 

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The outcome of any current or future disputes, claims and litigation could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are currently involved in a dispute regarding the 2007 purchase of our Alba subsidiary in which the seller is alleging it is owed approximately $3.1 million. See “Business – Legal proceedings.” In addition, we may, from time to time, be party to litigation in the normal course of business, including class action and product liability lawsuits. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, it is not possible to predict the final outcome of these lawsuits or determine the amount of any potential losses we may incur. In the event we are required or determine to pay amounts in connection with any such lawsuits, such amounts could be significant and could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are highly dependent on our senior management team and other key employees, and our success depends on our ability to retain our managerial personnel and to attract additional personnel.

Our success is dependent upon the efforts of our senior management and staff, including sales, technical and management personnel, many of whom have very specialized industry and technical expertise that is not easily replaced. In particular, our success depends in part upon the continued service of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Cowan, who is critical to the overall management of our company. This includes the shaping of our culture and our strategic direction. If key individuals leave us, we could be adversely affected if suitable replacement personnel are not quickly recruited. We have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers and senior managers, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, but none of these agreements guarantees the service of the individual for a specified period of time. Our future success depends on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. There is intense competition for medical technologists and in some markets there is a shortage of qualified personnel in our industry. If we are unable to continue to attract or retain highly qualified personnel, the development, growth and future success of our business could be adversely affected.

We may seek to grow our business through acquisitions of or investments in new or complementary businesses, products or technologies, and the failure to manage acquisitions or investments, or the failure to integrate them with our existing business, could have a material adverse effect on us.

From time to time, we expect to consider opportunities to acquire or make investments in other technologies, products and businesses that may enhance our capabilities, complement our current products or expand the breadth of our product offerings, markets or customer base. Potential and completed acquisitions and strategic investments involve numerous risks, including:

 

  Ø  

problems assimilating the purchased technologies, products or business operations;

 

  Ø  

issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies;

 

  Ø  

unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions;

 

  Ø  

diversion of management’s attention from our core business;

 

  Ø  

adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

  Ø  

risks associated with entering new markets in which we have limited or no experience;

 

  Ø  

potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses; and

 

  Ø  

increased legal and accounting compliance costs.

 

 

 

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We have no current commitments with respect to any acquisition or investment. Any acquisitions we undertake could be expensive and time consuming and may disrupt our ongoing business and prevent management from focusing on our operations. If we are unable to manage acquisitions or investments, or integrate any acquired businesses, products or technologies effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

We may enter into collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances or partnerships with third parties that may not result in the development of commercially viable products or the generation of significant future revenues.

In the ordinary course of our business, we may enter into collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances or partnerships to develop proposed products and to pursue new markets. Proposing, negotiating and implementing collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances or partnerships may be a lengthy and complex process. Other companies, including those with substantially greater financial, marketing, sales, technology or other business resources, may compete with us for these opportunities or arrangements. We may not identify, secure, or complete any such transactions or arrangements in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, on acceptable terms or at all. We have limited institutional knowledge and experience with respect to these business development activities, and we may also not realize the anticipated benefits of any such transaction or arrangement. In particular, these collaborations may not result in the development of products that achieve commercial success or result in significant revenues and could be terminated prior to developing any products.

Additionally, we may not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the transaction or arrangement, which could create the potential risk of creating impasses on decisions, and our collaborators may have economic or business interests or goals that are, or that may become, inconsistent with our business interests or goals. It is possible that conflicts may arise with our collaborators, such as conflicts concerning the achievement of performance milestones, or the interpretation of significant terms under any agreement, such as those related to financial obligations or the ownership or control of intellectual property developed during the collaboration. If any conflicts arise with our current or future collaborators, they may act in their self-interest, which may be adverse to our best interest, and they may breach their obligations to us. In addition, we have limited control over the amount and timing of resources that our current collaborators or any future collaborators devote to our collaborators’ or our future products. Disputes between us and our collaborators may result in litigation or arbitration which would increase our expenses and divert the attention of our management. Further, these transactions and arrangements are contractual in nature and may be terminated or dissolved under the terms of the applicable agreements and, in such event, we may not continue to have rights to the products relating to such transaction or arrangement or may need to purchase such rights at a premium.

RISKS RELATED TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION

If we or our commercial partners fail to comply with extensive foreign and domestic regulations, sales of our products in new and existing markets and the development and commercialization of any new product candidates, including MosaiQ TM , could be delayed or prevented.

Our reagents and other products are subject to regulation by governmental and private agencies in the United States and abroad, which, among other things, regulate the testing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, promotion, marketing, import and export of medical supplies and devices. Certain international regulatory bodies also impose import and tax restrictions, tariff regulations, and duties on imported products. Delays in agency review can significantly delay new product introduction and may result in a product becoming “outdated” or losing its market opportunity before it can be introduced.

 

 

 

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Also, the FDA and international agencies have the authority to require a recall or modification of products in the event of a defect or to prohibit or limit the distribution or importation of the product.

FDA approval of a BLA or clearance of a 510(k) generally is required before we can market new reagents in the United States or make significant changes to existing products. The process of obtaining licenses, marketing clearances and approvals from regulatory agencies can be time consuming and expensive. There is no assurance that marketing authorizations will be granted or that agency reviews will not involve delays that would adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products, including MosaiQ TM .

If any of our products were to fail to perform in the manner represented during review of the product application, particularly concerning clinical performance, one or more of these agencies could place restrictions on the labeling, marketing, distribution or use of the product, require us to cease manufacturing and selling that product, or even recall previously-placed products, and, if the product must be modified in order to resolve the problem, to resubmit the product for market authorization before we could sell it again. Depending upon the product, and the availability of acceptable substitutes, such an agency action could result in significantly reduced revenues and earnings for an indefinite period.

We currently anticipate marketing MosaiQ TM consumables to laboratories for research use only, or RUO, in the first half of 2016. While such products are not currently regulated by the FDA as medical devices assuming they meet certain requirements, such as they do not make claims related to safety, effectiveness or diagnostic utility and they are not intended for human clinical diagnostic or prognostic use, if the FDA were to conclude that our RUO-labeled products were medical devices, they would need to meet the requirements applicable to medical devices.

Federal, state and foreign regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of our products are subject to change. We cannot predict what impact, if any, such changes might have on our business. In addition, there can be no assurance that regulation of our products will not become more restrictive in the future and that any such development would not have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we or our suppliers fail to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, these products could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market.

Any product for which we obtain marketing approval or clearance in the United States or in international jurisdictions, along with the manufacturing processes and promotional activities for such product, will be subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory bodies. Furthermore, our suppliers may be subject to similar regulatory oversight and may not currently be or may not continue to be in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Our failure or the failure of one of our suppliers to comply with statutes and regulations administered by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, or our failure to take adequate action in response to any observations, could result in, among other things, any of the following enforcement actions, any one of which could harm our reputation and could cause our product sales and profitability to suffer:

 

  Ø  

fines and civil penalties;

 

  Ø  

the requirement to take corrective actions;

 

  Ø  

delays in approving or clearing, or refusal to approve or clear, our products;

 

  Ø  

withdrawal or suspension of approval or clearances by the FDA or other regulatory bodies;

 

  Ø  

product recall or seizures;

 

  Ø  

interruption of production;

 

 

 

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  Ø  

restrictions on labeling, marketing, distribution or use of our products;

 

  Ø  

an import or export ban on our products;

 

  Ø  

injunctions; and

 

  Ø  

criminal prosecution.

We may also receive warning letters or untitled letters, such as the warning letter we received from the FDA in 2009 regarding compliance with current good manufacturing practices at our Edinburgh facility regarding various antisera products. Following corrective actions that took place between February and April 2009, we received a response acceptance letter from the FDA in June 2009. We have not received any such warning letters or untitled letters since this time.

Any regulatory approval or clearance of a product may also be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed. If the FDA or another regulatory body determines that our promotional materials, training or other activities constitute promotion of an unapproved use, it could request that we cease or modify our training or promotional materials or subject us to regulatory enforcement actions. It is also possible that other federal, state or foreign enforcement authorities might take action if they consider our training or promotional materials to constitute promotion of an unapproved use, which could result in significant fines or penalties under applicable statutory authorities, such as laws prohibiting false claims for reimbursement. Additionally, we may be required to conduct costly post-market testing and we may be required to report adverse events and malfunctions related to our products. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, including unanticipated adverse events, manufacturing problems or failure to comply with regulatory requirements may result in restrictions on such products or manufacturing processes. Other potential consequences include revisions to the approved labeling, withdrawal of the products from the market, voluntary or mandatory recalls, fines, suspension of regulatory approvals, product seizures, injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

Furthermore, the FDA and various other authorities will inspect our facilities and those of our suppliers from time to time to determine whether we are in compliance with regulations relating to the manufacture of transfusion diagnostics products, including regulations concerning design, manufacture, testing, quality control, product labeling, distribution, promotion and record-keeping practices. A determination that we are in material violation of such regulations could lead to the imposition of civil penalties, including warning or untitled letters, fines, product recalls, field actions, product seizures or, in extreme cases, criminal sanctions.

Additionally, healthcare policy has been a subject of extensive discussion in the executive and legislative branches of the federal and many state governments and healthcare laws and regulations are subject to change. Our reagent product business strategy, and the development of the commercialization strategy for MosaiQ™, have been based on existing healthcare policies. We cannot predict what additional changes, if any, will be proposed or adopted or the effect that such proposals or adoption may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Approval and/or clearance by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities for our transfusion diagnostics products could take significant time and require significant development expenditures.

Obtaining FDA and other regulatory clearances or approvals for MosaiQ™ and our newly developed conventional reagent products can be expensive and uncertain. It can take from several months to several years from the date of submission of the application, and generally requires detailed and comprehensive

 

 

 

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scientific and clinical data. As with all blood transfusion products, the FDA and other regulatory authorities reserve the right to redefine the regulatory path at the time of submission or during the review process, and could require a more burdensome approach than we currently anticipate. For example, it will be necessary for us to refile a BLA that we submitted in 2013 for the sale of additional monoclonal antibody products as a result of application deficiencies brought to our attention by the FDA. Our BLA application was not accepted by the FDA as a result of industrywide changes in study design requirements, while previously-accepted product manufacturing and stability documentation was also rejected. We established a dedicated team to address the deficiencies and have discussed the team’s mandate with the FDA. We believe these efforts will be completed by April 2014 and the findings will be incorporated into subsequent FDA submissions. We have also de-emphasized the products represented by this BLA in our conventional reagent development plan, preferring to focus on higher value programs with shorter development timelines. Notwithstanding the time and expense, these efforts may never result in FDA approval or clearance or that of other regulatory authorities. Even if we were to obtain regulatory approval or clearance, it may not be for the uses we believe are important or commercially attractive, in which case we would not be permitted to market our product for those uses.

Our use of biological and hazardous materials and wastes requires us to comply with regulatory requirements, including environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements and subjects us to significant costs and exposes us to potential liabilities.

The handling of materials used in the manufacture of transfusion diagnostics products involves the controlled use of biological and hazardous materials and wastes. The primary hazardous materials we handle or use include human blood donations. Our business and facilities and those of our suppliers are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and the environment, including those governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of, and exposure to, such materials and wastes. In addition, under some environmental laws and regulations, we could be held responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our past or present facilities and at third-party waste disposal sites even if such contamination was not caused by us. A failure to comply with current or future environmental laws and regulations, including the failure to obtain, maintain or comply with any required permits, could result in severe fines or penalties. Any such expenses or liability could have a significant negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs to comply with regulatory requirements in the future.

Our relationships with customers are subject to applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse and other domestic healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.

Healthcare providers, physicians at hospitals and public health departments play a primary role in the recommendation and ordering of our reagents and other products, and may play an important role in the recommendation and ordering of the MosaiQ™ system. Our arrangements with customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute our product. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations in the United States include the following:

 

  Ø  

The federal healthcare anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service, for which payment may be made under federally funded

 

 

 

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healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. This statute has been broadly interpreted to apply to manufacturer arrangements with prescribers, purchasers and formulary managers, among others. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, have enacted similar anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, and healthcare laws and regulations.

 

  Ø  

The federal False Claims Act imposes criminal and civil penalties against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement material to a false or fraudulent action or improperly avoiding, decreasing or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government.

 

  Ø  

HIPAA imposes criminal and civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program and also imposes obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information. In addition, HIPAA created criminal liability for knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services.

 

  Ø  

The federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act requirements under the PPACA (as defined below) require manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies to report to HHS information related to payments and other transfers of value made to or at the request of covered recipients, such as physicians and teaching hospitals, and physician ownership and investment interests in such manufacturers. Payments made to physicians and research institutions for clinical trials are included within the ambit of this law. Certain state laws and regulations also require the reporting of certain items of value provided to health care professionals.

 

  Ø  

Analogous state laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers.

Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations involve substantial costs. We may be subject to qui tam litigation brought by private individuals on behalf of the government under the federal False Claims Act, with potential liability including mandatory treble damages and significant per-claim penalties, currently set at $5,500 to $11,000 per false claim. Additionally, it is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. Exclusion, suspension and debarment from government funded healthcare programs would significantly impact our ability to commercialize, sell or distribute any product. If any of the physicians or other providers or entities with whom we expect to do business are found to be not in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

 

 

 

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We are subject to the UK Bribery Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, as well as export control laws, customs laws, sanctions laws and other laws governing our operations. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are subject to anti-corruption laws, including the UK Bribery Act 2010, or Bribery Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other anti-corruption laws that apply in countries where we do business. The Bribery Act, FCPA and these other laws generally prohibit us and our employees and intermediaries from bribing, being bribed or making other prohibited payments to government officials or other persons to obtain or retain business or gain some other business advantage. We and our commercial partners operate in a number of jurisdictions that pose a high risk of potential Bribery Act or FCPA violations, and we participate in collaborations and relationships with third parties whose actions could potentially subject us to liability under the Bribery Act, FCPA or local anti-corruption laws. In addition, we cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.

We are also subject to other laws and regulations governing our international operations, including regulations administered by the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and authorities in the European Union, including applicable export control regulations, economic sanctions on countries and persons, customs requirements and currency exchange regulations, collectively referred to as the Trade Control laws.

There is no assurance that we will be completely effective in ensuring our compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws, including the Bribery Act, the FCPA or other legal requirements and Trade Control laws. If we are not in compliance with the Bribery Act, the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws or Trade Control laws, we may be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement and other sanctions and remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Likewise, any investigation of any potential violations of the Bribery Act, the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws or Trade Control laws by UK, U.S. or other authorities could also have an adverse impact on our reputation, our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Healthcare policy changes, including recently enacted legislation reforming the U.S. healthcare system, may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Changes in government policy could have a significant impact on our business by increasing the cost of doing business, affecting our ability to sell our products and negatively impacting our profitability. Such changes could include modifications to existing legislation, such as U.S. tax policy, or entirely new legislation, such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that became law in March 2010. The PPACA makes changes that are expected to significantly impact the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and clinical laboratories. Elements of this legislation could meaningfully change the way healthcare services are delivered and may materially impact aspects of our business. We cannot predict whether future healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level or in countries outside of the United States in which we may do business, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us.

 

 

 

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RISKS RELATED TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The extent to which we can protect our products and technologies through intellectual property rights that we own, acquire or license is uncertain.

We employ a variety of proprietary and patented technologies and methods in connection with the products we sell or are developing, including MosaiQ TM . We license some of these technologies from third parties. We cannot provide any assurance that the intellectual property rights that we own or license provide effective protection from competitive threats or that we would prevail in any litigation in which our intellectual property rights are challenged. In addition, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be successful in obtaining new proprietary or patented technologies or methods in the future, whether through acquiring ownership or through licenses from third parties.

We cannot assure investors that any of our currently pending or future patent applications will result in issued patents, and we cannot predict how long it may take for a patent to issue on any of our pending patent applications, assuming a patent does issue. Further, we cannot assure investors that other parties will not challenge any patents issued or exclusively licensed to us or that courts or administrative agencies will hold our patents or the patents we license on an exclusive basis to be valid and enforceable. We cannot guarantee investors that we will be successful in defending challenges made against our patents and other intellectual property rights. Any third-party challenge to any of our patents could result in the unenforceability or invalidity of some or all of the claims of such patents and could be time consuming and expensive.

The extent to which the patent rights of life sciences companies effectively protect their products and technologies is often highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the proper scope of allowable claims of patents held by such companies has emerged to date in the United States. Various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have rendered decisions that impact the scope of patentability of certain inventions or discoveries relating to diagnostics tests or genomic diagnostics. These decisions generally stand for the proposition that inventions that recite laws of nature are not themselves patentable unless they have sufficient additional features that provide practical assurance that the processes are genuine inventive applications of those laws rather than patent drafting efforts designed to monopolize a law of nature itself. What constitutes a “sufficient” additional feature for this purpose is uncertain. While we do not generally rely on gene sequence patents, this evolving case law in the United States may adversely impact our ability to obtain new patents and may facilitate third-party challenges to our existing owned and exclusively licensed patents.

We cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in patents we own or in those to which we have exclusive license rights. For example:

 

  Ø  

the inventor(s) named in one or more of our patents or patent applications might not have been the first to have made the relevant invention;

 

  Ø  

the inventor (or his assignee) might not have been the first to file a patent application for the claimed invention;

 

  Ø  

others may independently develop similar or alternative products and technologies or may successfully replicate our product and technologies;

 

  Ø  

it is possible that the patents we own or in which have exclusive license rights may not provide us with any competitive advantages or may be challenged by third parties and found to be invalid or unenforceable;

 

 

 

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  Ø  

any patents we obtain or exclusively license may expire before, or within a limited time period after, the products and services relating to such patents are commercialized;

 

  Ø  

we may not develop or acquire additional proprietary products and technologies that are patentable; and

 

  Ø  

others may acquire patents that could be asserted against us in a manner that could have an adverse effect on our business.

Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States or other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property rights. In particular, in September 2011, the U.S. Congress passed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the AIA, which became effective in March 2013. The AIA reforms U.S. patent law in part by changing the standard for patent approval for certain patents from a “first to invent” standard to a “first to file” standard and developing a post-grant review system. It is too early to determine what the effect or impact the AIA will have on the operation of our business and the protection and enforcement of our intellectual property. However, the AIA and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are not published until at least eighteen months after filing and it is possible for a patent application filed in the United States to be maintained in secrecy until a patent issues on the application. In addition, publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries. We therefore cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications that cover inventions that are the subject of pending applications that we own or exclusively license or that we or our licensors, as applicable, were the first to invent the technology (pre-AIA) or first to file (post-AIA). Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering technology that is similar to or the same as our technology. Any such patent application may have priority over patent applications that we own or exclusively license and, if a patent issues on such patent application, we could be required to obtain a license to such patent in order to carry on our business. If another party has filed a U.S. patent application covering an invention this is similar to, or the same as, an invention that we own or license, we or our licensors may have to participate in an interference or other proceeding in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, or a court to determine priority of invention in the United States, for pre-AIA applications and patents. For post-AIA applications and patents, we or our licensors may have to participate in a derivation proceeding to resolve disputes relating to inventorship. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in our inability to obtain or retain any U.S. patent rights with respect to such invention.

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

In addition to pursuing patents on our technology, we seek to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology by entering into intellectual property assignment and non-disclosure agreements with our employees, consultants and third party collaborators. See “—We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.”

 

 

 

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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends upon 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.

The PTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent prosecution process and following the issuance of a patent. There are situations in which noncompliance with these requirements can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case if our patent were in force.

Our intellectual property rights may not be sufficient to protect our competitive position and to prevent others from manufacturing, using or selling competing products.

The scope of our owned and exclusively licensed intellectual property rights may not be sufficient to prevent others from manufacturing, using or selling competing products. For example, our manufacturing process for MosaiQ TM consumables depends in part on intellectual property that we expect to in-license on an exclusive basis, and such rights may be limited. Our competitors may have obtained or be able to develop or obtain a license to similar intellectual property. Competitors could purchase our product and attempt to replicate some or all of the competitive advantages we derive from our development efforts, willfully infringe our intellectual property rights, design around our protected technology or develop their own competitive technologies and thereby avoid infringing our intellectual property rights. If our intellectual property is not sufficient to effectively prevent our competitors from developing and selling similar products, our competitive position and our business could be adversely affected.

MosaiQ TM depends on certain technologies that are licensed to us. We do not control these technologies and any loss of our rights to them could prevent us from manufacturing our products.

We rely on licenses to various proprietary technologies that are material to our business, including the development of MosaiQ TM . We have entered into an exclusive license with The Technology Partnership plc, or TTP, to patented technologies to enable high volume manufacturing of MosaiQ TM consumables. In addition, STRATEC Biomedical AG, or STRATEC, has agreed to grant us licenses to certain of its pre-existing technologies, and has granted us licenses to its technologies to be developed under our development agreement with it for the MosaiQ instrument. Our rights to use these technologies will be subject to the continuation of and our compliance with the terms of those licenses. If we were to lose access to these licenses, we would be unable to manufacture MosaiQ TM consumables or commercialize MosaiQ instruments until we obtained access to a comparable technology.

We may not control the prosecution, maintenance or filing of the patents to which we now hold or in the future intend to acquire licenses. Enforcement of our licensed patents or defense of any claims asserting the invalidity of these patents may be subject to the control or cooperation of our licensors. We cannot be certain that our licensors will prosecute, maintain, enforce and defend the licensed patent rights in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. We also cannot be certain that drafting or prosecution of the licensed patents and patent applications by the relevant licensors have been or will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, will result in valid and enforceable patents or that any patents or patents that may issue in the future on any patent applications owned by or exclusively licensed to us will provide any competitive advantage.

 

 

 

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Certain of our licenses contain, and any future licenses may contain, provisions that allow the licensor to terminate the license upon the occurrence of certain events, such as material breach by us or our insolvency. For example, the licenses granted under the development agreement with STRATEC would be null and void upon termination of the development agreement by STRATEC. The TTP license is for uses that include antigen typing, antibody detection and serological screening of donated blood for infectious diseases (collectively, the initial purpose), as well as all human blood sample diagnostic testing on batch processing instruments (collectively, the additional purposes), with the exception of companion diagnostics, epigenetics, and nucleic acid sequencing. If any of certain agreed upon license payments are not made by us when due, we will lose the license to the additional purposes, but not the initial purpose. TTP may terminate its license agreement with us if we assist another party in disputing the validity and/or scope of any of TTP’s patented intellectual property covered by the agreement. If the licensors of the technologies we rely on were to terminate our license agreements, the commercialization of MosaiQ TM could be prevented or delayed, and we may be unable to find a suitable replacement technology at an acceptable cost or at all. Our rights under each of the licenses may be subject to our continued compliance with the terms of the license, including certain diligence, disclosure and confidentiality obligations and the payment of fees. If we breach any of our license agreements and fail to cure the breach within any applicable cure period, our licensors may take action against us, including termination of the applicable license. Determining the scope of our licenses and related obligations can be difficult and could lead to disputes between us and the licensors. An unfavorable resolution of such a dispute could lead to termination of the license to which a dispute relates. If a licensor terminates a license agreement because of a breach by us that we fail to timely cure, we might no longer have the right to produce or sell some or all of our products and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may become involved in disputes relating to our intellectual property rights, and may need to resort to litigation in order to defend and enforce our intellectual property rights.

Extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights has been common in the medical diagnostics industry. Litigation may be necessary to assert infringement claims, protect trade secrets or know-how and determine the enforceability, scope and validity of certain proprietary rights. Litigation may even be necessary to resolve disputes of inventorship or ownership of proprietary rights. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property lawsuits, PTO interference or derivation proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings (e.g., a re-examination) in the United States and internationally involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, such proceedings are costly and time consuming to pursue, and their outcome is uncertain.

Even if we prevail in such a proceeding in which we assert our intellectual property rights against third parties, the remedy we obtain may not be commercially meaningful or adequately compensate us for any damages we may have suffered. If we do not prevail in such a proceeding, our patents could potentially be declared to be invalid, unenforceable or narrowed in scope, or we could otherwise lose valuable intellectual property rights. Similar proceedings involving the intellectual property we exclusively license could also have an impact on our business. Further, if any of our other owned or exclusively licensed patents are declared invalid, unenforceable or narrowed in scope, our competitive position could be adversely affected.

We could face claims that our activities or the manufacture, use or sale of our products infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which could cause us to pay damages or licensing fees and limit our ability to sell some or all of our products and services.

Our research, development and commercialization activities may infringe or be claimed to infringe patents or other intellectual property rights owned by other parties of which we may be unaware because the relevant patent applications may have been filed but not yet published. Certain of our competitors and

 

 

 

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other companies have substantial patent portfolios, and may attempt to use patent litigation as a means to obtain a competitive advantage or to extract licensing revenue. In addition to patent infringement claims, we may also be subject to other claims relating to the violation of intellectual property rights, such as claims that we have misappropriated trade secrets or infringed third party trademarks. The risks of being involved in such litigation may also increase as we gain greater visibility as a public company and as we gain commercial acceptance of our products and move into new markets and applications for our products.

Regardless of merit or outcome, our involvement in any litigation, interference or other administrative proceedings could cause us to incur substantial expense and could significantly divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel. Any public announcements related to litigation or interference proceedings initiated or threatened against us could cause our share price to decline. An adverse determination, or any actions we take or agreements we enter into in order to resolve or avoid disputes, may subject us to the loss of our proprietary position or to significant liabilities, or require us to seek licenses that may include substantial cost and ongoing royalties. Licenses may not be available from third parties, or may not be obtainable on satisfactory terms. An adverse determination or a failure to obtain necessary licenses may restrict or prevent us from manufacturing and selling our products and offering our services. These outcomes could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property outside of the United States.

The laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending such rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents and for licensors, if they were to seek to do so, to stop infringement of patents that are licensed to us. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial cost and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business. Additionally, prosecuting and maintaining intellectual property (particularly patent) rights are very costly endeavors, and for these and other reasons we may not pursue or obtain patent protection in all major markets. We do not know whether legal and government fees will increase substantially and therefore are unable to predict whether cost may factor into our global intellectual property strategy.

In addition to the risks associated with patent rights, the laws in some foreign jurisdictions may not provide protection for our trade secrets and other intellectual property. If our trade secrets or other intellectual property are misappropriated in foreign jurisdictions, we may be without adequate remedies to address these issues. Additionally, we also rely on confidentiality and assignment of invention agreements to protect our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. These agreements may provide for contractual remedies in the event of misappropriation, but we do not know to what extent, if any, these agreements and any remedies for their breach, will be enforced by a foreign court. In the event our intellectual property is misappropriated or infringed upon and an adequate remedy is not available, our future prospects will likely diminish. The sale of products that infringe our intellectual property rights, particularly if such products are offered at a lower cost, could negatively impact our ability to achieve commercial success and may materially and adversely harm our business.

 

 

 

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Our failure to secure trademark registrations could adversely affect our business and our ability to market our products and product candidates.

Our trademark applications in the United States and any other jurisdictions where we may file may not be allowed for registration, and our registered trademarks may not be maintained or enforced. During trademark registration proceedings, we may receive rejections. Although we are given an opportunity to respond to those rejections, we may be unable to overcome such rejections. In addition, in the PTO and in corresponding foreign agencies, third parties are given an opportunity to oppose pending trademark applications and to seek to cancel registered trademarks. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our applications and/or registrations, and our applications and/or registrations may not survive such proceedings. Failure to secure such trademark registrations in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions could adversely affect our business and our ability to market our products and product candidates.

We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information, or the misappropriation of the intellectual property we regard as our own.

We rely on trade secrets to protect our proprietary know how and technological advances, particularly where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. Nevertheless, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We rely in part on confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, third party collaborators and other advisors to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information. These agreements generally require that the other party to the agreement keep confidential and not disclose to third parties all confidential information developed by us or made known to the other party by us during the course of the other party’s relationship with us. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Monitoring unauthorized disclosure is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to prevent such disclosure are, or will be, adequate. If we were to seek to pursue a claim that a third party had illegally obtained and was using our trade secrets, it would be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome would be unpredictable. Further, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information and therefore be free to use such trade secrets and proprietary information. Costly and time consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights. In addition, our trade secrets and proprietary information may be misappropriated as a result of breaches of our electronic or physical security systems in which case we may have no legal recourse. Failure to obtain, or maintain, trade secret protection could enable competitors to use our proprietary information to develop products that compete with our products or cause additional, material adverse effects upon our competitive business position.

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

As is common our industry, we employ individuals who were previously employed at other companies in our industry or in related industries, including our competitors or potential competitors. 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.

 

 

 

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR ORDINARY SHARES AND THIS OFFERING

We are eligible to be treated as an emerging growth company and we cannot be certain that the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will not make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including (1) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements and (3) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we are not required to provide five years of selected financial data in this prospectus. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of September 30 in any fiscal year before that time or if we have total annual gross revenue of $1.0 billion or more during any fiscal year before that time, in which cases we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following March 31 or, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during any three-year period before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company immediately. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have 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.

There is no established trading market for our ordinary shares.

This offering constitutes our initial public offering of our ordinary shares, and no public market for our ordinary shares currently exists. We have applied to list our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Market, or NASDAQ. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for our ordinary shares will develop or be sustained after this offering is completed. The initial offering price will be determined by negotiations among the lead underwriters and us. Among the factors that may be considered in determining the initial offering price will be our future prospects and the prospects of our industry in general, our revenue, net income and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the financial ratios, market prices of securities and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that following this offering our ordinary shares will trade at a price equal to or greater than the offering price.

 

 

 

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Our share price is likely to be volatile, and purchasers of our ordinary shares could incur substantial losses.

Like other early-stage medical diagnostic companies, the market price of our ordinary shares is likely to be volatile. The factors below may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares:

 

  Ø  

fluctuations in our results of operations;

 

  Ø  

our ability to enter new markets;

 

  Ø  

negative publicity;

 

  Ø  

changes in securities or industry analyst recommendations regarding our company, the sectors in which we operate, the securities market generally, conditions in the financial markets and the perception of our ability to raise additional funding;

 

  Ø  

regulatory developments affecting MosaiQ TM or our industry, including announcement of new adverse regulatory decisions in respect of MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

announcements of studies and reports relating to our products, including MosaiQ TM , or those of our competitors;

 

  Ø  

changes in economic performance or market valuations of our competitors;

 

  Ø  

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our annual and quarterly financial results;

 

  Ø  

conditions in the industries in which we operate;

 

  Ø  

announcements by us or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic relations, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

  Ø  

additions to or departures of our key executives and employees;

 

  Ø  

fluctuations of exchange rates;

 

  Ø  

release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding ordinary shares; and

 

  Ø  

sales or perceived sales of additional shares of our ordinary shares.

In addition, the securities of life sciences companies have recently experienced significant volatility. The volatility of the securities of life sciences companies often does not relate to the operating performance of those companies. As we operate in a single industry, we are especially vulnerable to these factors to the extent that they affect our industry or our products, or to a lesser extent our markets. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ordinary shares will depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Currently, we do not have any analyst coverage and we may not obtain analyst coverage in the future. In the event we obtain analyst coverage, we will not have any control over such analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.

 

 

 

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Substantial future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline, irrespective of the underlying performance of our business.

Additional sales of our ordinary shares in the public market after this initial public offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline. Upon completion of this offering, we will have 14,376,547 ordinary shares outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. All ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act. A limited number of ordinary shares may be available for sale shortly after this offering since they are not subject to existing contractual and legal restrictions on resale. The remaining ordinary shares outstanding after this offering will be available for sale upon the expiration of a lock-up period, which we expect will expire 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or Rule 144. Any or all of these shares may be released prior to expiration of the lock-up period at the discretion of the lead underwriters for this offering. To the extent any of these shares are sold into the market, particularly in substantial quantities, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline. See “Shares eligible for future sale.”

We have never paid cash dividends and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid dividends on ordinary shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. In addition, pursuant to the term loan agreement with MidCap Financial, we are precluded from paying any cash dividends without MidCap Financial’s consent. Under Jersey, Channel Islands law, any payment of dividends would be subject to relevant legislation and our Amended Articles of Association provide that all dividends must be approved by our Board of Directors and, in some cases, our shareholders, and may only be paid from our distributable profits available for the purpose, determined on an unconsolidated basis.

Galen Partners LLP, Mrs. Deidre Cowan (the wife of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) and management own a significant percentage of our ordinary shares and will be able to exercise significant influence over matters subject to shareholder approval.

As set forth under the heading “Principal shareholders,” as of December 31, 2013, certain entities affiliated with Galen Partners LLP, Mrs. Deidre Cowan (the wife of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), and our executive officers and directors, together with their respective affiliates, held substantially all of our outstanding ordinary shares and we expect that, upon completion of this offering, the same group will continue to hold at least 64.9% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly, even after this offering, these shareholders will be able to exert a significant degree of influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of our Board of Directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of entrenching our management and/or our Board of Directors, delaying or preventing a change in our control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on the fair market value of our ordinary shares.

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds of this offering and could use them for purposes other than those currently contemplated. Our shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds. Moreover,

 

 

 

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our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not increase our profitability or our market value. See “Use of proceeds” for a description of our management’s intended use of the proceeds from this offering.

You will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.

If you purchase ordinary shares in this offering, assuming a public offering price of $10.00, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution of $6.72 per share, representing the difference between the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share and our pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering. Moreover, we have previously issued warrants to acquire preference shares, which will be converted into warrants to purchase ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, and options to acquire ordinary shares at prices significantly below the assumed initial public offering price. Based on outstanding warrants and options as of March 31, 2014, following the completion of this offering, there will be 64,000 ordinary shares subject to outstanding warrants and 779,462 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options. To the extent that these outstanding warrants or options are ultimately exercised, you will incur further dilution.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company whose ordinary shares are publicly traded in the United States and our management expects to devote substantial time to public company compliance programs.

As a public company, we will incur significant legal, insurance, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, our administrative staff will be required to perform additional tasks. For example, in anticipation of becoming a public company, we will need to adopt additional internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, retain a transfer agent, adopt an insider trading policy and bear all of the internal and external costs of preparing and distributing periodic public reports in compliance with our obligations under the securities laws. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment will result in increased general and administrative expenses and may divert management’s time and attention. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be harmed. In connection with this offering, we are increasing our directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage, which will increase our insurance costs. In the future, it will be more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and remuneration committee, and qualified executive officers.

In addition, in order to comply with the requirements of being a public company, we may need to undertake various actions, including implementing new internal controls and procedures and hiring new accounting or internal audit staff. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We are continuing to develop and refine our disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and financial officers. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls could adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations. In the event that we are not able to demonstrate compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, that our internal

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

control over financial reporting is perceived as inadequate, or that we are unable to produce timely or accurate financial statements, investors may lose confidence in our operating results and the price of our ordinary shares could decline. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements, we may not be able to remain listed on NASDAQ.

We are not currently required to comply with the SEC’s rules that implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not yet required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Upon becoming a public company, we will be required to comply with certain of these rules, which will require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting commencing with our second annual report. This assessment will need to include the disclosure of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting identified by our management or our independent registered public accounting firm. We are just beginning the costly and challenging process of implementing the system and processing documentation needed to comply with such requirements. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion.

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

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to satisfy the continued listing standards of NASDAQ going forward.

We expect our ordinary shares to be initially listed on NASDAQ. However, we cannot ensure that we will be able to satisfy the continued listing standards of NASDAQ going forward. If we cannot satisfy the continued listing standards going forward, The NASDAQ Stock Market may commence delisting procedures against us, which could result in our ordinary shares being removed from listing on NASDAQ. If our ordinary shares were to be delisted, the liquidity of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected and the market price of our ordinary shares could decrease. Delisting could also adversely affect our shareholders’ ability to trade or obtain quotations on our shares because of lower trading volumes and transaction delays. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask price for our ordinary shares. You may also not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you paid for such shares or at all.

The dilutive effect of our warrants could have an adverse effect on the future market price of our ordinary shares or otherwise adversely affect the interests of our ordinary shareholders.

Based on outstanding warrants as of March 31, 2014, there will be an outstanding warrant to purchase 64,000 of our ordinary shares at an exercise price of $9.38 per share upon completion of this offering. This warrant is likely to be exercised if the market price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds the warrant exercise price. To the extent such warrant is exercised, additional ordinary shares will be issued, which would dilute the ownership of existing shareholders. Further, if this warrant is exercised at any time in the future at a price lower than the book value per share of our ordinary shares, existing shareholders could suffer dilution of their investment.

 

 

 

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RISKS RELATED TO BEING A JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS COMPANY LISTING ORDINARY SHARES

 

Our ordinary shares are issued under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, which may not provide the level of legal certainty and transparency afforded by incorporation in a United States state.

We are organized under the laws of the Jersey, Channel Islands, a British crown dependency that is an island located off the coast of Normandy, France. Jersey is not a member of the European Union. Jersey, Channel Islands legislation regarding companies is largely based on English corporate law principles. A further summary of applicable Jersey, Channel Islands company law is contained in this prospectus. However, there can be no assurance that Jersey, Channel Islands law will not change in the future or that it will serve to protect investors in a similar fashion afforded under corporate law principles in the United States, which could adversely affect the rights of investors.

Beneficial holders of our ordinary shares through the Depository Trust Company will not be legal shareholders of our company and therefore will have no direct rights as shareholders and must act through their participating broker to exercise those rights. As a result of this restriction, we are unable to comply with NASDAQ’s Direct Registration Program.

Under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, only holders of ordinary shares in the UK’s CREST electronic system or holders of shares in certificated form may be recorded in our share register as legal shareholders.

Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will hold the ordinary shares in this offering on behalf of, and as nominee for, investors who purchase ordinary shares. We and DTC have no contractual relationship. Investors who purchase the ordinary shares (although recorded as owners within the DTC system) are legally considered holders of beneficial interests in those shares only and will have no direct rights against us. Investors who purchase ordinary shares in this offering must look solely to their participating brokerage in the DTC system for payment of dividends, the exercise of voting rights attaching to the ordinary shares and for all other rights arising with respect to the ordinary shares.

Under our Amended Articles of Association, the minimum notice period required to convene a general meeting is 14 clear days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares from the DTC system to allow you to directly cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, a participating DTC brokerage firm may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We cannot assure you that you will receive voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct your participating DTC brokerage, or its designee, to vote your shares. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ordinary shares are not voted as you requested. In addition, if you hold your shares indirectly through the DTC system, you will not be able to call a shareholder meeting.

As a result of Jersey, Channel Islands law restrictions described above, we are unable to comply with NASDAQ’s Direct Registration Program requirements. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5210(c) requires that all securities listed on NASDAQ (except securities which are book-entry only) must be eligible for a Direct Registration Program operated by a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that a foreign issuer may follow its home country practice in lieu of this requirement

 

 

 

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Risk factors

 

 

if prohibited from complying by a law or regulation in its home country. As noted above, we are unable to comply with this requirement, and will follow our home country requirements providing that only holders of ordinary shares in the CREST electronic system or holders of shares in certificated form will be recorded in our share register. We do not intend to list our shares in the United Kingdom and, accordingly, we only anticipate issuing our shares in certificated form.

A change in our tax residence could have a negative effect on our future profitability.

We are organized under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. Our directors seek to ensure that our affairs are conducted in such a manner that we are not resident in any other jurisdiction for tax purposes. It is possible that in the future, whether as a result of a change in law or the practice of any relevant tax authority or as a result of any change in the conduct of our affairs following a review by our directors or for any other reason, we could become, or be regarded as having become, a resident in another higher tax jurisdiction. Should we become a tax resident in another jurisdiction, we may be subject to unexpected tax charges in such jurisdiction. Similarly, if the tax residency of any of our subsidiaries were to change from their current jurisdiction for any of the reasons listed above, we may be subject to similar tax consequences.

We may be or become classified as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in materially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in our ordinary shares.

A non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value (determined on a quarterly basis) of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Our status as a PFIC depends on certain facts outside of our control and the application of U.S. federal income tax rules that are not entirely clear. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ordinary shares, such treatment could result in materially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. taxable investor. For example, if we are or become a PFIC, you may become subject to increased tax liabilities under U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations, and will become subject to additional reporting requirements. We cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our taxable year ending March 31, 2015 or any future taxable year. U.S. investors considering an investment in our ordinary shares are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding our possible status as a PFIC. See “Taxation—U.S. federal income tax consequences—Passive foreign investment company.”

U.S. withholding tax could apply to a portion of certain payments on the ordinary shares.

The United States has enacted rules, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” that generally impose a new reporting and withholding regime with respect to certain U.S. source payments (including dividends and interest), gross proceeds from the disposition of property that can produce U.S. source interest and dividends and certain payments made by entities that are classified as financial institutions under FATCA. The governments of Jersey, Channel Islands and the United States have entered into an agreement with respect to the implementation of FATCA. Under this agreement, we do not expect to be subject to withholding under FATCA on any payments we receive. Similarly, as currently drafted, we do not expect that withholding under FATCA will apply to payments on the ordinary shares. However, significant aspects of whether or how FATCA will apply to non-U.S. issuers like us remain unclear, and no assurance can be given that withholding under FATCA will not become relevant with respect to payments on the ordinary shares in the future. Even if FATCA were to become relevant to payments on

 

 

 

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the shares, it would not be applicable earlier than January 1, 2017. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential impact of FATCA, including the agreement relating to FATCA between the governments of Jersey and the United States, to an investment in the ordinary shares.

U.S. shareholders may not be able to enforce civil liabilities against us.

A number of our directors and executive officers and a number of directors of certain of our subsidiaries are not residents of the United States, and a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons.

Judgments of U.S. courts may not be directly enforceable outside of the United States and the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts outside of the United States may be subject to limitations. For further information on the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts in Jersey, Channel Islands, see “Cautionary statement on the enforceability of civil liabilities”.

Investors may also have difficulties pursuing an original action brought in a court in a jurisdiction outside the United States for liabilities under the securities laws of the United States.

 

 

 

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Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions, and include estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “strategy,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “might,” “design” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain, and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

  Ø  

the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of MosaiQ TM , including :

 

  Ø  

our and our partners’ ability to timely and cost-effectively complete the building of the manufacturing system for consumables;

 

  Ø  

our and our partners’ ability to timely and cost-effectively complete the design and development of the initial high-throughput instrument;

 

  Ø  

our and our partners’ ability to timely and cost-effectively complete the conversion of our recently leased facility located in Eysins, Switzerland to manufacture MosaiQ TM consumables;

 

  Ø  

our ability to timely and successfully complete required regulatory submissions, field trial studies, and marketing clearances;

 

  Ø  

our planned initial and full commercial launches; and

 

  Ø  

our expected arrangements with one or more commercial partners.

 

  Ø  

the design of blood grouping and disease screening capabilities of MosaiQ TM and the benefits of MosaiQ TM for both customers and patients;

 

  Ø  

future demand for and customer adoption of MosaiQ TM , the factors that we believe will drive such demand and our ability to address such demand;

 

  Ø  

our expected profit margins for MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

the size of the market for MosaiQ TM ;

 

  Ø  

the effects of competition;

 

  Ø  

the regulation of MosaiQ TM by the FDA or other regulatory bodies, or any unanticipated regulatory changes or scrutiny by such regulators;

 

  Ø  

future plans for our conventional reagent products;

 

  Ø  

our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others;

 

  Ø  

the status of our future relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulators relating to our conventional reagent products;

 

  Ø  

future demand for our conventional reagent products and our ability to meet such demand;

 

  Ø  

our ability to manage the risks associated with international operations;

 

 

 

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  Ø  

anticipated changes, trends and challenges in our business and the transfusion diagnostics market;

 

  Ø  

the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation;

 

  Ø  

our anticipated use of the net proceeds of this offering and our cost estimates regarding the conversion of our manufacturing facility in Eysins, Switzerland, the building of the manufacturing system for MosaiQ TM consumables, the development of the initial MosaiQ TM consumables and instrument and other MosaiQ TM costs;

 

  Ø  

our anticipated cash needs, and our estimates regarding our capital requirements and capital expenditures (including the expected cost of a new expanded manufacturing facility in Edinburgh, Scotland); and

 

  Ø  

our plans for executive and director compensation for the future.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place significant reliance on our forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us, the underwriters or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations that we contemplate will be achieved. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include those identified under the heading “Risk factors.” These factors should not be construed as exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements included in this prospectus.

Many important factors, in addition to the factors described in this prospectus, may adversely and materially affect our results as indicated in forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect.

The forward-looking statements in this prospectus represent our views as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

 

 

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Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds of the sale of 5,000,000 ordinary shares in this offering will be approximately $43.5 million at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, we estimate that the net proceeds will be approximately $50.5 million after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share would increase or decrease our expected net proceeds by $4.6 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We also may increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. An increase of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $9.3 million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share remains the same. Conversely, a decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would decrease the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $9.3 million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share remains the same.

With the net proceeds from this offering, we expect to invest (i) approximately $26.0 million on the conversion of our recently leased MosaiQ manufacturing facility in Eysins, Switzerland and the installation of the initial manufacturing system for consumables and (ii) approximately $12.0 million on the development of the initial MosaiQ consumables and instrument. We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes. Based upon our current cost estimates, we believe the net proceeds of this offering, together with our existing capital resources, will be sufficient to fund the build of the manufacturing system and completion of the manufacturing facility, as well as the development of MosaiQ instruments for internal validation purposes. We expect to fund our remaining development costs for MosaiQ from a combination of commercial partnership funding, the extension or expansion of our credit facilities or the issuance of new equity.

Our expected use of the net proceeds from this offering is based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, in addition to the factors described under the heading “Risk factors” in this prospectus. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds.

Prior to final allocation of the net proceeds of this offering as described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering on an interim basis in high-quality, short-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments or certificates of deposit.

We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to opportunistically acquire, license and invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses. However, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction.

 

 

 

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Dividend policy

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be made at the complete discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including our results of operations, financial conditions, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

 

 

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2013:

 

Ø  

on an actual basis;

 

Ø  

on a pro forma basis to give effect to (1) the conversion and consolidation of all preference and ordinary shares as of December 31, 2013 into an aggregate of 9,356,533 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering, (2) the conversion of an outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares as of December 31, 2013 into a warrant to purchase 64,000 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and the resultant reclassification of our warrant liability to shareholders’ equity (deficit) and (3) the effectiveness of our Amended Articles of Association immediately prior to this offering; and

 

Ø  

on a pro forma as adjusted basis, reflecting the pro forma adjustments discussed above and to give effect to our issuance and sale of 5,000,000 ordinary shares at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The pro forma information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this information together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the information set forth under the heading “Selected consolidated financial data” and “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.”

 

 

 

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    As of December 31, 2013  
      Actual     Pro forma    

Pro Forma

As Adjusted

 
    (in thousands, except share and per
share data)
 
    (unaudited)  

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

  $ 13,756      $ 13,756      $ 57,275   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

  $ 14,579      $ 14,579      $ 14,579   

Preference share warrant liability

    421        —          —     

A preference shares (nil par value), 12,719,954 shares issued and outstanding actual; no shares issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

    13,180        —          —     

B preference shares (nil par value), 14,583,407 shares issued and outstanding actual; no shares issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

    14,991        —          —     

C preference shares (nil par value), 929,167 shares issued and outstanding actual; no shares issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

    2,592        —          —     

Shareholders’ deficit(1):

     

Ordinary shares (nil par value), 40,029 ordinary shares, 244,142 A ordinary shares and 37,957 B ordinary shares issued and outstanding actual; 9,356,533 ordinary shares issued and outstanding pro forma and 14,356,533 ordinary shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted, and no A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma or pro forma as adjusted basis

    59        30,822        74,341   

Distribution in excess of capital

    (17,025     (16,604     (16,604

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    479        479        479   

Accumulated deficit

    (10,082     (10,082     (10,082
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

    (26,569     4,615        48,134   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

  $ 19,194      $ 19,194      $ 62,713   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per ordinary share (the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase or decrease our actual cash and cash equivalents by $4.6 million, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us. An increase of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $9.3 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share remains the same. Conversely, a decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would decrease our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $9.3 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share remains the same.

The table above does not include:

 

  Ø  

20,014 ordinary shares issued upon the exercise of options, at a price of $9.38 per share on March 28, 2014;

 

  Ø  

200,000 C preference shares issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant as of December 31, 2013, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, which will be converted into a warrant to purchase 64,000 ordinary shares, at an exercise price of $9.38 per share, immediately prior to this offering;

 

  Ø  

720,756 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $2.53 per ordinary share; and

 

  Ø  

1,500,000 ordinary shares reserved for future grant or issuance under the 2014 Plan, which will become effective in connection with this offering.

 

 

 

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Dilution

If you invest in our ordinary shares in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our ordinary shares in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our ordinary shares after this offering. Dilution occurs because the per share offering price of our ordinary shares in this offering is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per share attributable to our existing owners.

As of December 31, 2013, we had a pro forma net tangible book value of $3.6 million, or $0.39 per ordinary share, taking into account (1) the conversion of all outstanding preference and ordinary shares into ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and (2) the conversion of our outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares into a warrant to purchase ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and the resultant reclassification of our warrant liability to shareholders’ equity (deficit). Without giving effect to the conversion of our outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares into a warrant to purchase ordinary shares, we had a historical net tangible book value of $3.2 million, or $0.34 per ordinary share, as of December 31, 2013. Historical net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, divided by the adjusted number of outstanding ordinary shares.

Investors participating in this offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution. After giving effect to (1) the conversion of all preference and ordinary shares into ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering, (2) the conversion of our outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares into a warrant to purchase ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering and (3) the sale of 5,000,000 ordinary shares in this offering, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2013 would have been $47.1 million, or $3.28 per ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $2.89 per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $6.72 per share to investors participating in this offering.

The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

      $ 10.00  

Historical net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2013

   $ 0.34      

Increase attributable to the conversion of outstanding warrant to purchase C preference shares

   $ 0.05      
  

 

 

    

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2013

   $ 0.39      

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

   $ 2.89      

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

      $ 3.28   
     

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors

      $ 6.72   
     

 

 

 

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value would be $3.58 per share representing an immediate dilution of $6.42 per share to new investors, based on the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus.

 

 

 

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Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share would increase or decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $4.6 million, or $0.32 per share, and the dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering by $4.6 million, or $0.32 per share, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. An increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us at the assumed public offering price would increase or decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $9.3 million, or $0.65 per share, and the dilution per share to new investors in this offering by $9.3 million, or $0.65 per share assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 remains the same.

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2013, the differences between the number of ordinary shares purchased from us, the total consideration and the average price per share paid by existing shareholders (giving effect to the conversion of all of our preference shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares into ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering) and by investors participating in this offering, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, at an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per share, the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus.

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Share
 
       Number      Percent     Amount      Percent    

Existing shareholders

     9,356,533         65   $ 30,822,000         41   $ 3.29   

New investors

     5,000,000         35   $ 43,519,000         59   $ 8.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     14,356,533         100   $ 74,341,000         100   $ 5.18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The number of ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and excludes the following:

 

  Ø  

20,014 ordinary shares issued upon the exercise of options, at a price of $9.38 per share on March 28, 2014;

 

  Ø  

200,000 C preference shares issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant as of December 31, 2013, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, which will be converted into a warrant to purchase 64,000 ordinary shares, at an exercise price of $9.38 per share, immediately prior to this offering;

 

  Ø  

720,756 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $2.53 per ordinary share;

 

  Ø  

1,500,000 ordinary shares reserved for future grant or issuance under the 2014 Plan, which will become effective in connection with this offering.

To the extent that new options are issued under the 2014 Plan or we issue additional ordinary shares in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. See “Risk factors—You will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.”

 

 

 

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Selected consolidated financial data

The following tables summarize our consolidated financial data. The consolidated statement of income for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012 and 2013 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have prepared the unaudited consolidated interim financial information presented below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for these periods. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future and our results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year. You should read the summary of our financial data set forth below together with our financial statements and the related notes to those statements, as well as “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary financial data in this section are not intended to replace our financial statements and the accompanying notes.

 

 

 

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     Year ended March 31,     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
       2013     2012     2011     2013     2012  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  
                       (unaudited)  

Consolidated statement of loss:

          

Revenue:

          

Product sales

   $ 13,753      $ 11,550      $ 9,545      $ 12,332      $ 10,319   

Other revenues

     618        669        489        2,768        618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     14,371        12,219        10,034        15,100        10,937   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

     (7,169     (6,749     (5,628     (6,271     (5,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     7,202        5,470        4,406        8,829        5,553   

Operating expenses:

          

Sales and marketing

     (2,252     (1,674     (1,456     (2,057     (1,630

Research and development, net of government grants

     (2,617     (1,749     (1,703     (4,916     (1,883

General and administrative expenses:

          

Compensation expense in respect of share options and management equity incentives

     (471     —          —          (701     (335

Other general and administrative expenses

     (6,353     (6,011     (5,346     (5,442     (4,584
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total general and administrative expense

     (6,824     (6,011     (5,346     (6,143     (4,919
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (11,693     (9,434     (8,505     (13,116     (8,432
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (4,491     (3,964     (4,099     (4,287     (2,879

Other income (expense):

          

Interest expense

     (234     (340     (312     (582     (192

Other, net

     11        (169     (210     (83     29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expenses), net

     (223     (509     (522     (665     (163
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,714     (4,473     (4,621     (4,952     (3,042

Provision for income taxes

     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $
 
 
(4,621
  
  $ (4,952   $ (3,042

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

   $ (62.97   $ (78.04   $ (81.16)      $ (34.34   $ (40.82

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     74,866        57,317        56,936        144,178        74,523   

 

     As of March 31,     As of December 31,  
           2013             2012             2013      
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated balance sheet data:

         (unaudited

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,219      $ 4,354      $ 13,756   

Total assets

     12,891        12,357        26,378   

Long-term debt

     3,000        3,000        14,579   

Total liabilities

     7,931        7,286        22,184   

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ (23,061   $ (18,687   $ (26,569

 

 

 

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Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes to those statements included later in this prospectus. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, beliefs and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk factors.”

OVERVIEW

We were incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands on January 28, 2012. On February 16, 2012, we acquired the entire issued share capital of Alba Bioscience Limited (or Alba), Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc. (or QBDI) and QBD (QSIP) Limited (or QSIP) from Quotient Biodiagnostics Group Limited (or QBDG), our predecessor.

The acquisition of Alba, QBDI and QSIP by us is treated for accounting purposes as a combination of entities under common control as these entities were all controlled by QBDG prior to their acquisition by us. We recognized the assets and liabilities of Alba, QBDI and QSIP at their carrying amounts in the financial statements of those companies. We are a continuation of QBDG and its subsidiaries and, accordingly, our consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the subsidiaries transferred since their inception.

Our Business

We are an established, commercial-stage diagnostics company committed to reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care through the development and commercialization of innovative tests for blood grouping and serological disease screening, commonly referred to as transfusion diagnostics. Blood grouping involves specific procedures performed at donor or patient testing laboratories to characterize blood, which includes antigen typing and antibody identification.

Through our subsidiary Alba, we have over 30 years experience manufacturing and supplying conventional reagent products used for blood grouping within the $2.8 billion global transfusion diagnostics market. We are developing MosaiQ TM , our proprietary technology platform, to better address the comprehensive needs of this large and established market. We believe MosaiQ TM has the potential to be a transformative technology that will significantly reduce the cost of blood grouping in the donor and patient testing environments while improving patient outcomes.

We currently operate as one business segment with over 170 employees in the United States and the United Kingdom. Our principal markets are the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. Based on the location of the customer, revenues outside the United States accounted for 48% of total revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 58% and 60% during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from operations in each fiscal year since we commenced operations in 2007. As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $10.1 million. We expect that our operating losses will continue at least for the next several years as we

 

 

 

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continue our investment in the development and commercialization of MosaiQ™. Our total revenue was $15.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, $14.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and $12.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Our net loss was $5.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, $4.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and $4.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

Revenue

We generate revenue from the sale of conventional reagent products directly to hospitals, donor collection agencies and independent testing laboratories in the United States, the United Kingdom and to distributors in Europe and the rest of the world, and indirectly through sales to our OEM customers. We recognize revenues in the form of product sales when the goods are shipped. Products sold by standing purchase orders as a percentage of revenue were 73% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 71% and 58% during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We also provide product development services to our OEM customers. We recognize revenue from these contractual relationships in the form of product development fees, which are included in Other revenues. For a description of our revenue recognition policies, see “—Critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates—Revenue recognition and accounts receivable.”

Our revenue is denominated in multiple currencies. Sales in the United States and to certain of our OEM customers are denominated in U.S. Dollars. Sales in Europe and the rest of the world are denominated primarily in Pounds Sterling, Euros or Yen. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies in which our operations are located, which is primarily in the United Kingdom and United States. We operate globally and therefore changes in foreign currency exchange rates may become material to us in the future due to factors beyond our control. See “—Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk—Foreign currency exchange risk.”

Cost of revenue and operating expenses

Cost of revenue consists of direct labor expenses, including employee benefits, overhead expenses, material costs and freight costs, along with the depreciation of manufacturing equipment and leasehold improvements. Our gross profit represents total revenue less the cost of revenue, and gross margin represents gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue. Our gross margin was 58% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 50% and 45% the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Excluding other revenues, which consist of product development fees, our gross margin on product sales was 49% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 48% and 42% the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We expect our overall cost of revenue to increase in absolute U.S. Dollars as we continue to increase our product sales volumes. However, we also believe that we can continue to achieve additional efficiencies in our manufacturing operations, primarily through increasing sales volumes, which should improve our gross margin on product sales.

Our sales and marketing expenses include costs associated with our sales organization, including our direct sales force, as well as our marketing and customer service personnel. These expenses consist principally of salaries, commissions, bonuses and employee benefits, as well as travel costs related to our sales activities. These expenses also include direct and indirect costs associated with our product marketing activities. We expense all sales and marketing costs as incurred. We expect sales and marketing expense to increase in absolute U.S. Dollars, primarily as a result of commissions on increased product sales in the United States, but decline as a percentage of product sales.

Our research and development expenses include costs associated with performing research, development, field trials and our regulatory activities. Research and development expenses include research personnel-

 

 

 

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related expenses, fees for contractual and consulting services, travel costs, laboratory supplies and depreciation of laboratory equipment. We expense all research and development costs as incurred, net of government grants received. In 2008, we were awarded grant funding totaling £1.8 million by Scottish Enterprise, a public body of the Scottish Government, relating to the development of MosaiQ TM . Our research and development efforts are focused on developing new products and technologies for the global transfusion diagnostics market. We segregate research and development expenses for the MosaiQ TM project from expenses for other research and development projects. We do not maintain detailed records of these other costs by activity. Since the 2007 purchase of Alba to December 31, 2013, total expenditures on the MosaiQ TM project have amounted to approximately $12.2 million. We expect overall research and development expense to increase in absolute U.S. Dollars as we focus on completing the development of MosaiQ TM .

Our general and administrative expenses include costs for our executive, accounting and finance, legal, corporate development, information technology and human resources functions. We expense all general and administrative expenses as incurred. These expenses consist principally of salaries, bonuses and employee benefits for the personnel performing these functions, including travel costs. These expenses also include share-based compensation, professional service fees (such as audit, tax and legal fees), costs related to our Board of Directors, and general corporate overhead costs, which includes depreciation and amortization. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase after this offering, primarily due to the costs of operating as a public company, such as additional legal, accounting and corporate governance expenses, including expenses related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, directors’ and officers’ insurance premiums and investor relations expenses.

Net interest expense consists primarily of interest charges on our loan balances and the amortization of debt issuance costs. We amortize debt issuance costs over the life of the loan and report them as interest expense in our statements of operations.

Net other income (expense) consists primarily of realized exchange fluctuations resulting from the settlement of transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies of our businesses. Monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are measured at the period-end closing rate with resulting unrealized exchange fluctuations. The functional currencies of our businesses are Pounds Sterling and U.S. Dollars depending on the entity.

 

 

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts of certain components of our statements of operations and the percentage of total revenue represented by these items, showing period-to-period changes.

 

     Nine months ended December 31,        
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:             

Product sales

   $ 12,332        82   $ 10,319        94   $ 2,013        20

Other revenues

     2,768        18     618        6     2,150        348
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     15,100        100     10,937        100     4,163        38

Cost of revenue

     6,271        42     5,384        49     887        16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     8,829        58     5,553        51     3,276        59
Operating expenses:             

Sales and marketing

     2,057        14     1,630        15     427        26

Research and development

     4,916        33     1,883        17     3,033        161

General and administrative

     6,143        41     4,919        45     1,224        25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     13,116        87     8,432        77     4,684        56
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (4,287     -28     (2,879     -26     (1,408     49
Other income (expense):             

Interest expense, net

     (582     -4     (192     -2     (390     203

Other, net

     (83     -1     29        0     (112     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (665     -5     (163     -2     (502     308
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,952     -33     (3,042     -28     (1,910     63

Provision for income taxes

     0        0     0        0     0        N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (4,952     -33   $ (3,042     -28   $ (1,910     63
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

Total revenue increased by 38% to $15.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $10.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. This increase in revenue was driven by growth from product sales of $2.0 million, or 20%, and $2.2 million from other revenues, which include product development fees. Products sold by standing purchase order were 73% of product sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with 72% for the nine months ended December 31, 2012.

The below table sets forth revenue by product group:

 

     Nine months ended December 31,        
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount      % of revenue     Amount      % of revenue     Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:                

Product sales—OEM customers

   $ 8,718         58   $ 7,301         67   $ 1,417         19

Product sales—direct customers and distributors

     3,614         24     3,018         27     596         20

Other revenues

     2,768         18     618         6     2,150         348
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 15,100         100   $ 10,937         100   $ 4,163         38
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OEM Sales.     Product sales to OEM customers increased 19% to $8.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $7.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. This growth was primarily driven by increased sales of our whole blood control products to existing OEM customers and initial shipments of our rare anti-sera products.

Direct Sales to Customers and Distributors.     Direct product sales increased 20% to $3.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, compared with $3.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. Direct sales in the United States increased by $0.8 million primarily driven by sales of our reagent red blood cell products launched in July 2012. Direct sales outside the United States declined by $0.2 million primarily as a result of our initiative to better utilize manufacturing capacity by offering fewer products in Europe, which we started in April 2012.

Other Revenues.     Other revenues increased by $2.2 million to $2.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $0.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized $2.7 million of product development fees associated with the development of a range of rare antisera products for an OEM customer.

Cost of revenue and gross margin

Cost of revenue increased by 16% to $6.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $5.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, reflecting growth in product sales volumes. Gross margin, which represents gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue, increased to 58% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with 51% for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. The gross margin improvement was primarily attributable to the increase in other revenues, which included $2.8 million of product development fees. Excluding other revenues, gross margin on product sales increased to 49% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 period compared with 48% for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. The improved gross margin on product sales reflects increased sales volumes, improved revenue mix, the effect of our continuous manufacturing process improvement program and our decision to offer fewer products in Europe.

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expense increased by 26% to $2.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $1.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. This increase resulted primarily from commissions paid on greater direct product sales in the United States and increased marketing expenses associated with a major industry conference. As a percentage of total product sales, sales and marketing expenses were 17% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with 16% for the nine months ended December 31, 2012.

Research and development expenses

 

     Nine months ended December 31,        
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Research and development expenses:              

MosaiQ TM research and development

   $ 3,949        26   $ 1,953        18   $ 1,996         102

Other research and development

     1,260        8     883        8     377         43

Grant income

     (293     -2     (953     -9     660         -69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 4,916        33   $ 1,883        17   $ 3,033         161
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Research and development expenses increased by $3.0 million to $4.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $1.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, reflecting increased expenditure for MosaiQ TM and reduced government grant income. Government grant income decreased by $0.7 million to $0.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $1.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expenses increased to 33% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with 17% for the same period in 2012.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by 25% to $6.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $4.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, reflecting greater personnel-related costs, increased facility rental charges and increased corporate development costs. We recognized $0.7 million of stock compensation expense in the nine months ended December 31, 2013 compared with $0.3 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 41% for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with 45% for the same period in 2012.

Other income (expense)

Net interest expense was $0.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $0.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. Interest expense primarily consisted of interest charges on $3.0 million of borrowings from Haemonetics, Inc., which bore interest at 7.5% per annum, and on $15.0 million of borrowings from MidCap Financial LLC, which bore interest at LIBOR plus 6.7% (with a LIBOR floor of 2.00%). Part of the proceeds of the MidCap financial borrowings were used to repay the Haemonetics borrowings in full on December 9, 2013. Net interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 also included an exceptional charge of $0.3 million related to unamortized fees associated with the Haemonetics borrowings. For a description of these borrowings, see “—Liquidity and capital resources—Haemonetics Loan Notes” and “—Liquidity and capital resources—MidCap Term Loan Facility”. Net other expense included foreign exchange losses arising on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

 

 

 

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Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts of certain components of our statements of operations and the percentage of total revenue represented by these items, showing period-to-period changes.

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,        
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:             

Product sales

   $ 13,753        96   $ 11,550        95   $ 2,203        19

Other revenues

     618        4     669        5     (51     -8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     14,371        100     12,219        100     2,152        18

Cost of revenue

     7,169        50     6,749        55     420        6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     7,202        50     5,470        45     1,732        32
Operating expenses:             

Sales and marketing

     2,252        16     1,674        14     578        35

Research and development

     2,617        18     1,749        14     868        50

General and administrative

     6,824        47     6,011        49     813        14
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,693        81     9,434        77     2,259        24
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (4,491     -31     (3,964     -32     (527     13
Other income (expense):             

Interest expense, net

     (234     -2     (340     -3     106        -31

Other, net

     11        0     (169     -1     180        -107
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (223     -2     (509     -4     286        -56
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,714     -33     (4,473     -37     (241     5

Provision for income taxes

     0        0     0        0     0        N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (4,714     -33   $ (4,473     -37   $ (241     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

Total revenue increased by 18% to $14.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $12.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This increase reflected growth in product sales of $2.2 million, which was partially offset by a $0.1 million decrease in other revenues. Products sold by standing purchase order were 71% of product sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with 58% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

The below table sets forth revenue by product group:

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,        
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount      % of revenue     Amount      % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:               

Product sales—OEM customers

   $ 9,557         67   $ 7,754         63   $ 1,803        23

Product sales—direct customers and distributors

     4,196         29     3,796         31     400        11

Other revenues

     618         4     669         5     (51     -8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 14,371         100   $ 12,219         100   $ 2,152        18
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OEM Sales .    Product sales to OEM customers increased by 23% to $9.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $7.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This growth was primarily driven by increased sales of our whole blood control products to existing OEM customers.

Direct Sales to Customers and Distributors .    Direct product sales increased 11% to $4.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Direct sales in the United States increased by $0.9 million, primarily driven by sales of our reagent red blood cell products launched in July of 2012. Direct sales outside the United States declined by $0.5 million primarily as a result of our initiative to better utilize manufacturing capacity by offering fewer products in Europe, which started in April 2012.

Other Revenues .    Other revenues declined by $0.1 million to $0.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $0.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. During our fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of product development fees from a third-party project. We also recognized $0.1 million and $0.3 million of development fees from OEM customers during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Cost of revenue and gross margin

Cost of revenue increased by 6% to $7.2 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $6.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, reflecting the growth in product sales volumes. Gross margin, which represents gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue, increased to 50% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with 45% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Excluding other revenues, the gross margin on product sales increased to 48% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 compared with 42% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, reflecting increased sales volumes, improved product mix, the effect of our continuous manufacturing process improvement program and our decision to offer fewer products in Europe. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, our manufacturing operations experienced higher scrap costs, amounting to $0.2 million (or 2% of product sales).

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expense increased by 35% to $2.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $1.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This increase resulted primarily from higher personnel-related costs in our United States sales and marketing operations, including commissions on greater direct product sales in the United States. We also incurred additional marketing expenditures associated with the July 2012 introduction of our reagent red blood cell products in the United States. As a percentage of total product sales, sales and marketing expenses were 16% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with 14% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

Research and development expenses

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,              
     2013     2012     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Research and development expenses:

            

MosaiQ TM research and development

   $ 2,582        18   $ 1,390        11   $ 1,192        86

Other research and development

     1,321        9     672        5     649        97

Grant income

     (1,286     -9     (313     -2     (973     311
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 2,617        18   $ 1,749        14   $ 868        50
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Research and development expenses increased by $0.9 million to $2.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $1.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, reflecting increased product development expenditures of $0.7 million relating to our conventional reagent business. Increased expenditure on MosaiQ TM of $1.2 million was offset by higher government grant income of $1.0 million. We recorded grant income of $1.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expenses increased to 18% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with 14% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by 14% to $6.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $6.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, reflecting higher personnel-related costs as we expanded and strengthened our senior management team. We recognized $0.5 million of stock compensation expense in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with none in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 47% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with 49% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

Other income (expense)

Net interest expense was $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, compared with $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Interest expense primarily consists of interest charges on $3.0 million borrowings from Haemonetics, which bore interest at 7.5% per annum. The decrease in net interest expense was a result of higher average cash balances and reduced short-term borrowings in the twelve months ended March 31, 2013, compared with the twelve months ended March 31, 2012. Net other expense included foreign exchange gains arising on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. Net other expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 also included a $127,000 charge related to the grant of warrants to shareholders in February 2012.

 

 

 

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Comparison of fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts of certain components of our statements of operations and the percentage of total revenue represented by these items, showing period-to-period changes.

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,        
     2012     2011     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:             

Product sales

   $ 11,550        95   $ 9,545        95   $ 2,005        21

Other revenues

     669        5     489        5     180        37
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     12,219        100     10,034        100     2,185        22

Cost of revenue

     6,749        55     5,628        56     1,121        20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     5,470        45     4,406        44     1,064        24
Operating expenses:             

Sales and marketing

     1,674        14     1,456        15     218        15

Research and development

     1,749        14     1,703        17     46        3

General and administrative

     6,011        49     5,346        53     665        12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     9,434        77     8,505        85     929        11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (3,964     -32     (4,099     -41     135        -3
Other income (expense):             

Interest expense, net

     (340     -3     (312     -3     (28     9

Other, net

     (169     -1     (210     -2     41        -20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (509     -4     (522     -5     13        -2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,473     -37     (4,621     -46     148        -3

Provision for income taxes

     0        0     0        0     0        N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (4,473     -37   $ (4,621     -46   $ 148        -3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

Revenue increased by 22% to $12.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $10.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. This increase reflected growth from product sales of $2.0 million, or 21%, and a $0.2 million increase in other revenues. Products sold by standing purchase order were 58% of product sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 49% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

The below table sets forth revenue by product group:

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,        
     2012     2011     Change  
       Amount      % of revenue     Amount      % of revenue     Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:                

Product sales—OEM customers

   $ 7,754         63   $ 6,280         63   $ 1,474         23

Product sales—direct customers and distributors

     3,796         31     3,265         33     531         16

Other revenues

     669         5     489         5     180         37
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 12,219         100   $ 10,034         100   $ 2,185         22
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

OEM Sales .    Product sales to OEM customers increased 23% to $7.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $6.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 This growth was primarily driven by increased sales of our whole blood control products to existing OEM customers.

 

 

 

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Direct Sales to Customers and Distributors .    Direct product sales increased 16% to $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $3.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Direct sales in the United States increased by $0.9 million, while direct sales outside the United States declined by $0.4 million as we discontinued certain lower margin product sales.

Other Revenues .    Other revenues increased by $0.2 million to $0.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $0.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Other revenues during both periods related primarily to two development programs that generated product development fees.

Cost of revenue and gross margin

Cost of revenue increased by 20% to $6.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $5.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, reflecting growth in product sales volumes. Gross margin, which represents gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue, increased to 45% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 44% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Excluding other revenues, the gross margin on product sales increased to 42% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 41% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, reflecting increased sales volumes and improved product sales mix offset by higher scrap costs, amounting to $0.2 million (or 2% of product sales).

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expense increased by 15% to $1.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $1.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, reflecting primarily commissions on greater direct product sales in the United States. As a percentage of total product sales, sales and marketing expenses decreased to 14% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 15% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

Research and development expenses

 

     Fiscal year ended March 31,              
     2012     2011     Change  
       Amount     % of revenue     Amount     % of revenue     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)              

Research and development expenses:

            

MosaiQ TM research and development

   $ 1,390        11   $ 1,385        14   $ 5        —  

Other research and development

     672        5     627        6     45        7

Grant income

     (313     -2     (309     -3     (4     1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 1,749        14   $ 1,703        17   $ 46        3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Research and development expenses remained relatively constant at $1.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. We recorded grant income of $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expenses decreased to 14% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 17% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by 12% to $6.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $5.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, reflecting primarily greater personnel-related costs. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 49% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with 53% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

 

 

 

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Other income (expense)

Net interest expense was $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, compared with $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Interest expense primarily consisted of interest charges on $3.0 million borrowings from Haemonetics, which bore interest at 7.5% per annum. The increase in net interest expense was a result of lower average cash balances and increased short-term borrowings in the twelve months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the twelve months ended March 31, 2011. Net other expense includes foreign exchange gains and losses arising on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange losses in the twelve months ended March 31, 2012 were $42,000, compared with $210,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Net other expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 included a $127,000 expense related to the grant of warrants to shareholders in February 2012.

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly statements of operations data for our seven most recent completed fiscal quarters. We have prepared the consolidated quarterly operations data on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the opinion of management, the quarterly consolidated operations data reflects all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods and the results for a quarterly period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Quarter ended  
    2012     2013  
      Jun 30     Sept 30     Dec 31     Mar 31     Jun 30     Sept 30       Dec 31  
    (Dollars in thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:              

Product sales

  $ 3,112      $ 3,776      $ 3,431      $ 3,435      $ 3,907      $ 4,515      $ 3,910   

Other revenues

    356        262        —          —          2,768        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    3,468        4,038        3,431        3,435        6,675        4,515        3,910   

Cost of revenue

    (1,623     (1,969     (1,792     (1,786     (2,055     (2,275     (1,941
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    1,845        2,069        1,639        1,649        4,620        2,240        1,969   
Operating expenses:              

Sales and marketing

    (476     (529     (625     (621     (620     (610     (826

Research and development

    (678     (568     (637     (734     (1,618     (1,591     (1,708

General and administrative

    (1,615     (1,612     (1,692     (1,906     (1,879     (2,030     (2,234
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (2,769     (2,709     (2,954     (3,261     (4,117     (4,231     (4,768
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

    (924     (640     (1,315     (1,612     503        (1,991     (2,799
Other income (expense):              

Interest expense, net

    (65     (53     (74     (42     (77     (81     (424

Other, net

    62        (55     22        (18     (31     (7     (45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

    (3     (108     (52     (60     (108     (88     (469
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (927     (748     (1,367     (1,672     395        (2,079  

 

(3,268

Provision for income taxes

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ (927   $ (748   $ (1,367   $ (1,672   $ 395      $ (2,079   $ (3,268
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Product Sales from Standing Purchase Order

    72%        70%        73%        71%        74%        72%        72%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our quarterly product sales can fluctuate depending upon the shipment cycles for our red blood cell based products, which account for approximately two-thirds of our current product sales. For these products, we typically experience 13 sales cycles per year. This equates to three shipments of each product per quarter, except for one quarter per year when four shipments occur, which is usually in the first and second quarter of the fiscal year. The timing of shipment of bulk antisera products to our OEM customers may also move revenues from quarter to quarter. We also experience some seasonality in demand around holiday periods in both Europe and the United States. As a result of these factors, we expect to continue to see seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variations in our product sales.

The timing of product development fees included in other revenues is mostly dependent upon the achievement of pre-negotiated project and milestones.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Since our commencement of operations in 2007, we have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from operations. During the nine months ended December 31, 2013, we had a net loss of $5.0 million and used $4.6 million of cash for operating activities. We incurred a net loss of $4.7 million and used $3.6 million of cash for operating activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, we incurred a net loss of $4.5 million and used $3.1 million of cash for operating activities. As described under results of operations, this use of cash was primarily attributable to our investment in the development of MosaiQ TM . As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $10.5 million.

Our principal source of funding has been investment in new share capital by our shareholders, which in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 amounted to $4.3 million and $12.2 million, respectively. From March 31, 2013 to December 31, 2013, we issued new share capital amounting to $2.9 million and also incurred net new borrowings of $11.4 million. From our incorporation in 2012 to December 31, 2013, we have raised $18.3 million of gross proceeds through the private placement of our ordinary and preference shares. As of December 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of $13.8 million.

Haemonetics Loan Notes

In 2010, we borrowed $3.0 million from Haemonetics, Inc., a healthcare company providing blood management solutions, by issuing loan notes in the same amount. Our borrowings from Haemonetics bore interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, and were redeemable in March of 2017. On December 9, 2013, we repaid our Haemonetics borrowings in full with the proceeds of our MidCap Financial term loan agreement described below.

MidCap Term Loan Facility

On December 6, 2013, we entered into a secured term loan facility with MidCap Financial LLC under which MidCap Financial advanced $15.0 million to our U.S. subsidiary. The term loan bears interest at LIBOR + 6.7% (with a LIBOR floor of 2.00%). Interest is payable monthly in arrears and principal is repayable commencing on July 1, 2015 in 30 monthly installments. The loan is secured by all of our assets, including the equity of all our subsidiaries. Under the terms of the agreement, we granted MidCap Financial a warrant to purchase 200,000 C preference shares at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. We used $3.0 million of the proceeds of this facility to repay the Haemonetics borrowings and the balance is available for general working capital purposes, including ongoing investment in MosaiQ TM .

 

 

 

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Additionally, the terms of the term loan agreement contain various affirmative and negative covenants. In particular, we are not permitted to allow our consolidated net product revenue over a 12-month period to be lower than a range of minimum thresholds specified in the agreement, which increase each month. The testing dates are on the 15th of each month from January 2014 to February 2017, and the testing periods are the twelve full months ending one full calendar month preceding each testing date. In the event of our breach of the agreement, we may not be allowed to draw amounts under the agreement, and to the extent we have any amounts outstanding at the time of any breach, we may be required to repay such amounts earlier than anticipated. In addition, in the event of a default, the lender could foreclose on the collateral securing the loan.

CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $4.6 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013, which included net losses of $5.0 million and non-cash items of $1.1 million. Non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of $376,000 and a share-based compensation expense of $701,000. We also experienced a net cash outflow of $0.7 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities during the period, consisting primarily of an increase in inventory of $0.9 million. The increase in inventory was primarily related to the growth of our product sales revenue.

Net cash used in operating activities was $2.1 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2012, which included net losses of $3.0 million and non-cash items of $0.9 million. Non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of $568,000 and share-based compensation expense of $335,000. We also had a net cash outflow of $49,000 from changes in operating assets and liabilities during the period.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts related primarily to purchases of property and equipment and capitalized expenditures related to obtaining regulatory licenses for our conventional reagent products.

Financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013, consisting primarily of share issuance proceeds of $2.9 million and net borrowings of $11.4 million, which was offset by $149,000 of capital lease payments. Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2012 was $299,000 related to proceeds from capital leases.

CASH FLOWS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.6 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, which included net losses of $4.7 million and non-cash items of $1.2 million. Non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of $691,000 and share-based compensation expense of $471,000. We also had a net cash outflow of $0.1 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities during the period, including an increase in inventory of $0.8 million offset by an increase in accrued compensation expenses of $0.7 million. The increase in inventory was due primarily to the growth of our product sales. The increase in accrued compensation expenses was primarily related to increases in accrued bonuses.

 

 

 

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Net cash used in operating activities was $3.1 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, which included net losses of $4.5 million and non-cash items of $1.1 million. The non-cash items consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $989,000 and a preference share warrant charge of $127,000. We also had a net cash inflow of $0.3 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities during the period, including an increase in inventory of $0.4 million offset by an increase in accounts payable of $1.1 million. The increase in inventory and accounts payable were primarily due to the growth of our product sales.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, consisting of purchases of property and equipment of $0.9 million and purchases of intangible assets of $0.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, consisting of purchases of property and equipment of $0.3 million and purchases of intangible assets of $0.1 million.

Financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.7 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, consisting of $4.3 million from the issuance of preference shares and $0.4 million of net capital lease financing.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $6.7 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, consisting primarily of $12.2 million from the issuance of preference shares, offset by payments to QBDG amounting to $1.8 million for outstanding intercompany balances, the repurchase of A preference shares for $1.6 million, and a $1.8 million payment for intellectual property rights. We also repaid a $273,000 outstanding balance drawn on an invoice discounting facility

OPERATING AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS

We have not achieved profitability on an annual basis since we commenced operations in 2007 and we expect to incur net losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our operating expenses will increase as we continue to invest in MosaiQ TM , grow our customer base, expand our marketing and distribution channels, hire additional employees and invest in other product development opportunities.

Additionally, as a public company, we will incur significant audit, legal and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We believe that our existing capital resources, including funds available under our term loan with MidCap Financial, together with the net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. We expect other sources of funding to be available to us to fund our remaining development costs for MosaiQ including commercial partnership funding, the extension or expansion of our credit facilities and the issuance of new equity.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

 

  Ø  

our progress in developing and commercializing MosaiQ TM and the cost required to complete development, obtain regulatory approvals and complete our manufacturing scale up;

 

  Ø  

our ability to enter into arrangements with one or more commercial partners with respect to the commercialization of MosaiQ in the highly fragmented patient market;

 

  Ø  

our ability to manufacture and sell our conventional reagent products, including the costs and timing of further expansion of our sales and marketing efforts;

 

  Ø  

our ability to collect our accounts receivable;

 

 

 

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  Ø  

our ability to generate cash from operations;

 

  Ø  

any acquisition of businesses or technologies that we may undertake; and

 

  Ø  

our ability to penetrate our existing market and new markets.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

We have contractual obligations for non-cancelable facilities leases, our credit facilities, equipment leases and purchase commitments. The following table sets forth a summary of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2013.

 

     Payment due by period  
Contractual Obligations    Total     

Less than

1 year

     1 to 3 years      3 to 5 years      After 5 years  

Haemonetics loan notes(1)

   $ 3,000       $ —         $ —         $ 3,000       $ —     

Operating and capital leases

     2,403         998         1,094         309         2   

Purchase obligations(2)(3)(4)(5)

     3,052         2,460         592         —           —     

Interest on Haemonetics loan notes

     1,138         413         500         225         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 9,593       $ 3,871       $ 2,186       $ 3,534       $ 2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   On December 9, 2013, we drew $15.0 million under the term loan agreement with MidCap Financial, and repaid our Haemonetics borrowings in full with the proceeds. Unless repaid sooner, the aggregate amount that will become due under the MidCap Financial term loan, inclusive of interest, is $18.6 million, with $0.4 million due in less than 1 year, $6.4 million due in 1-3 years and $11.3 million due in 3-5 years.
(2)  

On January 7, 2014, we entered into a development agreement with STRATEC Biomedical AG, or STRATEC, in connection with the development of the MosaiQ instrument. STRATEC’s fees under this agreement will total in aggregate $16.8 million (€13.1 million), using March 31, 2013 exchange rates, and are expected to be payable within 1-3 years. The agreement is terminable in certain circumstances by either party at the end date of the second development milestone (May 31, 2014), with payments previously made and due to STRATEC at this time totaling $1.5 million (€1.2 million), using March 31, 2013 exchange rates.

 

(3)  

On April 1, 2014, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with STRATEC in connection with the supply of MosaiQ instruments over a six year period starting after completion of the sixth development milestone (October 31, 2015). The total purchase obligation under this agreement is $66.2 million (€51.8 million) using March 31, 2013 exchange rates.

 

(4)  

On March 4, 2014, we entered into a license agreement with The Technology Partnership, or TTP, related to certain patented technologies and trade secrets to enable high volume manufacturing of MosaiQ TM consumables. We have agreed to pay $10.0 million to TTP payable in installments through March 2019, with $3.0 million expected in 1 to 3 years, $4.0 million in 3 to 5 years and $3.0 million after 5 years. If at any time we do not pay the fee when due, we will continue to retain the license for blood grouping and disease screening applications, but lose the license for other diagnostic applications.

 

(5)  

On March 27, 2014, we entered into a supply agreement with SCHOTT Technical Glass Solutions GmbH, or SCHOTT, pursuant to which we will purchase minimum quantities of coated glass in connection with the development of the MosaiQ TM consumable through April 2017. The total

 

 

 

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purchase obligation under this agreement is $12.0 million (€9.4 million) using March 31, 2013 exchange rates, with $8.5 million expected in 1 to 3 years and $3.5 million in 3 to 5 years. In the event we have not purchased the required quantities during any calendar year, we are obligated to pay SCHOTT a minimum commitment, which in aggregate amounts to $9.3 million (€7.3 million), using March 31, 2013 exchange rates.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND SIGNIFICANT JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could therefore differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue recognition and accounts receivable

Revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic No. 605, “Revenue Recognition,” when the following four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services are rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. For product sales, the application of this policy results in sales revenue being recorded at the point of delivery of product to the customer.

We also earn revenue from the provision of development services to a small number of OEM customers. These development service contracts are reviewed individually to ensure that our revenue recognition is in accordance with applicable accounting standards, including ASC Topic No. 605. In the last eighteen months, our product development revenues have been commensurate with achieving milestones specified in the respective development agreements relating to those products. These milestones may include the approval of new products by the European or U.S. regulatory authorities, which are not within our control. While there can be no assurance that we will earn product development revenues when milestones are achieved, the nature of the milestones have been such that they effectively represent full completion of a particular part of a development program. As a result, we typically fully recognize milestone-related revenues as the milestones are achieved in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

Under certain development contracts, we also manufacture and supply the customer with finished products once it has been approved for use by relevant regulatory agencies. These agreements reflect both arrangements for product development and the sales prices and other contractual terms for subsequent supply of the product to the customer. Under these development contracts, we view the development service revenue as distinct from subsequent product sales revenue, and we recognize each separately as described above.

 

 

 

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Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from OEM customers, hospitals, donor testing laboratories, and distributors. Accounts receivable are reported net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts, which we also refer to as doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our inability to collect amounts due from our customers. Direct sales, where we may make many low value sales to a large number of customers, represents a larger risk of doubtful accounts, as opposed to OEM customer sales consisting primarily of a small number of well established businesses with whom we have a long trading history. The collectability of our trade receivables balances is regularly evaluated based on a combination of factors such as the ageing profile of our receivables, past history with our customers, changes in customer payment patterns, customer credit-worthiness and any other relevant factors. Based on these assessments, we adjust the reserve for doubtful accounts recorded in our financial statements.

Inventories

We record inventories at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value), net of reserves. We record adjustments to inventory based upon historic usage, expected future demand and shelf life of the products held in inventory. We also calculate our inventory value based on the standard cost of each product. This approach requires us to analyze variances arising in the production process to determine whether they reflect part of the normal cost of production, and should therefore be reflected as inventory value, or whether they are a period cost and should thus not be included in inventory.

Intangible assets

The intangible assets included in our financial statements include intangible assets identified as at the time of the acquisition of the business of Alba Bioscience on August 31, 2007. At the time of this acquisition, we identified intangible assets related to customer relationships, master cell lines and certain other items, which include domain names and product trademarks. The customer relationships have been amortized over a five-year period, which resulted in them becoming fully amortized at August 31, 2012. The other items are being amortized over a seven-year period from August 31, 2007.

The intangible assets related to master cell lines reflect the know-how and market recognition associated with the cell lines, which are used as the source material of certain of our products. These cell lines are maintained by us and have an indefinite life. We have nevertheless decided to amortize the intangible assets over a forty-year period to reflect the possibility of market changes or other events resulting in the lines becoming technically obsolete at some future date. In the event that any of the lines cease to be used, we would record additional amortization at that point.

We also include in intangible assets the costs of obtaining product licenses for our products. These include external costs such as regulatory agency fees associated with the approval and bringing to market of our products once the development is complete. We amortize these over an expected product life of eight years, although if any such product ceased to be produced, we would record additional amortization at that point.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires, among other things, that deferred income taxes be provided for temporary differences between the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and their financial statement reported amounts. In addition, deferred tax assets are recorded for the future benefit of utilizing NOLs and research and development credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

 

 

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We follow the accounting guidance for uncertainties in income taxes, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for recording uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return in the financial statements. Additionally, the guidance also prescribes the derecognition, classification, accounting in interim periods and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions. We accrue for the estimated amount of taxes for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not that we would be required to pay such additional taxes. An uncertain tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. We did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax positions, and there were no such interest or penalties recognized during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 or 2013.

Stock compensation expense

Stock compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense in the income statement over the vesting period of the award. The calculation of the stock compensation expense is sensitive to the fair value of the underlying ordinary shares. The fair value of the award at the grant date is calculated using the Black-Scholes model, which uses a number of assumptions to determine the fair value. Details of the assumptions used are set out in the notes to the financial statements included in this prospectus.

The preparation of the financial statements presented in this prospectus in accordance with U.S. GAAP has been performed only for the purposes of this offering. As part of this exercise, the directors have performed a retrospective review of the fair values of our ordinary shares as at the date of each equity award. This has resulted in fair values of the ordinary shares that were generally higher than the option exercise prices or share issue prices contained in the original awards. As a result, the stock compensation expense recorded in the financial statements is higher than it would have been had the initially contemplated fair value of the relevant award been used to calculate the stock compensation expense.

We have made the following equity incentive awards in the past year:

 

Equity award issuance    Date      Number of
securities
     Type of securities     

Per share

fair value

     Estimated
offering price
per share
 

Issue of options

     April 11, 2013         96,000         Ordinary shares       $ 2.97       $ 10.00  

Issue of options

     June 28, 2013         241,614         Ordinary shares       $ 3.28       $ 10.00  

Issue of options

     Nov 18, 2013         60,335         Ordinary shares       $ 9.38       $ 10.00  

Issue of options

     Feb 13, 2014         12,000         Ordinary shares       $ 10.00       $ 10.00  

Issue of options

     Mar 5, 2014         67,200         Ordinary shares       $ 10.00       $ 10.00  

In determining the fair values of the ordinary shares underlying our equity awards, our directors have not used external evaluators because they believe that our capital structure, operating losses, and the development time frame and risks associated with developing and commercializing MosaiQ TM suggest that standard valuation techniques are not suitable. The directors believe that they are better placed to judge the progress of MosaiQ TM than an external evaluator.

Since no ordinary shares had been issued until December 23, 2013, the directors value the ordinary shares underlying our equity awards based on preference share issuances and sales, less an appropriate discount. This discount reflects certain differences between our preference shares and our ordinary shares. For example, our preference shares benefit from substantial economic rights and preferences over our ordinary shares, including a liquidation preference. The preference shares also may be converted to ordinary shares at any time at the option of the preference shareholder and automatically convert upon the completion of our initial public offering. These rights make the preference shares more valuable than

 

 

 

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our ordinary shares. As the development of MosaiQ TM has advanced, however, and the completion of an initial public offering becomes more likely, the discount applicable to the ordinary shares as compared with the value of the preference shares decreases.

The directors reduced the discount between the two classes of shares to zero at the end of June 2013 because, based on feasibility studies that showed high concordance, they believed that MosaiQ TM would likely proceed and receive required funding through an initial public offering. As a result, the preference shares would likely convert to ordinary shares at some future date. The growth in share value between June and November 2013 reflects continuing progress with the development of the MosaiQ TM technology over the summer and autumn of 2013. In addition, by November 2013, we had reached agreement in principal on the terms of the MidCap Financial loan and the $9.38 issue price of new preference share capital issued in December 2013.

As is typical in initial public offerings, the final estimated price range included on the cover page of this prospectus was not derived using a formal determination of fair value, but instead was determined primarily through negotiation between us and the underwriters. Among the factors that we considered in setting the price range for the offering are the following:

 

  Ø  

an analysis of the typical valuation ranges seen in recent initial public offerings by companies in our industry, and by companies conducting initial public offerings generally;

 

  Ø  

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly-traded common equity of companies in our industry, and public companies generally;

 

  Ø  

the general condition of the securities markets;

 

  Ø  

an assumption that there would be a receptive public trading market for medical diagnostics companies such as us;

 

  Ø  

an assumption that there would be sufficient demand for our ordinary shares to support an offering of the size contemplated by the registration statement; and

 

  Ø  

preliminary discussions with the underwriters concerning our potential valuation.

We believe the difference between the “Per share fair value” for share option awards and the midpoint of the price range on the cover of the prospectus is primarily attributable to important differences in the methodologies for determining the two prices, and other factors:

 

(i)   The “Per share fair value” was derived by applying a discount to the most recent issue or transaction price for our preference shares, as described above; and

 

(ii)   The midpoint of the price range on the cover assumes with 100% probability that we will complete our initial public offering (in connection with which all of our outstanding equity share capital will be converted into ordinary shares) during the second quarter of 2014. The midpoint of the price range on the cover also assumes that the initial public offering has occurred and a public market for the ordinary shares has been created, and therefore excludes any discount for lack of marketability of the ordinary shares.

As of March 31, 2014, we have 779,462 outstanding options of which 79,335 are vested and 700,127 are unvested. Based on the estimated offering price of $10.00 per share, the intrinsic value of the vested options is $0.7 million and the intrinsic value of the unvested options is $4.4 million.

 

 

 

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for any other contractually narrow or limited purpose.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These market risks are principally limited to interest rate fluctuations and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Interest rate sensitivity

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates as it impacts our interest income and expense.

Cash and cash equivalents .    At December 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of $13.8 million. Our exposure to market risk includes interest income sensitivity, which is impacted by changes in the general level of U.S. and European interest rates. Our cash and cash equivalents are invested in interest-bearing savings and money market accounts. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Due to the conservative nature of our investment portfolio, which is predicated on capital preservation of investments with short term maturities, we do not believe an immediate one percentage point change in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio, and therefore we do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be significantly affected by changes in market interest rates.

Term loan facility .    In December 2013, we entered into a $15.0 million term loan with MidCap Financial LLC, with the full facility being drawn down at the outset. The term loan carries a variable interest rate of 6.7% above LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 2.00%. If there is a rise in LIBOR interest rates above 2.00%, our debt service obligation would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, which would affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Assuming no change in our debt obligations from the amount drawn down under the term loan, a hypothetical one percentage point change in underlying variable rates would not currently change our annual interest expense and cash flow from operations.

Foreign currency exchange risk

We are subject to market risks arising from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Our functional currency is U.S. Dollars, although our UK operations have a significant proportion of working capital represented by assets and liabilities that are denominated in Pounds Sterling and Euros. Accordingly, fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar versus Pounds Sterling and U.S. Dollar versus Euro exchange rate give rise to exchange gains and losses. These gains and losses arise from the conversion of Pounds Sterling and Euros to U.S. Dollars and the retranslation of cash, accounts receivable, intercompany indebtedness and third party debt balances. These are both asset and liability balances in the group balance sheet and we currently attempt to manage the net amounts held overseas in U.S. Dollars at any particular time to a net balance of less than $1 million. The net balance will fluctuate from time to time, but we estimate that a hypothetical instantaneous 5% devaluation of the U.S. Dollar against the Pound Sterling and the Euro would give rise to recognition of an exchange gain (which for financial reporting purposes would be netted against, and therefore reduce, other expenses) of less than $0.1 million, before income tax effects. On the same basis, we estimate that a hypothetical instantaneous

 

 

 

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5% devaluation of the Pound Sterling and Euro against the U.S. Dollar would give rise to recognition of an exchange loss (which for financial reporting purposes would be included in other expenses) of less than $0.1 million before income tax effects.

A significant proportion of the revenues of our group are earned in U.S. Dollars but the costs of our manufacturing operations are payable mainly in Pounds Sterling. We therefore closely monitor the results of our UK operations to address this difference. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the net loss arising in Pounds Sterling from our UK operations amounted to $9.1 million. This loss was largely due to the conversion of U.S. Dollar revenues into Pounds Sterling. We have therefore entered into forward contracts to hedge against the effects of fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar versus the Pounds Sterling exchange rate. These contracts provide for the conversion of $300,000 per month to Pounds Sterling at a rate of $1.51 to £1.00 each month through June 2014. Based on this, a hypothetical instantaneous 5% strengthening of the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar would reduce our net income by $0.4 million in the twelve month period ending December 31, 2014, after taking account of the shelter provided by our existing hedging arrangements through June 2014. Similarly, a hypothetical instantaneous 5% weakening of the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar would increase group net income by $0.4 million over the same period. Our UK operations also have exposure to fluctuations in the Euro versus Pounds Sterling exchange rate, but to a lesser extent.

We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

Our management does not believe that inflation in past years has had a significant impact on our results from operations. In the event inflation affects our costs in the future, we will offset the effect of inflation and maintain appropriate margins through increased selling prices.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

We have considered recent accounting pronouncements and determined that they are either not applicable to our business or that no material effect is expected on the consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

JOBS ACT

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies that become public can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards 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 following the completion of this offering and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

 

 

 

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Business

OVERVIEW

We are an established, commercial-stage diagnostics company committed to reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care through the provision of innovative tests for blood grouping and serological disease screening, commonly referred to as transfusion diagnostics. Blood grouping involves specific procedures performed at donor or patient testing laboratories to characterize blood, which includes antigen typing and antibody identification.

Through our subsidiary Alba Biosciences Limited, or Alba, we have over 30 years experience developing, manufacturing and commercializing conventional reagent products used for blood grouping within the $2.8 billion global transfusion diagnostics market. We are developing MosaiQ TM , our proprietary technology platform, to better address the comprehensive needs of this large and established market. We believe MosaiQ TM has the potential to transform transfusion diagnostics, significantly reducing the cost of blood grouping in a donor or patient testing environment, while improving patient outcomes.

Transfusion medicine demands the highest standard of performance, quality and service. However, there has not been a major advancement in the automation of transfusion diagnostics over the past two decades. Consequently, complex and expensive manual testing procedures remain necessary in both donor and patient testing laboratories. We believe that, if approved for sale, MosaiQ TM will be the first commercially available, fully automated testing platform capable of simultaneously identifying all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies in either donor or patient blood, eliminating manual testing. MosaiQ is also designed to perform all currently mandated serological disease screening tests, such as HIV and Hepatitis, and enable the low cost detection of additional pathogens, thereby increasing the safety of the blood supply.

MosaiQ TM leverages our transfusion diagnostics expertise and combines novel manufacturing techniques and well-characterized blood grouping and disease screening tests to create a multiplex testing consumable for use on a high-throughput instrument.

We have designed MosaiQ TM to offer a breadth of diagnostic tests that is unmatched by any commercially available transfusion diagnostic instrument platform. Time to result for MosaiQ TM will be significantly quicker than existing methods for extended antigen typing and antibody identification and is expected to be equivalent to the time to result for current instrument platforms performing basic antigen typing. We believe that customer adoption of MosaiQ TM will lead to improved patient outcomes through better and easier matching of donor and patient blood, given cost-effective extended antigen typing. Improved patient outcomes using MosaiQ TM include the potential for reduced incidence of alloimmunization, where the patient develops allo-antibodies to foreign antigens introduced to the body through transfused blood. MosaiQ TM will also offer the opportunity for substantial cost savings and a range of operational efficiencies for donor and patient testing laboratories, including:

 

  Ø  

full characterization of blood-group antigens and antibodies present in donor or patient blood, eliminating manual testing by skilled technicians;

 

  Ø  

simplification of required consumables;

 

  Ø  

consolidation of multiple instrument platforms in donor testing laboratories;

 

  Ø  

significant reduction of sample volume requirements;

 

  Ø  

reduction of consumable and reagent waste; and

 

  Ø  

streamlined process for finding and matching donor units to patients.

 

 

 

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Our internal feasibility studies have demonstrated a high degree of concordance, across a range of key blood group specificities, between results generated by the MosaiQ TM methodology and results generated using predicate technologies for blood grouping. We used column agglutination technology (or CAT, a blood group testing system that incorporates microcolumns and glass bead microparticles) and, where CAT was not feasible, manual testing techniques as the predicate technologies for our internal feasibility studies. Our antigen typing feasibility study demonstrated concordance of approximately 99% or greater for most tested specificities and our antibody identification feasibility study demonstrated overall concordance of 99.7%. We are continuing to optimize our blood grouping tests for MosaiQ TM .

MosaiQ TM will comprise two separate consumables, one for blood grouping and one for serological disease screening, and initially a high-throughput instrument. We expect to install the manufacturing system for the MosaiQ consumables and begin formal validation studies of the system by the end of 2014. Prototype units of the initial MosaiQ TM instrument are also forecast to be available at this time. We plan to commence formal field trials for the consumables and the initial MosaiQ TM instrument in the second half of 2015 and we expect to file the necessary regulatory submissions to obtain FDA and other required marketing clearances in the first half of 2016. We anticipate initial commercial sales of MosaiQ TM consumables, for research use only, in the first half of 2016. If approved for sale, we anticipate full commercial launch for MosaiQ TM in Europe during the second half of 2016 and in the United States during the first half of 2017.

Through Alba, which we acquired in 2007, we have a proven track record and significant expertise in product development, manufacturing and quality, uniquely tailored to the highly regulated transfusion diagnostics market. Since we acquired Alba, we have introduced a range of FDA-licensed products in the United States under the Quotient brand, which we sell directly to donor testing laboratories, hospitals, and independent testing laboratories. We have also increased our emphasis on the development, manufacture, and sale of conventional reagent products to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, such as Ortho, Bio-Rad and Grifols.

We currently derive revenue from a portfolio of products used for blood grouping, as well as whole blood controls used daily for quality assurance testing of third-party blood grouping instruments. We are developing additional conventional reagent products for our OEM customers and for sale in the United States under the Quotient brand.

We generated total revenue of $14.4 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and total revenue of $15.1 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. We generated product sales revenue of $13.8 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and $12.3 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. A significant portion of our product sales revenues, 71% and 73%, respectively, were derived from products sold by standing purchase order. We incurred a net loss of $4.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and a net loss of $5.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013.

OUR MARKET OPPORTUNITY

The global transfusion diagnostics market is large and established. Total annual product sales in this market amounted to $2.8 billion in 2011, of which $1.3 billion occurred within the United States. We believe global product sales, consisting primarily of reagents and instruments used for blood grouping was $1.2 billion, disease screening using serological methods was $0.7 billion and disease screening using molecular methods was $0.9 billion. We believe product sales in 2011 to the highly concentrated donor testing market accounted for approximately $1.9 billion, with patient testing accounting for the remaining $0.9 billion of sales. Performed primarily within hospitals, the patient testing market is more fragmented.

 

 

 

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According to the World Health Organization, 92 million blood donations were collected globally in 2011, with 48% being collected in 37 “high-income” countries primarily located in North America, Western Europe and Eastern Asia. In addition, over 20 million plasma donations are collected each year in the United States and Europe. While plasma is not subject to blood grouping, it is subject to disease screening. In the United States, 16 million blood donations were collected during 2011 based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We estimate that over 90 million patients are blood grouped annually in the developed world, although only a small proportion of these patients actually receive a blood transfusion.

The global transfusion diagnostics market has generally been stable from year to year, with modest annual growth driven by positive demographic trends in the developed world. In the United States, blood usage (and thus donor blood collection and testing) has declined in recent years, driven by medical innovation and various hospital cost containment measures, including a greater focus on the more appropriate use of blood. Specifically, since reaching a peak level of 15.0 million transfused units in 2008, volumes declined to 13.8 million in 2011, and we estimate volumes of 12.6 million in 2013. We forecast a floor of 12.0 to 12.5 million transfused units to be reached by 2015, followed by a return to growth starting in 2016. We believe that positive demographics associated with an aging U.S. population and greater healthcare utilization by previously uninsured citizens will be positive drivers of domestic blood demand going forward.

The recent decline in the annual number of blood units transfused in the United States has had a significant financial impact on donor collection agencies through reduced revenues. As a result of the highly competitive market for blood, donor collection agencies in the United States have limited pricing power. Given high fixed cost operations, they have been forced to dramatically reduce costs. For example, several testing laboratories have been consolidated under Creative Testing Solutions, which tests 5.0 to 5.5 million donations annually, while the American Red Cross, which tests 5.5 to 6.0 million donations annually, recently announced the planned closure of one of its five national testing laboratories. These two organizations test approximately 70% of donated blood in the United States. By fully automating and modernizing blood grouping and disease screening processes, we believe MosaiQ TM will offer donor testing laboratories an opportunity to realize significant cost savings through widespread workflow efficiencies.

Combined, the cost of procuring and characterizing blood for transfusion represents a significant cost to the global healthcare system. The costs and expenses related to donor blood grouping and disease screening are typically included in the price a hospital pays for a unit of blood. In the United States, the average price of a unit of red blood cells is approximately $225, while the average price of antigen negative blood is estimated at an additional $80 per antigen. The costs and expenses related to patient blood grouping at hospitals are not specifically reimbursed by a third party payor, but typically absorbed within the reimbursement structure of a broader medical procedure. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2014 laboratory fee schedule, the reimbursement rate for outpatient services associated with basic antigen typing and an antibody screen is $36 per sample. For an antibody identification procedure, the reimbursement rate is an additional $92 per sample.

Blood Grouping

Prior to blood transfusion, or when there is likelihood that a blood transfusion might be required, extensive blood grouping procedures are undertaken on patient and donor blood using in vitro diagnostic products. These procedures ascertain the blood group of the patient and ensure the compatibility of donor blood. The testing regime is designed to prevent transfusion reactions, which can range from mild to fatal.

 

 

 

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Red blood cells (the cellular portion) and plasma (the fluid portion) are the principal components of blood. On the exterior of red blood cells are antigens that determine an individual’s blood group (A, B, AB, O), or ABO group, and type (RhD positive or RhD negative), or Rh type. In addition, there are at least another 32 clinically significant blood-group antigens that may be present on patient and donor red blood cells. Plasma contains many different kinds of proteins, including: (i) naturally occurring blood-group antibodies; (ii) blood-group antibodies developed by the body in response to foreign red blood cell antigens introduced during transfusion (allo-antibodies); or (iii) blood-group antibodies developed following pregnancy. Blood-group antibodies mirror the antigen families that are present on red blood cells. In its normal state, blood does not contain antibodies that will react with its own red blood cell antigens (auto-antibodies).

Because of the potential for a reaction of blood-group antigens and antibodies, it is crucial that clinicians correctly identify the blood-group antigens or antibodies present in donor and patient blood before transfusion. If a donor’s red blood cells contain antigens that are recognized by and react with existing blood-group antibodies in the patient’s plasma, the transfused red blood cells could be destroyed in a potentially life-threatening reaction. The identification of blood-group antigens on donor and patient red blood cells is typically referred to as blood typing or basic antigen typing, with a more comprehensive characterization being referred to as extended antigen typing. The identification of blood group antibodies in plasma is typically referred to as antibody identification.

All patients potentially requiring a blood transfusion will generally be blood grouped, including pregnant women, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients undergoing surgery or patients suffering from chronic diseases that require regular blood transfusions, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease.

Patient blood will typically be subject to a basic antigen typing and an antibody screen. Less than 1% of patients that have not received a blood transfusion will screen positive for an antibody. The incidence of blood-group antibodies, however, increases significantly to 3 to 8% in patients who have previously received a blood transfusion and women that have given birth to two or more children. When an antibody screen proves positive, a complex and time consuming procedure will be performed by skilled technicians to identify all clinically significant blood group antibodies in the patient’s plasma. This largely manual process may take two to six hours to complete, although more complex cases can take one or more days to complete. Antibody identification represents a significant cost to hospitals, particularly those that treat large numbers of patients suffering from thalassemia or sickle cell disease. Reagents used for antibody identification also have a short shelf life, typically being shipped on a 28-day cycle, making management of blood-grouping reagent inventories more complex and increasing waste.

The increasing incidence of allo-antibodies developing in patients who have received multiple transfusions, commonly referred to as alloimmunization, has prompted clinicians to request costly, extended antigen matching of donor blood for at-risk patient groups, such as those suffering from thalassemia or sickle cell disease. The incidence of antibodies present in these patient groups is estimated to be 20 to 30%. According to a study published in January 2014, the estimated total cost of extended antigen typing is $364, which is a base case that involves 14 antigens at an estimated cost of $26 per antigen.

Donor blood will typically be subject to a basic antigen typing and an antibody screen. Clinicians will request specific antigen-negative donor blood for patients with one or more blood-group antibodies. In this instance, multiple donor units will be selected from inventory by the donor-collection agency and subjected to an extended antigen typing procedure to select the most appropriate units for the patient. This procedure is completed to ensure that the corresponding antigen to the patient’s antibody is not present on the donor’s red blood cells.

 

 

 

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The number of donor units that need to be screened to identify specific antigen-negative units varies depending upon blood group. In the Caucasian population, for example, ten donor units on average would need to be screened to find two units of donor blood negative for the Duffy-A antigen. Similarly, to identify two units of donor blood negative for the little-e antigen, one hundred donations would need to be screened and, to identify two units of blood negative for the little-k antigen one thousand donations would need to be screened. Additionally, the numbers of units needed to be screened increases significantly if the patient has two or more antibodies.

The identification of antigen-negative units of blood is largely a manual and labor intensive process. Because of the additional testing procedures required and the large numbers of donor units that must be screened, antigen negative donor units are more expensive for hospitals to purchase. In the United States, these units may cost as much as four times the cost of donor blood that does not require extended antigen typing. Identifying donor units that are negative to multiple antigens is much more expensive and difficult to find.

Disease Screening

The safety of donor blood is ultimately the responsibility of donor collection agencies, with regulatory agencies in individual countries establishing safeguards and standards to ensure patient safety. In the developed world, donor blood is subject to mandatory screening for infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals. Two different methods of testing have been adopted – a serological approach (testing for specific antigens or antibodies) and, for certain viruses, a molecular approach (testing for nucleic acid). The United States, many countries in Western Europe and Japan require both serological and molecular disease screening be performed on donor blood. In the United States, it is mandatory to screen donor blood using serological techniques for the following: Syphilis, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Hepatitis C Antibody, Human Immunodeficiency Viruses, or HIV, Type 1 and Type 2 Antibodies and Human T-Lymphotropic Antibodies. Most blood collection agencies will also screen for Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, using the same serological approach and the FDA recommends donor blood to be screened for Chagas disease. Molecular disease screening is required to be performed on donated blood to screen for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and West Nile virus. Other pathogens, such as Babesia Microti, Dengue and Malaria are transmissible by blood, but there is no test currently available, given cost or technology limitations.

Serological disease screening is already largely automated, with current testing typically performed on two separate instrument platforms offered by different vendors.

DONOR & PATIENT TESTING ENVIRONMENTS

Blood grouping and disease screening techniques have remained generally unchanged for many years, with a handful of instrument platforms available for basic antigen typing, antibody screening and some additional antigen typing. However, significant manual intervention is still required to complete more complex blood grouping procedures, such as extended antigen typing and antibody identification. In many cases, it is also not possible to obtain a sufficient blood sample volume from patients (for example, from anemia patients and babies) for blood grouping using existing instrument platforms.

Donor Testing

In the developed world, the testing of donated blood is primarily completed by donor collection agencies. In the United States, two agencies, the American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions, test approximately 70% of all blood donations collected. Throughout Western Europe, Japan, Australia and

 

 

 

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Canada, national collection agencies, or a small number of regional collection agencies, typically collect and test all donated blood. Donor testing laboratories must adopt multiple instrument platforms, as well as undertake complex manual testing procedures for extended antigen typing or antibody identification, to complete the required testing for donated blood. Maintaining multiple instrument platforms requires complex quality control and assurance procedures, along with costly service and support infrastructures.

In the United States, a typical large donor testing laboratory might utilize several of each of the following instruments:

 

  Ø  

Beckman Coulter PK7300—used to complete a basic antigen type and a serological disease screen for CMV and Syphilis;

 

  Ø  

Immucor Neo or Galileo or Ortho Provue—used to complete an antibody screen;

 

  Ø  

Abbott Prism or Ortho Summit/Vitros—used to complete the remaining mandated serological disease screen requirements; and

 

  Ø  

Novartis Procleix Tigris System—used to complete the molecular disease screen.

Single instrument platforms for each testing procedure have typically been adopted within and across laboratory networks. However, neither of the two most widely used serological disease-screening platforms, Abbott’s Prism and Ortho’s Summit, are integrated with existing blood grouping instrument platforms that are utilized within the donor-testing environment. In addition, donor testing laboratories utilize costly manual testing techniques to identify antigen negative donor units and to carry out any antibody identification procedures required, since the processes for these types of testing are not currently automated.

Patient Testing

Patients are typically blood grouped in hospitals. Large-to-medium hospitals will generally adopt one of several semi-automated instrument platforms to perform basic blood grouping procedures. These instruments employ either column agglutination technology supplied by companies such as Ortho, Bio-Rad and Grifols, or solid-phase microplate technologies supplied by companies such as Immucor. These platforms offer only a limited number of blood grouping tests per testing run and are therefore cumbersome, especially if a more comprehensive characterization of the patient’s blood is required. Consequently, laboratories that have adopted a blood grouping instrument platform will continue to use manual or semi-manual techniques to undertake more complex procedures, such as antibody identification or extended antigen typing.

Because of the continued need for manual testing, many small to medium-sized hospitals choose not to adopt existing instrument platforms. Instead, they will use manual or semi-manual techniques for basic blood grouping. Complex procedures, such as antibody identification, may also be outsourced to independent testing laboratories by these hospitals.

We believe the continued requirement for manual testing and drawbacks of existing instrument platforms for blood grouping have limited the attraction of offering blood-grouping services to hospitals by large independent testing laboratories, such as LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics.

 

 

 

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LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT BLOOD GROUPING AND DISEASE SCREENING METHODS

A significant proportion of the overall cost of blood grouping is accounted for by the ongoing need for complex manual testing procedures. Additionally, with over 30 clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies to characterize, the required reagents for blood grouping (whether performed on instruments or manually) are both complex and extensive.

We believe both donor collection agencies and hospitals would prefer to fully characterize donor units through extended antigen typing prior to transfusion, although the time and expense required to undertake such procedures is generally prohibitive. As a consequence, extended antigen typing is only undertaken as needed (i.e., where the patient has a specific antibody) on a small percentage of donor units.

Existing blood grouping methods and instruments have a number of additional drawbacks, including:

 

  Ø  

Extensive antigen typing is not widely undertaken pre-transfusion due to cost and complexity, resulting in more patients developing antibodies, which complicates future transfusions;

 

  Ø  

Requirement for highly trained laboratory technicians;

 

  Ø  

Extensive, complex and expensive reagent requirements, some with shelf lives under 30 days;

 

  Ø  

Supply shortages of licensed antisera for some rare, but clinically significant blood-group antigens;

 

  Ø  

Incremental supervision, technical training and quality assurance costs, given the lack of standardization resulting from complex manual testing procedures;

 

  Ø  

Potential for testing or labeling errors given the large manual component;

 

  Ø  

Lower red blood cell or plasma yields for donor collection agencies, given test volume requirements;

 

  Ø  

Difficulty testing patients that can provide only low volumes of blood samples, including anemia patients and babies;

 

  Ø  

Costly service and support infrastructure needed to maintain multiple instrument platforms in a donor testing environment; and

 

  Ø  

Inability of existing instrument platforms to connect to laboratory automation (or track-based) systems.

Serological disease screening is already largely automated. However, it is typically undertaken using two separate instrument platforms, neither of which is integrated with commonly used blood grouping instruments. Automation platforms for serological disease screening have been on the market for many years but lack many of the attributes users benefit from in other diagnostic fields such as user-interface, remote diagnostics, ability to link to laboratory automation systems and software compatibility with laboratory information systems. Additionally, existing disease screening platforms lack the ability to easily add additional tests as the market and regulators dictate.

THE MOSAIQ TM SOLUTION

We are developing MosaiQ TM to address the comprehensive needs of the global transfusion diagnostics market. We believe MosaiQ TM has the potential to transform transfusion diagnostics by substantially reducing costs and offering a range of operational efficiencies within donor and patient testing laboratories, while improving patient outcomes through a more complete characterization of donor and patient blood.

 

 

 

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MosaiQ TM will comprise two separate consumables, one for blood grouping and one for serological disease screening, and initially, a high-throughput instrument. In a donor testing environment, MosaiQ TM is designed to conduct both blood grouping and disease screening tests simultaneously, while only blood grouping would be performed in a patient testing environment. The MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable will consist of two protein microarrays: one printed with red blood cells and the other printed with antibodies. Our novel approach incorporates existing, well-characterized tests for all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies onto a single, multiplex consumable for the global market. Using the same approach, we plan to incorporate all currently mandated serological disease screening tests onto a second disease screening consumable. Both consumables are designed to be processed using the same MosaiQ TM high-throughput instrument.

We intend to pursue a “razor/razor blade” business model for MosaiQ TM , placing instruments and securing long-term agreements for the supply of blood grouping and/or disease screening consumables used by those instruments. We expect donor and patient laboratories to adopt MosaiQ TM because it is designed to offer a complete characterization of all clinically relevant blood group antigens and antibodies, while also offering the opportunity for substantial cost savings and a range of operational efficiencies. We believe these customers would prefer to fully characterize the blood of all donors and patients to facilitate better blood matching. While MosaiQ TM is designed to be a highly cost-effective solution, delivering substantial cost savings to our customers, we also expect to generate attractive profit margins.

We anticipate initial commercial sales of the MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable, for research use only, to commence in the first half of 2016. If approved for sale, we anticipate full commercial launch for MosaiQ TM in Europe during the second half of 2016 and in the United States during the first half of 2017.

MosaiQ TM Overview

We have designed MosaiQ TM leveraging our transfusion diagnostics expertise. MosaiQ TM combines novel manufacturing techniques and well-characterized blood grouping and disease screening tests to create a multiplex testing consumable for use on a high-throughput instrument. Through miniaturization, we are combining a full portfolio of existing serological tests on two distinct consumables for use on MosaiQ TM – one for blood grouping and one for serological disease screening. Both consumables have been designed to run in parallel, utilizing the same donor sample and the same MosaiQ TM instrument. Each consumable is designed to address the worldwide requirements for blood grouping or serological disease screening.

Specifically, we are developing MosaiQ TM to simultaneously:

 

  Ø  

Determine the full antigen profile of patient and donor red blood cells and identify all clinically significant antibodies in patient and donor plasma; and

 

  Ø  

Serologically screen donor blood for specific viruses.

Blood Grouping Consumable

The MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable is designed to fully characterize donor and patient blood, identifying all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies. We believe MosaiQ TM , when launched, will be the only commercially available automation platform capable of offering this scope of testing.

 

 

 

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In the following table, we list the tests we plan to incorporate on the blood grouping consumable:

 

Antibody-ID

   Antigen Typing

Group

  

Specificity

   Group   

Specificity

ABO

   A and B    ABO    A (A 1 , A 2 , A 3 ) and B

Rhesus

   D, C, c, E, e, V and  C w    Rhesus    D, C, c, E, e, V and C w

Kell

   K, k, Kp a , Kp b , Js a and Js b    Partial D    Weak D (Type 1 or 2), D II and DNU, D III, D IV, DV, DCS, D VI, D VII, DOL, DFR, DMH, DAR, DHK & DAU-4, DBT and R 0 Har

Duffy

   Fy a and Fy b    H    H

Kidd

   Jk a and Jk b    Kell    K, k, Kp a , Kp b , Js a and Js b

Lewis

   Le a and Le b    Duffy    Fy a and Fy b

MNS

   M, Mi a , N, S, s, and V w    Kidd    Jk a and Jk b

P

   P1    Lewis    Le a and Le b

Lu

   Lu a and Lu b    MNS    M, Mi a , N, S, s and V w

Wr

   Wr a    P    P1

Diego

   Di a and Di b    Lu    Lu a and Lu b

Xg

   Xg a    Wr    Wr a

Other

   U, Co a , Co b and VS    Diego    Di a and Di b
      Xg    Xg a
      Other    U, Co a , Co b and VS

Disease Screening Consumable

The disease screening consumable is being designed to incorporate all tests required to meet current regulatory requirements in the markets in which we operate for serological disease screening of donor blood. We are including tests to screen serologically for Syphilis, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Hepatitis C Antibody, HIV Type 1 and Type 2 and Human T-Lymphotropic Antibodies Type I/II, along with a test for CMV. The disease screening consumable has been specifically designed with the capacity to include additional disease screening tests as may be mandated by regulatory requirements.

Instrumentation

The MosaiQ TM instrument is designed to fully automate blood grouping and perform a simultaneous disease screen in a donor testing laboratory. Consistent with the typical workflow of donor or patient testing laboratories, centrifuged tubes of whole blood will be placed on the MosaiQ TM instrument for processing. The instrument will then complete a full blood group characterization of each blood sample, combined with a parallel disease screen in a donor testing environment, with the results being reported through existing laboratory information management systems (or LIMS).

We are developing a high-throughput, floor standing MosaiQ TM instrument for use by both donor collection agencies and medium to large-sized hospitals. This initial MosaiQ TM instrument is being designed to process 900 to 1,000 consumables per eight-hour shift, giving a capacity to test 450 to 500 donor samples (utilizing a blood-grouping consumable and a disease screening consumable) or 900 to 1,000 patient samples (blood grouping only). We may also introduce a second smaller instrument solely for blood grouping, which would utilize the same blood grouping consumable and would also incorporate a “razor/razor blade” business model. This instrument will be designed to be a lower-cost, bench-top instrument with the capacity to test 100 to 200 consumables per eight-hour shift, suitable for

 

 

 

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use in small and medium-sized hospitals. It may also be suitable as a backup instrument in hospitals adopting the initial high-throughput instrument. Both instruments are expected to fully characterize donor or patient blood in less than 35 minutes and to have the capability to prioritize urgent patient sample testing, commonly referred to as STAT testing.

Development Process

MosaiQ TM is at an advanced stage of development and we are commencing the process of industrial scale-up for final product validation and commercialization. We expect to install the initial manufacturing system for MosaiQ TM consumables and initiate formal validation studies of the system by the end of 2014. We have conducted extensive feasibility work internally to demonstrate the performance of the MosaiQ TM methodology compared with predicate blood grouping technologies. As a result, we believe the development pathways to adapt each of the tests for the blood grouping consumable are well defined. For the disease screening consumable, we are following the same development pathway for each of the tests to be included with the assistance of Future Diagnostics, or Future. We are optimizing individual tests to be included on both of the MosaiQ TM consumables in parallel with the development of the MosaiQ TM instrument and the building of the consumable manufacturing system.

We have commenced building the manufacturing system for MosaiQ TM consumables with the assistance of TTP, a leading European technology development company. We have leased a facility near Geneva, Switzerland where we plan to locate the MosaiQ TM consumable manufacturing operation. MosaiQ TM consumables will be produced on a manufacturing system incorporating novel, patented printing technology that we have further developed with TTP. As planned, this print technology enables us to industrialize the consumable manufacturing process. We are not aware of any alternative technology suitable and commercially available for this purpose.

We have partnered with STRATEC, a leading global developer of diagnostics instruments, to design, develop and manufacture the initial high-throughput instrument for MosaiQ TM . STRATEC has been operating for over 30 years and has significant experience designing, developing and manufacturing in vitro diagnostics instruments, including a number of existing instruments used today for blood grouping and disease screening. We have completed the initial design of the instrument and expect individual modules for key instrument functions to be delivered to us by STRATEC for design verification in the first quarter of 2014. Prototype units of the initial high-throughput instrument are expected to be delivered to us in the fourth quarter of 2014.

We are also collaborating with key potential donor and patient testing customers on the content of the MosaiQ TM consumables and the design and function of the MosaiQ TM instrument, including the American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions, along with several other major healthcare institutions.

We expect to begin field trials in the second half of 2015 and to file the necessary regulatory submissions to obtain FDA and other required marketing clearances in the first half of 2016.

MosaiQ TM will be subject to CE-marking in Europe. In the United States, the FDA has indicated it will require MosaiQ TM to obtain approval of a biologics license application, or BLA, for the blood grouping consumable and traditional 510(k) clearances for the instrument and the initial disease screening consumable, comprising two tests, CMV and Syphilis. The final disease screening consumable, consisting of additional tests, will be subject to BLA approval. The instrument is expected to be classified as a Class II medical device. We plan to hold additional meetings with regulators as we advance the manufacturing process for MosaiQ TM consumables and the design of the MosaiQ TM instrument. We expect to test individual donor or patient samples during a multi-site field trial program, against all specificities on

 

 

 

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either the blood grouping or disease screening consumable, which is a typical pathway for transfusion and multiplex diagnostic products. The majority of tests planned for inclusion on the MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable will be derived from raw materials used in existing conventional reagent products already licensed by the FDA or that are currently being developed for use in the United States.

Development of the disease screening consumable is less advanced than blood grouping, although we have only two tests to initially optimize for this consumable. The initial feasibility results for the first two tests, Syphilis and CMV, have been positive and we continue to optimize these tests for MosaiQ TM with our development partner, Future. We believe the disease screening consumable may be subject to greater regulatory scrutiny, given heightened sensitivity to patient safety associated with the potential transmission of harmful viruses. As a consequence, the regulatory pathway of the blood grouping and disease screening consumables have been separated by us to mitigate the risk of regulatory delay for the blood grouping consumable. If approved for sale, we expect to introduce the disease screening consumable within twelve months after the launch of our blood grouping consumable.

MosaiQ TM Advantages

We expect the use of MosaiQ TM for blood grouping and disease screening will offer both major cost saving opportunities and clinical benefits, including:

 

  Ø  

Improved clinical decision making and better matching of donor and patient blood, with the potential to reduce the incidence of alloimmunization;

 

  Ø  

Extended antigen typing for all donor blood;

 

  Ø  

Comprehensive antibody identification, eliminating the need for an antibody screen and expensive manual testing;

 

  Ø  

Significantly reduced need for complex, manual testing procedures, delivering major workflow efficiencies;

 

  Ø  

Standardization of blood grouping, reducing the potential for testing or labeling errors;

 

  Ø  

Consolidation of multiple instrument platforms and complicated manual testing procedures onto a single automated instrument;

 

  Ø  

Significantly simplified consumable requirements, with one consumable for blood grouping and one consumable for disease screening;

 

  Ø  

Substantially improved time to result for complex blood grouping procedures, such as antibody identification and extended antigen typing;

 

  Ø  

Significantly lower donor testing volume requirements, increasing plasma and red blood cell yields per donation;

 

  Ø  

Lower patient sample volume requirements, potentially eliminating the need for manual testing where sufficient sample volume proves difficult to obtain (for example, from babies and patients suffering from anemia);

 

  Ø  

Significantly increased shelf life for red blood cell-derived tests;

 

  Ø  

Reduced consumable waste;

 

  Ø  

Lower sample logistics costs;

 

  Ø  

Potential to electronically match donor and patient blood; and

 

  Ø  

Ability to integrate onto existing laboratory automation (track-based) systems.

 

 

 

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MosaiQ TM Methodology Validation

We have conducted extensive feasibility work internally to demonstrate the performance of the MosaiQ TM methodology compared with predicate technologies for specific antigen typing and antibody identification tests to be included on the MosaiQ TM blood-grouping consumable. This work focused on demonstrating specificity of the antigen typing tests for key blood group systems (ABO, Rh and Kell) and the specificity and sensitivity of the antibody identification assay. We designed these studies to evaluate the MosaiQ TM methodology with a large data set and direct our future development efforts.

In our formal feasibility study for antigen typing, we tested 1,022 samples (except for Anti-Cw, where 830 samples were tested) for each of the nine antigens comprised in the key blood group systems.

In our formal feasibility study for antibody identification, we tested 1,000 random samples and 34 known positive samples. Known positive samples included 22 different specificities, as well as multiple samples of the same target antibody, to demonstrate specificity and sensitivity.

We compared the results using the MosaiQ TM methodology to results using column agglutination technology (or CAT), or manual testing (where CAT reagents are unavailable) with the same samples. Our objective was to demonstrate greater than 95% correlation between the MosaiQ TM methodology and predicate technologies, and to identify process steps for further development.

Tests using the MosaiQ TM methodology were processed and analyzed manually. Overall concordance was calculated by adding true positive results and true negative results and dividing the result by the total number of tests. We expect correlation between results generated using the MosaiQ TM methodology and results generated using predicate technologies to improve as: (i) blood grouping reagents to be included on the MosaiQ TM consumable are further optimized; (ii) the manufacture of microarrays is further optimized; and (iii) as the liquid handling process and analysis process of MosaiQ TM arrays become fully automated.

The results of our formal feasibility studies are summarized below:

Antigen Typing

 

System    Antigen
Target
   Number
of Tests
   Predicate    MosaiQ TM(1)    Overall
Concordance
         Positive    Negative    True
Positive
   False
Positive
   True
Negative
   False
Negative
  

ABO

   A    1,022    358    664    352    4    660    6    99.0%
   B    1,022    110    912    107    4    908    3    99.3%

Rh

   D    1,022    793    229    788    3    226    5    99.2%
   C    1,022    645    377    639    2    375    6    99.2%
   c    1,022    855    167    844    4    163    11    98.5%
   E    1,022    266    756    264    0    756    2    99.8%
   e    1,022    996    26    672    5    21    324    67.8%
   Cw    830    15    815    13    2    813    2    99.5%

Kell

   K    1,022    80    942    36    7    935    44    95.0%

 

(1)   Multiple antibodies can be used to target the same antigen. The above results reflect the antibody that demonstrated the highest sensitivity for the applicable antigen target.

 

 

 

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The results of our antigen typing feasibility study were generally positive, demonstrating concordance of approximately 99% or greater for most tested specificities. We investigated the results where our 95% concordance objective was not exceeded, and specifically note the following:

 

(1)   Anti-e. The best performing anti-e antibody used in the feasibility study for e-antigen detection was received just prior to study commencement. Unlike the other eight specificities, the formulation of this antibody was not optimized (in terms of purification and concentration) prior to its inclusion in the feasibility study, resulting in poorer performance. To address this issue, we have subsequently purified and optimized four different anti-e antibodies, each from a different cell line, with each demonstrating substantially improved results; and

 

(2)   Anti-K. Only a single batch of anti-K antibody, which was manufactured in 2002, was available to us for K-antigen detection at the time of study commencement. The high rate of false negatives observed with this reagent was determined to result from low antibody concentration and high levels of degradation within the formulation.

Antibody Identification

 

     

Number
of Tests

 

    Predicate     MosaiQ TM    

Overall
Concordance

 

 
    Positive     Negative     True
Positive
    False
Positive
    True
Negative
    False
Negative
   

Antibody Identification

    1,034        38        996        35        0        996        3        99.7

Of the 1,000 random samples tested, four positive samples were identified using predicate technologies. Of these, three were detected and identified using the MosaiQ TM methodology. Reactions typically have a grade range of 0.0 to +4.0. The one sample that resulted in a false negative was subsequently determined to be a very weak anti-K (+0.5 grade reaction). No false positives were recorded.

Of the 34 known positive samples, 20 individual specificities and 12 subgroups of the anti-D specificity were detected and identified using the MosaiQ TM methodology. There were two false negative results for two rare specificities (anti-Di a and anti-Wr a ). Upon subsequent investigation, we determined that the false negative results were a direct result of the use of previously frozen reference cells. The freezing and storage process for red blood cells on the blood-grouping consumable remains to be optimized.

Our Conventional Reagent Business

Through Alba, we have over 30 years experience in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of conventional reagent products for blood grouping. Our conventional reagent products are used primarily to identify blood-group antigens and antibodies in donor and patient blood and to perform daily quality assurance testing for third-party blood grouping instrument platforms. We also undertake product development projects for our OEM customers, generating product development fees. Following development, we enter into long-term supply contracts with our OEM customers to manufacture and supply the products we have developed.

We currently develop, manufacture and commercialize the following key products:

 

  Ø  

Antisera Products —These products contain antibodies used to identify blood-group antigens. The majority of our antisera products are monoclonal antibodies manufactured from master cell lines we own;

 

  Ø  

Reagent Red Blood Cells —These products are comprised of human red blood cells formulated to enable the identification of blood-group antibodies. We source human red blood cells with the desired antigen profiles globally, primarily from donor collection organizations;

 

 

 

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Whole Blood Controls —We are an industry leader in the development and manufacture of whole blood control products, with a significant relationship with Ortho and other major OEM customers. These products contain both human red blood cells and antisera specifically formulated for use as daily quality assurance tests on third-party blood grouping instrument platforms; and

 

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Ancillary Products —These products and solutions are used to support blood grouping, but are not directly involved in blood group determination. They include Anti-Human Globulin, enhancement media, and kits for training and staff certification.

In the United States, we currently offer directly to our customers a portfolio of 35 conventional reagent products focused on blood grouping and we have over 35 additional products at various stages of development or FDA licensing. Conventional reagent products sold in the United States under the Quotient brand include antisera products, reagent red blood cells and other ancillary products. We currently serve over 725 hospitals, donor collection agencies and independent testing laboratory customers throughout the United States. Global direct sales, including sales to distributors, accounted for 31% of our product sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and 29% during the nine months ended December 31, 2013.

We sell the majority of our conventional reagent products to our OEM customers for use with their blood grouping instruments as specific tests or controls. OEM customers accounted for 69% of product sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and 71% during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. We have long-standing relationships with three leading global transfusion diagnostics companies: Ortho, Bio-Rad and Grifols.

Products sold to OEM customers range from bulk material incorporated into the customer’s own products to finished, vialled products sold under our customer’s label. We retain ownership of the intellectual property for these finished, vialled products and their associated regulatory licenses.

We have a significant relationship with Ortho, the world’s largest supplier of transfusion diagnostic products. We have developed several conventional reagent products launched by Ortho over the past five years. As a result, Ortho accounted for 55% and 57% of our product sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and the nine months ended December 31, 2013, respectively. See “—Our customers.”

We are currently developing a range of rare antisera products for use on Ortho’s instrument platforms. In May 2013, the first 14 of these products received CE-Marking for sale in Europe and we expect to file a BLA to obtain FDA marketing approval for these products in the near future. We also sell a range of whole blood control products, red blood cell products and ancillary products to Ortho worldwide, many of which have been launched over the past five years.

OUR COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

We believe our competitive strengths include the following:

 

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Large and established market with attractive industry fundamentals.     We operate within the $2.8 billion global transfusion diagnostics market, which is integral to healthcare systems around the world. In 2011, 92 million blood donations were collected globally, with 48% being collected in 37 “high-income” countries. We also estimate that over 90 million patients are blood grouped annually in the developed world. The safety of the global blood supply relies on the correct characterization of donor and patient blood, making blood grouping both critical and non-discretionary. Despite this

 

 

 

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importance, there has been little technological innovation for blood grouping over the past two decades. The characterization of both donor and patient blood continues to require complex manual testing procedures, which account for considerable operating costs within donor and patient testing laboratories. Given considerable cost containment pressure within donor collection agencies and hospitals, we believe a transformative new technology platform, such as MosaiQ TM , is necessary for these customers to realize meaningful future operating efficiencies and cost savings. The donor testing market is highly concentrated. Combined, the American Red Cross and Creative Testing Solutions test approximately 11 million blood donations annually, accounting for approximately 70% of donated blood in the United States.

 

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Extensive expertise developing, manufacturing and commercializing products for the transfusion diagnostics market.     We have a proven track record and significant expertise in product development, manufacturing and quality assurance uniquely tailored to the highly regulated transfusion diagnostics market. Specifically, we have developed and manufacture over 20 different conventional reagent products sold by our OEM customers in the United States, Europe and Japan. We also have 35 Quotient-branded conventional reagent products that are licensed by the FDA for sale in the United States and we have 35 additional products at various stages of development and FDA licensing. Since 2010, we have sold directly to over 725 hospitals, donor collection agencies and independent testing laboratories throughout the United States. Our total revenues increased by 38% to $15.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 compared with $10.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012.

 

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MosaiQ TM —a transformative technology for the transfusion diagnostics market.     We have designed MosaiQ TM to be fully automated and to offer a breadth of blood grouping and disease screening tests unmatched by other instrument platforms currently available. If approved for sale, MosaiQ TM will be the first commercially available testing platform capable of simultaneously identifying all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies, eliminating manual testing procedures, which are complex and expensive. MosaiQ TM combines the work currently performed by three instruments and complex manual testing for blood grouping and disease screening onto a single instrument. As a result, we believe MosaiQ will deliver significant cost savings and operational efficiencies for donor testing laboratories and hospitals, while improving patient outcomes.

 

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Established technical feasibility.     Using patent-protected manufacturing technologies, MosaiQ TM is expected to incorporate over 90 well-characterized tests for all clinically significant blood-group antigens and antibodies onto a single, multiplex consumable. Our internal feasibility studies have shown a high degree of concordance between results generated using the MosaiQ TM methodology and results generated using blood grouping predicate technologies, which we believe establishes technical feasibility for blood grouping. We have also adopted a similar approach for our disease screening consumable, which will screen for specific viruses, such as HIV and Hepatitis.

 

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Advanced development and commercialization plan.     By combining current scientific methods, well-characterized tests and known manufacturing technologies, we believe we have substantially reduced the risks associated with the development of MosaiQ TM . We are working with highly experienced technology development and engineering partners, including TTP and STRATEC, to design, build and validate the manufacturing system for MosaiQ consumables and the initial high-throughput instrument. We are also collaborating with key potential customers on the design of MosaiQ . We expect to begin field trials in the second half of 2015 and to file the necessary regulatory submissions in the first half of 2016. We anticipate initial commercial sales of the MosaiQ TM blood grouping consumable, for research use only, to commence in the first half of 2016. If approved for sale, we anticipate full commercial launch for MosaiQ TM to commence in Europe during the second half of 2016 and in the United States during the first half of 2017. We intend to

 

 

 

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commercialize MosaiQ ourselves in the highly concentrated global donor testing market. Within the more fragmented global patient testing market, we intend to enter into an arrangement with one or more commercial partners to ensure successful commercialization in this market.

 

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Attractive “razor/razor blade” business model with limited reimbursement exposure.     We intend to pursue a “razor/razor blade” business model for MosaiQ TM , placing instruments and securing long-term arrangements for the supply of blood grouping and/or disease screening consumables used by those instruments. MosaiQ TM is designed to be a highly cost-effective solution. We expect to generate attractive profit margins, while delivering substantial cost savings to our customers. We anticipate that MosaiQ will not be directly subject to reimbursement by governmental or commercial third-party payors for healthcare services in the United States.

 

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Experienced senior management team.     We have a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of success within the healthcare industry. Our senior management team has an average of 15 years of individual industry experience, with a balance of skills covering strategy, operations, product development, commercialization and financial management. Members of our management team have extensive experience in high volume consumable manufacturing, instrument development, manufacturing and field service support and commercial operations, having worked with several major multinational medical diagnostics groups.

OUR STRATEGY

In pursuing the MosaiQ TM opportunity, we will continue to optimize the blood grouping and disease screening tests, while working closely with our development partners to complete manufacturing scale-up for the consumables, and development and manufacturing of the initial high-throughput instrument.

In addition, we intend to:

 

  Ø  

collaborate with our key potential customers;

 

  Ø  

continue our dialogue with regulators to obtain required regulatory licenses and clearances;

 

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engage one or more commercial partners for the global patient testing market; and

 

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build a highly-focused sales and support infrastructure to successfully commercialize MosaiQ™ within the global donor testing market.

In our conventional reagent business, we intend to strengthen the Quotient brand, expand our customer base, reinforce our relationship with the FDA and other key regulators, continue to service our OEM customers and expand the number of conventional reagent products we offer directly in the United States.

OUR CUSTOMERS

The customers of our conventional reagent products include donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratories, as well as OEMs. We currently serve over 725 donor collection agencies, hospitals and independent testing laboratory customers throughout the United States. The products we sell to our non-OEM customers in the United States are finished, vialled antisera and red blood cell-derived products that are sold under our label. The products we sell to our OEM customers range from bulk material incorporated into our customer’s own products to finished, vialled products sold under the customer’s label. Our OEM customers include Ortho, Bio-Rad, and Grifols.

 

 

 

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Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

Sales to Ortho accounted for 55% and 57% of our product sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and the nine months ended December 31, 2013, respectively. We have entered into long-term agreements with Ortho for the manufacture and sale of conventional reagent products. The supply and related agreements contain terms related to each product we sell to Ortho, including quality, price, exclusivity and territory. The supply agreement expires on January 1, 2019 and can be terminated by either party upon 18 months’ written notice.

MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY

Conventional Reagent Products

We manufacture all of our conventional reagent products at our Edinburgh, Scotland manufacturing facility using our own cell lines or from raw materials purchased from a limited number of suppliers. We believe we have good relationships with our suppliers.

We plan to use our existing cash balances to replace and expand our existing facility in Edinburgh for the development and manufacture of conventional reagent products. The new facility will be leased, although we expect its design and completion to be largely funded by us.

MosaiQ TM

We have leased factory space at a manufacturing facility located in Eysins, Switzerland (near Geneva), which we expect will become the principal manufacturing site for the MosaiQ TM consumables. We are working with our engineering partners to complete the conversion of this facility. We are also working with our technology development partner, TTP, to design, build, install and validate the initial manufacturing system for the MosaiQ consumables, with STRATEC on the design, development and manufacture of the initial high-throughput instrument and with Future Diagnostics on the development of the tests to be incorporated on the disease screening consumable.

The Technology Partnership plc

We have entered into a master development agreement with TTP to design, build, install and validate the manufacturing system for the MosaiQ consumables. TTP has agreed to certain development work programs for each phase of the development and we have agreed to pay for development costs, including costs of materials, third party costs and specified professional fees for the time of TTP’s engineers and scientists. The agreement does not have a defined term and will terminate when the parties agree that development has concluded. Either party may terminate the agreement for certain breaches by the other party or in the event of certain bankruptcy events involving the other party. In addition, we may terminate the agreement upon 30 days’ notice for any reason. Upon termination of the agreement, we are responsible for paying any unpaid development and other costs of TTP.

We have entered into an exclusive, royalty-bearing, world-wide license with TTP to certain patented technologies and trade secrets to enable high volume manufacturing of MosaiQ consumables. Pursuant to this license agreement, we will pay TTP a $10 million license fee that is payable in installments through March 2019. The license is for uses that include antigen typing, antibody detection and serological screening of donated blood for infectious diseases (collectively, the initial purpose) as well as all human blood sample diagnostic testing on batch processing instruments (collectively, the additional purposes), with the exception of companion diagnostics, epigenetics and nucleic acid sequencing. We will also pay a low single digit royalty to TTP based on our net sales for 20 years or for so long as the licensed intellectual property is protected by patent in the country of sale. If license fee payments are not made by us when due, we will lose the license to the additional purposes, but not to the initial purpose.

 

 

 

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TTP will also grant us a non-exclusive, fully paid, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, world-wide license to use certain other intellectual property TTP owns and incorporates into bespoke components of the manufacturing system for MosaiQ consumables. The agreement will remain in effect so long as the licensed intellectual property is subject to patent or other intellectual property protection. TTP may terminate the agreement if we assist another party in disputing the validity and/or scope of any of TTP’s patented intellectual property covered by the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement with immediate effect by notice to the other party upon the occurrence of bankruptcy events. Any fee disputes are subject to mandatory dispute resolution.

STRATEC Biomedical AG

We have entered into a development agreement with STRATEC pursuant to which it will develop the initial high-throughput instrument for MosaiQ . STRATEC has agreed to a project development timeline that runs through July 31, 2016. STRATEC’s fees under this agreement total €13.1 million in aggregate, or $18.1 million using current exchange rates, payable upon completion of pre-agreed project development milestones. The agreement does not have a defined term. It is terminable in certain circumstances by either party at the end date of the second development milestone (May 31, 2014), with payments previously made and due to STRATEC at this time totaling €1.2 million, or $1.7 million using current exchange rates. Either party may also terminate the agreement for certain breaches by the other party or in the event of certain bankruptcy events involving the other party. Upon termination by STRATEC in connection with our breach or bankruptcy, certain termination payments are payable by us depending upon the stage of completion of the development program at the time of termination, and we are also responsible for certain costs. We have also entered into a manufacturing agreement with STRATEC pursuant to which we will be required to purchase a fixed minimum number of high-throughput instruments during the six years following delivery of the first field trial instruments (the sixth development milestone). Our aggregate obligation under this agreement will total €51.8 million, or $71.5 million using current exchange rates. The term of the agreement commences upon completion of the fifth development milestone (December 15, 2014), prior to which it is terminable by us without penalty, and is terminable by either party for certain breaches by the other party or in the event of certain bankruptcy events involving the other party. If STRATEC terminates the agreement, certain termination payments are payable by us depending upon the number of the instruments purchased at the time of termination, and we are also responsible for certain costs.

Pursuant to the development agreement, STRATEC has granted us an irrevocable, fully-paid, perpetual, royalty-free, world-wide license to intellectual property that is developed for use by, or the manufacture of, the MosaiQ instrument, as well as an exclusive right to market and sell the MosaiQ instrument. STRATEC has additionally granted us, or agreed to grant, similar rights to its pre-existing technologies for use in development and manufacturing activities for the MosaiQ instrument. We may only exercise our rights to manufacture in limited circumstances when STRATEC fails to perform under the manufacturing agreement, and such rights are subject to a to be negotiated license fee. Upon termination of the development agreement by STRATEC, the licenses granted under the development agreement will be null and void.

Future Diagnostics BV

We have entered into an agreement with Future Diagnostics BV, or Future, for the development of disease screening assays and the performance of contract manufacturing services. The specific terms for each product developed by Future for us are contained in a schedule prepared from time to time in connection with such product. The agreement has an indefinite term and can be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events or with 90 days’ written notice.

 

 

 

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Subject to our continued compliance with our agreement with Future, including the performance of our payment obligations, Future has granted us a world-wide, limited, non-transferable (other than as permitted by the agreement), non-sub-licensable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid license to use technologies owned by Future solely to the extent reasonably necessary to commercialize MosaiQ . Future has also granted us a similar license in respect of any technologies jointly owned by us and Future, which would include technologies that are jointly developed by the parties and not based on our confidential information.

SCHOTT Technical Glass Solutions GmbH

On March 27, 2014, we entered into a supply agreement with SCHOTT Technical Glass Solutions GmbH, or SCHOTT, pursuant to which we will purchase minimum quantities of coated glass in connection with the development of the MosaiQ TM consumable through April 2017. The total purchase obligation under this agreement is €9.4 million, or $13.0 million using current exchange rates. In the event we have not purchased the required quantities during any calendar year, we are obligated to pay SCHOTT a minimum commitment, which in aggregate amounts to €7.3 million, or $10.0 million using current exchange rates.

QUALITY

Our quality function (comprised of quality assurance, quality control and validation) oversees the quality of our manufacturing as well as the quality systems used in research and development and sales and marketing. We have established a control system that oversees implementation and maintenance, document control, supplier qualification, corrective or preventative actions, as well as employee training processes that we believe ensures quality across our operations. We continuously monitor and seek to improve quality over time and believe the implementation of these processes has supported product performance, customer satisfaction, and a culture of continuous improvement.

SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

We currently market our conventional reagent products directly in the United States and United Kingdom. Outside of these territories, we sell our products to a range of third-party distributors and customers. In countries where we have a direct presence, we use a combination of sales managers, sales representatives, customer service staff and technical experts to interact with laboratory managers and administrative staff, purchasing directors, medical directors and other individuals and groups involved in the implementation of blood testing programs. Our goal is to educate these groups about the technical and economic benefits of switching from competing offerings to our products. Our customer service staff and technical experts are also involved in the practical training of customers, as well as answering customer questions. These teams are supported by various marketing activities, which include advertising, medical education, attendance at scientific meetings and other awareness-raising activities. As of December 31, 2013, we had 12 employees engaged worldwide in sales, marketing and customer service functions.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Our research and development efforts are focused on the development of MosaiQ TM and new conventional reagent diagnostic tests. We believe we have assembled an experienced research and development team with the scientific talent needed to develop new products that leverage our significant blood grouping expertise. We believe that our experience in developing tests based on existing serological testing methods will allow us to conceive, develop and validate comprehensive multiplex tests utilizing MosaiQ TM .

 

 

 

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As of December 31, 2013, we had 33 employees engaged in research and development functions. In addition, over 50 engineers and scientific staff employed by TTP, STRATEC and Future have been assigned to various MosaiQ TM development activities.

CUSTOMER FUNDING AND REIMBURSEMENT

In the United States, our products are not directly subject to reimbursement by governmental or commercial third party payors for health care services. The costs and expenses related to donor blood grouping and disease screening are typically included in the price to a hospital of a unit of blood. The costs and expenses related to patient blood grouping at hospitals are not specifically reimbursed by a third party payor, but absorbed within the reimbursement structure of a broader medical procedure.

We supply products to our customers, including hospitals, donor testing laboratories, independent testing laboratories and OEM customers based on negotiated prices.

COMPETITION

In the past 10 to 15 years, the transfusion diagnostics market has experienced considerable consolidation, particularly in the United States. Given significant barriers to entry, there are only a small number of vendors currently addressing this market. These vendors can be divided into four groups: (i) those offering instrument platforms for blood grouping and related consumables, in addition to conventional reagent products for manual testing; (ii) those only offering conventional reagent products for manual blood grouping; (iii) those offering raw materials for inclusion in products used on instrument platforms for blood grouping and in conventional reagent products; and (iv) those offering instruments for disease screening and related consumables. A small number of donor collection agencies continue to manufacture a limited range of products, primarily for internal use.

In our view, barriers to entry for the transfusion diagnostics market include:

 

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the need to manufacture a broad range of complex antisera products, with annual volume requirements ranging from hundreds of milliliters to hundreds of liters, depending upon individual blood group specificities;

 

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the ability to reliably procure and formulate red blood cell donations with the appropriate antigen profiles to support the manufacture of red blood cells for antibody identification and whole blood control products;

 

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rigorous global regulatory requirements; and

 

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customers who can be reluctant to change product suppliers.

For products sold to OEM customers, the cost of switching vendors (raw material and/or finished costs) can be considerable, given regulatory scrutiny of the manufacturing process and the potential need to modify instrument software.

Our principal competitors in the United States are Immucor, Ortho and Bio-Rad. The principal market participants in Europe are Bio-Rad, Ortho, Grifols and Immucor and the principal market participants in Japan are Ortho and Immucor.

For OEM business, we consider Merck/Millipore and Diagast to be our primary competitors. We are also a customer of each of these two organizations. We believe the complexity and high cost of switching suppliers, together with our ownership of key products and associated regulatory licenses, reduce the risk of loss of our important OEM business. We believe the FDA-licensed status of our manufacturing facility also offers major benefits as our key OEM clients seek to either establish or defend their position in the United States market.

 

 

 

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For serological disease screening, only two vendors have instruments approved for sale in the United States – Abbott and Ortho. Outside the United States, Abbott, Ortho and Bio-Rad are the principal instrument providers.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We have an issued U.S. patent related to blood typing that expires in September 2027. This patent provides methods of detecting the presence of red blood cells coated (or sensitized) with host antibody and/or components of the complement system. We received counterpart patents for this U.S. patent in Europe, Australia and Japan, which also expire in September 2027, and filed a counterpart patent application in Canada in September 2007, which is currently pending.

We have recently filed two new UK patent applications. The first application, filed January 2014, concerns a novel method for cross matching blood using MosaiQ TM . In contrast to prior methods, our novel cross matching techniques involve fewer steps and we believe are more efficient. The second application, filed February 2014, provides a new method for detecting red blood cells, also using MosaiQ TM . The technology finds particular application in immunological assays where it can be used as the basis of positive controls to confirm the addition of red blood cells.

We also rely upon copyright protection, trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovation and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our competitive position. Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patent protection for our products and processes, to preserve our copyrights and trade secrets, and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.

We have developed several conventional reagent products launched by Ortho over the past five years. We generally retain ownership of the intellectual property for these products and their associated regulatory licenses.

We have relied, and expect to continue to rely, on various exclusive and non-exclusive license agreements, granting rights to patent-protected technologies relating to the manufacture of MosaiQ TM consumables and instruments. We have entered into an exclusive license with TTP to patented technologies to enable high volume manufacturing of MosaiQ TM consumables. In addition, STRATEC has agreed to grant us licenses to certain of its pre-existing technologies, and has granted us licenses to its technologies to be developed under our development agreement with it, for use in the sale of MosaiQ TM instruments, and in the development and manufacture of the MosaiQ TM instrument, which it will undertake on our behalf. See “Business—Manufacturing and Supply—MosaiQ TM —The Technology Partnership plc” and “—STRATEC Biomedical AG” for additional information about these agreements. These licenses are material to the development and commercialization of MosaiQ TM . The remaining lives of the patents for key existing technologies that we have licensed currently exceed 10 years.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

FDA Regulatory Authority

In the United States, medical products are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDC Act, the Public Health Service Act, or the PHSA, and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of medical products. Prior to marketing certain medical products, manufacturers are required to obtain permission from the FDA via a product approval or clearance. Failure to comply with

 

 

 

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applicable U.S. requirements may subject a company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as FDA refusal to file submissions, refusal to approve or clear products, warning or untitled letters, product recalls, field actions, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, refusal to permit the importation of product, injunctions, fines, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution.

The FDA regulates in vitro diagnostic, or IVD, products intended to evaluate blood as either biological products or medical devices. In general, reagents used to identify blood types, including extended antigen typing, and detect and identify antibodies in plasma, as well as assays intended for disease screening of the blood supply are regulated as biological products, while the instruments that conduct the analyses and quality assurance products intended to test the accuracy of instrument platforms are regulated as medical devices.

FDA Regulation of In Vitro Diagnostic Biological Products

Biological Product Approval Process

Biological products intended to be used for the prevention, treatment, or cure of a disease or condition of a human being are subject to regulation under the FDC Act, except the section of the FDC Act which governs the approval of new drug applications, or NDAs. Biological products are approved for marketing under provisions of the PHSA via biologics license applications, or BLAs. Among the products regulated as biological products are those used to screen blood for communicable diseases or otherwise analyze blood samples, for example, for blood grouping. Such products are generally regulated by the FDA’s Center for Biologic Research and Evaluation, or CBER, which is the Center responsible for products related to the blood supply and blood collection and transfusion.

New biological products or certain changes to an approved product in the U.S. require studies to establish the safety and effectiveness of the product for each indication for which FDA approval is sought. Generating the data to satisfy FDA pre-market approval requirements and the subsequent review process can take years. The actual time required may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity, and novelty of the product.

Sponsors of BLAs for IVD biological products generally conduct a series of product tests to establish analytical performance as well as clinical trials to demonstrate the product’s safety and effectiveness. These tests include studies to demonstrate product performance, including specificity, and attainment of product specifications throughout the manufacturing process, as well as consistency in the manufacturing process from one production lot to another. The product may be compared to other currently-marketed products of the same type, to the extent that such other products are commercially available, or to other scientifically established methods. In addition, a large clinical study may need to be conducted to demonstrate the clinical performance of the new product. For blood grouping products, the sponsor will need to develop appropriate methodologies to validate the analytical and clinical performance with respect to rarer antigens in which clinical studies are not feasible.

Clinical trials, also called field trials, for IVD biological products generally must be conducted: (i) in compliance with applicable federal regulations; (ii) in a manner that ensures the reliability of the data; and (iii) under protocols detailing the objectives of the trial. The study protocol in clinical trials must also be submitted to an institutional review board, or IRB, for approval. An IRB may also require the clinical trial at the site to be halted, either temporarily or permanently, for failure to comply with the IRB’s requirements, or may impose other conditions.

After completion of the required development and testing, a BLA is prepared and submitted to the FDA. FDA approval of the BLA is required before marketing of the product may begin in the United States. The BLA must include the results of all clinical and other testing, and compile data relating to the product’s chemistry, manufacture and controls. The cost of preparing and submitting a BLA is substantial.

 

 

 

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The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of a BLA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth review. Most applications for a standard review of biological products are reviewed within ten to twelve months. The review process may be extended by the FDA for three additional months to consider certain late-submitted information, or information intended to clarify information already provided in the submission.

The FDA may also refer applications to an advisory committee – typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts – for review, evaluation, and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally follows such recommendations. Before approving a BLA, the FDA may inspect one or more clinical sites. Additionally, the FDA will inspect the facility or the facilities at which the product is manufactured. FDA will not approve the product unless compliance with current good manufacturing practices, or cGMP, is satisfactory and the BLA contains data that provide substantial evidence that the biological product is safe and effective for the indication studied.

After the FDA evaluates the BLA and the manufacturing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing, or information, in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If, or when, those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in an amendment to the BLA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. The FDA has committed to reviewing such resubmissions in two or six months depending on the type of information included.

An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the biological product with specific labeling for specific indications. Labeling for products that are approved through BLAs but intended for IVD use must meet the labeling requirements for biological products and for IVD medical devices.

Changes to some of the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities, require submission and FDA approval of a new BLA or BLA supplement before the change can be implemented. A BLA supplement for a new indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures in reviewing BLA supplements as it does in reviewing BLAs.

Biological Product Post-Approval Requirements

Once a BLA is approved, a product will be subject to certain post-approval requirements. For instance, the FDA regulates the post-approval marketing and promotion of biologics, including restrictions on off-label promotion, industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the internet. Biologics may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling.

Adverse event reporting and submission of periodic reports is required following FDA approval of a BLA. In addition, quality control, manufacturing, packaging, and labeling procedures must continue to conform to cGMPs after approval. Manufacturers of biological products and certain of their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and list their products. Registration with the FDA subjects entities to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA, during which the agency inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMPs. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the areas of production and quality-control to maintain compliance with cGMPs and the conditions of the BLA. FDA may withdraw product approvals or request product recalls if a company fails to comply with regulatory standards, if it encounters problems following initial marketing, or if previously unrecognized problems are subsequently discovered.

 

 

 

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Additional Controls for Biological Products

The PHSA provides authority to the FDA to immediately suspend licenses in situations where there exists a danger to public health. In addition, after a BLA is approved, the product may also be subject to official lot release as a condition of approval. If the product is subject to official release by the FDA, the manufacturer submits samples of each lot of product to the FDA together with a release protocol showing a summary of the history of manufacture of the lot and the results of all of the manufacturer’s tests performed on the lot. In addition, the FDA conducts laboratory research related to the regulatory standards on the safety, purity, potency, and effectiveness of biological products. After approval of biological products, manufacturers must address any safety issues that arise, are subject to recalls or a halt in manufacturing and distribution, and are required to submit periodic reports and reports of certain adverse events to the FDA.

FDA Regulation of Medical Devices, Including In Vitro Diagnostic Devices

General Requirements

The definition of a medical device includes an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component part, or accessory which is: (i) intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in man or other animals; or (ii) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.

The FDC Act classifies medical devices into one of three categories based on the risks associated with the device and the level of control necessary to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Class I devices are deemed to be low risk and are subject to the fewest regulatory controls. Class II devices are of intermediate level of risk such that additional controls, beyond the Class I general controls, are necessary to provide reasonable assurances of product safety and effectiveness. Class III devices are generally the highest risk devices and are subject to the highest level of regulatory control to provide reasonable assurance of the device’s safety and effectiveness. While most Class I and some Class II devices can be marketed without prior FDA authorization, most medical devices can be legally sold within the U.S. only if the FDA has: (i) approved a premarket approval, or PMA, application prior to marketing, generally applicable to Class III devices; or (ii) cleared the device in response to a premarket notification, or 510(k) submission, generally applicable to Class I and II devices. There is also an alternative pathway to approval of a PMA or clearance of a 510(k) for low or moderate risk devices that are not classified and for which no predicate device exists, known as de novo classification.

IVDs are tests that can detect diseases, conditions, or infections, or the presence of other biomarkers. Some tests are used in laboratory or other health professional settings and other tests are for consumers to use at home. IVD devices are regulated under the FDC Act. FDA typically classifies instruments used to perform IVD tests or quality control kits as Class II medical devices that require clearance of a 510(k).

Although medical devices are typically regulated by the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, medical devices that are intended to be used or indicated for the collection, processing, storage or administration of blood products, blood components or analogous products, as well as screening or confirmatory clinical laboratory tests associated with blood banking practices and other process testing procedures are regulated by CBER, using the statutory provisions and regulations applicable to medical devices. In instances where the reagents intended to be used on an instrument have not previously been approved for this purpose, an instrument regulated as a medical device by CBER will generally require clearance simultaneously with the approval (via a BLA) of the reagents intended to be used on the instrument.

 

 

 

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Clearance or Approval Process for Medical Devices

Most Class II and some Class I devices typically need to obtain clearance of a 510(k) by the FDA before they can be commercially distributed in the U.S. To obtain 510(k) clearance, a manufacturer must submit a premarket notification demonstrating that the proposed device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device, referred to as the predicate device. A predicate device may be a previously 510(k) cleared device or a device that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976 for which the FDA has not yet called for submission of PMA applications. The manufacturer must show that the proposed device has the same intended use as the predicate device, and it either has the same technological characteristics, or it is shown to be equally safe and effective and does not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness as compared to the predicate device.

There are three types of 510(k)s: (i) traditional, where there is a predicate device that can be referenced in the submission; (ii) special, for devices that are modified and the modification needs a new 510(k) but the modification does not affect the intended use or alter the fundamental scientific technology of the device; and (iii) abbreviated, for devices that conform to a recognized standard. The special and abbreviated 510(k)s are intended to streamline review. The FDA intends to process special 510(k)s within 30 days of receipt, and abbreviated 510(k)s within 90 days of receipt. Though statutorily required to review a traditional 510(k) within 90 days of receipt, the clearance pathway for traditional 510(k)s can take from four to 12 months, or even longer, and the review may not result in clearance.

A clinical trial or prospective or retrospective analysis of clinical specimens is generally required to generate data to support a premarket notification of an IVD. During the study, the sponsor must comply with the FDA’s investigational device exemption, or IDE, requirements for investigator selection, trial monitoring, reporting, and record keeping, unless the study is exempt from such requirements. Many clinical studies with IVDs qualify for this exemption. As with clinical trials of IVD biological products, clinical trials or field trials of IVD medical devices generally must be conducted: (i) in compliance with applicable federal regulations; (ii) in a manner that ensures the reliability of the data; and (iii) under protocols detailing the objectives of the trial. Clinical trials are designed to permit FDA to evaluate the clinical performance of the device, to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the device, and to provide adequate information for the instructions for use and labeling of the device. As with clinical trials conducted on biological products, clinical trials of medical devices must be approved by an IRB.

After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, requires either a new 510(k) clearance or could require a PMA approval before the change is implemented. The FDA requires each manufacturer to make this determination in the first instance, but the FDA can review any such decision. If the FDA disagrees with a manufacturer’s decision not to seek a new 510(k) clearance, the agency may require the manufacturer to seek 510(k) clearance or PMA approval. The FDA also can require the manufacturer to cease marketing and/or recall the modified device until 510(k) clearance or PMA approval is obtained.

The PMA approval process is generally more rigorous, lengthy and uncertain than the 510(k) premarket notification process and requires proof of the safety and effectiveness of the device to the FDA’s satisfaction. A PMA application must provide extensive preclinical and clinical trial data and also information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling. As part of the PMA review, the FDA will typically inspect the manufacturer’s facilities for compliance with Quality System Regulation, or QSR, requirements, which impose elaborate testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures. The FDA’s review of a PMA application typically takes one to three years, but may last longer. If the FDA’s

 

 

 

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evaluation of the PMA application is favorable, the FDA will issue a PMA for the approved indications, which can be more limited than those originally sought by the manufacturer.

Medical Device Post-Market Requirements

After a device is placed on the market, numerous regulatory requirements apply. These include: continued compliance with QSR, labeling regulations, the FDA’s general prohibition against promoting products for unapproved or “off label” uses, the Medical Device Reporting regulation (which requires that manufacturers report to the FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if it were to recur), and the Reports of Corrections and Removals regulation (which requires manufacturers to report recalls and field actions to the FDA if initiated to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation of the FDCA). Generally, establishments that manufacture devices, including manufacturers, contract manufacturers, sterilizers, repackagers and relabelers, specification developers, and U.S. manufacturers of export-only devices, are required to register their establishments with the FDA and provide FDA a list of the devices that they handle at their facilities.

For a Class II 510(k) device, FDA also may require post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the effects of the cleared product. The FDA may place conditions on a device that could restrict the distribution or use of the product, including restrictions on the intended use. In addition, quality-control, manufacture, packaging, and labeling procedures must continue to conform to QSRs after clearance. FDA periodically inspects device manufacturers to assess compliance with QSRs and other regulatory requirements. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the areas of production and quality control to maintain compliance with QSRs. The FDA may withdraw product approvals or recommend product recalls if a company fails to comply with regulatory requirements. The FDA has the authority to conduct mandatory recalls of devices, but that authority is rarely used. The FDA may also refuse to allow imports of non-compliant products.

Products sold to Laboratories for Research Use Only

A research use only, or RUO product is one that is not intended for use in a clinical investigation or for clinical diagnostic use outside an investigation and must be labeled “For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.” Products that are intended for research use only and are properly labeled as RUO are exempt from compliance with the FDA requirements discussed above, including the approval or clearance and QSR requirements. A product labeled RUO but intended to be used diagnostically may be viewed by the FDA as adulterated and misbranded under the FDC Act and is subject to FDA enforcement activities, including the refusal to allow importation of the device. The FDA may consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding distribution and use of an RUO product, including how the product is marketed, when determining its intended use.

Advertising, Promotion, Anti-Kickback, and False Claims Laws

A biological product or a medical device may be marketed only for the indications for use for which it was approved or cleared. In addition to FDA restrictions on marketing of biological products and medical devices, several other types of state and federal laws have been applied to restrict certain marketing practices in the medical product industry. These laws include anti-kickback statutes and false claims statutes. The federal healthcare program anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, the exchange (or offer to exchange), of anything of value, in an effort to induce (or reward) the referral or use of any healthcare item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or other federally financed healthcare programs. This statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers and purchasers on the other. Violations of the anti-kickback statute are

 

 

 

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punishable by imprisonment, criminal fines, civil monetary penalties, and exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs. Although there are a number of statutory exemptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain common activities from prosecution or other regulatory sanctions, the exemptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly, and practices that involve remuneration intended to induce prescribing, purchases, or recommendations may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exemption or safe harbor.

Federal false claims laws prohibit any person from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government, or knowingly making, or causing to be made, a false statement to have a false claim paid. Certain marketing practices, including off-label promotion, may also violate false claims laws. The majority of states also have statutes or regulations similar to the federal anti-kickback law and false claims laws, which apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor.

Other Federal and State Regulatory Requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, has issued a final rule that requires manufacturers of certain biological products and medical devices to begin collecting and reporting information on payments or transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Manufacturers were required to begin collecting information on August 1, 2013, with the first reports due March 31, 2014. The reported data will be posted in searchable form on a public website beginning September 30, 2014. Failure to submit required information may result in civil monetary penalties.

In addition, several states now require medical product companies to report expenses relating to the marketing and promotion of products and to report gifts and payments to individual physicians in these states. Other states prohibit various other marketing-related activities. Still other states require the posting of information relating to clinical studies and their outcomes. In addition, California, Connecticut, Nevada, and Massachusetts require pharmaceutical companies to implement compliance programs and/or marketing codes. Several additional states are considering similar proposals. Compliance with these laws is difficult and time consuming, and companies that do not comply with these state laws face civil penalties.

International medical device regulations

International marketing of medical devices is subject to foreign government regulations, which vary substantially from country to country. The European Commission is the legislative body responsible for directives with which manufacturers selling medical products in the European Union and the European Economic Area, or EEA, must comply. The European Union includes most of the major countries in Europe, while other countries, such as Switzerland, are not part of the EEA and have voluntarily adopted laws and regulations that generally mirror those of the European Union with respect to medical devices. The European Union has adopted directives that address regulation of the design, manufacture, labeling, clinical studies and post-market vigilance for medical devices, including IVDs. Devices that comply with the requirements of a relevant directive, including the IVD Directive (Directive 98/79 EC), will be entitled to bear the CE conformity marking, indicating that the device conforms to the essential requirements of the applicable directives and, accordingly, can be marketed throughout the European Union and EEA.

Outside of the European Union, regulatory pathways for the marketing of medical devices vary greatly from country to country. In many countries, local regulatory agencies conduct an independent review of IVD medical devices prior to granting marketing approval. The process in non-European countries may be lengthy and require the expenditure of significant resources, including the conduct of clinical trials. In

 

 

 

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other countries, the regulatory pathway may be shorter and/or less costly. The timeline for the introduction of new IVD medical devices is heavily impacted by these various regulations on a country-by-country basis, which may become more lengthy and costly over time.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our operations require the use of hazardous materials, which, among other matters, subjects us to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements, including those relating to the handling, storage, transportation and disposal of biological and hazardous materials and wastes. The primary hazardous materials we handle or use include human blood samples and solvents. Some of the regulations under the current regulatory structure provide for strict liability, holding a party liable for contamination at currently and formerly owned, leased and operated sites and at third-party sites without regard to fault or negligence. We could be held liable for damages and fines as a result of our, or others’, operations or activities should contamination of the environment or individual exposure to hazardous substances occur. We could also be subject to significant fines for failure to comply with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements. We cannot predict how changes in laws or development of new regulations will affect our business operations or the cost of compliance.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2013, we had 170 employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced any work stoppages. We believe our employee relations are good.

FACILITIES

Our UK corporate headquarters, including our development laboratory facility, and our manufacturing facility for conventional reagent products are located in Edinburgh, Scotland. We also have a manufacturing facility in Eysins, Switzerland, which we expect will become the principal manufacturing site for the MosaiQ TM consumable. Our U.S. corporate headquarters are located in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The table below provides selected information regarding our facilities, all of which are leased.

 

Facility/Use

   Location      Size (sq. ft.)      Expiration  
      Office      Laboratory     

UK Corporate Headquarters/ Development Laboratory Facility

     Edinburgh, Scotland         3,500         5,000         July 31, 2017   

Manufacturing Operations—Conventional Reagents

     Edinburgh, Scotland         6,200         16,000         August 31, 2014   

MosaiQ TM Laboratory Facility

     Edinburgh, Scotland         3,600         3,600         December 31, 2018   

Manufacturing Operations—MosaiQ TM

     Eysins, Switzerland         13,600         31,600         March 15, 2020   

U.S. Corporate Headquarters

     Newtown, Pa., USA         1,200                 November 30, 2015   

U.S. Direct Sales Operation

     Chapel Hill, N.C., USA         1,000                 Renewed monthly   

We believe our current facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our current needs and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available to accommodate future growth of our business. We plan to use our existing cash balances to replace and expand our existing Edinburgh manufacturing facility with a new leased facility in Edinburgh for the development and manufacture of conventional reagent products.

 

 

 

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Other than as set forth below, we are not currently a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. However, we may be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business from time to time.

Our subsidiary Alba is involved in a dispute with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, or SNBTS, acting on behalf of the Common Services Agency, relating to an agreement entered into between the parties in 2007, pursuant to which Alba purchased its current business from SNBTS. SNBTS claims that, pursuant to a deferred consideration provision in this agreement, it is entitled to approximately $3,100,000. We believe that no sums are due, and on September 23, 2013, Alba initiated an action against SNBTS in the Court of Session, the highest civil court based in Scotland, for a declaration that no sums are due. Both parties have agreed to appoint an independent accountant to value Alba’s continuing business. SNBTS has committed to paying the costs associated with the independent accountant’s appointment in the event the court finds in Alba’s favor.

 

 

 

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Management

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Below is a list of the names, ages as of January 1, 2014 and positions, and a brief account of the business experience of the individuals who serve as our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Name    Age      Position

Paul Cowan

     52       Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy Stackawitz

     38       President

Edward Farrell

     43       President

Stephen Unger

     44       Chief Financial Officer

Roland Boyd

     57       Group Financial Controller and Treasurer

Thomas Bologna

     65       Director

Frederick Hallsworth

     60       Director

Brian McDonough

     66       Director

Zubeen Shroff.

     49       Director

John Wilkerson

     70       Director

Paul Cowan, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Paul Cowan is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Cowan founded us through the acquisition of Alba Bioscience in 2007. He has a broad range of healthcare industry experience gained through over 15 years of employment within industry and investment banking. Previously, Mr. Cowan served as the Chief Financial Officer of Inveresk Research Group, a global contract research organization that was acquired by Charles River Laboratories in 2004. Prior to joining Inveresk in 2001, Mr. Cowan was a senior executive within the Investment Banking department of Bear Stearns & Co., where he led the European biotechnology practice. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Cowan was a senior executive within the Investment Banking department of Morgan Grenfell (acquired by Deutsche Bank in 1990). Mr. Cowan received a Bachelor of Business in accounting from Queensland University of Technology.

The Board believes that Mr. Cowan is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive leadership, executive, managerial, business, and healthcare industry experience, along with his years of experience in healthcare investment banking.

Jeremy Stackawitz, President

Jeremy Stackawitz joined us in March 2009 and serves as one of our two Presidents. Mr. Stackawitz has over 17 years of healthcare industry experience gained through various consulting and industry roles. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Stackawitz was Worldwide Commercial Director for Immunohematology of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company. Prior to this senior role, Mr. Stackawitz held positions from 2006 to 2007 at Therakos, a biotechnology company, from 2004 to 2006 at Ortho Biotech, and from 2000 to 2003 at Purdue Pharma L.P. He also held consulting positions at ISO Healthcare Group (now part of Monitor Group) from 1997 to 2000 and McKinsey & Company in 2003. Mr. Stackawitz received a B.S. in chemistry from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

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Edward Farrell, President

Edward Farrell joined us in February 2013 and serves as one of our two Presidents. Mr. Farrell has over 20 years of engineering and manufacturing experience gained through various industry roles with a particular emphasis on medical diagnostics. From March 2001 to February 2013, Mr. Farrell held several senior positions with Bayer Diagnostics, which was acquired by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in 2007. Starting in 2010, Mr. Farrell was Managing Director and Vice President of Manufacturing for a high volume immunoassay reagent manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Farrell was Managing Director and Vice President of Manufacturing for a facility in the United Kingdom that develops and manufactures point-of-care diagnostic instruments and consumables. From 2005 to 2007, he worked in the United States as Director of Distribution, Service and Repair and initially worked in 2001 as a Senior Manufacturing Manager in a large instrument manufacturing plant in Ireland. Prior to Bayer Diagnostics, Mr. Farrell worked at Ingersoll Rand as a Production Manager from 1999 to 2001, Intel as a Manufacturing Engineer and Supervisor from 1995 to 1999, and Barlo plc as a Project Engineer from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Farrell received a B.E (Mechanical) and a Masters in Engineering Science from University College Dublin.

Stephen Unger, Chief Financial Officer

Stephen Unger joined us in January 2014 and serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Unger has over 20 years of financial and health care industry experience gained through various roles in investment banking and public accounting. Mr. Unger was a consultant to us on financial and strategic matters from April 2013 to December 2013. From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Unger was a Senior Equity Research Analyst following the medical diagnostics industry at Lazard Capital Markets, LLC, and worked from 1998 to 2008 in the Equity Research Department of Bear, Stearns & Co., where he was ultimately promoted to the position of Managing Director/Principal. He was also a Senior Accountant in the Audit Department of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Unger is Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) and a Chartered Financial Analyst. He received a B.B.A. in accounting, finance, investment, and banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.B.A. with Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Roland Boyd, Group Financial Controller and Treasurer

Roland Boyd joined us in August 2012 and serves as our Group Financial Controller and Treasurer. Mr. Boyd has over 35 years of financial experience gained through various roles in industry and public accounting. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Boyd served as the Chief Financial Officer at Chiltern International Group, a global contract research organization. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Boyd was Group Financial Controller at Inveresk Research Group and was a consultant to Charles River Laboratories until 2006 following Charles River’s 2004 acquisition of Inveresk. Prior to that, Mr. Boyd spent over 20 years with Arthur Andersen, becoming a Partner in 1997. Mr. Boyd is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Mr. Boyd received a B.A. (Hons) in accounting and finance from Lancaster University.

Thomas Bologna, Director

Thomas Bologna is a Director, appointed in February 2012. Mr. Bologna is presently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Response Genetics, Inc., a publicly-traded healthcare company focused on molecular diagnostics. From April 2006 until this appointment in December 2011, Mr. Bologna served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchid Cellmark, Inc., a public corporation that provides DNA testing services. He was Chief Executive Officer, President, and a director of Quorex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2004 to 2005), a pre-clinical stage anti-infective company and Ostex International, Inc. (1997 to 2003), which developed, manufactured, and marketed products for the management of osteoporosis. From 1996 to 1997,

 

 

 

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Mr. Bologna was a principal at Healthcare Venture Associates, a consulting firm. He was Chief Executive Officer, President, and a director of Scriptgen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1994 to 1996), a biotechnology company that developed orally active drugs to regulate gene expression, and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gen-Probe Incorporated (1987 to 1994), a company commercializing molecular diagnostics products. Mr. Bologna’s prior experience also includes senior-level positions with Becton Dickinson & Company and Warner-Lambert Company. Mr. Bologna currently serves as a director of Special Diversified Opportunities Inc., and has also served on the boards of several private companies, including Aperio Technologies until its sale to Danaher in 2012. Mr. Bologna received an M.B.A. and a B.S. from New York University.

The Board believes that Mr. Bologna is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive experience in the diagnostics industry, experience with operations, and his prior experience as the chief executive officer of multiple public and private companies.

Frederick Hallsworth, Director

Frederick Hallsworth is a Director, appointed in February 2011. Mr. Hallsworth spent 25 years with Arthur Andersen, becoming a partner in 1989. At Andersen, Mr. Hallsworth held a number of senior management positions, including Head of Corporate Finance, Head of Audit and Managing Partner of Andersen Cambridge, and Managing Partner and Head of Audit of Andersen Scotland. He joined Deloitte Scotland in 2002, where he served as Senior Client Service Partner, and Head of TMC Practice until 2005. He is also currently a director of memsstar (2006), CMA Scotland (2007), and Metaforic (2009). Former directorships include: Scottish Enterprise (2004-2010), Microvisk (2006-2012), Forth Dimension Displays (2007-2011), Elonics (2006-2010), Golden Charter (2009-2011), Infinite Data Storage plc (2005-2007), 3Way Networks (2005-2007), Innovata plc (2005-2007), and AT Communications plc (2008-2009). Mr. Hallsworth has been a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland since 1978. Mr. Hallsworth received a Bachelor of Accountancy from Glasgow University 1974.

The Board believes that Mr. Hallsworth is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive accounting experience and experience providing strategic direction to multiple life science and technology companies.

Brian McDonough, Director

Brian McDonough is a Director, appointed in May 2012. Mr. McDonough is presently a Principal of Dx Consulting, a consultancy specializing in transfusion diagnostics. From 2003 through 2009, Mr. McDonough was Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Donor Screening at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson and Johnson company. From 2000 through 2003, he was President of the North American Blood Products Group of the Medical Division of Pall Corporation, a company specializing in medical filtration products. Prior to holding these senior executive positions, Mr. McDonough had an extensive career at the American Red Cross spanning over 30 years. From 1968 through 1982 Mr. McDonough worked in American Red Cross BioMedical Services as Executive Head of the St. Louis Regional Blood Services Unit. In 1982, he became the Executive Director of the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank of San Francisco, where he also served on several public health committees addressing the spread of AIDS. In 1987, Mr. McDonough returned to the American Red Cross as Regional Vice President of BioMedical Services and in 1994 served under Elizabeth Dole as Chief Operating Officer, Blood Services of the American Red Cross BioMedical Services, with overall responsibility for national blood and plasma programs. Brian received a B.A. in liberal arts from Wichita State University and an M.H.A. from Central Michigan University.

 

 

 

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The Board believes that Mr. McDonough is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive experience within the transfusion diagnostics industry and operational experience at the American Red Cross.

Zubeen Shroff, Director

Zubeen Shroff is a Director, appointed in July 2013. Mr. Shroff is a Managing Director of Galen Partners, a leading healthcare growth equity firm founded in 1990. Mr. Shroff has 25 years of experience working with entrepreneurs and their Board of Directors in building high-growth healthcare companies. Mr. Shroff joined Galen in 1996, from The Wilkerson Group, where he was a Principal with a client base including pharmaceutical, diagnostics, device and biotech companies, plus a select number of venture capital firms. Prior to joining The Wilkerson Group, Mr. Shroff worked at Schering-Plough France, a manufacturer of healthcare products and medicines, where he helped launch their biotech product, alpha-Interferon, in several new indications. Currently, Mr. Shroff is Treasurer and on the Executive Committee of the Board for The Westchester Medical Center Public Benefit Corporation, as well as Chairman of its Foundation. Since 2004, he has served on the Advisory Committees to Boston University Medical School and The Center for Global Health & Development. In addition, Mr. Shroff is on the Advisory Board of the Joslin Diabetes Center. In addition to the above positions, over the past 10 years, Mr. Shroff has served on the Board of Directors of numerous privately held Galen portfolio companies in the industry. Mr. Shroff served on the public Board of Directors of Pet DRx Corporation until July 2010 and Encore Medical until June 2006. Mr. Shroff received a BA in Biological Sciences from Boston University and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

The Board believes that Mr. Shroff is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive experience in providing strategic guidance to companies in the healthcare industry, particularly in the areas of medical devices, diagnostics, and capital equipment.

Dr. John Wilkerson, Director

Dr. John Wilkerson is a Director, appointed in February 2012. Dr. Wilkerson co-founded Galen Partners in 1990 and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Galen. Dr. Wilkerson has focused on healthcare throughout his career, beginning as a Group Product Director for Ortho Diagnostics Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. He was a Vice President covering medical device companies at Smith Barney before moving in 1980 to Channing, Weinberg & Co., Inc., a management consulting firm for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, medical device and biotechnology companies, which he purchased and renamed The Wilkerson Group (acquired by IBM in 1996).

Dr. Wilkerson currently serves as a director Cardiva and TPS and was previously the Chairman of Atlantic Health Systems, a New Jersey hospital system. He is a trustee and former President of the Museum of American Folk Art and founder of the E. L. Rose Conservancy. Dr. Wilkerson received a Ph.D. from Cornell University.

The Board believes that Mr. Wilkerson is qualified to serve as a Director based upon his extensive experience providing strategic direction to companies in the life sciences industry, as well as his operational experience in the transfusion diagnostics industry.

COMPOSITION OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is currently composed of six directors. At each annual meeting of our shareholders, each of our directors must “retire,” and, if they wish to continue to serve as a director, they become subject to re-election to the Board of Directors by our shareholders.

 

 

 

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The listing standards of NASDAQ require that, subject to specified exceptions and permitted phase-in periods, each member of a listed company’s audit, remuneration and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent. In addition, the listing standards of NASDAQ require that audit committee members satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and that the remuneration committee members satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 5605(d) of NASDAQ rules. The listing standards of NASDAQ further provide that a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

In addition, the listing standards of NASDAQ require that a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors be independent. When a company is listing on NASDAQ in connection with its initial public offering, the NASDAQ rules allow a transition period of 12 months from the date of listing for compliance with this requirement. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Hallsworth, McDonough and Bologna are independent directors. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each such non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances that our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares. Our Board of Directors expects to elect an additional independent director, in reliance on the NASDAQ transition rules, following the closing of this offering. After such election, a majority of the members of our Board of Directors will be independent within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.

Our board of directors has not determined whether Messrs. Shroff and Wilkerson are independent directors under the applicable NASDAQ listing rules. Messrs. Shroff and Wilkerson are currently not independent as defined in the applicable Exchange Act rules related to audit committee composition. Mr. Shroff will be the chairman of our remuneration committee and our nominating and corporate governance committee, and will be a member of our audit committee, in reliance on NASDAQ’s and the Exchange Act’s transition rules for issuers listing in connection with an initial public offering, which permit a non-independent director to serve on each of the audit, remuneration and nominating and corporate governance committees, as applicable, for up to 12 months following the initial public offering. We expect our board of directors will make a determination as to whether Messrs. Shroff and Wilkerson are independent under the applicable NASDAQ listing rules within 12 months following the initial public offering.

COMMITTEES OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Upon the completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will have three standing committees: the audit committee; the remuneration committee; and the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Audit committee

Following this offering, our audit committee will be composed of Messrs. Hallsworth, Bologna, McDonough and Shroff, with Mr. Hallsworth serving as chairman of the committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Hallsworth, Bologna and McDonough meet the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Hallsworth is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations and applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. We expect that all of our audit committee members will be independent as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(i) under the Exchange Act and in NASDAQ listing rule 5605(a)(2) within 12 months following the effective date of the registration statement. The audit committee’s responsibilities upon completion of this offering will include:

 

Ø  

appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

 

 

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Ø  

pre-approving audit and permissible non-audit services, and the terms of such services, to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

Ø  

reviewing the internal audit plan with the independent registered public accounting firm and members of management responsible for preparing our financial statements;

 

Ø  

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures as well as critical accounting policies and practices used by us;

 

Ø  

reviewing the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting;

 

Ø  

establishing policies and procedures for the receipt and retention of accounting-related complaints and concerns;

 

Ø  

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our audited financial statements to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

Ø  

monitoring our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to our financial statements and accounting matters;

 

Ø  

preparing the audit committee report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

Ø  

reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the committee charter and submitting any changes to our Board of Directors for approval;

 

Ø  

viewing all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations and approving all such transactions; and

 

Ø  

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our earnings releases and scripts.

Remuneration committee

Following this offering, our remuneration committee will be composed of Messrs. Shroff, Bologna, Hallsworth and McDonough, with Mr. Shroff serving as chairman of the committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Bologna, Hallsworth and McDonough are “independent” as defined under the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. We expect that all of our remuneration committee members will be independent as such term is defined in NASDAQ listing rule 5605(a)(2) within 12 months following the date of listing. The remuneration committee’s responsibilities upon completion of this offering will include:

 

Ø  

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer;

 

Ø  

evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer in light of such corporate goals and objectives and determining and approving the compensation of our chief executive officer;

 

Ø  

reviewing and approving the compensation of our other executive officers;

 

Ø  

appointing, compensating and overseeing the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisor retained by the remuneration committee;

 

Ø  

conducting the independence assessment outlined in the rules of NASDAQ with respect to any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisor retained by the remuneration committee;

 

Ø  

producing a remuneration committee report on executive compensation as required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

 

 

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Ø  

annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter in its compliance with the listing requirements of NASDAQ;

 

Ø  

reviewing and establishing our overall management compensation philosophy and policy;

 

Ø  

overseeing and administering our compensation and equity-based plans;

 

Ø  

reviewing and approving our policies and procedures for the grant of equity-based awards; and

 

Ø  

reviewing and making recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to director compensation.

Nominating and corporate governance committee

Following this offering, our nominating and corporate governance committee will be composed of Messrs. Shroff, Bologna, Hallsworth and McDonough, with Mr. Shroff serving as chairman of the committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Bologna, Hallsworth and McDonough are “independent” as defined under the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. We expect that all of our nominating and corporate governance committee members will be independent as such term is defined in NASDAQ listing rule 5605(a)(2) within 12 months following the date of listing. The nominating and corporate governance committee’s responsibilities upon completion of this offering will include:

 

Ø  

establishing a policy under which our shareholders may recommend a candidate to the nominating and corporate governance committee for consideration for nomination as a Director;

 

Ø  

identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors, consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors;

 

Ø  

recommending to our Board of Directors the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to each of the committees of our Board of Directors;

 

Ø  

developing and recommending to our Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles;

 

Ø  

articulating to each director what is expected, including reference to the corporate governance principles and directors’ duties and responsibilities;

 

Ø  

reviewing and recommending to our Board of Directors practices and policies with respect to directors;

 

Ø  

recommending to our Board of Directors qualified individuals to serve as members of the committees of our Board of Directors;

 

Ø  

reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the committee charter and submitting any changes to our Board of Directors for approval;

 

Ø  

overseeing the systems and processes established by us to ensure compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and

 

Ø  

performing an evaluation of the performance of the committee.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

None of the members of our remuneration committee has at any time during the prior three years been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of our Board of Directors or remuneration committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or remuneration committee. For a description of transactions between us and members of our remuneration committee and affiliates of such members, please see “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

 

 

 

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FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

There is no family relationship between any director, executive officer or person nominated to become a director or executive director.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

We intend to adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics that will apply to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, prior to the completion of this offering. Following this offering, a current copy of the code will be posted on the investor section of our website, www.quotientbd.com. We intend to disclose any amendment to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website.

 

 

 

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Executive compensation

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table summarizes information regarding the compensation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 awarded to, earned by or paid to Paul Cowan, our Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Stackawitz, one of our two Presidents, and Roland Boyd, who served as our Chief Financial Officer during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and currently serves as our Group Financial Controller and Treasurer. Messrs. Stackawitz and Boyd were our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. We refer to these three individuals in this prospectus as our named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal Position  

Fiscal

Year

Ended

March 31,

    Salary     Bonus    

Option

awards

   

All other

compensation

    Total  

Paul Cowan,

           

Chief Executive Officer

    2013      $ 240,000        —        $ 59,419 (1)       —        $ 299,419   

Jeremy Stackawitz,

           

President

    2013      $ 309,309      $ 70,000        —          —        $ 379,309   

Roland Boyd,

           

Former Chief Financial Officer; current Group Financial Controller and Treasurer

    2013      $ 101,749      $ 32,000      $ 95,000 (2)     $ 14,200      $ 242,949   

 

(1)   Represents 20,014 options at the fair market value of the underlying securities of $2.97 on August 31, 2012.
(2)   Represents 32,000 options at the fair market value of the underlying securities of $2.97 on February 13, 2013.

 

 

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table sets forth information regarding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of March 31, 2013. All options are options to purchase ordinary shares.

OPTION AWARDS

 

Name   

Vesting start

date

    

Number of

securities

underlying

exercisable

options

    

Equity

incentive plan

awards:

number of

securities

underlying

unexercisable

options (1)

    

Option

exercise

price (2)

    

Option

expiration date

 
            (#)      (#)      ($)         

Paul Cowan,
Chief Executive Officer

     August 31, 2015         —           20,014         1.44         August 30, 2022   

Jeremy Stackawitz,
President

     —           —           —           —           -   

Roland Boyd,
Former Chief Financial Officer; current Group Financial Controller and Treasurer

     August 14, 2015         —           32,000         1.44         February 12, 2023   

 

(1)   Vesting of all options is subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.
(2)   The option exercise prices are lower than the fair market value of the underlying securities. As described more fully in “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Valuation of share options,” as part of the preparation of this prospectus, the Board has reviewed the fair value of our ordinary shares at the various dates in recent years when option and share awards have been granted. This review has resulted in certain instances in the Board concluding that the fair value of the underlying securities is higher than the option exercise prices determined at the time. The resulting increase in compensation expense has been reflected in our financial statements.

Incentive compensation

Mr. Cowan was granted options to acquire 178,417 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $3.29 on June 28, 2013, and 20,014 options on August 31, 2012, at an exercise price of £0.91.

Mr. Stackawitz was issued 44,284 A ordinary shares, 12,652 A deferred shares and 37,957 B deferred shares at a subscription price of $0.003 per share on February 16, 2012. He also was issued 96,000 C deferred shares at a subscription price of £0.91, equivalent to approximately $1.44 per share on the same date. We issued these shares in connection with our acquisition of our predecessor’s business to replace equivalent shares previously issued to Mr. Stackawitz by our predecessor. Prior to March 3, 2014, we were owed approximately $138,000 of the purchase price for these shares from Mr. Stackawitz. On February 28, 2014, we paid Mr. Stackawitz a cash bonus, a portion of which was used to repay this amount in full. Subsequent to February 16, 2012, Mr. Stackawitz’s A, B, and C deferred shares converted into an additional 108,652 A ordinary shares and 37,957 B ordinary shares. Our Articles of Association specify a number of restrictions on the shareholdings held by Mr. Stackawitz and they also specify certain conditions which may cause these shares to be forfeit or which may require Mr. Stackawitz to compulsorily transfer his shareholdings to us for an aggregate consideration of £1, including if Mr. Stackawitz were to end his employment with us.

 

 

 

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Mr. Boyd was granted 32,000 options on February 15, 2013, at an exercise price of £0.91 per share, and 8,000 options on June 28, 2013, at an exercise price of $3.29 per share.

AGREEMENTS WITH OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Paul Cowan

We entered into a service agreement with Paul Cowan dated February 16, 2012 that sets forth the terms and conditions under which Mr. Cowan serves as our Chief Executive Officer. The agreement has no specific term. Mr. Cowan’s current annual base salary for fiscal year 2014 is $450,000.

Both we and Mr. Cowan must give a minimum of 12 months’ prior notice to terminate his employment, other than for cause (as defined in his service agreement). We have the right to place Mr. Cowan on paid leave rather than allowing him to continue to provide services during this notice period. Mr. Cowan is obligated to refrain from competition with us for nine months after his termination, unless that period is shortened by a period of leave. After notice to terminate has been given by Mr. Cowan or us, all or part of the duration of the notice period of leave would be counted as part of the non-competition period. Upon termination, we would owe Mr. Cowan the balance of his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement.

For fiscal years ending March 31, 2014 onwards, Mr. Cowan is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus equal to 100% of his base salary, subject to achievement of corporate performance goals and individual performance goals.

Jeremy Stackawitz

We entered into an employment agreement with Jeremy Stackawitz dated March 9, 2009 that sets forth the terms and conditions of Mr. Stackawitz’s employment as one of our two Presidents. The agreement has no specific term and establishes an at-will employment relationship. Mr. Stackawitz’s current annual base salary for fiscal year 2014 is $320,000.

We may terminate Mr. Stackawitz’s employment with or without cause, but Mr. Stackawitz is required to provide at least two months’ advance notice to us if he is terminating his employment. If we terminate Mr. Stackawitz’s employment other than for cause (as defined in his employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive, subject to certain conditions, severance equal to 12 months of his then current base salary and employee benefits (as defined in his employment agreement), payable as a lump sum as soon as practicable after the date of termination, but in no event later than March 15 th of the following year. Mr. Stackawitz is obligated to (i) refrain from engaging in competition with us in the United States or in other countries in which we conduct our business for a period of one year after any termination and (ii) refrain from soliciting any of our executives, suppliers or customers for a period of two years after any termination.

We have agreed to indemnify Mr. Stackawitz to the maximum extent permitted by the organizational documents of Alba and applicable law, including against any actions, suits, proceedings or claims for which Mr. Stackawitz may be liable that may arise from our agreement with Ortho.

Mr. Stackawitz is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus equal to 50% of his base salary, subject to achievement of corporate performance goals and individual performance goals. In addition, Mr. Stackawitz is eligible for an annual revenue target bonus, subject to the achievement of certain revenue targets, up to a maximum of 150% of his base salary.

 

 

 

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Edward Farrell

We entered into an employment agreement with Edward Farrell dated November 21, 2012 that sets forth the terms and conditions of Mr. Farrell’s employment as one of our two Presidents. Mr. Farrell’s employment commenced on February 14, 2013. The agreement has no specific term and establishes an at-will employment relationship. Mr. Farrell’s current annual base salary for fiscal year 2014 is £185,000 or approximately $296,000.

Both we and Mr. Farrell must give a minimum of 12 months’ prior notice to terminate his employment, other than for cause (as defined in his service agreement). We have the right to place Mr. Farrell on paid leave rather than allowing him to continue to provide services during this notice period. Mr. Farrell is obligated to refrain from competition with us for 12 months after his termination, unless that period is shortened by a period of leave. After notice to termination has been given by Mr. Farrell or us, all or part of the duration of the notice period of leave would be counted as part of the non-competition period. Upon termination, we would owe Mr. Farrell the balance of his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement.

In addition to his salary, Mr. Farrell is also entitled to a car allowance of £11,000 or approximately $17,600 per annum, contributions by his employer to a personal pension plan of 6% of salary and private healthcare benefits of £1,860 or approximately $2,976 per annum. For fiscal years ending March 31, 2014 onwards, Mr. Farrell is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus equal to 50% of his base salary, subject to achievement of corporate performance goals and individual performance goals. In April 2013, we granted Mr. Farrell an option to purchase 96,000 shares at an exercise price of £0.003 per share.

Roland Boyd

We entered into a service agreement with Roland Boyd dated August 14, 2012 that sets forth the terms and conditions under which Mr. Boyd has served as our Chief Financial Officer and serves as Group Financial Controller and Treasurer. The agreement has an indefinite term. Mr. Boyd’s current annual base salary for fiscal year 2014 is £120,000.

Both we and Mr. Boyd must give a minimum of 6 months’ prior notice to terminate his employment, other than for cause (as defined in his service agreement). We have the right to place Mr. Boyd on paid leave rather than allowing him to continue to provide services during this notice period. Mr. Boyd is obligated to refrain from competition with us for 12 months after his termination, unless that period is shortened by a period of leave. After notice to terminate has been given by Mr. Boyd or us, all or part of the duration of the notice period of leave would be counted as part of the non-competition period. Upon termination, we would owe Mr. Boyd the balance of his base salary and contractual benefits for the remaining term of the agreement.

In addition to his salary, Mr. Boyd is also entitled to a car allowance of £550 per month (or a company car up to a value of £35,000), contributions by his employer to a personal pension plan of 6% of salary and private healthcare benefits of £1,860 or approximately $2,976 per annum. For fiscal years ending March 31, 2014 onwards, Mr. Boyd is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus equal to 33.33% of his base salary, subject to achievement of corporate performance goals and individual performance goals.

Stephen Unger

We entered into an employment agreement with Stephen Unger dated March 5, 2014 that sets forth the terms and conditions of Mr. Unger’s employment as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Unger’s employment commenced on January 1, 2014. The agreement has no specific term and establishes an at-will employment relationship. Mr. Unger’s current annual base salary for fiscal year 2014 is $300,000.

 

 

 

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We may terminate Mr. Unger’s employment with or without cause, but Mr. Unger is required to provide at least two months’ advance written notice to us if he terminates his employment. If we terminate Mr. Unger’s employment other than for cause (as defined in his employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive, subject to certain conditions, severance equal to 12 months of his then current base salary and employee benefits then in effect (as defined in his employment agreement), payable as a lump sum as soon as practicable after the date of termination, but in no event later than March 15th of the following year. Mr. Unger is obligated to (i) refrain from engaging in competition with us in the United States or in other countries in which we conduct our business for a period of one year after any termination and (ii) refrain from soliciting any of our executives, suppliers or customers for a period of two years after any termination.

We have agreed to indemnify Mr. Unger to the maximum extent permitted by our organizational documents and applicable law, for any acts or decisions made in good faith while performing services for us.

Mr. Unger is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus equal to 50% of his base salary, subject to achievement of corporate performance goals and individual performance goals, starting with the financial year ending March 31, 2015. Upon completion of this offering, we will pay Mr. Unger a bonus of $250,000. We have also granted Mr. Unger options to purchase 67,200 ordinary shares at an exercise price equal to the price at which we sell the securities in this offering, which will vest in equal installments with one-third vesting upon the first anniversary following his commencement of employment, and the remainder vesting in equal installments on the second and third anniversary. These options will vest automatically upon a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement). In June 2013, in connection with his consulting services provided to us, we granted Mr. Unger an option to purchase 32,000 shares at an exercise price $3.29.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

We do not pay any cash or equity director compensation to Mr. Cowan, as he is compensated as an employee of our company. Prior to this offering, we also have not paid cash director compensation to directors who are affiliated with one or more of the investment funds that hold significant share ownership positions in our company, including Messrs. Wilkerson and Shroff.

We have three directors who are unaffiliated with our significant shareholders: Mr. Hallsworth, who chairs the Audit Committee and, Messrs. McDonough and Bologna. Prior to this offering, we have not paid cash director compensation to these unaffiliated directors. The following table sets forth the share options held by the directors as of March 31, 2013, other than Mr. Cowan; for information regarding Mr. Cowan’s executive compensation see the summary compensation table above. All options are options to purchase ordinary shares.

 

Name    Vesting start date     

Number of

securities

underlying

exercisable

options

    

Equity

incentive plan

awards:

number of

securities

underlying

unexercisable

options (1)

    

Option

exercise

price (2)

    

Option expiration

date

 
            (#)      (#)      ($)         

Brian McDonough

     August 31, 2012         —           40,029         1.44         August 30, 2022   

Thomas Bologna

     August 31, 2012         40,029         —           1.44         August 30, 2022   

Frederick Hallsworth

     August 31, 2012         20,014         —           1.44         August 30, 2022   

 

 

 

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(1)   Vesting of all options is subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.
(2)   The option exercise prices are lower than the fair market value of the underlying securities. As described more fully in “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Valuation of share options,” as part of the preparation of this prospectus, the Board has reviewed the fair value of our ordinary shares at the various dates in recent years when option and share awards have been granted. This review has resulted in certain instances in the Board concluding that the fair value of the underlying securities is higher than the option exercise prices determined at the time. The resulting increase in compensation expense has been reflected in our financial statements.

Following completion of this offering, we expect our Board of Directors to adopt a director compensation program. Under this director compensation program, we will pay our non-employee directors that are unaffiliated with our significant shareholders an annual cash retainer for service on the Board of Directors of $35,000.

We will also reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending our Board of Director and committee meetings.

Our non-employee directors will also generally be eligible to receive restricted shares, options and other share based equity awards under 2014 Plan. For additional information, see “—Equity and incentive plans—2014 Stock Incentive Plan.” Further, (i) newly appointed non-employee directors will be granted options to purchase shares with an aggregate underlying value of $100,000 based on the trading price of our shares at the time of grant and (ii) all non-employee directors will be granted options annually to purchase shares with an aggregate underlying value of $50,000 based on the trading price of our shares at the time of grant. Each such option will vest following the grant date, subject to the director’s continued service as a director.

The director compensation program is intended to provide a total compensation package that enables us to attract and retain qualified and experienced individuals to serve as directors and to align our directors’ interests with those of our shareholders.

EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLANS

Our shareholders and Board of Directors previously adopted the 2013 Enterprise Management Plan, or the 2013 Plan. In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2014 Plan.

As of March 31, 2014, the number of shares reserved for issuance, number of shares issued, number of shares underlying outstanding share options and number of shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2013 Plan is set forth in the table below. The table below also reflects the shares associated with the 2014 Plan, which will become effective upon the pricing of the offering. Our Board of Directors has determined not to make any further awards under the 2013 Plan following the closing of this offering.

 

Name of Plan   

Number of Shares

Reserved for

Issuance

    

Number of

Shares Issued

    

Number of

Shares

Underlying

Outstanding

Options

    

Number of Shares

Remaining

Available for

Future Issuance

 

2013 Enterprise Management Plan

     844,553         60,042         779,462         5,049   

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

     1,500,000         —           —           1,500,000   

 

 

 

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In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved the grant of an aggregate of options to purchase ordinary shares under the terms of the 2014 Plan, effective upon the pricing of this offering, of which options will be awarded to our non-employee directors and options will be awarded to employees, including our executive officers. All such options will be granted with an exercise price equal to the price in this offering.

The following description of each of our share incentive plans is qualified by reference to the full text of those plans, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

2013 Enterprise Management Incentive Plan

We adopted the 2013 Enterprise Management Incentive Plan, or the 2013 Plan, to enhance our ability to attract, retain and motivate persons expected to make important contributions to our company by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives. All of our employees are eligible to be granted options under the 2013 Plan. The 2013 Plan is administered by our Board of Directors. Subject to certain conditions, the 2013 Plan permits grants of enterprise management incentive options, or EMI options, under the terms of Schedule 5 to the UK Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (or ITEPA) for UK-based employees.

Options may be exercised upon the occurrence of certain events, including among other events, (i) in a sale of any shares of our share capital, which confers more than 50% of the total voting rights of all our issued shares; (ii) in the sale of all or substantially all of the undertakings of our company and our subsidiaries, and (iii) in the event of a listing of our shares on any “Recognized Investment Exchange” as defined in Section 841(a) of the Corporation Taxes Act 2009. In the event our shares are listed, an option may be exercised, in three equal installments, on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the grant. Options must be exercised during an employee’s term of employment or service or within 40 days of termination of employment or service (or within one year in the case of termination on account of a participant’s death). The options lapse after specified periods upon the occurrence of applicable events, including, forty days after (i) the sale of any shares of our share capital which confers more than 50% of the total voting rights of all our issued shares or (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the undertakings of our company and our subsidiaries.

The maximum term of an option award is ten years.

Each option grant is documented through an option agreement. The exercise price per share of all options is determined by our Board of Directors at the time of the grant.

Awards are non-transferable and our Board of Directors retains discretion to amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award. Awards may be accelerated to become immediately exercisable in full or in part upon approval of our Board of Directors.

In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan, as well as the exercise price per share of each outstanding option may be appropriately adjusted by our Board of Directors. The 2013 Plan provides for certain exchange rights in the event of change in control and provides for conditional exercise in connection with a court-ordered reorganization of our company or our amalgamation with any other company or companies.

As of March 31, 2014, there were 779,462 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.52 per ordinary share.

 

 

 

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Executive compensation

 

 

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Our Board of Directors and our shareholders have approved the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan provides us flexibility with respect to our ability to attract and retain the services of qualified employees, officers, directors, consultants and other service providers upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct and development of our business depends, and to provide additional incentives to such persons to devote their effort and skill to the advancement and betterment of our company, by providing them an opportunity to participate in the ownership of our company and thereby have an interest in its success and increased value.

We have reserved an aggregate of 1,500,000 ordinary shares for issuance under the 2014 Plan. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a recapitalization, share split, share consolidation, reclassification, share dividend or other change in our capital structure. To the extent that an award terminates, or expires for any reason, then any shares subject to the award may be used again for new grants. However, shares which are (i) not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of outstanding share appreciation rights, or SARs, or options, (ii) used to pay the exercise price related to outstanding options, (iii) used to pay withholding taxes related to outstanding options or SARs or (iv) repurchased on the open market with the proceeds from an option exercise, will not be available for re-grant under the 2014 Plan.

The number of ordinary shares reserved for issuance will automatically increase on April 1 of each fiscal year, from April 1, 2015 (assuming the 2014 Plan becomes effective before such date) through April 1, 2023, by the lesser of 1% of the total number of shares of our ordinary shares outstanding on March 31 of the preceding fiscal year, 200,000 shares or such smaller amount as determined by our Board of Directors. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options under the 2014 Plan is 3,000,000 shares.

The 2014 Plan permits us to make grants of (i) incentive stock options pursuant to Section 422 of the Code and (ii) non-qualified stock options. Incentive share options may only be issued to our employees. Non-qualified share options may be issued to our employees, directors, consultants and other service providers. The option exercise price of each option granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan will be determined by our remuneration committee and may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of grant, subject to certain exceptions. The term of each option will be fixed by the our remuneration committee and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. All option grants under the 2014 Plan are made pursuant to a written option agreement.

The 2014 Plan permits us to sell or make grants of restricted shares. Restricted shares may be sold or granted to our employees, directors, consultants and other service providers (or of any current or future parent or subsidiary of our company). Restricted shares issued under the 2014 Plan is sold or granted pursuant to a written restricted shares purchase agreement.

The 2014 Plan also permits us to issue SARs. SARs may be issued to our employees, directors, consultants and other service providers. The base price per share of ordinary shares covered by each SAR may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of grant, subject to certain exceptions. SAR grants under the 2014 Plan are made pursuant to a written SAR agreement.

Further, the 2014 Plan permits us to issue restricted share units, or RSUs. RSUs may be issued to our employees, directors, consultants and other service providers. RSU grants under the 2014 Plan are made pursuant to a written RSU agreement.

The 2014 Plan is administered by our remuneration committee, which has the authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the 2014 Plan. In particular, the remuneration committee

 

 

 

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has the authority to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, incentive share options, nonqualified share options, restricted shares, SARs or RSUs shall be granted, the number of shares to be represented by each option agreement or covered by each restricted share purchase agreement, SAR agreement or RSU agreement and the exercise price of such options and the base price of such SARs. In addition, our remuneration committee has the authority to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any award, and to determine the specific terms, conditions and restrictions of each award. The remuneration committee will be composed exclusively of individuals intended to be, to the extent provided by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, independent directors and will, at such times as we are subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, qualify as outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Unless provided otherwise within each written option agreement, restricted share purchase agreement, SAR agreement or RSU agreement as the case may be, the vesting of all options, restricted share, SARs and RSUs granted under the 2014 Plan shall accelerate automatically in the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2014 Plan) effective as of immediately prior to the consummation of the change in control unless such equity awards are to be assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) or equity awards of comparable value are to be issued in exchange therefor or the equity awards granted under the 2014 Plan are to be replaced by the acquiring entity with other incentives under a new incentive program containing such terms and provisions as our remuneration committee in its discretion may consider equitable.

Our Board of Directors may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or terminate the 2014 Plan in such respects as our Board of Directors may deem advisable, provided that no such alteration, amendment, suspension or termination shall be made which shall substantially affect or impair the rights of any participant under any awards previously granted without such participant’s consent.

No awards may be granted under the 2014 Plan after the date that is ten years from the date the 2014 Plan was approved by our shareholders.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION PLAN

We operate a defined contribution pension plan for our employees. Our executive officers and directors do not participate in this plan. The assets of the plan are held separately from us in an independently administered fund. Pension costs during the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $263,000, $228,000 and $208,000 respectively.

 

 

 

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Certain relationships and related party transactions

The following is a description of transactions, since January 1, 2011, in which (a) we were a participant, (b) the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and (c) one or more of our executive officers, directors or 5% shareholders, or their immediate family members, each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” had a direct or indirect material interest. We refer to these as “related person transactions.”

REORGANIZATION AND GALEN INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

We were incorporated on January 18, 2012. Upon our incorporation, we issued two ordinary shares to Quotient Biodiagnostics Group Limited, or QBDG, a holding company that previously owned our subsidiaries, Alba Bioscience Limited (or Alba), Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc. (or QBDI) and QBD (QSIP) Limited (or QSIP), and is wholly-owned and controlled by Deidre Cowan, the spouse of our chief executive officer, Paul Cowan.

On February 16, 2012, in connection with the investment in us by Galen Partners LLP and affiliated entities, or Galen, we completed the following transactions:

 

  (1)   we issued 14,023,552 A preference shares to QBDG in connection with the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Alba, QBDI and QSIP;

 

  (2)   we issued 56,734 A ordinary shares, 18,979 A deferred shares, 37,957 B deferred shares and 168,227 C deferred shares to certain of our senior executives to replace equivalent shares previously issued to the same senior executives by QBDG;

 

  (3)   we issued 10,450,653 new B preference shares to Galen and 190,011 to our director, Thomas Bologna, for a total consideration of $11.2 million;

 

  (4)  

we paid a total consideration of $1.8 million to QBDG for the intellectual property rights relating to MosaiQ ;

 

  (5)   we repurchased 1,553,598 A preference shares from QBDG for a total consideration of $1.6 million;

 

  (6)   we repaid all inter-company balances owed by Alba to QBDG, and, simultaneously, QBDG repaid all inter-company balances owed by it to QBDI; and

 

  (7)   we granted warrants to subscribe up to 4,750,296 A preference or B preference shares at a total subscription price of $5.0 million to QBDG (950,059), Galen (3,762,316) and Thomas Bologna (37,921).

FEBRUARY 2013 WARRANT EXERCISES

On February 14, 2013, we issued the following shares in connection with certain exercises of outstanding warrants by the holders thereof:

 

  (1)   we issued an aggregate of 3,762,316 B preference shares to Galen for an aggregate purchase price of $3,960,085; and

 

  (2)   we issued 250,000 A preference shares to QDBG for an aggregate purchase price of $263,141.

DECEMBER 2013 REFINANCING TRANSACTIONS

On December 6, 2013, in connection with the refinancing of our Haemonetics borrowings with the MidCap Financial term loan agreement, we completed the following transactions:

 

  (1)   we issued 666,667 C preference shares to Galen for a total consideration of $2,000,001;

 

  (2)   we issued 83,333 C preference shares to Paul Cowan for a total consideration of $249,999; and

 

 

 

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  (3)   we issued 50,000 C preference shares to our Group Financial Controller and Treasurer, Roland Boyd, for a total consideration of $150,000.

QUOTIENT BIODIAGNOSTICS HOLDINGS LIMITED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

In connection with Galen’s investment in our company, we have entered into an agreement with Galen and certain of our other shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, Galen agreed to share voting rights over certain corporate actions, including amendments to the articles, the issuance of any shares, declarations of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, significant borrowings, asset sales, and other transactions. This agreement will terminate upon the completion of this offering.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

We are party to service or employment agreements with our executive officers. For additional information, see “Executive compensation—Agreements with our executive officers.”

EQUITY AWARDS

We have issued certain shares and granted share options to our executive officers and our directors. For additional information, see “Executive compensation—Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year end” and “—Director compensation.”

INDEMNIFICATION

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors to indemnify them against certain liabilities and expenses arising from their being a director (but specifically excluding any circumstance where they are determined to have violated their fiduciary duty to us). Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT LETTERS

In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into letters of appointment with each of our non-executive directors. These letters set forth the main terms on which each of our non-executive directors serve on our Board of Directors. Continued appointment under the letter is contingent on continued satisfactory performance, re-nomination by the remuneration committee and approval of the Board of Directors, re-election by the shareholders and any relevant statutory provisions and provisions of our articles of association relating to removal of a director.

PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Currently, under our Related Party Transaction Policy, our audit committee is charged with the primary responsibility for determining whether, based on the facts and circumstances, a related person has a direct or indirect material interest in a proposed or existing transaction. To assist our audit committee in making this determination, the policy sets forth certain categories of transactions that are deemed not to involve a direct or indirect material interest on behalf of the related person. If, after applying these categorical standards and weighing all of the facts and circumstances, our audit committee determines that the related person would have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction, the Audit Committee must review and either approve or reject the transaction in accordance with the terms of the policy. If any executive officer becomes aware of a related party transaction that the audit committee has not approved or ratified, he or she shall promptly inform the audit committee or such other person designated by the audit committee.

 

 

 

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Principal shareholders

The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2014 and immediately after the closing of this offering, for:

 

  Ø  

each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares;

 

  Ø  

each of our directors;

 

  Ø  

each of our executive officers; and

 

  Ø  

all directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. In general, under these rules a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares held by that person.

The percentage of shares beneficially owned prior to the offering is computed on the basis of 9,376,547 ordinary shares issued as of March 31, 2014, which reflects the assumed conversion of all of our outstanding preference shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares into ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering.

The percentage of shares beneficially owned after the offering is computed on the basis of ordinary shares outstanding, which assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

Ordinary shares that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2013 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of such person’s holdings, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group.

Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the shareholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares shown to be beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by such shareholders.

 

 

 

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Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o Quotient Limited, P.O. Box 1075, Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, JE4 2QP, Jersey, Channel Islands.

 

            Percentage of ordinary
shares beneficially owned
 
Name and address of beneficial owner   

Number of

ordinary shares

beneficially

owned

     Before offering     After offering(1)  
5% shareholders:        

QBDG(2)

     3,967,985         42.3     27.6

Galen Partners(3)

     4,923,927         52.5     34.2
Executive officers and directors:        

Paul Cowan(4)

     3,994,651         42.6     27.8

Jeremy Stackawitz

     190,893         2.0     1.3

Edward Farrell

     34,133         *        *   

Stephen Unger

     8,000         *        *   

Roland Boyd

     26,666         *        *   

Thomas Bologna

     128,167         1.4  

Frederick Hallsworth

     43,748         *        *   

Brian McDonough

     20,534         *        *   

Zubeen Shroff(5)

     4,923,927         52.5     34.2

John Wilkerson(5)

     4,923,927         52.5     34.2

All Directors and Executive Officers as a group

     9,370,719         99.9     65.2

 

*   Denotes less than 1%.
(1)   Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. See “Underwriting.”
(2)   Deidre Cowan, Mr. Cowan’s spouse, exercises sole voting and dispositive power over the 3,967,985 ordinary shares held of record by QBDG.
(3)   The business address of Galen Partners is 680 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT 06901. Includes 4,386,874 ordinary shares held of record by Galen Partners V LP, 374,609 ordinary shares held of record by Galen Partners International V LP and 162,444 ordinary shares held of record by Galen Management, LLC (collectively, “Galen Partners”). John Wilkerson, David Jahns, and Zubeen Shroff exercise voting, investment and dispositive rights over our securities held of record by Galen Partners.
(4)   Includes 26,666 ordinary shares held of record by Mr. Cowan and 3,967,985 ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr. Cowan’s spouse, Deidre Cowan, who exercises sole voting and dispositive power over 3,967,985 ordinary shares held of record by QBDG.
(5)   Consists solely of the ordinary shares identified in footnote 3. Each of Mr. Shroff and Mr. Wilkerson disclaims beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares identified in footnote 3, except to the extent of his proportionate pecuniary interest in such shares.

 

 

 

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Description of share capital

GENERAL

Quotient Limited was originally formed as a private limited liability, no par value company named QBDG (Newco) Limited, on January 18, 2012 under the Companies (Jersey, Channel Islands) Law 1991 (referred to below, as amended, as the “Jersey Companies Law”) with the registered number 109886. The company changed its name to Quotient Biodiagnostics Holdings Limited on January 27, 2012, and changed its name to Quotient Limited on May 10, 2013. On , 2014, the company’s status was changed to a public limited liability no par value company.

The registered office of Quotient Limited is at c/o Quotient Limited, P.O. Box 1075, Elizabeth House 9 Castle Street St Helier Jersey, Channel Islands, JE2 2QP and its principal executive office is at Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION

This section describes the rights available to legal shareholders. Under Jersey, Channel Islands law, only persons who hold shares in CREST (an electronic clearing system in the United Kingdom) or holders of shares in certificated form may be recorded as shareholders in our share register maintained by our share registrar (also known as a transfer agent). The shares sold in this offering will, at least initially, be held in certificated form by Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, which will establish accounts in its electronic system for participating brokerage firms. Investors who purchase these shares will be reflected within the DTC system, but will not appear on our official share register. Therefore holders in “street name” through participating DTC brokerage firms will not be directly entitled to the rights conferred on our shareholders by our Articles of Association, or the Articles, or the rights conferred on shareholders of a Jersey company under the Jersey Companies Law, including rights related to voting and payments of dividends. Rather, holders in “street name” through participating DTC brokerage firms must look to DTC as the shareholder of record. DTC, in turn, is expected to distribute to participating DTC brokerage firms dividend payments that we have remitted to DTC in a single lump sum, and to authorize participating DTC brokerage firms to coordinate voting matters. There is no contract or other agreement between us and DTC that requires DTC to perform any action with respect to investors reflected within the DTC system; however, investors may have rights enforceable against DTC (but not us) through their contractual relationship with participating DTC brokerage firms.

Investors who purchase beneficial interests in the DTC system in our ordinary shares through NASDAQ must look solely to their brokerage firm, and in turn, DTC, for the payment of dividends, the exercise of voting rights and all other rights associated with our ordinary shares.

Investors who wish to hold their shares directly in certificated form, rather than indirectly through DTC’s electronic system, may request through their broker, who in turn will coordinate with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as our share registrar (transfer agent) that they be issued a share certificate. This may require payment of administrative fees and additional requirements by individual brokers in order to process trades of ordinary shares represented by share certificates through NASDAQ. Please see “Our ordinary shares and trading in the United States.”

AUTHORIZED AND ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

We are a no par value company, meaning that our shares do not have any nominal or par value. Our constitutional documents permit us to issue an unlimited number of shares.

 

 

 

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The issued share capital of our company as of March 31, 2014 was 9,376,547 fully paid ordinary shares of nil par value.

PRE-IPO RESOLUTION

Immediately prior to this offering, we passed special and ordinary resolutions to:

 

(1)   convert and re-designate all A ordinary shares, B ordinary shares, A preference shares, B preference shares and C preference shares in our share capital, in each case being of no par value, as ordinary shares of no par value in our share capital resulting in our authorized and issued share capital being 29,301,726 ordinary shares, and immediately following this conversion, consolidate the 29,301,726 ordinary shares then outstanding at a ratio of 32 new ordinary shares to every 100 issued ordinary shares, resulting in our authorized and issued share capital being 9,376,552.32 ordinary shares of no par value.

 

(2)   adopt a new Memorandum and Articles of Association, in substitution for and to the exclusion of our existing Memorandum and Articles of Association, in order to give effect to the share conversions and to make certain amendments to our existing Articles of Association in contemplation of the initial public offering and listing of ordinary shares of no par value in our share capital on NASDAQ;

 

(3)   immediately following the conversion of our shares and the adoption of the new Articles of Association, convert into and redesignate each fraction of an ordinary share held by a holder (as defined in the new Articles of Association), arising as a result of the share conversions, as the equivalent fraction of a redeemable ordinary share, redeemable at the option of the Board of Directors without notice for a redemption amount of US$1.00 per redeemable ordinary share (or fraction thereof);

 

(4)   approve the 2014 Plan; and

 

(5)   allow any ordinary shares purchased or redeemed by us to be held as treasury shares in accordance Jersey Companies Law.

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Public limited companies formed under the laws of Jersey are governed in general by two organizational documents, a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. The Memorandum of Association sets forth the basic constitutional details of the company and its authorized share capital. The Articles of Association set forth other general corporate matters, including the rights of shareholders and provisions concerning shareholder and director meetings and directors’ terms and fees. The full text of both our Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are exhibits to this prospectus and are also available at our website, www.quotientbd.com. Information contained on our website or that is accessible through it is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase our ordinary shares.

QUOTIENT MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

Under the Jersey Companies Law, the capacity of a Jersey company is not limited by anything contained in its Memorandum or Articles of Association. Accordingly, we are able to operate in any markets and to provide any services which are legally permissible and that the directors deem appropriate. Our Memorandum of Association permits us to issue an unlimited number of shares.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Voting rights

Each shareholder is entitled to one vote on a show of hands and to one vote per share held by such shareholder on a poll. There is no cumulative voting of shares.

Shareholders are ineligible to vote (unless our board determines otherwise) if any call or other sum presently payable by the shareholder to us in connection with such shares remains unpaid.

Transfer of shares

Shareholders may transfer certificated shares through a customary share transfer form and the presentation of the applicable physical share certificate. Under Jersey law, legal title to shares may not be held or transferred in uncertificated form in the DTC system. Accordingly, any of our shares purchased on NASDAQ represent only beneficial interests in the underlying aggregate certificated share position held by DTC. Transfers in “street name” through the DTC system are legally considered a transfer of the beneficial interest and are to be conducted in accordance with NASDAQ and DTC procedures.

Beneficial holders in “street name” may request at any time that actual ordinary shares in certificated form be registered in their name which would therefore accord them full rights as legal shareholders under Jersey law. Please see “Our ordinary shares and trading in the United States.”

Our Board of Directors in its discretion may suspend the registration of transfers of shares for periods not exceeding 30 days in any year. Our Board of Directors may also decline to register transfers of shares:

 

  Ø  

that are not fully paid; and

 

  Ø  

upon which we have a lien.

If our Board of Directors declines to register a transfer of shares, we must notify the transferee within two months thereafter.

Dividends and other distributions

In order to be able to declare any dividends, our directors must issue a statutory solvency statement to the effect that, immediately following the date on which the dividends are proposed to be paid, the company will be able to discharge its liabilities as they fall due and, having regard to the prospects of the company and to the intentions of the directors with respect to the management of the company’s business and the amount and character of the financial resources that will in the view of the directors be available to the company, the company will be able to continue to carry on business and discharge its liabilities as they fall due for the 12 months immediately following the date on which the dividend is proposed to be paid (or until the company is dissolved on a solvent basis, if earlier).

Dividends must be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid on shares, unless otherwise specified in the rights attached to a specific class or classes of shares. Dividends do not accrue interest and may, if unclaimed, be invested by our Board of Directors on our behalf until claimed. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of 12 years from the date of declaration of such dividend or the date on which such dividend became due for payment is forfeited and becomes our property.

 

 

 

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Our Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors may offer our shareholders the right to receive in lieu of any cash dividend (or part thereof) that we declare on our ordinary shares, such number of our ordinary shares that are (or nearly as possible) equivalent in value to the cash dividend, based on the market price of such shares determined in accordance with our Articles of Association.

Winding up

If we are wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary, under supervision, or by the courts of Jersey) the liquidator (or the board, where no liquidator is appointed) may, with the authority of a special resolution of our shareholders, divide among our shareholders part or all of our assets, or transfer any part of our assets to a trustee for the benefit of our shareholders.

Changes in capital and allotment of securities

We may, by special resolution of our shareholders, alter our Memorandum of Association to increase or reduce the number of shares that we are authorized to issue, to consolidate all or any of our shares (whether issued or not) into fewer shares or to divide all or any of our shares (whether issued or not) into more shares, in each case in compliance with the Jersey Companies Law.

Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, our board has the discretion to issue authorized but unissued shares.

Variation of class rights

The rights attaching to any class of shares may only be altered by written consent of holders of not less than two-thirds in number of the issued shares of that class, or by special resolution of the relevant class passed at a class shareholder meeting by the holders of not less than two-thirds in number of the issued shares of that class being voted in person or by proxy at such meeting.

Change in Control

There are no provisions in our Articles of Association which would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control.

General meetings

An annual general meeting and any other shareholders’ meeting (whether convened for the passing of an ordinary or a special resolution of our shareholders) shall be called by at least 14 clear days’ notice given to our shareholders, directors and our auditors.

Borrowing powers

Our Board of Directors has the full authority to authorize our entry into agreements to borrow money, to grant security over our assets and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of us or of any third party.

Directors

We may, by resolution of our shareholders, vary the minimum or maximum number of directors (subject to a minimum of two directors). Currently the minimum number of directors is two and there is no maximum number of directors. We currently have six members on our Board of Directors.

Shareholders are only able to appoint a person as a director at a shareholder meeting if (i) the relevant person has been recommended by our board or is a serving director who is retiring at that shareholder

 

 

 

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meeting; or (ii) if a shareholder (other than the person proposed as a director) who is entitled to attend and vote at that shareholder meeting has submitted written notice to us of their intention to nominate the relevant person during the period from (and including) the date that is 120 days before, to and including the date that is 90 days before, the first anniversary of the last AGM of the Company meeting, along with a notice from the relevant person confirming their willingness to be appointed.

Directors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest with respect to any contract or proposed contract or any other arrangement or proposed arrangement with us.

OTHER JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS LAW CONSIDERATIONS

Purchase of own shares

As with declaring a dividend, we may not buy back or redeem our shares unless our directors who are to authorize the buy back or redemption have made a statutory solvency statement that, immediately following the date on which the buy back or redemption is proposed, the company will be able to discharge its liabilities as they fall due and, having regard to prescribed factors, the company will be able to continue to carry on business and discharge its liabilities as they fall due for the 12 months immediately following the date on which the buy back or redemption is proposed (or until the company is dissolved on a solvent basis, if earlier).

If the above conditions are met, we may purchase shares in the manner described below.

We may purchase on a stock exchange our own fully paid shares pursuant to a special resolution of our shareholders. The resolution authorizing the purchase must specify:

 

  Ø  

the maximum number of shares to be purchased;

 

  Ø  

the maximum and minimum prices which may be paid; and

 

  Ø  

a date, not being later than 18 months after the passing of the resolution, on which the authority to purchase is to expire.

We may purchase our own fully paid shares otherwise than on a stock exchange pursuant to a special resolution of our shareholders but only if the purchase is made on the terms of a written purchase contract which has been approved by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The shareholder from whom we propose to purchase or redeem shares is not entitled to take part in such shareholder vote in respect of the shares to be purchased.

We may fund a redemption or purchase of our own shares from any source. We cannot purchase our shares if, as a result of such purchase, only redeemable shares would remain in issue.

If authorized by a resolution of our shareholders, any shares that we redeem or purchase may be held by us as treasury shares. Any shares held by us as treasury shares may be cancelled, sold, transferred for the purposes of or under an employee share scheme or held without cancelling, selling or transferring them. Shares redeemed or purchased by us are cancelled where we have not been authorized to hold these as treasury shares.

Mandatory purchases and acquisitions

The Jersey Companies Law provides that where a person has made an offer to acquire a class of all of our outstanding shares not already held by the person and has as a result of such offer acquired or contractually agreed to acquire 90% or more of such outstanding shares, that person is then entitled (and

 

 

 

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may be required) to acquire the remaining shares. In such circumstances, a holder of any such remaining shares may apply to the Jersey court for an order that the person making such offer not be entitled to purchase the holder’s shares or that the person purchase the holder’s shares on terms different to those under which the person made such offer.

Other than as described above, we are not subject to any regulations under which a shareholder that acquires a certain level of share ownership is then required to offer to purchase all of our remaining shares on the same terms as such shareholder’s prior purchase.

Compromises and arrangements

Where we and our creditors or shareholders or a class of either of them propose a compromise or arrangement between us and our creditors or our shareholders or a class of either of them (as applicable), the Jersey court may order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors or of our shareholders or class of shareholders (as applicable) to be called in such a manner as the court directs. Any compromise or arrangement approved by a majority in number representing 75% or more in value of the creditors or 75% or more of the voting rights of shareholders or class of either of them (as applicable) if sanctioned by the court, is binding upon us and all the creditors, shareholders or members of the specific class of either of them (as applicable).

Whether the capital of the company is to be treated as being divided into a single or multiple class(es) of shares is a matter to be determined by the court. The court may in its discretion treat a single class of shares as multiple classes, or multiple classes of shares as a single class, for the purposes of the shareholder approval referred to above taking into account all relevant circumstances, which may include circumstances other than the rights attaching to the shares themselves.

No pre-emptive rights

The Jersey Companies Law does not confer any pre-emptive rights to purchase our shares on our shareholders.

Rights of Minority Shareholders

Under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law, a shareholder may apply to court for relief on the ground that the conduct of our affairs, including a proposed or actual act or omission by us, is “unfairly prejudicial” to the interests of our shareholders generally or of some part of our shareholders, including at least the shareholder making the application. What amounts to unfair prejudice is not defined in the Jersey Companies Law. There may also be common law personal actions available to our shareholders.

Under Article 143 of the Jersey Companies Law (which sets out the types of relief a court may grant in relation to an action brought under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law), the court may make an order regulating our affairs, requiring us to refrain from doing or continuing to do an act complained of, authorizing civil proceedings and providing for the purchase of shares by us or by any of our other shareholders.

 

 

 

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Comparison of Jersey, Channel Islands Law and Delaware Law

Set forth below is a comparison of certain shareholder rights and corporate governance matters under Delaware law and Jersey law:

 

Corporate Law Issue   Delaware Law   Jersey Law
Special Meetings of Shareholders   Shareholders generally do not have the right to call meetings of shareholders unless that right is granted in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws. However, if a corporation fails to hold its annual meeting within a period of 30 days after the date designated for the annual meeting, or if no date has been designated for a period of 13 months after its last annual meeting, the Delaware Court of Chancery may order a meeting to be held upon the application of a shareholder.   Shareholders holding 10% or more of the company’s voting rights and entitled to vote at the relevant meeting may legally require our directors to call a meeting of shareholders. The Jersey Financial Services Commission, or JFSC, may, at the request of any officer, secretary or shareholder, call or direct the calling of an annual general meeting. Failure to call an annual general meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Jersey Companies Law is a criminal offense on the part of a Jersey company and its directors and secretary.
Interested Director Transactions  

Interested director transactions are permissible and may not be legally voided if:

 

Ø   either a majority of disinterested directors, or a majority in interest of holders of shares of the corporation’s capital stock entitled to vote upon the matter, approves the transaction upon disclosure of all material facts; or

 

Ø    the transaction is determined to have been fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the shareholders.

 

 

 

An interested director must disclose to the company the nature and extent of any interest in a transaction with the company or one of its subsidiaries. Failure to disclose an interest entitles the company or a shareholder to apply to the court for an order setting aside the transaction concerned and directing that the director account to the company for any profit.

 

A transaction is not voidable and a director is not accountable notwithstanding a failure to disclose an interest if the transaction is confirmed by special resolution and the nature and extent of the director’s interest in the transaction are disclosed in reasonable detail in the notice calling the meeting at which the resolution is passed.

 

Although it may still order that a director account for any profit, a court shall not set aside a transaction unless it is satisfied that the interests of third parties who have acted in good faith would not thereby be unfairly prejudiced and the

 

 

 

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Corporate Law Issue   Delaware Law   Jersey Law
    transaction was not reasonable and fair in the interests of the company at the time it was entered into.
Cumulative Voting   The certificate of incorporation of a Delaware corporation may provide that shareholders of any class or classes or of any series may vote cumulatively either at all elections or at elections of directors of the corporation under specified circumstances.   There are no provisions in the Jersey Companies Law relating to cumulative voting.
Approval of Corporate Matters by Written Consent   Unless otherwise specified in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, shareholders may take action permitted to be taken at an annual or special meeting, without a meeting, prior notice or a vote, if consents, in writing, setting forth the action, are signed by shareholders with not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting. All consents must be dated and are only effective if the requisite signatures are collected within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation.   A unanimous written consent by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter may effect any matter that otherwise may be brought before a shareholders’ meeting, except for the removal of our auditors. Such consent shall be deemed effective when the instrument, or the last of several instruments, is last signed or on such later date as is specified in the resolution.
Business Combinations   With certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a Delaware corporation must be approved by the Board of Directors and a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.   Although our Articles of Association do not require shareholder approval of business combinations, the Jersey Companies Law (in the case of a merger) requires such approval by special resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the shares being voted in person or by proxy at a meeting or by unanimous written consent signed by each of the shareholders entitled to vote.
Limitations on Directors Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers   A Delaware corporation may include in its certificate of incorporation provisions limiting the personal liability of its directors to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for many types of breach of fiduciary duty. However, these provisions may not limit liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or  

The Jersey Companies Law does not contain any provision permitting Jersey companies to limit the liabilities of directors for breach of fiduciary duty.

 

However, a Jersey company may exempt from liability, and indemnify directors and officers for, liabilities:

 

Ø   incurred in defending any proceedings (whether civil or criminal):

 

 

 

 

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Corporate Law Issue   Delaware Law   Jersey Law
  a knowing violation of law, the authorization of unlawful dividends, stock repurchases or shares barring redemptions, or any transaction from  

 

Ø   in which judgment is given in the person’s favor or the person is acquitted,

 

which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Moreover, these provisions would not be likely to bar claims arising under United States federal securities laws.

 

In addition, Delaware law permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, if such directors, officers, employees or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful.

 

In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually or reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought

 

 

Ø   which are discontinued otherwise than for some benefit conferred by the person or on the person’s behalf or some detriment suffered by the person, or

 

Ø   which are settled on terms which include such benefit or detriment and, in the opinion of a majority of the directors of the company (excluding any director who conferred such benefit or on whose behalf such benefit was conferred or who suffered such detriment), the person was substantially successful on the merits in the person’s resistance to the proceedings;

 

Ø   any liability incurred otherwise than to the company if the person acted in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company;

 

Ø   any liability incurred in connection with an application made under Article 212 of the Jersey Companies Law in which relief is granted to the person by the court; or

 

Ø   any liability against which the company normally maintains insurance for persons other than directors.

 

 

 

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Corporate Law Issue   Delaware Law   Jersey Law
  shall determine upon application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.  
Appraisal Rights   A shareholder of a Delaware corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights under which the shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by that shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration the shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction.   No appraisal rights.
Shareholder Suits   Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to the shareholders of a Delaware corporation for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action.  

Under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law, a shareholder may apply to court for relief on the ground that the conduct of our affairs, including a proposed or actual act or omission by us, is “unfairly prejudicial” to the interests of our shareholders generally or of some part of our shareholders, including at least the shareholder making the application.

 

There may also be common or customary law personal actions available to shareholders.

 

Under Article 143 of the Jersey Companies Law (which sets out the types of relief a court may grant in relation to an action brought under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law), the court may make an order regulating the affairs of a company, requiring a company to refrain from doing or continuing to do an act complained of, authorizing civil proceedings and providing for the purchase of shares by a company or by any of its other shareholders.

 

 

 

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Corporate Law Issue   Delaware Law   Jersey Law
Inspection of Books and Records   All shareholders of a Delaware corporation have the right, upon written demand, to inspect or obtain copies of the corporation’s shares ledger and its other books and records for any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a shareholder.   The register of shareholders and books containing the minutes of general meetings or of meetings of any class of shareholders of a Jersey company must during business hours be open to the inspection of a shareholder of the company without charge.
    The register of directors and secretaries must during business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may by its Articles or in general meeting impose, but so that not less than two hours in each business day be allowed for inspection) be open to the inspection of a shareholder or director of the company without charge.
Amendments to Charter   Amendments to the certificate of incorporation of a Delaware corporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon or such greater vote as is provided for in the certificate of incorporation. A provision in the certificate of incorporation requiring the vote of a greater number or proportion of the directors or of the holders of any class of shares than is required by Delaware corporate law may not be amended, altered or repealed except by such greater vote.   The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of a Jersey company each may only be amended by special resolution approved by holders of at least 2/3rds of the shares being voted in person or by proxy at a shareholder meeting or by unanimous written consent signed by each of the shareholders entitled to vote.

 

 

 

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Our ordinary shares and trading in the United States

If our application is approved, all of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be listed for trading on NASDAQ.

OUR ORDINARY SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED

The ordinary shares to be sold through this offering have been registered with the SEC. In the United States, participating brokerage firms hold freely-tradable shares electronically (also referred to as “book-entry” or in “street name”) through the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, a third party that was founded and is owned by member brokerage firms. DTC then establishes an account in its electronic system and allocates interests in the shares among the brokerage firms, which in turn credit the accounts of brokerage customers. In accordance with market practice in the United States and system requirements of stock markets, the underwriters have designated that the ordinary shares sold in this offering both by us and our selling shareholders be issued or transferred, as applicable, to DTC. There is no contractual arrangement between us and DTC.

Accordingly, we will issue a single share certificate for the shares sold in this offering, both by us and the selling shareholders, in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee used by DTC. Beneficial interests in these ordinary shares therefore will be eligible for trading through a member brokerage firm and will be held in electronic form through DTC. DTC will then establish an electronic account and allocate the beneficial interests in the certificated shares among its member brokerage firm accounts, who will in turn credit the beneficial interests to the accounts of the brokerage customers. Under Jersey law, legal title to the ordinary shares that we and the selling shareholders are offering through this prospectus will be registered in the name of Cede & Co. and held in certificated form. Persons who wish to derive the economic benefit of our shares based upon our quotation on NASDAQ will own beneficial interests in our shares (each beneficial interest will represent one ordinary share). DTC will track ownership of such beneficial interests through its standard automated system. Under Jersey law, holders of beneficial interests in our shares will not be Quotient shareholders and, accordingly, will not have the rights conferred on shareholders by our Articles of Association or the Jersey Companies Law. As the legal owner of the shares, Cede & Co. for DTC will be entitled to enjoy and exercise all of the rights attaching to the shares. If you purchase beneficial interests in our ordinary shares in the offering, you must look solely to your broker or bank for the payment of all dividends, the exercise of voting rights attaching to our ordinary shares and all other rights arising in respect of our ordinary shares. Your broker or bank must, in turn, look solely to DTC for the payment of all dividends, the exercise of voting rights attaching to our ordinary shares and all other rights arising with respect to our ordinary shares. You may request through your broker to hold shares directly in certificated form instead of holding shares indirectly through DTC. Your broker may obtain on your behalf shares in certificated form through Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent. However, the conversion from a beneficial interest in shares legally owned by Cede & Co. as holder of legal title to the ordinary shares to actual ordinary shares, and vice versa, may require both time and the payment of processing fees to our transfer agent in addition to fees that may be levied by your brokerage firm. If you elect to hold shares directly in certificated form in your own name, which will be represented by a paper certificate, you will be a shareholder of our company and therefore you may be more easily able to exercise the shareholder rights attaching to the shares than would be the case where you hold beneficial interests in the shares held by Cede & Co. for DTC. Conversely, if you decide to hold your beneficial interests in the shares held by Cede & Co. for DTC through your brokerage or safekeeping account, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or bank. Please consult with your broker or bank to determine those procedures. If you hold your beneficial interests in our shares through DTC, because you are not an actual shareholder of our company, you may look only to your broker or bank for recourse related to your beneficial interest in the ordinary shares.

 

 

 

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OUR SHARE REGISTRAR (TRANSFER AGENT)

We have retained Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company to act as our share registrar and transfer agent in the U.S. following the consummation of this offering. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company may be contacted at 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and its affiliates in Jersey, Channel Islands are collectively responsible for managing both our legal share register in Jersey, Channel Islands and our interaction, including moving our shares into and out of, the DTC system. Our legal share register is kept at Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT.

VOTING RIGHTS

Holders of beneficial interests in the ordinary shares held by Cede & Co. for DTC will be instructed by their brokerage firms on how to exercise the voting rights for the relevant ordinary shares. The voting rights of holders of ordinary shares are described under the heading “Description of Share Capital” in this registration statement. If you are a holder of beneficial interests in our ordinary shares through Cede & Co. for DTC, we have no legal obligation to mail to you any notice of our shareholders’ meetings. However, we may provide either DTC, or the designee of DTC’s participating brokerage (in the United States, generally Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.) materials related to shareholders’ meetings and the related notices of meeting. In turn, the designee may distribute copies of materials related to shareholders’ meetings or notices to you, if you are a holder of beneficial interests through DTC, through your brokerage firm. You may instruct your brokerage firm as to how you wish it to exercise the voting rights attached to the shares in which you hold beneficial interests. However, please note that there may be practical and legal limitations in voting such shares and there is no assurance the vote associated with the ordinary shares beneficially held on your behalf by DTC will be cast in a timely manner. Your sole recourse for any voting matters will be to your brokerage firm and DTC as you are not legally considered our shareholder under Jersey law.

Holders of shares in certificated form are shareholders of our company and will receive materials and notices of meeting directly from us or our designee. Voting materials must be submitted directly back to us or as the voting materials otherwise require.

JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS REGULATORY MATTERS

A copy of this prospectus has been delivered to the registrar of companies in accordance with Article 5 of the Companies (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2002, and the registrar has given, and has not withdrawn, consent to its circulation.

The Jersey Financial Services Commission has given, and has not withdrawn, its consent under Article 2 of the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958 to the issue of our ordinary shares.

It must be distinctly understood that, in giving these consents, neither the registrar of companies nor the Jersey Financial Services Commission takes any responsibility for the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any statements made, or opinions expressed, with regard to it.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this prospectus you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other financial adviser.

The directors of the company have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated in this prospectus are true and accurate in all material respects, and that there are no other facts the omission of which would make misleading any statement in this prospectus, whether of facts or of opinion. All the directors accept responsibility accordingly.

It should be remembered that the price of securities and the income from them can go down as well as up.

 

 

 

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Shares eligible for future sale

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that there will be an active public market for our ordinary shares after completion of this offering. As described below, only a limited number of shares currently outstanding will be available for sale immediately after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, future sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, in the public market after this offering, or the perception that those sales may occur, could cause the prevailing market price for our ordinary shares to fall or impair our ability to raise capital through sales of our equity securities. Although we have applied to have our ordinary shares approved for listing on the NASDAQ under the symbol “QTNT,” there can be no assurance that we will be allocated such symbol.

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2014, upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding 14,376,547 ordinary shares, after giving effect to the issuance of 5,000,000 ordinary shares in this offering, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, our ordinary shares were held of record by 19 shareholders.

Of the shares that will be outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering, we expect that the shares to be sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144. Shares purchased by our affiliates may not be resold except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from registration, including the safe harbor under Rule 144 described below. In addition, following this offering,                  ordinary shares issuable pursuant to options granted under the 2013 plan that will be covered by a registration statement on Form S-8 will be freely tradable in the public market, subject to certain contractual and legal restrictions described below. The remaining 9,376,547 ordinary shares outstanding after this offering will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144, and we expect that substantially all of these restricted securities will be subject to the lock-up agreements described below. These restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if the sale is registered or pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as Rule 144.

LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS

We and each of our directors and executive officers and all of our shareholders, who collectively own 9,376,547 ordinary shares following this offering, have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters. Under the lock-up agreements, subject to certain exceptions, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of UBS Securities LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Cowen and Company, LLC offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or hedge our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares. These restrictions will be in effect for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, unless extended pursuant to its terms. The lock-up restrictions and specified exceptions are described in more detail in the section under the heading “Underwriting.”

RULE 144

In general, under Rule 144, immediately upon completion of this offering, any person who is not our affiliate and has held its shares for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner

 

 

 

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other than one of our affiliates, may sell shares without restriction, subject to the availability of current public information about us. In addition, under Rule 144, any person who is not our affiliate and has not been our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months and has held its shares for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares immediately upon the closing of this offering without regard to whether current public information about us is available.

A person who is our affiliate or who was our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months and who has held its shares for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, is entitled to sell a number of shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of: (i) 1% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding, which will equal approximately 143,765 shares immediately after this offering; and (ii) the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

RULE 701

In general, under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who acquired ordinary shares from us in connection with a written compensatory shares or option plan or other written agreement in compliance with Rule 701 is entitled to sell such shares in reliance on Rule 144 but without compliance with certain of the requirements contained in Rule 144. Accordingly, subject to any applicable lock-up agreements, beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under Rule 701 persons who are not our affiliates may resell those shares without complying with the minimum holding period or public information requirements of Rule 144, and persons who are our affiliates may resell those shares without compliance with Rule 144’s minimum holding period requirements.

SHARE OPTIONS AND FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT

As of March 31, 2014, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 779,462 of our ordinary shares, 79,335 of which options were vested. Following this offering, we intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register all of our ordinary shares subject to outstanding options issued under the 2013 Plan and options and other awards issuable pursuant to the 2014 Plan. For additional information, see “Executive Compensation—Equity and Incentive Plans.” Accordingly, our ordinary shares registered under the registration statement on Form S-8 will be available for sale in the open market following the effective date of the registration statement, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations applicable to affiliates, and subject to any vesting restrictions and lock-up agreements applicable to these shares.

 

 

 

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Certain tax considerations

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following discussion is the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in ordinary shares, based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, revenue rulings and revenue procedures of the Internal Revenue Service, and other administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, all available as of the date hereof. This discussion is applicable to U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally property held for investment).

For purposes of this discussion you are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of an ordinary share that is:

 

  Ø  

an individual citizen or resident of the United States, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

  Ø  

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

  Ø  

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

  Ø  

a trust if it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

This discussion does not address U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:

 

  Ø  

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

  Ø  

a financial institution;

 

  Ø  

a regulated investment company;

 

  Ø  

a real estate investment trust;

 

  Ø  

an insurance company;

 

  Ø  

a tax exempt organization;

 

  Ø  

a person holding our ordinary shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

  Ø  

a trader in securities that has elected the mark to market method of accounting for your securities;

 

  Ø  

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

  Ø  

a U.S. expatriate or former U.S. citizen or long-term resident;

 

  Ø  

an investor that holds ordinary shares through a financial account at a foreign financial institution that does not meet the requirements for avoiding future withholding with respect to certain payments under Section 1471 of the Code;

 

  Ø  

persons who acquired ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;

 

  Ø  

a person who actually or constructively owns 10% or more of our voting stock; or

 

  Ø  

a person whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar.

 

 

 

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If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding ordinary shares, you should consult your tax advisors.

The authorities upon which this discussion is based are subject to change, which could apply retroactively, and are subject to differing interpretations, either of which could affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below. This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to you in light of your particular circumstances. Moreover, this discussion does not address any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation. If you are considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of ordinary shares, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

The discussion below under “—Distributions” and “—Sale or other disposition of ordinary shares” is subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed under “—Passive foreign investment company.” See the discussion under “—Passive foreign investment company.”

DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions will be includible in a U.S. Holder’s income as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax free return of capital, and the balance in excess of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange. However, we do not expect to calculate our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and, accordingly, U.S. Holders should expect that a distribution will generally be reported as a dividend (as discussed above) even if that distribution (or a portion thereof) would otherwise be treated as a tax-free return of capital or as capital gain. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations for dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

Dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation are treated as qualified dividends provided that an investor holds the stock for at least 61 days within a specified 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the ex-dividend date and other requirements are satisfied. A non-U.S. corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends received from that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Department of the Treasury guidance indicates that shares are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on NASDAQ, as our ordinary shares are expected to be. Qualified dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which are lower than the rates applicable to ordinary income. We should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation so long as we are listed on NASDAQ. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules given their particular circumstances.

Generally, dividends will constitute non-U.S. source “passive category” income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

 

 

 

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SALE OR OTHER TAXABLE DISPOSITION OF ORDINARY SHARES

A U.S. Holder will recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss upon the sale or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ordinary shares (generally their cost in U.S. dollars). Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the ordinary shares have been held for more than one year at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are eligible for reduced rates of taxation on long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how to account for sale or other disposition proceeds that are paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

MEDICARE CONTRIBUTIONS TAX

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts must pay a 3.8% tax on their “net investment income.” Net investment income generally includes, among other things, dividend income and net gains from the disposition of stock. A U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in our ordinary shares.

PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANY

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which: (i) at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on a quarterly basis) of our assets during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (which we refer to as the PFIC asset test). For this purpose, passive income includes dividends, interest, certain royalties and rents and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If a non-U.S. corporation owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, such non-U.S. corporation will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC tests, as owning its proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and receiving its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

The PFIC asset test is generally determined based on the fair market value of a non-U.S. corporation’s assets. However, under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. corporation is required to calculate the PFIC asset test based on the adjusted tax bases of its assets. We expect to determine the value of our assets for the PFIC asset test using the fair market value of our assets, but the application of certain aspects of the relevant U.S. tax rules is not entirely clear and it is possible that we may be required to determine the value of our assets for certain quarters based on the adjusted tax bases of our assets. If we are required to do so, it is more likely that we will be classified as a PFIC for a given taxable year.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holders holds ordinary shares, our ordinary shares will continue to be treated as shares in a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding taxable years during which that U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares, unless we cease to be a PFIC and a U.S. Holder makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ordinary shares. If a U.S. Holder makes a deemed sale election, such U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold the ordinary shares held at their fair market value as of the last day of the last year during which we were a PFIC (which we refer to as the termination date). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding our possible status as a PFIC as well as the benefit of making an actual or protective deemed sale election.

Based on the projected composition of our income and value of our assets (determined using their fair market values), we do not currently expect to be a PFIC for the taxable year ending March 31, 2015 or

 

 

 

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the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurance in this regard because our status as a PFIC depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. A non-U.S. corporation is classified as a PFIC in any year in which it meets either the income or asset test discussed above, which depends on the actual financial results for each year in question. Accordingly, it is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in our asset or income composition. Because we will value our goodwill based on the market value of our equity following this offering, a decrease in the price of our ordinary shares may also result in our becoming a PFIC. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holders holds our ordinary shares, such U.S. Holder will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” received and any gain realized from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of ordinary shares. Distributions received in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares will be treated as excess distributions. Under these special tax rules:

 

  Ø  

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares;

 

  Ø  

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and

 

  Ø  

the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

The tax liability for amounts allocated to taxable years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution in which we were a PFIC cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if a U.S. Holders holds the ordinary shares as capital assets. In addition, non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us, if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. A U.S. Holder will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 (or any other form specified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury) if such U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC.

In certain circumstances, in lieu of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, a U.S. investor may make an election to include gain on the stock of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such stock is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange.” In general, our ordinary shares will be treated as “regularly traded” for a given calendar year if more than a de minimis quantity of our ordinary shares is traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter of such calendar year. We have applied to have our ordinary shares listed on NASDAQ, which should be a “qualified exchange” for this purpose. No assurance can be given that our ordinary shares will be regularly traded on a qualified exchange for purposes of the mark-to-market election.

If a U.S. Holders makes an effective mark-to-market election, such U.S. Holder will include in each year as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the end of the year over the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. Such U.S. Holder will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss each year the excess of the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares over their fair market value at

 

 

 

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the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules. Any distributions that we make would generally be subject to the rules discussed above under “Distributions,” except that the lower rate applicable to qualified dividend income would not apply. If a U.S. Holders makes a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the availability and advisability of the mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances.

Investors in certain PFICs can elect to be taxed on their share of the PFIC’s ordinary income and net capital gain by making a qualified electing fund election (which we refer to as a QEF election), which, if made, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above under the excess distribution regime. We do not expect that a U.S. Holder will be eligible to make a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares.

Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding ordinary shares if we are a PFIC in any taxable year during its holding period.

HOLDER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, that hold “specified foreign financial assets,” as defined in the Treasury regulations (which may include ordinary shares), other than in an account at a U.S. financial institution or the U.S. branch of a non-U.S. financial institution, are required to report certain information relating to such assets. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this and any other reporting requirements on their ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. Failure to comply with applicable reporting requirements could result in the imposition of substantial penalties.

INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

A U.S. Holder may be subject to information reporting on amounts received by such U.S. Holder from a distribution on, or disposition of, ordinary shares, unless such U.S. Holder establishes that it is exempt from these rules. If a U.S. Holder does not establish that it is exempt from these rules, it may be subject to backup withholding on the amounts received unless it provides a taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and the amount of any backup withholding from a payment that is received will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of ordinary shares in your particular circumstances.

Jersey, Channel Islands Taxation

The following summary of the anticipated treatment of our company and holders of ordinary shares (other than residents of Jersey, Channel Islands) is based on Jersey taxation law and practice as they are

 

 

 

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understood to apply at the date of this document and is subject to changes in such taxation law and practice. It does not constitute legal or tax advice and does not address all aspects of Jersey tax law and practice. Prospective investors in our ordinary shares should consult their professional advisers on the implications of acquiring, buying, selling or otherwise disposing of our ordinary shares under the laws of any jurisdiction in which they may be liable to taxation.

TAXATION OF QUOTIENT

We are regarded as resident for tax purposes in Jersey, Channel Islands. On the basis that we are neither a financial services company nor a utility company for the purposes of the Income Tax (Jersey) Law 1961, as amended, we are subject to income tax in Jersey at a rate of 0%. Dividends on ordinary shares may be paid by us without withholding or deduction for or on account of Jersey income tax and holders of ordinary shares (other than residents of Jersey) will not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of such ordinary shares.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

Jersey charges a tax on goods and services supplied in the Island (which we refer to as GST). On the basis that we do not belong in Jersey for the purposes of the Goods and Services Tax (Jersey) Law 2007, GST is not chargeable on supplies of services made by us. Our Directors intend to conduct our business such that no GST will be incurred by us.

STAMP DUTY

In Jersey, no stamp duty is levied on the issue or transfer of the ordinary shares except that stamp duty is payable on Jersey grants of probate and letters of administration, which will generally be required to transfer ordinary shares on the death of a holder of such ordinary shares. In the case of a grant of probate or letters of administration, stamp duty is levied according to the size of the estate (wherever situate in respect of a holder of ordinary shares domiciled in Jersey, or situate in Jersey in respect of a holder of ordinary shares domiciled outside Jersey) and is payable on a sliding scale at a rate of up to 0.75% of such estate.

Jersey does not otherwise levy taxes upon capital, inheritances, capital gains or gifts nor are there other estate duties.

If you are in any doubt as to your tax position you should consult your professional tax adviser.

 

 

 

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Cautionary statement on the enforceability of civil liabilities

U.S. laws do not necessarily extend either to us or our officers or directors. We are organized under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. Certain of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States. Substantially all of the assets of both us and our directors and officers residing outside of the United States are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process on either us or those officers and directors within the United States.

Judgments of U.S. courts may not be directly enforceable outside of the United States and the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts outside of the United States may be subject to limitations.

For example, we have been advised by our Jersey, Channel Islands counsel, Carey Olsen, that a judgment of a U.S. court is not directly enforceable in Jersey, Channel Islands. However, subject to the principles of private international law as applied by Jersey law, by which, for example, foreign judgments may be impeachable, if a final and conclusive judgment under which a debt or a definite sum of money is payable (excluding sums payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty or multiple damages) were obtained against the company or its directors or officers in any U.S. court having jurisdiction against the relevant party in respect of the relevant matter(s), (a) the courts of Jersey would, on an application properly made, recognize such judgment and give a judgment for liquidated damages in the amount of such judgment without reconsidering its merits and (b) such judgment of the courts of Jersey would thereafter be enforceable.

A judgment of a U.S. court will generally not be impeached by the courts of Jersey where the relevant U.S. court did not have jurisdiction to give the judgment, where it was obtained by fraud, where the recognition or enforcement of the judgment is contrary to public policy in Jersey or where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice.

Certain defendants may also qualify for protection under Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980, an act of the United Kingdom extended to Jersey and amended by the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 (Jersey) Order, 1983, or the PTI Act. The PTI Act provides that no court in Jersey shall entertain proceedings at common law against a qualifying defendant (i) for multiple damages, in excess of that required for actual compensation, (ii) based on a provision or rule of law specified or described in an order made under the relevant section of the PTI Act (as of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any rule of law that has been so specified or described) or (iii) on a claim for contribution in respect of damages awarded by a judgment falling within (i) or (ii) above. A “qualifying defendant” for the purposes of the PTI Act is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, a corporation or other body corporate organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, Jersey or other territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible or a person carrying on business in Jersey.

Investors may also have difficulties pursuing an original action brought in a court in a jurisdiction outside the Unites States for liabilities under U.S. securities laws.

 

 

 

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Underwriting

We are offering the ordinary shares described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. UBS Securities LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of this offering and as representatives of the underwriters. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the representatives. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the number of ordinary shares listed next to its name in the following table.

 

Underwriters    Number
of Shares

UBS Securities LLC

  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  

Cowen and Company, LLC

  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters must buy all of the ordinary shares if they buy any of them. However, the underwriters are not required to pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares as described below.

Our ordinary shares are offered subject to a number of conditions, including:

 

  Ø  

receipt and acceptance of our ordinary shares by the underwriters; and

 

  Ø  

the underwriters’ right to reject orders in whole or in part.

We have been advised by the representatives that the underwriters intend to make a market in our ordinary shares but that they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market at any time without notice.

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.

OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

We have granted the underwriters an option to buy up to an aggregate of 750,000 additional ordinary shares. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option. If the underwriters exercise this option, they will each purchase additional ordinary shares approximately in proportion to the amounts specified in the table above.

UNDERWRITING DISCOUNT

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $         per share from the initial public offering price. Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. If all the shares are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the shares at the prices and upon the terms stated therein.

 

 

 

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The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discount we will pay to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to                  additional shares.

 

       No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per share

   $         $     

Total

   $                        $                    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discount, will be approximately $3.0 million. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in an amount up to $30,000.

NO SALES OF SIMILAR SECURITIES

We, our executive officers and directors, and all holders of all of our ordinary shares have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters. Under the lock-up agreements, subject to certain exceptions, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of UBS Securities LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Cowen and Company, LLC offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or hedge our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares. These restrictions will be in effect for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time during the 180-day restricted period we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the U.S. federal securities laws and either (1) during the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days before the last day of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, then the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days after the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

UBS Securities LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Cowen and Company, LLC may, at any time and in their sole discretion, release some or all the securities from these lock-up agreements. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our ordinary shares may become available for resale into the market, subject to applicable law, which could reduce the market price of our ordinary shares.

INDEMNIFICATION

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

NASDAQ QUOTATION

We have applied to have our ordinary shares approved for listing on NASDAQ under the symbol “QTNT.”

 

 

 

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PRICE STABILIZATION, SHORT POSITIONS

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our ordinary shares during and after this offering, including:

 

  Ø  

stabilizing transactions;

 

  Ø  

short sales;

 

  Ø  

purchases to cover positions created by short sales;

 

  Ø  

imposition of penalty bids; and

 

  Ø  

syndicate covering transactions.

Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares while this offering is in progress. Stabilization transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. These transactions may also include making short sales of our ordinary shares, which involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ordinary shares than they are required to purchase in this offering and purchasing ordinary shares on the open market to cover short positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered short sales,” which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount.

The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

Naked short sales are short sales made in excess of the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ordinary shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These stabilizing transactions, short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales, the imposition of penalty bids and syndicate covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ordinary shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares. As a result of these activities, the price of our ordinary shares may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on NASDAQ, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the shares. Neither we, nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilization transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

 

 

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DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our ordinary shares. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiation among us and the representatives of the underwriters. The principal factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price include:

 

  Ø  

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representatives;

 

  Ø  

our history and prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 

  Ø  

our past and present financial performance;

 

  Ø  

our prospects for future earnings and the present state of our development;

 

  Ø  

the general condition of the securities market at the time of this offering;

 

  Ø  

the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded ordinary shares of generally comparable companies; and

 

  Ø  

other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

The estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our ordinary shares or that the ordinary shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

AFFILIATIONS

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their affiliates may from time to time in the future engage with us and perform services for us or in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in these securities and instruments.

DIRECTED SHARE PROGRAM

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 5% of the ordinary shares being offered by this prospectus for sale at the initial public offering price to our directors, officers, employees and other individuals associated with us and members of their families. The sales will be made by UBS Financial Services Inc., a selected dealer affiliated with UBS Securities LLC, an underwriter of this offering, through a directed share program. We do not know if these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved shares, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of shares available to the general public. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other ordinary shares. Participants in the directed share program who purchase more than $1,000,000 of shares shall be subject to a 25-day lock-up with respect to any shares

 

 

 

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sold to them pursuant to that program. This lock-up will have similar restrictions and an identical extension provision to the lock-up agreements described above. Any shares sold in the directed share program to our directors or executive officers shall be subject to the 180-day lock-up agreements described above.

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “ Relevant Member State ”) an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus (the “ Shares ”) may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any Shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

(a)   to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Directive;

 

(b)   by the Managers to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of Lead Manager for any such offer; or

 

(c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the Issuer or any Manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “ offer to the public ” in relation to any Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State. The expression “ Prospectus Directive ” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression “ 2010 PD Amending Directive ” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

The EEA selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out in this prospectus.

 

 

 

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NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN AUSTRALIA

This offering memorandum is not a formal disclosure document and has not been, nor will be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. It does not purport to contain all information that an investor or their professional advisers would expect to find in a prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia)) for the purposes of Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) or in a product disclosure statement for the purposes of Part 7.9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia), in either case, in relation to the securities.

The securities are not being offered in Australia to “retail clients” as defined in sections 761G and 761GA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia). This offering is being made in Australia solely to “wholesale clients” for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) and, as such, no prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document in relation to the securities has been, or will be, prepared.

This offering memorandum does not constitute an offer in Australia other than to persons who do not require disclosure under Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) and who are wholesale clients for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia). By submitting an application for our securities, you represent and warrant to us that you are a person who does not require disclosure under Part 6D.2 and who is a wholesale client for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia). If any recipient of this offering memorandum is not a wholesale client, no offer of, or invitation to apply for, our securities shall be deemed to be made to such recipient and no applications for our securities will be accepted from such recipient. Any offer to a recipient in Australia, and any agreement arising from acceptance of such offer, is personal and may only be accepted by the recipient. In addition, by applying for our securities you undertake to us that, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the securities, you will not transfer any interest in the securities to any person in Australia other than to a person who does not require disclosure under Part 6D.2 and who is a wholesale client.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN HONG KONG

The contents of this prospectus have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this prospectus, you should obtain independent professional advice. Please note that (i) our securities may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of this prospectus or any document other than to “professional investors” within the meaning of Part I of Schedule 1 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) (SFO) and any rules made thereunder, or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong) (CO) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO, and (ii) no advertisement, invitation or document relating to our securities may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere) which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN JAPAN

Our securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and our securities will not be offered or

 

 

 

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sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN SINGAPORE

This document has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this document and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “ SFA ”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where our securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired our securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 except:

 

(1)   to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

(2)   where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

(3)   where the transfer is by operation of law; or

 

(4)   as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN SWITZERLAND

The Prospectus does not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) and the shares will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Therefore, the Prospectus may not comply with the disclosure standards of the CO and/or the listing rules (including any prospectus schemes) of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Accordingly, the shares may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, but only to a selected and limited circle of investors, which do not subscribe to the shares with a view to distribution.

 

 

 

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NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to Professional Clients who are not natural persons. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The securities to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN UNITED KINGDOM

This prospectus is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (1) persons who are outside the United Kingdom; (2) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); (3) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; and (4) certified sophisticated investors falling within Article 50 of the order (all such persons falling within (1)-(4) together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The shares are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus or any of its contents.

Risk warning

To the extent that this prospectus is communicated to a ‘certified sophisticated investor’ in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, it is exempt from the general restriction (in section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) on the communication of invitations or inducements to engage in investment activity on the ground that it is made to such a person. Recipients that are certified sophisticated investors should note that:

 

1.   The requirements that must be met for a person to qualify as a ‘certified sophisticated investor’ are that the person:

 

  a.   has a current certificate in writing or other legible form signed by an authorised person to the effect that the investor is sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the risks associated with the investments described therein; and

 

  b.   has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in prescribed form and wording that the person (i) qualifies as a certified sophisticated investor with regard to listed investments and (ii) accepts that the contents of promotions and other material that the person receives may not have been approved by an authorised person and that their content may not therefore be subject to controls which would apply if the promotion were made or approved by an authorised person.

 

2.   The content of this prospectus has not been approved by an authorised person, and such approval is, unless the certified sophisticated investor exemption or any other exemption applies, required by section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

 

3.   Reliance on this communication for the purpose of engaging in any investment activity may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the property invested.

 

4.   Any person who is in any doubt about the investment to which this communication relates should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on investments of the kind in question.

 

 

 

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Legal matters

The validity of the issuance of our ordinary shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Carey Olsen, our Jersey, Channel Islands counsel, and certain other matters will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York. The underwriters are being represented by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, New York.

 

 

 

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Experts

The financial statements of Quotient Limited at March 31, 2012 and 2013, and for the three years ended March 31, 2011, March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, appearing in this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

 

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Where you can find more information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the ordinary shares offered hereby, please refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from such offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address is www.sec.gov.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above.

 

 

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

       Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preference Shares and changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

INDEX TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

       Page  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013

     F-27   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-28   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preference Shares and changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the nine months ended December 31, 2013

     F-29   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-30   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-31   

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Quotient Limited

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Quotient Limited as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, redeemable convertible preference shares and change in shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2013. 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and 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 consolidated financial position of Quotient Limited at March 31, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Belfast, United Kingdom

January 21, 2014,

except for the retroactive effect of the consolidation of 100 outstanding ordinary shares into 32 new ordinary shares as described in paragraph 5 of Note 1, as to which the date is April 14, 2014

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data)

 

     March 31,  
       2013     2012  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,219      $ 4,354   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     1,516        1,513   

Inventories

     3,324        2,659   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,112        1,443   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     10,171        9,969   

Property and equipment, net

     1,650        1,176   

Intangible assets, net

     1,070        1,212   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 12,891      $ 12,357   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERENCE SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 2,338      $ 2,120   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     1,064        357   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,024        1,712   

Capital lease obligation

     198        43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     4,624        4,232   

Long-term debt

     3,000        3,000   

Capital lease obligation, less current portion

     307        54   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,931        7,286   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

     —          —    

A Preference shares (nil par value) 12,719,954 and 12,469,954 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Aggregate preference in liquidation of $15,123 and $13,281 at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

     13,180        12,917   

B Preference shares (nil par value) 14,440,901 and 10,640,664 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Aggregate preference in liquidation of $16,737 and $11,333 at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

     14,841        10,841   

Shareholders’ deficit:

    

Ordinary shares (nil par value) zero Ordinary shares, 75,914 and 69,588 A Ordinary shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively;

     —          —     

Deferred shares (nil par value) zero and 6,326 A Deferred shares, 37,957 and 37,957 B deferred shares, 168,227 and 168,227 C deferred shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively;

     —          —     

Distribution in excess of capital

     (17,745     (18,324

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (186     53   

Accumulated deficit

     (5,130     (416
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (23,061     (18,687
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preference shares and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 12,891      $ 12,357   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data)

 

     Year ended March 31,  
       2013     2012     2011  

Revenue:

      

Product sales

   $ 13,753      $ 11,550      $ 9,545   

Other revenues

     618        669        489   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     14,371        12,219        10,034   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

     (7,169     (6,749     (5,628
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     7,202        5,470        4,406   

Operating expenses:

      

Sales and marketing

     (2,252     (1,674     (1,456

Research and development, net of government grants of $1,286, $313 and $309

     (2,617     (1,749     (1,703

General and administrative expenses:

      

Compensation expense in respect of share options and management equity incentives

     (471     —          —     

Other general and administrative expenses

     (6,353     (6,011     (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total general and administrative expense

     (6,824     (6,011     (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (11,693     (9,434     (8,505
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (4,491     (3,964     (4,099

Other income (expense):

      

Interest income

     57        87        —     

Interest expense

     (291     (427     (312

Other, net

     11        (169     (210
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

     (223     (509     (522
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,714     (4,473     (4,621

Provision for income taxes

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

      

Foreign currency (loss) gain

   $ (239   $ 548      $ 504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

     (239     548        504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (4,953   $ (3,925   $ (4,117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders 

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders—basic and diluted

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

   $ (62.97   $ (78.04   $ (81.16

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     74,866        57,317        56,936   

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERENCE SHARES AND CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data)

 

    Redeemable
Convertible
Preference Shares
          Ordinary Shares     Deferred Shares     Distribution
in Excess of
Capital
   

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income

   

Accumulated

Deficit

   

Total
Shareholders’

Equity

 
    Shares     Amount           Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount          

Balances, March 31, 2010

    —        $ —              5,574,983      $ 8,443        —        $ —        $ —        $ (366   $ (3,552   $ 4,525   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of shares

    3,447,485        1,595            59,308        —          296,542        —          —          —          —          —     

Conversion of deferred shares

    —          —              98,846        —          (98,846     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,621     (4,621

Foreign currency translation gain

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          504        —          504   
                   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          504        —          504   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, March 31, 2011

    3,447,485      $ 1,595            5,733,137      $ 8,443        197,696      $ —        $ —        $ 138      $ (8,173   $ 408   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of shares

    3,447,485        1,586            —          —          525,710        —          —          —          —          —     

Conversion of deferred shares

    —          —              19,770        —          (19,770     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,057     (4,057

Foreign currency translation gain

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          495        —          495   
                   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          495        —          495   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at February 16, 2012

    6,894,970      $ 3,181            5,752,907      $ 8,443        703,636      $ —        $ —        $ 633      $ (12,230   $ (3,154
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Removal of share capital and reserves of predecessor on transfer of net assets via a common control transaction

    (6,894,970     (3,181         (5,752,907     (8,443     (703,636     —          27        (633     12,230        3,181   

Issue of A ordinary and deferred shares

    —          —              56,936        —          225,162        —          —          —          —          —     

Issue of A Preference shares, net of issue costs of $209

    14,023,552        14,552            —          —          —          —          (14,761     —          —          (14,761

Issue of B Preference shares, net of issue costs of $360

    10,640,664        10,841            —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Repurchase of A preference shares

    (1,553,598     (1,635         —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Settlement of intercompany debt with predecessor

    —          —              —          —          —          —          (1,750     —          —          (1,750

Payment to predecessor shareholder

    —          —              —          —          —          —          (1,840     —          —          (1,840

Conversion of deferred shares

    —          —              12,652        —          (12,652     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —            (416     (416

Foreign currency translation gain

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          53        —          53   
                   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          53          53   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, March 31, 2012

    23,110,618      $ 23,758            69,588      $ —          212,510      $ —        $ (18,324   $ 53      $ (416   $ (18,687
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of A Preference shares, upon exercise of warrants

    250,000        263            —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Issue of B Preference shares, upon exercise of warrants

    3,800,237        4,000            —          —          —          —          108        —          —          108   

Conversion of deferred shares

    —          —              6,326        —          (6,326     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,714     (4,714

Foreign currency translation loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          (239     —          (239
                   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

    —          —              —          —          —          —          —          (239     —          (239

Stock-based compensation,

    —          —              —          —          —          —          471        —          —          471   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, March 31, 2013

    27,160,855      $ 28,021            75,914      $ —          206,184      $ —        $ (17,745   $ (186   $ (5,130   $ (23,061
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
       2013     2012     2011  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net loss

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621

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

      

Depreciation and amortization

     691        989        980   

Share-based compensation

     471        —          —     

Fair value of preference share warrants

     —          127        —     

Net change in assets and liabilities:

      

Trade accounts receivable, net

     (64     (86     (455

Inventories

     (776     (417     (22

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (200     1,107        292   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     720        (72     285   

Other assets

     254        (240     (16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (3,618     (3,065     (3,557

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

     (891     (350     (88

Purchase of intangibles assets

     (234     (65     (69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,125     (415     (157

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Proceeds from (repayment of) finance leases

     410        (41     (112

Proceeds from issuance of preference shares, net of issue costs

     4,263        12,217        1,595   

Repurchase of preference shares

     —          (1,635     —     

Settlement of debt with former parent company

     —          (1,750     —     

Payment to predecessor shareholder

     —          (1,840     —     

Proceeds from (repayment of) invoice discounting facility

     —          (273     273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

     4,673        6,678        1,756   

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

     (65     597        178   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (135     3,795        (1,780

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     4,354        559        2,339   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,219      $ 4,354      $ 559   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

      

Income taxes paid

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Interest paid

   $ 123      $ 412      $ 15   

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

Note 1.    Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Business

On January 18, 2012, Quotient Limited was incorporated in accordance with the Companies (Jersey) Law. On February 16, 2012, in consideration for the issue of 14,023,552 A Preference shares to Quotient Biodiagnostics Group Limited (“QBDG” or “the Predecessor”) Quotient Limited acquired the entire issued share capital of Alba Bioscience Limited (“Alba”), Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc. (“QBDI”) and QBD (QSIP) Limited (“QSIP”) from QBDG.

On February 16, 2012 Quotient Limited also: (i) issued 10,640,664 B Preference shares to third-party investors; (ii) issued 177,924 A Ordinary shares, 59,309 A Deferred shares, 118,617 B Deferred shares and 525,710 C Deferred shares to the holders of equivalent shares in QBDG; (iii) repurchased 1,553,598 A Preference shares; and (iv) received certain intellectual property rights relating to MosaiQ TM from QBDG.

The acquisition of Alba, QBDI and QSIP by Quotient Limited is a combination of entities under common control as these entities were all controlled by QBDG both prior to their acquisition by Quotient Limited and also immediately following the transaction. It recognized the assets and liabilities of Alba, QBDI and QSIP at their carrying amounts in the financial statements of those companies. The excess of the subscription value of A Preference shares issued to QBDG over the carrying amounts of transferred net assets was treated as an equity transaction and was recorded as distribution in excess of capital in the Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preference Shares and Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit. Quotient Limited is a continuation of QBDG and its subsidiaries, accordingly, the consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the subsidiaries transferred since their inception. The transfer of intellectual property rights from QBDG to QSIP is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control. All of the amounts paid by QSIP in exchange for the asset is shown as a payment to predecessor shareholder in the statements of cash flows.

The principal activity of Quotient Limited and its subsidiaries (the “Group” and or the “Company”) is the development, manufacture and sale of products for the global transfusion diagnostics market. Products manufactured by the Group are sold to hospitals, blood banking operations and other diagnostics companies worldwide.

Immediately prior to its initial public offering, the Company approved the conversion of the Company’s outstanding preferred shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares to ordinary shares and the ordinary shares then outstanding were consolidated into 32 new ordinary shares for each 100 existing ordinary shares. The number of ordinary and deferred shares and number of options to acquire ordinary shares are presented in these financial statements on the basis of the number after this consolidation. The number of preference shares are shown on the basis of the number before the consolidation.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. All gains and losses realized from foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the foreign subsidiary’s functional currency are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss) as part of other income or expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Adjustments resulting from translating

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

the financial statements of all foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and changes in shareholders’ deficit. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenue and expense amounts are translated at rates approximating the weighted average rates during the period.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair value maximized the use of observable inputs and minimized the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on the following three levels of inputs:

 

Ø  

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Ø  

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Ø  

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

See Note 4, “Fair Value Measurements,” for information and related disclosures regarding our fair value measurements.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, all cash and cash equivalents comprised readily accessible cash balances held with two related financial institutions.

Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are not interest bearing. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for potentially uncollectible trade receivables. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded as general and administrative expenses. The Company reviews its trade receivables to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In addition, the Company maintains an allowance for all other receivables not included in the specific reserve by applying specific rates of projected uncollectible receivables to the various aging categories. In determining these percentages, the Company analyzes its historical collection

 

 

 

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experience, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $45 and $0, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risks and Other Uncertainties

The carrying amounts for financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Derivative instruments, consisting entirely of foreign exchange contracts, are stated at their estimated fair values, based on quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments. The counterparties to the agreements relating to the Company’s derivative instruments consist of large financial institutions of high credit standing.

The Company’s main financial institution for banking operations holds 99% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2013.

The Company’s accounts receivable are derived from net revenue to customers and distributors located in the United States and other countries. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. The Company provides reserves for potential credit losses but has not experienced significant losses to date. There were two customers whose accounts receivable balance represented 10% or more of total accounts receivable, net, as of March 31, 2013 or March 31, 2012. These customers together represented 53% and 54% of the accounts receivable balances, as of March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

The Company currently sells products through its direct sales force and through third-party distributors. There was one direct customer that accounted for 10% or more of total product sales for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. This customer represented 55%, 45% and 37% of total product sales for the fiscal years March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost) or market, with cost determined on the first-in-first-out method. Accordingly, allocation of fixed production overheads to inventory is based on normal capacity of production. Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage are expensed as incurred and not included in overhead. No stock-based compensation cost was included in inventory as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Property and equipment

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 

Ø  

Plant, machinery and equipment—4 to 25 years;

 

Ø  

Leasehold improvements—the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Repairs and maintenance expenditures, which are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of property and equipment, are expensed as incurred.

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. During the fiscal year ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, no impairment losses have been recorded.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets related to product licenses are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets related to technology and other intangible assets acquired in acquisitions are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, on a straight-line basis as follows:

Customer relationships—5 years

Brands associated with acquired cell lines—40 years

Product licenses—10 years

Other intangibles assets—7 years

The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment and conducts the impairment review when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a long-lived asset may be impaired by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from an asset to assess whether or not a potential impairment exists. If the carrying value exceeds the Company’s estimate of future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment value is calculated as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the Company’s estimate of its fair market value. Events or circumstances which could trigger an impairment review include a significant adverse change in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, significant changes in the Company’s use of acquired assets, the Company’s overall business strategy, or significant negative industry or economic trends. No impairment losses have been recorded in any of the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Goodwill resulting from a business combination in 2007 has been fully impaired.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Customers have no right of return except in the case of damaged goods. The Company has not experienced any significant returns of its products. Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of product sales. In those cases where the Company bills shipping and handling costs to customers, the amounts billed are classified as revenue.

The Company enters into revenue arrangements that may consist of multiple deliverables of its products and services. The terms of these arrangements may include non-refundable upfront payments, milestone payments, other contingent payments and royalties on any product sales derived on collaboration. Up-front fees received in connection with collaborative agreements are deferred upon receipt, are not considered a separate unit of accounting and are recognized as revenues over the relevant performance periods. Revenues related to research and development services included in a collaboration agreement is

 

 

 

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recognized as research and services are performed over the related performance periods for each contract. A payment that is contingent upon the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved.

Revenue from technology licenses are generally fully recognized only after the license period has commenced, the technology has been delivered and no further involvement of the Company is required. When the Company has continuing involvement related to a technology license, revenue is recognized over the license term. Revenue related to research and development services, not included in a collaboration agreement is recognized as the related service is performed based on the performance requirements of the relevant contract.

Advance payments received in excess of amounts earned, such as funds received in advance of products to be delivered or services to be performed, are classified as deferred revenue until earned.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for company-sponsored and collaborative research and development activities. These costs include direct and research-related overhead expenses. The Company expenses research and development costs, including the expenses for research under collaborative agreements, as such costs are incurred. Where government grants are available for the sponsorship of such research, the grant receipt is included as a credit against the related expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

In determining fair value of the stock-based compensation payments, the Company uses the Black–Scholes model and a single option award approach, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include: the fair value of the underlying share, estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (expected term), the estimated volatility of the Company’s ordinary shares price over the expected term (expected volatility), risk-free interest rate (interest rate), expected dividends and the number of shares subject to options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (forfeitures).

Preference Share Warrant Liability

The Company accounts for freestanding warrants to purchase shares of its redeemable convertible preference shares as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets. The warrants to purchase redeemable convertible preference shares are recorded as a liability because the underlying shares are contingently redeemable and, therefore may obligate the Company to transfer value at some point. The warrants are recorded at fair value upon issuance and are subject to re-measurement to fair value at each balance sheet date, with any change in fair value recognized as component of other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The Company will continue to adjust the liability for changes in fair value until the earlier of the exercise or expiration of the warrants, the completion of a deemed liquidation event, conversion of redeemable convertible preference shares into ordinary shares, or until the holders of the redeemable convertible preference shares can no longer trigger a liquidation event. At that time, the preference share warrant liability will be classified into permanent equity.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company’s financial position is routinely subjected to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company’s policy is to mitigate the effect of these exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency denominated business exposures. The Company has a policy that allows the use of derivative financial instruments to hedge foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on forecasted revenue denominated in foreign currencies. The Company carries derivative financial instruments (derivatives) on the balance sheet at their fair values. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to more than a nominal amount of credit risk in its foreign currency hedges, as counterparties are large, global and well-capitalized financial institutions. To hedge foreign currency risks, the Company uses foreign currency exchange forward contracts, where possible and prudent. These forward contracts are valued using standard valuation formulas with assumptions about future foreign currency exchange rates derived from existing exchange rates, interest rates, and other market factors.

The Company considers its most current forecast in determining the level of foreign currency denominated revenue to hedge as cash flow hedges. The Company combines these forecasts with historical trends to establish the portion of its expected volume to be hedged. The revenue and expenses are hedged and designated as cash flow hedges to protect the Company from exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. If the underlying forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes probable that it will not occur, the related hedge gains and losses on the cash flow hedge are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss at that time.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements, but have not been reflected in taxable income. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value. Therefore, the Company provides a valuation allowance to the extent that is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.

Note 2.    Intangible Assets

 

     March 31, 2013  
       Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
     Weighted-Average
Remaining
Useful Life
 

Customer relationships

   $ 2,989       $ (2,989   $ —           —     

Brands associated with acquired cell lines

     617         (86     531         34.4 years   

Product licenses

     626         (126     500         8 years   

Other intangibles

     194         (155     39         1.4 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,426       $ (3,356   $ 1,070      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

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     March 31, 2012  
       Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
     Weighted-Average
Remaining
Useful Life
 

Customer relationships

   $ 3,130       $ (2,899   $ 231         0.4 years   

Brands associated with acquired cell lines

     649         (74     575         35.4 years   

Product licenses

     417         (82     335         8 years   

Other intangibles

     205         (134     71         2.4 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,401       $ (3,189   $ 1,212      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Amortization expense was $354, $713 and $692 in financial years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Total future amortization expense for intangible assets that have definite lives, based upon the Company’s existing intangible assets and their current estimated useful lives as of March 31, 2013, is estimated as follows:

 

2014

   $ 103   

2015

     88   

2016

     76   

2017

     76   

2018

     76   

Thereafter

     651   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,070   
  

 

 

 

Note 3.    Debt

In 2010, Alba issued $3,000 of loan notes to Haemonetics S.A. (Haemonetics). The loan notes were issued in conjunction with an Evaluation; Supply and License Agreement entered into by Alba and Haemonetics. Under that agreement, Haemonetics was granted a license to evaluate the use of blood-typing reagents developed and manufactured by the Company within the Haemonetics products. The loan notes are redeemable in March 2017 and incur interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum.

Note 4.    Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by level, within the fair value hierarchy:

 

     March 31, 2013  
       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Foreign currency forward contracts(1)

   $ 20       $ —         $ —         $ 20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 20       $ —         $ —         $ 20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

     March 31, 2013  
       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities:

           

Fair value of preference share warrants

   $ —         $ —         $ 19       $ 19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ —         $ 19       $ 19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     March 31, 2012  
       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Foreign currency forward contracts(1)

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     March 31, 2012  
       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities:

           

Fair value of preference share warrants

   $ —         $ —         $ 127       $ 127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ —         $ 127       $ 127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Contract fair values are determined based on quoted prices for similar assets in active markets using inputs such as currency rates and forward points.

The change in the estimated fair value of preference share warrant liabilities is summarized below:

 

March 31, 2011

   $  —     

Issue of warrants

     127   
  

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

     127   

Exercise of warrants

     (108
  

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

   $ 19   
  

 

 

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate their respective fair values because of the short term nature of these accounts. The fair value of long-term debt approximates the recorded value.

 

 

 

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Note 5.    Consolidated Balance Sheet Detail

Inventory

The following table summarizes inventory by category for the periods presented:

 

     March 31,  
       2013      2012  

Raw materials

   $ 1,029       $ 782   

Work in progress

     1,303         1,424   

Finished goods

     992         453   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,324       $ 2,659   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment

The following table summarizes property and equipment by categories for the periods presented:

 

     March 31,  
       2013     2012  

Plant and machinery

   $ 2,752      $ 2,234   

Leasehold improvements

     340        118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment

     3,092        2,352   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (1,442     (1,176
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

   $ 1,650      $ 1,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expenses were $337, $276 and $288 in financial years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Accrued compensation and benefits

Accrued compensation and benefits consist of the following:

 

     March 31,  
       2013      2012  

Salary and related benefits

   $ 61       $ 58   

Accrued vacation

     36         29   

Accrued payroll taxes

     397         270   

Accrued incentive payments

     570         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued compensation and benefits

   $ 1,064       $ 357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

     March 31,  
       2013      2012  

Accrued legal and professional fees

   $ 68       $ 642   

Accrued interest

     169         90   

Goods received not invoiced

     264         355   

Fair value of preference share warrants liability

     19         127   

Other accrued expenses

     504         498   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 1,024       $ 1,712   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 6.    Commitments and Contingencies

Lease commitments

The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2019. Some of the leases contain renewal options, escalation clauses, rent concessions, and leasehold improvement incentives. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense was $746, $576 and $627 in financial years ended March 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rentals on non-cancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2013:

 

2014

   $ 800   

2015

     514   

2016

     273   

2017

     218   

2018

     91   

Thereafter

     2   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum future lease payments

   $ 1,898   
  

 

 

 

The company has entered into capital leases for the purchase of equipment that has a gross and net book value of $804 and $609 respectively as of March 31, 2013 and $363 and $205 respectively as of March 31, 2102.

The following is a schedule of future annual repayments on capital leases as of March 31, 2013:

 

2014

   $ 198   

2015

     172   

2016

     135   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum future lease payments

   $ 505   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Purchase obligations

The Company has purchase obligations that are associated with agreements for purchases of goods or services. Management believes that cancellation of these contracts is unlikely and thus the Company expects to make future cash payments according to the contract terms.

The following is a schedule by years of purchase obligations as of March 31, 2013:

 

2014

   $ 2,460   

2015

     546   

2016

     46   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum future purchase obligations

   $ 3,052   
  

 

 

 

Government Grant

In 2008, the Company was awarded research and development grant funding from Scottish Enterprise amounting to £1,791 for the development of its MosaiQ TM product. The total grant claimed to March 31, 2013 is £1,521. Regular meetings are held to update Scottish Enterprise with the status of the project and while the terms of the grant award provide for full repayment of the grant in certain circumstances, the Company does not consider that any repayment is likely.

Hedging arrangements

During March 2013, the Company’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom (“UK”) entered into twelve foreign currency forward contracts to sell $300 and purchase pounds sterling at a rate of £1:$1.51 in each calendar month in the financial year ending March 31, 2014. There was no significant gain or loss on these contracts at March 31, 2013.

The foreign currency forward contracts were entered into to mitigate the foreign exchange risk arising from the fluctuations in the value of US dollar denominated transactions in entered into by our UK subsidiary. These foreign currency forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are carried on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value with the effective portion of the contracts’ gains or losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently recognized in revenue/expense in the same period the hedged items are recognized.

At inception and at each quarter end, hedges are tested prospectively and retrospectively for effectiveness. Changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts due to changes in time value are excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and are recognized in revenue in the current period. The change in time value related to these contracts was not material for all reported periods. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedge relationship must meet criteria relating both to the derivative instrument and the hedged item. These criteria include identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s cash flows will be measured. There were no gains or losses during the twelve months ended March 31, 2013 associated with ineffectiveness or forecasted transactions that failed to occur.

To receive hedge accounting treatment, hedging relationships are formally documented at the inception of the hedge and the hedges must be tested to demonstrate an expectation of providing highly effective offsetting changes to future cash flows on hedged transactions.

Note 7.    Geographic Information

The Company operates in one business segment. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the Company’s channel partners as well as direct customers.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table represents revenue attributed to countries based on the location of the customer:

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
       2013      2012      2011  

Revenue:

        

United States

   $ 6,027       $ 4,874       $ 3,560   

United Kingdom

     1,253         1,878         2,336   

France

     2,825         1,099         482   

Japan

     2,030         1,805         1,506   

Other foreign countries(1)

     2,236         2,563         2,150   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 14,371       $ 12,219       $ 10,034   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   No individual country represented more than 10% of the respective totals.

The table below lists the Company’s property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, by country. With the exception of property and equipment, the Company does not identify or allocate its assets by geographic area:

 

     March 31,  
       2013      2012  

Long-lived assets:

     

United Kingdom

   $ 1,642       $ 1,160   

United States

     8         16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,650       $ 1,176   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 8.    Ordinary, Deferred and Preference Shares

Ordinary and Deferred shares

The Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary and deferred shares consist of the following:

 

      

Shares
Issued and
Outstanding

March 31,
2013

     Shares
Issued and
Outstanding,
March 31,
2012
 

Ordinary shares

     —           —     

A Ordinary shares

     75,914         69,588   

B Ordinary shares

     —           —     

A Deferred shares

     —           6,326   

B Deferred shares

     37,957         37,957   

C Deferred shares

     168,227         168,227   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     282,098         282,098   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On February 16, 2012, the Company issued 56,936 A Ordinary shares, 18,978 A Deferred shares, 37,957 B Deferred shares and 168,227 C Deferred shares to the holders of similar shares in QBDG, the former holding company of the group.

 

 

 

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The pertinent rights and privileges of holders of the various classes of shares are as follows:

Dividend Rights .    The Ordinary shares, the A Ordinary shares and the B Ordinary shares are eligible to receive dividends and share equally with the B Preference shares in any dividends paid by the Company provided that the fixed dividend due on the A Preference Shares has been paid. The A, B and C deferred shares are not eligible to receive dividends.

Conversion Rights.     The A Deferred shares convert to A Ordinary shares over time at a rate of one A Ordinary share for each A Deferred share. The B Deferred shares convert to B Ordinary Shares at a rate of one B Ordinary share for each B Deferred share upon a fundraising or exit event with a value of $40 million or more. The C Deferred shares convert to A Ordinary shares at a rate of one A Ordinary share for each C Deferred share upon the earlier of an exit event or September 21, 2013.

Redemption Rights.     The Ordinary shares, the A Ordinary shares, the B Ordinary shares, the A Deferred shares, the B Deferred shares and the C Deferred shares have no redemption rights.

Liquidation Rights.     The assets of the Company are to be applied in the following order of priority in the event of a liquidation of the Company. Firstly, to pay to the holders of the A Preference shares and the B Preference Shares an amount equal to the original subscription price of $1.0526 per share, and a dividend of 12% per annum calculated on the original subscription price from the date of issue of the shares to the date of liquidation to the extent such dividend has not previously been paid. Secondly, to pay to the holders of the Ordinary shares an amount equal to the original subscription price. Thirdly, to pay to the holders of the A Ordinary shares and the B Ordinary shares, an amount equal to the original subscription price. Fourthly to pay to the holders of the Deferred shares the sum of one pound sterling in aggregate and the balance of any remaining assets is to be distributed equally between the holders of the Ordinary shares, the A Ordinary shares and the B Ordinary shares.

Voting rights.     The Ordinary shares have one vote per share. The A Ordinary shares, the B Ordinary shares, the A Deferred shares, the B Deferred shares and the C Deferred shares have no voting rights.

Preference shares

The Company’s issued and outstanding preference shares consist of the following:

 

      

Shares
Issued and
Outstanding

March 31,
2013

     Shares
Issued and
Outstanding,
March 31,
2012
    

Liquidation
amount
per share

March 31,
2013

    

Liquidation
amount
per share

March 31,
2012

 

A Preference shares

     12,719,954         12,469,954       $ 1.19       $ 1.07   

B Preference shares

     14,440,901         10,640,664       $ 1.16       $ 1.07   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total

     27,160,855         23,110,618         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

On February 16, 2012, the Company issued 10,640,664 no par value B Preference shares for cash of $1.0526 per share. On the same date it also issued 14,023,552 no par value A Preference shares in exchange for 100% of the issued share capital of Alba, QSIP and QBD and repurchased 1,553,598 A Preference shares from QBDG for $1.0526 per share payable in cash. It also granted warrants for the issue of up to 3,800,237 B Preference shares and 950,060 A Preference shares at $1.0526 per share. On February 14, 2013 all of the B Preference and 250,000 of the A Preference share warrants were exercised resulting in the issue of 3,800,237 B Preference shares for cash of $4,000 and 250,000 A Preference shares for cash of $263. At March 31, 2013 warrants for the issue of 700,060 A Preference shares at $1.0526 per share remain outstanding.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company recorded the A Preference shares and the B Preference shares at fair value of $1.0526 per share on the date of issuance. The Company classifies A Preference shares and the B Preference shares outside of shareholders’ equity because the shares contain certain redemption features that are not solely within the Company’s control. For the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not adjust the carrying values of A Preference shares and the B Preference shares to the deemed redemption values of such shares since no events requiring redemption of such shares were probable at each balance sheet date. Subsequent adjustments to increase the carrying values to the ultimate redemption values will be made only when it becomes probable that such events will occur.

The rights of holders of A Preference shares and the B Preference shares are as follows:

Dividend Rights.     The holders of A Preference shares are entitled to receive cumulative fixed dividends at the per share rate of 12% per annum of the original issue price out of funds legally available to be paid on September 30 each year, subject to the consent of the holders of the B preference shareholders. To date, no dividend payments have been approved or made. The holders of the B Preference shares are only entitled to dividends if and when the directors of the Company determine that such a dividend should be paid.

Conversion Rights.     The A Preference shares and the B Preference shares convert to Ordinary shares at a rate of 32 Ordinary shares for 100 A Preference shares or B preference shares at any time at the option of the holders of the Preference shares or automatically upon closing of a Qualified Public Offering as defined in the Company’s Articles of Association.

Redemption Rights.     The A Preference shares and the B Preference shares are both redeemable in equal amounts at any time after February 12, 2017 at the option of the holders of the B Preference shares.

Liquidation Rights.     The assets of the Company are to be applied in the following order of priority in the event of a liquidation of the Company. Firstly, to pay to the holders of the A Preference shares and the B Preference Shares an amount equal to the original subscription price of $1.0526 per share, and a dividend of 12% per annum calculated on the original subscription price from the date of issue of the shares to the date of liquidation to the extent such dividend has not previously been paid. Secondly, to pay to the holders of the Ordinary shares an amount equal to the original subscription price. Thirdly, to pay to the holders of the A Ordinary shares and the B Ordinary shares, an amount equal to the original subscription price. Fourthly to pay to the holders of the Deferred shares the sum of one pound sterling in aggregate and the balance of any remaining assets is to be distributed equally between the holders of the Ordinary shares, the A Ordinary shares and the B Ordinary shares.

Voting Rights.     The A Preference shares and the B Preference Shares both have one vote per share.

The fair value of the above warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
           2013              2012      

Fair value of preferred shares

     —         $ 1.05   

Risk free interest rate

     —           2.05

Weighted-average expected lives (years)

     —           1.0   

Volatility

     —           72.43

 

 

 

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Note 9.    Share-Based Compensation

The Company records share-based compensation expense in respect of options issued under the 2012 Option Plan and in respect of the deferred shares issued to employees. Share-based compensation expense amounted to $471 in the year ended March 31, 2013 and $0 in prior years.

2012 Option Plan

The 2012 Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) was designed in order to grant options on Ordinary shares in the capital of the Company to certain of its directors and employees. The purpose of the Option Plan is to provide employees with an opportunity to participate directly in the growth of the value of the Company by receiving options for shares.

Each option converts into one Ordinary share of the Company on exercise.

The 2012 Option Plan was approved by the shareholders as part of the arrangements relating to the issue of the A Preference Shares and B Preference shares on February 16, 2012.

The total number of shares in respect of which options may be granted under the 2012 Option Plan is limited at 839,509. Options that lapse or are forfeited are available to be granted again.

Options generally vest over a period of three years but certain employees have shorter vesting periods. The contractual life of all options is 10 years. Options are also only exercisable after the Company becomes a public company or in the event of an acquisition of 75% or more of the share capital of the Company by a third party.

Share option activity

The following table summarizes share option activity:

 

       Number
of Share Options
Outstanding
     Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price
     Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Months)
    

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value(1)

 

Outstanding—March 31, 2012

     —         $ —           —         $ —     

Granted

     369,400         1.44         120         566   

Exercised

     —           —           —           —     

Forfeited

     —           —           —           —     

Repurchased

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

          

Outstanding—March 31, 2013

     369,400       $ 1.44         116       $ 566   
  

 

 

          

Vested and expected to vest—March 31, 2013

     313,990       $ 1.44         116       $ 481   

Exercisable—March 31, 2013

     —         $ —           —         $ —     

 

(1)   Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares as of the end of each reporting period and the exercise price of the option.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the options granted in 2013 with their exercise prices, the fair value of ordinary shares as of the applicable grant date, and the intrinsic value, if any:

 

Grant Date    Number of
Options Granted
    

Weighted
Average

Exercise Prices

     Ordinary Shares
Fair Value Per
Share at Grant
Date
     Intrinsic
Value
 

August 31, 2012

     180,917       $ 1.44       $ 2.97       $ 277   

February 15, 2013

     188,483       $ 1.44       $ 2.97       $ 289   

Determining the fair value of share options

The fair value of each grant of share options was determined by the Company using the Black-Scholes options pricing model.

Assumptions used in the option pricing models are discussed below. Each of these inputs is subjective and generally requires significant judgment to determine.

Expected volatility .    The expected volatility was based on the historical share volatilities of a selection of the Company’s publicly listed peers over a period equal to the expected terms of the options as the Company did not have a sufficient trading history to use the volatility of its own ordinary shares.

Fair value of ordinary shares.     Transactions involving the preference share capital of the Company determined the fair values of the ordinary shares at the grant dates. The preference shares have preferred rights versus the ordinary shares as regards capital redemption and dividends but after all other shares have been paid out the balance of any residual assets is shared amongst the ordinary shareholders. The preference shareholders may convert their shares to ordinary shares at any time.

Based on these share rights, the fair value of the ordinary shares will not exceed the fair value of the preference shares but may equal it, if it appears likely that the value of the company as a whole exceeds the entitlements of the preference shares thus making it more likely than not that the preference shareholders will opt to convert their shares.

The directors have considered the progress of the company at each option award date and determined the fair market value of the ordinary shares by reference to the fair values of the preference shares plus an appropriate discount.

Risk-Free Interest Rate.     The risk-free interest rate is based on the UK Government 10-year bond yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Expected term.     The expected term is determined after giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards, graded vesting schedules ranging from one to three years and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its share-based awards.

Expected dividend.     According to the terms of the awards, the exercise price of the options is adjusted to take into account any dividends paid. As a result dividends are not required as an input to the model, as these reductions in the share price are offset by a corresponding reduction in exercise price.

 

 

 

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A summary of the weighted-average assumptions applicable to the share options is as follows:

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
       2013     2012  

Risk free interest rate

     2.05     N/A   

Weighted-average expected lives (years)

     2.33        N/A   

Volatility

     64     N/A   

Dividend Yield

     0.00     N/A   

Weighted average grant date fair value (per share)

   $ 2.97      $ —     

Value Granted (total)

   $ 1,097      $ —     

Number granted in year

     369,400        —     

The directors deemed the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares to be $2.97 per share on March 31, 2013.

As of March 31, 2013, total compensation cost related to unvested share options granted to employees not yet recognized was $783 net of estimated forfeitures. This cost will be amortized to expense over a weighted average remaining period of 2 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures.

Deferred shares

Deferred shares were granted as follows:

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
           2013             2012      

Weighted average grant date fair value (per share)

   $ —        $ 2.78   

Value Granted (total)

   $ —        $ 626   

Number granted in year

     —          225,162   

As of March 31, 2013, total compensation cost related to deferred shares granted to employees not yet recognized was $247 net of estimated forfeitures. This cost will be amortized to expense over a weighted average remaining period of 0.83 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures.

Note 10.    Income Taxes

No provision has been made for current or deferred income taxes in any period. The statutory tax rate of the Company in Jersey is 0%. The principal operating subsidiaries operate in the United States and the United Kingdom and are subject to corporate income taxes in those countries. Both these entities have incurred trading losses and no corporate income taxes have been provided for. A reconciliation of the income tax expense at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes is as follows:

 

     March 31,  
       2013     2012     2011  

Income Tax Expense at Statutory Rate

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Foreign Tax Rate Differential

     (488     (681     (1,044

Increase in valuation allowance against deferred tax assets

     488        681        1,044   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for Income Taxes

   $ —        $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Significant components of deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

     March 31,  
       2013     2012  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Provisions and reserves

   $ 5      $ 8   

Net operating loss carry forwards

     4,200        3,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

   $ 4,205      $ 3,754   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed asset basis difference

     (174     (211
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

   $ (174   $ (211
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 4,031      $ 3,543   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Valuation Allowance

     (4,031     (3,543
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company maintains a valuation allowance on net operating losses and other deferred tax assets in jurisdictions for which it does not believe it is more likely than not to realize those deferred tax assets based upon all available positive and negative evidence, including historical operating performance, carryback periods, reversal of taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and earnings expectations.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company has net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $10,939 and $4,099 of U.S. state net operating losses, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, approximately $2,625 of these tax effected carry forwards will expire between 2029 and 2033. The remaining portion of the carry forwards arose in jurisdictions where losses do not expire.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 through March 31, 2013, the Company had no amounts accrued for interest and penalties. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will result in material changes to its financial position within the next 12 months.

The Company has evaluated its tax positions in all jurisdictions at each year end and has concluded that there are no material uncertain tax positions.

The Company files consolidated and separate company income tax returns in its domestic and foreign jurisdictions. All necessary income tax filings in all jurisdictions have been completed for all years up to and including March 31, 2013 and there are no ongoing tax examinations in any jurisdiction.

Note 11.    Defined Contribution Plan

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents the contribution payable by the Company to the fund during the year. Pension costs during the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $263, $228 and $208, respectively.

 

 

 

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Note 12.    Net Loss Per Share

The Company applies the two-class method when computing its earnings per share, which requires that net income per share for each class of share (ordinary shares and preference shares) be calculated assuming 100% of the Company’s net income is distributed as dividends to each class of share based on their contractual rights.

In accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share”, basic earnings available to ordinary shareholders per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings available to ordinary shareholders per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each period, plus potential ordinary shares considered outstanding during the period, as long as the inclusion of such shares is not anti-dilutive. Potential ordinary shares consist of the incremental ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of share options (using the treasury shares method), the conversion of the Company’s deferred and preference shares and the warrants to acquire preference shares.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic loss per ordinary share. Diluted earnings per share figures are not applicable due to losses:

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
       2013     2012     2011  

Numerator:

      

Net loss

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders—diluted

   $ (4,714   $ (4,473   $ (4,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

      

Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     74,866        57,317        56,936   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

   $ (62.97   $ (78.04   $ (81.16

B preference shares are participating securities with no contractual obligation to share in the losses of the Company. Accordingly, no losses were allocated to B preference shares in the calculation of loss per share in the periods presented.

No cumulative dividend is included in net loss for EPS calculation as A preference share dividends, based on their terms are not considered earned.

Basic and diluted loss per share in 2012 and 2011 have been computed assuming the ordinary shares issued to the Company’s shareholders upon its formation were outstanding for all periods presented.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The options to purchase ordinary shares, the deferred shares, the A Preference shares, the B Preference shares and the warrants to purchase A Preference Shares and B Preference shares have been excluded from the above computation of earnings per share for the years ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following sets out the numbers of the shares, deferred shares, options and warrants excluded from the above computation of earnings per share for the years ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

     Year Ended March 31,  
       2013      2012        2011  

A Preference shares

     4,070,385         3,990,385           N/A   

Warrants to purchase A Preference shares

     224,019         304,019           N/A   

B Preference shares

     4,621,088         3,405,012           N/A   

Warrants to purchase B Preference shares

     —           1,216,076           N/A   

Deferred shares

     206,184         212,511           N/A   
          

Options to purchase ordinary shares

     369,400         —             N/A   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Anti-dilutive shares

     9,491,076         9,128,003           N/A   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

The share numbers in the above table have been adjusted to reflect the 32 for 100 ordinary share consolidation immediately prior to the Company’s initial public offering.

Note 13.    Litigation

Our subsidiary Alba is involved in a dispute with Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (“SNBTS”) related to an agreement between the two parties in 2007 pursuant to which Alba purchased its business from SNBTS. SNBTS claims that pursuant to this agreement, it is entitled to 15% of the value of the continuing business of Alba as at August 31, 2012 or approximately $3,100. Alba believes that no sums are due.

Note 14.    Subsequent Events

On December 6, 2013, the Company completed a refinancing which resulted in the issuance for cash of 929,167 new C preference shares at a price of $3.00 per share. The C preference shares have the same rights as the B preference shares in existence at March 31, 2013. In addition, at the same time the Company drew down $15 million under a new secured bank facility agreement with MidCap Financial LLC and repaid the $3 million of long term debt with Haemonetics outstanding at March 31, 2013. The new facility is repayable over a four year period with no repayments being due until eighteen months from the date of drawdown and then equal amounts being repayable monthly over the remaining thirty months.

On December 9, 2013, our newly formed Swiss subsidiary entered into the lease of a property in Eysins, Switzerland with an annual rental of 1.2 million Swiss francs. The lease runs until March 15, 2020 and there are options for the tenant to extend the lease beyond this date.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data)

 

       December 31,
2013
    March 31,
2013
 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $ 4,219   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     1,841        1,516   

Inventories

     4,469        3,324   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,410        1,112   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     23,476        10,171   

Property and equipment, net

     1,907        1,650   

Intangible assets, net

     995        1,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 26,378      $ 12,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERENCE SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 3,125      $ 2,338   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     1,225        1,064   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     2,865        1,024   

Finance lease liabilities

     196        198   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     7,411        4,624   

Long-term debt

     14,579        3,000   

Finance lease liabilities, less current portion

     194        307   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     22,184        7,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

A Preference shares (nil par value) 12,719,954 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013.

     13,180        13,180   

B Preference shares (nil par value) 14,583,407 and 14,440,901 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively

     14,991        14,841   

C Preference shares (nil par value) 929,167 and zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

     2,592        —     

Shareholders’ deficit:

    

Ordinary shares (nil par value) 40,029 and zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively;

     59       —     

A Ordinary shares (nil par value) 244,141 and 75,914 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively;

     —          —     

B Ordinary shares (nil par value) 37,957 and zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively;

     —          —     

Deferred shares (nil par value) zero A Deferred shares, zero and 37,957 B deferred shares, zero and 168,227 C deferred shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively;

     —          —     

Distribution in excess of capital

     (17,025     (17,745

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     479        (186

Accumulated deficit

     (10,082     (5,130
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (26,569     (23,061
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preference shares and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 26,378      $ 12,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data)

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
       2013     2012  

Revenue:

    

Product sales

   $ 12,332      $ 10,319   

Other revenues

     2,768        618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     15,100        10,937   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue:

     (6,271     (5,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     8,829        5,553   

Operating expenses:

    

Sales and marketing

     (2,057     (1,630

Research and development, net of government grants

     (4,916     (1,883

General and administrative expenses:

    

Compensation expense in respect of share options and management equity incentives

     (701     (335

Other general and administrative expenses

     (5,442     (4,584
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total general and administrative expense

     (6,143     (4,919
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (13,116     (8,432
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (4,287     (2,879

Other income (expense):

    

Interest expense, net

     (582     (192

Other, net

     (83     29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other (expense), net

     (665     (163
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (4,952     (3,042

Provision for income taxes

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Foreign currency gain

   $ 665      $ 22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     665        22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (4,287   $ (3,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders—basic and diluted

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

   $ (34.34   $ (40.82

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     144,178        74,523   

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERENCE SHARES AND CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data)

 

    Redeemable
Convertible
Preference Shares
          Ordinary Shares     Deferred Shares     Distribution
in Excess of
Capital
   

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income

   

Accumulated

Deficit

    Total
Shareholders’
Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount           Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount          

Balances, March 31, 2013

    27,160,855      $ 28,021            75,914      $ —          206,184      $ —        $ (17,745   $ (186   $ (5,130   $ (23,061
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of shares, upon exercise of warrant

    142,506        150            —         —         —         —         19        —         —         19   

Issue of shares, net of expenses of $195

    929,167        2,592            40,029        59        —          —          —          —          —          59   

Conversion of shares

    —         —             206,184        —         (206,184     —         —         —         —         —    

Net loss

    —         —             —         —         —         —         —         —         (4,952     (4,952

Foreign currency translation gain

    —         —             —         —         —         —         —         665        —         665   
                   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    —         —             —         —         —         —         —         665        —         665   

Stock-based compensation, net of repurchases

    —         —             —         —         —         —         701        —         —         701   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, December 31, 2013

    28,232,528      $ 30,763            322,127      $ 59       —        $ —        $ (17,025   $ 479      $ (10,082   $ (26,569
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
       2013     2012  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     376        568   

Stock-based compensation

     701        335   

Net change in assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable, net

     (148     (263

Inventories

     (949     (530

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     821        (60

Accrued compensation and benefits

     154        564   

Other assets

     (592     338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (4,589     (2,090

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets

     (416     (675

Refund (purchase) of intangibles assets

     87        (82
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (329     (757

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from (repayment of) finance leases

     (149     299   

Proceeds from drawdown of new debt

     15,000        —    

Repayment of debt

     (3,000     —     

Debt issue costs

     (557     —    

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares

     59        —    

Proceeds from issuance of preference shares

     2,885        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

     14,238        299   

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

     217        (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     9,537        (2,635

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     4,219        4,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $ 1,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

    

Income taxes paid

   $ —       $ —    

Interest paid

   $ 296      $ 114   

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars — except for share data and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

Note 1.    Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

The principal activity of Quotient Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the Group) is the development, manufacture and sale of products for the global transfusion diagnostics market. Products manufactured by the Group are sold to hospitals, donor collection agencies, independent testing laboratories, and other diagnostics companies worldwide.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In accordance with those rules and regulations, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The March 31, 2013 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements at and for the year ended March 31, 2013 included in this Form S-1. The results of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2014.

Immediately prior to its initial public offering, the Company approved the conversion of the Company’s outstanding preferred shares, A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares to ordinary shares and the ordinary shares then outstanding were consolidated into 32 new ordinary shares for each 100 existing ordinary shares. The number of ordinary and deferred shares and number of options to acquire ordinary shares are presented in these financial statements on the basis of the number after this consolidation. The number of preference shares are shown on the basis of the number before the consolidation.

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, all cash and cash equivalents comprised readily accessible cash balances.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are not interest bearing. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for potentially uncollectible trade receivables. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded as general and administrative expenses. The Company reviews its trade receivables to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In addition, the Company maintains an allowance for all other receivables not included in the specific reserve by applying specific rates of projected uncollectible receivables to the various aging categories. In determining these percentages, the Company analyzes its historical collection experience, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013 was $45 and $45, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risks and Other Uncertainties

The carrying amounts for financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Derivative instruments, consisting entirely of foreign exchange contracts, are stated at their estimated fair values, based on quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments. The counterparties to the agreements relating to the Company’s derivative instruments consist of large financial institutions of high credit standing.

The Company’s main financial institution for banking operations and its subsidiary together hold 99% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013.

The Company’s accounts receivable are derived from net revenue to customers and distributors located in the United States and other countries. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. The Company provides reserves for potential credit losses but has not experienced significant losses to date. There was one customer whose accounts receivable balance represented 10% or more of total accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2013 or March 31, 2013. This customer represented 56% and 53% of the accounts receivable balances, as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

The Company currently sells products through its direct sales force and through third-party distributors. There was one direct customer that accounted for 10% or more of total product sales for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. This customer represented 57% and 55% of total product sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair value maximized the use of observable inputs and minimized the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on the following three levels of inputs:

 

Ø  

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Ø  

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that

 

 

 

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are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Ø  

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

See Note 6, “Commitment and Contingencies,” for information and related disclosures regarding our fair value measurements.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost) or market, with cost determined on the first-in-first-out method. Accordingly, allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory is based on normal capacity of production. Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage are expensed as incurred and not included in overhead. No stock-based compensation cost was included in inventory as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013.

Property and equipment

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 

Ø  

Plant, machinery and equipment—4 to 25 years;

 

Ø  

Leasehold improvements—the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Repairs and maintenance expenditures, which are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of property and equipment, are expensed as incurred.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets related to product licenses are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets related to technology and other intangible assets acquired in acquisitions are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, on a straight-line basis as follows:

Customer relationships—5 years

Brands associated with acquired cell lines—40 years

Product licenses—10 years

Other intangibles assets—7 years

The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment and conducts the impairment review when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a long-lived asset may be impaired by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from an asset to assess whether or not a potential impairment exists. No impairment losses have been recorded in either nine month period ended December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

reasonably assured. Customers have no right of return except in the case of damaged goods. The Company has not experienced any significant returns of its products. Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of product sales. In those cases where the Company bills shipping and handling costs to customers, the amounts billed are classified as revenue.

The Company enters into revenue arrangements that may consist of multiple deliverables of its products and services. The terms of these arrangements may include non-refundable upfront payments, milestone payments, other contingent payments and royalties on any product sales derived on collaboration. Up-front fees received in connection with collaborative agreements are deferred upon receipt, are not considered a separate unit of accounting and are recognized as revenues over the relevant performance periods. Revenues related to research and development services included in a collaboration agreement is recognized as research and services are performed over the related performance periods for each contract. A payment that is contingent upon the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved.

In June 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc. (“OCD”) to develop a range of rare antisera products. The Company had been working on this project for more than a year before the formal agreement was signed with OCD. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is entitled to receive milestone payments of $2,750 upon the receipt of CE-marks for the rare antisera products, $1,400 upon the receipt of FDA approval of the rare antisera products and two further milestones of $500 each upon the updating of the CE-mark and FDA approvals to cover use of the products on OCD’s automation platform. The Company concluded that as each of these milestones required significant levels of development work to be undertaken and there was no certainty at the start of the project that the development work would be successful, these milestones are substantive and will be accounted for under the milestone method of revenue recognition. During the nine month period ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $2,750 of milestone revenue relating to the achievement of the CE marketing milestone. The agreement also contains one further milestone of $650 payable when OCD orders $250 of the rare antisera products covered by the agreement. This payment, if received at some future date, will represent a royalty payment and will be recognized when the sales target is achieved.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for company-sponsored and collaborative research and development activities. These costs include direct and research-related overhead expenses. The Company expenses research and development costs, including the expenses for research under collaborative agreements, as such costs are incurred. Where government grants are available for the sponsorship of such research, the grant receipt is included as a credit against the related expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

 

 

 

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In determining fair value of the stock-based compensation payments, the Company uses the Black–Scholes model and a single option award approach, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include: the fair value of the underlying share, estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (expected term), the estimated volatility of the Company’s ordinary shares price over the expected term (expected volatility), risk-free interest rate (interest rate), expected dividends and the number of shares subject to options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (forfeitures).

Note 3.    Intangible Assets

 

     December 31, 2013  
       Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining

Useful Life

 

Customer relationships

   $ 3,261       $ (3,261   $ —           —     

Brands associated with acquired cell lines

     672         (106     566         33.7 years   

Product licenses

     595         (186     409         6.9 years   

Other intangibles

     212         (192     20         0.7 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,740       $ (3,745   $ 995      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    
     March 31, 2013  
       Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining

Useful Life

 

Customer relationships

   $ 2,989       $ (2,989   $ —           —     

Brands associated with acquired cell lines

     617         (86     531         34.4 years   

Product licenses

     626         (126     500         8.0 years   

Other intangibles

     194         (155     39         1.4 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,426       $ (3,356   $ 1,070      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Note 4.    Debt

Long-term debt comprises:

 

     December 31,
2013
    March 31,
2013
 

Long-term debt

   $ 15,000      $ 3,000   

Fair value of associated preference share warrant

     (421     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 14,579      $ 3,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On December 9, 2013, the Company drew down $15,000 under a new secured bank facility agreement with MidCap Financial LLC and repaid the $3,000 of long-term debt with Haemonetics outstanding at March 31, 2013. The new facility is repayable over a four year period with no repayments being due until eighteen months from the drawdown date and then equal amounts being repayable monthly over the remaining thirty months. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 6.7%. The LIBOR rate applicable is the higher of the actual market rate from time to time or 2.0%.

 

 

 

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QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The outstanding debt is repayable as follows:

 

2014

   $ —     

2015

     —     

2016

     4,500   

2017

     6,500   

2018

     4,500   
  

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 15,000   
  

 

 

 

Note 5.    Consolidated Balance Sheet Detail

Inventory

The following table summarizes inventory by category for the periods presented:

 

       December 31,
2013
    

March 31,

2013

 
Raw materials    $ 1,208       $ 1,029   
Work in progress      2,111         1,303   
Finished goods      1,149         992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total    $ 4,468       $ 3,324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment

The following table summarizes property and equipment by categories for the periods presented:

 

       December 31,
2013
   

March 31,

2013

 

Plant and machinery

   $ 3,305      $ 2,752   

Leasehold improvements

     477        340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment

     3,782        3,092   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (1,875     (1,442
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

   $ 1,907      $ 1,650   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expenses were $298 and $245 in nine month periods ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 respectively.

 

 

 

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Accrued compensation and benefits

Accrued compensation and benefits consist of the following:

 

       December 31,
2013
    

March 31,

2013

 

Salary and related benefits

   $ 250       $ 61   

Accrued vacation

     40         36   

Accrued payroll taxes

     278         397   

Accrued incentive payments

     657         570   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued compensation and benefits

   $ 1,225       $ 1,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

       December 31,
2013
    

March 31,

2013

 

Accrued legal and professional fees

   $ 537       $ 68   

Accrued interest

     94         169   

Goods received not invoiced

     621         264   

Fair value of preference share warrants liability

     421         19   

Other accrued expenses

     1,192         504   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 2,865       $ 1,024   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 6.    Commitments and Contingencies

Government Grant

In 2008, the Company was awarded research and development grant funding from Scottish Enterprise amounting to £1,791 for the development of MosaiQ TM . The total grant claimed to December 31, 2013 is £1,702. Regular meetings are held to update Scottish Enterprise with the status of the project. While the terms of the grant award provide for full repayment of the grant in certain circumstances, the Company does not consider that any repayment is likely.

Hedging arrangements

The Company’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom (“UK”) has entered into six forward exchange contracts to sell $300 and purchase pounds sterling at a rate of £1:$1.51 in each calendar month through June 2014.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by level, within the fair value hierarchy:

 

     December 31, 2013  
       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Foreign currency forward contracts

   $ 174       $ —         $ —         $ 174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 174       $ —         $ —         $ 174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2013  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities:

           

Fair value of preference share warrants

   $ 421       $ —         $ —         $ 421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ 421       $ —         $ —         $ 421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     March 31, 2013  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Foreign currency forward contracts

   $ 20       $ —         $ —         $ 20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 20       $ —         $ —         $ 20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     March 31, 2013  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities:

           

Fair value of preference share warrants

   $ —         $ —         $ 19       $ 19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ —         $ 19       $ 19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The change in the estimated fair value of preference share warrant liabilities is summarized below:

 

March 31, 2013

   $ 19   

Exercise of warrants

     (19

Issue of warrants

     421   
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

   $ 421   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Note 7.    Ordinary, Deferred and Preference Shares

Ordinary and Deferred shares

The Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary and deferred shares consist of the following:

 

      

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding

December 31,

2013

    

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding,

March 31,

2013

     Par value  

Ordinary shares

     40,029         —         $ —     

A Ordinary shares

     244,141         75,914         —     

B Ordinary shares

     37,957         —           —     

B Deferred shares

     —           37,957         —     

C Deferred shares

     —           168,227         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     322,127         282,098       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preference shares

The Company’s issued and outstanding preference shares consist of the following:

 

      

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding

December 31,

2013

    

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding,

March 31,

2013

    

Liquidation

amount per

share

December 31,

2013

    

Liquidation

amount per

share

March 31,

2013

 

A Preference shares

     12,719,954         12,719,954       $ 1.11       $ 1.19   

B Preference shares

     14,583,407         14,440,901       $ 1.25       $ 1.16   

C Preference shares

     929,167         —         $ 3.03         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total

     28,232,528         27,160,855         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

142,506 A Preference shares warrants were exercised on June 28, 2013 resulting in the issue of 142,506 A Preference shares for cash of $1.0526 per share. The remaining outstanding warrants to acquire A Preference shares were cancelled on that date. The 142,506 A Preference shares issued on June 28, 2013 were converted to B Preference shares in December 2013. On December 6, 2013, the Company issued 929,167 new C Preference shares at a price of $3.00 per share. The C Preference shares have the same rights as the B Preference shares.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Note 8.    Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation expense in respect of options issued under the 2012 Option Plan and in respect of the deferred shares issued to employees. Stock-based compensation expense amounted to $701 and $335 in the nine month periods ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 respectively.

2012 Option Plan

Share option activity

The following table summarizes share option activity:

 

      

Number

of Share Options

Outstanding

   

Weighted-

Average Exercise

Price

    

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual Life

(Months)

    

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value(1)

 

Outstanding—March 31, 2013

     369,400      $ 1.44         116         2,932   

Granted

     397,949      $ 3.41         120         2,372   

Exercised

     (40,029   $ 1.44         —           (318

Forfeited

     (6,564   $ 1.44         —           (52

Repurchased

     —          —           —           —     
  

 

 

         

Outstanding—December 31, 2013

     720,756      $ 2.53         111       $ 4,394   
  

 

 

         

Vested and expected to vest—December 31, 2013

     612,645      $ 2.53         111       $ 4,193   

Exercisable—December 31, 2013

     40,029      $ 1.44         104       $ 318   

 

(1)   Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares as of the end of each reporting period and the exercise price of the option.

The following table summarizes the options granted in the current financial year with their exercise prices, the fair value of ordinary shares as of the applicable grant date, and the intrinsic value, if any:

 

Grant Date   

Number of

Options Granted

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise Prices

  

Ordinary Shares

Fair Value Per

Share at Grant

Date

   Intrinsic
Value

April 11, 2013

       96,000        $ 0.003        $ 2.97        $ 285  

June 28, 2013

       241,614        $ 3.28          $ 3.29        $ —    

November 18, 2013

       60,335        $ 9.38          $ 9.38        $ —    

Determining the fair value of share options and deferred shares

The fair value of each grant of share options and deferred shares was determined by the Company using the Black-Scholes options pricing model.

Assumptions used in the option pricing models are discussed below. Each of these inputs is subjective and generally requires significant judgment to determine.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

  

 

 

Expected volatility .    The expected volatility was based on the historical share volatilities of two of the Company’s publicly listed peers over a period equal to the expected terms of the options as the Company did not have a sufficient trading history to use the volatility of its own ordinary shares.

Fair value of ordinary shares.     Transactions involving the preference share capital of the Company determined the fair values of the preference shares at those dates. The preference shares have preferred rights versus the ordinary shares as regards capital redemption and dividends but after all other shares have been paid out the balance of any residual assets is shared amongst the ordinary shareholders. The preference shareholders may convert their shares to ordinary shares at any time.

Based on these share rights, the fair value of the ordinary shares will not exceed the fair value of the preference shares but may equal it, if it appears likely that the value of the company as a whole exceeds the entitlements of the preference shares thus making it more likely than not that the preference shareholders will opt to convert their shares.

The directors have considered the progress of the company at each option award date and determined the fair market value of the ordinary shares by reference to the fair values of the preference shares plus an appropriate discount.

Risk-Free Interest Rate.     The risk-free interest rate is based on the UK Government 10-year bond yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Expected term.     The expected term is determined after giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, graded vesting schedules ranging from one to three years and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards.

Expected dividend.     According to the terms of the awards, the exercise price of the options is adjusted to take into account any dividends paid. As a result dividends are not required as an input to the model, as these reductions in the share price are offset by a corresponding reduction in exercise price.

A summary of the assumptions applicable to the share options issued in the current financial year is as follows:

 

       April 11, 2013     June 28, 2013     November 18, 2013  

Risk free interest rate

     2.05     2.05     2.77

Expected lives (years)

     3        3        3   

Volatility

     59.97     59.97     59.72

Dividend Yield

     —          —          —     

Grant date fair value (per share)

   $ 2.97      $ 3.29      $ 9.38   

Value Granted (total)

   $ 285      $ 793        566   

Number granted

     96,000        241,614        60,035   

Note 9.    Net Loss Per Share

The Company applies the two-class method when computing its earnings per share, which requires that net income per share for each class of share (ordinary shares and preference shares) be calculated assuming 100% of the Company’s net income is distributed as dividends to each class of share based on their contractual rights.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share”, basic earnings available to ordinary shareholders per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings available to ordinary shareholders per share is computed based on the weighted- average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each period, plus potential ordinary shares considered outstanding during the period, as long as the inclusion of such shares is not anti-dilutive. Potential ordinary shares consist of the incremental ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of share options (using the treasury shares method), the conversion of the Company’s deferred and preference shares and the warrants to acquire preference shares.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per ordinary share. Diluted earnings per share figures are not applicable due to losses:

 

     Nine months ended
December 31
 
       2013     2012  

Numerator:

    

Net loss

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders—basic

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss available to ordinary shareholders—diluted

   $ (4,952   $ (3,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

    

Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     144,178        74,523   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss per ordinary share—basic and diluted

   $ (34.34   $ (40.82

The options to purchase ordinary shares, the deferred shares, the A Preference shares, the B Preference shares, the C Preference shares and the warrants to purchase A Preference shares, B Preference shares and C Preference shares have been excluded from the above computations of earnings per share.

B Preference shares and C Preference shares are participating securities with no contractual obligation to share in the losses of the Company. Accordingly, no losses were allocated to B Preference shares and C Preference shares in the calculation of loss per share in the periods presented.

No cumulative dividend is included in net loss for the loss per share calculation as A Preference share dividends, based on their terms are not considered earned.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

Until         , 2014, 25 days after the date of this prospectus, all dealers that buy, sell or trade our ordinary, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 


Table of Contents

  

 

 

Part II

Information not required in prospectus

Item 13. Other expenses of issuance and distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale of ordinary shares being registered. All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and The NASDAQ Global Market listing fee.

 

Item    Amount to be paid  

SEC registration fee

   $ 11,850   

FINRA filing fee

   $ 14,900   

The NASDAQ Global Market listing fee

   $ 125,000   

Blue sky fees and expenses

   $ 10,000   

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ 300,000   

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 1,250,000   

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 750,000   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   $ 19,660   

Miscellaneous expenses

   $ 500,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,981,410   
  

 

 

 

* To be furnished by amendment

Item 14. Indemnification of directors and officers

Upon the consummation of this offering we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers which may require us to indemnify them against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers (other than with respect to claims where they are determined to have breached their fiduciary duties to us), and to advance their expenses, including legal expenses, incurred as a result of any investigation, suit or other proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. Generally, the maximum obligation under such indemnifications is not explicitly stated and, as a result, the overall amount of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. If we were to incur a loss in connection with these arrangements, it could affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

In the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors and officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.

Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities

In the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

On February 18, 2011, our predecessor, Quotient Biodiagnostics Group Limited, or QBDG, issued 1,723,742 preference shares to Deidre Cowan for a purchase price of £500,000.

 

 

 

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On April 15, 2011, QBDG issued 12,652 A ordinary shares to Jeremy Stackawitz upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On May 15, 2011, QBDG issued 3,163 A ordinary shares to an employee upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On June 15, 2011, QBDG issued 3,163 A ordinary shares to an employee upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On August 10, 2011, QBDG issued 1,723,743 preference shares to Deidre Cowan for a purchase price of £500,000, and an aggregate of 168,227 C deferred shares to certain of its senior executives for an aggregate purchase price of $240,831.

On November 3, 2011, QBDG issued 1,723,742 preference shares to Deidre Cowan for a purchase price of £500,000.

On February 16, 2012, we issued 14,023,552 A preference shares to QBDG in connection with our acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Alba Bioscience Limited, Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc. and QBD (QSIP) Limited. We issued 56,734 A ordinary shares, 18,979 A deferred shares, 37,957 B deferred shares and 168,227 C deferred shares to certain of our senior executives to replace equivalent shares previously issued to the same senior executives by QBDG. We also issued 10,640,664 new B preference shares to Galen Partners LLP and affiliated entities, or Galen, and Thomas Bologna at an issue price of $1.0526 per new B preference share, raising $11.2 million. We granted warrants to QBDG, Galen and Thomas Bologna allowing them to subscribe for up to 4,750,296 A preference or B preference shares for a total subscription price of $5.0 million.

On March 20, 2012, we issued 12,652 A ordinary shares to Jeremy Stackawitz upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On May 20, 2012, we issued 3,163 A ordinary shares to an employee upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On June 10, 2012, we issued 3,163 A ordinary shares to an employee upon the conversion of previously issued A deferred shares.

On August 31, 2012, we granted options to acquire 180,916 ordinary shares at an exercise price of £0.91 per share to certain of our directors and employees.

On February 14, 2013, we issued an aggregate of 3,762,316 B preference shares to Galen, after Galen exercised its warrants, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,960,085. We issued 37,921 B preference shares to Thomas Bologna, after Thomas Bologna exercised his warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $39,914. We issued 250,000 A preference shares to QDBG, after QDBG exercised its warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $263,141.

On February 15, 2013, we granted options to acquire 188,482 ordinary shares at an exercise price of £0.91 per share to certain of our employees.

On April 11, 2013, we granted options to acquire 96,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of £0.003 per share to Edward Farrell.

On June 28, 2013, we granted options to acquire 241,614 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $3.29 per share to certain of our directors and employees.

 

 

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Part II    Information not required in prospectus

 

 

On July 9, 2013, we issued 142,506 A preference shares to QDBG, after QDBG exercised its warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $149,997.

On September 21, 2013, we issued 168,227 A ordinary shares to certain of our senior executives upon conversion of previously issued C deferred shares.

On November 18, 2013, we granted options to acquire 60,175 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $9.38 per share to certain of our directors and employees.

On December 6, 2013, in connection with the refinancing of certain of our outstanding indebtedness with the MidCap facility described below, we issued 666,667 C preference shares to Galen for an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,001. We also issued an aggregate of 262,500 C preference shares to certain of our officers, directors and employees for an aggregate purchase price of $787,500.

On December 6, 2013, we entered into a secured term loan facility with MidCap Financial LLC, or MidCap. Under the terms of the agreement, we granted MidCap a warrant to purchase 200,000 C preference shares at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.

On December 6, 2013, we also issued 37,957 B ordinary shares to Jeremy Stackawitz upon conversion of previously issued B deferred shares and 142,506 B preference shares to certain of our directors upon conversion of previously issued A preference shares.

On December 23, 2013, we issued 20,014 ordinary shares to David Azad and John Wilkerson, each, after they exercised their share options, for an aggregate purchase price of $29,653.

On February 13, 2014, we granted options to acquire 12,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $9.38 per share to certain of our employees.

On March 5, 2014, we granted to Stephen Unger options to acquire 67,200 ordinary shares at an exercise price per share equal to the price at which we sell the securities in this offering.

On March 28, 2014, we issued 20,014 shares to Zubeen Shroff after he exercised his share options, for an aggregate purchase price of $187,638.

The above issuances were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, as transactions occurring outside of the United States, or under Section 3(a)(9) thereof, as transactions involving exchanges with existing security holders, or under Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering, or Rule 701, as transactions pursuant to compensatory benefit plans and contracts related to compensation. No underwriters were used in connection with any of the foregoing transactions. The purchasers of securities in each such transaction (other than the transactions involving conversions of previously issued securities) represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to offer or sell, in connection with any distribution of the securities.

Item 16. Exhibits and financial statement schedules

 

(a)   Exhibits

See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-1, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)   Financial statement schedules

No financial statement schedules are provided because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

  

 

 

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)   That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)   That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

 

II-4


Table of Contents

  

 

 

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Edinburgh, Scotland on April 14, 2014.

 

QUOTIENT LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Paul Cowan

Name: Paul Cowan

Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of

the Board of Directors

***

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Paul Cowan

Paul Cowan

   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
  April 14, 2014

/s/    Stephen Unger

Stephen Unger

   Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 

April 14, 2014

/s/    Roland Boyd

Roland Boyd

   Group Financial Controller and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 

April 14, 2014

*

Thomas Bologna

   Director  

April 14, 2014

*

Frederick Hallsworth

   Director  

April 14, 2014

 

 

 

II-5


Table of Contents

  

 

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Brian McDonough

   Director  

April 14, 2014

*

Zubeen Shroff

   Director  

April 14, 2014

*

John Wilkerson

   Director  

April 14, 2014

/s/    Stephen Unger

Stephen Unger

   Authorized Representative in the United States  

April 14, 2014

 

*By:

 

/s/    Stephen Unger

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

II-6


Table of Contents

  

 

 

Exhibit
number

    

Description of exhibit

  1.1      

Form of Underwriting Agreement

  3.1      

Amended Articles of Association

  4.1      

Form of Ordinary Shares Certificate

  4.2**      

Warrant to Purchase C Preference Shares, dated December 6, 2013, issued to Midcap Funding V, LLC

  5.1      

Opinion of Carey Olsen

  8.1      

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP as to U.S. tax matters

  10.1†**      

Credit, Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated December 6, 2013, between Midcap Funding V, LLC and Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc.

  10.2**      

Service Agreement, dated February 16, 2012, between Quotient Biodiagnostics Holding Limited and Paul Cowan

  10.3**      

Employment Agreement, dated March 9, 2009, between Alba Bio Science Limited and Jeremy Stackawitz

  10.4**      

Service Agreement, dated November 21, 2012, between Quotient Biodiagnostics Holding Limited and Edward Farrell

  10.5**      

Service Agreement, dated August 14, 2012, between Quotient Biodiagnostics Holdings Limited and Roland Boyd

  10.6**      

Employment agreement, dated March 5, 2014, between Quotient Limited and Stephen Unger

  10.7**      

Umbrella Supply Agreement, dated December 1, 2004, between Alba Bioscience, a division of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, predecessor to Alba Bioscience Limited, acting on behalf of The Common Services Agency, and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc.

  10.8**      

Assignment Agreement of the Supply Umbrella Agreement, dated September 3, 2007, between Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc. and The Common Services Agency acting through its division the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

  10.9†**      

STRATEC Development Agreement, dated January 7, 2014, between Stratec Biomedical AG and QBD (QSIP) Ltd.

  10.10**      

Shareholders Agreement, dated February 16, 2012, by and among Quotient Biodiagnostics Holdings Limited, each holder of the Corporation’s A Preference Shares, B Preference Shares, Ordinary Shares, A Deferred Shares, B Deferred Shares, C Deferred Shares, A Ordinary Shares and B Ordinary Shares

  10.11**      

Future Master Services Agreement, dated April 1, 2013, between Future Diagnostics BV and QDB (QSIP) Limited and its subsidiaries.

  10.12**      

Eysins, Switzerland Lease Agreement, dated March 10, 2010, between Nemaco Fléchères B.V. and Nemaco Suisse SA

  10.13**      

Eysins, Switzerland, Lease Assignment Agreement, dated December 9, 2013, by and among Fidfund Management SA, Mondelez Europe GmbH, Quotient Suisse SA and Quotient Limited.

  10.14**      

Edinburgh, Scotland Lease Agreement, dated July 26, 2007, between the Scottish Ministers and Dalglen (No. 1062) Limited

  10.15**      

Edinburgh, Scotland, Minute of Variation of Lease and Guarantee, dated September 21, 2011, among Alba Bioscience Limited (formerly Dalglen (No. 1062) Limited, Quotient Biodiagnosis Group Limited, and the Scottish Ministers

  10.16      

Form of Indemnification Agreement.

  10.17**      

2013 Enterprise Management Plan

  10.18      

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

  10.19†**      

TTP Master Development Agreement, dated January 4, 2010, between The Technology Partnership plc and QBD (QS-IP) Limited.

  10.20†**      

TTP Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, dated March 4, 2014, between The Technology Partnership plc and QBD (QS-IP) Limited.

  10.21**      

First Amendment to the STRATEC Development Agreement, dated March 3, 2014, between STRATEC Biomedical AG and QBD (QS-IP) Limited.

 

 

 

II-7


Table of Contents

  

 

 

Exhibit
number

    

Description of exhibit

  10.22†**      

STRATEC Supply and Manufacturing Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, between STRATEC Biomedical AG and QBD (QS-IP) Limited.

  10.23†**      

SCHOTT Supply Agreement, dated March 27, 2014, between Schott Technical Glass Solutions GmbH and QBD (QS-IP) Limited.

  10.24      

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

  10.25      

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement

  10.26      

Form of Option Award Agreement

  21.1**      

List of Subsidiaries

  23.1      

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

  23.2      

Consent of Carey Olsen (included in exhibit 5.1)

  23.3      

Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (included in Exhibits 8.1)

  24.1**      

Power of Attorney

 

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Filed previously.
  Registrant has omitted portions of the referenced exhibit pursuant to a request for confidential treatment under Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

II-8

Exhibit 1.1

Q UOTIENT L IMITED

[ ]

Ordinary Shares

(no par value per Share)

U NDERWRITING A GREEMENT

[ ]


U NDERWRITING A GREEMENT

[ ], 2014

UBS Securities LLC

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Cowen and Company, LLC

as Managing Underwriters

c/o UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Quotient Limited, a company organized under the laws of Jersey (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule A annexed hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as representatives, an aggregate of [ ] ordinary shares (the “ Firm Shares ”), of no par value per share (the “ Ordinary Shares ”), of the Company. In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an additional [ ] Ordinary Shares (the “ Additional Shares ”). The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively sometimes referred to as the “ Shares .” The Shares are described in the Prospectus which is referred to below.

The Company hereby acknowledges that, in connection with the proposed offering of the Shares, it has requested UBS Financial Services Inc. (“ UBS-FinSvc ”) to administer a directed share program (the “ Directed Share Program ”) under which up to [ ] Firm Shares, or 5% of the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters (the “ Reserved Shares ”), shall be reserved for sale by UBS-FinSvc at the initial public offering price to the Company’s officers, directors, employees and consultants and other persons having a relationship with the Company as designated by the Company (the “ Directed Share Participants ”) as part of the distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The number of Shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent that Directed Share Participants purchase Reserved Shares. The Underwriters may offer any Reserved Shares not purchased by Directed Share Participants to the general public on the same basis as the other Shares being issued and sold hereunder. The Company has supplied UBS-FinSvc with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the individuals or other entities which the Company has designated to be participants in the Directed Share Program. It is understood that any number of those so designated to participate in the Directed Share Program may decline to do so.

The Company has prepared and filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Act ”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-194390) under the Act, including a prospectus, relating to the Shares.

 

2


Except where the context otherwise requires, “ Registration Statement ,” as used herein, means the registration statement, as amended, at the time of such registration statement’s effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Act, as such section applies to the respective Underwriters (the “ Effective Time ”), including (i) all documents filed as a part thereof, (ii) any information contained in a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, to the extent such information is deemed, pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430C under the Act, to be part of the registration statement at the Effective Time, and (iii) any registration statement filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “ Prospectus, ” as used herein, means the final prospectus, relating to the Shares, filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the Act), or, if no such filing is required, the final prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective under the Act, in each case in the form furnished by the Company to you for use by the Underwriters and by dealers in connection with the offering of the Shares.

Preliminary Prospectus ,” as used herein, means, as of any time, the prospectus relating to the Shares that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time.

Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses ,” as used herein, means the documents listed on Schedule B attached hereto and each “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act), if any, related to the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby that is a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) (each such road show, an “ Electronic Road Show ”). The Underwriters have not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, without the Company’s consent, any Shares by means of any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) that is required to be filed by the Underwriters with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 under the Act, other than a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

Covered Free Writing Prospectuses ,” as used herein, means (i) each “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(1) under the Act), if any, relating to the Shares, which is not a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

Exempt Written Communication ,” as used herein, means each written communication, if any, by the Company or any person authorized to act on behalf of the Company made to one or more qualified institutional buyers (“ QIBs ”) as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and/or one or more institutions that are accredited investors (“ IAIs ”), as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Act to determine whether such investors might have an interest in a contemplated securities offering.

Exempt Oral Communication ,” as used herein, means each oral communication made prior to the filing of the Registration Statement by the Company or any person authorized to act on behalf of the Company made to one or more QIBs and/or one or more IAIs to determine whether such investors might have an interest in a contemplated securities offering.

 

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Permitted Exempt Written Communication ,” as used herein, means the documents listed on Schedule B attached hereto.

Covered Exempt Written Communication ,” as used herein, means (i) each Exempt Written Communication that is not a Permitted Exempt Written Communication and (ii) each Permitted Exempt Written Communication.

Disclosure Package ,” as used herein, means, collectively, with the pricing information set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, the Preliminary Prospectus dated [ ], and all Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, considered together. “ Applicable Time ”, as used herein, means [ ], New York City time, on [ ].

As used in this Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) is open for trading. The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereinafter” and similar terms, as used in this Agreement, shall in each case refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph, sentence or other subdivision of this Agreement. The term “or,” as used herein, is not exclusive.

The Company has prepared and filed, in accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), a registration statement (as amended, the “Exchange Act Registration Statement”) on Form 8-A (File No. #) under the Exchange Act to register, under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, the class of securities consisting of the Ordinary Shares.

The Company and the Underwriters agree as follows:

1. Sale and Purchase . Upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the respective Underwriters and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule A attached hereto, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 8 hereof, in each case at a purchase price of $[ ] per Share. The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters intend (i) to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Firm Shares as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as in your judgment is advisable and (ii) initially to offer the Firm Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus. You may from time to time increase or decrease the public offering price after the initial public offering to such extent as you may determine.

In addition, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters the option (the “ Additional Share Option ”) to purchase, and upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company, ratably in accordance with the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by each of them, all or a portion of the Additional Shares, at the same purchase price per Share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company for the Firm Shares, less an amount per share equal to any dividend or distribution declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Additional Shares. The Additional Share Option may be exercised by UBS Securities LLC (“ UBS ”) on behalf of the

 

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several Underwriters at any time and from time to time on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the Additional Share Option is being exercised and the date and time when the Additional Shares are to be delivered (any such date and time being herein referred to as an “ additional time of purchase ”); provided , however , that no additional time of purchase shall be earlier than the “time of purchase” (as defined below) nor earlier than the second business day after the date on which the Additional Share Option shall have been exercised nor later than the tenth business day after the date on which the Additional Share Option shall have been exercised. The number of Additional Shares to be sold to each Underwriter shall be the number which bears the same proportion to the aggregate number of Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto bears to the total number of Firm Shares (subject, in each case, to such adjustment as UBS may determine to eliminate fractional shares), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 8 hereof.

2. Payment and Delivery . Payment of the purchase price for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company by federal funds wire transfer against delivery of the certificates for the Firm Shares to you through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. Such payment and delivery shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on [ ] (unless another time shall be agreed to by you and the Company or unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 hereof). The time at which such payment and delivery are to be made is hereinafter sometimes called the “ time of purchase .” Electronic transfer of the Firm Shares shall be made to you at the time of purchase in such names and in such denominations as you shall specify.

Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall be made at the additional time of purchase in the same manner and at the same office and time of day as the payment for the Firm Shares. Electronic transfer of the Additional Shares shall be made to you at the additional time of purchase in such names and in such denominations as you shall specify.

Deliveries of the documents described in Section 6 hereof with respect to the purchase of the Shares shall be made at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York, at [9:00 A.M.], New York City time, on the date of the closing of the purchase of the Firm Shares or the Additional Shares, as the case may be.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

(a) the Registration Statement has heretofore become effective under the Act or; with respect to any registration statement to be filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be filed with the Commission and become effective under the Act no later than 10:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date of determination of the public offering price for the Shares; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; the Exchange Act Registration Statement has become effective as provided in Section 12 of the Exchange Act;

 

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(b) as of the Effective Time, the Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and did not at the Effective Time and at the time of purchase and each additional time of purchase, if any, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; as of the Applicable Time, the Preliminary Prospectus complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act (including, without limitation, Section 10(a) of the Act) and the Disclosure Package did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Prospectus will comply, as of its date, the time of purchase and each additional time of purchase, if any, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Act (including, without limitation, Section 10(a) of the Act) and, as of its date, the time of purchase and any additional time of purchase, if any, the Prospectus will not, as then amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company makes no representation or warranty in this Section 3(b) with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information concerning an Underwriter and furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus

(c) prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company has not, directly or indirectly, offered, sold, allotted or issued any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) or used any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer, sale, allotment or issue of the Shares, in each case other than the Preliminary Prospectus, the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any and, the Permitted Exempt Written Communications, if any; the Company has not, directly or indirectly, prepared, used or referred to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus except in compliance with Rules 164 and 433 under the Act; assuming that such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus is accompanied or preceded by the most recent Preliminary Prospectus that contains a price range or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and that such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus is so sent or given after the Registration Statement was filed with the Commission (and after such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus was, if required pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, filed with the Commission), the sending or giving, by any Underwriter, of any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus will satisfy the provisions of Rule 164 and Rule 433 (without reliance on subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Rule 164); the Preliminary Prospectus dated [ ], is a prospectus that, other than by reason of Rule 433 or Rule 431 under the Act, satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Act, including a price range where required by rule; neither the Company nor the Underwriters are disqualified, by reason of subsection (f) or (g) of Rule 164 under the Act, from using, in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, “free writing prospectuses” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) pursuant to Rules 164 and 433

 

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under the Act; the Company is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) as of the eligibility determination date for purposes of Rules 164 and 433 under the Act with respect to the offering of the Shares contemplated by the Registration Statement, without taking into account any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 under the Act that it is not necessary under the circumstances that the Company be considered an “ineligible issuer”; the parties hereto agree and understand that the content of any and all “road shows” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act), Exempt Oral Communications and Covered Exempt Written Communications related to the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby are solely the property of the Company; and the Company has caused there to be made available at least one version of a “ bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) in a manner that, pursuant to Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) under the Act, causes the Company not to be required, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, to file, with the Commission, any Electronic Road Show;

(d) as of the date of this Agreement, the Company qualifies as an emerging growth company (“ EGC ”), as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act;

(e) each Permitted Exempt Written Communication, if any, did not as of its date include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(f) the Company has, prior to the date of the Preliminary Prospectus dated [ ], furnished to you a list containing the names of the recipients, if any, of all Covered Exempt Written Communications and all Exempt Oral Communications;

(g) the Company has filed publicly on the Commission’s EDGAR database at least 21 calendar days prior to any “road show,” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) any confidentially submitted registration statements and registration amendments relating to the offer and sale of the Shares;

(h) each Covered Exempt Written Communication, if any, does not as of the date hereof conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(i) as of the date of this Agreement, the Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization,” and “Description of share capital” (and any similar sections or information, if any, contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus), and, as of the time of purchase and any additional time of purchase, as the case may be, the Company shall have an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization,” and “Description of share capital” (and any similar sections or information, if any, contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus) (subject, in each case, to the issuance of Ordinary Shares upon exercise of share options and warrants disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the grant of

 

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options, shares or other awards under incentive compensation plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and the purchase and sale of Shares hereunder); all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital, including the Ordinary Shares, of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right; prior to the time of purchase, all outstanding shares of A Preference Shares, no par value per share, B Preference Shares, no par value per share, C Preference Shares, no par value per share, A Ordinary Shares, no par value per share and B Ordinary Shares, no par value per share, of the Company have converted into Ordinary Shares in the manner described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; prior to the date hereof, the Company has duly effected and completed a 32 for 100 consolidation of the Ordinary Shares in the manner described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the certificate of incorporation (or certificate of incorporation on change of name) of the Company and the articles of association of the Company, each in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, have been heretofore duly authorized and approved in accordance with the laws of Jersey and shall be effective and in full force and effect at or before the time of purchase, and the Shares are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, on The NASDAQ Global Market (the “ NASDAQ ”);

(j) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of Jersey, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to issue, sell and deliver the Shares as contemplated herein;

(k) the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, either (i) have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) taken as a whole, (ii) prevent or materially interfere with consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) prevent the Ordinary Shares from being accepted for listing on, or resulting in the delisting of Ordinary Shares from the NASDAQ (the occurrence of any such effect or any such prevention or interference or any such result described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being herein referred to as a “ Material Adverse Effect ”);

(l) the Company has no subsidiaries (as defined under the Act) other than QBD (QSIP) Limited, a company formed under the laws of Jersey, Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Alba Bioscience Limited, a company formed under the laws of Scotland, and Quotient Suisse SA, a company formed under the laws of Switzerland (collectively, the “ Subsidiaries ”); the Company owns all of the

 

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issued and outstanding share capital or capital stock (as applicable) of each of the Subsidiaries; other than the share capital or capital stock of the Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares in the capital, shares of stock or any other equity interests or long-term debt securities of any corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity; complete and correct copies of the certificate of incorporation or certificate of incorporation on change of name and the articles of association of the Company and the articles of association, charters or bylaws (as applicable) or other applicable organizational documents of each Subsidiary, and all amendments thereto have been made available to you, and, except as set forth in the exhibits to the Registration Statement, no changes therein will be made on or after the date hereof through and including the time of purchase or, if later, any additional time of purchase; each Subsidiary has been duly incorporated or formed and is validly existing as a corporation or other entity in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, with full power and authority, corporate or otherwise, to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the outstanding shares in the capital or shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right and, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are owned by the Company subject to no security interest, other encumbrance or adverse claims; and no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights to convert any obligation into shares in the capital, shares of capital stock or ownership interests in the Subsidiaries are outstanding;

(m) the Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Shares, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the laws of Jersey or the Company’s certificate of incorporation and articles of association or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party;

(n) the share capital of the Company, including the Shares, conforms in all material respects to each description thereof, if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the certificates for the Shares are in due and proper form;

 

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(o) there is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required (and the Disclosure Package contains in all material respects the same description of the foregoing matters contained in the Prospectus);

(p) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(q) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (A) its respective certificate of incorporation or certificate of incorporation on name change or articles of association, charter or bylaws or other applicable organizational documents, or (B) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected, or (C) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, or (D) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ), or (E) any decree, judgment or order applicable to it or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (B), (C) or (D), where such breach, violation, default, event or right would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(r) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (or result in the creation or imposition of a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to) (A) the respective certificate of incorporation or certificate of incorporation on name change or articles of association, charter or bylaws or other applicable organizational documents, of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (B) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, or (C) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, or (D) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ), or (E) any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, in the case of clauses (B), (C) or (D), where such breach, violation, default, event, right, lien, charge or encumbrance would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(s) no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or of or with any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the NASDAQ) or approval of the shareholders of the Company, is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) the registration of the Shares under the Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed hereunder pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be effected in accordance herewith), (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the Underwriters, (iii) under the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”), (iv) except as otherwise have already been obtained or made as of the date of this Agreement or (v) by the Jersey Registrar of Companies or the Jersey Financial Services Commission;

(t) except as described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to allot, issue or sell to it any Ordinary Shares or shares of any class or other equity interests in the capital of the Company, (ii) no person has any preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Ordinary Shares or shares of any other class or other equity interests in the capital of the Company and (iii) no person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares; no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to register under the Act any Ordinary Shares or shares of any other class or other equity interests in the capital of the Company or to include any such shares or interests in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby;

(u) each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals and has made all necessary filings required under any applicable law, regulation or rule, and has obtained all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals from other persons, in order to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to have or have obtained such licenses, authorizations, consents or approvals or make such filings would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, or has received notice of any proceedings relating to revocation or modification of, any such license, authorization, consent or approval or any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, order or judgment applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, except where such violation, default, revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(v) none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor any of its or their properties or assets has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of Jersey, Scotland or Switzerland;

 

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(w) Except as except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or contemplated to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers is or would be a party or of which any of their respective properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or before or by any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the NASDAQ), except any such action, suit, claim, investigation or proceeding which, if resolved adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(x) Ernst & Young LLP, whose report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries is included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Act and by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

(y) the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the periods specified and have been prepared in all material respects in compliance with the requirements of the Act and Exchange Act and in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial and accounting data of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements or the books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not included as required; the Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all disclosures, if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable;

(z) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, each share option granted under any share option plan of the Company or any Subsidiary (each, a “ Stock Plan ”) was granted with a per share exercise price no less than the fair market value per share of the

 

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applicable class of share in the capital or capital stock of the Company or such Subsidiary on the grant date of such option, and no such grant involved any “back-dating,” “forward-dating,” or similar practice with respect to the effective date of such grant; except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, each such option (i) was granted in compliance with applicable law and with the applicable Stock Plan(s), (ii) was duly approved by the board of directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof or an officer of the Company or such Subsidiary duly authorized by the board of directors or authorized committee thereof to make such grants) of the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, and (iii) has been properly accounted for in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Commission;

(aa) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in each case excluding any amendments or supplements to the foregoing made after the execution of this Agreement, there has not been (i) any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, properties, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iii) any obligation or liability, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) any change in the share capital, capital stock or outstanding indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiaries or (v) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the share capital or capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(bb) the Company has obtained for the benefit of the Underwriters the agreement (a “ Lock-Up Agreement ”), in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto, of (i) each of its directors and “officers” (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) and (ii) each holder set forth on Exhibit A-1 hereto of Ordinary Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or any warrant or other right to acquire Ordinary Shares or any such security and (iii) each Directed Share Participant;

(cc) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to register as an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), nor will they be (i) during any period in which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, or (ii) after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof;

(dd) based on the projected composition of the Company’s income and fair market value of its assets, the Company does not expect to be a “passive foreign investment company” (as defined in Section 1297 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) for its taxable year ended March 31, 2014 and the foreseeable future.

 

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(ee) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all property (real and personal, excluding for the purposes of this Section 3(ee), Intellectual Property (as defined below)) described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by any of them, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests or other encumbrances, except for such liens, claims, security interests or encumbrances as do not materially and adversely affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or such Subsidiary; all the property described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being held under lease by the Company or a Subsidiary is held thereby under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to creditor’s rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”);

(ff) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiaries own the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), tradenames, service names, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by them and own or have obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use all Intellectual Property (except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to the Enforceability Exceptions) used in and necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted (including the commercialization of products or services described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as under development) (collectively, “ Company Intellectual Property ”); to the Company’s knowledge, (i) there are no third parties who have or will be able to establish rights to any Company Intellectual Property that is described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, except for, and to the extent of, the ownership rights of any co-owners of such Company Intellectual Property that are disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) there is no infringement by misappropriation or other violation by any third parties of any Company Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; (iii) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s rights in or to any Company Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (iv) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice from, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity,

 

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enforceability or scope of any Company Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (v) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice from, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company or any Subsidiary infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or could, upon the commercialization of any product or service described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as under development, infringe, misappropriate or violate any Intellectual Property of others, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (vi) the Company and the Subsidiaries have complied with the material terms of each agreement pursuant to which Company Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company or any Subsidiary, and all such agreements are in full force and effect; (vii) to the Company’s knowledge there is no patent or patent application that contains claims that interfere with the issued or pending claims of any patents included in the Company Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; (viii) the products described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as under development by the Company or the Subsidiaries fall within the scope of the claims of one or more patents owned by, or exclusively licensed to, the Company or any Subsidiary; (ix) all patents and patent applications owned by and, to the Company’s knowledge, exclusively licensed to the Company and any Subsidiary have been duly and properly filed and maintained and the Company and the Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the applicable licensor have complied in all material respects with their duty of candor and disclosure to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”) or other applicable patent office with respect to all patent applications owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and included in the Company Intellectual Property and filed with the PTO or other applicable patent office; (x) the Company and the Subsidiaries have taken all steps reasonably necessary to secure their respective interest in the Company Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, including obtaining all necessary assignments from its employees, consultants and contractors pursuant to a written agreement; (xi) the Company and the Subsidiaries have taken reasonable steps in accordance with normal industry practice to maintain the confidentiality of all material trade secrets included in any Intellectual Property, and no such Company Intellectual Property has been disclosed other than to employees, representatives, independent contractors, collaborators, licensors, licensees, agents and advisors of the Company and the Subsidiaries who are legally bound to a duty of confidentiality; (xii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are not a party to or bound by any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property of any other person or entity that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that are not so described therein; (xiii) all conditions stated in any license agreement under which Company Intellectual Property is exclusively licensed to the Company or any Subsidiary that are required to be satisfied in order for the Company to retain exclusive rights have been timely satisfied; (xiv) to the Company’s knowledge, the issued patents owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are valid and enforceable and the Company is unaware of any facts that would preclude the issuance of

 

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a valid and enforceable patent on any pending patent application owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; and (xv) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no government funding, facilities or resources of a university, college, other educational institution or research center was used in the development of any Company Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any Subsidiary that would confer upon any governmental agency or body, university, college, other educational institution or research center any claim or right in or to any such Company Intellectual Property;

(gg) except for matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice, (ii) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar foreign body, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (C) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, no union organizing activities are currently taking place concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (iv) there has been no violation of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, any applicable wage or hour laws, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any similar applicable foreign law, rule or regulation, concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;

(hh) the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective properties, assets and operations are in compliance with, and the Company and each of the Subsidiaries hold all permits, authorizations and approvals required under, Environmental Laws (as defined below), except to the extent that failure to so comply or to hold such permits, authorizations or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; there are no past, present or, to the Company’s knowledge, reasonably anticipated future events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, actions, omissions or plans that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any material costs or liabilities to the Company or any Subsidiary under, or to interfere with or prevent compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary with, Environmental Laws; except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) is the subject of any investigation, (ii) has received any notice or claim, (iii) is a party to or affected by any pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit or proceeding, (iv) is bound by any judgment, decree or order or (v) has entered into any agreement, in each case relating to any alleged violation of any Environmental Law or any actual or alleged release or threatened release or cleanup at any location of any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) (as used herein, “ Environmental Law ” means any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment, injunction, permit, license, authorization or other binding requirement, or common law, relating to

 

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health, safety or the protection, cleanup or restoration of the environment or natural resources, including those relating to the distribution, processing, generation, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, other handling or release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials, and “ Hazardous Materials ” means any material (including, without limitation, pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes) that is regulated by or may give rise to liability under any Environmental Law);

(ii) all material tax returns required to be filed by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries have been timely filed (within any applicable time limit extensions permitted by the relevant tax authority), and all material taxes and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto due or claimed to be due from such entities have been timely paid, other than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided;

(jj) no stamp duties or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income, value added, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters under U.S. federal or state law, or any political subdivision thereof, or under Jersey law or any other jurisdiction in which the Company is resident for tax purposes solely in connection with (i) the issuance and delivery of the Securities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus or (ii) the sale and delivery by the Underwriters of the Shares as contemplated herein and the Prospectus;

(kk) At no time in the past six years has the Company or any ERISA Affiliate maintained, sponsored, participated in, contributed to or has or had any liability or obligation in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA, or Section 412 of the Code or any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or any multiple employer plan for which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or could incur material liability under Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA. No “welfare benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA provides or promises, or at any time provided or promised, retiree health, life insurance, or other retiree welfare benefits except as may be required by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or similar state law and except, on a case by case basis, limited extensions of health insurance benefits to former employees receiving severance payments from the Company. Each Employee Benefit Plan is and has been operated in material compliance with its terms and all applicable laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred and no condition exists that would subject the Company to any material tax, fine, lien, penalty or liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable law. Each Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a) is so qualified and has a favorable determination or opinion letter from the IRS upon which it can rely, and any such determination or opinion letter remains in effect and has not been revoked; to the knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred since the date of any such determination or opinion letter that is reasonably likely to adversely affect such qualification; with respect to each Foreign Benefit Plan, such Foreign Benefit Plan (1) if intended to qualify for special tax treatment, meets, in all material respects, the requirements for such treatment, and (2) if required to be funded, is funded to the extent

 

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required by applicable law, and with respect to all other Foreign Benefit Plans, adequate reserves therefor have been established on the accounting statements of the applicable Company or subsidiary to the extent required by applicable law; the Company does not have any obligations under any collective bargaining agreement with any union. As used in this Agreement, “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; Employee Benefit Plan means any “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, including, without limitation, all stock purchase, stock option, stock-based severance, employment, change-in-control, medical, disability, fringe benefit, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, employee loan and all other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, under which (x) any current or former employee, director or independent contractor of the Company or its subsidiaries has any present or future right to benefits and which are contributed to, sponsored by or maintained by the Company or any of its respective subsidiaries or (y) the Company or any of its subsidiaries has had or has any present or future direct or contingent obligation or liability; “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; “ ERISA Affiliate ” means any member of the company’s controlled group as determined pursuant to Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o); and “ Foreign Benefit Plan ” means any Employee Benefit Plan established, maintained or contributed to outside of the United States of America or which covers any employee working or residing outside of the United States;

(ll) the Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses as the Company reasonably deems adequate; such insurance insures against such losses and risks to an extent which is adequate in accordance with customary industry practice to protect the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective businesses; all such insurance is fully in force on the date hereof and will be fully in force at the time of purchase and each additional time of purchase, if any; neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to (i) renew any such insurance as and when such insurance expires or (ii) obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted at a cost that would not result in any Material Adverse Effect;

(mm) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the material contracts or agreements referred to or described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, by any other party to any such contract or agreement;

(nn) the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has established and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance

 

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with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences;

(oo) the Company has established and maintains and evaluates “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) and “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including the Subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Company’s independent registered public accountants and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and (ii) all fraud, if any, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; all “significant deficiencies” and “material weaknesses” (as such terms are defined in Rule 1-02(a)(4) of Regulation S-X under the Act) of the Company, if any, have been identified to the Company’s independent registered public accountants and are disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses, and the Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon and at all times after the filing of the Registration Statement, the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors, in their capacities as such, will be in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(pp) each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed with a reasonable basis and in good faith;

(qq) all statistical or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (other than that discussed in Section 3(y)) are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required;

(rr) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of any applicable anti-bribery laws, rules, or regulations of any

 

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locality, including but not limited to any law, rule, or regulation promulgated to implement the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, signed December 17, 1997, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act”), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, or any other law, rule or regulation of similar purposes and scope; neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, is aware of any such action, directly or indirectly, having been taken on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; and the Company and the Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, their respective affiliates have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure continued compliance therewith;

(ss) the operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency or intergovernmental group or organization, or any executive order, directive or regulation pursuant to the authority of the foregoing or any orders or licenses issued thereunder (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator or non-governmental authority involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened;

(tt) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any sanctions administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or any other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or located, organized or residing in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any Sanctions administered or enforced by such authorities; for the past five years, neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has knowingly engaged in, and is not now knowingly engaged in, any dealings or transactions with any individual or entity, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions; neither the Company, any Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate, joint venture partner or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Underwriters, as to which no representation or warranty is made) has engaged in activities sanctionable under the Iran Sanctions Act, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, the National Defense

 

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Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2012, the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2013, Executive Order Nos. 13628, 13622, and 13608, or any other U.S. economic sanctions relating to Iran (collectively, the “ Iran Sanctions ”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will engage in any activities or business that would subject it to sanction under the Iran Sanctions;

(uu) the Company acknowledges that, in accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients;

(vv) no Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except, in each case, as described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(ww) (i) All dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the share capital of the Company, now or in the future, may, under the current laws and regulations of Jersey, be paid in United States Dollars that (subject to any applicable Sanctions) may be freely transferred out of Jersey; (ii) all such dividends and other distributions are not or will not be, as the case may be, subject to withholding or other taxes under the current laws and regulations of Jersey; and (iii) all such dividends and other distributions under such current laws and regulations are or will be otherwise free and clear of any other tax (save for any income tax that may be payable by the recipient of a distribution who is resident in Jersey), withholding or deduction in Jersey and (subject to any applicable Sanctions) without the necessity of obtaining any consent, approval, authorization or order in Jersey;

(xx) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have submitted and possess, or qualify for applicable exemptions to, such valid and current registrations, listings, approvals, clearances, licenses, certificates, authorizations or permits and supplements or amendments thereto issued or required by the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their business, including, without limitation, all such certificates, authorizations and permits required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) or any other state, federal or foreign agencies or bodies engaged in the regulation of medical devices (including diagnostic products), biological products, drugs or biohazardous materials (collectively, the “Regulatory Agencies”), and the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such license, certificate, authorization or permit, except for notices which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(yy) the feasibility studies that are described in, or the results thereof which are referred to in, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus were conducted in all material respects in accordance with standard accepted medical and scientific research procedures; each description of the results of such studies contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly presents the data derived from such studies, and the Company and the Subsidiaries have no knowledge of any other studies or tests or trials the results of which are inconsistent with, or otherwise call into question, the results described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(zz) the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (while acting in such capacity) are, and at all times prior hereto were, in material compliance with, all health care laws applicable to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their products or activities, including, but not limited to, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(b)), the Anti-Inducement Law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7a(a)(5)), the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Section 3729 et seq.), the administrative False Claims Law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(a)), the Stark law (42 U.S.C. Section 1395nn), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (42 U.S.C. Section 17921 et seq.), the exclusion laws (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Section 301 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.), the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act), Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act), the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws, and any other state, federal or foreign law, accreditation standards, regulation, memorandum, opinion letter, or other issuance which imposes legally binding requirements on the manufacturing, development, testing, labeling, advertising, marketing or distribution of drugs, biological products and/or medical devices (including diagnostic products), kickbacks, patient or program charges, recordkeeping, claims process, documentation requirements, medical necessity, referrals, the hiring of employees or acquisition of services or supplies from those who have been excluded from government health care programs, quality, safety, privacy, security, licensure, accreditation or any other aspect of providing health care, clinical laboratory or diagnostics products or services (collectively, “ Health Care Laws ”) except, with respect to any of the foregoing, such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notification, correspondence or any other written or oral communication, including notification of any pending or threatened claim, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any governmental authority, including, without limitation, the FDA, the EMEA, the United States Federal Trade Commission, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“ DEA ”), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS’s Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Justice and state Attorneys General or similar agencies of potential or actual non-compliance by, or liability of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Health Care Laws, except, with respect to any of the foregoing,

 

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such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to material liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Health Care Laws;

(aaa) the manufacture by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the Company’s and any Subsidiary’s respective products is being conducted in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Health Care Laws, including, without limitation, the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice regulations at 21 C.F.R. Parts 210, 211, 600 through 680, and 820, and, to the extent applicable, the respective counterparts thereof promulgated by governmental authorities in countries outside the United States;

(bbb) the Company and its Subsidiaries are complying in all material respects with all applicable regulatory post-market reporting obligations, including, without limitation, the FDA’s adverse event reporting requirements at 21 C.F.R. Parts 310, 314, 600, and 803, and, to the extent applicable, the respective counterparts thereof promulgated by governmental authorities in countries outside the United States;

(ccc) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has had any product, clinical laboratory or manufacturing site (whether Company-owned or owned by any of its subsidiaries or that of a third party manufacturer for the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ respective products) subject to a governmental authority (including FDA) shutdown or import or export prohibition, nor received any FDA Form 483 or other governmental authority notice of inspectional observations, “warning letters,” “untitled letters,” requests to make changes to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products, processes or operations, or similar correspondence or notice from the FDA or other governmental authority alleging or asserting material noncompliance with any applicable Health Care Laws. To the Company’s knowledge, neither the FDA nor any other governmental authority is considering such action;

(ddd) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there have been no material recalls, field notifications, field corrections, market withdrawals or replacements, warnings, “dear doctor” letters, investigator notices, safety alerts or other notice of action relating to an alleged lack of safety, efficacy, or regulatory compliance with respect to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products (“ Safety Notices ”); to the Company’s knowledge, there are no facts that would be reasonably likely to result in (i) a Safety Notice with respect to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products or services, (ii) a material change in labeling of any the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products or services, or (iii) a material termination or suspension of marketing or testing of any the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products or services;

(eee) the Company has not knowingly made any false statements on, or material omissions from, any applications, approvals, reports or other submissions to any Regulatory Agency, or in or from any other records and documentation prepared or

 

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maintained to comply with the requirements of any Regulatory Agency relating to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective products. None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, employee or agent of the Company has been convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct that would reasonably be expected to result in (a) debarment under 21 U.S.C. Section 335a or any similar state or foreign law or regulation or (b) exclusion under 42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7 or any similar state or foreign law or regulation, and none of the Company or any such person has been so debarred or excluded.

(fff) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated hereby will not cause any holder of any shares in the capital of, securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares in the capital of or options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe for shares in the capital or any other securities of the Company to have any right to acquire any securities of the Company;

(ggg) the Company has not received any notice from the NASDAQ regarding the delisting of the Ordinary Shares from the NASDAQ;

(hhh) except pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for any finder’s or broker’s fee or agent’s commission in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Registration Statement;

(iii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors or officers, affiliates or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which has constituted or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

(jjj) to the Company’s knowledge, there are no affiliations or associations between (i) any member of FINRA and (ii) the Company or any of the Company’s officers, directors or 5% or greater security holders or any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities that were acquired at any time on or after the 180th day immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement was initially filed with the Commission, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(kkk) the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply with any applicable laws or regulations of any foreign jurisdiction in which the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus is distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program; and no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, other than those heretofore obtained or those referred to in Section 3(s), is required in connection with the offering of the Reserved Shares in any jurisdiction where the Reserved Shares are being offered;

 

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(lll) the Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the intent to influence unlawfully (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective products or services; and

(mmm) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any securities that are rated by any “nationally recognized statistical rating agency” (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act).

In addition, any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and delivered to any Underwriter or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

4. Certain Covenants of the Company . The Company hereby agrees:

(a) to furnish such information as may be required and otherwise to cooperate in qualifying the Shares for offering and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such states or other jurisdictions as you may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as you may request for the distribution of the Shares; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities or to consent to the service of process under the laws of any such jurisdiction (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Shares); and to promptly advise you of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

(b) to make available to the Underwriters in New York City, as soon as practicable after this Agreement becomes effective, and thereafter from time to time to furnish to the Underwriters, as many copies of the Prospectus (or of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have made any amendments or supplements thereto after the effective date of the Registration Statement) as the Underwriters may request for the purposes contemplated by the Act; in case any Underwriter is required to deliver (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule), in connection with the sale of the Shares, a prospectus after the nine-month period referred to in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act, the Company will prepare, at its expense, promptly upon request such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

(c) if, at the time this Agreement is executed and delivered, it is necessary or appropriate for a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, or a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) under the Act, to be filed with the Commission and become effective before the Shares may be sold, the Company will use its best efforts

 

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to cause such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement to be filed and, in the case of such a post-effective amendment other than that compliant with Rule 462(b), become effective, and will pay any applicable fees in accordance with the Act, as soon as possible; and the Company will advise you promptly and, if requested by you, will confirm such advice in writing, (i) when such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement has become effective, and (ii) if Rule 430A under the Act is used, when the Prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (which the Company agrees to file in a timely manner in accordance with such Rules);

(d) for so long as a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) to notify you immediately upon an event that causes the Company to no longer qualify as an EGC;

(e) to advise you promptly, confirming such advice in writing, of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, or the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information with respect thereto, or of notice of institution of proceedings for, or the entry of a stop order, suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if the Commission should enter a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to use its best efforts to obtain the lifting or removal of such order as soon as possible; to advise you promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, and to provide you and Underwriters’ counsel copies of any such documents for review and comment a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing and to file no such amendment or supplement to which you shall reasonably object in writing;

(f) subject to Section 4(h) hereof, to file promptly all reports and documents and any preliminary or definitive proxy or information statement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission in order to comply with the Exchange Act for so long as a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares; and to provide you, for your review and comment, with a copy of such reports and statements and other documents to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during such period a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing, and to file no such report, statement or document to which you shall have reasonably objected in writing; and to promptly notify you of such filing;

(g) to advise the Underwriters promptly of the happening of any event within the period during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, which event could require the making of any change in the Prospectus then being used so that the Prospectus would not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and to advise the Underwriters promptly if, during such period, it shall

 

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become necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to cause the Prospectus to comply with the requirements of the Act, and, in each case, during such time, subject to Section 4(h) hereof, to prepare and furnish, at the Company’s expense, to the Underwriters promptly such amendments or supplements to such Prospectus as may be necessary to reflect any such change or to effect such compliance;

(h) to make generally available (within the meaning of Rule 158 under the Act) to its security holders, and, if not available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“ EDGAR ”), to deliver to you, an earnings statement of the Company (which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of twelve months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the termination of such twelve-month period but in any case not later than the date determined in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158(c) thereunder;

(i) if requested, to furnish to you one copy for each Managing Underwriter and one copy for Underwriters’ counsel of the Registration Statement, as initially filed with the Commission, and of all amendments thereto (including all exhibits thereto) and sufficient copies of the foregoing (other than exhibits) for distribution of a copy to each of the other Underwriters;

(j) to furnish to you as early as practicable prior to the time of purchase and any additional time of purchase, as the case may be, but not later than two business days prior thereto, a copy of the latest available unaudited interim and monthly consolidated financial statements, if any, of the Company and the Subsidiaries which have been read by the Company’s independent registered public accountants, as stated in their letter to be furnished pursuant to Section 6(f) hereof;

(k) to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares in the manner set forth under the caption “Use of proceeds” in the Prospectus and to file such reports with the Commission with respect to the sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds therefrom as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act;

(l) to pay all costs, expenses, fees and taxes in connection with (i) the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, if any, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the printing and furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Underwriters and to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment), (ii) the registration, issue, sale and delivery of the Shares including any stock or transfer taxes and stamp or similar duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, (iii) the producing, word processing and/or printing of this Agreement, any Agreement Among Underwriters, any dealer agreements, and any closing documents (including compilations thereof) and the reproduction and/or printing and furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Underwriters and (except closing documents) to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment), (iv) the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state or foreign laws and the determination of their eligibility for

 

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investment under state or foreign law (including the reasonable legal fees and filing fees and other disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) and the printing and furnishing of copies of any blue sky surveys or legal investment surveys to the Underwriters and to dealers, (v) the qualification of the Shares for listing on the NASDAQ and any registration thereof under the Exchange Act, (vi) any filing for review of the public offering of the Shares by FINRA, including the reasonable legal fees and filing fees and other disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters relating to FINRA matters, (vii) the fees and disbursements of any transfer agent or registrar for the Shares, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering and sale of the Shares to prospective investors and the Underwriters’ sales forces, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel, lodging and other expenses incurred by the officers of the Company and any such consultants, and one-half the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, the costs of all Exempt Oral Communications and Covered Exempt Written Communications (including those of the Underwriters incident to their attendance at or participation in any such communication), (ix) the costs and expenses of qualifying the Shares for inclusion in the book-entry settlement system of the DTC, (x) the preparation and filing of the Exchange Act Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto (xi) the offer and sale of the Reserved Shares, including all reasonable costs and expenses of UBS-FinSvc and the Underwriters, including the reasonable fees and disbursement of counsel for the Underwriters and (xiii) the performance of the Company’s other obligations hereunder;

(m) to comply with Rule 433(d) under the Act (without reliance on Rule 164(b) under the Act) and with Rule 433(g) under the Act;

(n) beginning on the date hereof and ending on, and including, the date that is 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), without the prior written consent of UBS, not to (i) issue, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, (ii) file or cause to become effective a registration statement under the Act relating to the offer and sale of any Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing; (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, whether any such transaction is to be settled by

 

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delivery of Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iv) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), except, in each case, for (A) the registration of the offer and sale of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement, (B) issuances of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of options or warrants disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (C) issuances to directors, officers or employees of shares, share options or other equity awards not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period pursuant to equity incentive plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (D) issuances of Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, issued by the Company in connection with the acquisition of businesses, technologies, assets or Intellectual Property of another entity as long as (x) the aggregate amount of any such securities does not exceed 5% of the number of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after the issuance and sale of the Shares contemplated by the Registration Statement (after giving effect to the conversion of all A Preference Shares, B Preference Shares, C Preference Shares, A Ordinary Shares and B Ordinary Shares to Ordinary Shares and the 32 for 100 consolidation of Ordinary Shares in the manner described in the Registration Statement) and (y) each person to whom such securities are issued agrees in writing with the Underwriters to be bound by the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto; provided , however , that if prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period the Company ceases to be an EGC and (a) during the period that begins on the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days before the last day of the Lock-Up Period and ends on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (b) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed by this Section 4(n) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs;

(o) prior to the time of purchase or any additional time of purchase, as the case may be, to issue no press release or other communication directly or indirectly and hold no press conferences with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary, the financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, assets, or liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary, or the offering of the Shares, and to issue no such press release or communications or hold such press conference without your prior consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld;

(p) not, at any time at or after the execution of this Agreement, to, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act), or use any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, in each case other than the Prospectus;

(q) not to, and to cause the Subsidiaries not to, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which will constitute, or has constituted, or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

 

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(r) to use its best efforts to cause the Shares to be listed on the NASDAQ and to maintain such listing on the NASDAQ;

(s) to maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, a registrar for the Ordinary Shares; and

(t) to cause each Directed Share Participant to execute a Lock-Up Agreement and otherwise to cause the Reserved Shares to be restricted from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation to such extent as may be required by FINRA and its rules, and to direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such Reserved Shares during the Lock-Up Period or any such longer period of time as may be required by FINRA and its rules; and to comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Reserved Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program; and

(u) to announce the Underwriters’ intention to release any director or “officer” (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of the Company from any of the restrictions imposed by any Lock-Up Agreement, by issuing, through a major news service, a press release, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-2 hereto, that is satisfactory to UBS promptly following the Company’s receipt of any notification from UBS in which the Underwriters indicate such intention, but in any case not later than the close of the second business day prior to the date on which such release or waiver is to become effective; provided , however , that nothing shall prevent UBS, on behalf of the Underwriters, from announcing the same through a major news service, irrespective of whether the Company has made the required announcement; and further provided that no such announcement shall be made of any release or waiver granted solely to permit a transfer of securities that is not for consideration and where the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of a Lock-Up Agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto;

5. Reimbursement of the Underwriters’ Expenses . If, after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Shares are not delivered for any reason other than the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the fifth paragraph of Section 8 hereof or the default by one or more of the Underwriters in its or their respective obligations hereunder, the Company shall, in addition to paying the amounts described in Section 4(l) hereof, reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel.

6. Conditions of the Underwriters’ Obligations . The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company on the date hereof, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

(a) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion and negative assurance letter of Clifford Chance US LLP, counsel for the Company, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the forms set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

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(b) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, opinions of Marks & Clerk LLP and Morrison & Foerster LLP, each special counsel for the Company with respect to patents and/or proprietary rights, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.

(c) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C., special counsel for the Company with respect to regulatory matters, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto.

(d) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of Carey Olsen, special counsel for the Company with respect to the laws of Jersey, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the form set forth in Exhibit E hereto.

(e) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of DWF Biggart Baillie, special counsel for the Company with respect to matters of the laws of Scotland, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the form set forth in Exhibit F hereto.

(f) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of Lexartis Avocats, special counsel for the Company with respect to matters of the laws of Scotland, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each Underwriter, in the form set forth in Exhibit G hereto.

(g) You shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP letters dated, respectively, the date of this Agreement, the time of purchase and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, and addressed to the Underwriters (with executed copies for each Underwriter) in the forms reasonably satisfactory to UBS, which letters shall cover, without limitation, the various financial disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(h) You shall have received at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, the favorable opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to UBS.

(i) No Prospectus or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall have been filed to which you shall have objected in writing.

(j) The Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement and any registration statement required to be filed, prior to the sale of the Shares, under the Act pursuant to Rule 462(b) shall have been filed and shall have become effective under the Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be. If Rule 430A under the Act is used, the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act at or before 5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the second full business day after the date of this Agreement (or such earlier time as may be required under the Act).

(k) The consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission to circulation of the Prospectus pursuant to the Jersey Companies (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2002 shall have been obtained and shall be subsisting, and the consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission to the issue or transfer (as applicable) of the Shares pursuant to the Jersey Control Of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958 shall have been obtained and shall be subsisting.

(l) Prior to and at the time of purchase, and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, (i) no stop order with respect to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Act or proceedings initiated under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Act; (ii) the Registration Statement and all amendments thereto shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iii) neither the Preliminary Prospectus nor the Prospectus, and no amendment or supplement thereto, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (iv) no Disclosure Package, and no amendment or supplement thereto, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; and (v) none of the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, and none of the Permitted Exempt Written Communications, if any, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

(m) The Company will, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, deliver to you a certificate of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in the form attached as Exhibit H hereto.

 

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(n) The Company will, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, deliver to you a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.

(o) You shall have received each of the signed Lock-Up Agreements referred to in Section 3(bb) hereof, and each such Lock-Up Agreement shall be in full force and effect at the time of purchase and the additional time of purchase, as the case may be.

(p) The Company shall have furnished to you such other documents and certificates as to the accuracy and completeness of any statement in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as of the time of purchase and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, as you may reasonably request.

(q) The Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject only to notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution at or prior to the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be.

(r) FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the underwriting, or other arrangements of the transactions, contemplated hereby.

7. Effective Date of Agreement; Termination . This Agreement shall become effective when the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement.

The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of UBS, if (1) since the time of execution of this Agreement or the earlier respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been any change or any development involving a prospective change in the business, properties, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, the effect of which change or development is, in the sole judgment of UBS, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (2) since the time of execution of this Agreement, there shall have occurred: (A) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the NYSE, the NYSE MKT or the NASDAQ; (B) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company’s securities on the NASDAQ; (C) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (D) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism involving the United States or a declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war; or (E) any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of any such event specified in clause (D) or (E), in the sole judgment of UBS, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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If UBS elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 7, the Company and each other Underwriter shall be notified promptly in writing.

If the sale to the Underwriters of the Shares, as contemplated by this Agreement, is not carried out by the Underwriters for any reason permitted under this Agreement, or if such sale is not carried out because the Company shall be unable to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall not be under any obligation or liability under this Agreement (except to the extent provided in Sections 4(l), 5 and 9 hereof); and the Underwriters shall be under no obligation or liability to the Company under this Agreement (except to the extent provided in Section 9 hereof) or to one another hereunder.

8. Increase in Underwriters’ Commitments . Subject to Sections 6 and 7 hereof, if any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to take up and pay for the Firm Shares to be purchased by it hereunder (otherwise than for a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6 hereof or a reason sufficient to justify the termination of this Agreement under the provisions of Section 7 hereof) and if the number of Firm Shares which all Underwriters so defaulting shall have agreed but failed to take up and pay for does not exceed 10% of the total number of Firm Shares, the non-defaulting Underwriters (including the Underwriters, if any, substituted in the manner set forth below) shall take up and pay for (in addition to the aggregate number of Firm Shares they are obligated to purchase pursuant to Section 1 hereof) the number of Firm Shares agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters, as hereinafter provided. Such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by such non-defaulting Underwriters in such amount or amounts as you may designate with the consent of each Underwriter so designated or, in the event no such designation is made, such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by all non-defaulting Underwriters pro rata in proportion to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of such non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule A .

Without relieving any defaulting Underwriter from its obligations hereunder, the Company agrees with the non-defaulting Underwriters that it will not sell or issue any Firm Shares hereunder unless all of the Firm Shares are purchased by the Underwriters (or by substituted Underwriters selected by you with the approval of the Company or selected by the Company with your approval).

If a new Underwriter or Underwriters are substituted by the Underwriters or by the Company for a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in accordance with the foregoing provision, the Company or you shall have the right to postpone the time of purchase for a period not exceeding five business days in order that any necessary changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and other documents may be effected.

The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall refer to and include any Underwriter substituted under this Section 8 with like effect as if such substituted Underwriter had originally been named in Schedule A hereto.

If the aggregate number of Firm Shares which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total number of Firm Shares which all Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, and if neither the non-defaulting Underwriters nor the Company shall make arrangements within the five-business day period stated above for the

 

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purchase of all the Firm Shares which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate without further act or deed and without any liability on the part of the Company to any Underwriter and without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company. Nothing in this paragraph, and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

9. Indemnity and Contribution .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors, officers and members, any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and any “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act) of such Underwriter, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, any such Underwriter or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company) or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, the Registration Statement or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was required to be stated in such Registration Statement or was necessary to make such information not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Prospectus (the term Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 9 being deemed to include any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing), in any Covered Free Writing Prospectus, in any Covered Exempt Written Communication, in any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) of the Company, which “issuer information” is required to be, or is, filed with the Commission, or in any Prospectus together with any combination of one or more of the Covered Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, or one or more Covered Exempt Written Communications, if any, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except, with respect to such Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any Permitted Exempt Written Communication, insofar as any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the

 

35


Company expressly for use in, such Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or Permitted Exempt Written Communication or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Prospectus, Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or Permitted Exempt Written Communication in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was necessary in order to make the statements in such information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iii) the Directed Share Program, except, with respect to this clause (iii), insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Underwriters in conducting the Directed Share Program, and will reimburse each “indemnified party” (defined below) for any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any loss, damage, expense, liability, claim, action, litigation, investigation or proceeding whatsoever (whether or not such indemnified party is a party thereto), whether threatened or commenced, and in connection with the enforcement of this provision with respect to the above as such fees and expenses are incurred.

Without limitation of and in addition to its obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 9, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless UBS-FinSvc and its partners, directors, officers and members, and any person who controls UBS-FinSvc within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, UBS-FinSvc or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (1) arises out of or is based upon (a) any of the matters referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 9(a), or (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or on behalf or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Directed Share Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (2) is or was caused by the failure of any Directed Share Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Shares that the Directed Share Participant has agreed to purchase; or (3) otherwise arises out of or is based upon the Directed Share Program, provided , however , that the Company shall not be responsible under this clause (3) for any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of UBS-FinSvc in conducting the Directed Share Program. Section 9(d) shall apply equally to any Proceeding (as defined below) brought against UBS-FinSvc or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, except that the Company shall be liable for the reasonable expenses of one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for UBS-FinSvc and any such person, separate and in addition to counsel for the persons who may seek indemnification pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 9(a), in any such Proceeding.

 

36


(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers, and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Company or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company), or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Registration Statement in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was required to be stated in such Registration Statement or was necessary to make such information not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, a Prospectus or a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or a Permitted Exempt Written Communication, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Prospectus, or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or Permitted Exempt Written Communication in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was necessary in order to make the statements in such information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(c) If any action, suit or proceeding (each, a “ Proceeding ”) is brought against a person (an “ indemnified party ”) in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company or an Underwriter (as applicable, the “ indemnifying party ”) pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), respectively, of this Section 9, such indemnified party shall promptly notify such indemnifying party in writing of the institution of such Proceeding and such indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including the retention of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and pay all legal or other fees and expenses related to such Proceeding or incurred in connection with such indemnified party’s enforcement of subsection (a) of this Section 9; provided , however , that the omission to so notify such indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability that such indemnifying party may have to any indemnified party or otherwise. The indemnified party or parties shall have the right to retain its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless (i) the retention of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection with the defense of such Proceeding, (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have, within a reasonable period of time in light of the circumstances, retained counsel to defend such Proceeding or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them that are different from, additional to or in conflict with those available to such indemnifying party (in which case such

 

37


indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by such indemnifying party and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that except as provided in the second paragraph of Section 9(a), such indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees or expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) in any one Proceeding or series of related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such Proceeding). The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent but, if settled with its written consent, such indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party or parties from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this Section 9(c), then the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have fully reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying party at least 30 days’ prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not include an admission of fault or culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 9 or insufficient to hold an indemnified party harmless in respect of any losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined

 

38


by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, damages, expenses, liabilities and claims referred to in this subsection shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any Proceeding.

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in subsection (d) above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damage which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 9 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its partners, directors, officers or members or any person (including each partner, officer, director or member of such person) who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or by or on behalf of the Company, its directors or officers or any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and shall survive any termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Shares. The Company and each Underwriter agree promptly to notify each other of the commencement of any Proceeding against it and, in the case of the Company, against any of the Company’s officers or directors in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, or in connection with the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

10. Information Furnished by the Underwriters . The statements set forth in the second, third and fourth sentences under the title “Underwriting Discount” and the first six paragraphs (other than the third-to-last sentence therein) following the title “Price Stabilization, Short Positions”, each under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus, only insofar as such statements relate to the amount of selling concession and reallowance or to over-allotment and stabilization activities that may be undertaken by the Underwriters, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters, as such information is referred to in Sections 3 and 9 hereof.

 

39


11. Notices . Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests, notices and agreements shall be in writing or by telegram or facsimile and, if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate (fax: (212) 713-3371), Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Attention: Head of Syndicate (fax: (414) 298-7474 and Cowen and Company, LLC, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention Head of Equity Capital Markets (fax: (646) 562-1249); and if to the Company, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to the Company at Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc., 301 South State Street, Suite S-204, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940.

12. Governing Law; Construction . This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“ Claim ”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. The section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.

13. Submission to Jurisdiction . Except as set forth below, no Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (each, a “ New York Court ”), which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. The Company hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any Claim arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement is brought by any third party against any Underwriter or any indemnified party. Each Underwriter and the Company (on its behalf and that of its Subsidiaries) waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The Company agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment. The Company has irrevocably appointed Quotient Biodiagnostics, Inc. as its agent to receive service of process or other legal summons for purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding that may be instituted in any New York Court. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled in any New York Court, and with respect to any related final judgment, each party waives any such immunity in any New York Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Claim or related final judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive any termination of this Agreement, in whole or in part.

 

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14. Judgment Currency . If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder into any currency other than U.S. dollars, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Underwriters could purchase U.S. dollars with such other currency in The City of New York on the business day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligations of the Company in respect of any sum due from them to any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in any currency other than U.S. dollars, not be discharged until the first business day, following receipt by such Underwriter of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency, on which (and only to the extent that) such Underwriter may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase U.S. dollars with such other currency; if the U.S. dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter against such loss. If the U.S. dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, such Underwriter agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the U.S. dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder.

15. Parties at Interest . The Agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and to the extent provided in Section 9 hereof the controlling persons, partners, directors, officers, members and affiliates referred to in such Section, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and executors and administrators. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, as such purchaser, from any of the Underwriters) shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

16. No Fiduciary Relationship . The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities. The Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, shareholders or creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company regarding such transactions, including, but not limited to, any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company and the Underwriters agree that the Underwriters are acting as principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company and no Underwriter has assumed, and none of them will assume, any advisory responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters). The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company

 

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may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary, advisory or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed by the parties in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement among the parties.

18. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and their successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s and any of the Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets.

19. Miscellaneous . UBS, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, is not a bank and is separate from any affiliated bank, including any U.S. branch or agency of UBS AG. Because UBS is a separately incorporated entity, it is solely responsible for its own contractual obligations and commitments, including obligations with respect to sales and purchases of securities. Securities sold, offered or recommended by UBS are not deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, are not guaranteed by a branch or agency, and are not otherwise an obligation or responsibility of a branch or agency.

[The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Company and the several Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this Agreement and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company and the Underwriters, severally.

 

Very truly yours,
Q UOTIENT L IMITED
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written, on behalf of itself and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule A
UBS S ECURITIES LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
R OBERT W. B AIRD & C O . I NCORPORATED
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
C OWEN AND C OMPANY , LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Firm Shares
 

UBS SECURITIES LLC

     [            

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INCORPORATED

     [            

COWEN AND COMPANY, LLC

     [            
  

 

 

 

Total

     [            
  

 

 

 


SCHEDULE B

Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses

Permitted Exempt Written Communications

Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters

Price per Share to the public: $[        ]

Number of Shares to be sold: [            ]


EXHIBIT A

Lock-Up Agreement

            , 2014

UBS Securities LLC

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Cowen and Company, LLC

Together with the other Underwriters

named in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement

referred to herein

c/o UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Lock-Up Agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) to be entered into by Quotient Limited, a company formed under the laws of Jersey (the “ Company ”), and you and the other underwriters named in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement, with respect to the public offering (the “ Offering ”) of ordinary shares, nil par value per share, of the Company (the “ Ordinary Shares ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

In order to induce you to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned agrees that, for a period (the “ Lock-Up Period ”) beginning on the date hereof and ending on, and including, the date that is 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC (“ UBS ”), Robert W. Baird & Co. (“ Baird ”) and Cowen and Company, LLC (“ Cowen ”), (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “ Exchange Act ”) with respect to, any Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to acquire, the foregoing (collectively, the “ Lock-Up Securities ”), (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or


other rights to acquire, the foregoing, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) the registration of the offer and sale of Ordinary Shares as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the sale of the Ordinary Shares to the Underwriters (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) in the Offering, (b) bona fide gifts, (c) dispositions to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned and/or the immediate family of the undersigned, (d) dispositions by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the undersigned, (e) if the undersigned is an entity, as a distribution to the limited partners, members, trust beneficiaries or stockholders of the undersigned, (f) dispositions to the undersigned’s affiliates, or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by, directly or indirectly, the undersigned, or (g) the entry into any trading plan established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for any sales or other dispositions of Lock-Up Securities during the Lock-Up Period, no public announcement or public disclosure of entry into such plan is made or required to be made, and the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public announcement or public disclosure regarding the entry into or existence of any such plan; provided , however , that in the case of any transfer or disposition pursuant to clauses (b) through (f), (i) each transferee, distributee or recipient of the Lock-Up Securities transferred, distributed or disposed of agrees to be bound by the same restrictions in place for the undersigned pursuant to this Lock-Up Agreement for the duration that such restrictions remain in effect at the time of such transfer, distribution or disposition and executes and delivers to UBS, Baird and Cowen a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement, (ii) no filing under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution and (iii) any such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean the undersigned and the spouse, any lineal descendent, father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned.

The undersigned further agrees that all of the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed or other Ordinary Shares that the undersigned may purchase in the Offering.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the exercise of stock options to acquire Ordinary Shares on a “cashless” or “net exercise” basis granted pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans as in effect as of the date of this Lock-Up Agreement, or to the transfer of Lock-Up Securities to the Company for the surrender or forfeiture of Ordinary Shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon exercise or vesting of stock options or equity awards; provided, that they shall apply to any of the Lock-Up Securities underlying such options or awards, and all other Lock-Up Securities and other securities subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement continue to be subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement; provided, further, that no filing under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with any such exercise or transfer.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the sale of Ordinary Shares purchased by the undersigned on the open market following the Offering; provided, however, that no filing under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such transactions.

 

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In addition, the undersigned hereby waives any rights the undersigned may have to require registration of Ordinary Shares in connection with the filing of a registration statement relating to the Offering. The undersigned further agrees that, for the Lock-Up Period, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of UBS, Baird and Cowen, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or any such other securities. In addition, the undersigned hereby waives any and all preemptive rights, participation rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights that the undersigned may have in connection with the Offering or with any issuance or sale by the Company of any equity or other securities before the Offering.

Notwithstanding the above, if at any time prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company ceases to be an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act and (a) during the period that begins on the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days before the last day of the Lock-Up Period and ends on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (b) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed by this Lock-Up Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, UBS, Baird and Cowen agree that, at least three business days prior to the release or waiver of any of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of Ordinary Shares, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any security of the Company acquired by the undersigned from the Company in the Offering, UBS, Baird and Cowen will (i) notify the Company of the impending release or waiver and (ii) announce such impending release or waiver through a major news service in the event that the Company fails to make such announcement in accordance with its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement. Any such release or waiver granted hereunder shall only be effective two business days after such announcement is made by the Company or UBS, Baird and Cowen. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any release or waiver granted solely to permit a transfer of securities that is not for consideration and where the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement.

The undersigned hereby confirms that the undersigned has not, directly or indirectly, taken, and hereby covenants that the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, take, any action designed, or which has constituted or will constitute or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of Ordinary Shares.

 

5


The undersigned hereby authorizes the Company and its transfer agent, during the Lock-Up Period, to decline the transfer of or to note stop transfer restrictions on the share register and other records relating to Ordinary Shares or other securities subject to this Lock-Up Agreement of which the undersigned is the record holder, and, with respect to Ordinary Shares or other securities subject to this Lock-Up Agreement of which the undersigned is the beneficial owner but not the record holder, the undersigned hereby agrees to cause such record holder to authorize the Company and its transfer agent, during the Lock-Up Period, to decline the transfer of or to note stop transfer restrictions on the share register and other records relating to such shares or other securities.

*    *    *

 

6


If (i) the Company notifies you in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, (ii) the registration statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Offering is withdrawn, (iii) for any reason the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated prior to the “time of purchase” (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) or (iv) the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective on or prior to September 30, 2014, this Lock-Up Agreement shall be terminated and the undersigned shall be released from its obligations hereunder.

 

Yours very truly,

 

Name:

 

A-1


EXHIBIT A-1

LIST OF PARTIES TO EXECUTE LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS

[ ]

 

A-1-1


EXHIBIT A-2

[Form of Press Release]

[ ]

 

A-2-1


EXHIBIT B

OPINION OF CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP

[ ]

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

OPINIONS OF MARKS & CLERK LLP AND

MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP

[ ]

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

OPINION OF HYMAN, PHELPS & McNAMARA, P.C.

[ ]

 

D-1


EXHIBIT E

OPINION OF CAREY OLSEN

[ ]

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

OPINION OF DWF BIGGART BAILLIE

[ ]

 

E-1


EXHIBIT G

OPINION OF LEXARTIS AVOCATS

[ ]

 

E-1


EXHIBIT H

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE

[ ]

 

E-1

Exhibit 3.1

Company no. 109886

 

 

COMPANIES (JERSEY) LAW 1991

A PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

MEMORANDUM

AND

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

QUOTIENT LIMITED

 

 

 

LOGO


Company no. 109886

COMPANIES (JERSEY) LAW 1991

A NO PAR VALUE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

QUOTIENT LIMITED

(Adopted by written special resolution passed on 3 April 2014)

Words and expressions contained in this Memorandum of Association have the same meanings as in the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended.

 

1. The name of the Company is Quotient Limited.

 

2. The Company is a public company.

 

3. The Company is a no par value company.

 

4. There shall be no limit on the number of shares which may be issued by the Company and if the share capital structure of the Company is at any time divided into separate classes of share there shall be no limit on the number of shares of any class which may be issued by the Company.

 

5. The liability of a member of the Company is limited to the amount unpaid (if any) on such member’s share or shares.


Company no. 109886

COMPANIES (JERSEY) LAW 1991

A NO PAR VALUE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

QUOTIENT LIMITED

(Adopted by a special resolution passed on 3 April 2014)


CONTENTS

 

1.

  PRELIMINARY      1   

2.

  INTERPRETATION      1   

3.

  SHARES      7   

4.

  RIGHTS ATTACHED TO SHARES      7   

5.

  UNISSUED SHARES      7   

6.

  REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF SHARES      8   

7.

  COMMISSIONS AND BROKERAGE      8   

8.

  TRUSTS NOT RECOGNISED      9   

9.

  RENUNCIATION OF ALLOTMENT      9   

10.

  VARIATION OF RIGHTS      9   

11.

  ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL      10   

12.

  SHARE CERTIFICATES AND TITLE TO SHARES      11   

13.

  CALLS ON SHARES      12   

14.

  FORFEITURE AND LIEN      14   

15.

  TRANSFER OF SHARES      16   

16.

  UNCERTIFICATED SHARES      18   

17.

  TRANSMISSION OF SHARES      21   

18.

  UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS      22   

19.

  GENERAL MEETINGS      23   

20.

  NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS      23   

21.

  PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS      25   

22.

  VOTING      27   

23.

  VOTES OF MEMBERS      29   

24.

  PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES      30   

25.

  DTC SYSTEM VOTING ARRANGEMENTS      33   

26.

  DIRECTORS      35   

27.

  APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS      37   

 

i


28.

  ALTERNATE DIRECTORS      39   

29.

  PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS      40   

30.

  DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST      42   

31.

  DIRECTORS’ FEES      44   

32.

  DIRECTORS’ EXPENSES      45   

33.

  BORROWING POWERS      45   

34.

  GENERAL POWERS OF DIRECTORS      45   

35.

  ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS      47   

36.

  SECRETARY      48   

37.

  THE SEAL      48   

38.

  AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS      48   

39.

  DIVIDENDS      49   

40.

  RESERVES      52   

41.

  CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES      53   

42.

  RECORD DATES      55   

43.

  REGISTER      55   

44.

  MINUTES AND BOOKS      56   

45.

  ACCOUNTS      56   

46.

  AUDITORS      57   

47.

  COMMUNICATIONS      57   

48.

  WINDING UP      63   

49.

  INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE      64   

 

ii


COMPANIES (JERSEY) LAW 1991

A PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

QUOTIENT LIMITED

(Adopted by a special resolution passed on 3 April 2014)

 

1. PRELIMINARY

This document comprises the articles of association of the Company. The regulations constituting the Standard Table in the Companies (Standard Table) (Jersey) Order 1992 shall not apply to the Company.

 

2. INTERPRETATION

 

2.1 In these Articles, unless the context requires otherwise:

address ” includes a number or address used for the purposes of sending or receiving documents or information by electronic means;

these Articles ” means these articles of association as amended or replaced from time to time;

Auditors ” means the auditors for the time being of the Company or, in the case of joint auditors, any one of them;

bankrupt ” has the meaning given to it in the Interpretation (Jersey) Law 1954;

Board ” means the board of directors for the time being of the Company or the Directors present or deemed to be present at a duly convened meeting of the Directors at which a quorum is present, as the context requires;

certificated share ” means a share which is not an uncertificated share and references in these Articles to a share being held in “certificated form” shall be construed accordingly;

clear days ” means, in relation to the giving of a notice, the period excluding the day on which a notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;

 

1


Companies Laws ” means the Law, the Uncertificated Securities Order, the Electronic Communications Law and all statutes adopted in Jersey (including any orders, regulations or other subordinate legislation made under such statutes) from time to time in force concerning companies in so far as they apply to the Company;

communication ” includes an electronic communication;

Director ” means a director for the time being of the Company;

dividend ” includes a bonus issue;

DTC ” means the Depositary Trust Company or any successor corporation;

DTC Depositary ” means Cede & Co. and/or any other custodian, depositary or nominee of DTC which holds Ordinary Shares under arrangements that facilitate the holding and trading of beneficial interests in such Ordinary Shares in the DTC System;

DTC Proxy ” means, in relation to any Ordinary Shares held by the DTC Depositary, any person who is, for the purposes of any general meeting or resolution, appointed a proxy (whether by way of instrument of proxy, power of attorney, mandate or otherwise) by:

 

  (a) the DTC Depositary; or

 

  (b) a proxy, attorney or other agent appointed by any other person whose authority is ultimately derived (whether directly or indirectly) from the DTC Depositary;

DTC System ” means the electronic system operated by DTC by which title to securities or interests in securities may be evidenced and transferred in dematerialised form;

electronic communication ” has the meaning given in the Electronic Communications Law;

Electronic Communications Law ” means the Electronic Communications (Jersey) Law 2000;

electronic signature ” has the meaning given in article 1(1) of the Electronic Communications Law;

Group ” means the Company and its subsidiaries from time to time;

holder ” means, in relation to any shares, the member whose name is entered in the Register as the holder of those shares;

 

2


Jersey ” means the island of Jersey;

Law ” means the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991;

member ” means a member of the Company;

Memorandum of Association ” means the document of the same name of the Company, as amended or replaced from time to time;

month ” means calendar month;

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Global Market;

NASDAQ Rules ” means the rules of NASDAQ;

Office ” means the registered office for the time being of the Company;

Operator ” has the meaning given to “authorised operator” in the Uncertificated Securities Order;

Operator-instruction ” means a properly authenticated de-materialised instruction attributable to the Operator;

ordinary resolution ” means a resolution of the Company in general meeting passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at that meeting;

Ordinary Shares ” means ordinary shares in the capital of the Company;

paid up ” means paid up or credited as paid up;

participating security ” has the meaning given to it in the Uncertificated Securities Order;

Register ” means the register of members of the Company (and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes any overseas branch register) to be kept and maintained in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Laws;

relevant system ” means a computer based system and its related facilities and procedures that is provided by an Operator and by means of which title to units of a security can be evidenced and transferred, in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Order, without a written instrument;

 

3


Seal ” means any common or official seal that the Company has and is permitted to have under the Companies Laws;

special resolution ” means a special resolution as defined in Article 90 of the Law;

Transfer Office ” means:

 

  (a) in relation to the Register, the location in Jersey where the Register is kept and maintained; and

 

  (b) where the Company keeps an overseas branch register in respect of any country, territory or place outside of Jersey, the location in that country, territory or place where that overseas branch register is kept and maintained;

Uncertificated Securities Order ” means the Companies (Uncertificated Securities) (Jersey) Order 1999 and any provisions of or under the Companies Laws which supplement or replace such order;

uncertificated share ” means a share title to which is recorded on the Register as being held in uncertificated form and references in these Articles to a share being held in “ uncertificated form ” shall be construed accordingly;

United Kingdom ” means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (and includes England, Scotland and Wales, whether or not for the time being forming part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

USA ” means the United States of America and its territories and possessions, including the District of Columbia; and

year ” means calendar year.

 

2.2 In these Articles, unless the context requires otherwise:

 

  2.2.1 the expression “ debenture ” shall include debenture stock and the expression “ debenture holder ” shall include debenture stockholder;

 

  2.2.2 the expression “ Secretary ” means the secretary for the time being of the Company and includes any person appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of the secretary including a joint, assistant or deputy secretary;

 

4


  2.2.3 the expression “ officer ” shall include, in relation to a body corporate, a director, alternate director, manager, executive officer and company secretary (including, in the case of the Company, the Directors, any alternate Directors, the Secretary and any executive officers of the Company who are not Directors) but shall not include auditors (being, in the case of the Company, the Auditors);

 

  2.2.4 the expressions “ widow ” and “ widower ” shall include the surviving civil partner of a deceased person;

 

2.3 references to “ writing ” mean the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a legible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise, and “ written ” shall be construed accordingly;

 

2.4 references to a document or information being “ sent ”, “ supplied ” or “ given ” to or by a person mean such document or information, or a copy of such document or information, being sent, supplied, given, delivered, issued or made available to or by, or served on or by, or deposited with or by that person by any method authorised by these Articles, and “ sending ”, “ supplying ” and “ giving ” shall be construed accordingly;

 

2.5 references to a document being “ signed ” or to “ signature ” include references to its being signed under hand or under Seal or by any other method and, in the case of an electronic communication, such references are to its being authenticated by electronic means as specified by the Board in accordance with these Articles or (where the Board has made no specification) to an electronic signature;

 

2.6 references to a meeting shall not be taken as requiring more than one person to be present if any quorum requirement can be satisfied by one person;

 

2.7 words importing the singular number include the plural and vice versa;

 

2.8 words importing one gender include all genders and words importing persons include a body corporate;

 

2.9 any word or expression defined in the Companies Laws on the adoption of these Articles shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context and unless otherwise expressly defined in these Articles, bear the same meaning in these Articles except that “company” shall mean any body corporate;

 

5


2.10 a reference to any statute or statutory instrument or any provision of a statute or statutory instrument includes any modification or re-enactment of that statute, statutory instrument or provision for the time being in force;

 

2.11 any reference to:

 

  2.11.1 rights attaching to any share;

 

  2.11.2 members having a right to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company;

 

  2.11.3 dividends being paid, or any other distribution of the Company’s assets being made, to members; or

 

  2.11.4 interests in a certain proportion or percentage of the issued share capital, or any class of share capital,

 

  2.11.5 shall, unless otherwise expressly provided by the Companies Laws, be construed as though any treasury shares held by the Company had to be cancelled;

 

  2.11.6 headings are inserted for convenience only and do not affect the construction of these Articles; and

 

  2.11.7 a special resolution shall be effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to be required under any provision of these Articles.

 

2.12 For the purposes of these Articles, unless the context requires otherwise:

 

2.13 a document or information is sent or supplied in “ electronic form ” if it is sent or supplied:

 

  2.13.1 by electronic means (for example, by e-mail or fax); or

 

  2.13.2 by any other means while in an electronic form (for example, sending a disk by post), and references to “ electronic copy ” have a corresponding meaning;

 

2.14 a document or information is sent or supplied by electronic means if it is:

 

  2.14.1 sent initially and received at its destination by means of electronic equipment for the processing (which expression includes digital compression) or storage of data; and

 

  2.14.2 entirely transmitted, conveyed and received by wire, by radio, by optical means or by other electromagnetic means, and references to “ electronic means ” have a corresponding meaning;

 

6


2.15 a document or information is sent or supplied in “ hard copy form ” if it is sent or supplied in a paper copy or similar form capable of being read, and references to “ hard copy ” have a corresponding meaning;

 

2.16 a document or information authorised or required by these Articles to be sent or supplied in electronic form must be sent or supplied in a form, and by a means, that the sender or supplier reasonably considers will enable the recipient to read it and to retain a copy of it; and

 

2.17 a document or information can be read only if:

 

  2.17.1 it can be read with the naked eye; or

 

  2.17.2 to the extent that it consists of images (for example photographs, pictures, maps, plans or drawings), it can be seen with the naked eye.

 

3. SHARES

The authorised share capital of the Company is as specified in the Memorandum of Association of the Company. No share issued by the Company shall have a nominal value.

 

4. RIGHTS ATTACHED TO SHARES

Without prejudice to any rights for the time being attached to any existing shares or class of shares and subject to the provisions of the Company Laws, any share may be issued with such preferred, deferred or other special rights, or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, return of capital, transfer, voting, conversion or otherwise, as the Board may determine or otherwise as the Company may from time to time by special resolution determine.

 

5. UNISSUED SHARES

 

5.1 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and these Articles, all unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the existing or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board which may allot (with or without conferring a right of renunciation), grant options over, offer or otherwise deal with or dispose of such shares to such persons, at such times and generally on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine. No share shall be issued at a discount.

 

7


5.2 The Board may allot and issue shares in the Company to any person and without any obligation to offer such shares to the members (whether in proportion to the existing shares held by them or otherwise).

 

5.3 The Company may issue fractions of shares in accordance with, and subject to the provisions of, the Law, provided that:

 

  5.3.1 a fraction of a share shall be taken into account in determining the entitlement of a member as regards dividends or on a winding up; and

 

  5.3.2 a fraction of a share shall not entitle a member to a vote in respect thereof.

 

6. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF SHARES

 

6.1 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws:

 

  6.1.1 and to any rights attached to any existing shares, the Company may issue, or with the sanction of a special resolution convert any existing non-redeemable share (whether issued or not) into, a share which is to be redeemed, or is liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the holder;

 

  6.1.2 the Company may purchase, or may enter into a contract under which it will or may purchase, any of its own shares of any class (including any redeemable shares) and in relation thereto, neither the Company nor the Board shall be required to select the shares to be purchased rateably or in any other particular manner as between the holders of shares of the same class or as between them and the holders of shares of any other class or in accordance with the rights as to dividends or capital conferred by any class of shares; and

 

  6.1.3 the Company may hold as treasury shares any shares purchased or redeemed by it.

 

7. COMMISSIONS AND BROKERAGE

The Company may exercise all powers of paying commissions and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Companies Laws. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, any such commission or brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash, the allotment of fully or partly paid shares, the grant of an option to call for an allotment of shares or any combination of such methods.

 

8


8. TRUSTS NOT RECOGNISED

Except as required by law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company shall not be bound by or compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share, or any interest in any fractional part of a share, or (save as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other right in respect of any share, except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

9. RENUNCIATION OF ALLOTMENT

 

9.1 The Board may at any time after the allotment of any share but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder:

 

  9.1.1 recognise a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favour of some other person and accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation; and/or

 

  9.1.2 allow the rights represented thereby to be one or more participating securities,

in each case upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit to impose.

 

10. VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

10.1 Whenever the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares, any of the special rights attached to any class may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, be varied or abrogated (either whilst the Company is a going concern or during or in contemplation of a winding up) either:

 

  10.1.1 with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds in number of the issued shares of the class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares), which consent shall be in hard copy form or in electronic form sent to such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose or in default of any such specification to the Office; or

 

  10.1.2 with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of the class, but not otherwise.

 

9


10.2 To every such separate general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company and to the proceedings thereat shall apply mutatis mutandis, except that:

 

  10.2.1 any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll; and

 

  10.2.2 any holder of shares of the class shall, on a poll, have one vote in respect of every share of the class held by him.

 

10.3 Article 10.1 shall apply to the variation or abrogation of the special rights attached to some (but not all) of the shares of such class as if the shares concerned and the remaining shares of such class formed separate classes, or to any scheme for the distribution (though not in accordance with legal rights) of assets in money or in kind in or before liquidation, or to any contract for the sale or disposal of the whole or any part of the Company’s property or business determining the way in which as between the several classes of shareholders the purchase considerations shall be distributed, and generally to any alteration, contract, compromise or arrangement which the persons voting thereon could, if sui juris and holding all the shares of the class, consent to or enter into, and such resolution shall be binding upon all holders of shares of the class.

 

10.4 Save as otherwise provided in these Articles, the special rights attached to any class of shares having preferential rights shall not unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue thereof be deemed to be varied or abrogated by the creation or issue of further shares ranking as regards participation in the profits or assets of the Company or voting in some or all respects pari passu therewith but in no respect in priority thereto, or by any reduction of the capital paid up thereon, or by any purchase or redemption by the Company of its own shares.

 

11. ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

11.1 The Company may from time to time by special resolution alter its Memorandum of Association so as to increase or reduce the number of shares which is authorised to issue or consolidate or divide all or any part of its shares (whether issued or not) into fewer shares and may generally make such other alteration to its share capital as is from time to time permitted by Law. All new shares shall, save in so far as may be otherwise provided by the terms of issue thereof, be subject to the provisions of these Articles with reference to allotment, payment of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise.

 

10


11.2 Whenever as a result of a consolidation, consolidation and sub-division or sub-division of shares any members would become entitled to fractions of a share, the Board may deal with the fractions as it thinks fit. In particular the Board may sell the shares representing the fractions for the best price reasonably obtainable to any person (including, subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, the Company) and distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among those members and the Board may authorise some person to transfer or deliver the shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. For the purposes of effecting the sale, the Board may arrange for the shares representing the fractions to be entered in the Register as certificated shares. The person to whom any shares are transferred or delivered shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings relating to the sale. Subject to the Companies Laws, when the Board consolidates or sub-divides shares, it can treat certificated and uncertificated shares which a member holds as separate shareholdings.

 

11.3 The Company may reduce its capital accounts in any ways permitted by Law.

 

11.4 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and these Articles, the Company may make a distribution to its members from its stated capital account or any other reserve (whether of profit, capital or some other nature).

 

12. SHARE CERTIFICATES AND TITLE TO SHARES

 

12.1 Subject as follows, every person whose name is entered as a member in the Register in respect of any shares of any class in certificated form (except a person in respect of whom the Company is not by law required to issue a share certificate) shall be entitled without payment to a certificate therefor within two months after allotment (or such shorter period as the terms of issue shall provide), and upon the transfer thereof within two months after lodgement of transfer (not being a transfer which the Company is for any reason entitled to refuse to register and does not register) and, in the case of conversion thereof from uncertificated to certificated form, within two months of the date of conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a term of issue of any shares in certificated form issued to a DTC Depositary that the Company shall not be required to issue a certificate in respect of such shares unless the DTC Depositary requests that such certificate be issued by notice to the Company, in which case the foregoing provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis save that the reference to the “allotment” of the relevant shares in the foregoing shall be a reference to the date that such notice is received by the Company. The Company shall not be bound to register more than four persons as the joint holders of a share and in the case of a share held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate to any one of such persons shall be sufficient delivery to all.

 

11


12.2 Every share certificate shall be signed under a Seal or signed by two Directors or by one Director and the Secretary and shall specify the number and class of the shares to which it relates and the amount or respective amounts paid up on the shares and (if required by the Companies Laws) the distinguishing numbers of such shares. The Board may by resolution decide, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that any signatures on any share certificates need not be autographic but may be applied to the certificates by some mechanical or other means or may be printed on them.

 

12.3 Where a member transfers part only of the certificated shares comprised in a share certificate the old certificate shall be cancelled and a new certificate for the balance of such shares (to the extent that such balance is to be held in certificated form) issued in lieu without charge.

 

12.4 Any two or more certificates representing certificated shares of any one class held by any member may at his request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such shares issued in lieu without charge.

 

12.5 If any member shall surrender for cancellation a share certificate representing certificated shares held by him and request the Company to issue in lieu two or more share certificates representing such shares in such proportions as may be specified, the Board may, if it thinks fit, comply with such request.

 

12.6 If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same certificated shares may be issued to the holder upon request subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and (in either case) the payment of any exceptional out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Board may think fit. Subject as aforesaid no charge will be made for a new share certificate issued to replace one that has been damaged, lost or destroyed.

 

12.7 In the case of certificated shares held jointly by several persons any such request may be made by any one of the joint holders except where the certificate is alleged to be lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

13. CALLS ON SHARES

 

13.1 The Board may from time to time make calls upon the members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares and not by the terms of issue thereof made payable at fixed times. Each member shall (subject to receiving at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay to or as directed by the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his shares.

 

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13.2 A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call was passed and may be made payable by instalments. A call may be wholly or in part revoked or postponed as the Board may determine.

 

13.3 The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof. Subject to the Companies Laws, a person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him, notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the shares on which the call was made.

 

13.4 If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for payment thereof to the time of actual payment at such rate as the Board in its absolute discretion may determine, together with all expenses that may have been incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment, but the Board shall be at liberty in any case or cases to waive payment of such interest and expenses wholly or in part.

 

13.5 Any sum which by the terms of issue of a share becomes payable upon allotment or at a fixed date shall for all the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date on which by the terms of issue the same becomes payable. In the case of non-payment all the relevant provisions of these Articles as to payment of interest and expenses, forfeiture or otherwise shall apply as if such sum had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

13.6 The Board may on the issue of shares differentiate between the holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.

 

13.7 The Board may if it thinks fit receive from any member willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon the shares held by him and such payment in advance of call shall extinguish pro tanto the liability upon the shares in respect of which it is made and upon the money so received (until and to the extent that the same would but for such advance become payable) the Company may pay interest at such rate as may be agreed between the member paying such sum and the Board but any such advance payment shall not entitle the holder of the share to participate in respect of such amount in any dividend.

 

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14. FORFEITURE AND LIEN

 

14.1 If a member fails to pay in full any call or instalment of a call on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Board may at any time thereafter serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued thereon and any expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment.

 

14.2 The notice shall name a further day (not being less than 14 clear days from the date of service of the notice) on or before which and the place where the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment in accordance therewith the shares on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

14.3 If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest and expenses due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Board to that effect. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared and other moneys payable in respect of the forfeited share and not actually paid before forfeiture. The Board may accept a surrender of any share liable to be forfeited.

 

14.4 When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share but no forfeiture shall be invalidated by omission or neglect to give such notice.

 

14.5 A share so forfeited or surrendered shall be deemed to be the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of either to the person who was before such forfeiture or surrender the holder thereof or entitled thereto or to any other person upon such terms and in such manner as the Board thinks fit, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposal the forfeiture or surrender may be cancelled on such terms as the Board thinks fit. The Board may, if necessary, authorise some person to transfer a forfeited or surrendered share to any such other person as aforesaid.

 

14.6 A person whose shares have been forfeited or surrendered shall cease to be a member in respect of the shares (and shall, in the case of shares held in certificated form, surrender to the Company for cancellation the certificate for such shares) but shall notwithstanding the forfeiture or surrender remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture or surrender were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares with interest thereon at such rate as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine from the date of forfeiture or surrender until payment, but the Board may waive payment of such interest either wholly or in part. The Board may enforce payment, without any allowance for the value of the shares at the time of forfeiture or surrender.

 

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14.7 The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) for all moneys payable to the Company (whether presently or not) in respect of such share. The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys payable thereon or in respect thereof. The Board may waive any lien which has arisen and may resolve that any share shall for some limited period be exempt wholly or partially from the provisions of this Article.

 

14.8 The Company may sell in such manner as the Board thinks fit any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless the period for the payment or discharge of some part at least of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists shall have actually arrived nor until the expiration of 14 clear days after a notice stating and demanding payment or discharge thereof and giving notice of intention to sell in default shall have been given to the holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.

 

14.9 The net proceeds of such sale after payment of the cost of such sale shall be applied in or towards payment or satisfaction of the debts or liabilities in respect whereof the lien exists so far as the same are presently payable and any residue shall upon surrender (in the case of shares held in certificated form) to the Company for cancellation of the certificate for the shares sold and (in any case) subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities the period for the payment or discharge of which has not actually arrived as existed upon the shares prior to the sale be paid to the person entitled to the shares at the time of the sale. For giving effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to sign an instrument of transfer to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser.

 

14.10 An affidavit that the declarant is a Director or the Secretary and that a share has been duly forfeited or surrendered or sold to satisfy a lien of the Company on a date stated in the affidavit shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. Such affidavit and the receipt of the Company for the consideration (if any) given for the share on the sale, re-allotment or disposal thereof together with the share certificate (in the case of shares in certificated form) delivered to a purchaser or allottee thereof shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer if the same be required) constitute a good title to the share and the person to whom the share is sold, re-allotted or disposed of shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any) nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, surrender, sale, re-allotment or disposal of the share.

 

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15. TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

15.1 All transfers of shares which are in uncertificated form may be effected by means of a relevant system in accordance with the Companies Laws and the rules of the relevant system.

 

15.2 A transfer of shares in certificated form may be effected by an instrument of transfer in any usual or common form or in any other form acceptable to the Board and may be under hand only. The instrument of transfer shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and (except in the case of fully paid shares) by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor shall remain the holder of the shares concerned until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof.

 

15.3 The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods (not exceeding 30 days in any year) as the Board may from time to time determine either generally or in respect of any class of shares, save that the Board may not suspend the registration of transfers of any shares which are participating securities without the consent of the Operator.

 

15.4 The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of an uncertificated share where permitted by these Articles and the Companies Laws.

 

15.5 The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any instrument of transfer of a certificated share:

 

  15.5.1 which is not fully paid up; and

 

  15.5.2 on which the Company has a lien.

 

15.6 The Board may decline to recognise any instrument of transfer relating to certificated shares unless the instrument:

 

  15.6.1 has been left at the Office, the Transfer Office or at such other place as the Board may decide, for registration;

 

  15.6.2 is accompanied by the certificate for the shares to be transferred and such other evidence (if any) as the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the intending transferor or his right to transfer the shares; and

 

  15.6.3 is in respect of only one class of shares.

 

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15.7 Unless otherwise agreed by the Board in any particular case, the maximum number of persons who may be entered on the Register as joint holders of a share is four.

 

15.8 For all purposes of these Articles relating to the registration of transfers of shares, the renunciation of the allotment of any shares by the allottee in favour of some other person shall be deemed to be a transfer and the Board shall have the same powers of refusing to give effect to such a renunciation as if it were a transfer.

 

15.9 If the Board refuses to register a transfer then, within two months after the date on which:

 

  15.9.1 the transfer was lodged with the Company (in the case of shares held in certificated form); or

 

  15.9.2 the Operator-instruction was received by the Company (in the case of shares held in uncertificated form),

the Board shall send to the transferee notice of the refusal together with (in the case of shares held in certificated form) the instrument of transfer.

 

15.10 Subject to Article 15.11, all instruments of transfer which are registered may be retained by the Company; and subject to the Companies Laws, the Company shall be entitled to destroy:

 

  15.10.1 all instruments of transfer which have been registered at any time after the expiration of ten years from the date of registration thereof;

 

  15.10.2 all dividend mandates and notifications of change of address at any time after the expiration of two years from the date of recording thereof;

 

  15.10.3 all share certificates which have been cancelled at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of cancellation thereof;

 

  15.10.4 all appointments of proxy which have been used for the purposes of a poll, at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of such use, and all appointments of proxy which have not been used for the purposes of a poll, at any time after one month from the end of the meeting to which the appointments of proxy relates and at which no poll was demanded; and

 

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  15.10.5 any other document on the basis of which any entry in the Register is made at any time after the expiry of 10 years from the date an entry in the Register was first made in respect of it, and it shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every entry in the Register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document so destroyed was duly and properly made and every instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered and every share certificate so destroyed was a valid and effective certificate duly and properly cancelled and every other document hereinbefore mentioned so destroyed was a valid and effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the books or records of the Company.

 

15.11 Article 15.10 applies only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties thereto) to which the document might be relevant and nothing in Article 15.10 shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in any other circumstances which would not attach to the Company in the absence of Article 15.10.

 

15.12 References in Articles 15.10 and 15.11 to the destruction of any document include references to the disposal thereof in any manner.

 

15.13 No fee will be charged by the Company in respect of the registration of any instrument of transfer, probate, letters of administration, certificate of marriage or death, stop notice, power of attorney or other document relating to or affecting the title to any shares or otherwise for making any entry in the Register affecting the title to any shares.

 

16. UNCERTIFICATED SHARES

 

16.1 Subject to the Companies Laws, the Board may resolve that a class of shares is to become a participating security and may at any time determine that a class of shares shall cease to be a participating security.

 

16.2 No provision of these Articles shall apply to shares of any class which are in uncertificated form to the extent that such Article is inconsistent with:

 

  16.2.1 the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form;

 

  16.2.2 the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system;

 

  16.2.3 any provision of the Uncertificated Securities Order; or

 

  16.2.4 the exercise of any powers or functions of the Company or the effecting by the Company of any actions by means of a relevant system.

 

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16.3 Any share of a class which is a participating security may be changed from an uncertificated share to a certificated share and from a certificated share to an uncertificated share in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Order and the rules of any relevant system.

 

16.4 For the purpose of effecting any action by the Company, the Board may determine that shares held by a person in uncertificated form shall be treated as a separate holding from shares held by that person in certificated form but shares of a class held by a person in uncertificated form shall not be treated as a separate class from shares of that class held by that person in certificated form.

 

16.5 Unless the Board otherwise determines or the Uncertificated Securities Order or the rules of the relevant system concerned otherwise require, any shares issued or created out of or in respect of any uncertificated shares shall be uncertificated shares and any shares issued or created out of or in respect of any certificated shares shall be certificated shares.

 

16.6 In relation to any share in uncertificated form:

 

  16.6.1 the Company may utilise the relevant system to the fullest extent available from time to time in the exercise of any of its powers or functions under the Companies Laws or these Articles or otherwise in effecting any actions and the Company may from time to time determine the manner in which such powers, functions and actions shall be so exercised or effected;

 

  16.6.2 the Company may, by notice to the holder of that share, require the holder to change the form of that share to certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice; and

 

  16.6.3 the Company shall not issue a share certificate. The Company may by notice to the holder of any share in certificated form, direct that the form of such share may not be changed to uncertificated form for a period specified in such notice.

 

16.7 Subject to the Companies Laws, the Board may lay down regulations not included in these Articles which (in addition to, or in substitution for, any provisions in these Articles):

 

  16.7.1 apply to the issue, holding or transfer of shares in uncertificated form;

 

  16.7.2 set out (where appropriate) the procedures for conversion and/or redemption of shares in uncertificated form; and/or

 

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  16.7.3 the Board considers necessary or appropriate to ensure that these Articles are consistent with the Uncertificated Securities Order and/or the Operator’s rules and practices.

 

16.8 Any such regulations made by the Board pursuant to Article 16.6 will apply instead of any relevant provisions in these Articles which relate to the transfer, conversion and redemption of shares in uncertificated form or which are not consistent with the Uncertificated Securities Order, in all cases to the extent (if any) stated in such regulations. If the Board make any such regulations, Article 16.9 will (for the avoidance of doubt) continue to apply, when read in conjunction with those regulations.

 

16.9 Any instruction given by means of a relevant system shall be a dematerialised instruction given in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Order, the facilities and requirement of a relevant system and the Operator’s rules and practices.

 

16.10 Where the Company is entitled under the Companies Laws and the rules, procedures or practices of any relevant system or under these Articles to dispose of, forfeit, accept the surrender of, enforce a lien over, re-allot or sell, transfer or otherwise procure the sale of any shares which are held in uncertificated form, the Board shall have the power (subject to the Companies Laws and the rules, procedures or practices of the relevant system) to take such steps as the Board considers appropriate, by instruction by means of a relevant system or otherwise, to effect such disposal, forfeiture, surrender, enforcement, re-allotment sale or transfer and such powers shall (subject as aforesaid) include the right to:

 

  16.10.1 request or require the deletion of any computer based entries in the relevant system relating to the holding of such shares in uncertificated form; and/or

 

  16.10.2 alter such computer based entries so as to divest the registered holder of such shares of the power to transfer such shares to a person other than the transferee, purchaser or his nominee identified by the Company for this purpose; and/or

 

  16.10.3 require any holder of any uncertificated shares which are the subject of any exercise by the Company of any such entitlement, by notice to the holder concerned, to convert his holding of such uncertificated shares into certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice prior to completion of any disposal, sale or transfer of such shares or direct the holder to take such steps as may be necessary to sell or transfer such shares; and/or

 

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  16.10.4 otherwise rectify or change the Register in respect of any such shares in such manner as the Board considers appropriate (including, without limitation, by entering the name of the transferee into the Register as the next holder of such shares); and/or

 

  16.10.5 appoint any person to take such steps in the name of the holder of such shares as may be required to effect the conversion and/or transfer of such shares and such steps shall be effective as if they had been taken by the registered holder of the uncertificated shares concerned.

 

16.11 The Company shall not issue to any person a certificate in respect of an uncertificated share.

 

17. TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

17.1 In the case of the death of a shareholder, the survivors or survivor where the deceased was a joint holder, and the executors or administrators of the deceased where he was a sole or only surviving holder, shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest in the shares, but nothing in this Article shall release the estate of a deceased holder (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share held by him.

 

17.2 Any guardian of an infant member, any curator bonis or guardian or other legal representative of a member under legal disability and any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member or otherwise by operation of law may (subject as hereinafter provided) upon supplying the Company with such evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show his title to the share either require to be registered himself as a holder of the share by giving to the Company notice to that effect or transfer such share to some other person (in any case in the event of the share being in uncertificated form subject always to the Companies Laws and to the rules of any relevant system). All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of these Articles relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfers of shares shall be applicable to any such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the event giving rise thereto had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer executed by such member.

 

17.3

Save as otherwise provided by or in accordance with these Articles, a person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of any event giving rise to transmission by operation of law shall upon supplying the Company with such evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show his title to the share be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages as those to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share, but he shall not be entitled in respect thereof to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company until he shall have been registered as a member in respect of the share. Provided always that the

 

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  Board may at any time give notice requiring such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share, and if within 60 days the notice is not complied with, the Board may in its absolute discretion withhold payment of dividends and other moneys payable in respect of such share until such time as the notice is complied with. Where two or more persons are jointly entitled by transmission to a share they shall for the purposes of these Articles be treated as if they were joint holders of such share registered in the order in which their names have been supplied to the Company or such other order as the person requiring to be registered may by notice to the Company have prescribed at that time.

 

18. UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS

 

18.1 The Company shall be entitled to sell at the best price reasonably obtainable any share of a member or any share to which a person is entitled by transmission if and provided that:

 

  18.1.1 during a period of 12 years at least three cash dividends have become payable in respect of the share to be sold and have been sent by the Company in accordance with these Articles;

 

  18.1.2 during that period of 12 years no cash dividend payable in respect of the share has been claimed, no cheque, warrant, order or other payment for a dividend has been cashed, no dividend sent by means of a funds transfer system has been paid and no communication has been received by the Company from the member or the person entitled by transmission to the share;

 

  18.1.3 the Company has, at the expiration of the said period of 12 years by advertisement in at least one newspaper with a national circulation in the USA and in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the address on the Register or otherwise the last known postal address given by the member or the person entitled by transmission is located, given notice of its intention to sell such share; and

 

  18.1.4 the Company has not during the further period of three months after the date of publication of the advertisements (or the later publication date if the two advertisements are not published on the same day) and prior to the exercise of the power of sale received any communication from the member or person entitled by transmission.

 

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18.2 To give effect to any sale under Article 17.3 the Company may appoint any person to execute as transferor an instrument of transfer of such share and such instrument of transfer shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder of or person entitled by the transmission to such share. The Company shall account to the member or other person entitled to such share for the net proceeds of such sale by carrying all moneys in respect thereof to a separate account which shall be a debt of the Company and the Company shall be deemed to be a debtor and not a trustee in respect thereof for such member or other person. Moneys carried to such separate account may either be employed in the business of the Company or investments (other than shares of the Company or its holding company if any) as the Board may from time to time think fit. No interest shall be paid in respect of such moneys and the Company shall not be bound to account for any money earned thereon.

 

19. GENERAL MEETINGS

 

19.1 The Board shall convene and the Company shall hold general meetings as annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Laws.

 

19.2 The Board may convene any other general meeting whenever it thinks fit and at such time and place as the Board may determine. On the request of members pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Laws, the Board shall convene a general meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Laws.

 

19.3 Subject to the Companies Laws, a resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of each member who would have been entitled to vote upon it if it had been proposed at a general meeting at which he was present shall be as effectual as if it had been passed at a general meeting properly convened and held and may consist of several instruments in the like form each signed by or on behalf of one or more of the members.

 

20. NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

20.1 An annual general meeting and any other general meeting (whether convened for the passing of an ordinary or a special resolution) shall be called by at least 14 clear days’ notice.

 

20.2 Notice of every general meeting shall be given to all members (other than those who under the provisions of these Articles or any restrictions imposed on any shares are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company), to each Director and to the Auditors provided that the Company may determine that only those persons entered on the Register at the close of business on a day determined by the Company, such day being no more than 21 days before the day that notice of the meeting is sent, shall be entitled to receive such notice.

 

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20.3 The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or to send any document or other information relating to the meeting to any person entitled to receive it, or the non-receipt of any such notice, document or information, whether or not the Company is aware of such omission or non-receipt, shall not invalidate the proceedings at any general meeting.

 

20.4 Every notice calling a general meeting shall specify the place of the meeting and the time and date of the meeting, and there shall appear with reasonable prominence in every such notice a statement to the effect that a member is entitled to appoint one or more proxies (who need not be members) to exercise all or any of his rights to attend and to speak and vote at the meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by him.

 

20.5 Every notice calling an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such.

 

20.6 Every notice calling a general meeting at which business other than routine business is to be transacted shall specify the general nature of such business and, if any resolution is to be proposed as a special resolution, shall contain a statement to that effect.

 

20.7 Routine business shall mean and include only business transacted at an annual general meeting of the following classes, that is to say:

 

  20.7.1 declaring dividends;

 

  20.7.2 considering and adopting the accounts, the reports of the Directors (if any) and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the accounts;

 

  20.7.3 appointing or re-appointing Directors to fill vacancies arising at the meeting on retirement;

 

  20.7.4 re-appointing the retiring Auditors unless they were last appointed otherwise than by the Company in general meeting;

 

  20.7.5 fixing the remuneration of the Auditors or determining the manner in which such remuneration is to be fixed;

 

  20.7.6 the grant, renewal, extension or variation of any authority for the Company to make purchases of shares in its own capital and to hold any shares so purchased as treasury shares; and

 

  20.7.7 the renewing or re-granting of an existing authority for a scrip dividend alternative.

 

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20.8 Any member present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.

 

20.9 For the purposes of determining which persons are entitled to attend or vote at a meeting and how many votes such person may cast, the Company may specify a time in the notice of the meeting, not more than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, by which a person must be entered on the Register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting.

 

21. PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

21.1 No business (other than the appointment of a chairman) shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. The quorum for any general meeting shall be at least two members present in person or by proxy who are entitled to vote and who represent between them not less than 50% of the shares in issue as at the date of such general meeting.

 

21.2 The chairman of the Board, failing whom a deputy chairman (to be chosen, if there be more than one, by agreement amongst them or, failing agreement, by lot) shall preside as chairman at a general meeting. If there be no such chairman or deputy chairman, or if at any meeting none be present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or none be willing to act, the Directors present shall choose one of their number or, if no Director be present or if all the Directors present decline to take the chair, the members present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

21.3 If within 15 minutes from the time appointed for a general meeting (or such longer period as the chairman of the meeting may think fit to allow) a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened by or on the request of members pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Laws, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, or to such day and at such time and place as the chairman of the meeting may determine, and if at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within 15 minutes from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

21.4

The chairman of the meeting may at any time without the consent of the meeting adjourn any general meeting (whether or not it has commenced or a quorum is present), either indefinitely or to another time or place, where it appears to him that the members wishing to attend cannot conveniently be accommodated in the place appointed for the meeting or where the conduct of persons present prevents or is likely to prevent the orderly continuation of business or where an

 

25


  adjournment is otherwise necessary so that the business of the meeting may be properly conducted. In addition the chairman of the meeting may with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time (or indefinitely) and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. Where a meeting is adjourned indefinitely, the time and place for the adjourned meeting shall be fixed by the Board.

 

21.5 When a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more or indefinitely, not less than seven clear days’ notice of the adjourned meeting (exclusive of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is given) shall be given as in the case of the original meeting, but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted at the adjourned meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

 

21.6 In the case of any general meeting the Board may, notwithstanding the specification in the notice of the place of the general meeting (the “principal place”) at which the chairman of the meeting shall preside, make arrangements for simultaneous attendance and participation at other places by members and proxies entitled to attend the general meeting but excluded from the principal place under the provisions of this Article. Such arrangements for simultaneous attendance at the meeting may include arrangements regarding the level of attendance at places other than the principal place provided that they shall operate so that any member and proxy excluded from attendance at the principal place is entitled to attend at one of the other places. For the purpose of all other provisions of these Articles any such meeting shall be treated as being held and taking place at the principal place.

 

21.7 The Board may, for the purpose of facilitating the organisation and administration of any general meeting to which any of the arrangements referred to in Article 21.6 apply, from time to time make arrangements, whether involving the issue of tickets (on a basis intended to afford to all members and proxies entitled to attend the meeting an equal opportunity of being admitted to the principal place) or the imposition of some random means of selection or otherwise as the Board shall in its absolute discretion consider to be appropriate, and may from time to time vary any such arrangements or make new arrangements in their place and the entitlement of any member or proxy to attend a general meeting at the principal place shall be subject to such arrangements as may be for the time being in force whether stated in the notice convening the meeting to apply to that meeting or notified to the members concerned subsequent to the notice convening the meeting.

 

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21.8 If it appears to the chairman that the meeting place specified in the notice convening the meeting is inadequate to accommodate all members entitled and wishing to attend, the meeting is duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman is satisfied that adequate facilities are available to ensure that a member who is unable to be accommodated is able:

 

  21.8.1 to participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened;

 

  21.8.2 to hear all persons present who speak (whether by the use of microphones, loud-speakers, audio-visual communications equipment or otherwise), whether in the meeting place or elsewhere; and

 

  21.8.3 to be heard by all other persons present in the same way.

 

21.9 The Board may make any arrangement and impose any restriction it considers appropriate to ensure the security of a meeting including, without limitation, the searching of a person attending the meeting and the restriction of the items of personal property that may be taken into the meeting place. The Board is entitled to refuse entry to a meeting to a person who refuses to comply with these arrangements.

 

21.10 The Board may direct that members or proxies wishing to attend any general meeting should provide such evidence of identity and submit to such searches or other security arrangements or restrictions as the Board shall consider appropriate in the circumstances and shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to refuse entry to any general meeting to any member or proxy who fails to provide such evidence of identity or to submit to such searches or otherwise to comply with such security arrangements or restrictions or to eject any such member or proxy from any general meeting.

 

22. VOTING

 

22.1 At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless (before or immediately following the declaration of the result of the vote on a show of hands) a poll is duly demanded. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, a poll may be demanded by either:

 

  22.1.1 the chairman of the meeting; or

 

  22.1.2 not less than five members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the resolution; or

 

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  22.1.3 a member or members present in person or by proxy and representing not less than 10 per cent. of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attached to shares in the Company held as treasury shares); or

 

  22.1.4 a member or members present in person or by proxy and holding shares conferring a right to vote on the resolution being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than 10 per cent. of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right (excluding any shares in the Company conferring a right to vote on the resolution which are held as treasury shares).

 

22.2 A demand for a poll may, before the poll is taken, be withdrawn only with the consent of the chairman. A demand so withdrawn shall not be taken to have invalidated the result of a show of hands declared before the demand was made, which result shall be effective. Unless a poll is so demanded (and the demand is not withdrawn) a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the minute of the meeting, shall be conclusive evidence of that fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded for or against such resolution.

 

22.3 If a poll is duly demanded (and the demand is not withdrawn) it shall be taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) as the chairman of the meeting may direct, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The chairman of the meeting may (and if so directed by the meeting shall) appoint scrutinisers (who need not be members) and may adjourn the meeting to some place and time fixed by him for the purpose of declaring the result of the poll.

 

22.4 A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken either immediately or at such subsequent time (not being more than 30 days from the date of the meeting) and place as the chairman may direct. No notice need be given of a poll not taken immediately. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has been demanded.

 

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22.5 If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. With the consent of the chairman of the meeting, an amendment may be withdrawn before it is voted on. No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in any event be considered or voted on. No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may be considered or voted on unless either:

 

  22.5.1 at least 48 hours prior to the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which such ordinary resolution is to be proposed notice of the terms of the amendment and intention to move the same has been delivered in hard copy form to the Office or to such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose or received in electronic form at such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose; or

 

  22.5.2 the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that it may be considered or voted upon.

 

22.6 If any votes shall be counted which ought not to have been counted, or might have been rejected, the error shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless it is pointed out at the same meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, and not in that case unless it shall in the opinion of the chairman of the meeting be of sufficient magnitude to affect the result of the voting.

 

23. VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

23.1 Subject to Article 20.9 and to any special rights or restrictions as to voting attached by or by virtue of these Articles to any shares or any class of shares, on a show of hands every member who is present in person and every proxy present who has been duly appointed by a member entitled to vote on the resolution shall have one vote and on a poll every member who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder or in respect of which he has been appointed proxy (as applicable).

 

23.2 In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders. For this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding.

 

23.3 Where in Jersey or elsewhere an attorney, receiver, curator bonis or other person (by whatever name called) has been appointed by any court claiming jurisdiction in that behalf (whether in Jersey or elsewhere) to exercise power with respect to the property or affairs of any member on the ground (however formulated) of mental disorder, the Board may in its absolute discretion, upon or subject to production of such evidence as they may require, permit such attorney, receiver, curator bonis or other person to vote in person or by proxy on behalf of such member at any general meeting.

 

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23.4 No member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to be present or to vote at any general meeting either in person or by proxy or upon any poll or to exercise any other right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company in respect of any shares held by him if any call or other sum presently payable by him to the Company in respect of such shares remains unpaid.

 

23.5 No objection shall be raised as to the admissibility of any vote except at the meeting or adjourned meeting or poll at which the vote objected to is or may be given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at such meeting shall be valid for all purposes. Any such objection shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting whose decision shall be final and conclusive.

 

23.6 On a poll a person present in person or by proxy and entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all his votes in the same way.

 

24. PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES

 

24.1 A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A proxy shall be entitled to speak and vote on a show of hands.

 

24.2 A member may appoint more than one person as his proxy in respect of the same meeting or resolution provided that the appointment of the proxy shall specify the number of shares in respect of which the proxy is appointed and only one proxy shall be appointed in respect of any one share. When two or more valid but differing appointments of proxy are delivered or received (regardless of its date or of the date of its signature) in respect of the same share for use at the same meeting, the one which is last delivered or received shall be treated as replacing and revoking the others as regards that share. Subject to the Companies Laws, the Board may determine at its discretion when a proxy appointment shall be treated as delivered or received for the purposes of these Articles. If the Company is unable to determine which was last delivered or received, none of them shall be treated as valid in respect of that share.

 

24.3 The appointment of a proxy shall be made in writing and shall be in any usual or common form or in any other form or forms which the Board may approve. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy may be:

 

  24.3.1 in hard copy form; or

 

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  24.3.2 if the Company so agrees, in electronic form (including by means of a relevant system or a website).

 

24.4 The appointment of a proxy, whether made in hard copy form or in electronic form, shall be executed or authenticated in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Board from time to time.

 

24.5 The Board may, if it thinks fit (but subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws), at the Company’s expense send forms of proxy in hard copy form for use at the meeting and issue invitations in electronic form to appoint a proxy in relation to the meeting in such form as may be approved by the Board. The appointment of a proxy shall not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the meeting or on the resolution concerned.

 

24.6 The appointment of a proxy shall:

 

  24.6.1 if in hard copy form, be delivered by hand or by post to the Office or such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose:

 

  (a) in the notice convening the meeting; or

 

  (b) in any form of proxy sent by or on behalf of the Company in relation to the meeting,

 

  (c) not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the appointment proposes to vote; or

 

  (d) if in electronic form, be received at any address specified by or on behalf of the Company for the purpose of receiving the appointment of a proxy in electronic form in:

 

  (i) the notice convening the meeting; or

 

  (ii) any form of proxy sent by or on behalf of the Company in relation to the meeting; or

 

  (iii)

any invitation to appoint a proxy issued by the Company in relation to the meeting, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the appointment proposes to vote; or

 

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  (e) in either case, where a poll is taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be delivered or received as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or

 

  (f) if in hard copy form, where a poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded, be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman of the meeting.

A proxy appointment which is not delivered or received in accordance with this Article shall be invalid. The Board may decide (in its absolute discretion), either generally or in any particular case, to treat a proxy appointment as valid, notwithstanding that the proxy appointment or any document or evidence has not been received in accordance with the requirements of these Articles.

 

24.7 Where the appointment of a proxy is expressed to have been or purports to have been made, sent or supplied by a person on behalf of the holder of a share:

 

  24.7.1 the Company may treat the appointment as sufficient evidence of the authority of that person to make, send or supply the appointment on behalf of that holder;

 

  24.7.2 that holder shall, if requested by or on behalf of the Board at any time, send or procure the sending of any written authority under which the appointment has been made, sent or supplied or a copy of such authority certified notarially or in some other way approved by the Board, to such address and by such time as may be specified in the request (being a time no earlier than the time by which the appointment of proxy is required to be delivered or received) and, if the request is not complied with in any respect, the appointment may be treated as invalid; and

 

  24.7.3 whether or not a request under paragraph (b) of this Article has been made or complied with, the Company may determine that it has insufficient evidence of the authority of that person to make, send or supply the appointment on behalf of that holder and may treat the appointment as invalid.

 

24.8

The appointment of a proxy to vote on a matter at a meeting confers on the proxy authority to demand, or join in demanding, a poll on that matter. The appointment of a proxy shall also, unless it provides to the contrary, be deemed to confer authority on the proxy to vote or abstain

 

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  from voting as the proxy thinks fit on any amendment of a resolution and on any procedural motion or resolution put to the meeting to which it relates and on any other business not referred to in the notice of meeting which may properly come before the meeting to which it relates. The appointment of a proxy shall, unless it provides to the contrary, be valid for any adjournment of the meeting as well as for the meeting to which it relates.

 

24.9 Any member or other person which is a body corporate may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise a person to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares. A person so authorised and present at any such meeting shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the body corporate which he represents as that body corporate could exercise if it were an individual member personally present, save that a Director, the Secretary or other person authorised for the purpose by the Secretary may require such person to produce a certified copy of the resolution of authorisation before permitting him to exercise his powers. A body corporate shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if the person so authorised by it is present at the meeting.

 

24.10 A vote given or poll demanded by a proxy or by the duly authorised representative of a body corporate shall be valid notwithstanding the previous determination of the authority of the person voting or demanding the poll unless notice of the determination was either delivered or received as mentioned in the following sentence at least three hours before the start of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote is given or the poll demanded or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) the time appointed for taking the poll. Such notice of determination shall be either by means of a document in hard copy form delivered to the Office or to such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 24.5 or in electronic form received at the address (if any) specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 24.5, regardless of whether any relevant proxy appointment was effected in hard copy form or in electronic form.

 

25. DTC SYSTEM VOTING ARRANGEMENTS

 

25.1 Subject to the Companies Laws, for the purpose of facilitating the giving of voting instructions for any general meeting by any person who holds, or holds interests in, beneficial interests in Ordinary Shares that are held and traded in the DTC System:

 

  25.1.1 each DTC Proxy may appoint (whether by way of instrument of proxy, power of attorney, mandate or otherwise) more than one person as its proxy in respect of the same general meeting or resolution provided that the instrument of appointment shall specify the number of shares in respect of which the proxy is appointed and only one proxy may attend the general meeting and vote in respect of any one share;

 

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  25.1.2 each DTC Proxy may appoint (by power of attorney, mandate or otherwise) an agent (including, without limitation, a proxy solicitation agent or similar person) for the purposes of obtaining voting instructions and submitting them to the Company on behalf of that DTC Proxy, whether in hard copy form or electronic form;

 

  25.1.3 each instrument of appointment made by a DTC Proxy or its agent shall, unless the Company is notified to the contrary in writing at least three hours before the start of the meeting (or adjourned meeting), be deemed to confer on the relevant proxy or agent the power and authority to appoint one or more sub-proxies or sub-agents or otherwise sub-delegate any or all of its powers to any person;

 

  25.1.4 the Board may accept any instrument of appointment made by a DTC Proxy or its agent as sufficient evidence of the authority of that DTC Proxy or agent or require evidence of the authority under which any such appointment has been made; and

 

  25.1.5 the Board may, to give effect to the intent of this Article:

 

  (a) make such arrangements, either generally or in any particular case, as it thinks fit (including, without limitation, making or facilitating arrangements for the submission to the Company of voting instructions on behalf of DTC Proxies, whether in hard copy form or electronic form);

 

  (b) make such regulations, either generally or in any particular case, as it thinks fit, whether in addition to, or in substitution for, any other provision of these Articles; and

 

  (c) do such other acts and things as it considers necessary or desirable (including, without limitation, approving the form of any instrument of appointment of proxy or agent, whether in hard copy form or electronic form).

 

25.2 If any question arises at or in relation to a general meeting as to whether any person has been validly appointed as a proxy or agent by a DTC Proxy or its agent to vote (or exercise any other right) in respect of any Ordinary Shares:

 

  25.2.1 if the question arises at a general meeting, the question will be determined by the chairman of the meeting in his sole discretion; or

 

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  25.2.2 if the question arises otherwise than at a general meeting, the question will be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

The decision of the chairman of the meeting or the Board (as applicable), which may include declining to recognise a particular appointment as valid, will, if made in good faith, be final and binding on all persons interested.

 

26. DIRECTORS

 

26.1 The number of Directors shall not be less than two. The Board may from time to time vary the maximum number of Directors.

 

26.2 A Director and an alternate Director shall not require a share qualification but nevertheless shall be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the Company.

 

26.3 Any Director who is appointed to any executive office (including for this purpose the office of the chairman or deputy chairman whether or not such office is held in an executive capacity) or who serves on any committee or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of the Board are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid remuneration (in addition to any amounts receivable under Article 31) by way of salary, commission, bonus or otherwise (whether exclusive or inclusive of his remuneration (if any) under these Articles) as the Board may determine.

 

26.4 A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director, and may act in a professional capacity to the Company, on such terms as to tenure of office, remuneration and otherwise as the Board may determine.

 

26.5

The Board may establish and maintain, or procure the establishment and maintenance of, any pension or superannuation funds (whether contributory or otherwise) for the benefit of, and give or procure the giving of donations, gratuities, pensions, allowances and emoluments to, any persons who are or were at any time in the employment or service of the Company, or of any company which is a subsidiary of the Company or is allied to or associated with the Company or any such subsidiary or of any of the predecessors in business of the Company or any such other company as aforesaid, or who may be or have been Directors or officers of the Company or

 

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  directors of officers of any such other company as aforesaid and who hold or have held executive positions or agreements for services with the Company or any such other company as aforesaid, and the wives, husbands, civil partners, widows, widowers, families and dependants of any such persons, and also establish, subsidise and subscribe to any institutions, associations, societies, clubs or funds calculated to be for the benefit of, or to advance the interests and well-being of the Company or of any such other company as aforesaid, or of any such person as aforesaid, and make payments for or towards the insurance of any such person as aforesaid and subscribe or guarantee money for charitable or benevolent objects, or for any exhibition or for any public, general or useful object, and do any of the matters aforesaid either alone or in conjunction with any such other company as aforesaid. Subject to particulars with respect to the proposed payment being disclosed to the members of the Company and to the proposal being approved by the Company by ordinary resolution, if the Companies Laws or the NASDAQ Rules (if applicable) shall so require, any Director who holds or has held any such executive position or agreement for services shall be entitled to participate in and retain for his own benefit any such donation, gratuity, pension, allowance or emolument.

 

26.6 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and these Articles, the Board may from time to time appoint one or more of its body to be holder of any executive office (including, where considered appropriate, the office of chairman or deputy chairman or chief executive) on such terms and for such period as they may determine and, without prejudice to any claim for damages under any contract entered into in any particular case, may at any time revoke any such appointment.

 

26.7 The appointment of any Director to the office of chairman or deputy chairman or managing or joint managing or deputy or assistant managing director or chief executive shall automatically terminate if he ceases to be a Director, but without prejudice to any claim by either the Company or the Director for damages for breach of any contract between him and the Company.

 

26.8 The appointment of any Director to any executive office shall automatically terminate if he ceases from any cause to be a Director, unless the contract or resolution under which he holds office shall expressly state otherwise, in which event such termination shall be without prejudice to any claim by either the Company or the Director for damages for breach of any contract between him and the Company.

 

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27. APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS

 

27.1 At each annual general meeting each Director shall retire.

 

27.2 A retiring Director shall be eligible for re-election.

 

27.3 The Company at the meeting at which a Director retires under any provisions of these Articles may by ordinary resolution fill the vacated office by electing thereto the retiring Director or some other person eligible for appointment. In default the retiring Director shall be deemed to have been re-elected except in any of the following cases:

 

  27.3.1 where at such meeting it is expressly resolved not to fill the vacancy;

 

  27.3.2 where a resolution for the re-election of the retiring Director is put to the meeting and lost; or

 

  27.3.3 where the retiring Director has given notice to the Company that he is unwilling to be re-elected.

 

27.4 The retirement shall not have effect until the conclusion of the meeting except where a resolution is passed to elect some other person in the place of the retiring Director or a resolution for his re-election is put to the meeting and lost and accordingly a retiring Director who is re-elected or deemed to have been re-elected (and his alternate, if any) will continue in office without break.

 

27.5 The Company may by ordinary resolution remove any Director from office for cause notwithstanding any provision of these Articles or of any agreement between the Company and such Director, but without prejudice to any claim he may have for damages for breach of any such agreement. The vacancy arising upon the removal of a Director from office in accordance with the foregoing may be filled as a casual vacancy.

 

27.6 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and of these Articles, if at any time the number of Directors falls below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles or the Companies Laws, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint any person or persons to be a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as (an) additional Director(s), in order that the number of Directors is equal to the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles or the Companies Laws.

 

27.7 Without prejudice to the power of the Company to appoint any person to be a Director pursuant to these Articles but subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and of these Articles, the Board may at any time appoint any person to be a Director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional Director, but so that the total number of Directors shall not at any time exceed the maximum number (if any) fixed by or in accordance with these Articles. Any Director so appointed shall hold office only until the next annual general meeting and shall then retire (and be eligible for re-election) in accordance with the foregoing provisions.

 

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27.8 A resolution for the appointment of two or more persons as Directors by a single resolution shall not be moved at any general meeting unless a resolution that it shall be so moved has first been agreed to by the meeting without any vote being given against it; and any resolution moved in contravention of this provision shall be void.

 

27.9 No person other than a Director retiring at the meeting shall, unless recommended by the Board for election, be eligible for appointment as a Director at any general meeting unless, during the period from (and including) the date that is 120 days before, to and including the date that is 90 days before, the first anniversary of the last annual general meeting of the Company, there shall have been left at the Office notice signed by some member (other than the person to be proposed) duly qualified to attend and vote at the meeting for which such notice is given of his intention to propose such person for election and also notice in writing signed by the person to be proposed of his willingness to be elected.

 

27.10 The office of a Director shall be vacated in any of the following events, namely:

 

  27.10.1 if he shall become prohibited or disqualified by law or the NASDAQ Rules (if applicable) from acting as a Director;

 

  27.10.2 if he shall resign in writing under his hand left at the Office or if he shall tender his resignation and the Board shall resolve to accept the same;

 

  27.10.3 if he shall become bankrupt or shall make any arrangement with or compound with his creditors generally;

 

  27.10.4 if he is, or may be, suffering from mental disorder and either:

 

  (a) he is admitted to hospital in pursuance of an application for admission for treatment under any statute relating to mental health; or

 

  (b) an order is made by a Court having jurisdiction (whether in the Jersey or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental disorder for his detention or for the appointment of a receiver, curator bonis or other person to exercise powers with respect to his property or affairs.

 

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  27.10.5 if he shall be absent from meetings of the Board for six months without leave (and his alternate Director, if any, shall not during such period have attended in his stead) and the Board shall resolve that his office be vacated;

 

  27.10.6 he shall be requested in writing by not less than two-thirds of the Directors then in office to resign; or

 

  27.10.7 if any contract with the Company relating to his appointment to any executive office is terminated by the Company, unless the Board resolves that he should continue in office as a Director; or

 

  27.10.8 if he shall be removed from office as provided by Article 27.5.

 

28. ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

28.1 Any Director may appoint any person to be his alternate Director and may remove from office an alternate Director so appointed by him. Such appointment, unless the appointee has been previously approved by the Board or is another Director, shall have effect only upon and subject to being so approved.

 

28.2 The appointment of an alternate Director shall terminate:

 

  28.2.1 if his appointor ceases to be a Director but, if a Director retires (whether in accordance with Article 26.8 or otherwise) but is reappointed or is deemed to be reappointed at the meeting at which he retires, any appointment by such Director of an alternate Director made by him which was in force immediately prior to his retirement shall continue after his reappointment; or

 

  28.2.2 on the happening of any event which if he were a Director would cause him to vacate his office as a Director; or

 

  28.2.3 if he resigns his office by notice to the Company.

 

28.3 Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be by notice to the Company by the Director making or revoking the appointment and shall take effect in accordance with the terms of the notice (subject to any approval required by Article 28.1) on receipt of such notice by the Company. Any such notice shall be in hard copy form or in electronic form sent to such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose or, in default of such specification, to the Office.

 

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28.4 An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the Board.

 

28.5 An alternate Director shall be entitled to attend and vote as a Director at any meeting of the Board at which the Director appointing him is not personally present and generally at such meeting to perform all functions of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director. If his appointor is for the time being temporarily unable to act through ill-health, disability or any other reason his signature to any resolution under Article 29.7 of the Directors shall be as effective as the signature of his appointor. To such extent as the Board may from time to time determine in relation to any committee of the Board the provisions of Article 28.4 and this Article shall also apply to any meeting of any such committee of which his appointor is a member. An alternate Director shall not (save as aforesaid) have power to act as a Director nor shall he be deemed to be a Director for the purposes of these Articles.

 

28.6 An alternate Director shall be an officer of the Company and shall alone be responsible to the Company for his own acts and defaults and he shall not be deemed an agent of or for the Director appointing him. An alternate Director may be interested in contracts, arrangements and other proposals with the Company, may be repaid expenses by the Company and shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company to the same extent as if he were a Director, but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company in respect of his appointment as alternate Director any remuneration except only such proportion (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice to the Company from time to time direct.

 

28.7 Where an alternate Director is the alternate of more than one Director and attends a meeting of the Board or a meeting of a committee of the Board which the Board has determined he is entitled to attend in his capacity as an alternate, he shall in the absence of more than one appointor have a separate vote for each appointor for whom he is attending (but he shall only count as one Director for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present); if he is himself a Director his vote or votes as an alternate Director shall be in addition to his own vote as a Director.

 

29. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

29.1 The Board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall not have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Board. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting and any such waiver may be retrospective.

 

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29.2 Notice of a meeting of the Board shall be deemed to be properly given to a Director if given to him personally or by word of mouth or sent in hard copy form to him at his last known address or at any other address given by him to the Company for this purpose or sent in electronic form to the address (if any) notified by him to the Company for that purpose (which shall be deemed to include any email or other electronic address provided to him for his use by the Company).

 

29.3 All or any of the Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board by any lawful means including by means of a conference telephone or any communication equipment which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear and speak to each other at the same time. A person so participating shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting and shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum accordingly. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is.

 

29.4 The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be a majority of Directors in office at the time of the relevant meeting or such higher proportion of Directors as may be fixed by the Board. For the purposes of this Article an alternate Director shall be counted in a quorum, but so that not less than two individuals shall constitute the quorum. A meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all authorities, powers and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.

 

29.5 The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their number, but if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles the continuing Directors or Director may act for the purpose of filling up such vacancies or of summoning general meetings of the Company, but not for any other purpose. If there be no Directors or Director able or willing to act, then any two members may summon a general meeting for the purpose of appointing Directors.

 

29.6 The Board may elect a chairman and, if thought fit, one or more deputy chairmen and determine the period for which each is to hold office. The chairman, failing whom a deputy chairman (to be chosen, if there be more than one, by agreement amongst them or failing agreement by lot), shall preside at all meetings of the Board, but if no chairman or deputy chairman shall have been elected, or if at any meeting none be present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or none be willing to act, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

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29.7 A resolution in writing signed or approved by a majority of the Directors entitled to vote on that resolution shall be as valid and effective as a resolution passed at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held. The resolution may be contained in one document (whether in hard copy or in electronic form) or in several documents (whether in hard copy or electronic form) each signed or approved by one or more of the Directors concerned. For this purpose:

 

  29.7.1 the signature or approval of an alternate director (if any) shall suffice in place of the signature of the Director appointing him; and

 

  29.7.2 the approval of a Director or alternate director shall be given in writing or by electronic means (including approval given in an email).

 

30. DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

30.1 Subject to Article 30.2:

 

  30.1.1 a Director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries must declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other Directors before the Company enters into the transaction or arrangement; and

 

  30.1.2 a Director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement that has been entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries must, unless the interest has already been declared pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Article, declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other Directors as soon as is practicable,

in each case in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Laws. If any such declaration under this Article proves to be, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, a further declaration must be made thereunder.

 

30.2 Subject to the Companies Laws, a Director shall not be required to declare an interest:

 

  30.2.1 if the Director is not aware of the interest or of the transaction or arrangement in question (and, for this purpose, a Director is treated as being aware of matters of which he ought reasonably to be aware); or

 

  30.2.2 if the interest cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest; or

 

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  30.2.3 if, or to the extent that, the other Directors are already aware of the interest (and, for this purpose, the other Directors are treated as aware of anything of which they ought reasonably to be aware); or

 

  30.2.4 if, or to the extent that, the interest concerns the terms of his service contract that have been or are to be considered by a meeting of the Board or by a committee of the Board appointed for the purpose under these Articles.

 

30.3 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws and provided that he has declared the nature and extent of any direct or indirect interest of his in accordance with Article 30.1, a Director, notwithstanding his office, may:

 

  30.3.1 be a party to or otherwise interested in any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested;

 

  30.3.2 hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of auditor) in conjunction with the office of Director for such period and on such terms, including as to remuneration, as the Board may determine;

 

  30.3.3 act by himself or through a firm with which he is associated in a professional capacity for the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any company in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested (otherwise than as auditor) on such terms, including as to remuneration, as the Board may determine;

 

  30.3.4 be or become a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested (including by the holding of shares or other securities) in, any subsidiary of the Company or any company in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested; and

 

  30.3.5 be or become a director of any company in which the Company is not directly or indirectly interested if, at the time of his appointment as a director of that other company, such appointment cannot reasonably be regarded as giving rise to a conflict of interest.

 

30.4

A Director shall not, by reason of his office or the fiduciary relationship thereby established, be liable to account to the Company for any remuneration or other benefit which he derives from any transaction or arrangement or from any office, employment, position or relationship or from any interest in any company which he is permitted to hold or enter into by virtue of Article 30.3 or otherwise pursuant to these Articles, nor shall the receipt of any such remuneration or other

 

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  benefit constitute a breach of his duties under the Companies Laws or otherwise. No transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the grounds of a Director having an interest therein (including deriving a benefit therefrom) if the interest is permitted under Article 30.3.

 

30.5 A Director may, notwithstanding his interest, be counted in the quorum in relation to any resolution of the Board or a committee of the Board concerning any transaction or arrangement in which he is directly or indirectly interested and, subject to the provisions of Article 30.1, he may vote in respect of any such resolution.

 

30.6 A Director may, notwithstanding his interest, be counted in the quorum in relation to any resolution of the Board or a committee of the Board concerning his own appointment (or the settlement or variation of the terms of, or the termination of, his own appointment) as the holder of any office or place of profit with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any company in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested, but he may not vote in respect of any such resolution.

 

30.7 Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (or the settlement or variation of the terms of the appointment or the termination of the appointment) of two or more Directors to offices or places of profit with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any company in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested, such proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each Director separately. In such a case, each of the Directors concerned shall be entitled to vote in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment (or the settlement or variation of the terms, or the termination, of his own appointment).

 

31. DIRECTORS’ FEES

Without prejudice to Articles 26.3, 26.4 and 30.2, the Directors (other than alternate Directors) shall be entitled to receive by way of fees for their services as Directors such sum as the Board may from time to time determine. Any fees payable pursuant to this Article shall be distinct from any salary, remuneration or other amounts payable to a Director pursuant to any other provisions of these Articles and shall accrue from day to day. For the purpose of this Article, the terms “ sum ” and “ fees ” include the issue of shares in the capital of the Company and/or the grant of options, warrants or other rights in or over such shares.

 

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32. DIRECTORS’ EXPENSES

Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid all reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by him in or about the performance of his duties as Director, including any expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company.

 

33. BORROWING POWERS

The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

34. GENERAL POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

34.1 The business of the Company shall be managed by the Board, who may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not by the Companies Laws or by these Articles required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to any regulations of these Articles, to the provisions of the Companies Laws and to such regulations, being not inconsistent with the aforesaid regulations or provisions, as may be prescribed by an ordinary resolution of the Company, but no regulation so made by the Company shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulation had not been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other Article.

 

34.2 The Board may delegate any of its powers to committees consisting of such person or persons (whether Directors or not) upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as it thinks fit provided that the majority of the members of the committee are Directors. Any such delegation (which may include authority to sub-delegate all or any of the powers so delegated) may be collateral with, or to the exclusion of, the powers which are the subject of the delegation (or sub-delegation). Any committees so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations which may from time to time be imposed by the Board and any or all of the powers so delegated may be altered, waived, withdrawn or revoked by the Board.

 

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34.3 The meetings and proceedings of any such committee consisting of two or more members shall be governed by the provisions of these Articles regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Directors, so far as the same are applicable.

 

34.4 The Board may delegate any of its powers to any Director upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as they think fit. Any such delegation (which may include authority to sub-delegate all or any of the powers so delegated) may be collateral with, or to the exclusion of, the powers which are the subject of the delegation (or sub-delegation). Any or all of the powers so delegated may be altered, waived, withdrawn or revoked by the Board.

 

34.5 The Board may establish any local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any persons to be members of such local boards, or any managers or agents, and may fix their remuneration. The Board may delegate to any local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Board, with power to sub-delegate, and may authorise the members of any local boards, or any of them, to fill any vacancies therein, and to act notwithstanding vacancies, and any such appointment or delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board may think fit, and the Board may remove any person so appointed, and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

34.6 The Board may by power of attorney, mandate or otherwise appoint any person to be the agent of the Company on such terms (including terms as to remuneration) as it may decide and may delegate to any person so appointed any of its powers, authorities and discretions (with power to sub-delegate). The Board may remove any person appointed under this Article and may revoke or vary the delegation, but no person dealing in good faith shall be affected by the revocation or variation.

 

34.7 Any power of the Board to delegate any of its powers under these Articles (and the power to sub-delegate any of such powers) shall be effective in relation to the powers, authorities and discretions of the Board generally and shall not be limited by the fact that in certain Articles, but not in others, express reference is made to particular powers, authorities or discretions being exercised by the Board or by a committee of the Board.

 

34.8 All acts done by or in pursuance of a resolution of any meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board or by a person acting as a Director or alternate Director or as a member of a committee shall, notwithstanding that there was some defect in the appointment of any Director or alternate Director or member of a committee or that any such person was disqualified or had vacated office or was not entitled to vote, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director or alternate Director or member of a committee and had been entitled to vote.

 

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34.9 All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time determine.

 

34.10 If any uncalled capital of the Company is included in or charged by any mortgage or other security, the Board may delegate to the person in whose favour such mortgage or security is executed, or to any other person in trust for him, the power to make calls on the members in respect of such uncalled capital, and to sue in the name of the Company or otherwise for the recovering of moneys becoming due in respect of calls so made and to give valid receipts for such moneys, and the power so delegated shall subsist during the continuance of the mortgage or security, notwithstanding any change of Directors, and shall be assignable if expressed so to be.

 

34.11 The Board may from time to time elect a president of the Company and may determine the period for which he shall hold office. Such president may be either honorary or paid such remuneration as the Board in its discretion shall think fit, and need not be a Director but shall, if not a Director, be entitled to receive notice of and attend and speak, but not to vote, at all meetings of the Board.

 

35. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

The Board may at any time and from time to time appoint any person (other than a Director) to any office or employment with the Company having a designation or title which includes the word “director” or attach to any existing office or employment with the Company such a designation or title and may at any time terminate any such appointment or the use of such designation or title. The inclusion of the word “director” in the designation or title of the office or employment of any person shall not imply that such person is, or is deemed to be, or is empowered in any respect to act as, a director of the Company for any of the purposes of the Companies Laws or these Articles. Subject as aforesaid, the powers and duties of any such person shall be determined by the Board.

 

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36. SECRETARY

 

36.1 The Secretary shall be qualified in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Laws and shall be appointed by the Board on such terms and for such period as it may think fit. The Secretary may at any time be removed from office by the Board, but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract between him and the Company. The Board may appoint one or more deputy or assistant secretaries.

 

36.2 Any provision of the Companies Laws or of these Articles requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as, or in the place of, the Secretary.

 

37. THE SEAL

 

37.1 The Company may exercise the powers conferred by the Companies Laws with regard to seals and such powers shall be vested in the Board.

 

37.2 The Board shall provide for the safe custody of every Seal.

 

37.3 The Board may determine who (which person need not be an officer) shall sign any instrument to which a Seal is applied, either generally or in relation to a particular instrument or type of instrument, and may also determine, either generally or in any particular case, that such signatures shall be dispensed with.

 

37.4 Unless otherwise decided by the Board:

 

  37.4.1 certificates for shares, debentures or other securities of the Company issued under Seal need not be signed; and

 

  37.4.2 every other instrument to which a Seal is applied shall be signed by at least one Director and the Secretary or by at least two Directors or by one Director in the presence of a witness who attests the signature.

 

38. AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

 

38.1

Any officer or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose shall have power to authenticate and certify as true copies of and extracts from any document affecting the constitution of the Company (whether in hard copy form or in electronic form) and any resolution passed by the Company or the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company or the Board or any committee of the Board (whether in bard copy form or in electronic form), and any

 

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  book, record, document relating to the business of the Company (whether in hard copy form or in electronic form and including without limitation the accounts). Where any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person appointed by the Board as aforesaid (whether in hard copy form or in electronic form and including without limitation the accounts). If certified as aforesaid, a document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Company or of the Board or any committee of the Board (whether in hard copy form or in electronic form) shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company in good faith and relying thereon that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such minutes are or extract is true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.

 

39. DIVIDENDS

 

39.1 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, the Board may from time to time declare dividends and fix the time for payment thereof.

 

39.2 Unless and to the extent that the rights attached to any shares or the terms of issue thereof otherwise provide, a dividend or any other money payable in respect of a share can be declared in any currency and paid in any currency or currencies. The Board shall have the power to decide the basis of conversion for any currency conversions that may be required and how any costs involved are to be met (including whether such costs shall be payable by the member) and to make such arrangements as it thinks fit to enable any dividend or other money payable in respect of a share to be paid in a currency or currencies other than that in which the dividend is declared or other money is expressed to be payable. The Board may deduct from the amount of any dividend or other money payable in respect of a share any fees, expenses, taxes or governmental charges payable by the member in respect of that dividend.

 

39.3 Unless and to the extent that the rights attached to any shares or the terms of issue thereof all dividends shall (as regards any shares not fully paid throughout the period in respect of which the dividend is paid) be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid. For the purposes of this Article no amount paid on a share in advance of call shall be treated as paid on the share.

 

39.4

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, if and so far as in the opinion of the Board the financial position of the Company justifies such payments, the Board may pay the fixed dividend on any class of shares carrying a fixed dividend expressed to be payable on fixed dates on the

 

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  half-yearly or other dates prescribed for the payment thereof and may also from time to time pay interim dividends of such amounts and on such dates and in respect of such periods as it thinks fit. A resolution of the Board declaring any such dividend shall (once published with their authority) be irrevocable and have the same effect as if such dividend had been declared upon the recommendation of the Board by an ordinary resolution of the Company. Provided the Board acts bona fide it shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares conferring a preference for any damage they may suffer by reason of the payment of any interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferred rights.

 

39.5 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, where any asset, business or property is bought by the Company as from a past date the profits and losses thereof as from such date may at the discretion of the Board in whole or in part be carried to revenue account and treated for all purposes as profits or losses of the Company. Subject as aforesaid, if any shares or securities are purchased cum dividend or interest, such dividend or interest may at the discretion of the Board be treated as revenue, and it shall not be obligatory to capitalise the same or any part thereof.

 

39.6 No dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of a share shall bear interest as against the Company.

 

39.7 The Board may retain any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of any share:

 

  39.7.1 on which the Company has a lien, and may apply the same in or towards satisfaction of the debts, liabilities, or engagements in respect of which the lien exists; or

 

  39.7.2 in respect of which any person is under the provisions as to the transmission of shares hereinbefore contained entitled to become a member, or which any person is under those provisions entitled to transfer, until such person shall become a member in respect of such shares or shall transfer the same.

 

39.8 The Company may cease to send any cheque or warrant through the post for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of any share if in respect of at least 2 consecutive dividends payable on those shares the cheques or warrants have been returned undelivered or remain uncashed, or the cheque or warrant in respect of any one dividend has been returned undelivered or remains uncashed and reasonable enquiries have failed to establish any new address of the holder, but may recommence sending cheques or warrants in respect of dividends payable on those shares if the holder or person entitled thereto requests such recommencement by notice to the Company.

 

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39.9 All unclaimed dividends or other moneys payable on or in respect of a share may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. The payment by the Board of any such dividend or other moneys into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof and any dividend unclaimed after a period of 12 years from the date of declaration of such dividend or the date on which such dividend became due for payment shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company, but the Board may at its discretion pay any such dividend or such other moneys or some part thereof to a person who would have been entitled thereto had the same not reverted to the Company.

 

39.10 Subject to the Companies Laws, the Board may specify that payment of a dividend be made in whole or in part by the distribution of specific assets (and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company). The Board shall have the power to decide how any costs relating to the distribution of such assets will be met, to sell all or a portion of such assets to fund the payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges and generally to make such arrangements in connection with the distribution of such assets as it thinks fit. Where any legal, regulatory, technical or practical difficulty arises in regard to such distribution under the laws of, or the requirements of any relevant regulatory body or any stock exchange in, any jurisdiction, the Board may make such exclusions or arrangements to settle the same as it thinks expedient and may, in particular, authorise any person to sell and transfer any assets or fractions or ignore fractions altogether, fix the value for distribution purposes of such specific assets or any part thereof to be distributed and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any members upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may authorise any person to sign any instrument of transfer for the purposes of effecting a sale and transfer of any assets or fractions thereof pursuant to this Article.

 

39.11

Any dividend or other moneys payable in cash or in respect of a share may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post to or left at the registered address of the member or person entitled thereto (or, if two or more persons are registered as joint holders of the share or are entitled thereto in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, to any one of such persons) or to such person and such address as such member or person may by notice direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to such persons as the holder or joint holders or person or persons entitled to the share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder may by notice direct and payment of the cheque or warrant by the banker upon whom it is drawn shall be a good discharge to the Company. Every such cheque or warrant shall be sent at the risk of the person entitled to the

 

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  moneys represented thereby. In addition any such dividend or other moneys may at the discretion of the Board be paid by any bank or other funds transfer system or such other means and to or through such person as the holder or joint holders or person or persons entitled to the relevant share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder may by notice direct and the Company shall have no responsibility for any sums lost or delayed in the course of any such transfer or where it has acted on any such directions.

 

39.12 In respect of shares in uncertificated form, where the Company is authorised to do so by or on behalf of the holder or joint holders in such manner as the Company shall from time to time consider sufficient, the Company may pay any such dividend, interest or other moneys by means of the relevant system (subject always to the facilities and requirements of that relevant system).

 

39.13 If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, or are entitled jointly to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, any one of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable or property distributable on or in respect of the share.

 

39.14 The waiver in whole or in part of any dividend on any shares by any document shall be effective only if such document is signed by the shareholder (or the person entitled to the share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder or otherwise by operation of law) and delivered to the Company and if or to the extent that the same is accepted as such or acted upon by the Company.

 

40. RESERVES

The Board may from time to time set aside out of the profits of the Company and carry to reserve such sums as they think proper which, at the discretion of the Board, shall be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may properly be applied and pending such application may either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested. The Board may from time to time designate the reserves or any part thereof for such purposes or in such manner as they think fit. The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits. In carrying sums to reserve and in applying the same the Board shall comply with the provisions of the Companies Laws.

 

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41. CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES

 

41.1 The Company may in accordance with the Companies Laws capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s capital or revenue reserve funds or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account (provided that such sum is not required for paying the dividends on any shares carrying a fixed cumulative preferential dividend) and appropriate the sum to be capitalised to the holders of shares in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been a distribution of profits by way of dividend on the shares and to apply such sum on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on any shares held by them respectively or in or towards paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of the Company, such shares or debentures to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid or partly in one way and partly in the other (and provided that any unrealised profits shall for the purposes of this Article only be applied in or towards the paying up of unissued shares to be allotted as fully paid) where, pursuant to this this Article, the Company capitalises any undistributed profits or reserves by applying them in or towards paying up issued shares in the Company which were not yet fully paid up or in paying up any previously unissued shares in the Company, the amount so applied shall, to the extent required by the Law, be credited to the stated capital account in respect of the class of share concerned.

 

41.2 Subject to the Companies Laws, the Board may, in respect of any dividend or dividends, offer to holders of Ordinary Shares the right to elect to receive in lieu of such dividend (or part thereof) an allotment of additional Ordinary Shares credited as fully paid. In any such case the following provisions shall apply:

 

  41.2.1 the basis of allotment shall be determined by the Board so that each holder of Ordinary Shares is entitled to such number of new Ordinary Shares whose aggregate value is as nearly as possible equal to (but not greater than) the cash amount (disregarding any tax credit) of the dividend that such holder has elected to forgo. For this purpose, the value of an Ordinary Share shall be equal to the final reported per share closing price as quoted for the Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, on the day on which quotations in respect of the Ordinary Shares are first given ex the relevant dividend and the four subsequent dealing days;

 

  41.2.2 the Board shall give notice to holders of Ordinary Shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with or following such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and

 

  41.2.3 the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;

 

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  41.2.4 the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on Ordinary Shares in respect of which an election has been made and in lieu thereof additional Ordinary Shares shall be allotted to the holders of such shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid. For that purpose, the Board shall appropriate out of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of reserves or profit and loss account as the Board may determine a sum equal to the aggregate number of additional Ordinary Shares to be allotted on such basis and apply the same in paying up in full the appropriate number of new Ordinary Shares on such basis;

 

  41.2.5 the additional Ordinary Shares so allotted shall rank pari passu in all respects with the fully paid Ordinary Shares then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend (or share election in lieu); and

 

  41.2.6 the Board may on any occasion determine that rights of election shall not be made available to any holders of Ordinary Shares with registered addresses in any territory where in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities the circulation of an offer of rights of election would or might be unlawful, and in such event the provisions aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination.

 

41.3 Where Articles 41.1 and/or 41.2 apply, the Board shall make all necessary appropriations, applications and allotments to give effect to such Articles. The Board shall have the power to decide how any costs relating to the distribution will be met and to sell all or a portion of such shares or debentures to fund the payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges and generally make such arrangements in connection with the distribution as it thinks fit. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board may:

 

  41.3.1 make such exclusions or arrangements as it thinks fit to settle any legal, regulatory, technical or practical difficulty arising in relation to the distribution under the laws of, or the requirements of any relevant regulatory body or any stock exchange in, any jurisdiction;

 

  41.3.2 make such arrangements as it thinks fit in the case of shares or debentures becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to the Company rather than to the members concerned);

 

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  41.3.3 authorise any person to enter, on behalf of all relevant members, into an agreement with the Company providing for the allotment to them respectively, credited as fully paid, of any further shares or debentures to which they may be entitled upon such capitalisation or (as the case may require) for the payment by the Company on their behalf, by the application thereto of their respective interests in such capitalised sum, of the amounts or any part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares and for matters incidental thereto and any agreement made under any such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned; and

 

  41.3.4 authorise any person to sign any instrument of transfer for the purposes of effecting a sale and transfer of any shares or debentures or fractions thereof pursuant to this Article.

 

42. RECORD DATES

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the Company or the Board may fix any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, offer, allotment or issue and such record date may be on or any time before or after any date on which the dividend, distribution, offer, allotment or issue is declared, paid or made.

 

43. REGISTER

 

43.1 The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the Office or at the Transfer Office (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, at a place outside Jersey), the Register in the manner required by the Companies Laws. The Directors may rely upon the information provided to them from time to time by the Operator for the purposes of keeping the Register up to date in accordance with the Companies Laws. Except as provided by Article 43.2 below, no counter-part or branch of the Register shall be maintained outside Jersey and no copy of the Register, list, record or information in respect of the members of the Company kept or maintained outside Jersey shall constitute the Register or any part of the Register. The Company shall not be bound to recognise any interest or right in respect of any share by virtue of it being contained or recorded in such copy of the Register or that list, record or information (as the case may be) kept or maintained outside Jersey.

 

43.2 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, the Company may keep an overseas branch register in any country, territory or place in respect of the members resident in such country, territory or place. The Board may make and vary such regulations as it may think fit in relation to the keeping of any such overseas branch register.

 

55


44. MINUTES AND BOOKS

 

44.1 The Board shall cause minutes to be made:

 

  44.1.1 of all appointments of officers made by the Board;

 

  44.1.2 of the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Board and of any committee of the Board; and

 

  44.1.3 of all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company and of any class of members of the Company and of the Board and of committees of the Board.

 

44.2 Any such minutes if purporting to be signed by the chairman of the meeting at which the proceedings took place, or by the chairman of the next following meeting, shall be sufficient evidence, without any further proof, of the facts therein stated.

 

44.3 Any register, index, minute book, book of account or other book required by these Articles or the Companies Laws to be kept by or on behalf of the Company may be kept either by making entries in bound books or by recording them in any other manner. In any case in which bound books are not used, the Board shall take adequate precautions for guarding against falsification and for facilitating its discovery.

 

44.4 Any register, index, minute book, book of account or other book or document of the Company shall always be open to the inspection of the officers of the Company. Subject as aforesaid no member of the Company or other person shall have any right of inspecting any book or document of the Company except as conferred by the Companies Laws or as ordered by a Court of competent jurisdiction or as authorised by the Board and the Board shall (subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws) determine at what times and under what conditions any such right may be exercised.

 

45. ACCOUNTS

 

45.1 Accounting records sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and otherwise complying with the Companies Laws shall be kept at the Office or (subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws) at such other place as the Board thinks fit.

 

45.2

The Company shall send to each member of the Company and to the Auditors and to every other person who is entitled to receive notice of general meetings copies of the Company’s annual accounts, the Directors’ report (if any) and the Auditors’ report not less than 14 clear days before the date of the general meeting before which they are to be laid. Nothing in this Article shall

 

56


  require the Company to send a copy of those documents to any person who under these Articles is not entitled to be sent notices from the Company or of whose address the Company is unaware or to any holder of debentures of whose address the Company is unaware or to more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures. No accidental non-compliance with the provisions of this Article shall invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.

 

45.3 Every account of the Company when audited and approved by the Company in general meeting shall be conclusive except as regards any error discovered therein within three months next after the approval thereof Whenever such an error is discovered within that period, the account shall forthwith be corrected and thereupon shall be conclusive.

 

46. AUDITORS

 

46.1 Auditors shall be appointed and their duties, powers, rights and remuneration regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Laws.

 

46.2 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Laws, all acts done by persons acting as Auditors shall, as regards all persons dealing in good faith with the Company, be valid, notwithstanding that there was some defect in their appointment or that they were at the time of their appointment not qualified for appointment.

 

46.3 The Auditors shall be entitled to attend any general meeting and to receive all notices of and other communications relating to any general meeting which any member is entitled to receive, and to be heard at any general meeting on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns them as Auditors.

 

47. COMMUNICATIONS

 

47.1 Communications to be in writing

 

  47.1.1 Any notice or other communication to be given to or by any person pursuant to these Articles (other than a notice convening a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board) shall be in writing.

 

47.2 Communications to the Company

 

  47.2.1 Subject to the Companies Laws and except where otherwise expressly stated in these Articles, any document or information to be sent or supplied to the Company (whether or not such document or information is required or authorised under the Companies Laws) shall be in hard copy form or, subject to Article 47.2.2, be sent or supplied in electronic form or by means of a website.

 

57


  47.2.2 Subject to the Companies Laws, a document or information may be given to the Company in electronic form only if it is given in such form and manner and to such address as may have been specified by the Board from time to time for the receipt of documents in electronic form. The Board may prescribe such procedures as it thinks fit for verifying the authenticity or integrity of any such document or information given to it in electronic form.

 

  47.2.3 A communication sent to the Company by electronic means shall not be treated as received by the Company if it is rejected by computer virus protection arrangements.

 

47.3 Communications by the Company

 

  47.3.1 The Company may send or supply any document or information to a member in hard copy form:

 

  (a) personally; or

 

  (b) by sending or supplying it by post in a pre-paid envelope addressed to the member at his registered address or by leaving it at that address in an envelope addressed to the member;

 

47.4 Subject to the Companies Laws, a document or information may be sent or supplied by the Company in electronic form to any member who has agreed (generally or specifically) that a document or information may be sent or supplied in electronic form and has not revoked that agreement. Where a document or information is sent or supplied by electronic means, it may only be sent or supplied to an address specified for that purpose by the member.

 

47.5 A document or information may be sent or supplied by the Company to a member by being made available on a website if the member has agreed (generally or specifically), or pursuant to Article 47.7 below is deemed to have agreed, that documents or information can be sent or supplied to the member in that form and has not revoked such agreement. A document or information sent or supplied by means of a website must be made available in a form, and by a means, that the Company reasonably considers will enable the recipient:

 

  47.5.1 to read it; and

 

  47.5.2 to retain a copy of it.

 

58


47.6 If a document or information is sent or supplied by means of a website, the Company must notify the intended recipient of:

 

  47.6.1 the presence of the document or information on the website;

 

  47.6.2 the address of the website; the place on the website where it may be accessed; and

 

  47.6.3 how to access the document or information.

 

47.7 Any document or information made available on a website will be maintained on the website for the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification is given under Article 47.6 above, or such shorter period as may be decided by the Board. A failure to make a document or information available on a website throughout the period mentioned in this Article shall be disregarded if

 

  47.7.1 it is made available on the website for part of that period; and

 

  47.7.2 the failure to make it available throughout that period is wholly attributable to circumstances that it would not be reasonable for the Company to prevent or avoid.

 

47.8 If a member has been asked individually by the Company to agree that the Company may send or supply documents or information generally, or specific documents or information, to the member by means of a website and the Company does not receive a response within a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the Company’s request was sent (or such longer period as the Board may specify), such member will be deemed to have agreed to receive such documents or information by means of a website in accordance with Article 47.5 above (save in respect of any documents or information as may be required to be sent in hard copy form pursuant to the Companies Laws). A member can revoke any such deemed election in accordance with Article 47.9 below.

 

47.9 Any amendment or revocation of a notification given to the Company or agreement (or deemed agreement) under these Articles shall only take effect if in writing, signed (or authenticated by electronic means) by the member and on actual receipt by the Company thereof.

 

47.10 Where these Articles require or permit a document to be authenticated by a person by electronic means, to be valid it must incorporate the electronic signature or personal identification details of that person, in such form as the Directors may approve, or be accompanied by such other evidence as the Directors may require to satisfy themselves that the document is genuine.

 

59


47.11 In the case of joint holders of a share:

 

  47.11.1 all documents or information shall be given to the joint holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding and any document or information so given shall be deemed for all purposes given to all the joint holders; and

 

  47.11.2 anything to be agreed or specified in relation to any document or information to be given to them may be agreed or specified by any one of the joint holders and any such agreement or specification shall be deemed for all purposes to be agreed or specified by all the joint holders. The agreement or specification of the joint holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding shall be accepted to the exclusion of the agreement or specification of any of the other joint holders.

 

  47.11.3 If a member (or, in the case of joint holders, the person first named in the Register) has a registered address outside of Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA but has notified the Company of an address within Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA at which documents or information may be given to him, he shall be entitled to have documents or information given to him at that address or, where applicable, to be notified at that address of the availability of documents or information on a website. Alternatively, if a member has a registered address outside Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA, he may give the Company an address for the purposes of communications in electronic form in which event, subject to these Articles, documents or information may, at the Company’s absolute discretion, be sent to him at that address. Otherwise, no such member shall be entitled to receive any document or information from the Company.

 

  47.11.4 If on at least three consecutive occasions any document or information sent to a member by post at his registered address or his address at which documents or information may be given to him has been returned undelivered, such member shall not thereafter be entitled to receive any document or information from the Company until he shall have communicated with the Company and supplied the Company with a new registered address within Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA or an address within Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA at which documents or information may be given to him.

 

  47.11.5 If on at least two consecutive occasions the Company has attempted to send a document or information by electronic means to an address for the time being notified to the Company by a member for that purpose but the Company is aware that there has been a failure of delivery of such document or information, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of these Articles, thereafter send documents and information to such member by post at his registered address or his address at which documents or information may be given to him.

 

60


  47.11.6 The provisions of Articles 47.3 to 47.21 do not affect any provision of the Companies Laws requiring documents or information to be served on or given, sent, supplied or delivered to a member in a particular manner.

 

47.12 Notice to persons entitled by transmission

 

47.13 The Company may give a document or information to the person entitled by transmission to a share by sending it in any manner authorised by these Articles for the giving of a document or information to a member, addressed to that person by name or by the title of representative of the deceased or trustee of the bankrupt or representative by operation of law or by any similar description, at the address (if any) in Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA supplied for that purpose by the person claiming to be so entitled. Until such an address has been supplied, a document or information may be given in any manner in which it might have been given if the death or bankruptcy or other event giving rise to the transmission of entitlement had not occurred.

 

47.14 Record date for communications

 

47.15 For the purposes of giving notices of meetings, or of sending or supplying other documents or other information, whether under the Companies Laws, any other applicable law or regulation, a provision in these Articles or any other instrument, the Company may determine that persons entitled to receive such documents or information are those persons entered on the Register at the close of business on a day determined by it. The day determined by the Company for the purposes of this Article may not be more than 21 days before the day that the notice of the meeting, document or other information is given.

 

47.16 Evidence of service

 

  47.16.1 Any document or information:

 

  (a) addressed to a member at his registered address or address at which documents or information may be given to him in Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA shall, if sent by post, be deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient (where first class post is employed) on the day after the day on which it was posted or (where second class post is employed) on the second day after the day on which it was posted and, in proving service, it shall be sufficient to prove that an envelope containing the document or information was properly addressed, pre-paid and put into the post;

 

61


  (b) not sent by post but addressed to a member but left at his registered address or address at which documents or information may be given to him in Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA shall be deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient on the day on which it was so left;

 

  (c) sent or supplied by electronic means shall be deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient on the day it was sent even if the Company subsequently sends a hard copy of such document or information by post. In proving service, it shall be sufficient to show that the document or information was properly addressed and sent;

 

  (d) sent or supplied by the Company by means of a relevant system, that document or information shall be deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient when the Company or any sponsoring system-participant acting on its behalf sends the issuer’s instruction relating to the document or information; and

 

  (e) sent or supplied by being made available on a website shall be deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient on the day on which the document or information was first made available on the website or, if later, when the recipient received (or is deemed to have received) notification of the fact that the document or information was available on the website.

 

47.17 A member present, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall be deemed to have been received due notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which the meeting was called.

 

47.18 Proof that a notice contained in an electronic communication was sent in accordance with guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given.

 

47.19 Any document or other information sent or supplied by the Company by any other means authorised in writing by the member concerned shall be deemed to have been received when the Company has carried out the action it has been authorised to take for that purpose.

 

62


47.20 Notice binding on transferees

 

  47.20.1 Every person who, by operation of law, transfer or any other means, becomes entitled to a share shall be bound by any notice in respect of that share which, before his name is entered in the Register, has been given to a person from whom he derives his title.

 

47.21 Notice during disruption of services

 

  47.21.1 If at any time by reason of the suspension, interruption or curtailment of postal services or the electronic communications system in Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA, the Company is or would be unable effectively to convene a general meeting by notices sent through the post or by electronic means, notice of the general meeting may be given by a notice advertised in at least one newspaper with a national circulation in each of the United Kingdom and the USA. Such notice shall be deemed to have been duly served on all persons who are entitled to have notice of meetings sent to them at noon on the day when the advertisement (or, where applicable, the first of such advertisements) appears. In any such case, the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice by post or by electronic means if, at least seven clear days before the meeting, the posting of notices to addresses throughout Jersey, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA or, as the case may be, the sending of such notices by electronic means again becomes practicable.

 

48. WINDING UP

 

48.1 The Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a petition to the Court for the Company to be wound up. Subject to any particular rights or limitations for the time being attached to any shares, as may be specified in these Articles or upon which such shares may be issued, if the Company is wound up, the assets available for distribution among the members shall be distributed to the members pro rata to the number of shares held by each member at the time of the commencement of the winding up. If any share is not fully paid up, that share shall only carry the right to receive a distribution calculated on the basis of the proportion that the amount paid up on that share bears to the issue price of that share.

 

48.2

 

48.3

If the Company shall be wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary, under supervision, or by the Court) the liquidator (or the Directors, where no liquidator is appointed) may, with the authority of a special resolution, divide amongst the members in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether or not the assets shall consist of property of one kind or shall consist of properties of different kinds) and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair

 

63


  upon any one or more class or classes of property and may subject to any special rights attached to any shares or the terms of issue thereof determine how such division shall be carried out as between the members or different classes of members. The liquidator (or the Directors, where no liquidator is appointed) may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of members as the liquidator with the like authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept any shares or other property in respect of which there is a liability.

 

49. INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE

 

49.1 Subject to the provisions of and to the extent permitted by the Companies Laws, the Company may

 

  49.1.1 indemnify any officer of the Company (or of a subsidiary) against any liability;

 

  49.1.2 indemnify an officer of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme for employees (or former employees) of the Company (or of an associated body corporate) against liability incurred in connection with the company’s activities as trustee of the scheme;

 

  49.1.3 purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any officer referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above; and

 

  49.1.4 provide any officer referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above with funds (whether by loan or otherwise) to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal, regulatory or civil proceedings or in connection with an application for relief (or to enable any such officer to avoid incurring such expenditure).

 

49.2 Subject to the Companies Laws, the powers given by Article 49.1 shall not limit any general powers of the Company to grant indemnities, purchase and maintain insurance or provide funds (whether by way of loan or otherwise) to any person in connection with any legal or regulatory proceedings or applications for relief.

 

64

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO

Quotient Limited Certificate number for Shares issued to of Entered in Register of Members Folio: Dated The Companies (Jersey) Law, 1991 No. of Certificate No. of Shares Quotient Limited THIS IS TO CERTIFY that of Is the Registered Proprietor of Shares of each in the above-named Company, Subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. GIVEN under the Common Seal of the said Company, the Day of Director Director Secretary

Exhibit 5.1

 

  

47 Esplanade

St Helier

Jersey

JE1 0BD

Channel Islands

Quotient Limited

Elizabeth House

9 Castle Street

St Helier

Jersey JE2 3RT

  

T +44(0) 1534 888900

F +44(0) 1534 887744

E info@careyolsen.com

14 April 2014        

Dear Sirs

Quotient Limited (the “Company”): Registration of Shares under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)

 

1. Background

 

1.1 We have acted as the Company’s Jersey legal advisers in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of up to 6,900,000 Shares (as defined below).

 

1.2 We have been asked to provide this Opinion in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act.

 

1.3 Capitalised terms used in this Opinion but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Form Underwriting Agreement (as defined below).

 

1.4 In this Opinion:

 

  1.4.1 New Shares ” means those Shares which are to be sold and purchased pursuant to the Form Underwriting Agreement and defined therein as Firm Shares;

 

  1.4.2 non-assessable ” means, in relation to a Share, that the purchase price for which the Company agreed to issue and sell that Share has been paid in full to the Company, so that no further sum is payable to the Company or its creditors by any holder of that Share solely because of being the holder of such Share; and

 

  1.4.3 Shares ” means ordinary shares of no par value in the capital of the Company.

PARTNERS:

G Coltman  N Crocker  P German  W Grace  M Jeffrey  N Journeaux  J Kelleher  A Kistler  R MacRae  S Marks

P Matthams  R Milner  J Mulholland  D O’Connor  A Ohlsson  M Pallot  C Philpott  S Riley  R Smith

CONSULTANTS: E Quinn  P Sugden


Quotient Limited

14 April 2014

Page 2

 

1.5 Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the New Shares will be sold to the Underwriters through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the respective accounts of the Underwriters.

 

1.6 We should like to make the following observations:

 

  1.6.1 We have not been responsible for investigating or verifying the accuracy of the facts (including statements of foreign law), or the reasonableness of any statement of opinion or intention, contained in or relevant to any document referred to in this Opinion, or that no material facts have been omitted therefrom. save as expressly set out herein.

 

  1.6.2 We express no opinion as to whether the Registration Statement or Preliminary Prospectus (each as defined below), singular or together, contain all the information required by Part 7 ( Prospectuses ) of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 as amended (the “ CJL ”) and Part 3 (Prospectuses) of the Companies (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2002 (together, the “ Prospectus Rules ”), the Securities Act and/or any other applicable foreign laws, regulations, orders or rules nor whether the persons responsible for the Registration Statement and Preliminary Prospectus under the Prospectus Rules, the Securities Act and/or any other applicable foreign laws, regulations, orders or rules have discharged their obligations thereunder.

 

2. Documents examined

 

2.1 For the purposes of this Opinion we have examined and relied on the following:

 

  2.1.1 a form underwriting agreement to be entered into amongst the Company and the several underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”) relating to, amongst other things, the New Shares (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”);

 

  2.1.2 the Registration Statement and Preliminary Prospectus, as such terms are defined in the Form Underwriting Agreement;

 

  2.1.3 the public records of the Company available for inspection on the web-site of the Registrar of Companies in Jersey (the “ Registrar of Companies ”) on the date of this Opinion, at the time we carried out such inspection (the “ Public Records ” and such inspections, the “ Public Records Searches ”);


Quotient Limited

14 April 2014

Page 3

 

  2.1.4 a copy of the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”);

 

  2.1.5 a copy of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company (together, the “ Memorandum and Articles of Association ” and such articles of association, the “ Articles of Association ”);

 

  2.1.6 a copy of the consent pursuant to the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958 as amended to the issue of shares by the Company (the “ COBO Consent ”);

 

  2.1.7 a consent pursuant to the Prospectus Rules to the circulation by the Company of the Preliminary Prospectus (the “ Registrar’s Consent ”);

 

  2.1.8 a certificate of a Director of the Company (the “ Director’s Certificate ”);

 

  2.1.9 a copy of minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Company recorded as held on 31 March 2014 and 14 April 2014;

 

  2.1.10 a written resolution of the shareholders of the Company dated 3 April 2014; and

 

  2.1.11 a copy of the register of members of the Company stated thereon as being current as at 14 April 2014 (the “ Register of Members ”).

 

2.2 We have not examined or relied on any other documents for the purpose of this Opinion.

 

3. Assumptions

 

3.1 For the purposes of giving this Opinion we have relied on the following assumptions:

 

  3.1.1 that each party (other than the Company as a matter of Jersey law) has or had at the relevant time the necessary capacity, power, authority and intention and has or had at the relevant time obtained all necessary agreements, consents, licences or qualifications (whether as a matter of any law or regulation applicable to it or any contractual or other obligation binding upon it) to enter into the documents to which it is a party and that each such party has duly authorised, executed and delivered those documents and that those documents have been duly dated;

 

  3.1.2 that the Underwriting Agreement is duly executed by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with the relevant resolution(s) of the directors of the Company and is duly delivered and dated;

 

  3.1.3 that where we have examined drafts, the Underwriting Agreement as executed does not differ in any material respect from the drafts that we have examined;


Quotient Limited

14 April 2014

Page 4

 

  3.1.4 that the copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association examined by us are true, complete and accurate copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association that are in full force and effect at the date of this Opinion and that there are no:

 

  (a) special resolutions; or

 

  (b) resolutions or agreements which have been agreed to by, or which effectively bind, members of the Company,

that affect, override or amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association, other than as appear in the Public Records;

 

  3.1.5 that the COBO Consent examined by us is a true, complete and accurate copy of the consent relating to the Company granted pursuant to the COBO Order that is in full force and effect at the date of this Opinion;

 

  3.1.6 the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures, initials, stamps and seals on all documents and the completeness and conformity to original documents of all copies examined by us;

 

  3.1.7 that there is no provision of the law or regulation of any jurisdiction other than Jersey that would have any adverse implication in relation to the opinions expressed in this Opinion;

 

  3.1.8 that all documents or information required to be filed or registered by or in relation to the Company with the Registrar of Companies have been so filed or registered and appear on the Public Records and are accurate and complete;

 

  3.1.9 the accuracy and completeness of the Director’s Certificate, and of all statements as to matters of fact contained in the other documents referred to in paragraph 2 above, as at the date of this Opinion;

 

  3.1.10 that the Register of Members is accurate and complete as at the date of this Opinion;

 

  3.1.11 each person named as a member of the Company in the Register of Members has agreed to become a member of the Company;

 

  3.1.12 the Company is not carrying on a business that is regulated by Jersey law so that it is (or ought to be) subject to the terms of one or more other consents other than the COBO Consent, licences, permits or equivalent under such regulatory legislation;

 

  3.1.13 the Company is not in any way insolvent or bankrupt as defined in the Interpretation (Jersey) Law 1954 as amended nor has summary winding up of the Company been commenced and not terminated under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 as amended; and

 

  3.1.14 that each of the above assumptions is accurate at the date of this Opinion, and has been and will be accurate at all other relevant times.

 

3.2 We have not independently verified the above assumptions.


Quotient Limited

14 April 2014

Page 5

 

4. Opinion

As a matter of Jersey law, and on the basis of and subject to the above and the qualification below, we are of the following opinion:

 

4.1 All of the issued Shares have been duly authorised and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and the directors of the Company have approved the issue and allotment of the New Shares in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and upon their issuance and registration in the register of members of the Company, the New Shares will be duly authorised and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

4.2 The statements made in the section of the Registration Statement and Preliminary Prospectus headed “ Jersey, Channel Islands ” constitute our opinion with respect to the material tax consequences under Jersey law of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Shares.

 

5. Qualification

 

5.1 In order to maintain the Company in good standing under Jersey law an annual return must be delivered, with payment of the current fee, to the Registrar of Companies before the end of February in each year.

 

5.2 The register of members of a Jersey company is prima facie evidence of any matters which are by the CJL directed or authorised to be inserted in it. The CJL requires that the register of members of a Jersey company includes, amongst other things, the name and address of every member and, where he or she is a member because he or she holds shares in the company, the number of shares held by the member and, in the case of shares which are not fully paid, the amount remaining unpaid on each share

 

6. Governing Law, Limitations, Benefit and Disclosure

 

6.1 This Opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Jersey and is limited to the matters expressly stated herein.

 

6.2 This Opinion is limited to matters of Jersey law and practice as at the date hereof and we have made no investigation and express no opinion with respect to the law or practice of any other jurisdiction.


Quotient Limited

14 April 2014

Page 6

 

6.3 We assume no obligation to advise you (or any other person who may rely on this Opinion in accordance with this paragraph), or undertake any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising after the date of this Opinion that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

6.4 This Opinion is addressed only to you and is for your benefit in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and, save as set out in paragraph 6.5 below, except with our prior written consent it may not be disclosed to any other person or used for any other purpose or referred to or made public in any way.

 

6.5 We consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibits 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to reference to us being made in the paragraphs of the Registration Statement headed “ Cautionary statement on the enforcement of civil liabilities ” and “ Legal Matters ”. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Carey Olsen

Exhibit 8.1

[Letterhead of Clifford Chance US LLP]

April 14, 2014

Quotient Limited

Pentlands Science Park

Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian

EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as U.S. counsel to Quotient Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) and the related preliminary prospectus (the “Prospectus”) with respect to the Company’s ordinary shares (the “Ordinary Shares”), to be offered in the Company’s initial public offering. The Company is filing the Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). Any defined term used and not defined herein has the meaning given to it in the Prospectus.

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have, with the consent of the Company, relied upon the accuracy of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, revenue rulings and revenue procedures of the Internal Revenue Service, and other administrative pronouncements, all as in effect on the date hereof, subject to the limitations set forth therein, the discussion contained in the Prospectus under the caption “Certain tax considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” is our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined therein) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Ordinary Shares under currently applicable law.

Our opinion is based on current United States federal income tax law and administrative practice, and we do not undertake to advise U.S. Holders as to any future changes in United States federal income tax law or administrative practice that may affect our opinion unless we are specifically retained to do so. Further, legal opinions are not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service and there can be no assurance that contrary positions may not be asserted by the Internal Revenue Service.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Clifford Chance US LLP

Exhibit 10.16

DATED:                     2014

(1) QUOTIENT LIMITED

(2) [OFFICER]

 

 

OFFICER’S INDEMNITY

 

 

 

LOGO


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION      1   
2.   INDEMNITY      3   
3.   DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE      7   
4.   NOTICES      7   
5.   GENERAL      8   
6.   GOVERNING LAW      8   

 

i


THIS AGREEMENT is made on              2014

BETWEEN :

 

(1) QUOTIENT LIMITED , a company incorporated in Jersey with registered number 107783 having its registered office at [ ] (the “ Company ”); and

 

(2) [OFFICER] of [                ] (the “ Officer ”).

WHEREAS :

 

(A) The Officer is a director or officer of the Company.

 

(B) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Officer on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement both in respect of the Officer’s position as a director or officer of the Company and also in respect of the Officer’s position as a director or officer of subsidiaries from time to time of the Company or any holding company from time to time of the Company.

 

(C) The Company has further agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to continue to maintain appropriate directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the benefit of the Officer on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

 

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

In this Agreement, unless inconsistent with the context or otherwise specified:

 

1.1 the following expressions have the following meanings:

 

Agreement    this agreement as varied from time to time in accordance with its terms;

Articles

   the articles of association of the Company as amended from time to time;

Associated Company

   any body corporate which from time to time is a subsidiary of the Company or a holding company of the Company or a subsidiary of such holding company;

Board

   the board of directors of the Company (and any committee thereof as the case may be);

Business Day

   any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday or public holidays) on which banks in London, Jersey and New York are open for the transaction of normal business;

Claims

  

(i)     any claims, actions and proceedings, whether civil, criminal or regulatory, and whether under the laws of Jersey or the laws of any other jurisdiction, arising out of, or in connection with, the actual or

 

1


  

purported exercise of, or failure to exercise, any of the Officer’s powers, duties or responsibilities as a director or officer of the Company or of any Associated Company (whether before or after the date of this Agreement), including any actual or alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by the Officer in relation to the Company or of any Associated Company; and

 

(ii)    any damages, compensation, penalties, awards or other amounts of a monetary nature payable by the Officer in connection with any of the matters referred to in (i) above, whether pursuant to any order or decision of any court, tribunal, regulatory authority or other body exercising judicial, governmental or regulatory authority over the Officer or pursuant to any settlement of the same to which the Company consents; and

 

(iii)  an amount equal to any direct costs incurred by the Officer in complying with any aspect of any order or decision of any court, tribunal, regulatory authority or other body exercising judicial, governmental or regulatory authority over the Officer or any settlement of the same to which the Company consents; and

 

(iv)   all liabilities (including legal and other costs, charges and expenses) reasonably incurred (in the opinion of the Board acting reasonably) by the Officer in defending any of the matters referred to in (i) above;

Companies Law

   the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991;

Effective Date

   the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering;
UK Companies Act 2006    the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006; and

United Kingdom

   Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

1.2 Reference to any statute or statutory provision includes a reference to that statute or statutory provision as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted, with or without amendment.

 

1.3 Reference to a “ subsidiary ” or “ holding company ” shall be construed in accordance with Articles 2 and 2A of the Companies Law.

 

2


1.4 The word “ including ” shall unless explicitly states to the contrary be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.

 

1.5 Unless there is something inconsistent in the subject or context, words denoting the singular number only include the plural and vice versa ; words denoting one gender only include the other genders; words denoting individuals include corporations and vice versa ; and references to “ person ” include a firm, body corporate or corporation.

 

1.6 Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a Clause is to a clause of this Agreement.

 

1.7 The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not affect its interpretation.

 

1.8 References to provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006 shall be interpreted as if the Company was incorporated in the United Kingdom and subject to such provisions, to the extent the same do not contravene the Companies Law or any other law of Jersey.

 

2. INDEMNITY

 

2.1 Subject to the remaining provisions of this Agreement, on and from the Effective Date the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law and without prejudice to any other indemnity to which the Officer may otherwise be entitled, indemnify and hold the Officer harmless in respect of all Claims, whether instigated, imposed or incurred under the laws or regulations of Jersey or of any other jurisdiction and arising out of, or in connection with, the actual or purported exercise of, or failure to exercise, any of the Officer’s powers, duties or responsibilities as a director or officer of the Company or Associated Company.

 

2.2 Payment shall be made by the Company to the Officer on a demand being made by the Officer (or, if later, three Business Days before the due date for payment of the relevant liability) subject to the provision of evidence satisfactory to the Company as to the amount and date for payment of the relevant liabilities. Such payment shall be made without any set-off or counterclaim and free from any deduction or withholding except as required by this Agreement or by applicable law.

 

2.3 The indemnity in Clause 2.1 shall be deemed not to provide for, or entitle the Officer to, any indemnification that would cause this Agreement, or any part of it:

 

  2.3.1 to be treated as void under applicable law; or

 

  2.3.2 be treated as void under sections 232 or 234 of the UK Companies Act 2006; or

 

  2.3.3 to breach any provision of the Articles,

 

3


or (without prejudice to the foregoing) in any circumstances where the Officer is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have breached or violated his fiduciary duties owed to the Company.

 

2.4 Without prejudice to Clause 2.3, but only to the extent that the same may from time to time be unlawful pursuant to Jersey law (on the basis that the Officer, if not a director of the Company, were a director of the Company), the indemnity in Clause 2.1 shall not provide indemnification in favour of the Officer against any liability which by law would otherwise attach to the Officer by reason of the fact that the Officer is or was a director or officer of the Company (or any Associated Company which is incorporated in Jersey), unless it is in respect of:

 

  2.4.1 any liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings (whether civil or criminal):

 

  (a) in which judgment is given in the Officer’s favour or the Officer is acquitted;

 

  (b) which are discontinued otherwise than for some benefit conferred by the Officer or on the Officer’s behalf or some detriment suffered by the Officer; or

 

  (c) which are settled on terms which include such benefit or detriment and, in the opinion of a majority of the directors of the Company (excluding any director who conferred such benefit or on whose behalf such benefit was conferred or who suffered such detriment), the Officer was substantially successful on the merits in the Officer’s resistance to the proceedings; or

 

  2.4.2 any liability incurred otherwise than to the Company if the Officer acted in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company; or

 

  2.4.3 any liability incurred in connection with an application made under Article 212 of the Companies Law ( power of court to grant relief in certain cases ) in which relief is granted to the Officer by the court; or

 

  2.4.4 any liability against which the Company normally maintains insurance for persons other than directors and officers.

 

2.5 Without prejudice to Clause 2.3, in respect of any Claims which arise as a result of the Officer being a director or officer of an Associated Company which is not incorporated in Jersey, the indemnity in Clause 2.1 shall not provide indemnification in favour of the Officer against any liability which by the law of the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Associated Company it would not be lawful for such Associated Company to indemnify the Officer in respect of such Claims by reason of the fact that the Officer is or was an officer of such Associated Company or which would otherwise be unlawful under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction (and, in such case, only to the extent the same would be unlawful under the laws of such relevant jurisdiction).

 

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2.6 Subject to applicable law and sections 232 and 234 of the UK Companies Act 2006, the following provisions shall apply in respect of Claims incurred or to be incurred by the Officer where (and for so long as) the Company is not permitted by law or sections 232 and 234 of the UK Companies Act 2006 to indemnify the Officer in respect of such Claims:

 

  2.6.1 at the request of the Officer, the Company may, at its sole discretion and if it should think fit in the light of all circumstances which it might consider to be relevant, make advance payments (on such terms, including interest, as the Company may determine) to the Officer to meet such Claims expected to arise, including any costs or expenses to be incurred in dealing with any such Claims;

 

  2.6.2 within 14 days of receiving a written request from the Company, the Officer must repay to the Company all amounts received by, or advanced to, the Officer under this Agreement:

 

  (a) to the extent paid or advanced in contravention of law; or

 

  (b) to the extent paid or advanced in contravention of sections 232 or 234 of the UK Companies Act 2006; or

 

  (c) to the extent that amounts paid to the Officer in respect of such Claims are subsequently found not to be payable by the Officer in respect of such Claims; or

 

  (d) to the extent that amounts paid to the Officer in respect of such Claims are subsequently recovered or compensated for, including by virtue of any relevant directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company.

 

2.7 The Company shall only be liable to indemnify the Officer in accordance with this Agreement if the Officer:

 

  2.7.1 gives written notice to the Company upon receipt of any demand relating to any Claims (or circumstances which may reasonably be expected to give rise to a demand relating to Claims) giving reasonable details and providing copies of relevant documents and correspondence;

 

  2.7.2 keeps the Company informed of the progress of any Claims, including providing all such information in relation to any Claims as the Company may reasonably request;

 

  2.7.3 takes all such action as the Company may reasonably request to avoid, dispute, resist, appeal, compromise or defend any Claims; and

 

  2.7.4 does not make any admission of liability to, or conduct any negotiations or agree to, any compromise, settlement or waiver of rights or liabilities with, any person in relation to any Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

5


2.8 The Officer shall give the Company or its insurers, upon request, sole conduct of any negotiations, arbitration or proceedings in connection with any Claim subject to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement (other than Claims brought by, or on behalf of, or at the request of, the Company or any Associated Company), provided that the Company shall not settle or compromise a matter in any manner that (a) would constitute an admission of fault on the part of the Officer, (b) does not include as an unconditional term thereof a release of all liability that would have attached to the Officer in respect of such Claim in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Director, (c) could cause the Officer to be the subject of any third party judgment, fine, penalty or other liability and/or (d) would materially adversely affect the reputation of the Officer, without the Officer’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

2.9 In the event that the Company makes any payment under this Agreement in respect of which the Officer is or may be entitled to make a claim or seek reimbursement from a third party, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the Officer’s rights of recovery against such third party in respect of the same. The Officer shall provide all such reasonable cooperation as may be requested by the Company for the purposes of securing and exercising such rights of recovery, including:

 

  2.9.1 the execution of any documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring an action in the name of the Officer; and

 

  2.9.2 the provision of assistance as a witness.

 

2.10 Save with the consent of the Company, the Officer shall not make any statements (whether oral or in writing) to the press or any other media concerning any matter which is or could be the subject of a Claim.

 

2.11 The Officer shall ensure that no action shall be taken in relation to Claims which may prejudice recovery under any relevant contract of insurance.

 

2.12

Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 2.8, if in a Claim to which the Officer is a party, (a) the Officer reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that he may have separate defences or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Claim, (b) the officer reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between the Officer and the Company, or (c) if the Company fails to assume the defence of such Claim in a timely manner, the Officer shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of the Officer’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to

 

6


  declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Claim to deny or to recover from the Officer the benefits intended to be provided to the Officer hereunder, the Officer shall have the right to retain counsel of the Officer’s choice.

 

3. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE

The Company shall only be liable to indemnify the Officer in accordance with this Agreement to the extent that compensation for the Claims is not available or not obtained pursuant to the terms of any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which from time to time is in force.

 

4. NOTICES

 

4.1 Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party giving it. Such notice shall be delivered, served or given by hand or by sending it by first class pre-paid post or by fax, to the address or fax number as follows:

 

  4.1.1 in the case of the Company:

 

Address:    [ ]
Fax:    [ ]; and
For the attention of:          [ ]; and

 

  4.1.2 in the case of the Officer:

 

Address:    [ ]; and
Fax:    [ ].

 

4.2 In the absence of evidence of earlier receipt, any notice or other communication shall be deemed to be duly delivered, served or given:

 

  4.2.1 if delivered, served or given by hand, when left at the address referred to in Clause 4.1;

 

  4.2.2 if sent by mail from one address in the British Isles to another address in the British Isles, two (2) Business Days after posting, otherwise seven (7) Business Days after posting; and

 

  4.2.3 if sent by fax, at the time shown on the transmission report,

provided that, in each case where delivery, service or transmission occurs after 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day or on a day which is not a Business Day, service shall be deemed to occur at 9:30 a.m. on the next following Business Day. References to 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. in this Clause are to local time in the country of the addressee.

 

7


4.3 In proving such delivery or service it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope containing such notice was properly addressed and delivered either to the address shown thereon or into the custody of the postal authorities as a pre-paid first class letter, or that in proving delivery or service of a facsimile transmission it shall be sufficient to produce a transmission report showing that the facsimile was properly transmitted to the appropriate number specified above.

 

4.4 All notices under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the English language.

 

5. GENERAL

 

5.1 This Agreement shall remain in force until such time as any relevant limitation periods (whether under Jersey law or otherwise) for bringing Claims against the Officer have expired, or for so long as the Officer remains liable for any Claims.

 

5.2 The Company can amend the terms of this Agreement on one month’s notice to the Officer. No such amendment shall affect the rights of the Officer in respect of any Claims arising out of any act or omission of the Officer before any such amendment is made.

 

5.3 If this Agreement is finally judicially determined in a relevant jurisdiction to provide for, or entitle the Officer to, indemnification against any Claims that would cause this Agreement, or any part of it, to be treated as void under the laws of that jurisdiction, this Agreement shall, in so far as it relates to such jurisdiction, be deemed not to provide for, or entitle the Officer to, any such indemnification, and the Company shall instead indemnify the Officer against any Claims to the fullest extent permitted by law in that jurisdiction. For these purposes, indemnification shall include any other form of protection as well.

 

5.4 A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any of its terms.

 

5.5 The parties hereby agree with each other that, save to the extent otherwise required by law, regulation or the rules of any exchange on which shares or other securities of the Company are publicly traded, each of them shall treat as confidential the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.6 Neither of the parties shall assign or transfer, or purport to assign or transfer, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other.

 

5.7 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to form part of and together constitute this Agreement.

 

6. GOVERNING LAW

 

6.1 This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Island of Jersey.

 

6.2 Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that the Courts of Jersey shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceedings, and to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement (“ Proceedings ”) and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Jersey.

 

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6.3 The submission to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Jersey shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the rights of any of the parties to take Proceedings against the other in any other court of competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of Proceedings by a party in any one or more jurisdictions preclude that party taking Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (whether concurrently or not) if and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

6.4 Each of the parties agrees that the process by which any Proceedings are begun in Jersey or elsewhere may be served on each such party by being delivered to the address for service of process of the respective parties given below:

 

  6.4.1 in the case of the Company, [ ]; and

 

  6.4.2 in the case of the Officer, [ ].

 

6.5 Nothing contained in this Clause 6 shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

THIS AGREEMENT has been duly executed by the parties or their duly authorised representatives on the date first stated above.

 

9


EXECUTED for and on behalf of  

)

  
QUOTIENT LIMITED  

)

  
acting by its duly authorised signatory  

)

                                                                 
SIGNED by  

)

  
[NAME OF OFFICER]  

)

                                                                 

 

10

Exhibit 10.18

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

QUOTIENT LIMITED

2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

As adopted on April 3, 2014

ARTICLE 1.

PURPOSES OF THE PLAN

 

1.1 Purposes.

The purposes of the Plan are (a) to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain the services of qualified employees, officers, directors, consultants and other service providers upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct and development of the Company’s business largely depends, and (b) to provide additional incentives to such persons or entities to devote their utmost effort and skill to the advancement and betterment of the Company, by providing them an opportunity to participate in the ownership of the Company and thereby have an interest in the success and increased value of the Company.

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

For purposes of this Plan, terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

2.1 Administrator. “Administrator” means the Board or, if the Board delegates responsibility for any matter to the Committee, the term Administrator shall mean the Committee.

 

2.2 Affiliated Company. “Affiliated Company” means:

 

  (a) with respect to Incentive Options, any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively; and

 

  (b) with respect to Nonqualified Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights, any entity described in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.2, plus any other company, corporation, limited liability company (“LLC”), partnership or joint venture, whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired, with respect to which the Company beneficially owns more than fifty percent (50%) of: (1) the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities or (2) the capital or profits interests of an LLC, partnership or joint venture.

 

Quotient Limited   - 1 -    March 31, 2014


2.3 Base Price. “Base Price” means the price per Ordinary Share for purposes of computing the amount payable to a Participant who holds a Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise thereof.

 

2.4 Board. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5 Cause. “Cause” means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct.

 

2.6 Change in Control. “Change in Control” means:

 

  (a) The acquisition, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the beneficial ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding securities of the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not result upon such acquisition of beneficial ownership if such acquisition occurs as a result of a public offering of the Company’s securities or any financing transaction or series of financing transactions;

 

  (b) A merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation hold as a result of holding Company securities prior to such transaction, in the aggregate, securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity) immediately after such merger or consolidation;

 

  (c) A reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger hold, in the aggregate, securities possessing less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company or of the acquiring entity immediately after such merger; or

 

  (d) The sale, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, except for a transaction in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction(s) receive as a distribution with respect to securities of the Company, in the aggregate, securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the acquiring entity immediately after such transaction(s).

 

Quotient Limited   - 2 -    March 31, 2014


Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a transaction does not qualify as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and (ii) treating such transaction as a Change in Control would cause, give rise to or otherwise result in a failure to satisfy the distribution requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code (to the extent the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement are not exempt therefrom), then such transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control.

 

2.7 Code. “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

2.8 Committee. “Committee” means a committee of two or more members of the Board appointed to administer the Plan, as set forth in Section 9.1.

 

2.9 Company. “Company” means Quotient Limited, a public no par value limited liability company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands, with registered number 109886, or any entity that is a successor to the Company.

 

2.10 Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the terms of which may be different from the following, “Continuous Service” means (a) Participant’s employment by either the Company or any Affiliated Company, or by a successor entity following a Change in Control, which is uninterrupted except for vacations, illness (not including permanent Disability), or leaves of absence which are approved in writing by the Company or any of such other employer corporations, as applicable, (b) service as a member of the Board until the Participant resigns, is removed from office, or Participant’s term of office expires and he or she is not reelected, or (c) so long as the Participant is engaged as a Consultant or other Service Provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a termination, leave of absence, resignation, expiration or other cessation of engagement or employment does not qualify as a separation from service from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and (ii) treating such termination, leave of absence, resignation, expiration or other cessation of engagement or employment as a termination of Continuous Service would cause, give rise to or otherwise result in a failure to satisfy the distribution requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code or Section 457A of the Code (to the extent the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement are not exempt therefrom), then such termination, leave of absence, resignation, expiration or other cessation of engagement or employment will not be deemed a termination of Continuous Service.

 

Quotient Limited   - 3 -    March 31, 2014


2.11 Disability. “Disability” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The Administrator’s determination of a Disability or the absence thereof shall be conclusive and binding on all interested parties.

 

2.12 Effective Date. “Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan was originally adopted by the Board, as set forth on the first page hereof.

 

2.13 Exchange Act. “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.14 Exercise Price. “Exercise Price” means the subscription price per Ordinary Share (as applicable) payable by the Optionee to the Company upon exercise of an Option.

 

2.15 Fair Market Value. “Fair Market Value” on any given date means the value of one Ordinary Share, determined as follows:

 

  (a) If the Ordinary Shares are then listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market or another stock exchange which reports closing sale prices, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price on the date of valuation on The NASDAQ Stock Market or principal stock exchange on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or admitted for trading, or, if no closing sale price is quoted on such day, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price of the Ordinary Shares on The NASDAQ Stock Market or such exchange on the next preceding day on which a closing sale price is reported.

 

  (b) If the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market or a stock exchange which reports closing sale prices, the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices of the Ordinary Shares in the over-the-counter market on the date of valuation.

 

  (c) If neither (a) nor (b) is applicable as of the date of valuation, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith using any reasonable method of evaluation in a manner consistent with the valuation principles under Section 409A of the Code, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on all interested parties.

 

2.16 FINRA Dealer. “FINRA Dealer” means a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

2.17 Incentive Option. “Incentive Option” means any Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

Quotient Limited   - 4 -    March 31, 2014


2.18 Incentive Option Agreement. “Incentive Option Agreement” means an Option Agreement with respect to an Incentive Option.

 

2.19 Initial Limit. “Initial Limit” means one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) Ordinary Shares.

 

2.20 Insider Trading Policy. “Insider Trading Policy” means the insider trading policy of the Company, as adopted by the Board and then in effect.

 

2.21 New Incentives. “New Incentives” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(b) hereof.

 

2.22 Nonqualified Option. “Nonqualified Option” means any Option that is not an Incentive Option. To the extent that any Option designated as an Incentive Option fails in whole or in part to qualify as an Incentive Option, including, without limitation, for failure to meet the limitations applicable to a 10% Shareholder or because it exceeds the annual limit provided for in Section 5.8 below, it shall to that extent constitute a Nonqualified Option.

 

2.23 Nonqualified Option Agreement. “Nonqualified Option Agreement” means an Option Agreement with respect to a Nonqualified Option.

 

2.24 Option. “Option” means any option to subscribe for or purchase Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to this Plan.

 

2.25 Option Agreement. “Option Agreement” means the written agreement entered into between the Company and the Optionee with respect to an Option granted under this Plan.

 

2.26 Optionee. “Optionee” means any Participant who holds an Option.

 

2.27 Ordinary Shares. “Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares of no par value in the capital of the Company and “share of Common Stock” and “shares of Common Stock” mean any one or more of such shares (as the context may require), in each case subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

2.28 Participant. “Participant” means an individual or entity that holds Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights under this Plan.

 

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2.29 Performance Criteria. “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator may select from time to time for purposes of establishing the performance goals or objectives applicable to the vesting of any Incentive Option, Nonqualified Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan, which are limited to any one of, or combination of, the criteria set forth in Exhibit A, and may be applicable to the Company, an Affiliated Company, a division, business unit or product of the Company or any Affiliated Company, or any combination of the foregoing, and which may be stated as an absolute amount, a target percentage over a base percentage or absolute amount, or the occurrence of a specific event), any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.

 

2.30 Plan. “Plan” means this 2014 Stock Incentive Plan of the Company.

 

2.31 Purchase Price. “Purchase Price” means the subscription or purchase price (as applicable) per share of Restricted Stock or share underlying a Restricted Stock Unit.

 

2.32 Restricted Stock. “Restricted Stock” means Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to Article 6 hereof, subject to any restrictions and conditions as are established pursuant to such Article 6.

 

2.33 Restricted Stock Agreement. “Restricted Stock Agreement” means the written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of Restricted Stock under the Plan.

 

2.34 Restricted Stock Unit. “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right to receive Ordinary Shares or an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Ordinary Shares pursuant to Article 8 hereof, subject to any restrictions and conditions as are established pursuant to such Article 8.

 

2.35 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means the written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of Restricted Stock Unit under the Plan.

 

2.36 Securities Act. “Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

2.37 Service Provider. “Service Provider” means a consultant or other person or entity the Administrator authorizes to become a Participant in the Plan and who provides services to (i) the Company, (ii) an Affiliated Company, or (iii) any other business venture designated by the Administrator in which the Company or an Affiliated Company has a significant ownership interest.

 

2.38 Shares. “shares” includes Ordinary Shares.

 

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2.39 Shareholder. “shareholder” includes a “member” within the meaning given to such term by the Articles of Association of the Company at the relevant time.

 

2.40 Stock. “stock” includes Ordinary Shares.

 

2.41 Stock Appreciation Right. “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right issued pursuant to Article 7, subject to any restrictions and conditions as are established pursuant to Article 7, that is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

2.42 Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means the written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan.

 

2.43 10% Shareholder. “10% Shareholder” means a person who, as of a relevant date, owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of an Affiliated Company.

 

2.44 United States. “United States” means the United States of America and (as the context requires) and State of the United States of America.

 

2.45 In this Plan, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (a) references to persons shall include individuals, bodies corporate (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations and partnerships, and references to a company or a corporation are to a body corporate wherever incorporated;

 

  (b) the headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Plan;

 

  (c) the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and references to one gender include all genders;

 

  (d) references to Sections, paragraphs and Exhibits are to sections and paragraphs of sections of and exhibits to this Plan;

 

  (e) general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are followed by particular examples intended to be embraced by the general words;

 

  (f) any reference to an enactment, statutory provision or treaty is a reference to it as it may have been amended, modified, consolidated or re-enacted as at the date of this Plan and shall include any orders and regulations made pursuant thereto;

 

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  (g) references to any Jersey legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding, legal document, legal status, court, official or any other legal concept shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than Jersey, be deemed to include the legal concept which most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to the Jersey legal term;

 

  (h) references to United States statutes, ordinances, regulations or any other instruments having the force of law therein shall be interpreted as if the Company was incorporated in the United States and subject to such provisions, to the extent the same does not contravene any laws of Jersey or the United States;

 

  (i) where pursuant to this Plan the Company is said to be authorised or empowered to exercise any authorities, discretions or powers pursuant to any United States statutes, ordinances, regulations or any other instruments, the Company shall also be authorised and empowered to exercise any similar or analogous authorities, discretions or powers pursuant to the laws of Jersey;

 

  (j) any references to this Plan to a legal remedy or legal concept under United States law shall be construed as the legal remedy or legal concept under Jersey law which most closely reflects the same; and

 

  (k) references to time are to the time in [New York].

The Exhibits shall form part of this plan.

ARTICLE 3.

ELIGIBILITY

 

3.1 Incentive Options. Only employees of the Company or of an Affiliated Company (including members of the Board if they are employees of the Company or of an Affiliated Company) are eligible to receive Incentive Options under the Plan.

 

3.2 Nonqualified Options; Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units; and Stock Appreciation Rights. Employees of the Company or of an Affiliated Company, members of the Board (whether or not employed by the Company or an Affiliated Company), and Service Providers are eligible to receive Nonqualified Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan.

 

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3.3 Section 162(m)

 

  (a) Limitation. Subject to adjustment as to the number and kind of shares pursuant to Section 4.2, in no event shall any Participant be granted in any one calendar year (a) Options, Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to which, in the case of Options, the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares that may be acquired thereunder, or, in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights, the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares covered thereby, exceeds three hundred thousand (300,000) shares, or (b) Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units pursuant to which the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares covered thereby exceeds three hundred thousand (300,000) Ordinary Shares.

 

  (b) Performance Thresholds. The performance goals or objectives applicable to the vesting of any Incentive Option, Nonqualified Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall occur).

 

  (c) Adjustments. To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, unless the Committee provides otherwise at the time of establishing the performance goals, for each fiscal year of the Company, the Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the performance goals or objectives applicable to the vesting of any Incentive Option, Nonqualified Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or an Affiliated Company or the financial statements of the Company or an Affiliated Company and may provide for objectively determinable adjustments to any of the Performance Criteria described above for one or more of the items of gain, loss, profit or expense: (i) determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence, (ii) related to the disposal of a segment of a business, (iii) related to a change in accounting principles, applicable laws or regulations, (iv) related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business, and (E) attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the fiscal year.

 

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3.4 Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Ordinary Shares or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Right may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made only in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and only if the Committee determines in good faith that the deferral is permissible under Section 457A of the Code. Consistent with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code, the Administrator may provide for distributions while a Participant is providing Continuous Service to the Company.

ARTICLE 4.

PLAN SHARES

 

4.1 Shares Subject to the Plan. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares reserved and available for issuance under this Plan shall initially be equal to the Initial Limit, subject to adjustment as to the number and kind of shares pursuant to Section 4.2, plus on April 1, 2015, and each April 1 thereafter until April 1, 2023, the number of Ordinary Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be increased by the least of (a) one percent (1%) of the number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding March 31, (b) 200,000 shares, or (c) such lesser number of Ordinary Shares as determined by the Administrator. Subject to such overall limitation, the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Options shall not exceed the lesser (x) of the Initial Limit cumulatively increased as provided in the foregoing sentence or (y) 3,000,000 shares, in each case subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2. For purposes of this limitation, in the event that (a) all or any portion of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan can no longer under any circumstances be exercised, (b) any Ordinary Shares are reacquired by the Company pursuant to an Option Agreement, other than Ordinary Shares surrendered for purposes of payment of the Exercise Price or applied or delivered in satisfaction of a tax withholding obligation, or (c) all or any portion of any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit granted under the Plan is forfeited or can no longer under any circumstances vest, then the Ordinary Shares allocable to or covered by the unexercised or unvested portion of such Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, or Restricted Stock Units or the Ordinary Shares so reacquired shall again be available for grant or issuance under the Plan. To the extent a Stock Appreciation Right (or portion thereof) is settled in cash as provided in Section 7.6, such Stock Appreciation Right (or portion thereof) shall be deemed to reduce the number of Ordinary Shares available for grant or issuance under the Plan. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be unissued Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares reacquired by the Company by way of repurchase or redemption.

 

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4.2 Changes in Capital Structure. In the event that the outstanding Ordinary Shares are hereafter increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of a recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split (consolidation), reclassification or redesignation, stock dividend (bonus issue), or other similar change in the capital structure of the Company, then appropriate adjustments shall be made to the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to this Plan, the number and kind of shares and the price per share subject to or covered by outstanding Option Agreements, Restricted Stock Agreements, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreements and the limit on the number of shares under Section 3.3, all in order to preserve, as nearly as practical, but not to increase, the benefits to Participants.

ARTICLE 5.

OPTIONS

 

5.1 Grant of Stock Options. The Administrator (or pursuant to Section 9.2, an officer of the Company) shall have the right to grant pursuant to this Plan, Options subject to such terms, restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established by the Administrator with respect to one or more Performance Criteria, which require the Administrator to certify whether and the extent to which such Performance Criteria were achieved.

 

5.2 Option Agreements. Each Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement which shall specify the number of shares subject thereto, vesting provisions relating to such Option, the Exercise Price per share, and whether the Option is an Incentive Option or Nonqualified Option. As soon as is practical following the grant of an Option, an Option Agreement shall be duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Optionee to whom such Option was granted. Each Option Agreement shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator shall, from time to time, deem appropriate. Each Option Agreement may be different from each other Option Agreement.

 

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5.3 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price per Ordinary Share covered by each Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following: (a) the Exercise Price of an Incentive Option shall not be less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Option is granted, (b) the Exercise Price of a Nonqualified Option shall not be less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date the Nonqualified Option is granted, and (c) if the person to whom an Incentive Option is granted is a 10% Shareholder on the date of grant, the Exercise Price shall not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Option is granted. However, an Option may be granted with an Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code.

 

5.4 Payment of Exercise Price. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made upon exercise of an Option and may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, subject to any legal restrictions, by: (a) cash; (b) check (cheque); (c) provided that a public market for the Ordinary Shares exists, a “same day sale” commitment from the Optionee and a FINRA Dealer whereby the Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a portion of the shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; (f) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or (g) any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted by applicable law.

 

5.5 Term and Termination of Options. The term and provisions for termination of each Option shall be as fixed by the Administrator, but no Option may be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date it is granted. An Incentive Option granted to a person who is a 10% Shareholder on the date of grant shall not be exercisable more than five (5) years after the date it is granted.

 

5.6 Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option will be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination to grant such Options, unless a later date is otherwise specified by the Administrator. The Option Agreement and a copy of this Plan will be delivered to the Optionee within a reasonable time after the granting of the Option.

 

5.7 Vesting and Exercise of Options.

 

  (a) Each Option shall vest and become exercisable in one or more installments at such time or times and subject to such conditions, including without limitation the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established with respect to one or more Performance Criteria as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

  (b) Except as otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (i) due to Disability, Incentive Options held by such Optionee on the date of termination (to the extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within one year of the date of termination (but in no event after the Expiration Date) (ii) due to death, Incentive Options held by such Optionee on the date of death (to the extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee’s heirs or estate at any time prior to the final expiration of the Incentive Option, as set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.

 

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5.8 Annual Limit on Incentive Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Ordinary Shares with respect to which Incentive Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or any Affiliated Company become exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.

 

5.9 Nontransferability of Options. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.9, (a) Incentive Options shall not be assignable or transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order entered by a court in settlement of marital property rights, (b) Nonqualified Options shall not be assignable or transferable except by will, the laws of succession, bankruptcy, descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order or other equivalent order entered by a court in settlement of marital property rights, and (c) during the life of the Optionee, Options shall be exercisable only by the Optionee. At the discretion of the Administrator and in accordance with rules it establishes from time to time, Optionees may be permitted to transfer some or all of their Nonqualified Options to one or more “family members,” which is not a “prohibited transfer for value,” provided that (a) the Optionee (or such Optionee’s estate or representative) shall remain obligated to satisfy all income or other tax withholding obligations associated with the exercise of such Nonqualified Option; (b) the Optionee shall notify the Company in writing that such transfer has occurred and disclose to the Company the name and address of the “family member” or “family members” and their relationship to the Optionee, and (c) such transfer shall be effected pursuant to transfer documents in a form approved by the Administrator. For purposes of the foregoing, the terms “family members” and “prohibited transfer for value” have the meaning ascribed to them in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (or any successor form) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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5.10 Non-Employee Directors.

 

  (a) Each non-employee director of the Company who commences service on the Board after the Effective Date shall automatically be granted a Nonqualified Option to purchase from the Company or subscribe for shares with an aggregate market value $100,000 based on the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares on the date of commencement of such director’s service on the Board. The exercise price of such Nonqualified Options shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of commencement of such director’s service on the Board. Such Nonqualified Options shall vest in thee equal annual installments commencing one year following the date of grant.

 

  (b) Each non-employee director shall also automatically be granted, on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders from and after the Effective Date, a Nonqualified Option to purchase from the Company or subscribe for shares with an aggregate market value of $50,000 based on the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares at the date of grant (the “Annual Nonqualified Option Grant”). To the extent a non-employee director commences service on the Board on a date other than the date of an annual meeting of shareholders, the Annual Nonqualified Option Grant shall be pro-rated based upon the number of full months of service on the Board prior to such annual meeting of shareholders (up to a maximum of twelve (12) months), divided by twelve (12). The exercise price of the Nonqualified Options described in this Section 5.10(b) shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of grant. Such Nonqualified Options shall vest in three (3) equal annual installments commencing one year following the date of grant.

 

5.11 Rights as a Shareholder. An Optionee or permitted transferee of an Option shall have no rights or privileges as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an Option until such Option has been duly exercised in accordance with the terms of the relevant Option Agreement.

 

5.12 Unvested Shares. The Administrator shall have the discretion to grant Options that are exercisable for unvested Ordinary Shares on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine from time to time.

 

5.13 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Option Shares. If a Participant sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Option on or before the later of (i) the date two (2) years after the date of grant of such Incentive Option, or (ii) the date one (1) year after the date of exercise of such Incentive Option, such Participant shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition.

 

5.14 Compliance with Code Sections 409A and 457A. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 5 to the contrary, to the extent that any Option is subject to Code Section 409A or Code Section 457A, the Option is intended to be structured to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A or Code Section 457A (as applicable), or an applicable exemption, as determined by the Administrator.

 

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ARTICLE 6.

RESTRICTED STOCK

 

6.1 Issuance and Sale of Restricted Stock. The Administrator shall have the right to issue shares of Restricted Stock subject to such terms, restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established by the Administrator with respect to one or more Performance Criteria, which require the Administrator to certify whether and the extent to which such Performance Criteria were achieved. The Purchase Price of Restricted Stock (which may be zero) shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

6.2 Restricted Stock Agreements. A Participant shall have no rights with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Agreement until the Participant has paid the full Purchase Price, if any, to the Company in the manner set forth in Section 6.3 hereof and has executed and delivered to the Company the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall be in such form, and shall set forth such terms, conditions and restrictions of the Restricted Stock, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator shall, from time to time, deem appropriate. Each Restricted Stock Agreement may be different from each other Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

6.3 Payment of Purchase Price. Subject to any legal restrictions (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), payment of the Purchase Price, if any, may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, by: (a) cash; (b) check (cheque); (c) the Participant’s promissory note in a form and on terms acceptable to the Administrator; (d) the cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant; (e) the waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered; (f) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or (g) any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted by applicable law.

 

6.4 Vesting of Restricted Stock. Each share of Restricted Stock shall vest in one or more installments at such time or times and subject to such conditions, including without limitation continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established with respect to one or more Performance Criteria as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

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6.5 Rights as a Shareholder. Upon complying with the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, a Participant shall have the rights of a shareholder with respect to Restricted Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to the terms, restrictions and conditions set forth in the relevant Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

6.6 Dividends. If payment for shares of Restricted Stock is made by promissory note, any cash dividends paid with respect to the Restricted Stock may be applied, in the discretion of the Administrator, to repayment of such note.

 

6.7 Compliance with Code Sections 409A and 457A. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 6 to the contrary, to the extent that any award of Restricted Stock is subject to Code Section 409A or Code Section 457A, such award of Restricted Stock must be structured to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 409A or 457A (as applicable), or an applicable exemption, as determined by the Administrator.

ARTICLE 7.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

7.1 Grants of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator shall have the right to grant pursuant to this Plan, Stock Appreciation Rights subject to such terms, restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established by the Administrator with respect to one or more Performance Criteria, which require the Administrator to certify whether and the extent to which such Performance Criteria were achieved.

 

7.2 Stock Appreciation Right Agreements. A Participant shall have no rights with respect to the Stock Appreciation Rights covered by a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement until the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall be in such form, and shall set forth the Base Price and such other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator shall, from time to time, deem appropriate. Each such Stock Appreciation Right Agreement may be different from each other Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

 

7.3 Base Price. The Base Price per Ordinary Share covered by each Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Administrator and will be not less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted. However, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted with a Base Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Stock Appreciation Right is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another stock appreciation right in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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7.4 Term and Termination of Stock Appreciation Rights. The term and provisions for termination of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be as fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date it is granted.

 

7.5 Vesting and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall vest and become exercisable in one or more installments at such time or times and subject to such conditions, including without limitation the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

7.6 Amount, Form and Timing of Settlement. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant who holds such Stock Appreciation Right will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount equal to the product of (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of an Ordinary Share on the date of exercise over the Base Price per Ordinary Share covered by such Stock Appreciation Right and (b) the number of Ordinary Shares with respect to which such Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. Payment in respect thereof will be made no later than thirty (30) days after such exercise, provided that such payment will be made in a manner such that no amount of compensation will be treated as deferred under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(D) or Section 457A of the Code. Such payment may, in the discretion of the Administrator, be in cash, Ordinary Shares of equivalent Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise, or a combination of both, except as specifically provided in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

 

7.7 Rights as a Shareholder. Holders of Stock Appreciation Rights shall have no rights or privileges as a shareholder with respect to any Ordinary Shares covered thereby unless and until they become owners of Ordinary Shares following settlement in respect of such Stock Appreciation Rights, in whole or in part, in Ordinary Shares, pursuant to the terms, restrictions and conditions set forth in the relevant Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement.

 

7.8 Restrictions. Stock Appreciation Rights may not be sold, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of and shall not be assignable or transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order entered by a court in settlement of marital property rights, except as specifically provided in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement or as authorized by the Administrator.

 

7.9 Unvested Shares. The Administrator shall have the discretion to grant Stock Appreciation Rights that may be exercised or settled for unvested Ordinary Shares on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine from time to time.

 

7.10 Compliance with Code Sections 409A and 457A. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 7 to the contrary, to the extent that any award of Stock Appreciation Rights is subject to Code Section 409A or Code Section 457A, such award of Stock Appreciation Rights is intended to be structured to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 409A or 457A (as applicable), or an applicable exemption, as determined by the Administrator.

 

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ARTICLE 8.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

8.1 Grants of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator shall have the right to grant pursuant to this Plan, Restricted Stock Units subject to such terms, restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established by the Administrator with respect to one or more Performance Criteria, which require the Administrator to certify whether and the extent to which such Performance Criteria were achieved. The Purchase Price of Restricted Stock Unit (which may be zero) shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

8.2 Restricted Stock Unit Agreements. A Participant shall have no rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement until the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be in such form, and shall set forth such terms, conditions and restrictions of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator shall, from time to time, deem appropriate. Each such Restricted Stock Unit Agreement may be different from each other Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

8.3 Payment of Purchase Price. Subject to any legal restrictions (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), payment of the Purchase Price, if any, may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, by: (a) cash; (b) check (cheque); (c) the Participant’s promissory note in a form and on terms acceptable to the Administrator; (d) the cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant; (e) the waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered; (f) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or (g) any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted by applicable law.

 

8.4 Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The Restricted Stock Units shall vest in one or more installments at such time or times and subject to such conditions, including without limitation continued employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives established with respect to one or more Performance Criteria as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

8.5 Rights as a Shareholder. Holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights or privileges as a shareholder with respect to any Ordinary Shares covered thereby unless and until they become owners of Ordinary Shares following settlement in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, in whole or in part, in Ordinary Shares, pursuant to the terms, restrictions and conditions set forth in the relevant Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement may provide dividend equivalent rights to a holder of Restricted Stock Units.

 

Quotient Limited   - 18 -    March 31, 2014


8.6 Restrictions. Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of and shall not be assignable or transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order entered by a court in settlement of marital property rights, except as specifically provided in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or as authorized by the Administrator.

 

8.7 Compliance with Code Sections 409A and 457A. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 6 to the contrary, to the extent that any award of Restricted Stock is subject to Code Section 409A or Code Section 457A, such award of Restricted Stock must be structured to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 409A or 457A (as applicable), or an applicable exemption, as determined by the Administrator.

ARTICLE 9.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

9.1 Administrator. Authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Board, which may delegate such responsibilities in whole or in part to the Committee. Each of the members shall meet the independence requirements under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by The NASDAQ Stock Market or the principal exchange on which the Ordinary Shares is then listed or admitted to trading. Members of the Committee may be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board. The Board may limit the composition of the Committee to those persons necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and Section 16 of the Exchange Act. As used herein, the term “Administrator” means the Board or, with respect to any matter as to which responsibility has been delegated to the Committee, the term Administrator shall mean the Committee.

 

9.2 Delegation to an Officer. To the extent authorized 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: (a) designate employees (other than officers) of the Company or any of its subsidiary corporations to be recipients of Incentive Options, Nonqualified Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Rights and (b) determine the number of Ordinary Shares to be subject to such Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units or to be issued as Restricted Stock and granted to such employees (other than officers) of the Company or any of its subsidiary corporations; provided, however, that the resolutions of the Board regarding such delegation shall specify that grants of Plan awards to employees pursuant to this Section 9.2 shall be consistent with specific parameters approved in advance by the Committee.

 

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9.3 Powers of the Administrator. In addition to any other powers or authority conferred upon the Administrator elsewhere in this Plan or by law, the Administrator shall have full power and authority: (a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Incentive Options, Nonqualified Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of shares to be represented by each Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, and the Exercise Price of such Options, the Purchase Price of the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, and the Base Price of such Stock Appreciation Rights; (b) to interpret the Plan; (c) to create, amend or rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions contained in, and the form of, Option Agreements, Restricted Stock Agreements, Restricted Stock Unit Agreements, and Stock Appreciation Right Agreements; (e) to determine the identity or capacity of any persons who may be entitled to exercise a Participant’s rights under any Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement under the Plan; (f) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement; (g) to accelerate the vesting of any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Right; (h) to extend the expiration date of any Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement; (i) to amend outstanding Option Agreements, Restricted Stock Agreements, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreements to provide for, among other things, any change or modification which the Administrator could have included in the original agreement or in furtherance of the powers provided for herein; and (j) to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan, but only to the extent not contrary to the express provisions of this Plan. Any action, decision, interpretation or determination made in good faith by the Administrator in the exercise of its authority conferred upon it under this Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and all Participants. Notwithstanding any term or provision in this Plan, the Administrator shall not have the power or authority, by amendment or otherwise to extend the expiration date of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right beyond the original expiration date of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

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9.4 Repricing Prohibited. Subject to Section 4.2, and except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares), neither the Committee nor the Board shall amend the terms of outstanding awards to reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options or the Base Price of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, for Options with an Exercise Price that is less than the Exercise Price of the original Options, or for Stock Appreciation Rights with a Base Price that is less than the Base Price of the original Stock Appreciation Rights, in each case without approval of the Company’s shareholders, evidenced by a majority of votes cast.

 

9.5 Limitation on Liability. No employee of the Company or, subject to applicable laws, member of the Board or Committee shall be subject to any liability with respect to duties under the Plan unless the person acts fraudulently or in bad faith. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify each member of the Board or Committee, and any employee of the Company with duties under the Plan, who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of such person’s conduct in the performance of duties under the Plan.

ARTICLE 10.

RESTRICTIONS; EXTENSIONS

 

10.1 Recovery. All Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units, or any Ordinary Shares or cash issued or awarded pursuant to the exercise of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units, and all Restricted Stock will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback or recovery policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Administrator may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Restricted Stock Agreement as the Administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired Ordinary Shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company.

 

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10.2 Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliated Company and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service. “Cause” will 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, shall mean Cause as defined in this Plan. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Administrator that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

10.3 Extension of Termination Date.

 

  (a) If the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Ordinary Shares would violate the Securities Act, then the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (as set forth in the applicable award agreement) as extended for any period of time during which the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right would violate the Securities Act, and (ii) the final expiration of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

 

  (b)

Unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, if the sale of any Ordinary Share received on exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s Insider Trading Policy (assuming, for this purpose, that Participant’s Continuous Service had not terminated and thus the provisions of the Insider Trading Policy continued to apply to Participant), then the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (as set forth in the applicable award agreement) as extended for any period of time during which the sale of the Ordinary Shares received upon exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right would violate the Insider Trading Policy (assuming, for this

 

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  purpose, that Participant’s Continuous Service had not terminated and thus the provisions of the Insider Trading Policy continued to apply to Participant) if, and only if, such violation of the Insider Trading Policy arose during the unmodified post-termination exercise period, or (ii) the final expiration of the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

ARTICLE 11.

CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

11.1 Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. In order to preserve a Participant’s rights with respect to any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in the event of a Change in Control of the Company:

 

  (a) Vesting of all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall accelerate automatically effective as of immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control unless the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are to be assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) or new options, stock appreciation rights or New Incentives are to be issued in exchange therefor, as provided in subsection (b) below.

 

  (b)

Vesting of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall not accelerate if and to the extent that: (i) the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (including the unvested portion thereof) are to be assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) or new options or stock appreciation rights of comparable value and containing such terms and provisions as the Administrator in its discretion may consider equitable are to be issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction, or (ii) the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (including the unvested portion thereof) are to be replaced by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) with other incentives of comparable value containing such terms and provisions as the Administrator in its discretion may consider equitable under a new incentive program (“New Incentives”). If outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are assumed, or if new options or stock appreciation rights of comparable value are issued in exchange therefor, then each such Option, new option, Stock Appreciation Right or new stock appreciation right shall be appropriately adjusted, concurrently with the Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities or other property that the Participant would have received pursuant to the Change in Control transaction in exchange for the shares that would have been issued upon exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right had the Option or Stock Appreciation Right been exercised immediately prior to the Change in Control and, with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, payments in respect of such Stock Appreciation Right been made in shares, and appropriate adjustment also shall be made to the Exercise Price or Base Price

 

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  such that the aggregate Exercise Price of each such Option or new option or Base Price of each Stock Appreciation Right or new stock appreciation right shall remain the same as nearly as practicable and in a manner satisfying the provisions of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code.

 

  (c) If any Option or Stock Appreciation Right is assumed by an acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) or a new option or stock appreciation right of comparable value or New Incentive is issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms of a Change in Control transaction, then, if so provided in an Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the vesting of the Option, new option, Stock Appreciation Right, new stock appreciation right or New Incentive shall accelerate if and at such time as the Participant’s service as an employee, director, officer, consultant or other Service Provider to the acquiring or successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof) is terminated involuntarily or voluntarily under certain circumstances within a specified period following consummation of the Change in Control, pursuant to such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in the Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

 

  (d) If vesting of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights will accelerate pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Administrator in its discretion may provide, in connection with the Change in Control transaction, for the purchase or exchange of each Option or Stock Appreciation Right for an amount of cash or other property having a value equal to (i) with respect to each Option, the amount (or “spread”), if any, by which, (x) the value of the cash or other property that the Optionee would have received pursuant to the Change in Control transaction in exchange for the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option had the Option been exercised immediately prior to the Change in Control, exceeds (y) the Exercise Price of the Option, and (ii) with respect to each Stock Appreciation Right, the value of the cash or other property that the Participant would have received had the Stock Appreciation Right been exercised immediately prior to the Change in Control.

 

  (e) The Administrator shall have the discretion to provide in each Option Agreement and Stock Appreciation Right Agreement other terms and conditions that relate to (i) vesting of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right in the event of a Change in Control and (ii) assumption of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or issuance of comparable securities or New Incentives in the event of a Change in Control. The aforementioned terms and conditions may vary in each Option Agreement and Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, and may be different from and have precedence over the provisions set forth in Sections 10.1(a) - 10.1(d) above.

 

  (f) Outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate and cease to be exercisable upon consummation of a Change in Control except to the extent that the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are assumed by the successor entity (or parent thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.

 

  (g) If outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights will not be assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof), the Administrator shall cause written notice of a proposed Change in Control transaction to be given to the Participants who hold Options and Stock Appreciation Rights not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the anticipated effective date of the proposed transaction.

 

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11.2 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. In order to preserve a Participant’s rights with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company:

 

  (a) All Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall vest in full effective as of immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control, except to the extent that in connection with such Change in Control, the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) provides for the continuance or assumption of Restricted Stock Agreements or Restricted Stock Unit Agreements or the substitution of new agreements of comparable value covering shares of a successor corporation (with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares) or cash or other property.

 

  (b) The Administrator in its discretion may provide in any Restricted Stock Agreement and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement that if, upon a Change in Control, the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) assumes such Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or substitutes new agreements of comparable value and containing such terms and provisions as the Administrator in its discretion may consider equitable covering shares of a successor corporation (with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares) or cash or other property, then the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or any substituted shares, cash or property covered thereby shall immediately vest in full, if the Participant’s service as an employee, director, officer, consultant or other Service Provider to the acquiring or successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof) is terminated involuntarily or voluntarily under certain circumstances within a specified period following consummation of a Change in Control, pursuant to such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

  (c) If vesting of outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units will accelerate pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Administrator in its discretion may provide, in connection with the Change in Control transaction, for the purchase or exchange of each Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units for an amount of cash or other property having a value equal to the value of the cash or other property that the Participant would have received had the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units vested immediately prior to the Change in Control.

 

  (d) The Administrator shall have the discretion to provide in each Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement other terms and conditions that relate to (i) vesting of such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units in the event of a Change in Control and (ii) assumption of such Restricted Stock Agreements or Restricted Stock Unit Agreements or issuance of substitute new agreements of comparable value in the event of a Change in Control. The aforementioned terms and conditions may vary in each Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, and may be different from and have precedence over the provisions set forth in Sections 10.2(a) - 10.2(c) above.

 

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11.3 Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in an Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, in the event of a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Units will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the Ordinary Shares subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition under an award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or pursuant to early exercise of an Option, may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution, liquidation or winding up is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

11.4 Compliance with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything else provided in this Article 11, in the case of any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Appreciation Right that constitutes a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A or 457A of the Code, the Committee will not accelerate the payment of such Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Appreciation Right unless it determines in good faith that such accelerated payment is permissible under Sections 409A or 457A of the Code, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE 12.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

12.1 Amendments. The Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or terminate this Plan in such respects as the Board may deem advisable. No such alteration, amendment, suspension or termination shall be made which shall substantially affect or impair the rights of any Participant under an outstanding Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement without such Participant’s consent. The Board may alter or amend the Plan to comply with requirements under the Code relating to Incentive Options or other types of options which give Optionees more favorable tax treatment than that applicable to Options granted under this Plan as of the date of its adoption. Upon any such alteration or amendment, any outstanding Option granted hereunder may, if the Administrator so determines and if permitted by applicable law, be subject to the more favorable tax treatment afforded to an Optionee pursuant to such terms and conditions. The Board may also adopt amendments of the Plan relating to certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code and/or ensuring the Plan or any awards granted under the Plan are exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law.

 

12.2 Foreign Participants. The Board may from time to time adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Service Providers who are foreign nationals or employed outside [Jersey, Channel Islands] [the United States] (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

12.3 Plan Termination. Unless this Plan shall theretofore have been terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date and no Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted under the Plan thereafter, but Option Agreements, Restricted Stock Agreements, Restricted Stock Unit Agreements, and Stock Appreciation Right Agreements then outstanding shall continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms.

 

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ARTICLE 13.

TAXES

 

13.1 Withholding. The Company shall have the power to withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable Federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements with respect to any Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Rights. To the extent permissible under applicable tax, securities and other laws, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, permit a Participant to satisfy his or her obligation to pay any such tax by (a) directing the Company to apply Ordinary Shares to which the Participant is entitled as a result of the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or vesting of a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit or (b) delivering to the Company Ordinary Shares owned by the Participant. The Ordinary Shares so applied or delivered in satisfaction of the Participant’s minimum tax withholding obligation shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date of measurement of the amount of income subject to withholding.

 

13.2 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Appreciation Rights to individuals subject to taxation in the United States will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A of the Code, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, and Stock Appreciation Right Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Right or grant, payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code such Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Right will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral thereof will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the generality of the preceding sentence, to the extent any grant, payment, settlement or deferral of an Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement subject to Section 409A is subject to the requirement under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code that such grant, payment, settlement or deferral be delayed until six (6) months after Participant’s separation from service if Participant is a specified employee within the meaning of the aforesaid section of the Code at the time of such separation from service, then such grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be made before the date which is six (6) months after the date of such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of such Participant).

 

  (a) Compliance with Section 457A of the Code. Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Appreciation Rights to individuals subject to taxation in the United States will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 457A of the Code such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 457A of the Code, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, and Stock Appreciation Right Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of Section 457A of the Code and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Appreciation Right or grant, payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 457A of the Code such Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Appreciation Right will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 457A of the Code, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral thereof will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 457A of the Code, and may contain terms compliant with the following limitations: Options and Stock Appreciation Rights subject to Section 457A of the Code will be settled in Ordinary Shares only. In no event will any Option or Stock Appreciation Right be settled in cash;

 

Quotient Limited   - 28 -    March 31, 2014


  (b) A Participant’s continued service with the Company, a parent of the Company or a subsidiary will be required in order for Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Stock Appreciation Rights subject to Section 457A of the Code to vest. In no event will any Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Stock Appreciation Rights subject to Section 457A of the Code provide for vesting (1) upon voluntary termination, (2) solely on the basis of achievement of performance goals or objectives, or (3) following termination of a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company;

 

  (c) The Ordinary Shares underlying Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units subject to Section 457A of the Code in which the Participant vests (whether as a result of the normal vesting schedule or as a result of accelerated vesting) will be issued on the applicable vesting date for those shares or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable, but in no event later than the close of the calendar year in which such vesting date occurs or (if later) the fifteenth day of the third calendar month following such vesting date; and

 

  (d) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights subject to Section 457A of the Code in which the Participant vests (whether as a result of the normal vesting schedule or as a result of accelerated vesting) must be exercised no later than the close of the calendar year in which such vesting date occurs or (if later) the fifteenth day of the third calendar month following such vesting date.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.3, the Committee may, when appropriate, grant Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Plan to individuals subject to taxation in the United States with terms that do not comply with the provisions of Code Section 457A, subjecting such individual to early income recognition under Code Section 457A attributable to such Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights. Similarly, the Committee may, when appropriate, amend the Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights made pursuant to this Plan to add terms that do not comply with the provisions of Code Section 457A, subjecting holder of the Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights to early income recognition under Code Section 457A attributable to such Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights.

ARTICLE 14.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

14.1 Benefits Not Alienable. Other than as provided above, benefits under this Plan may not be assigned or alienated, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Any unauthorized attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect.

 

14.2 No Enlargement of Employee Rights. This Plan is strictly a voluntary undertaking on the part of the Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Company and any Participant to be consideration for, or an inducement to, or a condition of, the employment of any Participant. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed to give the right to any Participant to be retained as an employee of the Company or any Affiliated Company or to interfere with the right of the Company or any Affiliated Company to discharge any Participant at any time. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising any right under any outstanding awards under the Plan. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Option or any other form of award under the Plan or a possible period in which such Option or other award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to reduce the tax consequences of any award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

 

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14.3 Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Ordinary Shares pursuant to Option Agreements, Restricted Stock Unit Agreements or Restricted Stock Agreements, except as otherwise provided herein, will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

14.4 Annual Reports. During the term of this Plan, the Company will furnish to each Participant who does not otherwise receive such materials, copies of all reports, proxy statements and other communications that the Company distributes generally to its shareholders or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

14.5 Adoption and Shareholder Approval. This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date and will be approved by the shareholders of the Company (excluding Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to this Plan), consistent with applicable laws, within twelve (12) months before or after the Effective Date. Upon the Effective Date, the Administrator may grant Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that: (a) no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised prior to initial shareholder approval of this Plan; (b) no Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to an increase in the number of Ordinary Shares approved by the Administrator shall be exercised prior to the time such increase has been approved by the shareholders of the Company; (c) in the event that initial shareholder approval is not obtained within the time period provided herein, all Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be canceled, any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to any such Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be canceled and any purchase of such Ordinary Shares issued hereunder shall be rescinded; and (d) Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights granted pursuant to an increase in the number of Ordinary Shares approved by the Administrator which increase is not approved by shareholders within the time then required and any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to any such Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be canceled, and any purchase of Ordinary Shares subject to any such Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be rescinded.

 

14.6 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.

 

14.7 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Jersey without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

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2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Exhibit A

Performance Criteria

The Administrator may select from time to time for purposes of establishing the performance goals or objectives applicable to the vesting of any Incentive Option, Nonqualified Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan, which are limited to any one of, or combination of, the criteria set forth below:

 

(i) pre-tax income,

 

(ii) after-tax income,

 

(iii) net income (meaning net income as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period, on an aggregate, diluted and/or per share basis, or economic net income),

 

(iv) operating income or profit,

 

(v) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital,

 

(vi) earnings per share (basic or diluted),

 

(vii) return on equity,

 

(viii) returns on sales or revenues,

 

(ix) return on invested capital or assets (gross or net),

 

(x) cash, funds or earnings available for distribution,

 

(xi) appreciation in the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares,

 

(xii) operating expenses,

 

(xiii) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes,

 

(xiv) return on investment,

 

(xv) total return to shareholders (meaning the aggregate Ordinary Share price appreciation and dividends paid (assuming full reinvestment of dividends) during the applicable period),

 

(xvi) net earnings growth,

 

(xvii) stock appreciation (meaning an increase in the price or value of the Ordinary Shares after the date of grant of an award and during the applicable period),

 

(xviii) related return ratios,


(xix) increase in revenues,

 

(xx) the Company’s published ranking against its peer group of real estate investment trusts based on total shareholder return,

 

(xxi) net earnings,

 

(xxii) changes (or the absence of changes) in the per share or aggregate market price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares,

 

(xxiii) number of securities sold,

 

(xxiv) earnings before or after any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period,

 

(xxv) total revenue growth (meaning the increase in total revenues after the date of grant of an award and during the applicable period, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period),

 

(xxvi) economic value created,

 

(xxvii) operating margin or profit margin,

 

(xxviii) Ordinary Share price or total shareholder return,

 

(xxix) cost targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies,

 

(xxx) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting objectively determinable specified market penetration, geographic business expansion, investor satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and similar transactions, and budget comparisons,

 

(xxxi) objectively determinable personal professional objectives, including any of the foregoing performance goals, the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions, and

 

(xxxii) any combination of, or a specified increase or improvement in, any of the foregoing.

Exhibit 10.24

QUOTIENT LIMITED

2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT by and between Quotient Limited, a public no par value limited liability company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Company”) and [ ] (the “Grantee”), dated as of the [ ] day of [ ], 20    .

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Quotient Limited 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto by the Plan);

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Company may from time to time issue awards of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) to individuals and persons who provide services to, among others, the Company and certain of its affiliates;

WHEREAS, the Grantee is eligible to receive awards under the terms of the Plan; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Administrator has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to grant RSUs to the Grantee subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

 

  1. Grant of RSUs .

The Company hereby grants the Grantee [ ] RSUs. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and are also subject to the provisions of the Plan. The Plan is hereby incorporated herein by reference as though set forth herein in its entirety. To the extent such terms or conditions in this Agreement conflict with any provision of the Plan, the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan shall govern. Where the context permits, references to the Company shall include any successor to the Company.

 

  2. Restrictions .

The RSUs awarded pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Paragraph 2.

 

  (a) Subject to clauses (b), (c) and (d) below, the period of restriction with respect to RSUs granted hereunder (the “Restriction Period”) shall begin on the date hereof and lapse, if and as service continues, with respect to [one-third/fourth/fifth] of the RSUs granted hereunder, on each of the first [three/four/five] anniversaries of the date hereof.

 

  (b) Subject to clauses (c) and (d) below, upon the Grantee’s Termination of Service by for any reason during the Restriction Period, all RSUs still subject to restriction shall thereupon, and with no further action, be forfeited by the Grantee, and neither the Grantee nor any of his or her successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives shall thereafter have any further rights or interests in such RSUs.


  (c) Termination of Service as an employee shall not be treated as a termination of employment for purposes of this Paragraph 2 if the Grantee continues without interruption to serve thereafter as an officer or director of the Company or in such other capacity as determined by the Administrator (or if no Administrator is appointed, the Board), and the termination of such successor service shall be treated as the applicable termination.

 

  (d) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Termination of Service” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship or directorship, or other service relationship, between the Grantee and the Company (or an Affiliated Company) is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, but not limited to, any termination by resignation, discharge, death or retirement. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effects of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service, including, but not limited to, the question of whether any Termination of Service was for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations of Service. For this purpose, the service relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the Grantee is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (to be determined in the discretion of the Administrator).

 

  3. Voting and Other Rights .

The Grantee shall have no rights of a Shareholder (including the right to distributions or dividends), and will not be treated as an owner of Shares for tax purposes, except with respect to Ordinary Shares that have been issued. [Notwithstanding the foregoing, a dividend equivalent right (“DER”) is hereby granted to the Grantee, consisting of the right to receive, with respect to each RSU, cash in an amount equal to the cash dividend distributions paid in the ordinary course on an Ordinary Share to the Company’s Shareholders, as set forth below. All DERs (if any) payable on an RSU, whether or not then vested, during the Company’s fiscal year shall be accumulated and paid to the Grantee within the first 30 days of the next succeeding fiscal year. Under no circumstances shall the Grantee be entitled to receive both (i) a distribution and a DER with respect to a vested RSU (or its associated Ordinary Share) or (ii) a distribution and a DER with respect to an unvested RSU.]

 

  4. Settlement .

Each vested and outstanding RSU shall be settled in one Ordinary Share on [ ] (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Ordinary Share or by entering such Ordinary Share in book-entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion). Such issuance shall constitute payment of the RSUs. References herein to issuances to the Grantee shall include issuances to any beneficial owner or other person to whom (or to which) the Ordinary Shares are issued. The Company’s obligation to issue Ordinary Shares or otherwise make any payment with respect to vested RSUs is subject to the condition precedent that the Grantee or other person entitled under the Plan to receive any Ordinary Shares with respect to the vested RSUs deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances required pursuant to Paragraph 5(k). The Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to any RSUs that are paid or that terminate pursuant to Paragraph 2. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the terms of this Paragraph 4 conflict with any terms of the Plan relating to the settlement of RSU, the terms of this Paragraph 4 shall govern.

 

  5. Miscellaneous .

 

  (a) The value of an RSU may decrease depending upon the Fair Market Value of an Ordinary Share from time to time. Neither the Company, the Administrator, nor any other party associated with the Plan, shall be held liable for any decrease in the value of the RSUs. If the value of such RSUs decrease, there will be a decrease in the underlying value of what is distributed to the Grantee under the Plan and this Agreement.

 

- 2 -


  (b) Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. With respect to this Agreement, (i) the RSUs are bookkeeping entries, (ii) the obligations of the Company under the Plan are unsecured and constitute a commitment by the Company to make benefit payments in the future, (iii) to the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company, (iv) all payments under the Plan (including distributions of Ordinary Shares) shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and (v) no special or separate fund shall be established or other segregation of assets made to assure such payments (except that the Company may in its discretion establish a bookkeeping reserve to meet its obligations under the Plan). The RSUs shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to eventually be made to the Grantee if the RSUs vest pursuant to Paragraph 2. The award of RSUs is intended to be an arrangement that is unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

  (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Jersey without reference to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

  (d) The Administrator may construe and interpret this Agreement and establish, amend and revoke such rules, regulations and procedures for the administration of this Agreement as it deems appropriate. In this connection, the Administrator may correct any defect or supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Agreement or in any related agreements, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective. All decisions and determinations by the Administrator in the exercise of this power shall be final and binding upon the Company and the Grantee.

 

  (e) All notices hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Company or the Administrator, shall be delivered to the Board or mailed to its principal office, addressed to the attention of the Board; and if to the Grantee, shall be delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission or mailed to the Grantee at the address appearing in the records of the Company. Such addresses may be changed at any time by written notice to the other party given in accordance with this Paragraph 5(e).

 

  (f) The failure of the Grantee or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the Plan, or to assert any right the Grantee or the Company, respectively, may have under this Agreement or the Plan, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement or the Plan.

 

  (g) The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by law.

 

  (h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent that the Board determines that the Plan or the RSU is subject to Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code and fails to comply with the requirements of Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code, the Board reserves the right (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify the Grantee for failure to do so), without the consent of the Grantee, to amend or terminate the Plan and this Agreement and/or amend, restructure, terminate or replace the RSU in order to cause the RSU to either not be subject to Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code or to comply with the applicable provisions of such section.

 

  (i) The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee and upon the Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, transferees, assignees and successors in interest and upon the Company and its successors and assignees, subject to the terms of the Plan.

 

- 3 -


  (j) Unless otherwise permitted in the sole discretion of the Administrator, (i) neither this Agreement nor any rights granted herein shall be assignable by the Grantee, and (ii) no purported sale, assignment, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, pledge, encumbrance, gift, transfer in trust (voting or other) or other disposition of, or creation of a security interest in or lien on, any RSUs or Ordinary Shares by any holder thereof in violation of the provisions of this Agreement or the Plan will be valid, and the Company will not transfer any of said RSUs or Ordinary Shares on its books nor will any Ordinary Shares be entitled to vote, nor will any distributions be paid thereon, unless and until there has been full compliance with said provisions to the satisfaction of the Company. The foregoing restrictions are in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedies, legal or equitable, available to enforce said provisions.

 

  (k) The Grantee hereby agrees to perform all acts, and to execute and deliver any documents, that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, including but not limited to all acts and documents related to compliance with securities, tax and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

  (l) The Grantee hereby represents and agrees that the Grantee is not acquiring the RSUs or the Ordinary Shares with a view to distribution thereof.

 

  (m) Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company or any Affiliated Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliated Company and its Shareholders to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service at any time. Employment or service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Grantee to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment or service as provided in this Agreement or under the Plan.

 

  (n) This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

  (o) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including via facsimile, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

 

  (p) Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or clause (i) above, no amendment or modification hereof shall be valid unless it shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto.

 

- 4 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

QUOTIENT LIMITED
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[GRANTEE]

 

- 5 -

Exhibit 10.25

QUOTIENT LIMITED

2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT by and between Quotient Limited, a public no par value limited liability company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Company”) and [ ] (the “Grantee”), dated as of the [ ] day of [ ], 20    .

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Quotient Limited 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto by the Plan);

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Company may from time to time issue awards of Restricted Stock to individuals and persons who provide services to, among others, the Company and certain of its affiliates;

WHEREAS, the Grantee is eligible to receive awards under the terms of the Plan; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Administrator has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to grant Shares of Restricted Stock to the Grantee subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

 

  1. Grant of Restricted Stock .

The Company hereby grants the Grantee [ ] Shares of Restricted Stock of the Company, subject to the following terms and conditions and subject to the provisions of the Plan. The Plan is hereby incorporated herein by reference as though set forth herein in its entirety. To the extent the terms or conditions in this Agreement conflict with any provision of the Plan, the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan shall govern.

 

  2. Restrictions and conditions .

The Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(i) Subject to clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) below, the period of restriction with respect to Shares granted hereunder (the “Restriction Period”) shall begin on the date hereof and lapse, solely to the extent the Grantee has not had a Termination of Service, on the following schedule:

 

Date Restriction Lapses:

   Number of Shares:  

[ ], 20    

     [

[ ], 20    

     [

[ ], 20    

     [


For purposes of the Plan and this Agreement, Shares with respect to which the Restriction Period has lapsed shall be vested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restriction Period with respect to such Shares shall only lapse as to whole Shares. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, during the Restriction Period, the Grantee shall not be permitted voluntarily or involuntarily to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, alienate, encumber or assign the Shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan (or have such Shares attached or garnished).

(ii) Except as provided in the foregoing clause (i), below in this clause (ii) or in the Plan, the Grantee shall have, in respect of the Shares of Restricted Stock (whether or not vested), all of the rights of a Shareholder, including the right to vote the Shares [and the right to receive any cash dividends]. Shares (not subject to restrictions) shall be delivered to the Grantee or his or her designee promptly after, and only after, the Restriction Period shall lapse without forfeiture in respect of such Shares of Restricted Stock.

(iii) Subject to clause (iv) below, upon the Grantee’s Termination of Service by for any reason during the Restriction Period, all Shares still subject to restriction shall thereupon, and with no further action, be forfeited by the Grantee.

(iv) Termination of Service as an employee shall not be treated as a termination of employment for purposes of this Paragraph 2 if the Grantee continues without interruption to serve thereafter as an officer or director of the Company or in such other capacity as determined by the Administrator (or if no Administrator is appointed, the Board), and the termination of such successor service shall be treated as the applicable termination.

(v) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Termination of Service” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship or directorship, or other service relationship, between the Grantee and the Company (or an Affiliated Company) is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, but not limited to, any termination by resignation, discharge, death or retirement. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effects of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service, including, but not limited to, the question of whether any Termination of Service was for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations of Service. For this purpose, the service relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the Grantee is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (to be determined in the discretion of the Administrator).

 

  3. Miscellaneous .

 

  (a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Jersey without reference to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

  (b) All notices hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Company or the Administrator, shall be delivered to the Board or mailed to its principal office, addressed to the attention of the Board; and if to the Grantee, shall be delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission or mailed to the Grantee at the address appearing in the records of the Company. Such addresses may be changed at any time by written notice to the other party given in accordance with this Paragraph 3(b).

 

  (c)

Without limiting the Grantee’s rights as may otherwise be applicable in the event of a Change in Control, if the Company shall be consolidated or merged with another corporation or other entity, the Grantee may be required to deposit with the successor corporation the certificates for the stock or securities or the other property that the Grantee is entitled to receive by reason of ownership of Restricted Stock in a manner consistent with the Plan, and such stock, securities or other property shall become subject

 

- 2 -


  to the restrictions and requirements imposed under the Plan and this Agreement, and the certificates therefor or other evidence shall bear a legend similar in form and substance to the legend set forth in the Plan.

Any shares or other securities distributed to the grantee with respect to Restricted Stock or otherwise issued in substitution of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the restrictions and requirements imposed by the Plan and this Agreement, including depositing the certificates therefor with the Company together with a stock power and bearing a legend as provided in the Plan.

 

  (d) The failure of the Grantee or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or to assert any right the Grantee or the Company, respectively, may have under this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement

 

  (e) The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by law.

 

  (f) Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company or any Affiliated Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliated Company and its Shareholders to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service at any time. Employment or service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Grantee to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment or service as provided in this Agreement or under the Plan.

 

  (g) This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

QUOTIENT LIMITED
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[GRANTEE]

 

- 3 -

Exhibit 10.26

QUOTIENT LIMITED

2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

FORM OF OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT by and between Quotient Limited, a public no par value limited liability company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Company”) and [ ] (the “Optionee”), dated as of the [ ] day of [ ], 20    .

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Quotient Limited 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto by the Plan);

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Company may from time to time issue awards of Options to individuals and persons who provide services to, among others, the Company and certain of its affiliates;

WHEREAS, the Optionee is eligible to receive awards under the terms of the Plan; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Administrator has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to grant an Option to the Optionee subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

 

  1. Grant of Stock Option .

The Company hereby grants the Optionee an option (the “Option”) to purchase [ ] Ordinary Shares, subject to the following terms and conditions and subject to the provisions of the Plan. The Plan is hereby incorporated herein by reference as though set forth herein in its entirety. To the extent the terms or conditions in this Agreement conflict with any provision of the Plan, the terms and conditions set forth herein shall govern.

The Option [is not intended to be and shall not be qualified as] [is intended to be] an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

 

  2. Exercise Price .

The Exercise Price per Share shall be $[ ] [ Note : not to be less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and not less than 110% of Fair Market Value for certain 10% owners of the Company who are granted incentive stock options].

 

  3. Initial Exercisability .

Subject to Paragraph 5 below, the Option, to the extent that there has been no Termination of Service and the Option has not otherwise expired or been forfeited, shall first become exercisable as follows:

 

For the Period Ending On:

   Percent of the Grant Exercisable  

[ ]

     [

[ ]

     [

[ ]

     [

[ ]

     [


  4. Termination of Service .

 

  (a) If the Optionee has a Termination of Service, other than by reason of death or Disability, the Option as then exercisable may be exercised by the Optionee during the     - day period following the Termination of Service, or if earlier, the expiration of the term of the Option as provided under Paragraph 5 below; provided that, (i) if the Optionee dies during such     -day period, the successor of the Optionee may exercise the Option until the earlier of (x)          months from the date of the Termination of Service of the Optionee, or (y) the date on which the term of the Option expires in accordance with Paragraph 5 below, and (ii) if the Optionee has a Termination of Service for Cause, any Option not exercised in full prior to such Termination of Service shall be cancelled.

 

  (b) In the event the Optionee has a Termination of Service on account of death or Disability, the Option as then exercisable may be exercised by the Optionee or the successor of the Optionee, as applicable, until the earlier of (i)          months from the date of the Termination of Service of the Optionee, or (ii) the date on which the term of the Option expires in accordance with Paragraph 5 below.

 

  (c) Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, no Option (or portion thereof) which had not become exercisable at or before the time of Termination of Service shall ever be or become exercisable. No provision of this Paragraph 4 is intended to or shall permit the exercise of the Option to the extent the Option was not exercisable upon Termination of Service.

 

  (d) Termination of Service as an employee shall not be treated as a termination of employment for purposes of this Paragraph 4 if the Optionee continues without interruption to serve thereafter as an officer or director of the Company or in such other capacity as determined by the Administrator(or if no Administratoris appointed, the Board), and the termination of such successor service shall be treated as the applicable termination.

 

  (e)

For purposes of this Agreement, a “Termination of Service” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship or directorship, or other service relationship, between the Optionee and the Company (or an Affiliated Company) is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, but not limited to, any termination by resignation, discharge, death or retirement. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effects of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service, including, but not limited to, the question of whether any Termination of Service was for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations

 

2


  of Service. For this purpose, the service relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the Optionee is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (to be determined in the discretion of the Administrator).

 

  5. Term .

Unless earlier forfeited, the Option shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, expire in its entirety upon the tenth [ Note : replace “tenth” with “fifth” for certain 10% owners of the Company who are granted incentive stock options] anniversary of the date hereof. The Option shall also expire and be forfeited at such earlier times and in such circumstances as otherwise provided hereunder or under the Plan.

 

  6. Miscellaneous .

 

  (a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Jersey without reference to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

  (b) The Administrator may construe and interpret this Agreement and establish, amend and revoke such rules, regulations and procedures for the administration of this Agreement as it deems appropriate. In this connection, the Administrator may correct any defect or supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Agreement or in any related agreements, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective. All decisions and determinations by the in the exercise of this power shall be final and binding upon the Company and the Optionee.

 

  (c) All notices hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Company or the Administrator, shall be delivered to the Board or mailed to its principal office, addressed to the attention of the Board; and if to the Optionee, shall be delivered personally, sent by email or facsimile transmission or mailed to the Optionee at the address appearing in the records of the Company. Such addresses may be changed at any time by written notice to the other party given in accordance with this Paragraph 6(c).

 

  (d) The failure of the Optionee or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the Plan, or to assert any right the Optionee or the Company, respectively, may have under this Agreement or the Plan, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement or the Plan.

 

  (e) The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by law.

 

  (f) The Optionee agrees that, at the request of the Administrator, the Optionee shall represent to the Company in writing that the Ordinary Shares being acquired are acquired for investment only and not with a view to distribution and that such Ordinary Shares will be disposed of only if properly registered for sale or if there is an available exemption for such disposition. The Optionee expressly understands and agrees that, in the event of such a request, the making of such representation shall be a condition precedent to receipt of Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Option.

 

  (g)

Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the Optionee any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company or any Affiliated Company or interfere in any

 

3


  way with the right of the Company or any Affiliated Company and its Shareholders to terminate the Optionee’s employment or other service at any time. Employment or service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Optionee to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment or service as provided in this Agreement or under the Plan.

 

  (h) [for ISOs only:] [If Ordinary Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option are disposed of in a disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code by the Optionee or, if applicable, a successor of the Optionee, prior to the expiration of either two years from the date of grant of the Option or one year from the transfer of Ordinary Shares to the Optionee pursuant to the exercise of the Option, or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, the Optionee or the successor of the Optionee, as applicable, shall notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable (and in no event more than five days) thereafter of the date and terms of such disposition and, if the Company thereupon has a tax-withholding obligation, shall pay to the Company an amount equal to any withholding tax the Company is required to pay as a result of the disqualifying disposition.]

 

  [(h)][(i)] This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

  [(i)][(j)] This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including via facsimile, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

 

  [(j)][(k)] Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no amendment or modification hereof shall be valid unless it shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto.

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Optionee have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

QUOTIENT LIMITED
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[OPTIONEE]

 

5

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated January 21, 2014, except for the retroactive effect of the consolidation of 100 outstanding ordinary shares into 32 new ordinary shares as described in paragraph 5 of Note 1, as to which the date is April 14, 2014, in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-194390) and related Prospectus of Quotient Limited dated April 14, 2014.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Belfast, United Kingdom

April 14, 2014