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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2014

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   3826   86-0912294

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

(877) 289-2615

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Timothy B. Johnson

President and Chief Executive Officer

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

(877) 289-2615

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

M. Wainwright Fishburn, Jr., Esq.

Steven M. Przesmicki, Esq.

Cooley LLP

4401 Eastgate Mall

San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 550-6000

 

Cheston J. Larson, Esq.

Matthew T. Bush, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

12670 High Bluff Drive

San Diego, CA 92130

(858) 523-5400

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

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, as amended (the “Securities Act”), 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   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price (1)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

  $60,000,000   $6,972

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. Includes the offering price of the additional shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

 

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 that 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 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 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.

 

Subject to completion, dated December 30, 2014

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

 

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. is offering                  shares of its common stock. This is our initial public offering, and no public market currently exists for our shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $         and $         per share.

 

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We have applied to have our common stock listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HTGM.”

 

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock in “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

     Per
Share
     Total  

Initial public offering price

   $                    $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $         $     

 

(1) We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in connection with this offering. See “Underwriting.”

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional                  shares of common stock to cover any over-allotments. The underwriters can exercise this right at any time within 30 days after the date of this prospectus.

Entities affiliated with certain of our existing stockholders and directors have indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of approximately $         million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering.

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

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to investors on or about                     , 2015.

 

 

 

Leerink Partners
Canaccord Genuity   JMP Securities

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2015


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Prospectus Summary

     1   

Risk Factors

     14   

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     45   

Use of Proceeds

     46   

Dividend Policy

     47   

Capitalization

     48   

Dilution

     50   

Selected Financial Data

     52   

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

     54   

Business

     73   

Management

     113   

Executive and Director Compensation

     123   

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     139   

Principal Stockholders

     144   

Description of Capital Stock

     148   

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     154   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock

     156   

Underwriting

     159   

Legal Matters

     164   

Experts

     164   

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     164   

Index to the Financial Statements

     F-1   

Neither we nor any of the underwriters has authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor any of the underwriters is making an offer to sell or seeking offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of shares of our common stock, and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we have not independently verified such data.

For investors outside the United States: neither we nor any of the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about, and to observe any restrictions relating to, this offering and the distribution of this prospectus and any free writing 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 shares of our common stock 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,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes, before deciding to buy shares of our common stock. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “HTG,” “HTG Molecular Diagnostics,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Overview

We are a commercial stage company that developed and markets a novel technology platform to facilitate the routine use of complex molecular profiling. Our HTG Edge automated platform can quickly, robustly and simultaneously profile thousands of clinically relevant molecular targets from samples a fraction of the size required by current technologies. Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling and make this capability accessible to all molecular labs from research to the clinic. We believe that our target customers desire high quality molecular profiling information in a multiplexed panel format from increasingly smaller samples, with the ability to do this locally to minimize turnaround time and cost. The HTG Edge platform was designed to meet these needs and is empowering pathologists, clinicians and molecular labs to directly control the molecular profiling of patient samples.

Our HTG Edge platform is comprised of instrumentation, consumables and software analytics. Our platform provides significant workflow and performance advantages in molecular profiling applications, including tumor profiling, molecular diagnostic testing and biomarker development. Significant discoveries of new molecular targets, such as in the field of immuno-oncology, are creating substantial growth in targeted tumor profiling for molecular diagnostic testing, biomarker development and translational research in oncology and other diseases. Based on published industry reports, the cancer profiling market is estimated to be $17.8 billion today and is expected to grow to $35.0 billion by 2018.

The HTG Edge platform automates the molecular profiling of genes and gene activity using our proprietary chemistry to deliver extraction-free, multiplexed results on a wide variety of biological samples, including tissue preserved with formaldehyde and stored in paraffin wax, which is referred to as formalin fixed paraffin embedded, or FFPE, tissue. We recently launched HTG EdgeSeq, an extension of our platform that automates and adapts our nuclease protection chemistry to enable analysis using next generation sequencing, or NGS, instrumentation. The following features of our platform are designed to enable the rapid delivery of a comprehensive molecular profile from extremely small samples:

 

    Multiplexing – analyze thousands of molecular targets in a single sample, providing a more comprehensive profile

 

    Minimal sample requirement – molecular profile from extremely small amounts of sample, such as a fine needle aspirate

 

    Multi-parameter testing – measure multiple molecular applications such as RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression

 

    Data quality – high fidelity results from a broad range of biological samples including difficult to use FFPE tissue

 

    Speed – turnaround time of 24-36 hours

 

    Ease of use – minimal labor, simple user interfaces and turnkey analytics

 

 

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Our innovative platform and initial menu of molecular profiling panels are being utilized by a wide range of customers including biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs to simultaneously analyze a comprehensive set of molecular information from valuable clinical samples and substantially improve their workflow efficiency. Our platform’s proprietary chemistry allows for extraction free analysis of difficult clinical samples such as FFPE tissue with as little as a single five micron section of tissue, a fraction of the amount of sample required by existing technologies. The ability to provide robust data from minute samples is critically important in areas such as cancer where biopsies are becoming less invasive and smaller while the number of tests competing for the sample is growing. Our platform was designed to fit seamlessly into current surgical pathology workflows, minimize technician labor and set a new standard for ease of use.

We currently market seven proprietary molecular profiling panels that address the needs of almost 40 customers in high impact areas of translational research and biopharmaceutical companion diagnostics, including immuno-oncology, the expression of important genes such as fibroblast growth factor receptor, or FGFR, and human microRNA analysis.

In June 2014, we were issued a U.S. patent for our novel HTG EdgeSeq chemistry that allows us to leverage the increasing installed base of NGS instruments for our profiling panels. This new HTG EdgeSeq chemistry utilizes the same sample preparation instrument and reagents as our original chemistry, but allows for read out on an NGS instrument. We believe the HTG EdgeSeq chemistry is disruptive as it substantially simplifies current sample and library preparation methods, greatly reduces the complexity of data analytics, and provides customers additional value by expanding the utilization of their NGS investments. By combining the power of the HTG EdgeSeq chemistry with the capabilities of NGS, we are able to profile a wide variety of genomic alterations and sample types. These include RNA gene fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and analysis of cell-free circulating DNA from liquid biopsies. These capabilities provide us substantial ability to develop additional profiling panels and grow our market opportunities.

We have a focused development pipeline of new profiling products that includes panels for translational research, drug development and molecular diagnostics. Our product strategy is to build complete profiling panels of established and emerging molecular targets for broader and disease-specific approaches. For our molecular diagnostic customers where the reimbursement path is critical, we expect that our planned panels will conform to approved reimbursement codes for genomic sequence procedures. We believe this will facilitate clinical customer adoption and avoid the high costs and time required to prove medical utility and seek unique reimbursement codes.

Our Market

Molecular profiling is the analysis of multiple DNA, RNA and protein targets in biological samples, such as tissue, blood and urine, to identify expression patterns or genomic changes. New molecular approaches are making it possible to perform these characterizations in unprecedented ways, resulting in a shift from the traditional approach of looking at one target at a time to the simultaneous analysis of thousands of targets. There are numerous applications of molecular profiling, such as whole genome sequencing for the discovery of novel genetic variants or the assessment of patient samples to identify biomarkers or molecular markers of disease that can aid in diagnosis, gauge patient prognosis or predict response to an available therapy. The fundamental shift towards personalized medicine, or the use of an individual’s molecular profile to guide treatment, has led to significant growth in molecular profiling technologies and applications. We estimate that the global molecular profiling market is approximately $27.0 billion today. Based on published industry reports, cancer profiling makes up the largest segment of this market at an estimated $17.8 billion, the substantial majority of which we believe is comprised of research-use-only products, and is expected to grow to $35.0 billion by 2018. Research-use-only products are used in a wide variety of applications, including large-scale clinical trials of targeted therapies that are under development as well as basic medical research to understand and characterize tumors and tumor biology. Currently

 

 

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we are limited to marketing our HTG Edge system and proprietary profiling panels for research use only, which means that we cannot make any diagnostic or clinical claims. We intend to seek regulatory clearances or approvals in the United States and other jurisdictions to market certain panels for diagnostic purposes.

Complexities and Challenges of Molecular Profiling Today

Currently, molecular profiling is conducted using a variety of profiling techniques across multiple laboratory departments, and, in many situations, sent to distant labs. These techniques include immunohistochemistry, or IHC, fluorescent in situ hybridization, or FISH, polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, gene expression arrays, or GEA, and NGS. This distributed profiling approach has accelerated the use of molecular profiling and increased the need to make the process more accessible and routine. However, molecular profiling is also highly specialized because current technologies are complex, require multiple capital-intensive workflows, and are not economically scalable to the case volume of the local laboratory. The fragmentation of methods, sample logistics, and information flows has created significant challenges for labs, physicians, and patients, including:

Insufficient Sample Availability

The proliferation of new molecular profiles and technologies has led to the need for more biopsy material. However, the trend is toward less invasive procedures that produce smaller biopsies and as a result, in many situations there simply is not enough collected tissue to meet all the profiling requirements.

Slow Turnaround Times

In many cases, turnaround times for comprehensive profiling are several weeks due to the logistical time to route samples to various laboratory departments and to distant specialized labs. A number of technologies for sample characterization have been introduced that determine the status of various molecular characteristics. The time it takes to deliver the final report so that informed treatment decisions may be made is dependent on the turnaround time of the slowest test. A single laboratory with well-choreographed routing of tissues and information may be able to complete profiling within a week, but if part of the sample needs to be sent for additional profiling at a specialty lab, the total turnaround time may be lengthened by one or two weeks.

Implications of Workflow Inefficiencies on Data Quality and Integration

In addition to the challenges of splitting a single sample into multiple testing workflows, the individual workflow for molecular profiling of FFPE tissues is complicated. Many of the steps from sample to result require manual intervention by a molecular technician. While these technicians are trained to standard operating procedures and proficiency tested, the levels of proficiency and precision vary among technicians. Variability introduced by technicians performing manual steps can translate to variability of results, with a test sample frequently at risk of experiencing losses of fidelity through the series of separation and transformation steps. Further, the increase in number of technologies for sample characterization and fragmentation of the testing workflows can also create challenges in putting all of the results together in a timely, complete profiling report. This level of data integration is critical for the treating physicians to assure they have the complete molecular assessment prior to the patient consult. Without a complete molecular assessment, there is limited ability to discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options.

Case Study of the Current Limitations in Molecular Profiling: NSCLC

The complexities and potential inefficiencies present in current molecular profiling techniques can be seen in non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. Tumor samples are typically tested for protein expression, gene mutations, and gene rearrangements, with each of these tests performed on a different platform and separate workflow. It is common for each of these platforms to be in separate laboratory departments with different

 

 

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technicians and clinicians, requiring that the sample and data be split into multiple workflows. The results from the individual testing workflows are typically aggregated into a single report, signed off by the pathologist and transmitted to the oncologist.

Our Solution

We have developed a novel technology platform that allows for precise, efficient molecular profiling of samples for clinical and research purposes. Our HTG Edge platform is comprised of instrumentation, software analytics and proprietary consumables designed exclusively for use with our platform. Our platform has the flexibility to work with many different biological sample types, is able to generate robust results from very small samples, and employs a simple, proprietary chemistry that obviates the need for many of the steps associated with traditional molecular profiling techniques. At the core of our solution is our proprietary chemistry called quantitative nuclease protection, or qNPA. Nuclease protection is an extremely efficient method for analyzing DNA and RNA as it eliminates the need for DNA or RNA extraction or reverse transcription. Our platform and chemistry enables the simultaneous detection and quantitation of thousands of molecular targets and profiling of multiple parameters such as RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression in a single testing workflow that can use NGS detection for quantitative measurement.

As the following diagram shows, the HTG Edge processor, software and consumables now support two methods for quantifying results, the HTG Edge reader for lower multiplexed panels and the recently launched HTG EdgeSeq chemistry for quantitation of high-plexed panels for utilizing NGS.

 

LOGO

We believe the majority of customers in our target markets would prefer to maintain control of their samples and perform the profiling internally but are challenged by limitations in available technologies. We believe we are well positioned to democratize molecular profiling with the following key benefits:

Optimize sample utilization. The HTG Edge system can analyze as many as 2,500 genes from extremely small sample volumes, such as a single five micron section of tissue or 12.5 microliters of liquid biopsies. Our

 

 

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technology allows customers to do more with less, which meets the needs of clinical laboratories where today there is often not enough patient sample to do all the testing available. We believe providing customers the ability to work with extremely small sample volumes, such as fine needle aspirate, will be a significant driver of adoption of our platform.

Compatibility with multiple sample types . Our HTG Edge platform allows customers to profile and unlock genomic information from a wide variety of biological samples such as FFPE tissue, cells and blood. We have successfully demonstrated the ability to profile all of these sample types, as well as the detection of cell-free circulating nucleic acids from tumors, a rapidly developing area of investigation which is referred to as a liquid biopsy. We believe that the capabilities of our platform will allow us to efficiently expand applications, regardless of sample type.

Flexible and adaptable chemistry allows for use on multiple platforms. Our proprietary chemistry provides the ability to measure multiple molecular targets in all the necessary applications, RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression and offers the ability to quantify on the HTG Edge Reader as well as a variety of NGS platforms. This flexibility provides customers the ability to optimize their use of HTG Edge technology based on their specific throughput, workflow and application needs. Our proprietary chemistry is simple, with fewer steps than competing technologies. We believe that the elimination of these steps helps prevent amplification of biases, sample degradation and increased opportunities for technician error.

Robust data . Molecular profiling produces large amounts of information that is used to make important decisions, such as identifying potential drug targets or selecting a patient for a therapeutic treatment. This information is valuable only to the extent it accurately represents the true biology of the test sample and the same answer can be produced under many different conditions. Our HTG Edge and HTG EdgeSeq chemistries are highly specific and sensitive, meaning they can detect the right target even when very little is present in the sample. In addition, our chemistries produce the same results, with a correlation coefficient of .9847 (r=.9847), from samples fresh frozen from the source as from samples (e.g., FFPE) in which target degradation is a known problem. These features allow the information obtained to reflect the nature of the original sample irrespective of how the sample has been treated. In addition to fidelity, it is extremely important to be able to reproduce the data from the sample. Our platform produces consistent results on a replicate-to-replicate, day-to-day and instrument-to-instrument basis.

Automation provides superior workflow and ease of use. Our HTG Edge technology is designed with fewer workflow steps in part due to the elimination of the need for complex biochemical processes such as extraction, cDNA synthesis, labeling, selection, depletion and shearing. This enables customers to limit hands-on time and the need for specialized skills, resulting in turnaround times of approximately 24-36 hours. Additionally, our HTG EdgeSeq application now further integrates sample preparation for targeted sequencing and greatly simplifies the bioinformatics back-end, so customers looking to leverage their NGS instrument can seamlessly add this capability to their current workflows.

Simplified bioinformatics. Our HTG Edge software provides data in a simple and easy to use format through a simple graphical user interface, or GUI, that is flexible enough for researchers yet structured enough for clinical laboratories. The software is modular so that new applications can be downloaded without any changes to hardware. For applications that pair our HTG Edge processor and reader, results are accessible in multiple formats through the GUI on the host computer. For HTG EdgeSeq applications, the HTG Edge parser software processes the data from the NGS platform. We believe the simplicity of our bioinformatics solution will help drive adoption of our platform.

 

 

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Current Commercial Panels Offered on the HTG Edge Platform

We currently market three proprietary molecular profiling panels targeting late stage drug development programs with potential breakthrough therapies such as immuno-oncology. We market these panels to biopharmaceutical companies, with which we collaborate in biomarker development programs. We believe these programs could facilitate our commercialization of companion diagnostic tests. In addition, we have four panels focused in pre-clinical and clinical research areas, including our newly launched microRNA profiling panel which provides a highly differentiated solution in a growing market. Our currently marketed panels are:

 

    HTG Edge Immuno-oncology Assay

 

    HTG Edge FGFR Expression Assay

 

    HTG Edge DLBCL Cell of Origin Assay

 

    HTG EdgeSeq microRNA Whole-transcriptome Assay

 

    HTG Edge Top Oncogene Assay

 

    HTG Edge DMPK Assays

We utilize several alternative arrangements to sell our HTG Edge system and profiling panels. Our HTG Edge system can be purchased directly by our customers, who also then purchase profiling panels and other consumables from us on an as-needed basis. In some instances we provide our equipment free of charge on a limited basis to facilitate customer evaluation. We also install systems for our customers at no cost, in exchange for an agreement to purchase profiling panels and other consumables from us at a stated price over the term of the agreement.

Expanding our Solution by Providing a Comprehensive Molecular Profile

Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling, making this capability broadly accessible. We are leveraging our flexible and adaptable platform to develop comprehensive molecular profiling panels across an increasing set of molecular applications. We believe it is important to include applications that cover a broad set of genomic variation as well as expression-based clinical biomarkers in order to continually increase the value of the HTG Edge platform and provide a more complete profiling solution for our customers. We are planning to develop a portfolio of molecular diagnostic products using our proprietary technology to provide a single, efficient testing platform for sample profiling that integrates seamlessly into a customer’s NGS testing workflow.

 

 

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An example where we believe our HTG Edge platform can provide significant value to the current testing paradigm is in advanced NSCLC. We are currently developing a single testing workflow that provides, in parallel reactions, histological classification of the tumor, DNA mutation status of key genes previously shown to be associated with NSCLC, such as EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and HER2 , and gene rearrangement status of key genes previously shown to be associated with NSCLC, such as ALK, ROS1, NTRK1 and RET , from a single unstained slide, which we refer to as the HTG total lung solution. Our HTG total lung solution will incorporate our planned lung mutation panel and lung rearrangement and fusion panel. We have demonstrated the ability to molecularly profile highly multiplexed panels of genes from a single five micron-thick FFPE section. We believe we are the only company that can decentralize more complete profiling of medically actionable information with a sample size this small on a routine basis. The opportunity for us to improve molecular diagnostic testing is represented in a comparative workup for NSCLC below:

LOGO

Our Strategy

Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling, and to allow its benefits to be accessible to all molecular labs from research to the clinic. The key components of our strategy are:

 

    Grow our installed base and promote our consumables-based business model.

 

    Establish HTG Edge technology as the best front-end platform for clinical sequencing.

 

    Develop new molecular diagnostic panels with high medical utility.

 

    Increase late-stage companion diagnostics collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies.

 

    Expand the addressable market of HTG technology through new applications.

Risks Associated with Our Business

Our business is subject to numerous risks, as more fully described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. You should read these risks before you invest in our common stock. We may be unable, for many reasons, including those that are beyond our control, to implement our business strategy. In particular, risks associated with our business include:

 

    We have incurred losses since our inception, as of September 30, 2014 had an accumulated deficit of $64.0 million, and expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We cannot be certain that we will achieve or sustain profitability.

 

   

We may need to raise additional capital to fund our operations. If we are unsuccessful in attracting new capital, we may not be able to continue operations or may be forced to sell assets to do so.

 

 

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Alternatively, capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If available, financing terms may lead to significant dilution to our stockholders’ equity.

 

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

 

    Our future success is dependent upon our ability to expand our customer base and introduce new applications.

 

    Our strategy of developing clinical diagnostic products may take significant time and require significant research, development and clinical study expenditures, will require approval and/or clearance by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities for such products, and ultimately may not succeed.

 

    We have limited experience in marketing and selling our products, and if we are unable to successfully commercialize our products, our business may be adversely affected.

 

    The development of future products is dependent on new methods and/or technologies that we may not be successful in developing.

 

    If our HTG Edge system and proprietary panels fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance, we will not generate expected revenue, and our prospects may be harmed.

 

    The life sciences research and diagnostic markets are highly competitive. We face competition from enhanced or alternative technologies and products, which could render our products and/or technologies obsolete. If we fail to compete effectively, our business and operating results will suffer.

 

    Our future revenue streams will rely on coverage and reimbursement from Medicare and other third-party payors in the United States and foreign countries. If coverage is not obtained or reimbursement levels are not adequate, our future success may be compromised.

 

    We expect to rely on third parties to conduct any future studies of our diagnostic products that may be required by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, and those third parties may not perform satisfactorily.

 

    If any members of our management team were to leave us or we are unable to recruit, train and retain key personnel, we may not achieve our goals.

 

    If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our business would be harmed.

Corporate Information

We were originally incorporated in Arizona in October 1997 as “High Throughput Genomics, Inc.” In December 2000, we reincorporated in Delaware as “HTG, Inc.” and in March 2011 we changed our name to “HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.” Our principal executive offices are located at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706, and our telephone number is (877) 289-2615. Our corporate website address is www.htgmolecular.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

This prospectus contains references to our trademarks, including HTG Edge and HTG EdgeSeq, and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

 

 

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and therefore we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including not being required to have our internal controls over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments. We may take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” 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, and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.0 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the prior June 30 th , and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with that term in the JOBS Act.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

                 shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

                 shares

 

Option to purchase additional shares

We have granted to the underwriters the option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to                  additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $         million (or approximately $         million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by us in this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, research and development expenses, including the expansion of our research and development team, and for the development of new applications and profiling panels, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness and working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk factors

You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of certain of the factors to consider carefully before deciding to purchase any shares of our common stock.

 

Proposed Nasdaq Global Market symbol

HTGM

 

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering set forth above is based on                  shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, and excludes:

 

    58,252,138 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2014, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.03 per share;

 

    5,569,524 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2014, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.181 per share;

 

                     shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 equity incentive plan, or the 2014 plan (including 7,111,785 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2011 equity incentive plan, or the 2011 plan, as of September 30, 2014, which shares will be added to the shares reserved under the 2014 plan upon its effectiveness), which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering;

 

                     shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 employee stock purchase plan, or the ESPP, which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering; and

 

 

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    9,321,176 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued subsequent to September 30, 2014, each at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share, which warrants are expected to become exercisable for an aggregate of                  shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering at an exercise price of $             per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).

Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus assumes:

 

    the conversion of all our outstanding redeemable convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of common stock in connection with the closing of this offering;

 

    the issuance of shares of              our common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015;

 

    no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional                  shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments;

 

    no exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants described above;

 

    the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws immediately prior to the closing of this offering; and

 

    a one-for-              reverse stock split of our common stock to be effected prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Entities affiliated with certain of our existing stockholders and directors have indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of approximately $         million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering.

 

 

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Summary Financial Data

The following table summarizes certain of our financial data. We derived the summary statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 from our audited financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 and the summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2014 were derived from our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements included in this prospectus and include, in our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial information in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future and results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year. The summary financial data should be read together with our financial statements and related notes, “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2012     2013     2013     2014  
                (unaudited)  
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Statement of Operations:

  

Revenue

  $ 2,481      $ 2,243      $ 1,629      $ 2,031   

Cost of revenue

    1,816        2,247        1,545        2,005   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross (loss) margin

    665        (4     84        26   

Operating expenses:

       

Selling, general and administrative

    7,289        7,714        6,233        7,117   

Research and development

    3,925        4,197        3,143        2,373   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    11,214        11,911        9,376        9,490   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

    (10,549     (11,915     (9,292     (9,464

Income (loss) from change in stock warrant valuation

    24        161        121        (56

Interest expense

    (251     (212     (158     (292

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

    (2,009     —         —         —    

Other income (expense), net

    11        197        198        (8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    (12,774     (11,769     (9,131     (9,820

Accretion of stock issuance costs

    (110     (152     (114     (71

Accretion of Series E warrant discount

    —         —         —         (252

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends

    (1,399     (2,270     (1,636     (2,406
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (14,283   $ (14,191   $ (10,881   $ (12,549
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share (1)

  $ (1.41   $ (1.37   $ (1.05   $ (1.21

Shares used to calculate net loss per common share (1)

    10,139,328        10,333,530        10,326,727        10,357,118   

Pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited) (2)

    $          $     

Shares used to calculate pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited) (2)

       

 

 

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(1) See Note 10 of our notes to our audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus for an explanation of the method used to calculate the basic and diluted net loss per common share and the number of shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.
(2) We have presented pro forma net loss per common share information for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to reflect (i) the conversion of all of our outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of common stock, (ii) the issuance of                  shares of our common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015 and (iii) the reclassification to stockholders’ (deficit) equity of our redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability in connection with the conversion of our convertible preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants. The numerator has been adjusted to remove the loss resulting from the remeasurement of the warrant liability as these amounts will be reclassified to stockholders’ (deficit) equity upon closing of this offering.

 

     As of September 30, 2014  
     Actual     Pro Forma (1)  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,694      $ 7,694   

Working capital

     7,759        7,759   

Total assets

     12,112        12,112   

Growth term loan payable

     10,395        10,395   

NuvoGen obligation

     8,632        8,632   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     402        —    

Total redeemable convertible preferred stock

     60,913        —    

Accumulated deficit

     (64,030     (64,030

 

(1) Pro forma amounts reflect the conversion of all our outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock as of September 30, 2014 into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of our common stock, the issuance of                  shares of our common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015, and the reclassification to stockholders’ (deficit) equity of our convertible preferred stock warrant liability in connection with the conversion of our convertible preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our common stock. The occurrence of any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to our Business and Strategy

We have incurred losses since our inception and expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We cannot be certain that we will achieve or sustain profitability.

We have incurred losses since our inception and expect to incur losses in the future. We incurred net losses of $12.8 million, $11.8 million, $9.1 million, and $9.8 million in 2012, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we had an accumulated deficit of $64.0 million. We expect that our losses will continue for the foreseeable future as we will be required to invest significant additional funds toward development and commercialization of our HTG Edge platform and our proprietary consumables. We also expect that our selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to increase due to the additional costs associated with expanding our staff to sell and support our products, and the increased administrative costs associated with being a public company. Our ability to achieve or sustain profitability is based on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the market acceptance of our products, future product development and our market penetration and margins. We may never be able to generate sufficient revenue to achieve or sustain profitability.

We may need to raise additional capital to fund our operations. If we are unsuccessful in attracting new capital, we may not be able to continue operations or may be forced to sell assets to do so. Alternatively, capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If available, financing terms may lead to significant dilution to our stockholders’ equity.

We are not profitable and have had negative cash flow from operations. To date, to fund our operations and develop and commercialize our products, we have relied primarily on equity and debt financings and from revenue generated from the sale of our HTG Edge platform, including our HTG Edge system, the sale of our proprietary consumables, and related services. We currently anticipate that our cash and cash equivalents, funds that may be raised pursuant to our note and warrant purchase agreements and future product and service revenue, together with the expected net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months, which we expect will enable us to complete the development of our planned applications and profiling panels through 2015. We may need to obtain additional funds to finance our operations beyond that point. In addition, our estimates of the amount of cash necessary to fund our operations and development and commercialization activities may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available financial resources much faster than we currently expect. Additional capital may not be available, at such times or in amounts as needed by us. Even if capital is available, it might be available only on unfavorable terms. Any additional equity or convertible debt financing into which we enter could be dilutive to our existing stockholders. Any future debt financing into which we enter may impose covenants upon us that restrict our operations, including limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, pay dividends, repurchase our stock, make certain investments and engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions. Any debt financing or additional equity that we raise may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or our products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If access to sufficient capital is not available as and when needed, our business will be materially impaired and we may be required to cease operations, curtail one or more product development or commercialization

 

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programs, or we may be required to significantly reduce expenses, sell assets, seek a merger or joint venture partner, file for protection from creditors or liquidate all our assets. Any of these factors could harm our operating results.

Payments under our loan agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank may reduce our working capital. In addition, a default under our loan agreement could cause a material adverse effect on our financial position.

In August 2014, we obtained a $16.0 million term loan from Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, which we collectively refer to as the lenders. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the lenders have initially provided us with a term loan of $11.0 million, with an additional $5.0 million available subject to the satisfaction of certain financing or revenue targets. The loan, which is secured by a lien covering substantially all of our assets, excluding patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights (except for rights to payment related to the sale, licensing or disposition of such intellectual property rights) and certain other specified property, requires us to pay interest payments through September 2015, and principal and interest payments thereafter through September 2018. Payments under the loan could result in a significant reduction of our working capital. In addition, we may not satisfy the conditions necessary to obtain additional amounts available under the loan, which could adversely affect our working capital reserves and require us to secure additional funding on terms that are unfavorable to us.

We are required to satisfy certain reporting covenants and to comply with certain negative covenants under the loan agreement. If we default under our obligations under the loan agreement, the lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure our indebtedness or declare all obligations under the loan agreement to be due and payable. In certain circumstances, procedures by the lenders could result in a loss by us of all of our equipment and inventory, which are included in the collateral granted to the lenders. If any indebtedness under the loan agreement were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full that indebtedness. In addition, upon any distribution of assets pursuant to any liquidation, insolvency, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, the holders of secured indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full from the proceeds of the collateral securing our secured indebtedness before the holders of other indebtedness or our common stock will be entitled to receive any distribution with respect thereto.

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

Our current personnel, systems and facilities may not be adequate to support our business plan and future growth. Our need to effectively manage our operations, growth and various projects requires that we, among other things:

 

    continue to improve our operational, financial, management and regulatory compliance controls and reporting systems and procedures;

 

    attract and retain sufficient numbers of talented employees;

 

    manage our commercialization activities effectively and in a cost-effective manner;

 

    manage our relationship with third parties related to the commercialization of our products; and

 

    manage our development efforts effectively while carrying out our contractual obligations to contractors and other third parties.

Moreover, growth will place significant strains on our management and our operational and financial systems and processes. For example, expanded market penetration of our HTG Edge platform and related proprietary panels, and future development and approval of diagnostic products, are key elements of our growth strategy that will require us to hire and retain additional sales and marketing, regulatory, manufacturing and quality assurance personnel. If we do not successfully forecast the timing and cost of the development of new

 

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panels and diagnostic products, the regulatory clearance or approval for product marketing of any future diagnostic products or the demand and commercialization costs of such products, or manage our anticipated expenses accordingly, our operating results will be harmed.

Our future success is dependent upon our ability to expand our customer base and introduce new applications.

Our current customer base is primarily composed of biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs that perform analyses using our HTG Edge platform for research use only, which means that they may not be used for clinical diagnostic purposes. Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to increase our market penetration among these customers and to expand our market by developing and marketing new clinical diagnostic tests and research-use-only applications, and to introduce diagnostic products into clinical laboratories after obtaining the requisite regulatory clearances or approvals. We may not be able to successfully complete development of or commercialize any of our planned future tests and applications. To achieve these goals, we will need to conduct substantial research and development, conduct clinical validation studies, expend significant funds, expand and scale-up our manufacturing processes, expand and train our sales force; and seek and obtain regulatory clearance or approvals of our new tests and applications, as required by applicable regulations. Additionally, we must demonstrate to laboratory directors, physicians and third-party payors that any future diagnostic products are effective in obtaining clinically relevant information that can inform treatment decisions, and that our HTG Edge system and related panels can enable an equivalent or superior approach than other available technology. Furthermore, we expect that increasing the installed base of our HTG Edge system will increase demand for our relatively high margin panels. If we are not able to successfully increase our installed base of the HTG Edge system, sales of our panels and our margins may not meet expectations. Attracting new customers and introducing new panels requires substantial time and expense. Any failure to expand our existing customer base, or launch new panels or diagnostic products, would adversely affect our ability to improve our operating results.

Our financial results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter or may fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, each of which may adversely affect our stock price.

Investors should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we expect to encounter in the new, uncertain and rapidly evolving markets in which we compete. Because these markets are new and evolving, predicting their future growth and size is difficult. We expect that our visibility into future sales of our products, including volumes, prices and product mix between instruments and panels, will continue to be limited and could result in unexpected fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results.

Numerous other factors, many of which are outside our control, may cause or contribute to significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results. 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. Factors that may contribute to fluctuations in our operating results include many of the risks described in this section. In addition, one or more of such factors may cause our revenue or operating expenses in one period to be disproportionately higher or lower relative to the others. Our products involve a significant capital commitment from our customers and accordingly involve a lengthy sales cycle. We may expend significant effort in attempting to make a particular sale, which may be deferred by the customer or never occur. Accordingly, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and investors should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. If such fluctuations occur or if our operating results deviate from our expectations or the expectations of investors or securities analysts, our stock price may be adversely affected.

Our sales cycle is lengthy and variable, which makes it difficult for us to forecast revenue and other operating results.

Our sales process involves numerous interactions with multiple individuals within any given organization, and often includes in-depth analysis by potential customers of our products (where in some instances we will

 

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provide a demonstration unit for their use and evaluation), performance of proof-of-principle studies, preparation of extensive documentation and a lengthy review process. As a result of these factors, the capital investment required in purchasing our instruments, and the budget cycles of our customers, the time from initial contact with a customer to our receipt of a purchase order can vary significantly and be up to 12 months or longer. Given the length and uncertainty of our sales cycle, we have in the past experienced, and likely will in the future experience, fluctuations in our instrument sales on a period-to-period basis. In addition, any failure to meet customer expectations could result in customers choosing to retain their existing systems or to purchase systems other than ours.

If the utility of our HTG Edge system, proprietary profiling panels and solutions in development is not supported by studies published in peer-reviewed medical publications, the rate of adoption of our current and future solutions and the rate of reimbursement of our future products by third-party payors may be negatively affected.

We anticipate that we will need to maintain a continued presence in peer-reviewed publications to promote adoption of our solutions by biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs and to promote favorable coverage and reimbursement decisions. We believe that peer-reviewed journal articles that provide evidence of the utility of our current and future solutions or the technology underlying the HTG Edge platform and future solutions are important to our commercial success. It is critical to the success of our sales efforts that we educate a sufficient number of clinicians and administrators about the HTG Edge systems, our current panels and our future solutions, and demonstrate the research and clinical benefits of these solutions. Our customers may not adopt our current and future solutions, and third-party payors may not cover or adequately reimburse our future products, unless they determine, based on published peer-reviewed journal articles and the experience of other researchers and clinicians, that our system and related applications provide accurate, reliable and cost-effective information that is useful in making informed and timely treatment decisions. Peer-reviewed publications regarding our platform and solutions may be limited by many factors, including delays in the completion of, poor design of, or lack of compelling data from studies that would be the subject of the article. If our current and future solutions or the technology underlying our HTG Edge system, our current tests and assays or our future solutions do not receive sufficient favorable exposure in peer-reviewed publications, the rate of research and clinician adoption and positive coverage and reimbursement decisions could be negatively affected.

We provide our HTG Edge system and profiling panels free of charge or through other arrangements to customers or key opinion leaders through evaluation agreements or reagent rental programs, and these programs may not be successful in generating recurring revenue from sales of our systems and proprietary panels.

We sell our HTG Edge system and profiling panels under different arrangements in order to expand our installed base and facilitate the adoption of our platform.

In some instances we provide equipment free of charge under evaluation agreements for a limited period of time to permit the user to evaluate the system for their purposes in anticipation of a decision to purchase the system. We retain title to the equipment under such arrangements unless a decision to purchase is made.

When we place a system under a reagent rental agreement, we install equipment in the customer’s facility without a fee and the customer agrees to purchase consumable products at a stated priced over the term of the agreement; however, the agreements do not contain a minimum purchase requirement. We retain title to the equipment and such title is transferred to the customer at no additional charge at the conclusion of the initial arrangement. The cost of the instrument under the agreement is expected to be recovered in the fees charged for consumables, to the extent sold, over the term of the agreement.

Other arrangements might include a collaboration agreement whereby an academic or a commercial collaborator agrees to provide samples free of charge in exchange for the use of an HTG Edge System at no cost in furtherance of a research or clinical project. Any of these alternative arrangements could result in lost revenues

 

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and profit and potentially harm our long term goal of achieving profitable operations. In addition, despite the fact we require customers who receive systems we continue to own to carry insurance sufficient to protect us against any equipment losses, we cannot guarantee that they will maintain such coverage, which may expose us to a loss of the value of the equipment in the event of any loss or damage.

There are instances where we provide our systems to key opinion leaders free of charge, to gather data and publish the results of their research to assist our marketing efforts. We have no control over some of the work being performed by these key opinion leaders, or whether the results will be satisfactory. It is possible that the key opinion leader may generate data that is unsatisfactory and could potentially harm our marketing efforts. In addition, customers may from time to time create negative publicity about their experience with our systems, which could harm our reputation and negatively affect market perception and adoption of our platform.

Placing our HTG Edge systems under evaluation agreements, under reagent rental agreements or with our key opinion leaders without receiving payment for the instruments could require substantial additional working capital to provide additional units for sale to our customers.

Our strategy of developing companion diagnostic products may require large investments in working capital and may not generate any revenues.

A key component of our strategy is the development of companion diagnostic products designed to determine the appropriate patient population for administration of a particular medication, to more successfully treat a variety of illnesses. Successfully developing a companion diagnostic product depends both on regulatory approval for administration of the therapeutic, as well as regulatory approval of the diagnostic product. We may be successful in developing products that would be useful as companion diagnostic products, and potentially receive regulatory approval for such products, however the biopharmaceutical companies that develop the corresponding therapeutics may select a competing technology to use in their regulatory submission instead of ours. The development of companion diagnostic products requires a significant investment of working capital which may not result in any future income. This could require us to raise additional funds which could dilute our current investors, or could impact our ability to continue our operations in the future.

Our current business depends on levels of research and development spending by academic and governmental research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies, a reduction in which could limit demand for our products and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our revenue will be derived initially from sales of our HTG Edge system, proprietary panels, and the development of custom panels for biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs worldwide for research applications. The demand for our products will depend in part upon the research and development budgets of these customers, which are impacted by factors beyond our control, such as:

 

    changes in government programs that provide funding to research institutions and companies;

 

    macroeconomic conditions and the political climate;

 

    changes in the regulatory environment;

 

    differences in budgetary cycles;

 

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

 

    market acceptance of relatively new technologies, such as ours.

We believe that any uncertainty regarding the availability of research funding may adversely affect our operating results and may adversely affect sales to customers or potential customers that rely on government funding. In addition, academic, governmental and other research institutions that fund research and development activities may be subject to stringent budgetary constraints that could result in spending reductions, reduced allocations or budget cutbacks, which could jeopardize the ability of these customers to purchase our products.

 

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

We have limited experience in marketing and selling our products, and if we are unable to successfully commercialize our products, our business may be adversely affected.

We have limited experience marketing and selling our products. Our HTG Edge system was introduced for sale in the life sciences research market in the third quarter of 2013. We currently market our products through our own sales force in the United States, through a third party contract sales team in Europe and a distributor in parts of Asia. In the future, we intend to expand our sales and support team in the United States, establish a direct sales and support team in Europe and additional distributor and/or third party contract sales team relationships in other parts of the world. However, we may not be able to market and sell our products effectively. Our sales of life science research products and potential future diagnostic products will depend in large part on our ability to successfully increase the scope of our marketing efforts and establish and maintain a sales force commensurate with our then applicable markets. Because we have limited experience in marketing and selling our products in the life science research market and no experience in marketing and selling our products in the diagnostic market, our ability to forecast demand, the infrastructure required to support such demand and the sales cycle to customers is unproven. If we do not build an efficient and effective sales force and distributor relationships targeting these markets, our business and operating results will be adversely affected.

The development of future products is dependent on new methods and/or technologies that we may not be successful in developing.

We are planning to expand our product offerings in the fields of detecting RNA fusions and rearrangements and DNA mutations. We believe we have successfully demonstrated proof of concept that our technology is able to detect these fusions and mutations, but to date our work in this area has only been on a very small scale. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully develop these applications on a commercial scale. If we are unsuccessful at developing additional applications involving RNA fusions or DNA or RNA mutations, we may be limited in the breadth of additional products we can offer in the future, which could impact our future revenues and profits.

If we do not obtain regulatory clearance or approval to market our products for diagnostic purposes, we will be limited to marketing our products for research use only. In addition, if regulatory limitations are placed on our diagnostic products our business and growth will be harmed.

Currently we are limited to marketing our HTG Edge system and proprietary profiling panels for research use only, which means that we cannot make any diagnostic or clinical claims. We intend to seek regulatory clearances or approvals in the United States and other jurisdictions to market certain panels for diagnostic purposes; however, we may not be successful in doing so. The FDA regulates diagnostic kits sold and distributed through interstate commerce in the United States as medical devices. Unless an exemption applies, generally, before a new medical device may be sold or distributed in the United States, or may be marketed for a new use in the United States, the medical device must receive either FDA clearance of a 510(k) pre-market notification or pre-market approval. As a result, before we can market or distribute our profiling panels, including our mRNA and miRNA assays, in the United States as in vitro diagnostics, or IVD, kits for use by clinical testing laboratories, we must first obtain pre-market clearance or pre-market approval from the FDA. We are also working collaboratively with multiple biopharmaceutical companies to develop an expanded HTG EdgeSeq-based expression panel for DLBCL which will include their important drug linked gene targets. We have not yet applied for clearance or approval from the FDA for any of our solutions, and need to complete additional clinical validations before we submit an application, which can be a lengthy process. With respect to the DLBCL panel, we plan to submit for regulatory clearances in 2015 to market the product as an IVD in the United States and CE/IVD in Europe, although we cannot provide any assurances that we will meet that timeline. Once complete the

 

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requisite clinical validations and submit an application, we may not receive FDA clearance or approval for the commercial use of our tests on a timely basis, or at all. If we are unable to obtain regulatory clearance or approval, or if clinical diagnostic laboratories do not accept our cleared or approved tests, our ability to grow our business could be compromised.

Similarly, foreign countries have either implemented or are in the process of implementing increased regulatory controls that require that we submit applications for review and approval by foreign regulatory bodies. Once we do apply, we may not receive approval for the commercial use of our tests on a timely basis, or at all. If we are unable to achieve appropriate ex-U.S. approvals, or if clinical diagnostic laboratories outside the United States do not accept our tests, our ability to grow our business outside of the United States could be compromised.

If our HTG Edge system and proprietary profiling panels fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance, we will not generate expected revenue, and our prospects may be harmed.

We are currently focused on selling our HTG Edge systems and profiling panels within the life sciences research market. We plan to develop panels for many different disease states including companion diagnostics to determine the proper course of medication for those diseases. We may experience reluctance, or refusal, on the part of physicians to order, and third-party payors to cover and provide adequate reimbursement for, our panels if the results of our research and clinical studies, and our sales and marketing activities relating to communication of these results, do not convey to physicians, third-party payors and patients that the HTG Edge system and related profiling panels provide equivalent or better diagnostic information than other available technologies and methodologies. We believe our panels represent a new methodology in diagnosing disease states, and we may have to overcome resistance among physicians to adopting it for the marketing of our products to be successful. Even if we are able to obtain regulatory approval from the FDA, the use of our panels may not become the standard diagnostic tool for those diseases on which we plan to focus our efforts. A portion of our strategy is to develop diagnostic tools in conjunction with biopharmaceutical companies to help assess the proper course of treatment for specific diseases. Even if we are successful in developing those diagnostic tools and receive regulatory approval, we still may not be successful in marketing those diagnostic tests. Furthermore, our biopharmaceutical partners may choose alternative diagnostic tests to market with their products instead of ours which could limit our diagnostic test sales and revenues.

As part of our current business model, we intend to seek to enter into strategic collaborations and licensing arrangements with third parties to develop diagnostic tests.

We have relied, and expect to continue to rely, on strategic collaborations and licensing agreements with third parties for discoveries based on which we develop profiling panels. We have entered into agreements with third parties to develop assays, and ultimately diagnostic tests, to aid in the diagnosis of breast-related disorders, melanoma and other diseases. We intend to enter into additional similar agreements with life sciences companies and other researchers for future diagnostic products. However, we cannot guarantee that we will enter into any additional agreements. In particular, our life sciences research customers are not obligated to collaborate with us or license technology to us, and they may choose to develop diagnostic products themselves or collaborate with our competitors. Establishing collaborations and licensing arrangements is difficult and time-consuming. Discussions may not lead to collaborations or licenses on favorable terms, or at all. Potential collaborators or licensors may elect not to work with us based upon their assessment of our financial, regulatory or intellectual property position. To the extent we enter into new collaboration or licensing agreements, they may never result in the successful development or commercialization of future tests or other products for a variety of reasons, including because our collaborators may not succeed in performing their obligations or may choose not to cooperate with us. We cannot control the amount and timing of our collaborators’ resources that will be devoted to performing their responsibilities under our agreements with them. Moreover, to the extent we agree to work exclusively with a party in a given area, our opportunities to collaborate with others would be limited. Even if we establish new relationships, they may never result in the successful development or commercialization of future

 

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tests or other products. Disputes with our collaborators could also impair our reputation or result in development delays, decreased revenues and litigation expenses.

Our research and development efforts will be hindered if we are not able to contract with third parties for access to archival tissue samples.

Our future development of products for clinical indications will require access to archival patient samples for which data relevant to the clinical indication of interest is known. Under standard clinical practice, tissue biopsies removed from patients are preserved and stored in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded, or FFPE, format. We rely on our ability to secure access to these archived FFPE biopsy samples together with the information pertaining to the clinical outcomes of the patients from which the samples were taken. Owners or custodians of samples of this type may be difficult to identify and/or identified samples may be of poor quality or limited in number or amount. Additionally, others compete with us for access to these samples for both research and commercial purposes. Even when an appropriate cohort of samples is identified, the process of negotiating access to these samples can be lengthy because it typically involves numerous parties and approval levels to resolve complex issues such as usage rights, institutional review board approval, privacy rights, publication rights, and intellectual property ownership. If we are not able to negotiate access to archived tissue samples on a timely basis, or at all, or if our competitors or others secure access to these samples before us, our ability to research, develop and commercialize future products will be limited or delayed.

The life sciences research and diagnostic markets are highly competitive. We face competition from enhanced or alternative technologies and products, which could render our products and/or technologies obsolete. If we fail to compete effectively, our business and operating results will suffer.

We face significant competition in the life sciences research and diagnostics markets. We currently compete with both established and early-stage life sciences research companies that design, manufacture and market instruments and consumables for gene expression analysis, single-cell analysis, polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, digital PCR, other nucleic acid detection and additional applications. These companies use well-established laboratory techniques such as microarrays or quantitative PCR, or qPCR, as well as newer technologies such as next generation sequencing. We believe our principal competitors in the life sciences research market are Affymetrix, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Exiqon A/S, Fluidigm Corporation, Foundation Medicine, Inc. Illumina, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Luminex Corporation, NanoString Technologies, Inc., Qiagen N.V., Roche Diagnostics, Inc. and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. In addition, there are a number of new market entrants in the process of developing novel technologies for the life sciences market, including companies such as RainDance Technologies, Inc., Genomic Health, Inc. and Wafergen Bio-Systems, Inc. One or more of our competitors could develop a product that is superior to a product we offer or intend to offer or our technology and products may be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by advances in existing technologies.

Within the diagnostic market, there are competitors that manufacture systems for sales to hospitals and laboratories and other competitors that offer tests conducted through Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA, laboratories. We will also compete with commercial diagnostics companies. Most of our current competitors are either publicly traded, or are divisions of publicly-traded companies, and enjoy a number of competitive advantages over us, including:

 

    greater name and brand recognition, financial and human resources;

 

    broader product lines;

 

    larger sales forces and more established distributor networks;

 

    substantial intellectual property portfolios;

 

    larger and more established customer bases and relationships; and

 

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

 

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

 

    cost of capital equipment;

 

    cost of consumables and supplies;

 

    reputation among customers;

 

    innovation in product offerings;

 

    flexibility and ease-of-use;

 

    accuracy and reproducibility of results; and

 

    compatibility with existing laboratory processes, tools and methods.

We believe that additional competitive factors specific to the diagnostics market include:

 

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

 

    volume, quality, and strength of clinical and analytical validation data;

 

    availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement for testing services; and

 

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

Our products may not compete favorably and we may not be successful in the face of increasing competition from new products and technologies introduced by our existing competitors or new companies entering our markets. In addition, our competitors may have or may 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. Any failure to compete effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may not be able to develop new products or enhance the capabilities of our systems to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and customer requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Our success depends on our ability to develop new products and applications for our technology in existing and new markets, while improving the performance and cost-effectiveness of our systems. New technologies, techniques or products could emerge that might offer better combinations of price and performance than our current or future products and systems. Existing markets for our products, including gene expression analysis, single-cell analysis and copy number variation, as well as potential markets for our diagnostic product candidates, are characterized by rapid technological change and innovation. It is critical to our success that we anticipate changes in technology and customer requirements and to successfully introduce new, enhanced and competitive technologies to meet our customers’ and prospective customers’ needs on a timely and cost-effective basis. At the same time, however, we must carefully manage the introduction of new products. If customers believe that such products will offer enhanced features or be sold for a more attractive price, they may delay purchases until such products are available. We may also have excess or obsolete inventory of older products as we transition to new products and our experience in managing product transitions is very limited. If we do not successfully innovate and introduce new technology into our product lines or effectively manage the transitions to new product offerings, our revenues and results of operations will be adversely impacted.

Competitors may respond more quickly and effectively than we do 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 third-party suppliers for our systems and some of the components and materials used in our products, and the loss of any of these suppliers could harm our business.

We rely on a third-party supplier to build our HTG Edge system and two other suppliers to supply certain components used in the processor and reader. Our contracts with certain of these parties do not commit them to carry inventory or make available any particular quantities, and they may give other customers’ needs higher priority than ours and we may not be able to obtain adequate supplies in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms. We also rely on third-party suppliers for various components we use to manufacture our consumable products. We periodically forecast our needs for such components and enter into standard purchase orders with them. If we were to lose such suppliers, we may not be able to identify or enter into agreements with alternative suppliers on a timely basis on acceptable terms, or at all. If we should encounter delays or difficulties in securing the quality and quantity of materials we require for our products, our supply chain would be interrupted which would adversely affect our sales. If any of these events occur, our business and operating results could be materially harmed.

If our Tucson facility becomes unavailable or inoperable, the manufacturing of our consumables or process sales orders will be interrupted and our business could be materially harmed.

We manufacture our consumable products in our facility in Tucson, Arizona. In addition, our Tucson facility is the center for order processing, receipt of our HTG Edge instruments manufactured by third-party contract manufacturers and shipping products to customers. We do not have redundant facilities. Damage to our facility and the equipment we use to perform research and development and manufacture our consumable products would be costly, and we would require substantial lead-time to repair or replace this facility and equipment. Tucson is situated in the desert, subject to flooding, power spikes and power outages. The facility may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including floods, earthquakes and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to produce our tests for some period of time. The inability to manufacture consumables or to ship products to customers for even a short period of time may result in the loss of customers or harm our reputation, and we may be unable to regain those customers in the future. Although we possess insurance for damage to our property and the disruption of our business, this insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses and may not continue to be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

We expect to generate a portion of our revenue internationally and are subject to various risks relating to our international activities which could adversely affect our operating results.

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, approximately 8%, 14%, 14% and 18%, respectively, of our revenue was generated from sales to customers located outside of the United States. We expect that a percentage of our future revenue will continue to come from international sources, and we expect to expand our overseas operations and develop opportunities in additional areas. Engaging in international business involves a number of difficulties and risks, including:

 

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

 

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

 

    export and import restrictions;

 

    various reimbursement, pricing and insurance regimes;

 

    laws and business practices favoring local companies;

 

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

 

    political and economic instability;

 

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    potentially adverse tax consequences, tariffs, customs charges, bureaucratic requirements and other trade barriers, including transfer pricing, value added and other tax systems, double taxation and restrictions and/or taxation on repatriation of earnings;

 

    tariffs, customs charges, bureaucratic requirements and other trade barriers;

 

    difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations;

 

    increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities; and

 

    difficulties protecting or procuring intellectual property rights, including from reduced or varied protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.

Additionally, as we expand internationally our results of operations and cash flows will become increasingly subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Historically, most of our revenue has been denominated in U.S. dollars, although we have sold our products and services in local currency outside of the United States, principally the Euro. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies in which our operations are located, which is primarily in the United States. As our operations in countries outside of the United States grows, our results of operations and cash flows will be subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which could negatively impact our results of operations in the future. For example, if the value of the U.S. dollar increases relative to foreign currencies, in the absence of a corresponding change in local currency prices, our revenue could be adversely affected as we convert revenue from local currencies to U.S. dollars.

If we dedicate significant resources to our international operations and are unable to manage these risks effectively, our business, operating results and prospects will suffer. Moreover, we cannot be certain that the investment and additional resources required in establishing operations in other countries will produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.

In addition, any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations could negatively impact us in a variety of ways that include, but are not limited to, significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, including imprisonment of individuals, fines and penalties, denial of export privileges, seizure of shipments and restrictions on certain business activities.

Our reliance on distributors and sales partners for sales of our products outside of the United States could limit or prevent us from selling them in foreign markets and may impact our revenue.

We have established an exclusive distribution agreement for our HTG Edge system and related profiling panels in the research-use-only market within parts of Asia. In addition, we have an agreement with a contract sales team in Europe, which we plan to transition to our own direct sales and support team in the future. We intend to continue to grow our business internationally, and to do so, in addition to expanding our own direct sales and support team, we plan to attract additional distributors and sales partners to maximize the commercial opportunity for our products. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in attracting desirable distribution and sales partners or that we will be able to enter into such arrangements on favorable terms. Distributors and sales partners may not commit the necessary resources to market and sell our products to the level of our expectations or may favor marketing the products of our competitors. If current or future distributors or sales partners do not perform adequately, or we are unable to enter into effective arrangements with distributors or sales partners in particular geographic areas, we may not realize long-term international revenue growth.

The enactment of legislation implementing changes in the U.S. taxation of international business activities or the adoption of other tax reform policies could materially impact our future financial position and results of operations.

Recent changes to U.S. tax laws, including limitations on the ability of taxpayers to claim and utilize foreign tax credits and the deferral of certain tax deductions until earnings outside of the United States are repatriated to

 

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the United States, as well as changes to U.S. tax laws that may be enacted in the future, could impact the tax treatment of future foreign earnings. Should the scale of our international business activities expand, any such changes in the U.S. taxation of such activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our future financial position and results of operations.

Our ability to use net operating losses to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.

As of December 31, 2013, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, to offset future taxable income of approximately $43.1 million, which will begin to expire in 2021 if not utilized. A lack of future taxable income would adversely affect our ability to utilize these NOLs. In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in its equity ownership over a three year period) is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its NOLs to offset future taxable income. We believe we may have already experienced an ownership change and may in the future experience one or more additional ownership changes, and as a result, our ability to use pre-ownership change NOLs and other pre-ownership change tax attributes to offset post-ownership change income may be limited. Such limitations may cause a portion of our NOL and credit carryforwards to expire. In addition, future changes in our stock ownership, including as a result of this or future offerings, as well as other changes that may be outside of our control, could result in ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code. Our NOLs may also be impaired under similar provisions of state law. We have recorded a full valuation allowance related to our NOLs and other deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of the future benefits of those assets.

Provisions of the instruments governing our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.

Our loan agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank requires us, and any debt arrangements we may enter into in the future may require us, to comply with various covenants that limit our ability to, among other things:

 

    dispose of assets;

 

    complete mergers or acquisitions;

 

    incur indebtedness;

 

    encumber assets;

 

    pay dividends or make other distributions to holders of our capital stock;

 

    make specified investments;

 

    change certain key management personnel; and

 

    engage in transactions with our affiliates.

These restrictions could inhibit our ability to pursue our business strategies. If we default under our loan agreement or certain other agreements, and such event of default is not cured or waived, the lenders could terminate commitments to lend and cause all of our outstanding indebtedness with them to be due and payable immediately. Our assets and cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay these amounts upon a default.

We may incur additional indebtedness in the future. The debt instruments governing such indebtedness may contain provisions that are as, or more, restrictive than the provisions governing our existing indebtedness under the loan agreement. If we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our indebtedness when payment is due, the lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure such indebtedness or force us into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

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Acquisitions or joint ventures could disrupt our business, cause dilution to our stockholders and otherwise harm our business.

We may acquire other businesses, products or technologies as well as pursue strategic alliances, joint ventures, technology licenses or investments in complementary businesses. We have not made any acquisitions to date, and our ability to do so successfully is unproven. Moreover, we have limited experience with respect to the formation of collaborations, strategic alliances and joint ventures. Any of these transactions could be material to our financial condition and operating results and expose us to many risks, including:

 

    disruption in our relationships with customers, distributors or suppliers as a result of such a transaction;

 

    unanticipated liabilities related to acquired companies;

 

    difficulties integrating acquired personnel, technologies and operations into our existing business;

 

    diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges;

 

    increases in our expenses and reductions in our cash available for operations and other uses; and

 

    possible write-offs or impairment charges relating to acquired businesses.

Foreign acquisitions involve unique risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to integration of operations across different cultures and languages, currency risks and the particular economic, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. Also, the anticipated benefit of any acquisition may not materialize. Future acquisitions or dispositions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses or write-offs of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition. We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future joint ventures or acquisitions, or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results.

If any members of our management team were to leave us or we are unable to recruit, train and retain key personnel, we may not achieve our goals.

Our future success depends on our ability to recruit, train, retain and motivate key personnel, including our senior management, research and development, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel. If we were to lose one or more of our key employees, we may experience difficulties in competing effectively, developing our technologies and implementing our business strategies. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we may not be able to attract talent. Our growth depends, in part, on attracting, retaining and motivating highly-trained sales personnel with the necessary scientific background and ability to understand our systems at a technical level to effectively identify and sell to potential new customers. In particular, the commercialization of our HTG Edge platform and related panels requires us to continue to establish and maintain a sales and support team to optimize the market for research tools, then to fully optimize a broad array of diagnostic market opportunities if we receive approval for any future diagnostic products. We do not maintain fixed term employment contracts or key man life insurance with any of our employees. Because of the complex and technical nature of our products and the dynamic market in which we compete, any failure to retain our management team or to attract, train, retain and motivate other qualified personnel could materially harm our operating results and growth prospects.

Our operating results may be harmed if we are required to collect sales, services or other related taxes for our products and services in jurisdictions where we have not historically done so.

We do not believe that we are required to collect sales, use, services or other similar taxes from our customers in certain jurisdictions. However, one or more countries or states may seek to impose sales, use, services, or other tax collection obligations on us, including for past sales. A successful assertion by one or more jurisdictions that we should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of our products and services could result in substantial tax liabilities for past sales and decrease our ability to compete for future sales. Each country and each state has different rules and regulations governing sales and use taxes and these rules and regulations are subject

 

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to varying interpretations that may change over time. We review these rules and regulations periodically and, when we believe sales and use taxes apply in a particular jurisdiction, voluntarily engage tax authorities in order to determine how to comply with their rules and regulations. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to sales and use taxes or related penalties for past sales in jurisdictions where we presently believe sales and use taxes are not due.

Providers of goods or services are typically held responsible by taxing authorities for the collection and payment of any applicable sales and similar taxes. If one or more taxing authorities determines that taxes should have, but have not, been paid with respect to our products and services, we may be liable for past taxes in addition to being required to collect sales or similar taxes in respect of our products and services going forward. Liability for past taxes may also include substantial interest and penalty charges. Our client contracts provide that our clients must pay all applicable sales and similar taxes. Nevertheless, clients may be reluctant to pay back taxes and may refuse responsibility for interest or penalties associated with those taxes or we may determine that it would not be feasible to seek reimbursement. If we are required to collect and pay back taxes and the associated interest and penalties and if our customers do not reimburse us for all or a portion of these amounts, we will have incurred unplanned expenses that may be substantial. Moreover, imposition of such taxes on our products and services going forward will effectively increase the cost of such products and services to our clients.

Many states are also pursuing legislative expansion of the scope of goods and services that are subject to sales and similar taxes as well as the circumstances in which a vendor of goods and services must collect such taxes. Furthermore, legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress that would provide states with additional authority to impose such taxes. Accordingly, it is possible that either federal or state legislative changes may require us to collect additional sales and similar taxes from our clients in the future.

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

Our products may contain undetected errors or defects when first introduced or as new versions are released. Since our current customers use our products for research and may, if cleared or approved, in the future use them for diagnostic applications, disruptions or other performance problems with our products may damage our customers’ businesses and could harm our reputation. If that occurs, we may incur significant costs, the attention of our key personnel could be diverted, or other significant customer relations problems may arise. We may also be subject to warranty and liability 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.

The sale and use of products or services based on our technologies, or activities related to our research and clinical studies, 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 cannot assure investors that our product liability insurance would adequately protect our assets from the financial impact of defending a product liability claim. Any product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our product liability insurance rates or prevent us from securing insurance coverage in the future.

Our insurance policies are expensive and protect us only from some business risks, which will leave us exposed to significant uninsured liabilities.

We do not carry insurance for all categories of risk that our business may encounter. Some of the policies we currently maintain include general liability, foreign liability, employee benefits liability, property, automobile, umbrella, workers’ compensation, products liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance. We do

 

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not know, however, if we will be able to maintain existing insurance with adequate levels of coverage. Any significant uninsured liability may require us to pay substantial amounts, which would adversely affect our cash position and results of operations.

Performance issues, service interruptions or price increases by our shipping carriers could adversely affect our business and harm our reputation and ability to provide our services on a timely basis.

Expedited, reliable shipping is essential to our operations. We rely heavily on providers of transport services for reliable and secure point-to-point transport of our HTG Edge system instrumentation and consumables to our customers and, as applicable, customers’ samples to our laboratory, and for enhanced tracking of these shipments. Should a carrier encounter delivery performance issues such as loss, damage or destruction of any instrumentation, consumables or samples, it would be costly to replace such instrumentation or consumables in a timely manner and may be difficult to replace customers’ samples lost or damaged in shipping, and such occurrences may damage our reputation and lead to decreased demand for our products and increased cost and expense to our business. In addition, any significant increase in shipping rates could adversely affect our operating margins and results of operations. Similarly, strikes, severe weather, natural disasters or other service interruptions affecting delivery services we use would adversely affect our ability to process orders for our products or receive recipient samples on a timely basis.

We face risks related to handling of hazardous materials and other regulations governing environmental safety.

Our operations are subject to complex and stringent environmental, health, safety and other governmental laws and regulations that both public officials and private individuals may seek to enforce. Our activities that are subject to these regulations include, among other things, our use of hazardous materials and the generation, transportation and storage of waste. We could discover that we or an acquired business is not in material compliance with these regulations. Existing laws and regulations may also be revised or reinterpreted, or new laws and regulations may become applicable to us, whether retroactively or prospectively, that may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations. It is also impossible to eliminate completely the risk of accidental environmental contamination or injury to individuals. In such an event, we could be liable for any damages that result, and any liability could exceed our resources or any applicable insurance coverage we may have, which events could adversely affect our business.

Risks Related to Government Regulation and Diagnostic Product Reimbursement

Our “research use only” products for the life sciences market could become subject to regulation as medical devices by the FDA or other regulatory agencies in the future which could increase our costs and delay our commercialization efforts, thereby materially and adversely affecting our life sciences business and results of operations.

In the United States, our products are currently labeled and sold for research use only, or RUO, and not for the diagnosis or treatment of disease, and are sold to a variety of parties, including biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs. Because such products are not intended for use in clinical practice in diagnostics, and the products cannot include clinical or diagnostic claims, they are exempt from many regulatory requirements otherwise applicable to medical devices. In particular, while the FDA regulations require that RUO products be labeled, “For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures,” the regulations do not subject such products to the FDA’s pre- and post-market controls for medical devices.

A significant change in the laws governing RUO products or how they are enforced may require us to change our business model in order to maintain compliance. For instance, in November 2013 the FDA issued a Guidance document entitled “Distribution of In Vitro Diagnostic Products Labeled for Research Use Only or Investigational Use Only”, or the RUO Guidance, which highlights the FDA’s interpretation that distribution of RUO products with any labeling, advertising or promotion that suggests that clinical laboratories can validate the test through their own procedures and subsequently offer it for clinical diagnostic use as a laboratory developed

 

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test is in conflict with RUO status. The RUO Guidance further articulates the FDA’s position that any assistance offered in performing clinical validation or verification, or similar specialized technical support, to clinical laboratories, is in conflict with RUO status. If we engage in any activities that the FDA deems to be in conflict with the RUO status held by the products that we sell, we may be subject to immediate, severe and broad FDA enforcement action that would adversely affect our ability to continue operations. Accordingly, if the FDA finds that we are distributing our RUO products in a manner that is inconsistent with its guidance, we may be forced to stop distribution of our RUO tests until we are in compliance, which would reduce our revenues, increase our costs and adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

In the event that the FDA requires marketing authorization of our RUO products in the future, there can be no assurance that the FDA will ultimately grant any clearance or approval requested by us in a timely manner, or at all.

Approval and/or clearance by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities for any diagnostic tests will take significant time and require significant research, development and clinical study expenditures and ultimately may not succeed.

Before we begin to label and market our products for use as clinical diagnostics in the United States, including as companion diagnostics, unless an exemption applies, we will be required to obtain either 510(k) clearance or pre-market approval, or PMA, from the FDA. In addition, we may be required to seek FDA clearance for any changes or modifications to our products that could significantly affect their safety or effectiveness, or would constitute a change in intended use. The 510(k) clearance processes can be expensive, time-consuming and uncertain. In addition to the time required to conduct clinical trials, if necessary, it generally takes from four to twelve months from submission of an application to obtain 510(k) clearance; however, it may take longer and 510(k) clearance may never be obtained. Even if the FDA accepts a 510(k) submission for filing, the FDA may request additional information or clinical studies during its review. Our ability to obtain additional regulatory clearances for new products and indications may be significantly delayed or may never be obtained. In addition, we may be required to obtain PMAs for new products or product modifications. The requirements of the more rigorous PMA process could delay product introductions and increase the costs associated with FDA compliance. As with all in vitro diagnostic products, the FDA reserves the right to redefine the regulatory path at the time of submission or during the review process, and could require a more burdensome approach. 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.

A 510(k) clearance or PMA approval for any future medical device product would likely place substantial restrictions on how the device is marketed or sold, and we will be required to continue to comply with extensive regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to, quality system regulations, or QSR, registering manufacturing facilities, listing the products with the FDA, and complying with labeling, marketing, complaint handling, adverse event and medical device reporting requirements and corrections and removals. We cannot assure you that we will successfully maintain the clearances or approvals we may receive in the future. In addition, any clearances or approvals we obtain may be revoked if any issues arises that bring into question our products’ safety or effectiveness. Any failure to maintain compliance with FDA regulatory requirements could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Sales of our diagnostic products outside the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements governing clinical studies, vigilance reporting, marketing approval, manufacturing, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement. These regulatory requirements vary greatly from country to country. As a result, the time required to obtain approvals outside the United States may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval and we may not be able to obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis or at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities could require additional testing. In addition, the FDA regulates exports of medical devices. Failure to

 

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comply with these regulatory requirements or obtain required approvals could impair our ability to commercialize our diagnostic products outside of the United States.

We expect to rely on third parties to conduct any future studies of our diagnostic products that may 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 clinical studies or other studies that may be required to obtain FDA and other regulatory clearance or approval for our diagnostic products, including the HTG Edge system and related proprietary panels. Accordingly, we expect to rely on third parties, such as medical institutions and clinical investigators, to conduct such studies. Our reliance on these third parties for clinical development activities 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. 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 our diagnostic products.

Even if we are able to obtain regulatory approval or clearance for our diagnostic products, we will continue to be subject to ongoing and extensive regulatory requirements, and our failure to comply with these requirements could substantially harm our business.

If we receive regulatory approval or clearance for our diagnostic products, we will be subject to ongoing FDA obligations and continued regulatory oversight and review, such as compliance with QSRs, inspections by the FDA, continued adverse event and malfunction reporting, corrections and removals reporting, registration and listing, and promotional restrictions, and we may also be subject to additional FDA post-marketing obligations. If we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may not be permitted to market our diagnostic products and/or may be subject to fines, injunctions, and civil penalties; recall or seizure of products; operating restrictions; and criminal prosecution. In addition, we may be subject to similar regulatory compliance actions of foreign jurisdictions.

If Medicare and other third-party payors in the United States and foreign countries do not approve coverage and reimbursement for our future clinical diagnostic tests enabled by our technology, the commercial success of our diagnostic products would be compromised.

We plan to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and sell clinical diagnostics products for a number of different indications. Successful commercialization of our clinical diagnostic products depends, in large part, on the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement for testing services using our diagnostic products from third-party payors, including government insurance plans, managed care organizations and private insurance plans. There is significant uncertainty surrounding third-party coverage and reimbursement for the use of tests that incorporate new technology, such the HTG Edge system and related applications and assays. Reimbursement rates have the potential to fluctuate depending on the region which the testing is provided, the type of facility or treatment center at which the testing is done, and the third-party payor responsible for payment. If we are unable to obtain positive coverage decisions from third-party payors approving reimbursement for our tests at adequate levels, the commercial success of our products would be compromised and our revenue would be significantly limited. Even if we do obtain favorable reimbursement for our tests, third-party payors may withdraw their coverage policies, review and adjust the rate of reimbursement, require co-payments from patients or stop paying for our tests, which would reduce revenue for testing services based on our technology and demand for our diagnostic products.

 

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The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, Editorial Panel recently created new CPT codes that could be used by our customers to report testing for certain large-scale multianalyte genomic sequencing procedures, including our diagnostic products, if approved. Effective January 1, 2015, these codes will allow for uniform reporting of broad genomic testing panels using technology similar to ours. While these codes will standardize reporting for these tests, they do not guarantee coverage and/or reimbursement for these tests. If coverage is approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, and other third-party payors, the availability of these new billing codes may result in payment amounts that better reflect the costs and resources of clinical diagnostic tests using our technology, although CMS has not yet published its preliminary payment rate determinations. We cannot assure that CMS and other third-party payors will establish reimbursement rates sufficient to cover the costs incurred by our customers in using our clinical diagnostic products, if approved.

Even if we are able to establish coverage and reimbursement codes for our clinical diagnostic products in development, we will continue to be subject to significant pricing pressure, which could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

Third-party payors, including managed care organizations as well as government payors such as Medicare and Medicaid, have increased their efforts to control the cost, utilization and delivery of healthcare services, which may include decreased coverage or reduced reimbursement. From time to time, Congress has considered and implemented changes to the Medicare fee schedules in conjunction with budgetary legislation, and pricing and payment terms, including the possible requirement of a patient co-payment for Medicare beneficiaries for laboratory tests covered by Medicare, and are subject to change at any time. Reductions in the reimbursement rate of third-party payors have occurred and may occur in the future. Reductions in the prices at which testing services based on our technology are reimbursed in the future could result in pricing pressures and have a negative impact on our revenue. In many countries outside of the United States, various coverage, pricing and reimbursement approvals are required. We expect that it will take several years to establish broad coverage and reimbursement for testing services based on our products with payors in countries outside of the United States, and our efforts may not be successful.

We may be subject, directly or indirectly, to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws and other federal and state laws applicable to our marketing practices. If we are unable to comply, or have not complied, with such laws, we could face substantial penalties.

Our operations are, and will continue to be, directly, or indirectly through our customers, subject to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the federal and state anti-kickback statutes, false claims statutes, civil monetary penalties laws, patient privacy and security laws, patient transparency laws and marketing compliance laws. These laws may impact, among other things, our proposed sales and marketing and education programs. The laws that may affect our ability to operate include, but are not limited to:

 

    the federal Anti-kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or paying any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce, or in return for, either the referral of an individual, or the purchase, lease, order or recommendation of any good, facility, item or service for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under a federal healthcare program, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs; a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it to have committed a violation;

 

   

the federal physician self-referral prohibition, commonly known as the Stark Law, which prohibits, among other things, physicians who have a financial relationship, including an investment, ownership or compensation relationship with an entity, from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients to that entity for designated health services, which include clinical laboratory services, unless an exception applies. Similarly, entities may not bill Medicare, Medicaid or any other party for services furnished pursuant to a prohibited referral. Unlike the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law is a strict

 

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liability statute, meaning that all of the requirements of a Stark Law exception must be met in order to be compliant with the law;

 

    federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalty laws, which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment or approval from Medicare, Medicaid or other governmental third-party payors that are false or fraudulent, knowingly making a false statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money to the federal government or knowingly concealing or knowingly and improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation to pay money to the federal government, which may apply to entities that provide coding and billing advice to customers; the federal government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act;

 

    the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, or HIPAA, which created federal criminal statutes that prohibit knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, any healthcare benefit program, regardless of the payor (e.g., public or private) and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing, or covering up by any trick or device a material fact or making any materially false statements in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services relating to healthcare matters; similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it to have committed a violation;

 

    HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, and their respective implementing regulations, which impose requirements on certain covered healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses as well as their respective business associates that perform services for them that involve the use, or disclosure of, individually identifiable health information, relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;

 

    the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which require certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (with certain exceptions) to report annually to CMS information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members; manufacturers were required to begin data collection on August 1, 2013 and to report aggregate data to the government by March 31, 2014, with more detailed reports by June 30, 2014; and

 

    state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback, self-referral, false claims, consumer protection and unfair competition laws which may apply to our business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales and marketing arrangements as well as submitting claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers; state laws that require device companies to comply with the industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the applicable compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government that otherwise restricts payments that may be made to healthcare providers; state laws that require device manufacturers to file reports with states regarding marketing information, such as the tracking and reporting of gifts, compensations and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities (compliance with such requirements may require investment in infrastructure to ensure that tracking is performed properly, and some of these laws result in the public disclosure of various types of payments and relationships, which could potentially have a negative effect on our business and/or increase enforcement scrutiny of our activities); and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways, with differing effects.

 

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In addition, the approval and commercialization of any of our product candidates outside the United States will also likely subject us to foreign equivalents of the healthcare laws mentioned above, among other foreign laws.

Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available under such laws, it is possible that some of our business activities, including our relationships with physicians and other health care providers, and our evaluation, reagent rental and collaboration arrangements with customers, and sales and marketing efforts could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.

If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including administrative, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, individual imprisonment, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, contractual damages, reputational harm, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.

Healthcare policy changes, including recently enacted legislation reforming the United States healthcare system, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

On April 1, 2014, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, or PAMA, was signed into law, which, among other things, significantly alters the current payment methodology under the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, or CLFS. Under the new law, starting January 1, 2016 and every three years thereafter (or annually in the case of advanced diagnostic lab tests), clinical laboratories must report laboratory test payment data for each Medicare-covered clinical diagnostic lab test that it furnishes during a time period to be defined by future regulations. The reported data must include the payment rate (reflecting all discounts, rebates, coupons and other price concessions) and the volume of each test that was paid by each private payor (including health insurance issuers, group health plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid managed care organizations). Beginning in 2017, the Medicare payment rate for each clinical diagnostic lab test will be equal to the weighted median amount for the test from the most recent data collection period. The payment rate will apply to laboratory tests furnished by a hospital laboratory if the test is separately paid under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system. It is too early to predict the impact on reimbursement for our products in development.

Also under PAMA, CMS is required to adopt temporary billing codes to identify new tests and new advanced diagnostic laboratory tests that have been cleared or approved by the FDA. For an existing test that is cleared or approved by the FDA and for which Medicare payment is made as of April 1, 2014, CMS is required to assign a unique billing code if one has not already been assigned by the agency. In addition to assigning the code, CMS must publicly report payment for the tests no later than January 1, 2016. We cannot determine at this time the full impact of the new law on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively, the ACA or the Affordable Care Act, enacted in March 2010, makes changes that are expected to significantly impact the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and clinical laboratories. For example, certain medical device manufacturers have to pay a sales tax in an amount equal to 2.3% of the price for which such manufacturer sells its medical devices that are listed with the FDA. We expect that the new tax may apply to some or all of our diagnostic products, which may impact our financial projections and results. The ACA also includes a reduction in the annual update factor used to adjust payments under the CLFS for inflation. This update factor reflects the consumer price index for all urban consumers, or CPI-U, and the ACA reduces the CPI-U by 1.75% for the years 2011 through 2015. The ACA also imposes a multifactor productivity adjustment in addition to the CPI-U, which may further reduce payment rates. These or any future proposed or mandated reductions in payments may apply to some or all of the clinical laboratory tests that our diagnostics customers use our technology to deliver to Medicare beneficiaries, and may reduce demand for our diagnostic products.

 

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Other significant measures contained in the ACA include, for example, coordination and promotion of research on comparative clinical effectiveness of different technologies and procedures, initiatives to revise Medicare payment methodologies, such as bundling of payments across the continuum of care by providers and physicians, and initiatives to promote quality indicators in payment methodologies. The ACA also includes significant new fraud and abuse measures, including required disclosures of financial arrangements with physician customers, lower thresholds for violations and increasing potential penalties for such violations. In addition, the ACA establishes an Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, to reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending. The IPAB has broad discretion to propose policies to reduce health care expenditures, which may have a negative impact on payment rates for services, including our tests. The IPAB proposals may impact payments for clinical laboratory services that our future diagnostics customers use our technology to deliver beginning in 2016 and for hospital services beginning in 2020, and may indirectly reduce demand for our diagnostic products.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. On August 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011, which, among other things, created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to recommend to Congress proposals in spending reductions. The Joint Select Committee did not achieve a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect on April 1, 2013, and will stay in effect through 2024 unless Congressional action is taken. On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.

Various healthcare reform proposals have also emerged from federal and state governments. Changes in healthcare law or policy, such as the creation of broad test utilization limits for diagnostic products in general or requirements that Medicare patients pay for portions of clinical laboratory tests or services received, could substantially impact the sales of our tests, increase costs and divert management’s attention from our business. Such co-payments by Medicare beneficiaries for laboratory services were discussed as possible cost savings for the Medicare program as part of the debt ceiling budget discussions in mid-2011 and may be enacted in the future. In addition, sales of our tests outside of the United States will subject us to foreign regulatory requirements, which may also change over time.

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. The taxes imposed by the new federal legislation and the expansion in government’s effect on the United States healthcare industry may result in decreased profits to us, lower reimbursements by payors for our products or reduced medical procedure volumes, all of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property effectively, our business would be harmed.

We rely on patent protection as well as trademark, copyright, trade secret and other intellectual property rights protection and contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary technologies, all of which provide limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. We own eight issued U.S. patents, 23 granted foreign patents and 28 patent applications pending in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, which portfolio relates to our nuclease-protection-based technologies as well as to lung cancer and melanoma biomarker panels discovered using our nuclease-protection-based technology. We have exclusive or non-exclusive licenses to multiple U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications covering

 

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technologies which we intend to utilize in developing diagnostic tests for use on our HTG Edge system. Those patents and patent applications cover technologies related to the diagnosis of breast cancer and melanoma.

If we fail to protect our intellectual property, third parties may be able to compete more effectively against us and we may incur substantial litigation costs in our attempts to recover or restrict use of our intellectual property.

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 will take for such patents to be issued. Further, we cannot assure investors that other parties will not challenge any patents issued to us or that courts or regulatory agencies will hold our patents to be valid or enforceable. We cannot guarantee investors that we will be successful in defending challenges made against our patents. Any successful third-party challenge to our patents could result in the unenforceability or invalidity of such patents.

The patent positions of life sciences companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in such companies’ patents has emerged to date in the United States. Furthermore, in the biotechnology field, courts frequently render opinions that may adversely affect the patentability of certain inventions or discoveries, including opinions that may adversely affect the patentability of methods for analyzing or comparing nucleic acids molecules, such as RNA or DNA.

The patent positions of companies engaged in development and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests are particularly uncertain. Various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have recently rendered decisions that impact the scope of patentability of certain inventions or discoveries relating to molecular diagnostics. Specifically, these decisions stand for the proposition that patent claims that recite laws of nature (for example, the relationships between gene expression levels and the likelihood of risk of recurrence of cancer) are not themselves patentable unless those patent claims 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 the law of nature itself. What constitutes a “sufficient” additional feature is uncertain. Accordingly, 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 licensed patents.

The laws of some non-U.S. 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. 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.

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. We cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in our patents or in third-party patents. For example:

 

    We might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our patents and pending patent applications.

 

    We might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions.

 

    Others may independently develop similar or alternative products and technologies or duplicate any of our products and technologies.

 

    It is possible that none of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents, and even if they issue as patents, they may not provide a basis for commercially viable products, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged and invalidated by third parties.

 

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    We may not develop additional proprietary products and technologies that are patentable.

 

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

 

    We apply for patents covering our products and technologies and uses thereof, as we deem appropriate. However, we may fail to apply for patents on important products and technologies in a timely fashion or at all.

In addition to pursuing patents on our technology, we take steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology by entering into confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, corporate partners and, when needed, our advisors. Such agreements may not be enforceable or may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure or other breaches of the agreements, and we may not be able to prevent such unauthorized disclosure. 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 enforce 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. In addition, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets.

In addition, competitors could purchase our products 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 that fall outside of our intellectual property rights. If our intellectual property is not adequately protected so as to protect our market against competitors’ products and methods, our competitive position could be adversely affected, as could our business.

We have not yet registered certain of our trademarks, including “HTG Edge,” “HTG EdgeSeq,” “qPNA” and “ArrayPlate” in all of our potential markets. If we apply to register these trademarks, our applications may not be allowed for registration, and our registered trademarks may not be maintained or enforced. In addition, opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our trademark applications and registrations, and our trademarks may not survive such proceedings. If we do not secure registrations for our trademarks, we may encounter more difficulty in enforcing them against third parties than we otherwise would.

To the extent our intellectual property, including licensed intellectual property, offers inadequate protection, or is found to be invalid or unenforceable, we would be exposed to a greater risk of direct competition. If our intellectual property does not provide adequate protection against our competitors’ products, our competitive position could be adversely affected, as could our business. Both the patent application process and the process of managing patent disputes can be time consuming and expensive.

We may need to depend on certain technologies that are licensed to us. We would not control these technologies and any loss of our rights to them could prevent us from selling some of our products.

We have entered into several license agreements with third parties for certain licensed technologies that are not currently utilized in the products we market but may be in the future. In addition, we may in the future elect to license third party intellectual property to further our business objectives and/or as needed for freedom to operate for our products. We do not and will not own the patents or patent applications that are a subject of these licenses. Our rights to use these technologies and employ the inventions claimed in the licensed patents and patent applications are or will be subject to the continuation of and compliance with the terms of those licenses.

In some cases, we do not or may not control the prosecution, maintenance, or filing of the patents or patent applications to which we hold licenses, or the enforcement of these patents against third parties. As a result, we cannot be certain that drafting or prosecution of the licensed patents and patent applications by the licensors have been or will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights.

 

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Certain of the U.S. patent rights we own or have licensed relate to technology that was developed with U.S. government grants, in which case the U.S. government has certain rights in those inventions, including, among others, march-in license rights. In addition, federal regulations impose certain domestic manufacturing requirements with respect to any products within the scope of those U.S. patent claims.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patent or other proprietary rights, to determine the scope, coverage and validity of others’ patent or other proprietary rights, or to defend against third-party claims of intellectual property infringement, any of which could be time-intensive and costly and may adversely impact our business or stock price.

We may from time to time receive notices of claims of infringement and misappropriation or misuse of other parties’ proprietary rights, including with respect to third-party trade secrets, infringement by us of third-party patents and trademarks or other rights, or challenges to the validity or enforceability of our patents, trademarks or other rights. Some of these claims may lead to litigation. We cannot assure investors that such actions will not be asserted or prosecuted against us or that we will prevail in any or all such actions.

Litigation may be necessary for us to enforce our patent and proprietary rights or to determine the scope, coverage and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation could result in substantial legal fees and could adversely affect the scope of our patent protection. The outcome of any litigation or other proceeding is inherently uncertain and might not be favorable to us, and we might not be able to obtain licenses to technology that we require. Even if such licenses are obtainable, they may not be available at a reasonable cost. We could therefore incur substantial costs related to royalty payments for licenses obtained from third parties, which could negatively affect our gross margins. Further, we could encounter delays in product introductions, or interruptions in product sales, as we develop alternative methods or products. In addition, if we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity, scope and coverage of the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of others, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive, even if we were to prevail. Any litigation that may be necessary in the future could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

As we move into new markets and applications for our products, incumbent participants in such markets may assert their patents and other proprietary rights against us as a means of slowing our entry into such markets or as a means to extract substantial license and royalty payments from us. Our competitors and others may now and in the future have significantly larger and more mature patent portfolios than we currently have. In addition, future litigation may involve patent holding companies or other adverse patent owners who have no relevant product revenue and against whom our own patents may provide little or no deterrence or protection. Therefore, our commercial success may depend in part on our non-infringement of the patents or proprietary rights of third parties. Numerous significant intellectual property issues have been litigated, and will likely continue to be litigated, between existing and new participants in our existing and targeted markets and competitors may assert that our products infringe their intellectual property rights as part of a business strategy to impede our successful entry into those markets. Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. In addition, our competitors and others may have patents or may in the future obtain patents and claim that use of our products infringes these patents. We could incur substantial costs and divert the attention of our management and technical personnel in defending against any of these claims. Parties making claims against us may be able to obtain injunctive or other relief, which could block our ability to develop, commercialize and sell products, and could result in the award of substantial damages against us. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may be required to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties, or be prohibited from selling certain products. We may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, if at all. We could therefore incur substantial costs related to royalty payments for licenses obtained from third parties, which could negatively affect our gross margins. In addition, we could encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to develop alternative methods or products to avoid infringing third-party patents or proprietary rights. Defense of any lawsuit or failure to obtain any of these licenses on

 

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favorable terms could prevent us from commercializing products, and the prohibition of sale of any of our products could materially affect our ability to grow and gain market acceptance for our products.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, during the course of this kind of litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

In addition, our agreements with some of our suppliers, distributors, customers and other entities with whom we do business require us to defend or indemnify these parties to the extent they become involved in infringement claims against us, including the claims described above. We could also voluntarily agree to defend or indemnify third parties in instances where we are not obligated to do so if we determine it would be important to our business relationships. If we are required or agree to defend or indemnify any of these third parties in connection with any infringement claims, we could incur significant costs and expenses that could adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition.

We may be subject to damages resulting from claims that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of our employees’ former employers.

Many of our employees were previously employed at other medical diagnostic companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights. A loss of key research personnel work product could hamper or prevent our ability to commercialize certain potential products, which could severely harm our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

Our products contain third-party open source software components, and failure to comply with the terms of the underlying open source software licenses could restrict our ability to sell our products.

Our products contain software tools licensed by third-party authors under “open source” licenses. Use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. Some open source licenses contain requirements that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon the type of open source software we use. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we could, under certain open source licenses, be required to release the source code of our proprietary software to the public. This would allow our competitors to create similar products with less development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of product sales.

Although we monitor our use of open source software to avoid subjecting our products to conditions we do not intend, the terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our products. Moreover, we cannot assure investors that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our products will be effective. If we are held to have breached the terms of an open source software license, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue offering our products on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our products, to discontinue the sale of our products if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis, or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

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We use third-party software that may be difficult to replace or cause errors or failures of our products that could lead to lost customers or harm to our reputation.

We use software licensed from third parties in our products. In the future, this software may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this software could result in delays in the production of our products until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business. In addition, any errors or defects in third-party software, or other third-party software failures could result in errors, defects or cause our products to fail, which could harm our business and be costly to correct. Many of these providers attempt to impose limitations on their liability for such errors, defects or failures, and if enforceable, we may have additional liability to our customers or third-party providers that could harm our reputation and increase our operating costs.

We will need to maintain our relationships with third-party software providers and to obtain software from such providers that do not contain any errors or defects. Any failure to do so could adversely impact our ability to deliver reliable products to our customers and could harm our results of operations.

Risks Related to Being a Public Company

If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.

After the closing of this offering, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Global Market. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. Commencing with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Form 10-K filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This will require that we incur substantial additional professional fees and internal costs to expand our accounting and finance functions and that we expend significant management efforts. Prior to this offering, we have never been required to test our internal controls within a specified period, and, as a result, we may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.

We are currently in the process of reviewing, documenting and testing our internal control over financial reporting, but we are not currently in compliance with, and we cannot be certain when we will be able to implement the requirements of, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For instance, in September 2014, it was determined that we did not have adequate controls in place to properly account for our obligation to NuvoGen in connection with our purchase of intellectual property under an asset purchase agreement, which resulted in a restatement of previously issued financial statements. This deficiency in our internal controls was deemed to be a material weakness. A material weakness is a significant deficiency, or a combination of significant deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that it is reasonably possible that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If one or more material weaknesses persist or if we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately report our financial results could be adversely affected. Although efforts are still in progress, we are taking steps to remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, primarily by hiring additional individuals with accounting expertise and through the implementation of new accounting processes and control procedures. These actions are subject to ongoing management review and the oversight of the audit committee of our board of directors.

If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce

 

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timely and accurate financial statements. If that were to happen, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by NASDAQ, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or other regulatory authorities.

Complying with the laws and regulations affecting public companies will increase our costs and the demands on management and could harm our operating results.

As a public company, and particularly after we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and The NASDAQ Global Market impose numerous requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. Also, the Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to compliance with these laws and regulations. These requirements have increased and will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs and have made and will continue to make some activities more time consuming and costly. For example, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or our board committees or as executive officers.

As an “emerging growth company,” we expect to avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement that our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404. However, we may no longer avail ourselves of this exemption when we cease to be an “emerging growth company.” When our independent registered public accounting firm is required to undertake an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, the cost of our compliance with Section 404 will correspondingly increase. Our compliance with applicable provisions of Section 404 will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management time on compliance-related issues as we implement additional corporate governance practices and comply with reporting requirements. Moreover, if we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 applicable to us in a timely manner, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm identifies deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.

Furthermore, investor perceptions of our company may suffer if deficiencies are found, and this could cause a decline in the market price of our stock. Irrespective of compliance with Section 404, any failure of our internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our stated operating results and harm our reputation. If we are unable to implement these requirements effectively or efficiently, it could harm our operations, financial reporting, or financial results and could result in an adverse opinion on our internal controls from our independent registered public accounting firm.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and any decision on our part to comply only with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012, and, for as long as we continue to be an “emerging growth company,” we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and

 

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stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years following the completion of this offering, however, we would cease to be an “emerging growth company” before the end of that five-year period as of the following December 31, if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenue, or if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of June 30 of any year, or as of the date we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly and investors may not be able to resell their shares at or above the initial public offering price.

The trading price of our common stock following this offering may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

 

    actual or anticipated quarterly variation in our results of operations or the results of our competitors;

 

    announcements by us or our competitors of new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;

 

    failure to obtain or delays in obtaining product approvals or clearances from the FDA or foreign regulators;

 

    adverse regulatory or reimbursement announcements;

 

    issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations for our stock;

 

    developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights;

 

    commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation;

 

    market conditions in the life sciences and molecular diagnostics markets;

 

    manufacturing disruptions;

 

    any future sales of our common stock or other securities;

 

    any change to the composition of the board of directors, executive officers or key personnel;

 

    expiration of contractual lock-up agreements with our executive officers, directors and security holders;

 

    announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

    general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets; and

 

    the other factors described in this section of the prospectus captioned “Risk Factors.”

The stock market in general, and market prices for the securities of health technology companies like ours in particular, have from time to time experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of the underlying companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In several recent situations where the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders were to bring a lawsuit against us, the defense and disposition of the lawsuit could be costly and divert the time and attention of our management and harm our operating results.

 

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An active trading market for our common stock may not develop.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Although we expect that our common stock will be approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, an active trading market for our shares may never develop or be sustained following this offering. The initial price to the public for our common stock was determined through negotiations with the underwriters, and the negotiated price may not be indicative of the market price of the common stock after this offering. The lack of an active market may impair investors’ ability to sell their shares at the time they wish to sell them or at a price that they consider reasonable, may reduce the fair market value of their shares and may impair our ability to raise capital.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse opinion about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us issues an adverse opinion about our company, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock.

Substantially all of our existing stockholders are subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters of this offering that restrict the stockholders’ ability to transfer shares of our common stock for 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions. The lock-up agreements limit the number of shares of common stock that may be sold immediately following the public offering; however, the underwriters may, in their discretion, permit our officers, directors and other stockholders who are subject to these lock-up agreements to sell shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements. Subject to certain limitations, including sales volume limitations with respect to shares held by our affiliates, substantially all of our outstanding shares prior to this offering will become eligible for sale upon expiration of the lock-up period, as calculated and described in more detail in the section entitled “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” In addition, shares issued or issuable upon exercise of options and warrants vested as of the expiration of the lock-up period will be eligible for sale at that time. Sales of stock by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Certain holders of our securities are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, subject to the 180-day lock-up arrangement described above. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Future sales and issuances of our common stock or rights to purchase common stock, including pursuant to our equity incentive plans, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders and could cause our stock price to fall.

We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. We may sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity

 

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securities in more than one transaction, investors may be materially diluted by these and subsequent sales. New investors could also gain rights superior to our existing stockholders.

Pursuant to the 2014 plan, our board of directors is authorized to grant stock options and other equity-based awards to our employees, directors and consultants. Following this offering,              shares of our common stock (including 7,111,785 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2011 plan) will be authorized for issuance pursuant to such equity-based awards. The number of shares available for future grant under the 2014 plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each year by     % of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, subject to the ability of our board of directors to take action to reduce the size of the increase in any given year. Pursuant to our 2014 employee stock purchase plan, or the ESPP, following this offering              shares of our common stock will be authorized for issuance pursuant to purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year by the lesser of     % of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year and              shares, subject to the ability of our board of directors to take action to reduce the size of the increase in any given year. Currently, we plan to register the increased number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 plan and ESPP each year. Increases in the number of shares available for future grant or purchase may result in additional dilution, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exercise significant influence over matters subject to stockholder approval.

Our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders, together with their respective affiliates, beneficially owned approximately 90.1% of our capital stock as of September 30, 2014, and we expect that upon completion of this offering, that same group will beneficially own approximately     % of our capital stock, which does not include any effect of these stockholders purchasing additional shares in this offering. Accordingly, after this offering, our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders will be able to determine the composition of the board of directors, retain the voting power to approve all matters requiring stockholder approval, including mergers and other business combinations, and continue to have significant influence over our operations. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of 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 adverse effect on our stock price and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove the board of directors or management.

Our management team has broad discretion to use the net proceeds from this offering and its investment of these proceeds may not yield a favorable return. They may invest the proceeds of this offering in ways with which investors disagree.

Although we intend to use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus, our management has broad discretion as to how to spend and invest the proceeds from this offering and we may spend or invest these proceeds in a way with which our stockholders disagree. Moreover, you will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial or other information on which we base our decisions on how to use our proceeds. Accordingly, investors will need to rely on our judgment with respect to the use of these proceeds. We may use the proceeds for corporate purposes that do not immediately enhance our prospects for the future or increase the value of your investment. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license and invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses; however, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction. These uses may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering. In addition, the amount, allocation and timing of our actual expenditures will depend upon numerous factors, including the revenue generated from the sale of our products to life sciences customers

 

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and the sale of our HTG Edge system and assays. Accordingly, we will have broad discretion in using these proceeds. Until the net proceeds are used, they may be placed in investments that do not produce significant income or that may lose value.

We are at risk of securities class action litigation.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. If we face such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock so any returns will be limited to the value of our stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our common stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, our ability to pay cash dividends is currently prohibited by the terms of our debt facility, and any future debt financing arrangement may contain terms prohibiting or limiting the amount of dividends that may be declared or paid on our common stock. Any return to stockholders will therefore be limited to the appreciation of their stock.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or increase the cost of acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders or remove our current management.

Some provisions of our charter documents and Delaware law may have anti-takeover effects that could discourage an acquisition of us by others, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management. These provisions include:

 

    authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval;

 

    limiting the removal of directors by the stockholders;

 

    creating a staggered board of directors;

 

    prohibiting stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders;

 

    eliminating the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; and

 

    establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management. In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless such transactions are approved by our board of directors. This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, whether or not it is desired by or beneficial to our stockholders. Further, other provisions of Delaware law may also discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring us or merging with us.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

    our ability to successfully commercialize our HTG Edge system and related applications and assays;

 

    our ability to generate sufficient revenue or raise additional capital to meet our working capital needs;

 

    our ability to secure regulatory clearance or approval, domestically and internationally, for the clinical use of our products;

 

    our ability to develop new technologies beyond mRNA and miRNA to include DNA fusions and mutations or other technologies to expand our product offerings;

 

    the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business;

 

    the regulatory regime for our products, domestically and internationally;

 

    our strategic relationships, including with patent holders of our technologies, manufacturers and distributors of our products, and third parties who conduct our clinical studies;

 

    our intellectual property position;

 

    our expected use of proceeds;

 

    our ability to comply with the restrictions of our debt facility and meet our debt obligations;

 

    our expectations regarding the market size and growth potential for our life sciences and diagnostic businesses;

 

    any estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements, and stock performance; and

 

    our ability to sustain and manage growth, including our ability to develop new products and enter new markets.

In some cases, you can identify these statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our management’s beliefs and views with respect to future events and are based on estimates and assumptions as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, do not protect any forward-looking statements that we make in connection with this offering.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and 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 from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this prospectus by these cautionary statements.

Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $         million (or approximately $         million if the underwriters’ exercise their over-allotment option in full) from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by us in this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $         million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, a one million share increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us by $        , assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional capital to support our operations, to create a public market for our common stock and to facilitate our future access to the public equity markets. We anticipate that we will use the net proceeds from this offering for the following purposes:

 

    approximately $         million for sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses;

 

    approximately $         million for research and development expenses, including:

 

    approximately $         million for personnel costs, including expansion of our research and development team; and

 

    approximately $         million for the development of new applications and profiling panels;

 

    approximately $         million for repayment of our outstanding loan borrowed under our loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance LLC, which bears interest at the rate of 8.5% per annum and matures in September 2018, and which loan proceeds have been used to fund our operations; and

 

    the remainder to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes.

We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to in-license, acquire, or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets. However we have no current plans, commitments or obligations to do so.

We believe that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to fund our operations through at least the next 12 months, which we expect will enable us to complete the development of our planned applications and profiling panels through 2015.

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions 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 the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds from this offering.

Pending their use, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, the loan agreement governing our indebtedness contains restrictions on our ability to declare and pay cash dividends on our capital stock.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2014:

 

    on an actual basis;

 

    on a pro forma basis, giving effect to (1) the conversion of all our outstanding redeemable convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this offering (2) the issuance of shares of our common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015, (3) and the reclassification to stockholders’ (deficit) equity of our convertible preferred stock warrant liability in connection with the conversion of our convertible preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants, and (4) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation immediately prior to the closing of this offering; and

 

    on a pro forma as adjusted basis, reflecting the pro forma adjustments discussed above and giving further effect to the sale by us of shares of our common stock at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and 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 table together with our audited financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus, the sections entitled “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information contained in this prospectus.

 

     As of September 30, 2014  
     Actual     Pro
Forma
     Pro
Forma As
Adjusted (2)
 
    

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per

share amounts)

 

Indebtedness

   $ 19,027      $ 19,027       $                

Growth term loan warrant liability

     302        

Redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     100        

Redeemable convertible preferred stock; $0.001 par value per share:

       

472,083,383 shares authorized, 238,232,276 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted (1)

     60,913        

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

       

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual;                 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     —         

Common stock; $0.001 par value:

       

600,000,000 shares authorized, 11,559,780 and 11,409,780 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, actual;                 shares authorized,                 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma;                 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted (1)

     11        

Distributions in excess of capital

     (6,453     

Treasury stock

     (75     

Accumulated deficit

     (64,030     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

     (70,547     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ (9,634   $         $    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1) Pursuant to the approval of our board of directors and the written election of the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of our Series E convertible preferred stock in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, each share of our outstanding redeemable convertible preferred stock will automatically be converted into shares of our common stock at the then-effective applicable conversion rate contingent upon and effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering.
(2) Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share would increase or decrease, respectively, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity and total capitalization by approximately $         million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The number of common shares in the table above is based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, and excludes:

 

    58,252,138 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2014, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.03 per share;

 

    5,569,524 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2014, each at an exercise price of $0.181 per share;

 

                    shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our the 2014 plan (including 7,111,785 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2011 plan as of September 30, 2014, which shares will be added to the shares reserved under the 2014 plan upon its effectiveness), which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering;

 

                    shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP, which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering; and

 

    9,321,176 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued subsequent to September 30, 2014, each at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share, which warrants are expected to become exercisable for an aggregate of                  shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering at an exercise price of $             per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of September 30, 2014 was approximately $(70.5) million, or $(6.18) per share of common stock. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) is the amount of our total tangible assets less our liabilities and our redeemable convertible preferred stock, which is not included within equity. Net historical tangible book value (deficit) per share is our historical net tangible book value (deficit) divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014. Our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) as of September 30, 2014 was $         million, or $         per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) gives effect to the conversion of all of our outstanding redeemable convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of our common stock and the resultant reclassification of our redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability to stockholders’ (deficit) equity in connection with such conversion, and the issuance of                 shares of common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value is our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit), plus the effect of the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $         per share to our existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution of $         per share to new investors participating in this offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $                

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of September 30, 2014

   $ (6.18  

Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2014 attributable to the conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock

    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2014 attributable to the issuance of                 shares of common stock as payment for accrued dividends

    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2014, before giving effect to this offering

    
  

 

 

   

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors participating in this offering

    
  

 

 

   

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

    
    

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering

     $     
    

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering by approximately $         per share and the dilution in pro forma per share to investors participating in this offering by approximately $         per share, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, a one million share increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share

 

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after this offering by approximately $         and the dilution in pro forma per share to investors participating in this offering by approximately $        , assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full to purchase                 additional shares of our common stock in this offering, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value will increase to $         per share, representing an immediate increase to existing stockholders of $         per share and an immediate dilution of $         per share to new investors participating in this offering.

The foregoing discussion and table does not reflect any potential purchases by entities affiliated with certain of our existing stockholders who have indicated an interest in purchasing shares in this offering as described in “Underwriting.”

The foregoing discussion is based on                 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, after giving effect to the conversion of our outstanding convertible preferred shares into an aggregate of 252,706,466 shares of common stock and the issuance of shares of common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015, and excludes:

 

    58,252,138 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2014, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.03 per share;

 

    5,569,524 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants issued as of September 30, 2014, each at an exercise price of $0.181 per share;

 

                    shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our the 2014 plan (including 7,111,785 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2011 plan as of September 30, 2014, which shares will be added to the shares reserved under the 2014 plan upon its effectiveness), which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering;

 

                    shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP, which will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement for this offering; and

 

    9,321,176 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued subsequent to September 30, 2014, each at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share, which warrants are expected to become exercisable for an aggregate of                  shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering at an exercise price of $             per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).

Furthermore, we may choose to raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that any of these options are exercised, new options are issued under our equity incentive plans or we issue additional shares of common stock or other equity or convertible debt securities in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data should be read together with our financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial data in this section are not intended to replace our financial statements and the related notes. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future and results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

The selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 and 2013 are derived from our audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 and the selected balance sheet data as of September 30, 2014 are derived from our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements included in this prospectus and include, in our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial information in those statements.

 

    Year ended December 31,    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
    2012     2013     2013     2014  
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  

Statement of Operations:

       

Revenue

  $ 2,481      $ 2,243      $ 1,629      $ 2,031   

Cost of revenue

    1,816        2,247        1,545        2,005   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross (loss) margin

    665        (4     84        26   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

       

Selling, general and administrative

    7,289        7,714        6,233        7,117   

Research and development

    3,925        4,197        3,143        2,373   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    11,214        11,911        9,376        9,490   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

    (10,549     (11,915     (9,292     (9,464

Other income (expense)

       

Income (loss) from change in stock warrant valuation

    24        161        121        (56

Interest expense

    (251     (212     (158     (292

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

    (2,009     —         —         —    

Other income (expense), net

    11        197        198        (8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    (12,774     (11,769     (9,131     (9,820

Accretion of stock issuance costs

    (110     (152     (114     (71

Accretion of Series E warrant discount

    —         —         —         (252

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends

    (1,399     (2,270     (1,636     (2,406
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (14,283   $ (14,191   $ (10,881   $ (12,549
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

  $ (1.41   $ (1.37   $ (1.05     (1.21

Shares used in computing net loss per common share, basic and diluted

    10,139,328        10,333,530        10,326,727        10,357,118   

 

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     As of December 31,     As of
September 30,
2014
 
     2012     2013    
     (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,316      $ 1,815      $ 7,694   

Working capital

     6,071        954        7,759   

Total assets

     8,433        4,398        12,112   

Total long-term debt

     9,912        9,697        19,027   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

     40,925        50,868        60,913   

Accumulated deficit

     (42,441     (54,210     (64,030

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a commercial stage company that developed and markets a novel technology platform to facilitate the routine use of complex molecular profiling. Our HTG Edge automated platform can quickly, robustly and simultaneously profile thousands of clinically relevant molecular targets from samples a fraction of the size required by current technologies. Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling and make this capability accessible to all molecular labs from research to the clinic. We believe that our target customers desire high quality molecular profiling information in a multiplexed panel format from increasingly smaller samples, with the ability to do this locally to minimize turnaround time and cost. The HTG Edge platform was designed to meet these needs and is empowering pathologists, clinicians and molecular labs to directly control the molecular profiling of patient samples.

Our HTG Edge platform, which is comprised of instrumentation, consumables and software analytics, automates the molecular profiling of genes and gene activity using our proprietary nuclease protection chemistry to deliver extraction-free, multiplexed results on a wide variety of biological samples. Our platform provides significant workflow and performance advantages in molecular profiling applications including tumor profiling, molecular diagnostic testing and biomarker development. We recently launched HTG EdgeSeq, an extension of our platform that automates and adapts our nuclease protection chemistry to enable analysis using next generation sequencing, or NGS, instrumentation. This new HTG EdgeSeq chemistry utilizes the same sample preparation instrument and reagents as our original chemistry, but allows for read out on an NGS instrument. By combining the power of the HTG EdgeSeq chemistry with the capabilities of NGS, we are able to profile a wide variety of genomic alterations and sample types.

Our innovative platform and initial menu of molecular profiling panels are being utilized by a wide range of customers including biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs to simultaneously analyze a comprehensive set of molecular information from valuable clinical samples and substantially improve their workflow efficiency. We currently market seven proprietary molecular profiling panels that address the needs of almost 40 customers in high impact areas of translational research and biopharmaceutical companion diagnostics such as immuno-oncology, fibroblast growth factor receptor, or FGFR, expression and human microRNA analysis. In addition, we have a focused development pipeline of new profiling products that includes panels for translational research, drug development and molecular diagnostics. Our product strategy is to build complete profiling panels of established and emerging molecular targets for broader and disease-specific approaches.

We have incurred significant losses since our inception and we have never been profitable. We incurred net losses of $12.8 million, $11.8 million and $9.8 million in 2012, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we had an accumulated deficit of $64.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, we had available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.7 million including the remaining proceeds from an $11.0 million growth capital term loan we obtained in August 2014.

 

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Financial Operations Overview

Revenue

We generate revenue from the sale of our HTG Edge platform, including the HTG Edge system, our proprietary consumables, and related services. Consumables consist primarily of our molecular profiling panels, which we also refer to as assays. We also recently launched our HTG EdgeSeq chemistry for use on our platform.

Product revenue

Product revenue includes revenue from the sale of instruments and consumables. Revenue from the sale of instruments is derived from the sale of our HTG Edge system. Revenue from the sale of instruments represented 0% and 30% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Revenue from the sale of instruments represented 30% of our total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

We currently market our HTG Edge system to a wide variety of customers including biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs. As of September 30, 2014, the list price of an HTG Edge system, which is comprised of a processor and reader, was $175,000 per unit and the list price of a processor when used with our HTG EdgeSeq chemistry was $90,000 per unit. However, amounts actually received by us vary from customer to customer.

Revenue from the sale of consumables is derived from the sale of our molecular profiling panels for use on our HTG Edge platform, and from the sale of custom molecular profiling panels that we have developed for some of our customers. We currently offer seven proprietary panels designed for use in drug development. Consumable revenue represented 2% and 4% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Consumable revenue represented 3% and 18% of our total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012      2013      2013      2014  

Instruments

   $ —        $ 682,875       $ 485,675       $ 607,107   

Consumables

     47,500         88,603         42,603         370,279   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total product sales

   $ 47,500       $ 771,478       $ 528,278       $ 977,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Service revenue

Service revenue consists of the design of custom panels for biopharmaceutical customers, research services and sample processing. We have shifted our focus away from this aspect of our business model. Service revenue represented 74% and 42% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Service revenue represented 45% and 20% of our total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012      2013      2013      2014  

Custom panel design

   $ 1,317,521       $ 900,964       $ 686,563       $ 375,840   

Sample processing

     507,746         42,720         42,720         21,000   

Other service revenue

     20,497         9,500         9,500         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total service revenue

   $ 1,845,764       $ 953,184       $ 738,783       $ 396,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Other revenue

Other revenue consists of licensing fees and grant revenues. Revenue from grants represented 18%, and 23% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Revenue from grants represented 22% and 32% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In 2012, we performed work on three, separate National Institutes of Health, or NIH, grants as a principal investigator and as a sub-awardee on a government contract with Arizona State University. In August 2013 we were awarded an additional grant. This grant is scheduled to be completed in June 2015. We expect our grant revenue to decrease over time.

Cost of revenue and gross margin

Cost of revenue reflects the aggregate costs incurred in manufacturing, delivering, installing and servicing instruments and the cost of manufacturing panels. The components of our cost of revenue are materials and service costs, manufacturing costs paid to third-party manufacturers and incurred internally which includes direct labor costs (including stock-based compensation), equipment and infrastructure expenses associated with shipping, logistics and allocated overhead including rent, information technology, equipment depreciation and utilities.

Cost of revenue associated with developing custom panels is recognized as the work required to develop the panel is performed.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, cost of revenue included a large portion of unabsorbed manufacturing capacity. As product sales increase in the future, we anticipate that manufacturing capacity utilization will increase, resulting in a reduction of cost of revenue on a percentage basis. Similarly, due to the fixed nature of expenses associated with direct labor, equipment and infrastructure, we expect cost of revenue as a percentage to decrease over time as our volume increases to absorb those fixed costs.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses represent costs incurred to develop new proprietary panels and upgrades to our HTG Edge platform. These expenses include payroll and related expenses, consulting expenses, laboratory supplies, and certain allocated expenses as well as amounts incurred under certain collaborative agreements. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. We expect our research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars in future periods as we continue to develop additional panels and applications for our platform and potentially conduct clinical trials to support regulatory approval of clinical diagnostics.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel costs for our sales and marketing, executive, finance and accounting functions, including stock-based compensation expenses, educational and promotional expenses, fees for professional services such as legal, consulting and accounting , and infrastructure expenses, including allocated facility and overhead costs. We expect selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we expand our direct sales and support teams in the United States and establish a sales and support team in Europe. In addition, we expect our selling, general and administrative expenses to increase as a result of operating as public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and The NASDAQ Global Market, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.

Interest expense

As of September 30, 2014, we had an obligation due to NuvoGen Research, LLC, or NuvoGen, in the amount of $9.2 million under an asset purchase agreement. Interest expense relates to our borrowings under our loan agreements and non-cash interest expense related to our obligation to NuvoGen.

 

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Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net is primarily associated with the remeasurement of the estimated fair value of warrants to purchase shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock.

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

On November 1, 2012, the terms of the NuvoGen obligation were modified to allow for a change in the minimum payments and the accrual of interest at 2.5% each year beginning in 2017. Based on the scope of those modifications, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of the NuvoGen obligation of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Factors Affecting our Performance

We believe our future results of operations are dependent on a number of factors discussed below. While each of these areas present significant opportunities for us, they also pose significant risks and challenges that we must successfully address. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

The installed base of our HTG Edge platform and proprietary panels

The growth of our business is tied to the number of HTG Edge instruments we sell and install. Our goal is to increase the installed base of our HTG Edge related instruments to drive instrument and consumable revenue. Our ability to increase this revenue depends on a number of factors, including (i) adoption of our HTG Edge platform by our customer base, including increasing market share for our proprietary assays for the research market; (ii) the efforts of our sales and marketing teams to demonstrate the utility of our products and technology; (iii) our ability to develop and market novel molecular profiling panels designed to meet unmet medical needs; (iv) our ability to demonstrate the benefits of our products to key opinion leaders so they will publish information supporting those benefits; (v) pricing and reimbursement; and (vi) our ability to expand the addressable market of our HTG Edge platform through the development of new applications. Given the length of our sales cycle, we have in the past experienced, and will likely in the future experience, fluctuations in our instrument and consumables sales on a period-to-period basis.

The ability to increase revenue to a level sufficient to allow us to achieve economies of scale with our cost of revenue

Our cost of revenue includes fixed costs consisting of unabsorbed manufacturing costs. Achieving an attractive gross margin requires that our revenues increase in order to absorb those fixed costs. Should our revenues not increase as expected, we will continue to have gross margins which may be insufficient to fund operations.

Development of additional products

We rely on sales of HTG Edge instruments and consumables to generate revenue. As part of our strategy we plan to develop new proprietary panels and applications for our HTG Edge platform. Our success in developing new products will be important in our efforts to grow our business by expanding the potential market for our products, diversifying our sources of revenue, and providing recurring consumable revenue.

Timing of Research and Development Expenses

Our spending on research and development may vary substantially from quarter to quarter due in part to the availability and cost of clinical samples.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2014

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Change  
    2013     2014        
    (unaudited)        

Revenue:

     

Product

  $ 528,278      $ 977,386      $ 449,108   

Service

    738,783        396,840        (341,943

Other

    362,020        656,917        294,897   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    1,629,081        2,031,143        402,062   

Cost of revenue

    1,544,680        2,005,276        460,596   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

    84,401        25,867        (58,534
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

     

Research and development

    3,143,185        2,372,972        770,213   

Selling, general and administrative

    6,233,197        7,116,544        (883,347
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    9,376,382        9,489,516        (113,134
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

    (9,291,981     (9,463,649     (171,668

Income (expense) from change in stock warrant valuation

    120,816        (56,323     (177,139

Interest expense

    (157,557     (292,018     (134,461

Other income (expense), net

    197,569        (7,756     (205,325
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

  $ (9,131,153   $ (9,819,746   $ (688,593
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Product revenue

Product revenue increased by $0.4 million, or 85%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. The increase was the result of an increase in both instrument and consumable sales.

Service revenue

Service revenue decreased by $0.3 million, or 46%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in revenue from custom panel design.

Other revenue

Other revenue increased by $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in grant revenue.

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue increased by $0.5 million, or 30%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Cost of revenue increased primarily due to increased instrument and consumable sales. Cost of revenue included $0.8 million and $0.9 million in manufacturing costs for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

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Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by $0.8 million, or 25%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was due to the reduction in spending related to the development of the HTG Edge platform.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 14%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to an increase in headcount, employee benefits, sales consulting expenses, general and intellectual property related legal fees, the cost of disposed assets and an increase in bad debt expense.

Interest and other income (expense), net

Interest expense increased $0.1 million, or 85%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to a new debt facility which was entered into in August 2014. Other income decreased by $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a $0.2 million contract termination payment.

Income (expense) from change in stock warrant valuation

The increase in the expense from the change in stock warrant valuation between the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a result of an increase in the value of our preferred stock.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2013

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Change  
     2012     2013    
     (unaudited)        

Revenue:

  

Product

   $ 47,500      $ 771,478      $ 723,978   

Service

     1,845,764        953,184        (892,580

Other

     587,584        518,410        (69,174
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     2,480,848        2,243,072        (237,776

Cost of revenue

     1,816,223        2,246,898        (430,675
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     664,625        (3,826     (668,451

Operating expenses:

      

Research and development

     3,924,460        4,197,610        (273,150

Selling, general and administrative

     7,289,024        7,714,030        (425,006
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,213,484        11,911,640        (698,156
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (10,548,859     (11,915,466     (1,366,607

Income from change in stock warrant valuation

     23,870        161,089        137,219   

Interest expense, net

     (251,076     (211,872     39,204   

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

     (2,008,663     —         2,008,663   

Other (expense) income, net

     10,717        196,830        186,113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (12,774,011   $ (11,769,419   $ 1,004,592   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Product revenue

Product revenue increased by $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to an increase in sales of HTG Edge instruments and consumables.

Service revenue

Service revenue decreased by $0.9 million, or 48%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was primarily related to a decrease in sample processing services and custom panel development.

Other revenue

Other revenues decreased by $0.1 million, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in grant revenue.

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue increased by $0.4 million, or 24%, in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to increased headcount and related expenses. Cost of revenue included $1.2 million and $0.7 million in manufacturing costs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 7%, in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due to increased project expenses associated with the development of the HTG Edge system.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.4 million, or 6%, in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due primarily to increased headcount and associated payroll expenses associated with hiring sales and marketing personnel in connection with the launch of our HTG Edge instruments and assays in 2013, offset by a decrease in general corporate and intellectual property related legal fees.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased by $39,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. Interest expense related to the NuvoGen obligation was $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Other income increased by $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2012. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2013 included a $0.2 million contract termination payment.

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

On November 1, 2012, the terms of the NuvoGen obligation were modified to allow for a change in the minimum payments and the accrual of interest at 2.5% each year beginning in 2017. Based on the scope of those modifications, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of the NuvoGen obligation of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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Income (expense) from change in stock warrant valuation

The increase in the income from the change in stock warrant valuation between the year ended December 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2013 was a result of a decrease in the value of our preferred stock.

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2014

The following table summarizes the primary sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
             2013                     2014          
     (unaudited)  

Net cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

   $ (9,162,987   $ (10,201,513

Investing activities

     (530,470     (627,446

Financing activities

     7,184,281        16,708,150   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (2,509,176   $ 5,879,191   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $10.2 million and reflected (i) the net loss of $9.8 million, (ii) net non-cash items of $0.9 million, consisting primarily of depreciation and amortization, expense from valuation of warrant liabilities and amortization of the discount on the NuvoGen obligation and bad debt expense and (iii) a net cash outflow from changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities of $1.2 million. The most significant items comprising the changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities were an increase in inventory of $0.5 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $0.4 million, and a reduction of accrued and other liabilities of $0.3 million, primarily representing decreased accrued payroll liabilities offset by increased accounts payable.

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $9.2 million and reflected the net loss of $9.1 million, net non-cash items of $0.3 million, and net cash outflow from changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities of $0.4 million.

Investing Activities

Our investing activities have consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we used $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for purchases of property and equipment.

We expect capital expenditures to increase in 2014 and beyond as we expand our research and discovery work to develop new panels and related applications.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $7.4 million from the issuance of Series E preferred stock, net of issuance costs, and net proceeds from borrowing $10.7 million on the growth term loan, partially offset by deferred financing and offering costs of $0.2 million. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was from the issuance of Series D preferred stock of $7.5 million, net of issuance costs, and the exercise of common stock options. Net cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by payments to NuvoGen of $1.2 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2013

The following table summarizes the primary sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2013  

Net cash provided by (used in):

  

Operating activities

   $ (8,679,934   $ (11,823,157

Investing activities

     (69,010     (777,767

Financing activities

     7,169,882        7,100,159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (1,579,062   $ (5,500,765
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $11.8 million and reflected (i) the net loss of $11.8 million, (ii) net non-cash items of $0.5 million, consisting primarily of depreciation and amortization, and valuation of warrant liabilities to estimated fair value and amortization of the discount on the NuvoGen obligation and (iii) a net cash outflow from changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities of $0.5 million. The significant items comprising the changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities were a higher balance of accounts receivable of $0.5 million and a higher balance of inventory of $0.6 million, partially offset by an increased accounts payable and accrued liabilities balances of $0.5 million.

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $8.7 million and reflected (i) the net loss of $12.8 million, (ii) net non-cash items of $2.7 million, consisting primarily of depreciation and amortization of $0.2 million, charge for excess inventory of $0.2 million, amortization of the discount on the NuvoGen obligation of $0.2 million and a non-cash loss on extinguishment of the NuvoGen obligation of $2.0 million and (iii) a net cash inflow from changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities of $1.3 million. The significant items comprising the changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities were a lower balance of accounts receivable of $1.7 million, offset by lower accrued liabilities of $0.2 million and higher prepaid expenses of $0.1 million.

The largest contributors to the $3.1 million increase in cash used in operating activities, were a $1.0 million decrease in the net loss offset by reduction in loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation of $2.0 million, a $2.1 million reduction in the change in accounts receivables, and $0.5 million increase in the change in inventory.

Investing Activities

Our investing activities have consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities of $0.8 million and $69,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, consisted of purchases of property and equipment.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 included $7.5 million of the proceeds from the Series D preferred stock issuance, net of issuance costs. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 included $7.6 million of net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock. Net cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by payments to NuvoGen under the NuvoGen agreement of $0.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

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Liquidity and Funding Requirements

Since our inception, our operations have primarily been financed through the issuance of our redeemable convertible preferred stock, the incurrence of debt and cash received from product sales, services revenue and other income. Through September 30, 2014, we had received net proceeds of $52.9 million from the issuances of preferred stock, including preferred stock issued on conversion of promissory notes, $0.8 million in proceeds from our term loan payable, approximately $6.6 million in grants, $10.7 million from a growth term loan (net of $0.3 million original issue discount) and $26.3 million from service and product revenue. As of September 30, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of $7.7 million and $20.2 million of debt outstanding on our growth term loan payable, NuvoGen obligation and capital lease obligations.

In August 2014, we entered into an asset-secured growth capital term loan with Oxford Finance, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank. $11.0 million was funded at closing with a second tranche of $5.0 million available through June 30, 2016 subject to satisfaction of at least one of two milestones, including raising a minimum of $30.0 million in net proceeds from this offering or achieving a minimum trailing six month revenue target. The loan accrues interest annually at the rate of 8.5%. The loan matures on September 1, 2018 and, at least through September 2015, is payable in monthly interest-only payments. The interest-only payment period is extendable through January 31, 2016 upon funding of the second tranche prior to September 1, 2015. Following the interest-only payment period, equal monthly payments of principal and interest amortized over the remaining term of the loan are due.

In December 2014, we entered into two separate note and warrant purchase agreements, or collectively, the 2014 note purchase agreements, with certain of our existing investors, including beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock and certain entities affiliated with members of our board of directors. The first note and warrant purchase agreement, or the first note purchase agreement, provides for the sale and issuance by us of up to an aggregate of $7.3 million in principal amount of convertible notes in a series of closings, each of which must be approved by the unanimous vote or written consent of those members of our board of directors who are not an affiliate of any of the investors under such agreement. The second note and warrant purchase agreement, or the second note purchase agreement, provides for the sale and issuance by us of up to an aggregate of $6.2 million in principal amount of convertible notes in a series of closings, each of which must be approved by (i) our board of directors, including a majority of the directors elected by the holders of our Series E preferred stock, and (ii) investors whose purchase amount for such closing equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate principal amount of notes to be sold at such closing. The purchase and sale of notes under the 2014 note purchase agreements are subject to certain closing conditions, which include the absence of default under our Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank. These closing conditions must be met at the time of each closing. If issued, notes issued under the 2014 note purchase agreements would accrue interest at a rate of 8% per annum, compounded annually, and become due and payable on March 31, 2016, subject to their earlier conversion in the event we complete an initial public offering in which we receive gross offering proceeds of at least $20.0 million from the sale of shares to investors who are not holders of our securities, or a qualified initial public offering, or a private placement of our preferred stock (whether in one single transaction or several tranches) resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of at least $20.0 million from sales of securities to investors who are not holders of our securities, or a qualified private placement. The number of shares into which the notes may be converted, common shares in the case of a qualified initial public offering or preferred shares in the case of a qualified private placement, is equal to the outstanding principal and accrued interest divided by the price per share paid by investors purchasing such newly issued equity securities. To date, we have not sold or issued any convertible notes under either of the 2014 note purchase agreements. Certain provisions of the first note purchase agreement terminate (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) immediately prior to the earlier to occur of the closing of (i) a qualified initial public offering or (ii) a qualified private placement and certain provisions of the second note purchase agreement terminate (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) immediately prior to the earlier to occur of (x) the time at which a registration statement covering a public offering of our securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, becomes effective or (y) the initial closing of a qualified private

 

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placement. We expect that such provisions of the 2014 note purchase agreements (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) will be terminated in connection with this offering.

As of September 30, 2014, there is $9.2 million due to NuvoGen pursuant to our purchase of intellectual property under an asset purchase agreement. We are obligated to pay NuvoGen specified minimum annual payments until the obligation is paid in full. Beginning in 2018, we are obligated to pay the greater of the specified minimum annual payment and 6% of revenue as defined in the asset purchase agreement, as amended.

We currently anticipate that our cash and cash equivalents and future product and service revenue, together with proceeds we expect to receive from the sale and issuance of notes under the 2014 note purchase agreements and the expected net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months, which we expect will enable us to complete the development of our planned applications and profiling panels through 2015. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate more substantial revenue, we may be required to finance our cash needs through equity or debt financings or through collaborations or partnerships with other companies. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue our planned product development or the commercialization of our current and any future products. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of additional debt or equity securities, it could result in dilution to our existing stockholders, increased fixed payment obligations and these securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock. These events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.

Our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement and involves risk and uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.

If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue our planned product development or the commercialization of our current and any future products. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of additional debt or equity securities, it could result in dilution to our existing stockholders, increased fixed payment obligations and these securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock. These events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013:

 

     Payments due by Period  
     Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1 – 3 Years      3 – 5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 

Debt obligations (1)

   $ 10,448,743       $ 450,000       $ 1,300,000       $ 1,200,000       $ 7,498,743   

Operating lease obligations (2)

     671,287         329,391         337,874         4,022         —    

Capital lease obligations (3)

     116,971         29,243         58,485         29,243         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 11,237,001       $ 808,634       $ 1,696,359       $ 1,233,265       $ 7,498,743   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Our debt obligations consist of amounts due to NuvoGen under an asset purchase agreement and reflects the February 2014 Amendment but does not reflect the 2.5% interest starting in 2018. We owe minimum payments under the NuvoGen agreement. Beginning in 2018, we are obligated to pay the greater of $400,000 or 6% of sales until the obligation is repaid in full.
(2) Our operating lease obligations consist of the leases for our laboratory and office facility in Tucson, AZ expiring in 2014 and 2015.
(3) Our capital lease obligations consist of equipment financing arrangements with vendors. The contractual obligations table above includes one capital lease entered into in December 2012.

 

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The foregoing description of our contractual obligations at December 31, 2013 does not reflect our contractual obligations pursuant to our outstanding $11.0 million term loan under our loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank entered into in 2014. Refer to footnote 5 of our audited financial statements for payment due under the term loan.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (ASU 2013-11), to require that in certain cases, an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward when such items exist in the same taxing jurisdiction. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP.

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Going Concern, or ASU 2014-15. ASU 2014-15 provides GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Items subject

 

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to estimates based on judgments include, but are not limited to: revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, the value of the warrant liability, the resolution of uncertain tax position, income tax valuation allowances, recovery of long-lived assets and provisions for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence and inventory valuation. Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could affect the results of operations in future periods.

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of these accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Product revenue

We recognize revenue from the sale of instruments, consumables and related services when the following four basic criteria are met: (1) a contract has been entered into with a customer or persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (3) the fee is fixed and determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Sale of instruments and consumables

Instrument product revenue is generally recognized upon installation and calibration by our field service engineers, unless the customer has specified any other acceptance criteria. The sale of instruments and related installation and calibration are considered to be one unit of accounting, as instruments are required to be professionally installed and calibrated before use. Installation generally occurs within a week of shipment.

Consumables are considered to be separate units of accounting as they are sold separately. Consumables revenue is recognized upon transfer of ownership, which is generally upon shipment. Our standard term and conditions provide that no right of return exists for instruments or consumables.

When a contract involves multiple elements, the items included in the arrangement (deliverables) are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. We perform this evaluation at the inception of an arrangement and as each item is delivered in the arrangement. Generally, we account for a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) separately if the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer, the customer is given a general right of return relative to the delivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item or service is probable and substantially in our control. When multiple elements can be separated into separate units of accounting, arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the arrangement, based on each deliverables’ relative selling price. All revenue from contracts determined not to have separate units of accounting is recognized based on consideration of the most substantive delivery factor of all the elements in the contract.

We provide instruments to customers under reagent agreements. Under these agreements, we install instruments in the customer’s facility without a fee and the customer agrees to purchase consumable products at a stated price over the term of the agreement; however, the agreements do not contain a minimum purchase requirement. Terms range from several months to multiple years and may automatically renew in several month or multiple year increments unless either party notifies the other in advance that the agreement will not renew. This represents a multiple element arrangement and because all consideration under the reagent agreement is contingent on the sale of consumables, no consideration is allocated to the instrument and no revenue is recognized upon installation of the instrument. The cost of the instrument under the agreement is expected to be recovered in the fees charged for consumables, to the extent sold, over the term of the agreement. Revenue is recognized as consumables are shipped.

 

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We retain title to the instrument and such title is transferred to the customer at no additional charge at the conclusion of the initial arrangement. Because the pattern of revenue from the arrangement cannot be reasonably estimated, the cost of the instrument is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Cost to maintain the equipment while title remains with us is charged to cost of sales as incurred.

Service revenue

For contracts related to custom panel design services and sample processing, we utilize a proportional performance revenue recognition model, under which revenue is recognized as performance occurs based on the relative outputs of the performance that have occurred up to that point in time under the respective agreement. We include all applicable costs incurred related to custom panel design services, including research and development costs and general and administrative expenses, in cost of revenue.

We also provide contract research services under cost plus fixed fee government contracts. Revenue is recognized under government contracts using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, contract research revenue is recognized as the work progresses and services are rendered and costs are incurred. The fixed fee is recognized in proportion to costs incurred compared to total estimated costs. We include all applicable costs incurred from government contracts, including general and administrative expenses on government contracts, in cost of revenue.

Anticipated losses, if any, on contracts are charged to earnings as soon as they are identified. Anticipated losses cover all costs allocable to contracts. Revenue arising from claims or change orders is recorded either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated and its realization is probable.

Other Revenue

Other revenue includes license and grant revenue.

License revenue is generated from the licensing of our internally developed intellectual property to third parties. The revenue may be generated by nonrefundable up-front payments and license fees, milestone and other contingent payments. Licensing fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement for agreements requiring specific continuing performance obligations with deferral of all or a portion of these fees. If it cannot be concluded that a license fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of an arrangement, amounts are recognized as income as payments from third parties become due. Licensing fees, included in other revenue, totaled $0 and $141,667 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. No licensing fees were included in other revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Grant revenue, including amounts received under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project program administered under Section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code, are earned when expenditures relating to the projects under these awards are incurred.

Warrant Liability

We have freestanding warrants enabling third parties to purchase shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock. In accordance with the accounting guidance regarding distinguishing liabilities from equity, freestanding warrants for convertible preferred stock that are contingently redeemable are classified as liabilities on the balance sheets and recorded at their estimated fair value. These warrants are remeasured at each balance sheet date and any change in estimated fair value is recognized in other income or expense on the statements of operations.

 

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The estimated fair value of the convertible preferred stock warrant liability was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using a fair value per preferred stock series between $0.02 and $0.31 and the following assumptions:

 

     As of December 31,     As of September 30,  
     2012     2013     2013     2014  
                 (unaudited)  

Risk-free interest rate

     0.5     0.8     0.8     1.6

Volatility

     65     70     70     70

Estimated term equal to the remaining contractual term

     3.5 years        3.1 years        3.1 years        4.5 years   

Expected dividend yield

     0 – 8     0 – 8     0 – 8     0 – 8

We recorded $0.2 million and $24,000 of income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and $56,000 of expense and $121,000 of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 to other expense, net on the statements of operations, to reflect the change in the estimated fair value of the preferred stock warrants.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation costs related to stock options granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate the grant date fair value, and the resulting stock-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The grant date fair value of stock-based awards is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective award. We account for stock-based compensation arrangements with non-employees using a fair value approach. The fair value of these options is measured using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model reflecting the same assumptions as applied to employee options in each of the reported periods, other than the expected life, which is assumed to be the remaining contractual life of the option. The compensation costs of these arrangements are subject to remeasurement over the vesting terms as earned.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $57,000, $88,000, $66,000 and $120,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. We expect to continue to grant stock options and other equity-based awards in the future, and to the extent that we do, our stock-based compensation expense recognized in future periods will likely increase.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, which determine the fair value of stock-based awards. If we had made different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense, net loss and net loss per share of common stock could have been significantly different. Our assumptions are as follows:

 

    Fair value of our common stock . Because our stock was not publicly traded prior to this offering, we estimate the fair value of our common stock. See “– Significant Factors, Assumptions and Methodologies Used in Determining Fair Value of Our Common Stock” below. Upon the completion of this offering, our common stock will be valued by reference to the publicly-traded price of our common stock.

 

    Expected term . The expected term represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Our historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate an expected term because of a lack of sufficient data. Therefore we estimate the expected term by using the simplified method, which calculates the expected term as the average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options.

 

   

Expected volatility . As our common stock has never been publicly traded, the expected volatility is derived from the average historical volatilities of publicly traded companies within our industry that we consider to be comparable to our business over a period approximately equal to the expected term. We intend to continue to consistently apply this process using the same or similar public companies until a

 

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sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our own common stock price becomes available, or unless circumstances change such that the identified companies are no longer similar to us, in which case, more suitable companies whose share prices are publicly available would be utilized in the calculation.

 

    Risk-free interest rate . The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant for zero coupon U.S. Treasury notes with maturities approximately equal to the expected term.

 

    Expected dividend . The expected dividend is assumed to be zero as we have never paid dividends and have no current plans to pay any dividends on our common stock.

 

    Expected forfeiture . We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. To the extent actual forfeitures differ from the estimates, the difference will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period that the estimates are revised.

Significant Factors, Assumptions and Methodologies Used in Determining Fair Value of Our Common Stock

We are also required to estimate the fair value of the common stock underlying our stock-based awards when performing the fair value calculations using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our board of directors, with the assistance of management, determined the fair value of our common stock on each grant date. All options to purchase shares of our common stock are intended to be granted with an exercise price per share no less than the fair value per share of our common stock underlying those options on the date of grant, based on the information known to us on the date of grant. Because there has been no public market for our common stock, the fair value of the common stock that underlies our stock options has historically been determined by our board of directors based upon information available to it at the time of grant, including the following:

 

    contemporaneous valuations performed by independent third-party firms;

 

    our current and projected operating and financial performance, including our levels of available capital resources;

 

    trends and developments in our industry;

 

    the valuation of publicly traded companies in our sector, as well as recently completed initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions of comparable companies;

 

    rights, preferences and privileges of our common stock compared to the rights, preferences and privileges of our other outstanding equity securities;

 

    U.S. and global economic and capital market conditions;

 

    the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the shares of common stock, such as an initial public offering or an acquisition of our company given prevailing market and sector conditions;

 

    the illiquidity of our securities by virtue of being a private company;

 

    business risks; and

 

    management and board experience.

The valuations of our common stock performed by independent third-party firms were performed in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid.

Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation

We have historically utilized an option pricing method, or OPM, to allocate our business enterprise value to our common stock and common stock equivalents. Our business enterprise value was estimated using an income

 

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approach, which estimates enterprise value based on the estimated present value of future net cash flows the business is expected to generate over its remaining life.

The estimated present value is calculated using a discount rate reflective of the cost of capital associated with an investment in a similar company and risks associated with our cash flow projections. Our discounted cash flow projections are sensitive to highly subjective assumptions that we were required to make each valuation date. The market-based approach measures the value of a business through an analysis of recent sales or offerings of comparable investments or assets, and in our case, focuses on comparing us to the group of peer companies. In applying this method, valuation multiples are derived from historical operating data of the peer company group. We then apply multiples to our operating data to arrive at a range of indicated values of the company. For each valuation, we prepared a financial forecast to be used in the computation of the value of invested capital for both the market approach and income approach. The financial forecasts took into account our past results and expected future financial performance. There is inherent uncertainty in these estimates as the assumptions used are highly subjective and subject to changes as a result of new operating data and economic and other conditions that impact our business.

If we had made different assumptions than those used, the amount of our stock-based compensation expense, net income and net income per share amounts could have been significantly different. Following the completion of this offering, the fair value per share of our common stock for purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense will be the closing price of our common stock as reported on the applicable grant date. The compensation cost that has been included in the consolidated statement of operations for all stock-based compensation arrangements is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Years Ended December 31,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2012             2013             2013             2014      
                (unaudited)  
    (in thousands)  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  $ 49      $ 67      $ 50      $ 115   

Research and development expense

  $ 8      $ 21      $ 16      $ 15   

Total stock-based compensation expense

  $ 57      $ 88      $ 66      $ 120   

Based on the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2014 would be $         million, of which $         million and $         million would have been related to stock options that were vested and unvested, respectively, at that date.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We will be required, pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by management over our internal control over financial reporting. However, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) until the later of the year

 

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following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company” if we take advantage of the exemptions contained in the Jobs Act.

In September 2014, we concluded that there was a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined under the standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses that we identified related to the accounting of the NuvoGen obligation, which resulted in a restatement of previously issued financial statements. We did not have adequate controls in place to account for this obligation properly. Although efforts are still in progress, we are taking steps to remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, primarily by hiring additional individuals with accounting expertise and through the implementation of new accounting processes and control procedures. These actions are subject to ongoing management review and the oversight of the audit committee of our board of directors. If a material weakness persists or if we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately report our financial results could be adversely affected.

We are in the very early stages of the costly and challenging process of compiling the system and processing documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404(a). We might not be able to complete our evaluation, testing or any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are designed and operating effectively, which could result in a loss of investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports. This could cause the price of our common stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

On or about June 25, 2014, we dismissed Ernst & Young, LLP, or E&Y, as our independent public accounting firm.

The dismissal was approved by our audit committee on June 25, 2014.

The audit report of E&Y on our financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Those audits were conducted under United States generally accepted auditing standards and not the standards as prescribed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. E&Y did not report on our financial statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

In connection with the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the subsequent interim period through June 25, 2014, the date of the dismissal of E&Y, (i) there were no disagreements with E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to E&Y’s satisfaction, would have caused E&Y to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report, and (ii) there were no “reportable events,” as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

On June 25, 2014, our audit committee approved the appointment and engagement of BDO USA, LLP, or BDO, to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm, effective as of June 25, 2014, and to reaudit the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and in the subsequent interim period through June 25, 2014, neither the Company, nor anyone acting on its behalf, consulted with BDO regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit

 

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opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and no written report nor oral advice was provided by BDO, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily relate to interest rates. We had cash and cash equivalents of $7.7 million at September 30, 2014, which consist of bank deposits and money market funds. Such interest-bearing instruments carry a degree of risk; however, we have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates during any of the periods presented would not have had a material impact on our financial statements.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a commercial stage company that developed and markets a novel technology platform to facilitate the routine use of complex molecular profiling. Our HTG Edge automated platform can quickly, robustly and simultaneously profile thousands of clinically relevant molecular targets from samples a fraction of the size required by current technologies. Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling and make this capability accessible to all molecular labs from research to clinic. We believe that our target customers desire high quality molecular profiling information in a multiplexed panel format from increasingly smaller samples, with the ability to do this locally to minimize turnaround time and cost. The HTG Edge platform was designed to meet these needs and is empowering pathologists, clinicians and molecular labs to directly control the molecular profiling of patient samples. Our platform’s capabilities are also enabling biopharmaceutical companies and research centers to better leverage the power of molecular profiling in their preclinical and clinical applications.

Molecular profiling is the analysis of multiple DNA, RNA and protein targets in biological samples, such as tissue, blood or urine, to identify expression patterns or genomic changes. Molecular profiling is enabling a paradigm shift from the traditional approach of looking at one molecule at a time to the simultaneous analysis of thousands of molecules. There are numerous applications of molecular profiling, such as whole genome sequencing for the discovery of novel genetic variants and the assessment of patient samples to identify biomarkers or molecular markers of disease that can aid in diagnosis, gauge patient prognosis or predict response to an available therapy. Significant discoveries of new molecular targets, such as in the field of immuno-oncology, are creating substantial growth in targeted tumor profiling for molecular diagnostic testing, biomarker development and translational research in oncology and other diseases. Based on published industry reports, the cancer profiling market is estimated to be $17.8 billion today and is expected to grow to $35.0 billion by 2018.

Our HTG Edge platform is comprised of instrumentation, consumables and software analytics. Our platform provides significant workflow and performance advantages in molecular profiling applications including tumor profiling, molecular diagnostic testing and biomarker development. The HTG Edge platform automates the molecular profiling of genes and gene activity using our proprietary chemistry to deliver extraction-free, multiplexed results on a wide variety of biological samples, including tissue preserved with formaldehyde and stored in paraffin wax, which is referred to as formalin fixed paraffin embedded, or FFPE, tissue. We recently launched HTG EdgeSeq, an extension of our platform that automates and adapts our nuclease protection chemistry to enable analysis using next generation sequencing, or NGS, instrumentation. The following features of our platform are designed to enable the rapid delivery of a comprehensive molecular profile from extremely small samples:

 

    Multiplexing – analyze thousands of molecular targets in a single sample, providing a more comprehensive profile

 

    Minimal sample requirement – molecular profile from extremely small amounts of sample, such as a fine needle aspirate

 

    Multi-parameter testing – measure multiple molecular applications such as RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression

 

    Data quality – high fidelity results from a broad range of biological samples including difficult to use FFPE tissue

 

    Speed – turnaround time of 24-36 hours

 

    Ease of use – minimal labor, simple user interfaces and turnkey analytics

Our innovative platform and initial menu of molecular profiling panels are being utilized by a wide range of customers including biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs to simultaneously

 

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analyze a comprehensive set of molecular information from valuable clinical samples and substantially improve their workflow efficiency. Our platform’s proprietary chemistry allows for extraction free analysis of difficult clinical samples such as FFPE tissue with as little as a single five micron section of tissue, a fraction of the amount of sample required by existing technologies. The ability to provide robust data from minute samples is critically important in areas such as cancer where biopsies are becoming less invasive and smaller while the number of tests competing for the sample is growing. Our platform was designed to fit seamlessly into current surgical pathology workflows, minimize technician labor and set a new standard for ease of use.

We currently market seven proprietary molecular profiling panels that address the needs of almost 40 customers in high impact areas of translational research and biopharmaceutical companion diagnostics, including immuno-oncology, the expression of important genes such as fibroblast growth factor receptor, or FGFR, and human microRNA analysis.

In June 2014, we were issued a U.S. patent for our novel HTG EdgeSeq chemistry that allows us to leverage the increasing installed base of NGS instruments for our profiling panels. This new HTG EdgeSeq chemistry utilizes the same sample preparation instrument and reagents as our original chemistry, but allows for read out on an NGS instrument. We believe the HTG EdgeSeq chemistry is disruptive as it substantially simplifies current sample and library preparation methods, greatly reduces the complexity of data analytics, and provides customers additional value by expanding the utilization of their NGS investments. By combining the power of the HTG EdgeSeq chemistry with the capabilities of NGS, we are able to profile a wide variety of genomic alterations and sample types. These include RNA gene fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and analysis of cell-free circulating DNA from liquid biopsies. These capabilities provide us substantial ability to develop additional profiling panels and grow our market opportunities.

We have a focused development pipeline of new profiling products that includes panels for translational research, drug development, and molecular diagnostics. Our product strategy is to build complete profiling panels of established and emerging molecular targets for broader and disease-specific approaches. For our molecular diagnostic customers where the reimbursement path is critical we expect that our planned panels will conform to approved reimbursement codes for genomic sequence procedures. We believe this will facilitate clinical customer adoption and avoid the high costs and time required to prove medical utility and seek unique reimbursement codes.

Our Strategy

Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling, and to allow its benefits to be accessible to all molecular labs from research to the clinic. The key components of our strategy are:

 

    Grow our installed base and promote our consumables-based business model. We plan to promote global adoption of our HTG Edge platform, including our growing menu of consumables, in molecular labs, biopharmaceutical companies and major cancer centers by demonstrating the key differentiating aspects of our platform, such as small sample utilization, multiplexing and multi-parameter testing. These advantages result in cost, time and ease of use benefits for our global customers. We plan to expand our direct sales and support team in the United States, transition from a contract sales team to our own direct sales and support team in Europe and expand our global distributor network.

 

    Establish our HTG Edge system as the best front-end platform for clinical sequencing . We intend to continue to establish our technology as the best sample and library preparation method for clinical applications of next generation sequencers. We believe our differentiated HTG EdgeSeq chemistry will accelerate adoption of our platform by leveraging the large existing and growing installed base of next generation sequencers. We are engaged with industry and corporate partners to position our HTG EdgeSeq solution as the benchmark for sample and library preparation in targeted sequencing applications.

 

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    Develop new molecular diagnostic panels with high medical utility . The HTG Edge system and chemistry were developed with features that enhance the capabilities of local molecular labs to routinely test large panels of proven-utility RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression, all from extremely small samples, such as a single five micron section of tissue. We plan to add disease-specific panels such as lung cancer and broader profiling panels that allow our customers to leverage existing reimbursement codes.

 

    Increase late-stage companion diagnostics collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies . We believe collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies with late-stage drug development programs will lead to us generating companion diagnostic consumables revenue. We are currently working with 15 active development programs across 10 leading biopharmaceutical companies who are incorporating companion diagnostics in their drug development programs, where they are purchasing our HTG Edge consumable panels, including immuno-oncology, FGFR and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, or DLBCL, panels. We are planning to continue to expand our number of collaborations.

 

    Expand the addressable market of HTG technology through new applications . We have demonstrated feasibility to add new applications in RNA-based gene fusions, measuring DNA mutations from liquid biopsies and protein immunoassays. These new applications will allow us to develop multiple panels for use in translational, research, companion diagnostics and molecular diagnostics. We believe these applications and panels can be developed efficiently with minimal capital investment.

Our Market

Development of Molecular Profiling

Molecular profiling is the analysis of multiple DNA, RNA and protein targets in biological samples, such as tissue, blood and urine, to identify expression patterns or genomic changes. New molecular approaches are making it possible to perform these characterizations in unprecedented ways, resulting in a shift from the traditional approach of looking at one target at a time to the simultaneous analysis of thousands of targets. There are numerous applications of molecular profiling such as whole genome sequencing for the discovery of novel genetic variants or the assessment of patient samples to identify biomarkers or molecular markers of disease that can aid in diagnosis, gauge patient prognosis or predict response to an available therapy. The fundamental shift towards personalized medicine, or the use of an individual’s molecular profile to guide treatment, has led to significant growth in molecular profiling technologies and applications. We estimate that the global molecular profiling market is approximately $27.0 billion today. Based on published industry reports, cancer profiling makes up the largest segment of this market at an estimated $17.8 billion, the substantial majority of which we believe is comprised of research-use-only products, and is expected to grow to $35.0 billion by 2018. Research-use-only products are used in a wide variety of applications, including large-scale clinical trials of targeted therapies that are under development as well as basic medical research to understand and characterize tumors and tumor biology. We also estimate that genomic research makes up approximately $7.7 billion of the global molecular profiling market. Currently we are limited to marketing our HTG Edge system and proprietary profiling panels for research use only, which means that we cannot make any diagnostic or clinical claims. We intend to seek regulatory clearances or approvals in the United States and other jurisdictions to market certain panels for diagnostic purposes.

For decades, the treatment of disease was dominated by one-size-fits-all drug regimens. Over the last 10 years numerous molecular markers and profiling techniques have transitioned from discovery and research to inclusion in clinical guidelines. Today, there are many drugs in clinical development with a companion biomarker strategy, including many oncology drugs. Among the first of these personalized treatments were hormone therapies for breast cancer patients whose tumors expressed the estrogen receptor protein. This was followed by the use of trastuzumab for treating patients with HER2-positive breast cancers. The evolution of molecular profiling has also taken shape over the last decade in NSCLC. NSCLC patients were first molecularly profiled for EGFR mutations to select patients most likely to respond to the drug, erlotinib, which was followed

 

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by ALK rearrangement testing for potential response to crizotinib. Now, additional mutations and rearrangements such as ROS1, RET, NTRK1, HER2, BRAF and MET, have been integrated into the NCCN Guidelines for the treatment of lung cancer. The NCCN Guidelines recommend using NGS as the profiling method in order to multiplex all of the testing. Similar trends are unfolding in other diseases such as thyroid cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma. These trends are fueling rapid growth of new molecular profiling offerings, technologies and industry business models to support the demand. The fastest growing segment of the estimated $10.6 billion molecular diagnostics market, a subset of the estimated $27.0 billion global molecular profiling market, is clinical testing in oncology. As oncologists rapidly integrate this new level of molecular profiling information into patient management strategies, a growing number of highly-specialized central laboratories now offer tests which address specific clinical questions. The trend towards highly multiplexed profiling is not limited to oncology; other examples of expanding demand include prenatal, neonatal, inherited disease, and organ transplant and rejection profiling.

In addition, biopharmaceutical companies utilize molecular profiling in numerous applications. Preclinical applications include screening of compound libraries for target identification and preclinical testing for safety and fit for human use. For example, the FDA and European Medicines Agency require drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic, or DMPK, profiling studies to be performed as part of the drug development process. Metabolic gene expression response to the drug in human liver cells is assessed for each candidate drug, and it is common for biopharmaceutical companies to test the expression of three to 10 genes per drug candidate. Among the various DMPK testing technologies, such as RT-qPCR, branched DNA and microarrays, the most common is RT-qPCR. In DMPK studies, liver cells from several different human donors are challenged with the drug at various concentrations to predict how the drug will be metabolized. A large number of drug candidates are screened at this phase of development, creating significant demand for DMPK molecular profiling.

More recently, molecular profiling has moved into clinical applications. These include molecular profiling to develop clinical biomarker strategies, patient stratification for clinical trials, and companion diagnostics. The primary objective of these efforts is to improve response rates by understanding, at the molecular level, why a drug works or doesn’t work in a patient population. Response rates for oncology therapeutics, at 25%, are among the lowest of all disease states. Combined with third-party payor pressures to lower patient treatment costs, most biopharmaceutical companies develop biomarker strategies to increase the rate of patient response to new drugs in development. Typically, they will look at a variety of biological profiling markers that include RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression. Currently, it is estimated that there are over 2,000 clinical trials underway in oncology, and the vast majority of drug developers believe personalized and targeted therapy development is important to the future success of drug development.

When a molecular biomarker panel is used for selection of patients in a Phase 3 clinical trial to demonstrate safety and efficacy of a new drug, the drug and biomarker are often submitted for approval together. Upon FDA approval of the molecular biomarker panel, or companion diagnostic, the patient must be tested with the companion diagnostic prior to treatment with the drug. Companion diagnostic tests have a clear clinical utility which generally supports favorable reimbursement. We believe there are over 900 active oncology drug development programs, most of which have molecular biomarker strategies, creating a significant opportunity for molecular diagnostic companies with the right molecular profiling solutions. We estimate this molecular profiling market for companion diagnostics to be $2.5 billion and growing to $5.6 billion by 2019.

Complexities and Challenges of Molecular Profiling Today

Currently, molecular profiling is conducted using a variety of profiling techniques across multiple laboratory departments, and, in many situations, sent to distant labs. These techniques include immunohistochemistry, or IHC, fluorescent in situ hybridization, or FISH, polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, gene expression arrays, or GEA, and NGS. This distributed profiling approach has accelerated the use of molecular profiling and increased the need to make the process more accessible and routine. However, molecular profiling is also highly specialized because current technologies are complex, require multiple capital-intensive

 

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workflows, and are not economically scalable to the case volume of the local laboratory. The fragmentation of methods, sample logistics, and information flows has created significant challenges for labs, physicians, and patients, including:

Insufficient Sample Availability

The proliferation of new molecular profiles and technologies has led to the need for more biopsy material. However, the trend is toward less invasive procedures that produce smaller biopsies and as a result, in many situations there simply is not enough collected tissue to meet all the profiling requirements. For example, the standard method of collecting tumor samples for testing in oncology is via a surgical procedure where the tumor is resected or biopsied and then stabilized, or fixed, in a formaldehyde-based fixative known as formalin. From 24 to 72 hours after the tissue is harvested, it is permanently stabilized in a hard block of paraffin where it can be stored at room temperature for decades. This preservation technique was developed over 100 years ago, well in advance of the discovery of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. While techniques to recover nucleic acids from these FFPE tissue samples have been developed, formalin fixation presents several technical challenges in analyzing DNA and RNA sequences. Because of the convenience of this preservation method, though, FFPE samples are the starting material for almost all tumor-profiling testing in oncology today. Very thin slices of tissue from these FFPE blocks, typically five microns in thickness, are affixed to glass slides for testing.

Most commonly, a histological stain called an H&E, for the combination of hematoxylin and eosin that comprise it, is used to differentially mark cellular structures, making it simple for a pathologist to examine the patterns of the normal and diseased tissue under a microscope. IHC stains are also performed to aid diagnosis, prognosis or help guide therapy selection, with each IHC stain consuming two slides, one for the stain, and the other for a negative control. Historically, five to ten slides in total were consumed in the complete diagnostic workup for each tumor. With the advent of new molecular techniques there are additional demands for tissue, and the molecular tests on the market today require much more than a single slide. In many of these situations there simply is not enough collected tissue to meet all the profiling requirements. The growing number of specialized tumor-profiling tests, and their appetite for FFPE tissue, is in direct conflict with the trend towards smaller, less-invasive testing approaches.

Slow Turnaround Times

In many cases, turnaround times for comprehensive profiling are several weeks due to the logistical time to route samples to various laboratory departments and to distant specialized labs. A number of technologies for sample characterization have been introduced that determine the status of various molecular characteristics for a sample. These include RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression. For example, a single tumor specimen from a cancer patient is often profiled for multiple molecular characteristics where each characteristic is measured using a different platform. These platforms are utilized in separate laboratory departments with different technicians and clinicians, requiring that the sample and data be split into multiple workflows.

The time it takes to deliver the final report so that informed treatment decisions may be made is dependent on the turnaround time of the slowest test. A single laboratory with well-choreographed routing of tissues and information may be able to complete profiling within a week, but if part of the sample needs to be sent for additional profiling at a specialty lab, the total turnaround time may be lengthened by one or two weeks due to shipping, accessioning by the receiving laboratory, and integration of the testing results into the final report.

Implications of Workflow Inefficiencies on Data Quality and Integration

In addition to the challenges of splitting a single sample into multiple testing workflows, the individual workflow for molecular profiling of FFPE tissues is complicated. Many of the steps from sample to result require manual intervention by a molecular technician. While these technicians are trained to standard operating

 

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procedures and proficiency tested, the levels of proficiency and precision vary among technicians. Variability introduced by technicians performing manual steps can translate to variability of results, with a test sample frequently at risk of experiencing losses of fidelity through the series of separation and transformation steps.

Sample to RNA Seq profiling of FFPE tissues

 

 

LOGO

Further, the increase in number of technologies for sample characterization and fragmentation of the testing workflows can also create challenges in putting all of the results together in a timely, complete profiling report. This level of data integration is critical for the treating physicians to assure they have the complete molecular assessment prior to the patient consult. Without a complete molecular assessment, there is limited ability to discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Overall, we believe the critical relationship between the local pathologist and treating physician has been fractured as many tests results are now sent directly to the treating physician from these specialized and centralized CLIA Labs. We believe the pathologist is critical to aggregating the diagnostic, prognostic and predictive information in a single patient molecular profile that can be utilized by the treating physician for therapeutic decisions.

 

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Case Study of the Current Limitations in Molecular Profiling: Breast Cancer

In breast cancer, abnormal lesions identified in a routine screening mammogram are typically biopsied to obtain a piece of tissue for pathology workup. The primary method of obtaining a biopsy is using a minimally invasive core needle that provides a very small amount of tissue. The laboratory performs an H&E stain for pathology review where the abnormal lesion is determined to be benign or malignant. If malignant, the biopsy from the tumor is profiled using IHC (for genes ER, PR, HER2 and Ki-67 ) and potentially fluorescent in situ hybridization, or FISH ( HER2 ). In many cases, this profiling on the initial diagnostic biopsy consumes most or all of the tissue. There are currently other molecular profiling tests, such as risk of recurrence, on the market that can only be accomplished after the surgical resection because the amount of tissue needed exceeds that which is available from the initial diagnostic biopsy. The potential problem for the patient and treating physician is that the initial treatment decision could be made based on an incomplete molecular profile.

 

 

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Case Study of the Current Limitations in Molecular Profiling: NSCLC

The complexities and potential inefficiencies present in current molecular profiling techniques can be seen in non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. Tumor samples are typically tested for protein expression, gene mutations, and gene rearrangements, with each of these tests performed on a different platform and separate workflow. It is common for each of these platforms to be in separate laboratory departments with different technicians and clinicians, requiring that the sample and data be split into multiple workflows. The results from the individual testing workflows are typically aggregated into a single report, signed off by the pathologist and transmitted to the oncologist. As outlined in the diagram below, the multiple steps involved in the process may substantially slow turnaround times and result in an incomplete molecular profile not suitable to inform clinical decision making.

Example of Typical NSCLC Testing Workflow

 

 

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Our Solution

We have developed a novel technology platform that allows for precise, efficient molecular profiling of samples for clinical and research purposes. Our proprietary HTG Edge platform has the flexibility to work with many different biological sample types, is able to generate robust results from very small samples, and employs a simple, proprietary chemistry that obviates the need for many of the steps associated with traditional molecular profiling techniques. Our platform and chemistry enables the simultaneous detection and quantitation of thousands of molecular targets and profiling of multiple parameters such as RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression in a single testing workflow that can use NGS detection for quantitative measurement.

Our HTG Edge platform is comprised of instrumentation, software analytics and proprietary consumables designed exclusively for use with our platform. We manufacture the consumables utilized in our platform specifically for our platform and such consumables cannot be obtained from other sources. At the core of our solution is our proprietary chemistry called quantitative nuclease protection, or qNPA. Nuclease protection is an extremely efficient method for analyzing DNA and RNA as it eliminates the need for DNA or RNA extraction or reverse transcription. We have enhanced this method by combining it with our patented HTG Edge and HTG EdgeSeq chemistries. We designed and developed our HTG Edge automation platform to optimize the capabilities of our chemistry, provide fast turnaround time and enable ease of use to molecular labs. Our chemistry and automation platform are highly adaptable, so when molecular profiling needs change or emerge, we expect to be able to efficiently add new applications to address these needs.

As the following diagram shows, the HTG Edge processor, software and consumables now support two methods for quantifying results, the HTG Edge reader for lower multiplexed panels and the recently launched HTG EdgeSeq chemistry for quantitation of high-plexed panels for utilizing NGS.

 

 

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Finally, the HTG Edge platform provides data in a simple easy to use format. The entire HTG Edge Platform workflow from sample preparation to a molecular profiling report can be accomplished in 24-36 hours.

 

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We believe the majority of customers in our target markets would prefer to maintain control of their samples and perform the profiling internally but are challenged by limitations in available technologies. We believe we are well positioned to democratize molecular profiling with the following key benefits:

 

    Optimize sample utilization . The HTG Edge system can analyze as many as 2,500 genes from extremely small sample volumes such as a single five micron section of tissue or 12.5 microliters of liquid biopsies. Our technology allows customers to do more with less, which meets the needs of clinical laboratories where today there is often not enough patient sample to do all the testing available. We believe providing customers the ability to work with extremely small sample volumes will be a significant driver of adoption of our platform.

 

    Compatibility with multiple sample types . Our HTG Edge platform allows customers to profile and unlock genomic information from a wide variety of biological samples such as FFPE tissue, cells and blood. We have successfully demonstrated the ability to profile all of these sample types, as well as the detection of cell-free circulating nucleic acids from tumors, a rapidly developing area of investigation which is referred to as a liquid biopsy. We believe that the capabilities of our platform will allow us to efficiently expand applications, regardless of sample type.

 

    Flexible and adaptable chemistry allows for use on multiple platforms . Our proprietary chemistry provides the ability to measure multiple molecular targets in all the necessary applications, RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression and offers the ability to quantify on the HTG Edge Reader as well as a variety of NGS platforms. This flexibility provides customers the ability to optimize their use of HTG Edge technology based on their specific throughput, workflow and application needs. Our proprietary chemistry is simple, with fewer steps than competing technologies. For example, compared to RT-qPCR, our chemistry does not require extraction or cDNA synthesis. Compared to RNA sequencing, our chemistry does not require extraction, cDNA synthesis, shearing, rRNA depletion, ligation, adenylation, or size selection. We believe that the elimination of these steps helps prevent amplification of biases, sample degradation and increased opportunities for technician error.

 

    Robust data . Molecular profiling produces large amounts of information that is used to make important decisions, such as identifying potential drug targets or selecting a patient for a therapeutic treatment. This information is valuable only to the extent it accurately represents the true biology of the test sample and the same answer can be produced under many different conditions. Our HTG Edge and HTG EdgeSeq chemistries are highly specific and sensitive, meaning they can detect the right target even when very little is present in the sample. In addition, our chemistries produce the same results, with a correlation coefficient of .9847 (r=.9847), from samples fresh frozen from the source as from samples (e.g., FFPE) in which target degradation is a known problem. These features allow the information obtained to reflect the nature of the original sample irrespective of how the sample has been treated. In addition to fidelity, it is extremely important to be able to reproduce the data from the sample. Our platform produces consistent results on a replicate-to-replicate, day-to-day and instrument-to-instrument basis.

 

    Automation provides superior workflow and ease of use . Our HTG Edge technology is designed with fewer workflow steps in part due to the elimination of the need for complex biochemical processes such as extraction, cDNA synthesis, labeling, selection, depletion and shearing. This enables customers to limit hands-on time and the need for specialized skills, resulting in turnaround times of approximately 24-36 hours. Additionally, our HTG EdgeSeq application now further integrates sample preparation for targeted sequencing and greatly simplifies the bioinformatics back-end, so customers looking to leverage their NGS instrument can seamlessly add this capability to their current workflows.

 

   

Simplified bioinformatics . Our HTG Edge software provides data in a simple and easy to use format through a simple graphical user interface, or GUI, that is flexible enough for researchers yet structured enough for clinical laboratories. The software is modular so that new applications can be downloaded without any changes to hardware. For applications that pair our HTG Edge processor and reader,

 

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results are accessible in multiple formats through the GUI on the host computer. For HTG EdgeSeq applications, the HTG Edge parser software processes the data from the NGS platform. We believe the simplicity of our bioinformatics solution will help drive the adoption of our platform.

Current Commercial Panels Offered on the HTG Edge Platform

We currently market three proprietary molecular profiling panels targeting late stage drug development programs with potential breakthrough therapies, such as immuno-oncology. We market these panels to biopharmaceutical companies, with which we collaborate in biomarker development programs. We believe these programs could facilitate our commercialization of companion diagnostic tests. In addition, we have four panels focused in pre-clinical and clinical research areas, including our newly launched microRNA profiling panel which provides a highly differentiated solution in a growing market. Our currently marketed panels are:

 

    HTG Edge Immuno-oncology Assay . One of the most promising areas of cancer therapy is immunotherapy or immuno-oncology, where new classes of oncology drugs are thought to enable or boost the host immune response towards tumors. Multiple drugs targeting the genes CTLA4, PD-1 and PDL-1 are moving into late-stage trials. Profiling samples for the genes targeted by these therapies may be predictive of drug response and aid in the stratification of patients into responsive and non-responsive groups. The HTG Edge Immuno-oncology assay measures the expression of 26 of these immuno-oncology-associated genes.

 

    HTG Edge FGFR Expression Assay . Over-expression of the FGFR family of receptors has been shown to be a cancer-inducing event in many types of tumors. Identification of the four receptors has been challenging as FGFRs and their activating ligands have been difficult to measure by conventional methodologies. Due to the significant cross-reactivity seen with FGFR IHC antibodies, and non-correlation of proteins levels with DNA amplification, RNA-based molecular profiling is emerging as the preferred profiling technique. The HTG Edge FGFR expression assay has been utilized by multiple biopharmaceutical companies to profile samples from both preclinical and clinical studies.

 

    HTG Edge DLBCL Cell of Origin Assay . DLBCL tumors are frequently classified into either the activated B-cell like, or ABC, or germinal center B-cell like, or GCB, sub-types by measuring the molecular profile of the tumor. These two subtypes display different clinical pathologies, as patients with the GCB subtype of DLBCL tend to respond differently than those of the ABC sub-type. With many of the large number of new DLBCL-targeting drugs appearing to have greater efficacy in one of the sub-types, a need for a reliable, FFPE-based cell of origin classification assay has emerged. The HTG Edge DLBCL cell of origin assay is our most frequently purchased panel and is being utilized in numerous late-stage drug programs.

 

    HTG EdgeSeq microRNA Whole-transcriptome Assay. Human microRNAs are short non-coding strands of RNA that are used by the cell for gene regulation. The HTG EdgeSeq microRNA whole-transcriptome assay enables the simultaneous profiling of 2,255 microRNAs, allowing new, potentially clinically relevant miRNA profiles to be discovered. This is our first marketed product on the NGS-integrated HTG EdgeSeq chemistry. Our ability to profile small FFPE samples is a significant differentiator in the rapidly growing microRNA market.

 

    HTG Edge Top Oncogene Assay. The HTG Edge top oncogene assay measures the gene expression of 31 commonly studied oncogenes, which are genes with the potential to cause cancer, in fresh or fixed breast, lung, ovarian, colorectal and prostate tumors. Profiling these genes can lead to a deeper insight into the specific mechanisms that are driving the malignancy of the tumor.

 

   

HTG Edge DMPK Assays. Biopharmaceutical companies often perform DMPK profiling studies as part of the drug development process to adhere to regulatory guidance. A set of genes known as the cytochrome P450 family is known to predict both the toxicity and stability of drugs in the human body. The HTG Edge DMPK Core CYP assay enables DMPK scientists to measure six cytochrome P450 genes recommended for in vitro pharmacokinetic studies. We are also marketing an expanded 45-gene

 

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panel that measures the expression of additional transporter genes to allow for in-depth profiling of the drug candidate. The DMPK area is a high-volume profiling market segment and creates synergies with down-stream clinical drug development programs.

We utilize several alternative arrangements to sell our HTG Edge system and profiling panels. Our HTG Edge system can be purchased directly by our customers, who also then purchase profiling panels and other consumables from us on an as-needed basis. In some instances we provide our equipment free of charge on a limited basis to facilitate customer evaluation. We also install systems for our customers at no cost, in exchange for an agreement to purchase profiling panels and other consumables from us at a stated price over the term of the agreement.

Expanding Our Solution by Providing a Comprehensive Molecular Profile

Our objective is to establish the HTG Edge platform as a standard in molecular profiling, making this capability broadly accessible. We are leveraging our flexible and adaptable platform to develop comprehensive molecular profiling panels across an increasing set of molecular applications. We believe it is important to include applications that cover a broad set of genomic variation as well as expression-based clinical biomarkers in order to continually increase the value of the HTG Edge platform and provide a more complete profiling solution for our customers. The diagram below depicts our planned expansion of applications and profiling panels which are being adding in a phased approach.

 

 

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Our current marketed products target mRNA and miRNA expression and we intend to develop additional panels for this category to address our customers’ needs. For example, we are developing an RNA expression oncology biomarker panel that measures expression of over 2,600 genes implicated in cancer. We worked with leading key opinion leaders to identify these genes, which we believe are a comprehensive list of genes targeting known signaling pathways and receptor gene families implicated in cancer such as the EGFR, HER2, HER3, HER4, PD-1 and FGFR genes. When paired with our existing miRNA WT assay these products provide customers with a more comprehensive solution for profiling their large sample archives including FFPE for novel expression signatures. Our 2,600 gene Oncology biomarker panel is currently in later stage development and planned for launch during the first quarter of 2015.

 

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We are also working collaboratively with multiple biopharmaceutical companies to develop an expanded EdgeSeq based expression panel for DLBCL which will include their important drug linked gene targets. This panel’s purpose is to identify patients who are likely to respond to DLBCL therapeutics in multiple late-stage development programs. We plan to submit this panel for regulatory clearances in 2015 to market the product as an IVD in the United States and CE/IVD in Europe.

We are developing additional solutions to address the detection and measurement of gene rearrangements, also called gene fusions. A fusion gene is a hybrid gene formed from two previously separate genes. A well-established example is the EML4-ALK fusion gene found in a subset of malignant lung cancers. Our research team has demonstrated feasibility to simultaneously detect and measure key gene fusions in lung cancer such as ALK, ROS1, NTRK1 and RET from multiple small sample types including FFPE, cell lines and purified RNA. We plan to launch a portfolio of gene fusion products starting with a comprehensive fusion panel that will include all medically relevant fusions associated with lung cancer. Further planned molecular profiling products of this type include panels for all known fusions and rearrangements in solid and hematologic tumors.

We believe we have achieved proof of concept for each of these applications and profiling panels. However, we will need to develop, refine and implement new panel protocols and make changes or adjustments to our chemistry and software in order to optimize these planned applications and panels for use with our HTG Edge system. This will require substantial effort from our research scientists and the use of various laboratory equipment, supplies and materials, which combined represent the most significant costs that we expect to incur in connection with the development of these applications and profiling panels.

We believe the simultaneous measurement and analysis of mutations will have an increasingly important role in tumor profiling and the potential to lead to new molecular diagnostic predictive tests. Mutations in genes are either inherited or from damage that occurred during a person’s life and contribute to the growth and development of cancer. Our research team has demonstrated feasibility to measure several diagnostically accepted mutations such as EGFR and BRAF from cell lines and FFPE.

We also intend to develop products to measure protein expression. Protein biomarker panels are used in clinical diagnostic testing and frequently utilized by biopharmaceutical companies to profile new drug compounds. Our HTG Edge platform has demonstrated the ability to detect and measure protein expression in multiplexed panels. We believe the addition of protein expression on the HTG Edge platform will further differentiate our solution.

Opportunities for Comprehensive Molecular Profiling in Diagnostics

We are planning to develop a portfolio of molecular diagnostic products using our proprietary technology to provide a single, efficient testing platform for sample profiling that integrates seamlessly into a customer’s NGS testing workflow.

We are initially focused on areas where the diagnostic testing paradigm has significant inefficiencies. For example, many leading medical institutions are shifting from a single-drug / single-test approach to a broader tumor profiling strategy for their oncology practices. Rather than testing for single mutational analyses, such as KRAS for colorectal cancer, these institutions use their NGS platforms to assess the mutational status of 50 or more genes. In addition, the information a physician needs to make clinical decisions often comes from tests conducted using various testing modalities such as IHC, FISH and NGS. These complexities lead to a growing and unmet demand in clinical diagnostics for more comprehensive molecular profiles that can include RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression.

An example where we believe our HTG Edge platform can provide significant value to the current testing paradigm is in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. Current NCCN Guidelines for pathologic workup in NSCLC recommends a molecular profile including NGS, FISH, and IHC studies. Completing this

 

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molecular profile using three separate testing workflows is challenging and often causes long turnaround times and can lead to an incomplete profile due to insufficient tissue. It is common in NSCLC that the only sample available for molecular profiling is the initial diagnostic biopsy, which is often a tissue-limited bronchoscopic or needle biopsy. To deliver a complete profile of relevant genomic variations and expression-based biomarkers for a physician to make an informed clinical decision, a minimum of 60 microns of tumor tissue, or 12 unstained FFPE slides, is required, which can be in excess of the initial biopsy sample.

We are currently developing a single testing workflow that provides, in parallel reactions, histological classification of the tumor, DNA mutation status of key genes previously shown to be associated with NSCLC, such as EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and HER2 , and gene rearrangement status of key genes previously shown to be associated with NSCLC, such as ALK, ROS1, NTRK1 and RET from a single unstained slide, which we refer to as the HTG total lung solution. Our HTG total lung solution will incorporate our planned lung mutation panel and lung rearrangement and fusion panel.

We have demonstrated the ability to molecularly profile highly multiplexed panels of genes from a single five micron-thick FFPE section. We believe we are the only company that can decentralize more complete profiling of medically actionable information with a sample size this small on a routine basis. The opportunity for us to improve molecular diagnostic testing is represented in a comparative workup for NSCLC below:

 

 

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In a market research study conducted on our behalf of 30 oncologists and CLIA laboratory medical directors, 77% reported they are likely or highly likely to adopt the HTG total lung solution. Among the factors respondents reported influencing their rating were improved turnaround time due to consolidation to a single testing workflow, reduced tissue requirements, and ease of use versus currently available technologies.

Another area we believe the HTG Edge platform can provide significant value to clinicians is in the diagnosis of hematolymphoid neoplasms such as leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas, and myelodysplastic syndromes. Across the spectrum of these diseases there is a large number of gene rearrangements, which physicians evaluate in a patient’s sample to make clinical decisions. For example, patients with acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia often present with escalating, life-threatening symptoms, making a rapid diagnosis critical so the right treatment can be administered as early as possible. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, small subset panels of 1 to 10 gene rearrangements are typically tested by FISH as a critical element of a definitive diagnosis. The diagnosis of acute leukemias is complex and the initial FISH panel may be followed with an extended FISH panel in order to make a definitive diagnosis, resulting in a possible delay of diagnosis and treatment.

We are currently developing a highly multiplexed, NGS-based pan-heme rearrangement panel to assess most known gene rearrangements in hematoplymphoid neoplasms in a single test. By including these rearrangements in a single test we hope to eliminate the need to conduct initial FISH based tests and any

 

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subsequent extended FISH panels. We believe improved turnaround time coupled with our HTG EdgeSeq Parser software, which enables rapid assessment of results, would be key adoption drivers for our HTG Edge platform and this profiling panel. Additionally, we believe the changing dynamics of reimbursement are causing laboratories to consider molecular options to replace FISH-based testing and we believe this will create opportunities for us to promote adoption.

Our Technology

HTG Chemistry

Our core chemistry, known as qNPA, is a biochemical process capable of measuring messenger RNA, or mRNA, and microRNA gene expression levels from very small amounts of difficult to handle samples without the need for conducting RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RNA amplification or RNA-labeling steps. Our proprietary chemistry is well suited to measure RNA due to its simple, yet robust biochemistry designed to handle highly multiplexed assays. Two primary elements of our chemistry process are DNA to RNA hybridization and S1 nuclease digestion. Both of these elements have been widely researched for decades and are well understood.

 

 

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HTG Edge Chemistry

DNA nuclease protection probes, 50 bases in length, are added to the sample and hybridized to targeted RNAs, which can be both soluble and cross-linked in the biological matrix. S1 nuclease is added to remove excess, unhybridized DNA probes and RNA; the only remaining DNA protection probes are those hybridized to targeted RNA. This produces a virtual 1:1 ratio of DNA protection probes to the RNA initially targeted in the sample. Alkaline hydrolysis of the RNA releases the protection probes from the DNA:RNA duplexes. The released DNA protection probes are ready for quantitation. One of 47 unique anchor spots arrayed on the bottom of each well captures a programming linker that in turn captures a DNA protection probe. A detection scaffold consisting of a detection linker and a biotinylated detection probe is captured when a protection probe is present. After treatment with an avidin-HRP enzyme and a chemiluminescent substrate, the well is imaged and quantitated in the HTG Edge Reader. The HTG Edge system host software reports data from the reader.

HTG EdgeSeq Chemistry

Functional DNA nuclease protection probes flanked by universal wing sequences are hybridized to targeted RNAs, which can be both soluble and cross-linked in the biological matrix. Universal DNA wingmen probes are

 

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hybridized to the wings to prevent S1 nuclease digestion. S1 nuclease is added to remove excess, unhybridized DNA probes and RNA; the only remaining fully intact, functional DNA protection probes are those hybridized to targeted RNA. This produces a virtual 1:1 ratio of DNA detection probes to the RNA initially targeted in the sample. Alkaline hydrolysis of the RNA releases the protection probes from the DNA:RNA duplexes. The released DNA protection probes are ready for quantitation. DNA protection probes are labeled with sequencing adaptors and tags in a thermocycler. The labeled DNA protection probes are concentrated, pooled, and ready for sequencing using standard NGS protocols. Data from the NGS instrument is processed and reported by the HTG EdgeSeq Parser software.

Key Advantages of HTG Chemistry

 

    Multiplexing thousands of targets. Measuring multiple genes in a single reaction can be challenging with competitive technologies due to the complex interactions of the assay sub-components. Our proprietary chemistry allows for 47 independent genes to be profiled in a sample. While we are currently marketing a panel with our HTG EdgeSeq chemistry that profiles 2,255 genes in a sample, we believe we can develop applications using our chemistry for multiplexing more than 2,255 genes if there is a customer need. The high level of gene multiplexing allows for significantly lower amounts of tissue to be used per sample than in competitive low-plex profiling technologies.

 

    No RNA extraction. Competitive technologies for assessing RNA require RNA that is isolated and purified from other components found in the sample. These time-consuming and bias-inducing steps damage the RNA by breaking it into smaller, more difficult to analyze pieces. In FFPE tissues, a fraction of the RNA is lost in the purification process because it cannot be separated from insoluble tissue components. This makes working with small FFPE tissues extremely challenging and can result in testing failures and loss of precious samples due to insufficient RNA recovery. These biases introduced by RNA extraction cannot be overcome and are magnified throughout the subsequent analysis. Our proprietary chemistry never requires RNA extraction, improves utilization of precious samples, improving workflow and reducing costs by eliminating the step most likely to cause bias in the data.

 

    No cDNA synthesis. Many competitive technologies, most prominently qRT-PCR and RNA sequencing, require conversion of RNA into DNA for analysis. This process requires a viral enzyme to move along the extracted RNA to create a DNA copy of the molecule. When damaged and fragmented RNA is used, these small RNA strands become increasingly difficult to convert into DNA in an accurate and reproducible manner. Our proprietary chemistry does not require conversion of the RNA to DNA, removing a major source of bias experienced with competitive technologies.

 

    Short protection probes. Many samples contain RNA degraded by various combinations of heat, age, poor processing, and fixation. In these samples, the RNA is damaged and fragmented into smaller strands. Utilizing short protection probes of 50 bases or less, our proprietary chemistry is more efficient than competitive technologies that require longer strands of RNA for quantitation.

 

    Simplicity. Our proprietary chemistry is simple, with fewer steps than competing technologies. Compared to RT-qPCR, our chemistry does not require extraction or cDNA synthesis. Compared to RNA sequencing, our chemistry does not require extraction, cDNA synthesis, shearing, rRNA depletion, ligation, adenylation, or size selection. We believe that the accumulation of these steps required by other technologies results in amplification of biases, sample degradation and increased opportunities for technician error.

 

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HTG Edge Platform

Our HTG Edge platform was developed under ISO 13485:2003 guidelines using our proprietary chemistry to simplify multiplexed nucleic acid testing in research and clinical laboratories. The entire HTG Edge workflow from sample preparation to a molecular profiling report can be accomplished in 24-36 hours. With the speed, flexibility, sensitivity, and accuracy of our HTG Edge platform, combined with the system’s ability to work effectively with small sample volumes, researchers can profile up to thousands of different genes per sample.

 

 

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The HTG Edge platform consists of processor and reader instruments, a host computer, and software. The HTG Edge Processor is a fully automated instrument that prepares biological samples for quantitation using proprietary, electronically barcoded, single-use consumables. Both the processor and the reader have barcode scanners units to process the two-dimensional, or 2D, barcodes printed on the consumables loaded in each instrument. The barcoded consumables are single-use in order to reduce operator errors and provide chain of custody traceability for the samples. The robotic systems within each instrument are engineered for reliable performance and low maintenance. The walking path of each robot is programmed to minimize any chance of contamination of the reagents or samples.

Quantitation of results may be performed on either the proprietary HTG Edge Reader or an NGS platform. If the reader is utilized for quantitation, proprietary consumables are used in a chemiluminescent detection reaction, and the reader captures and processes these images in less than an hour to produce a quantitative result. The software reports the result on the host computer. One host computer supports up to five processors and one reader. This allows laboratories to easily expand their capacity by adding processors without purchasing an additional reader instrument.

HTG EdgeSeq applications combine the HTG Edge processor with an NGS platform to enable the quantitative analysis of thousands of targeted RNAs in a single assay. The sample is prepared for quantitation on the HTG Edge processor, then labeled with molecular sequencing adaptors and tags. The labeled samples are concentrated, pooled, and sequenced on an NGS platform using standard protocols. Data from the NGS instrument are processed and reported by the HTG EdgeSeq Parser software.

 

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HTG Edge Platform Workflow

Our HTG Edge platform solution delivers complex molecular profiling information in a simple four step workflow. A technician spends minimal time preparing samples which are easily loaded into the HTG Edge processor. Once the sample is loaded, the processor performs our proprietary chemistry protocol with no technician intervention, which is commonly referred to as walk away automation. Once the sample is processed, a technician prepares the sample for quantitation on either the HTG Edge reader or an existing NGS instrument as our chemistry has been integrated with both NGS platforms and our HTG proprietary reader. This flexibility in quantifying molecular information provides customers the ability to optimize their use of the HTG Edge platform based on their specific throughput, workflow and application requirements. Having both quantitation options allows HTG to offer a broader set of molecular profiling panels and leverage the growing NGS installed base. In comparison to RNA sequencing, there are many fewer steps required for molecular profiling using HTG EdgeSeq applications as shown in the diagrams below.

 

 

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HTG Edge Platform Performance

The HTG Edge platform enables our customers to quantitatively profile from one to thousands of genes in a single reaction using very small samples. Our chemistry works with many biological sample types including FFPE, frozen tissue, plasma, serum, whole blood preserved in PAXgene, and cultured cells. We plan to enable our customers to use a single profiling workflow for the analysis of multiple parameters such as RNA expression, RNA fusions and rearrangements, DNA mutations and protein expression. As part of our development process for new products we perform several analytical studies to demonstrate performance of the platform, and we believe that our approach to multi-parameter molecular profiling is highly repeatable and reproducible.

 

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Quantitative expression results from very small samples

We believe obtaining molecular profiles from very small samples is of critical importance to researchers. We have demonstrated quantitative results from as low as 0.781 ng of input RNA. This is a fraction of the input RNA typically required for competitive technologies. In the study shown below, a 45-gene HTG EdgeSeq assay was used to measure the expression levels in a dilution series from 50 ng to 0.781 ng of universal RNA. Correlations between each dilution were measured by Pearson’s r and are displayed in each comparison field. A Pearson correlation between two perfectly identical molecular profiles will produce an r-value of 1.0. The r-values obtained in the study shown below, of greater than 0.98, indicate nearly identical molecular profiles were obtained. This demonstrates the capability of the HTG Edge platform to deliver equivalent molecular profiles over a wide range of sample inputs. The scale of the vertical and horizontal axes represent log 2 transformed, non-normalized probe counts obtained from the experiment.

 

 

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High fidelity between processing conditions

One of the greatest challenges faced in molecular profiling of formalin fixed samples is the poor fidelity routinely seen when comparing the results across various processing conditions. One example in particular is the fidelity seen between formalin fixed samples such as FFPE to non-fixed tissue. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that the fixation process can lead to different molecular profiles in otherwise identical samples. We believe researchers often obtain sub-optimal molecular profiling results solely due to the formalin fixation process.

The XY scatterplots below were generated using the HTG EdgeSeq microRNA whole transcriptome panel. The scatterplot on the left shows molecular profiles obtained from a cell line that had been either formalin-fixed or frozen prior to profiling. The scale of the vertical and horizontal axes represent log 2 transformed, non-normalized probe counts obtained from the experiment. In contrast to reports in the literature, where a Pearson correlations r-value of 0.7 is considered excellent, the HTG EdgeSeq platform delivered a Pearson r-value of 0.98, indicating the formalin fixation process did not materially alter the molecular profile of the sample when our proprietary chemistry is used.

 

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The scatterplot on the right shows molecular profiles obtained from ovarian cancer FFPE tissue that was either lysed using proprietary HTG lysis buffer or underwent RNA extraction. The correlation between these processing conditions was above 0.97, indicating that our proprietary chemistry is robust across these two processing conditions. We believe our platform enables researchers and clinicians to access their large collections of archived FFPE tissues to deliver reproducible, biologically relevant molecular profiles.

 

 

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Compatibility with multiple sample types

Compatibility of our proprietary chemistry with ovarian FFPE, extracted RNA, and fresh or fixed cultured cells is shown above. Below are technical replicates of heart FFPE, plasma and whole blood preserved in PAXgene profile using the HTG EdgeSeq microRNA whole transcriptome panel. We believe our proprietary chemistry is robust across many biological sample types.

 

 

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Detection of gene rearrangements and fusions

HTG EdgeSeq chemistry has demonstrated the ability to accurately detect gene rearrangements in patient-derived FFPE tissues. The example below demonstrates detection in a patient sample with a characterized gene fusion involving the KIF5B and RETS genes. Using multiple DNA protection probes, the HTG EdgeSeq platform can detect gene rearrangements and fusions. Rearrangements and fusions are detected in two ways. First is the direct measurement and detection of the unique RNA sequence created at the gene fusion site. This is indicated by the strong signal obtained from the KIF5B-RET v1 probe. The second approach involves calculating

 

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the ratio of signals obtained from probes targeting both the 5’ and 3’ end of the RET gene. Samples which do not contain a RET gene fusion will have similar RET 5’ and RET 3’ expression. In the sample above, however, which contains a RET gene fusion, we see significantly higher signal from the RET 3’ probe implying the two parts of the RET gene are no longer connected, indicating a gene rearrangement has occurred.

 

 

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A cell line with a known ALK fusion and normal ROS1 was tested using the same 5’ and 3’ probe ratio methodology described for the RET fusion above. As expected with a fused ALK gene, the expression of the 3’ portion of the transcript is much higher than the 5’ portion, indicating a fusion event has occurred. An example of a known non-fusion gene, ROS1, is also shown in the example where the 5’ and 3’ ends of the ROS1 are expressed at a 1:1 ratio, indicating this gene is intact.

 

 

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Discriminating between closely-related sequences

The specificity of our proprietary chemistry is demonstrated in the data chart below. Closely related synthetic miRNA pools supplied by Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities were split between pools. All possible probes were used to profile individual pools. From 3-11% of NPA probes bound to off-target sequences with a 1-base difference (Figure 1A) while only 0.1-0.3% of NPA probes bound to off-target sequences with a 2-base difference (Figure 1B). In both examples, the on-target hybridization signal is at least 8X greater than off-target hybridization. Data was generated using the Illumina MiSeq v2 1x50 reagent kit. We believe that our proprietary chemistry is highly specific and will enable our customers to discriminate between closely related sequences.

 

 

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Repeatability

An important consideration in adoption of a molecular profiling platform is the degree to which the same molecular profile can be obtained from a sample tested on multiple replicates and multiple occasions. Obtaining highly similar profiles indicates that the assay is stable, and that the data generated is reliable and repeatable. The XY scatterplots below shows the correlation between the same sample profiles on three separate technical replicates as well as three separate days using the HTG EdgeSeq microRNA whole transcriptome panel. The scale of the vertical and horizontal axes represent log 2 transformed, non-normalized probe counts obtained from the experiment. Extremely similar results were obtained, as demonstrated by the Pearson r-values near 1.0. We believe the HTG Edge platform and chemistry enables our customers to produce stable and repeatable molecular profiles. The data were generated using a sample known to contain approximately 700 different microRNAs. As demonstrated by the measurement of 690 miRNAs in the sample, HTG EdgeSeq chemistry has the ability to reliably detect large numbers of genes in a complex background.

 

 

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Reproducibility

Another important consideration in adoption of a molecular profiling platform is the degree to which the same molecular profile can be obtained from a sample tested on different instruments. Obtaining highly similar profiles indicates that the chemistry and instrument platform is stable, and that the data generated is reliable and reproducible. The XY scatterplots below shows the correlation between the same sample profiles on three separate instruments using the HTG Edge DMPK Core CYP panel. The gene expression of six different cytochrome p450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19) was measured. The scale of the vertical and horizontal axes represent log 2 transformed, non-normalized probe counts obtained from the experiment. Extremely similar results were obtained, as demonstrated by the Pearson r-values near 1.0. We believe the HTG Edge platform and chemistry enables our customers to produce stable and reproducible molecular profiles.

 

 

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Research and Development

We have committed, and expect to commit, significant resources to developing new technologies and products, improving product performance and reliability and reducing costs. We have assembled an experienced research and development team with the scientific, engineering, software and process talent that we believe is required to successfully grow our business. As of September 30, 2014, our research and development team was comprised of 17 employees across the disciplines of research and development scientist, platform development and bioinformatics.

We are currently focused on expansion of our profiling applications and test panel menu and system integration onto the HTG Edge platform including software updates. We incurred research and development

 

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expenses of $4.2 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 we have a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National by the National Human Genome Research Institute within the National Institute of Health with $712,455 remaining that will assist in the funding our sequencing based application expansion for the remainder of 2014 and 2015.

We continuously seek to innovate and improve our technology to add valuable features for our customers and expand addressable market segments. Our technology advancement efforts are targeted at:

 

    Expansion of new sequencing applications to detect and measure RNA based rearrangements, DNA mutations, protein immunoassays and circulating cell free DNA

 

    Development of IVDs

 

    Continued improvements to our workflow automation instrumentation

Our new products are developed under our ISO 13485 certified quality system and we expect to submit our first assay to FDA by the end of 2015. Our HTG Edge system is currently CE marked and we also expect to submit for CE/IVD status for the HTG Edge system by the end of 2015. We are dedicated to ongoing innovation to the HTG Edge platform technology and expanding our pipeline of product candidates. Our goal is for HTG Edge system to become a standard for rapid profiling of samples and critical clinical specimens such as tissue tumor biopsies.

Sales and Marketing

We distribute our instruments and consumables via direct sales in the U.S. and through distributors or sales agents in parts of Europe, India and other countries. As of September 30, 2014, our sales and marketing organization consisted of 20 employees including 10 in direct sales or sales management, four in sales support and six in marketing. In addition to our direct sales team in the U.S, we have a contracted sales team in Europe through an agreement with Novoptim and a distribution agreement for India with Innovative Life Discoveries Pvt. Ltd.

Our sales and marketing efforts are targeted at biopharmaceutical companies, clinical research centers and clinical diagnostic labs focused on sample profiling for translational research, biomarker/companion assay development and diagnostic testing. We intend to promote adoption of our HTG Edge system, sample profiling panels and future molecular diagnostic assays, upon marketing clearance or approval by FDA, by expanding our existing U.S. sales force, building a direct sales presence in Europe, expanding international distribution, and continuing to collaborate with key thought leaders to validate our platform and influence utilization of our products.

Manufacturing and Suppliers

We use third-party contract manufacturers to produce our HTG Edge instruments and raw materials for our consumables and we formulate, fill/seal and package the HTG Edge reagent kits at our Tucson, Arizona facility.

Instruments

We outsource manufacturing of our HTG Edge processor and HTG Edge reader to a third party manufacturer at a certified facility in Tampa, Florida. Our current supply arrangement commits our manufacturer to maintain a sufficient inventory of finished products, based on our forecast to meet our needs for a minimum of one month. We have qualified an alternative third-party manufacturer and we believe additional alternatives would be available if necessary.

Consumables

We manufacture our consumables in our Tucson, Arizona facility which has been certified to ISO 13485:2003 standards. We expect that our existing manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet our needs at least

 

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through 2019. Should additional space become necessary, we believe that there will be space available near our existing facility that we believe we can secure; however, we cannot predict that this space will be available if and when it is needed. We rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain components and materials used in the manufacture of our consumables. While some of these components are sourced from a single supplier, we have qualified second sources for most of our critical reagents, including oligonucleotides, S1 nuclease and detection enzymes. We believe that having dual sources for our components helps reduce the risk of a production delay caused by a disruption in the supply of a critical component. We continue to pursue qualifying additional suppliers, but cannot predict how expensive, time-consuming or successful these efforts will be. If we were to lose one or more of our suppliers, it may take significant time and effort to qualify alternative suppliers.

Competition

We believe we are the only company with a deployable molecular technology platform that can profile samples such as cancer biopsies across thousands of molecular targets from a single five micron section of tissue. As an example Foundation Medicines FoundationOne test requires 40 microns of tissue to assure enough purified DNA to report a result.

We have categorized known competition into:

 

    Other molecular platform offerings such as PCR-based technologies, microarrays and next generation sequencers from companies such as Roche Diagnostics, Inc. Qiagen N.V., Illumina, Inc., Affymetrix, Inc., NanoString Technologies, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Exiqon A/S, Fluidigm Corporation, Luminex Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

 

    Centralized CLIA labs offering molecular profiling and gene expression tests as laboratory-developed tests, or LDTs, such as Foundation Medicine, Inc. and Genomic Health, Inc.

 

    NGS target enrichment technologies from companies such as Agilent Technologies, Inc. and RainDance Technologies, Inc.

 

    Decentralized CLIA labs developing LDTs locally such as major cancer centers

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

 

    cost of capital equipment;

 

    cost of consumables and supplies;

 

    reputation among customers;

 

    innovation in product offerings;

 

    flexibility and ease-of-use;

 

    accuracy and reproducibility of results; and

 

    compatibility with existing laboratory processes, tools and methods.

We believe that additional competitive factors specific to the diagnostics market include:

 

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

 

    volume, quality, and strength of clinical and analytical validation data;

 

    availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement for testing services; and

 

    economic benefit accrued to customers based on testing services enabled by product

We believe the automation level of the HTG Edge system coupled with its fast turnaround time, high multiplexing capability, lysis only / no extraction protocol and low sample requirement gives us numerous competitive advantages in our target markets.

 

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While we believe that we compete favorably based on the factors described above, many of our competitors are either publicly traded, or are divisions of publicly-traded companies, and enjoy several competitive advantages over us, including:

 

    Greater name and brand recognition, financial and human resources;

 

    Broader product lines;

 

    Larger sales forces and more established distributor networks;

 

    Substantial intellectual property portfolios;

 

    Larger and more established customer bases and relationships; and

 

    Better established, larger scale and lower cost manufacturing capabilities.

Intellectual Property

Our success depends in part on our ability to develop and maintain intellectual property rights relating to key aspects of the technology employed in our HTG Edge platform and HTG EdgeSeq chemistry, maintain any strategic licenses to use intellectual property owned by third parties, preserve the confidentiality of our trade secrets and operate without infringing the valid and enforceable patents and other proprietary rights of third parties. We rely upon certain patents, registered and common law trademarks, trade secrets, know-how, invention and patent assignment agreements and continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain our competitive position. We intend to aggressively protect, defend and extend the intellectual property rights in our technology.

Patents and Patent Applications

Our patent portfolio includes 12 patent families that, collectively, consist of eight issued U.S. patents, 23 granted foreign patents (in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom), and 33 patent applications pending in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. This portfolio is directed to our nuclease-protection-based technologies as well as to lung cancer and melanoma biomarker panels discovered using our nuclease-protection-based technology, which will help us maintain an exclusive position in key areas of our business, including targeted nuclease-protection based sequencing, and, if we should so elect, may provide opportunities for out-licensing melanoma- or lung-cancer-related content. The recently issued U.S. patent directed to our novel HTG EdgeSeq methods will expire in April 2032. Worldwide, we have 26 patents in the two patent families directed to our HTG Edge plate-based methods; these patents will begin to expire at the end of December 2017 with the last ones expiring in June 2022.

Agreements with Third Parties

Asset Purchase Agreement with NuvoGen Research, LLC

We acquired some of our intellectual property, including one of our patent families, entitled “High Throughput Assay System” or similar, or Acquired Technology, from Neogen, LLC, now known as NuvoGen Research, LLC, or NuvoGen, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001, as amended in November 2003, September 2004, November 2012 and February 2014. The Acquired Technology generally relates to our array-based nuclease protection assays. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, in exchange for the Acquired Technology, we initially paid NuvoGen 600,000 shares of our common stock, fixed payments of $740,000 over the first two years of the agreement and agreed to pay NuvoGen 6% our yearly revenue, which would be applied to any fixed payments, until the total aggregate cash compensation paid to NuvoGen under the agreement equals $15,000,000. Pursuant to the latest amendment to the agreement, from 2014 to 2017, we are only required to pay a yearly fixed fee, in quarterly installments, to NuvoGen in the range of $400,000 to $800,000, and may defer the accrued revenue-based payments. Beginning in 2018, we are obligated to pay the greater of $400,000 or 6% of sales until the obligation is repaid in full. We paid our fixed fees for 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 in advance, and our next payment is due in April 2016.

 

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In a transaction related to the foregoing acquisition, NuvoGen also received a non-exclusive, royalty free license under the Acquired Technology pursuant to an agreement dated September 15, 2004. The license is limited to NuvoGen’s own internal service-oriented efforts and activities to accelerate the development of targeted drugs and other pharmaceutical compounds and agents as part of NuvoGen’s grant funded or other basic research and development of drugs intended for the treatment of cancer. Pursuant to the agreement, in the event that NuvoGen produces revenue through the sale of cancer drugs developed through use of the license for entities other than for-profit and other commercial drug-research and development service ventures, NuvoGen will pay us a royalty in the mid-single digit range percentage of such revenue for the quarter. This agreement may be terminated by either party in case of a breach by the other party, and we may terminate the agreement by giving written notice if NuvoGen files for bankruptcy or performs other similar actions.

License Agreement with Merck

In connection with the investment by Merck Capital Ventures LLC in the Company, we granted to Merck Sharpe & Dohme, or Merck, pursuant to an agreement dated February 15, 2011, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicenseable (except to Affiliates of Merck) license to certain of our quantitative nuclease protection, or qNPA, patent rights solely for Merck’s internal research and development purposes. We may terminate the agreement upon a breach of any material provision of the agreement by Merck, if Merck has not cured such breach within 60 days after receiving written notice from us.

Other Licensing Arrangements

We have entered into a number of in-license agreements, both exclusive and non-exclusive, that grant us rights in certain patented or patent-pending technologies or know-how, including particular methods of diagnosing, prognosing and/or predicting treatment outcomes for melanoma, breast cancer and/or COPD. We have exclusive or non-exclusive licenses to multiple U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications covering technologies which we intend to utilize in developing diagnostic tests for use on our HTG Edge system.

Sponsored Research Agreement with The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

In April 2014, we entered into a sponsored research agreement with The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, or MDACC. The agreement generally relates to (i) validation studies for our DLBCL cell of origin classifier, or Classifier Validation, and (ii) miRNA discovery studies in DLBCL samples, or miRNA Profiling. MDACC will provide us DLBCL samples for our Classifier Validation and we will profile DLBCL samples using our HTG EdgeSeq miRNA WTA product and provide the data to MDACC.

Under the agreement, MDACC receives $75,000, inclusive of overhead, the miRNA Profiling data, at our cost to produce such data, and rights to any intellectual property developed in the miRNA, subject to our exclusive option to license such intellectual property, in exchange for our use of DLBCL samples owned or controlled by MDACC in the Classifier Validation. Intellectual property developed in the Classifier Validation is owned in conformance with inventorship under U.S. patent law with any rights of MDACC subject to our exclusive option to license.

The term of the agreement is two years, subject to term extension by mutual agreement of the parties. The agreement may be terminated at the convenience of either party with 30 days prior written notice to the other party, for uncured default of a material obligation, or if a mutually agreeable successor to MDACC principal investigator cannot be found should such a successor ever be needed.

Loan and Security Agreement with Oxford Finance, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank

On August 22, 2014, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the loan agreement, with Oxford Finance LLC, or Oxford, as collateral agent, or in such capacity, Agent, and a lender and Silicon Valley Bank, as a lender, or SVB, and together with Oxford, the Lenders, providing for term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $16.0 million.

 

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Borrowings under the Loan Agreement may consist of up to two separate term loans. We borrowed the initial term loan in the principal amount of $11.0 million, or the Term A Loan, on August 22, 2014. The Term A Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.50% per annum. On or prior to June 30, 2016, we may borrow one additional term loan, or the Term B Loan, and together with the Term A Loan, the Term Loans, for up to $5.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain borrowing conditions, including either (i) our achievement of trailing six-month revenues of at least $10.0 million or (ii) the receipt by us of unrestricted net cash proceeds of not less than $30.0 million from our initial underwritten public offering and sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Term B Loan will bear interest at a fixed rate per annum of the greater of (i) 8.50% or (ii) the sum of (a) the prime rate reported in The Wall Street Journal three business days prior to the funding date of the Term B Loan, plus (b) 5.25%.

We received the proceeds, net of a $320,000 original issue discount, and will be required to pay a final payment of 3.75% of the total amount borrowed. If the Term B Loans are not funded prior to September 1, 2015, we are obligated only to make monthly interest payments on the outstanding principal balance on the Term A Loan followed by 36 months of equal principal and interest payments. If the Term B Loan is not funded prior to September 1, 2015, we will commence paying interest and principal on the Term B Loan on the first payment date following the funding date of the Term B Loan. If we borrow the Term B Loan prior to September 1, 2015, we may continue to make interest only payments on the Term A Loan through March 1, 2016 followed by 30 months of equal principal and interest payments with respect to the Term A Loan. If we borrow the Term B Loan prior to September 1, 2015, we are obligated only to make monthly interest payments on the outstanding balance on the Term B Loan through March 1, 2016, followed by 30 months of equal principal and interest payments. The Term Loans mature on September 1, 2018. We may prepay all, but not less than all, of the loaned amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date with 15 days’ advance notice to Oxford. We will be obligated to pay a prepayment fee equal to (i) 3% of the principal amount prepaid if the loan is prepaid on or before the first anniversary of the funding date, (ii) 2% of the principal amount repaid if the loan is prepaid after the first anniversary but on or prior to the second anniversary of the funding date and (iii) 1% of the principal amount repaid if the loan is repaid after the second anniversary of the funding date and prior to maturity. We are not entitled to reborrow any amounts of principal once such principal has been repaid.

While any amounts are outstanding under the credit facility, we are subject to a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants, including covenants regarding delivery of financial statements, maintenance of inventory, payment of taxes, maintenance of insurance, dispositions of property, business combinations or acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness and transactions with affiliates, among other customary covenants. We are also restricted from paying cash dividends or making other distributions or payments on our capital stock except for repurchases of stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plans, employee restricted stock agreements, stockholder rights plans, director or consultant stock option plans, or similar plans, provided such repurchases do not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year.

We granted the Agent a security interest in our personal property to secure our obligations under the loan agreement. The security interest does not extend to patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights (except for rights to payment related to the sale, licensing or disposition of such intellectual property rights) or certain other specified property.

Upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to the failure by us to satisfy our payment obligations under the loan agreement, the breach of certain of our other covenants under the loan agreement, and the occurrence of a material adverse change, the Agent will have the right, among other remedies, to declare all principal and interest immediately due and payable, and will have the right to receive the final payment fee and, if the payment of principal and interest is due prior to maturity, a prepayment fee. The Agent also will have the right, among other remedies, to foreclose upon and/or sell or otherwise liquidate our personal property upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

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As further consideration for access to the loan, we granted each of the Lenders warrants to purchase 1,256,281 shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share, or the Warrants. The Warrants are exercisable until August 22, 2024.

Development and Component Supply Agreement with Illumina, Inc.

In October 2014, we entered into a development and component supply agreement with Illumina for the development and worldwide commercialization by us of up to two complete diagnostic gene expression profiling tests for use with Illumina’s diagnostic instruments, using components supplied by Illumina. We refer to these diagnostic gene expression profiling tests as IVD test kits. The IVD test kits may be used in two discrete testing fields chosen by us, one or both of which may relate to oncology for breast, lung, lymphoma or melanoma tumors, and up to one of which may relate to transplant, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or immunology/autoimmunity. If we elect to select two testing fields, we must provide notice to Illumina of our first selection within 180 days following the date of the agreement, and we must provide notice to Illumina of our second selected field, or our only selected field if we elect to select only one field, within 24 months following the date of the agreement.

Following our selection of the testing field for each IVD test kit, we and Illumina have agreed to negotiate a development plan for the development and regulatory approval of the applicable IVD test kit, under which development and regulatory support will be provided by Illumina. Upon mutual agreement of the first development plan, we will pay Illumina a fixed fee in the six-figure dollar range. We are also required to pay Illumina up to $1.0 million in the aggregate upon achievement of specified regulatory milestones relating to the IVD test kits. In addition, we have agreed to pay Illumina a single digit percentage royalty on net sales of any IVD test kits that we commercialize pursuant to the agreement.

Pursuant to the agreement, we have agreed to obtain our requirements for certain components to be used in the development and/or commercialization of IVD test kits from Illumina. We and Illumina have also agreed to negotiate in good faith to enter into a supplemental supply agreement for the continued purchase and supply of the foregoing components.

Absent earlier termination, the agreement will expire in October 2019 or on the date which the last to expire development plan under the agreement is completed, whichever is earlier. We may terminate the agreement at any time upon 90 days’ written notice and may terminate any development plan under the agreement upon 30 days’ prior written notice. Illumina may terminate the agreement upon 30 days’ prior written notice if we undergo certain changes of control or immediately if we fail to select a testing field for an IVD test kit within 24 months following the date of the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement upon the other party’s material breach of the agreement that remains uncured for 30 days, or upon the other party’s bankruptcy.

Trade Secrets

We also rely on trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information to maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect these trade secrets, in part, by entering into nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to them, such as our employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, contract manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties. We also enter into invention or patent assignment agreements with our employees and consultants that obligate them to assign to us any inventions developed in the course of their work for us. We cannot provide any assurance, however, that we have entered into such agreements with all relevant parties, or that these parties will abide by the terms of these agreements. Despite measures taken to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties might copy or commercially exploit aspects of our technology or obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.

For additional information relating to the risks associated with our intellectual property position see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Intellectual Property.”

 

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Third-Party Coverage and Reimbursement

Clinical laboratories will acquire our instrumentation through a capital purchase, capital lease or reagent purchasing agreement. These laboratories will offer their customers a menu of testing services using our IVD test kits or their LDTs, which they may develop using components they purchase from us, or a combination of both. Our customers will generate revenue for these testing services by collecting payments from third-party payors, including public and private payors, as well as patient co-payments.

United States

In the United States, our customers will utilize the existing reimbursement framework for testing services:

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Molecular Pathology Procedures

Prior to January 1, 2013, molecular pathology procedures were reimbursed using the 83890-83912 code series, commonly known as “stacking codes”, which were based on the various technical steps performed to produce a test result. The American Medical Association (AMA) created the Tier 1 codes (81200-81383) and Tier 2 codes (81400-81408) to specifically identify the test being performed and as a replacement to stacking codes. The stacking codes were deleted from the clinical laboratory fee schedule used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for payment determination in 2013. Private payors, for the most part, have transitioned away from the stacking codes to the Tier 1 and CMS Tier 2 codes. Single analyte tests for mutations and gene rearrangements are described by these Tier 1 and Tier 2 codes; specific examples include 81235 for epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, mutation analysis and 81401 for EML4/ALK rearrangement analysis. Single analyte tests not specifically called out in Tier 1 or Tier 2 codes can be submitted for reimbursement consideration using the miscellaneous code 81479.

Genomic Sequencing Procedures.

The AMA created codes for Genomic Sequencing Procedures (GSPs) and other Molecular Multianalyte Assays as part of its calendar year 2015 update to the clinical laboratory fee schedule. These new codes will be used by our customers to seek reimbursement for multi-analyte test offerings:

 

    Gene expression classifiers for hematolymphoid neoplasms, such as the determination of activated B-cell like (ABC) or germinal center B-cell like (GCB) subtypes of diffuse large B-Cell lymphomas

 

    Gene rearrangements in solid tumors and hematolymphoid neoplasms

 

    Copy number variations in solid tumors and hematolymphoid neoplasms

 

    Mutations in solid tumors and hematolymphoid neoplasms

Our customers will seek payment for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Molecular Pathology Procedures and GSPs from public and private payors. Claims for Medicare coverage are processed by private Medicare Administrative Contractors, or MACs, such as Novitas and Cahaba, and coverage for specific test codes are specified in Local Coverage Determinations, or LCDs, issued by individual MACs or National Coverage Determinations, or NCDs, which apply to all MACs. Private payors issue their own coverage determinations that are largely reflective of the CMS LCDs and NCDs. HTG closely monitors trends in coverage through interactions with customers, industry associations such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Association for Molecular Pathology, or AMP, and industry consultants; these trends are key considerations in our product development plans.

Our customers will use our products to offer testing services that provide an analysis of 5-50 genes as well as 51 or more genes. Coverage and payment rates for GSPs covering these testing services have not yet been determined. AMP and CAP recommended that payment rates be cross-walked to existing codes on the clinical laboratory fee schedule. For GSPs analyzing 5-50 genes, the recommended Medicare National Limit Amount is

 

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$2,992.38, and for 51 or more genes $4,588.31. In October 2014, CMS released its preliminary determinations regarding the method for determining 2015 payment rates for new codes under the clinical laboratory fee schedule. CMS recommended that payment rates for GSPs be determined through a process known as gapfill rather than by crosswalking to allow CMS and its contractors to gather information about the manner in which the tests are performed and the resources necessary to provide them, so that ultimately CMS can set an appropriate payment rate for these tests. In the gapfill process, the local MACs determine the appropriate fee schedule amounts in the first year, and CMS calculates a national payment rate based on the median of these local fee schedule amounts in the second year. Payment rate determinations by the MACs for GSPs are expected to be announced in 2015.

We believe that establishment of the aforementioned reimbursement codes specific to genomic sequencing procedures such as our clinical diagnostic tests currently in development is an important factor in expanding access to our products, if approved. In addition, coverage and reimbursement of our clinical diagnostic tests by government and private payors is essential to our commercial success. Accordingly, our strategy includes efforts to encourage third-party payors to establish coverage, coding and payment that will facilitate access to our tests as we seek FDA approval for these tests and expand our commercialization efforts in the United States. Our success in these efforts depends in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers and other third-party payors provide coverage for and establish adequate reimbursement levels for tests using our technology. Failure by our customers who use our tests to obtain sufficient coverage and reimbursement from healthcare payors or adverse changes in government and private third-party payors’ policies would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects.

In addition to uncertainties surrounding coverage policies, there are periodic changes to reimbursement. Third-party payors regularly update reimbursement amounts and also from time to time revise the methodologies used to determine reimbursement amounts. This includes annual updates to payments made under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, or CLFS, with amounts assigned to the procedure billing codes used to report the specific laboratory services. The CLFS sets the maximum amount payable under Medicare for each billing code. Payment under the CLFS has been limited from year-to-year by Congressional action such as imposition of national limitation amounts and freezes on the otherwise applicable annual consumer price index updates. In addition, the ACA provides that payments under the CLFS are to receive a negative 1.75% annual adjustment through 2015 and a productivity adjustment to the CLFS, further reducing payment rates. In February 2012, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 was signed into law which, in part, reduced the potential future cost-based increases to the CLFS by 2%. The payment amounts under the CLFS are important not only for Medicare reimbursement, but also because other third-party payors are often guided by the Medicare CLFS in establishing reimbursement rates. For example, state Medicaid programs are prohibited from paying more than the Medicare fee schedule limit for clinical laboratory services furnished to Medicaid recipients. As a result, in light of the anticipated reduction in the CLFS payment amounts, certain third party payors may also reduce reimbursement amounts.

Beginning January 1, 2016, there will also be major changes to the payment formula under the CLFS. Under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, which was signed to law in April 2014, clinical laboratories must report laboratory test payment data for each Medicare-covered clinical diagnostic lab test that it furnishes during a time period to be defined by future regulations. The reported data must include the payment rate (reflecting all discounts, rebates, coupons and other price concessions) and the volume of each test that was paid by each private payor (including health insurance issuers, group health plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid managed care organizations). Beginning in 2017, the Medicare payment rate for each clinical diagnostic lab test will be equal to the weighted median amount for the test from the most recent data collection period. The payment rate will apply to laboratory tests furnished by a hospital laboratory if the test is separately paid under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.

Outside the United States

Our target markets outside of the United States are Europe and Asia/Pacific.

 

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In Europe, coverage for molecular diagnostic testing is varied. Countries with statutory health insurance (e.g. Germany, France, The Netherlands) tend to be more progressive in technology adoption with favorable reimbursement for molecular diagnostic testing. In countries such as the United Kingdom with tax-based insurance, adoption and reimbursement for molecular diagnostic testing is not uniform and is influenced by local budgets.

In Asia/Pacific, our commercial strategy is to opportunistically partner with distributors in countries with sufficient demand for our products to justify the investment by both parties. Currently we have a distribution agreement with iLife Discoveries in India, where the vast majority of molecular diagnostic testing is paid for out-of-pocket by the patient.

Our diagnostic product menu plans for Europe and Asia/Pacific consist primarily of NGS-based test kits that will satisfy existing or emerging testing demand, and we will be competing on the basis of testing efficiency, quality and price.

Government Regulation – Medical Device Regulations

United States

Our products and operations are subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration and other federal, state, local and foreign authorities. Currently we are limited to marketing our products for research use only, which means that we cannot make any diagnostic or clinical claims. However, we intend to seek regulatory clearances or approvals in the United States and other jurisdictions to market certain assays for diagnostic purposes. The clinical diagnostics under development by HTG are classified as “medical devices” under the United States Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA. The FDA regulates, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacturing, approval, labeling, storage, recordkeeping, advertising, promotion and marketing, distribution, post approval monitoring and reporting and import and export of medical devices in the United States to assure the safety and effectiveness of such products for their intended use.

Unless an exemption applies, each new or significantly modified medical device we seek to commercially distribute in the United States will require either a premarket notification to the FDA requesting permission for commercial distribution under Section 510(k) of the FDCA, also referred to as a 510(k) clearance, or approval from the FDA of a PMA application. Both the 510(k) clearance and PMA processes can be expensive, and lengthy, and require payment of significant user fees, unless an exemption is available.

Device Classification

Under the FDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes – Class I, Class II or Class III – depending on the degree of risk associated with each medical device and the extent of control needed to provide reasonable assurances with respect to safety and effectiveness.

Class I devices are those for which safety and effectiveness can be reasonably assured by adherence to a set of regulations, referred to as General Controls, which require compliance with the applicable portions of the FDA’s Quality System Regulation, or QSR, facility registration and product listing, reporting of adverse events and malfunctions, and appropriate, truthful and non-misleading labeling and promotional materials. Some Class I devices, also called Class I reserved devices, also require premarket clearance by the FDA through the 510(k) premarket notification process described below. Most Class I products are exempt from the premarket notification requirements.

Class II devices are those that are subject to the General Controls, as well as Special Controls, which can include performance standards, guidelines and postmarket surveillance. Most Class II devices are subject to premarket review and clearance by the FDA. Premarket review and clearance by the FDA for Class II devices is accomplished through the 510(k) premarket notification process. Under the 510(k) process, the manufacturer

 

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must submit to the FDA a premarket notification, demonstrating that the device is “substantially equivalent,” as defined in the statute, to either:

 

    a device that was legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976, the date upon which the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 were enacted, or

 

    another commercially available, similar device that was cleared through the 510(k) process.

To be “substantially equivalent,” the proposed device must have the same intended use as the predicate device, and either have the same technological characteristics as the predicate device or have different technological characteristics and not raise different questions of safety or effectiveness than the predicate device. Clinical data is sometimes required to support substantial equivalence.

After a 510(k) notice is submitted, the FDA determines whether to accept it for substantive review. If it lacks necessary information for substantive review, the FDA will refuse to accept the 510(k) notification. If it is accepted for filing, the FDA begins a substantive review. By statute, the FDA is required to complete its review of a 510(k) notification within 90 days of receiving the 510(k) notification. As a practical matter, clearance often takes longer, and clearance is never assured. Although many 510(k) premarket notifications are cleared without clinical data, the FDA may require further information, including clinical data, to make a determination regarding substantial equivalence, which may significantly prolong the review process. If the FDA agrees that the device is substantially equivalent, it will grant clearance to commercially market the device.

After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a new or major change in its intended use, will require a new 510(k) clearance or, depending on the modification, could require a PMA application. The FDA requires each manufacturer to make this determination initially, but the FDA can review any such decision and can disagree with a manufacturer’s determination. If the FDA disagrees with a manufacturer’s determination regarding whether a new premarket submission is required for the modification of an existing device, the FDA can require the manufacturer to cease marketing and/or recall the modified device until 510(k) clearance or approval of a PMA application is obtained. If the FDA requires us to seek 510(k) clearance or approval of a PMA application for any modifications to a previously cleared product, we may be required to cease marketing or recall the modified device until we obtain this clearance or approval. In addition, in these circumstances, we may be subject to significant regulatory fines or penalties for failure to submit the requisite PMA application(s). In addition, the FDA is currently evaluating the 510(k) process and may make substantial changes to industry requirements.

The PMA Approval Process

If the FDA determines that the device is not “substantially equivalent” to a predicate device, or if the device is classified into Class III, the device sponsor must then fulfill the much more rigorous premarketing requirements of the PMA approval process, or seek reclassification of the device through the de novo process. A manufacturer can also submit a petition for direct de novo review if the manufacturer is unable to identify an appropriate predicate device and the new device or new use of the device presents a moderate or low risk.

Class III devices include devices deemed by the FDA to pose the greatest risk such as life-supporting or life-sustaining devices, or implantable devices, in addition to those deemed not substantially equivalent following the 510(k) process. The safety and effectiveness of Class III devices cannot be reasonably assured solely by the General Controls and Special Controls described above. Therefore, these devices are subject to the PMA application process, which is generally more costly and time consuming than the 510(k) process. Through the PMA application process, the applicant must submit data and information demonstrating reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use to the FDA’s satisfaction. Accordingly, a PMA application typically includes, but is not limited to, extensive technical information regarding device design and development, pre-clinical and clinical trial data, manufacturing information, labeling and financial disclosure information for the clinical investigators in device studies. The PMA application must provide valid scientific

 

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evidence that demonstrates to the FDA’s satisfaction reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use.

In the United States, absent certain limited exceptions, human clinical trials intended to support medical device clearance or approval require an IDE application. Some types of studies deemed to present “non-significant risk” are deemed to have an approved IDE once certain requirements are addressed and IRB approval is obtained. If the device presents a “significant risk” to human health, as defined by the FDA, the sponsor must submit an IDE application to the FDA and obtain IDE approval prior to commencing the human clinical trials. The IDE application must be supported by appropriate data, such as animal and laboratory testing results, showing that it is safe to test the device in humans and that the testing protocol is scientifically sound. The IDE application must be approved in advance by the FDA for a specified number of subjects. Generally, clinical trials for a significant risk device may begin once the IDE application is approved by the FDA and the study protocol and informed consent are approved by appropriate institutional review boards at the clinical trial sites. There can be no assurance that submission of an IDE will result in the ability to commence clinical trials, and although the FDA’s approval of an IDE allows clinical testing to go forward for a specified number of subjects, it does not bind the FDA to accept the results of the trial as sufficient to prove the product’s safety and efficacy, even if the trial meets its intended success criteria.

Following receipt of a PMA application, the FDA conducts an administrative review to determine whether the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review. If it is not, the agency will refuse to file the PMA. If it is, the FDA will accept the application for filing and begin the review. The FDA, by statute and by regulation, has 180 days to review a filed PMA application, although the review of an application more often occurs over a significantly longer period of time. During this review period, the FDA may request additional information or clarification of information already provided, and the FDA may issue a major deficiency letter to the applicant, requesting the applicant’s response to deficiencies communicated by the FDA. The FDA considers a PMA or PMA supplement to have been voluntarily withdrawn if an applicant fails to respond to an FDA request for information ( e.g. , major deficiency letter) within a total of 360 days. Before approving or denying a PMA, an FDA advisory committee may review the PMA at a public meeting and provide the FDA with the committee’s recommendation on whether the FDA should approve the submission, approve it with specific conditions, or not approve it. Prior to approval of a PMA, the FDA may conduct a bioresearch monitoring inspection of the clinical trial data and clinical trial sites, and a QSR inspection of the manufacturing facility and processes. Overall, the FDA review of a PMA application generally takes between one and three years, but may take significantly longer. The FDA can delay, limit or deny approval of a PMA application for many reasons, including:

 

    the device may not be shown safe or effective to the FDA’s satisfaction;

 

    the data from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials may be insufficient to support approval;

 

    the manufacturing process or facilities may not meet applicable requirements; and

 

    changes in FDA approval policies or adoption of new regulations may require additional data.

If the FDA evaluation of a PMA is favorable, the FDA will issue either an approval letter, or an approvable letter, which usually contains a number of conditions that must be met in order to secure final approval of the PMA. When and if those conditions have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the FDA, the agency will issue a PMA approval letter authorizing commercial marketing of the device, subject to the conditions of approval and the limitations established in the approval letter. If the FDA’s evaluation of a PMA application or manufacturing facilities is not favorable, the FDA will deny approval of the PMA or issue a not approvable letter. The FDA also may determine that additional tests or clinical trials are necessary, in which case the PMA approval may be delayed for several months or years while the trials are conducted and data is submitted in an amendment to the PMA. The PMA process can be expensive, uncertain and lengthy and a number of devices for which FDA approval has been sought by other companies have never been approved by the FDA for marketing.

 

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New PMA applications or PMA supplements may be required for modification to the manufacturing process, labeling, device specifications, materials or design of a device that has been approved through the PMA process. PMA supplements often require submission of the same type of information as an initial PMA application, except that the supplement is limited to information needed to support any changes from the device covered by the approved PMA application and may or may not require as extensive technical or clinical data or the convening of an advisory panel, depending on the nature of the proposed change.

In approving a PMA application, the FDA may also require some form of postmarket studies or postmarket surveillance, whereby the applicant follows certain patient groups for a number of years and makes periodic reports to the FDA on the clinical status of those patients when necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device. FDA may also require postmarket surveillance for certain devices cleared under a 510(k) notification, such as implants or life-supporting or life-sustaining devices used outside a device user facility. The FDA may also approve a PMA application with other post-approval conditions intended to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device, such as, among other things, restrictions on labeling, promotion, sale, distribution and use.

Post-Approval Requirements

After the FDA permits a device to enter commercial distribution, numerous regulatory requirements apply. These include, but are not limited to:

 

    the registration and listing regulation, which requires manufacturers to register all manufacturing facilities and list all medical devices placed into commercial distribution;

 

    the QSR, which requires manufacturers, including third party manufacturers, to follow elaborate design, testing, production, control, supplier/contractor selection, complaint handling, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during the manufacturing process;

 

    labeling regulations and unique device identification requirements;

 

    advertising and promotion requirements;

 

    restrictions on sale, distribution or use of a device;

 

    PMA annual reporting requirements;

 

    the FDA’s general prohibition against promoting products for unapproved or “off-label” uses;

 

    the Medical Device Reporting, or MDR, 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 reoccur;

 

    medical device correction and removal reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to the FDA field corrections and product recalls or removals if undertaken to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation of the FDCA that may present a risk to health;

 

    recall requirements, including a mandatory recall if there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious adverse health consequences or death;

 

    an order of repair, replacement or refund;

 

    device tracking requirements; and

 

    postapproval study and postmarket surveillance requirements.

Our facilities, records and manufacturing processes are subject to periodic unscheduled inspections by the FDA. Failure to comply with the applicable United States medical device regulatory requirements could result in, among other things, warning letters, untitled letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees, civil penalties, unanticipated expenditures, repairs, replacements, refunds, recalls or seizures of products, operating restrictions,

 

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total or partial suspension of production, the FDA’s refusal to issue certificates to foreign governments needed to export products for sale in other countries, the FDA’s refusal to grant future premarket clearances or approvals, withdrawals or suspensions of current product clearances or approvals and criminal prosecution.

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. 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.

European Union

The European Union (EU) also has adopted requirements that affect our products. These requirements include establishing standards that address creating a certified quality system as well as a number of directives that address specific product areas. The most significant of these directives is the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive (“IVDD”), which includes:

 

    Essential Requirements . The IVDD specifies “essential requirements” that all medical devices must meet. The requirements are similar to those adopted by the FDA relating to quality systems and product labeling.

 

    Conformity Assessment . Unlike United States regulations, which require virtually all devices to undergo some level of premarket review by the FDA, the IVDD currently allows manufacturers to bring many devices to market using a process in which the manufacturer certifies that the device conforms to the essential requirements for that device. A small number of products must go through a more formal pre-market review process. Devices that comply with the requirements of a relevant directive 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 EU and European Economic Area.

 

    Vigilance . The IVDD also specifies requirements for post market reporting similar to those adopted by the FDA.

Other International

A number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, China and Japan, have adopted or are in the process of adopting standards for medical devices sold in those countries. Many of these standards are loosely patterned after those adopted by the European Union, but with elements unique to each country. Although there is a trend towards harmonization of quality system standards, regulations in each country may vary substantially, which can affect timelines of introduction. We routinely monitor these developments and address compliance with the various country requirements as new standards are adopted.

Government Regulation – Fraud and Abuse and Other Healthcare Regulation

We are subject to various federal and state healthcare laws, including, but not limited to, anti-kickback laws. Penalties for violations of these healthcare laws include, but are not limited to, criminal, civil and/or administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, possible exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, and the curtailment or restructuring of operations.

 

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Anti-Kickback Statute

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons or entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or paying any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in exchange for or to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, arranging for or recommending a good or service, or for the purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending, any good, facility, service or item for which payment may be made in whole or in part under federal healthcare programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute is broad and prohibits many arrangements and practices that are lawful in businesses outside of the healthcare industry. The term “remuneration” expressly includes kickbacks, bribes, or rebates and also has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example, gifts, discounts, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payments, ownership interests and providing anything at less than its fair market value.

There are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain business arrangements from prosecution under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. These statutory exceptions and safe harbors set forth provisions that, if all their applicable requirements are met, will assure healthcare providers and other parties that they may not be prosecuted under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The failure of a transaction or arrangement to fit precisely within one or more applicable statutory exceptions or safe harbors does not necessarily mean that it is illegal or that prosecution will be pursued. However, conduct and business arrangements that do not fully satisfy all requirements of an applicable safe harbor may result in increased scrutiny by government enforcement authorities and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on a cumulative review of all of its facts and circumstances. Additionally, the intent standard under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute was amended under the Affordable Care Act, to a stricter standard such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. The Affordable Care Act provides that the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal civil False Claims Act which is discussed below.

Federal Civil False Claims Act

The federal civil False Claims Act prohibits, among other things, persons or entities from knowingly presenting or causing to be presented a false or fraudulent claim to, or the knowing use of false statements to obtain payment from or approval by, the federal government. Suits filed under the federal civil False Claims Act, known as “qui tam” actions, can be brought by any individual on behalf of the government. These individuals, sometimes known as “relators” or, more commonly, as “whistleblowers”, may share in any amounts paid by the entity to the government in fines or settlement. The number of filings of qui tam actions has increased significantly in recent years, causing more healthcare companies to have to defend a case brought under the federal civil False Claim Act. If an entity is determined to have violated the federal civil False Claims Act, it may be required to pay up to three times the actual damages sustained by the government, plus civil penalties for each separate false claim. Many comparable state laws are broader in scope and apply to all payors, and therefore, are not limited to only those claims submitted to the federal government.

Federal Physician Self-Referral Prohibition

We are also subject to the federal physician self-referral prohibitions, commonly known as the Stark Law, which prohibits, among other things, physicians who have a financial relationship, including an investment, ownership or compensation relationship with an entity, from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients for designated health services, which include clinical laboratory services, unless an exception applies. Similarly, entities may not bill Medicare, Medicaid or any other party for services furnished pursuant to a prohibited referral. Many states have their own self-referral laws as well, which in some cases apply to all third-party payors, not just Medicare and Medicaid.

 

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Federal Civil Monetary Penalties Statute

The federal Civil Monetary Penalties Statute, among other things, imposes fines against any person or entity who is determined to have presented, or caused to be presented, claims to a federal healthcare program that the person knows, or should know, is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, created several new federal crimes, including healthcare fraud and false statements relating to healthcare matters. The healthcare fraud statute prohibits knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors. The false statements statute prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services.

In addition, HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and their implementing regulations established uniform standards for certain covered entities, which are healthcare providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates, governing the conduct of specified electronic healthcare transactions and protecting the security and privacy of protected health information. Among other things, HITECH also created four new tiers of civil monetary penalties and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions.

The Federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act

The federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with certain exceptions, to report annually to CMS, information related to “payments or other transfers of value” provided to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors) and teaching hospitals, and to report annually to CMS ownership and investment interests held by physicians, as defined above, and their immediate family members. Failure to submit timely, accurately and completely the required information for all payments, transfers of value and ownership or investment interests may result in civil monetary penalties of up to an aggregate of $150,000 per year and up to an aggregate of $1.0 million per year for “knowing failures.” Applicable manufacturers were required to begin collecting data on August 1, 2013 and submit reports on aggregate payment data to the government for the first reporting period (August 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013) by March 31, 2014, and were required to report detailed payment data for the first reporting period and submit legal attestation to the completeness and accuracy of such data by June 30, 2014. Thereafter, applicable manufacturers must submit reports by the 90 th day of each subsequent calendar year. CMS released the data on a public website on September 30, 2014.

State Law Equivalents

Many states have also adopted laws similar to each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may be broader in scope and apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers, as well as laws that restrict our marketing activities with health care professionals and entities, and require us to track and report payments and other transfers of value, including consulting fees, provided to healthcare professionals and entities. Some states mandate implementation of compliance programs to ensure compliance with these laws. We also are subject to foreign fraud and abuse laws, which vary by country.

 

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Healthcare Reform

In March 2010, President Obama enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, collectively, the ACA, which has the potential to substantially change healthcare financing and delivery by both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impact the medical device industry. The ACA will impact existing government healthcare programs and will result in the development of new programs. The ACA’s provisions of importance include, but are not limited to, a deductible 2.3% excise tax on any entity that manufactures or imports medical devices offered for sale in the U.S., with limited exceptions, effective January 1, 2013.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. On August 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011, which, among other things, created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to recommend to Congress proposals in spending reductions. The Joint Select Committee did not achieve a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect on April 1, 2013, and will stay in effect through 2024 unless Congressional action is taken. On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.

The full impact of the ACA, as well as other laws and reform measures that may be proposed and adopted in the future, remains uncertain, but may continue the downward pressure on medical device pricing, especially under the Medicare program, and may also increase our regulatory burdens and operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, prohibits any U.S. individual or business from paying, offering, or authorizing payment or offering of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any foreign official, political party or candidate for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of the foreign entity in order to assist the individual or business in obtaining or retaining business. The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the United States to comply with accounting provisions requiring the company to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations.

Employees

As of September 30, 2014, we had 64 employees, of which eight are employed in administration, 10 in manufacturing and operations, 17 in research and development, three in regulatory and quality affairs, and 26 in sales and marketing. We believe that our success will depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. We have never experienced a work stoppage due to labor difficulties and believe that our relations with our employees are good. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.

Facilities

Our 30,100 square foot corporate facilities are located in Tucson, Arizona. We occupy these facilities pursuant to two separate non-cancellable leases. The first lease for 12,600 square feet of space expires on December 15, 2015. The second lease for 17,500 square feet of space expires on November 30, 2015. Both leases contain a five-year renewal option. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current and projected needs for the foreseeable future.

 

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Environmental Matters

Our operations require the use of hazardous materials (including biological materials) which subject us to a variety of federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations. Some of the regulations under the current regulatory structure provide for strict liability, holding a party potentially liable without regard to fault or negligence. We could be held liable for damages and fines as a result of our, or others’, business operations should contamination of the environment or individual exposure to hazardous substances occur. We cannot predict how changes in laws or development of new regulations will affect our business operations or the cost of compliance.

Legal Proceedings

Our industry is characterized by frequent claims and litigation, including claims regarding intellectual property and product liability. As a result, we may be subject to various legal proceedings from time to time. The results of any current or future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our current executive officers and directors:

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position(s)

Executive Officers

     

Timothy B. Johnson

   53    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

John L. Lubniewski

   51    Chief Business Officer

Patrick C. Roche, Ph.D.

   61    Senior Vice President for Research and Development

Shaun D. McMeans

   53    Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer

Debra A. Gordon, Ph.D., J.D.

   55    Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel

Non-Employee Directors

     

Peter T. Bisgaard (2)(3)

   41    Director

Harry A. George (1)

   66    Director

Simeon J. George, M.D. (4)

   37    Director

Mary Hoult (1)

   49    Director

Lawrence D. Senour (4)

  

50

   Director

Lewis J. Shuster (1)

   59    Director

James R. Weersing

   75    Director

 

(1) Member of the audit committee.
(2) Member of the compensation committee.
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
(4) Dr. George and Mr. Senour will each resign from our board of directors contingent and effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Executive Officers

Timothy (TJ) B. Johnson. Mr. Johnson has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of directors since January 2008. Mr. Johnson joined us from LVC Consulting, a consulting company, where he was a partner from April 2007 to January 2008. Prior to April 2007, Mr. Johnson spent five years in leadership roles at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. or Ventana, a medical diagnostics company, prior to its acquisition by Roche Holdings, Inc., or Roche. At Ventana, Mr. Johnson held the positions of Senior Vice President, Global Business Services, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Operations, and Vice President/General Manager, Operations and Lean Systems. In these roles, Mr. Johnson’s responsibilities included product technical support, worldwide marketing, corporate development, strategic planning and manufacturing. Prior to working at Ventana, Mr. Johnson had an 12 year career at Hillenbrand Industries, Inc., a global diversified industrial company, where he held several leadership roles in the corporate offices and in the Hill-Rom Division, including Vice President, Global Marketing, Vice President/General Manager, Hill-Rom AirShields, Vice President, Operations, and Vice President, Continuous Improvement and Strategic Planning. Mr. Johnson spent part of his early career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a public accounting firm. Mr. Johnson previously served on the board of directors of Kalypto Medical, Inc. and was the Industry co-chair for the Biosciences Leadership Council of Southern Arizona. He earned a B.S. in Business from Indiana University. Our board of directors believes that Mr. Johnson’s extensive executive background in general management, strategic planning and managing operations of a diagnostic company and service as our President and Chief Executive Officer qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

John L. Lubniewski. Mr. Lubniewski has served as our Chief Business Officer since April 2011. Mr. Lubniewski joined us from Ventana, a medical diagnostics company and member of the Roche Group and global headquarters of Roche Tissue Diagnostics, or RTD, where he served in leadership roles for nine years both before and after the acquisition of Ventana by Roche in March 2008. From August 2010 to April 2011,

 

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Mr. Lubniewski was Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Staining Platforms at Ventana. From January 2008 to August 2010, Mr. Lubniewski served as Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Clinical Assays at RTD, with responsibility for three lifecycle teams, technical marketing and medical marketing and global accountability for all RTD clinical assay products. Prior to the Roche acquisition of Ventana, Mr. Lubniewski served at Ventana as Senior Vice President, Advanced Staining Business Unit, Vice President Worldwide Marketing and Translational Diagnostic Business Unit, and General Manager, Research Products. In these roles, Mr. Lubniewski was responsible for a variety of assay and platform development and commercialization efforts. Prior to Ventana, Mr. Lubniewski worked for over ten years at Corning, Inc., a manufacturing company, in a variety of divisional, sector and corporate sales and marketing roles. Mr. Lubniewski earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University.

Shaun D. McMeans . Mr. McMeans has served as our Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer since February 2012. Prior to joining us, Mr. McMeans was Vice President – Finance of Securaplane Technologies, Inc., a product supply company and division of Meggitt PLC, an aerospace, defense and energy conglomerate, from May 2011 to February 2012. Mr. McMeans was a financial consultant from February 2008 to April 2011, working both in an individual capacity and as a partner for Tatum LLC, a consulting company. Prior to February 2008, Mr. McMeans was Chief Financial Officer for The Long Companies, a full service residential and commercial real estate division of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Mr. McMeans also worked for over five years at LXU Healthcare, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of specialty surgical equipment, as Controller and then Chief Financial and Operating Officer. In his early career, Mr. McMeans worked in roles of increasing responsibility, including Director of Finance, for Burnham Holdings, Inc., formerly Burnham Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of residential and commercial hydronic heating equipment. Mr. McMeans received his B.S. in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University.

Patrick (Pat) C. Roche, Ph.D. Dr. Roche has served as our Senior Vice President for Research and Product Development since April 2014. Dr. Roche joined us from Ventana, a medical diagnostics company and member of the Roche Group and global headquarters of RTD, where he worked for 12 years and held a number of positions of increasing responsibility, including Vice President, Head Biomarker Strategy, Translational Diagnostics, from August 2009 to April 2014, and Vice President, Assay Development and Clinical Studies, from March 2007 to July 2009. In these roles, Dr. Roche was responsible for interfacing with pharmaceutical partners in their development of targeted cancer therapeutics and facilitating the transition of biomarkers into companion diagnostics and for leading reagent product development and launching over 30 in vitro diagnostic products, including the FDA-approved c-kit and HER2 tests. Prior to working at Ventana, Dr. Roche was at the Mayo Clinic Rochester, a medical research group, where he served as Director of the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory and as Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Dr. Roche has co-authored more than 125 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on a number of patent filings and two issued U.S. patents. Dr. Roche received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine.

Debra (Deb) A. Gordon, Ph.D., J.D. Dr. Gordon has served as our Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel since June 2011. Prior to joining us, Dr. Gordon was General Counsel and Head, Patent Legal at Ventana, a medical diagnostics company and a member of the Roche Group and the global headquarters for RTD, from October 2008 to June 2011. Dr. Gordon was promoted to leadership of the Ventana legal function after serving at Ventana from February 2007 as a patent attorney supporting the assay development functions. For nearly ten years preceding Dr. Gordon’s in-house legal experiences, Dr. Gordon practiced as a business transactional attorney at the law firms Lewis and Roca LLP (now, Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP) and Perkins Coie LLP, and as an intellectual property attorney at the law firm Klarquist Sparkman LLP. Prior to law school, Dr. Gordon completed post-doctoral fellowships at Brandeis University and the University of Arizona. Dr. Gordon is an author on 13 peer-reviewed scientific publications and an inventor on two patent filings and one issued U.S. patent. Dr. Gordon received a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry and a M.S. in Chemistry from Western Washington University, a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, and a J.D. with honors from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law.

 

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Non-Employee Directors

Peter T. Bisgaard . Mr. Bisgaard has served on our board of directors since March 2011, and as the chairman of our board of directors since September 2013. Mr. Bisgaard is currently employed as a Partner with Novo Ventures (US) Inc., a company that provides consultancy services to Novo A/S, a Danish limited liability company that manages investments and financial assets. Mr. Bisgaard joined Novo Ventures (US) Inc. in 2009. From 2001 to 2009, Mr. Bisgaard was employed as a Partner with Novo A/S. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Bisgaard was employed with McKinsey & Co., a management consulting firm, where he focused on strategy development, mergers, acquisitions and alliances in various industries. Mr. Bisgaard has been a member of the board of directors of Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., or Alder, since April 2012, and a member board of directors of Otonomy, Inc., or Otonomy, since August 2010 and has served as Otonomy’s chairman of the board since December 2013. Alder and Otonomy are both clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies listed on NASDAQ. Further, Mr. Bisgaard is on the board of directors of the private companies Asante Solutions, Inc., Ceterix Orthopaedics Inc. and Nevro Corporation, and has served on the boards of directors of numerous other private biotech companies. Mr. Bisgaard holds an MSc from the Technical University of Denmark and was awarded a post-graduate degree in Mathematical Modeling in Economics by the European Consortium for Mathematics in the Industry. Our board of directors believes that Mr. Bisgaard’s strong financial expertise, extensive industry experience, experience serving on the board of directors for several biopharmaceutical and medtech companies, and experience with venture capital investments qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Harry A. George . Mr. George has served on our board of directors since 2002 and served as the chairman of our board of directors from December 2007 until September 2013. Mr. George co-founded Solstice Capital, a venture capital firm, in 1995 and serves as its managing general partner. Mr. George has served as a member of the board of directors of a number of private and public companies and is currently serving on the boards of directors of Calimmune, Inc., Tempronics, Inc., Medipacs, Inc., Post.Bid.Ship, Inc. and AdiCyte, Inc. Mr. George is an advisor to Tech Launch Arizona and a board member of the University Venture Fund, Catapult. Additionally, Mr. George is a member of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and serves on its board of directors and has also served on the boards of directors of Bio5 Institute, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Pima County Bond Advisory Committee. Prior to 1995, Mr. George was co-founder, Director, and Vice-President of Finance for Interleaf Inc., a software products company. Prior to his time at Interleaf, Mr. George was co-founder, Director and Vice President of Finance of Kurzweil Computer Products, Inc., a computer products company, which subsequently was purchased by Xerox Imaging Systems. Mr. George received an A.B. from Bowdoin College and, in 2012, received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Arizona. Also in 2012, the Arizona BioIndustry Association conferred upon Mr. George the John McGarrity Bioscience Leader of the Year Award. Our board of directors believes Mr. George’s detailed knowledge of our company and long tenure with us, together with his more than 40 years of experience serving as founder, operating officer, or investor with successful rapid growth technology-related companies qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Simeon J. George, M.D. Dr. George has served on our board of directors since June 2011. Dr. George has been a partner at SR One Limited, a venture capital firm, since 2007, where he currently leads investment activities on the west coast. Dr. George also currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Auxogyn, Inc., eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., Genocea Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNCA), Principia Biopharma, Inc. and RuiYi, Inc. Prior to joining SR One, Dr. George was a consultant at Bain & Company, a management consulting services company, and an investment banker at the investment banks Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch. Dr. George earned an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University (Phi Beta Kappa), an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business, where he was a Mayer Scholar. Dr. George’s medical training, his experience working in the venture capital industry, and his extensive background in the biotechnology industry qualify him to serve on our board of directors. Dr. George will resign from our board of directors contingent and effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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Mary (Molly) Hoult . Ms. Hoult has served on our board of directors since February 2011. Ms. Hoult has been a Director at Fletcher Spaght, Inc., a venture capital and consulting firm, since August 2009, where she co-directs the life science consulting practice and evaluates venture capital investments for life science tools, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical sectors. From January 2006 to June 2009, Ms. Hoult was a principal in Hoult Consulting, a consulting company, and, prior to that, served in roles of increasing responsibility at a number of life science companies, including Blue Heron Biotechnology, Inc., Xcyte Therapies, Inc., ZymoGenetics, Inc. and NeoPath, Inc. Ms. Hoult earned a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Our board of directors believes that Ms. Hoult’s more than 20 years of biotechnology, life science and healthcare experience as a consultant and in marketing, sales and business development roles for various biotechnology and diagnostics firms qualify her to serve on our board of directors.

Lawrence D. (Larry) Senour . Mr. Senour has served on our board of directors since July 2008. Mr. Senour has 25 years of healthcare experience, including serving at Merck & Co., Inc., or Merck, a pharmaceutical company, since 1997. Since January 2010, Mr. Senour has served as Executive Director, Corporate Development, and is responsible for evaluating, structuring, negotiating and executing various acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances and venture capital investments. Prior to 2010, Mr. Senour served in a number of roles of increasing responsibility at Merck, including Executive Director, U.S. Business Development, from February 2005 to December 2009. Prior to joining Merck, Mr. Senour served as a manager at Deloitte Consulting, a consulting firm, and as regional manager with Healthcare Services Group, a healthcare services company. Mr. Senour also serves as a director on the board of Symphony Health Solutions. Mr. Senour earned an undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. Our board of directors believes that Mr. Senour’s long tenure and familiarity with our company, together with his experience in finding, evaluating and building strategic alliances, qualify him to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Senour will resign from our board of directors contingent and effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Lewis (Lew) J. Shuster . Mr. Shuster has served on our board of directors since March 2014. In 2002, Mr. Shuster founded Shuster Capital, a strategic and operating advisor to and angel investor in life science companies, and has served as its chief executive officer since that time. From June 2003 to November 2007, Mr. Shuster served as chief executive officer of Kemia, Inc., a drug discovery and development company. From February 2000 to December 2001, Mr. Shuster held various operating executive positions at Invitrogen Corporation, a biotechnology company that merged with Applied Biosystems Inc. and became Life Technologies Corporation. Between 1994 and 1999, Mr. Shuster served as chief financial officer and other executive positions at Pharmacopeia, Inc., a drug discovery product and service company. Mr. Shuster joined Human Genome Sciences, Inc. as its first employee in September 1992 and served as its executive vice president, operations and finance until 1994. Since June 2011 and April 2011, respectively, Mr. Shuster has served as a member of the boards of directors of Response Biomedical Corporation and Mast Therapeutics, Inc. From April 2010 to March 2013, Mr. Shuster served as a director of Complete Genomics, Inc., a life science company, and, from September 2009 to February 2010, as a director of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Shuster received a B.A. in Economics from Swarthmore College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Our board of directors believes that Mr. Shuster’s extensive executive background in strategic planning and managing rapid operations growth for multiple public and private life science companies qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

James (Jim) R. Weersing . Mr. Weersing has served on our board of directors since November 2008. Mr. Weersing founded JRW Technology Inc., a management consulting company, in 1979 and serves as its President. Mr. Weersing also served as managing general partner of MBW Ventures, a venture capital investment company, from 1983 to 2003. Mr. Weersing has held president and/or chief executive officer roles at, and served on the board of directors of, a number of companies including, Ischemia Technologies, Inc. Circadian, Inc., IOMED, Inc., and Lifescan, Inc. Mr. Weersing also served as a member of the board of directors of Cerematec Inc., Ventana, which was acquired by Roche in 2008, and Kalypto Medical, Inc., which was acquired by Smith &

 

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Nephew plc in 2012. Mr. Weersing earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Our board of directors believes that Mr. Weersing’s extensive experience as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and corporate leader and his knowledge in the fields of medical diagnostic and health care qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Board Composition

Our business and affairs are organized under the direction of our board of directors, which currently consists of eight members. The primary responsibilities of our board of directors are to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counseling and direction to our management. Our board of directors meets on a regular basis and additionally as required.

Certain of our current directors were elected to serve as a member of our board of directors pursuant to the voting provisions in our amended and restated investor rights agreement, dated February 4, 2014, by and among us and certain of our stockholders, or the investor rights agreement. Pursuant to the investor rights agreement, each of Mr. George, Mr. Bisgaard, Ms. Hoult, Dr. George and Mr. Senour, were selected to serve on our board of directors as the representative of our preferred stockholders, with Mr. Bisgaard designated by Novo A/S, Ms. Hoult designated by Fletcher Spaght Ventures II, L.P., Dr. George designated by S.R. One, Limited and Mr. Senour designated by Merck Capital Ventures, LLC. Mr. Johnson was selected to serve on our board of directors as the representative of our common stockholders. Mr. Weersing was selected to serve on our board of directors as an independent director with relevant knowledge and experience in our industry. The voting provisions in the investor rights agreement will terminate upon the closing of this offering, and members previously elected to our board of directors pursuant to the investor rights agreement (other than Dr. George and Mr. Senour) will continue to serve as directors until their successors are duly elected and qualified by holders of our common stock.

Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors other than Mr. Johnson are independent directors, as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Nasdaq independence definition includes a series of objective tests, including that the director is not, and has not been for at least three years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist, which, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

In accordance with the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will go into effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering, we will divide our board of directors into three classes, as follows:

 

    Class I, which will consist of Ms. Hoult,                      and                     , whose terms will expire at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2015;

 

    Class II, which will consist of Mr. Bisgaard, Mr. George and Mr. Weersing, and whose terms will expire at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2016; and

 

    Class III, which will consist of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Shuster, and whose terms will expire at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2017.

At each annual meeting of stockholders to be held after the initial classification, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will serve until the third annual meeting following their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The authorized size of our board of directors is currently no less than 8

 

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and no more than 11 members. Effective upon the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation immediately prior to the closing of this offering, the limitations on the size of our directors will be removed and the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed between the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. This classification of the board of directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in our control or management. Our directors may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our voting stock.

Board Leadership Structure

Our board of directors is currently chaired by Mr. Bisgaard. As a general policy, our board of directors believes that separation of the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of the board of directors from management, creates an environment that encourages objective oversight of management’s performance and enhances the effectiveness of the board of directors as a whole. As such, Mr. Johnson serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer while Mr. Bisgaard serves as our Chairman of the board of directors but is not an officer. We expect and intend the positions of Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer to continue to be held by two individuals in the future.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our board of directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. The board of directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. The risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from board committees and members of senior management to enable our board to understand the company’s risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies with respect to areas of potential material risk, including operations, finance, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risk. In particular, our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and our audit committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Oversight by the audit committee includes direct communication with our external auditors. Our nominating and corporate governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance practices, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Board Committees

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of Mr. Shuster, Mr. George and Ms. Hoult. Mr. Shuster serves as the chair of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our audit committee satisfies the Nasdaq Stock Market and SEC independence requirements. The functions of this committee include, among other things:

 

    evaluating the performance, independence and qualifications of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or engage new independent auditors;

 

    reviewing and approving the engagement of our independent auditors to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;

 

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    monitoring the rotation of partners of our independent auditors on our engagement team as required by law;

 

    prior to engagement of any independent auditor, and at least annually thereafter, reviewing relationships that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence, and assessing and otherwise taking the appropriate action to oversee the independence of our independent auditor;

 

    reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports, including the disclosures contained under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management;

 

    reviewing with our independent auditors and management significant issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation and matters concerning the scope, adequacy and effectiveness of our financial controls;

 

    reviewing with management and our auditors any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding material developments;

 

    establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting or auditing matters and other matters;

 

    preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement;

 

    reviewing and providing oversight of any related-person transactions in accordance with our related person transaction policy and reviewing and monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities, including our code of business conduct and ethics;

 

    reviewing our major financial risk exposures, including the guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is implemented;

 

    reviewing on a periodic basis our investment policy; and

 

    reviewing and evaluating on an annual basis the performance of the audit committee, including compliance of the audit committee with its charter.

Our board of directors has determined that each member of the audit committee meets the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market. It has also determined that Mr. Shuster qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In making this determination, our board of directors has considered Mr. Shuster’s formal education and experience in financial and executive roles. Both our independent registered public accounting firm and management periodically meet privately with our audit committee. Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market, the audit committee will operate under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Bisgaard and             .             serves as the chair of our compensation committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our compensation committee is a non-employee director, as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, is an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and satisfies the Nasdaq Stock Market independence requirements. The functions of this committee include, among other things:

 

    reviewing, modifying and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the full board of directors regarding) our overall compensation strategy and policies;

 

    reviewing and approving the compensation and other terms of employment of our executive officers;

 

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    reviewing and approving performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers and assessing their performance against these goals and objectives;

 

    reviewing and approving (or if it deems it appropriate, making recommendations to the full board of directors regarding) the equity incentive plans, compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modifying, amending or terminating existing plans and programs;

 

    evaluating risks associated with our compensation policies and practices and assessing whether risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for our employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us;

 

    reviewing and approving (or if it deems it appropriate, making recommendations to the full board of directors regarding) the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to our non-employee board members;

 

    establishing policies for allocating between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation and the factors used in deciding between the various forms of compensation;

 

    establishing policies with respect to votes by our stockholders to approve executive compensation as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act and determining our recommendations regarding the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation;

 

    reviewing and assessing the independence of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors as required by Section 10C of the Exchange Act;

 

    establishing elements of corporate performance for purposes of increasing or decreasing compensation;

 

    administering our equity incentive plans;

 

    establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements;

 

    reviewing regional and industry-wide compensation practices and trends to assess the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs and evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policy and strategy in achieving expected benefits to us;

 

    reviewing and approving the terms of any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change in control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers;

 

    reviewing the adequacy of its charter on a periodic basis;

 

    reviewing with management and approving our disclosures under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in our periodic reports or proxy statements to be filed with the SEC, if applicable;

 

    preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement; and

 

    reviewing and assessing on an annual basis the performance of the compensation committee.

Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market, the compensation committee will operate under a written charter, which the compensation committee will review and evaluate at least annually.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Mr. Bisgaard and             .             serves as the chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of this committee satisfies the Nasdaq Stock Market independence requirements. The functions of this committee include, among other things:

 

    identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve on our board of directors consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors;

 

    determining the minimum qualifications for service on our board of directors;

 

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    evaluating director performance on the board and applicable committees of the board and determining whether continued service on our board is appropriate;

 

    evaluating, nominating and recommending individuals for membership on our board of directors;

 

    evaluating nominations by stockholders of candidates for election to our board of directors;

 

    considering and assessing the independence of members of our board of directors;

 

    developing a set of corporate governance policies and principles, including a code of business conduct and ethics, periodically reviewing and assessing these policies and principles and their application and recommending to our board of directors any changes to such policies and principles;

 

    assist the chair of our board of directors or lead director in developing effective board of directors meeting practices and procedures;

 

    considering questions of possible conflicts of interest of directors as such questions arise;

 

    oversee and review the processes and procedures used by us to provide information to our board of directors and its committees;

 

    assist the members of our compensation committee, as requested, in determining the compensation paid to non-employee directors for their service on our board of directors and its committees and recommend any changes considered appropriate to our full board of directors for approval;

 

    periodically review with our Chief Executive Officer the plans for succession to the offices of our Chief Executive Officer and other key executive officers and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to the selection of appropriate individuals to succeed those positions;

 

    reviewing the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis; and

 

    annually evaluating the performance of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market, the nominating and corporate governance committee will operate under a written charter, which the nominating and corporate governance committee will review and evaluate at least annually.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

We have established a compensation committee which has and will make decisions relating to compensation of our executive officers. Our board of directors has appointed Mr. Bisgaard and             to serve on the compensation committee. None of these individuals has ever been an executive officer or employee of ours. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which will be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, limit our directors’ and officers’ liability to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware corporate law. Delaware corporate law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:

 

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

 

    for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares); or

 

    for any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders.

 

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If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of our directors or officers shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

Delaware law and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will, in certain situations, indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of that person’s former or present official capacity with us against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses. Any person is also entitled, subject to certain limitations, to payment or reimbursement of reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding.

In addition, we have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or executive officers or as a director or executive officer of any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

We believe that these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws and these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacities as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or control persons, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2013, which consist of our principal executive officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:

 

    Timothy B. Johnson, our President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

    John Lubniewski, our Chief Business Officer; and

 

    Vijay Modur, our former Chief Medical Officer.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and principal position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Option
Awards
($) (1)
     Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
($) (2)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

Timothy B. Johnson

     2013         350,000         36,907         87,500         624 (3)       475,122   

President and Chief Executive Officer

                

John L. Lubniewski

     2013         270,000         22,165         54,000         624 (3)       346,865   

Chief Business Officer

                

Vijay Modur (4)

     2013         272,000         21,220         40,800         624 (3)       334,721   

Chief Medical Officer (former)

                

 

(1) The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted in 2013. These amounts have been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see the notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2) Amounts shown represent annual performance-based bonuses earned for 2013. For more information, see below under “– Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity.”
(3) Amount shown represents premiums for life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance paid by us on behalf of the named executive officer.
(4) Dr. Modur resigned in June 2014.

Annual Base Salary

The base salary of our named executive officers is generally set forth in each officer’s letter agreement with us and periodically reviewed and adjusted as necessary by our board of directors, based on the recommendation of the compensation committee of our board of directors. The 2013 base salaries for our named executive officers, which were effective as of January 1, 2013, were $350,000, $270,000 and $272,000, for Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lubniewski and Dr. Modur, respectively. Mr. Lubniewski’s base salary was increased to $285,000 in March 2014.

Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity

In addition to base salaries, our named executive officers are eligible to receive annual performance-based cash bonuses, which are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals and to reward our executives for individual achievement towards these goals. The annual performance-based bonus each named executive officer is eligible to receive is generally based on the extent to which we achieve the corporate goals that our board of directors establishes each year. At the end of the year, our board of directors reviews our performance against each corporate goal and approves the extent to which we achieved each of our corporate goals.

 

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Our board of directors will generally consider each named executive officer’s individual contributions towards reaching our annual corporate goals but does not typically establish specific individual goals for our named executive officers. There is no minimum bonus percentage or amount established for the named executive officers and, as a result, the bonus amounts vary from year to year based on corporate and individual performance. For 2013, Mr. Johnson was eligible to receive a target bonus of up to 50% of his base salary pursuant to the terms of his employment letter agreement described below. For 2013, Mr. Lubniewski was eligible to receive a target bonus of up to 40% of his base salary pursuant to the terms of his employment letter agreement described below. For 2013, Dr. Modur was eligible to receive a target bonus of up to 30% of his base salary pursuant to the terms of his employment letter agreement described below.

The corporate goals established by our board of directors for 2013 were based on financial performance (revenues and operating loss), on a sliding scale, and the achievement of strategic milestones. The strategic milestones included HTG Edge placements, launching of new assays on our HTG Edge platform and finishing the year with a strong product opportunity pipeline. The financial goals were weighted at 65% and the strategic milestones were weighted 35% towards overall corporate goal achievement. There was no minimum percentage of corporate goals that must be achieved in order to earn a bonus. No specific individual goals were established for any of our named executive officers for 2013. Rather, the board of directors considered each named executive officer’s efforts towards and influence over our corporate goals in determining the amount of each named executive officer’s bonus.

In early 2014, our board of directors reviewed our 2013 corporate goals and determined that 50% of those goals had been achieved. Specifically, our board of directors determined that we achieved our operating loss goal but not our corporate revenue goal. Further, our board of directors determined that we achieved a portion of our strategic goals. The result was a combined achievement of 50% between financial and strategic goals. Accordingly, our board of directors awarded bonuses to each of our named executive officers equal to 50% of such officer’s target bonus percentage.

The target bonus amounts and the actual bonuses earned by our named executive officers in 2013 were as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer

   Target
Bonus
Amount
     Actual
Bonus
Amount
 

Timothy B. Johnson

   $ 175,000       $ 87,500   

John Lubniewski

     108,000         54,000   

Vijay Modur

     81,600         40,800   

Agreements with Named Executed Officers

We have entered into letter agreements with each of our named executive officers. The letter agreements generally provide for at-will employment and set forth the named executive officer’s initial base salary, eligibility for employee benefits, in some cases, and severance benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment. In addition, each of our named executive officers has executed a form of our standard confidential information and invention assignment agreement. The key terms of the letter agreements with our named executive officers are described below. Any potential payments and benefits due upon a qualifying termination of employment or a change in control are further described below under “– Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Employment Letter Agreement with Mr. Johnson. We entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Johnson, dated January 14, 2008, under which Mr. Johnson serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement sets forth certain agreed upon terms and conditions of employment. Pursuant to the offer letter, Mr. Johnson is entitled to an annual base salary of $280,000, subject to periodic review and increase, and an annual target bonus of up to 50% of his annual base salary. Mr. Johnson’s current annual base salary is $350,000.

 

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Employment Letter Agreement Mr. Lubniewski. We entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Lubniewski, dated April 21, 2011, under which Mr. Lubniewski serves as our Chief Business Officer. The agreement provides for “at-will” employment and sets forth certain agreed upon terms and conditions of employment, including that Mr. Lubniewski is entitled to an annual base salary of $265,000 and an annual target bonus of up to 40% of his base salary. Mr. Lubniewski’s current annual base salary is $285,000.

Employment Letter Agreement with Dr. Modur. We entered into a letter agreement with Dr. Modur, dated August 7, 2012, under which Dr. Modur served as our Chief Medical Officer. The agreement provided for “at-will” employment and sets forth certain agreed upon terms and conditions of employment, including that Dr. Modur was entitled to an annual base salary of $272,000 and an annual target bonus of up to 30% of his base salary on a prorated basis for partial years. Dr. Modur resigned in June 2014.

Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change of Control

Pursuant to Mr. Johnson’s offer letter, dated January 14, 2008, if Mr. Johnson’s employment is terminated by our board of directors for reasons other than gross misconduct or negligence, he is eligible to receive salary continuation equal to one year base salary, payable in 12 monthly installments.

Mr. Lubniewski and Dr. Modur are not entitled to any special payments or benefits upon a termination or change of control under the terms of their letter agreements with us.

Each of our named executive officers holds stock options under our equity incentive plans that were granted subject to our form of stock option agreements. A description of the termination and change of control provisions in such equity incentive plans and stock options granted thereunder is provided below under “– Equity Benefit Plans” and the specific vesting terms of each named executive officer’s stock options are described below under “– Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table presents information concerning equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2013, all of which were granted under the 2001 plan or the 2011 plan.

 

Name         

Grant Date/
Vesting

Commencement

Date

     Option Awards
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#)
    

Option

Expiration

Date

 
            Exercisable      Unexercisable      Exercise
Price
    

Timothy B. Johnson

     (1 )       1/16/2008         2,690,000         —         $ 0.06         1/16/2018   
     (1 )       10/23/2008         1,547,275         —           0.06         10/23/2018   
     (1 )       3/01/2009         500,000         —           0.04         3/01/2019   
     (1 )       3/01/2010         750,000         —           0.04         3/01/2020   
     (2 )       4/13/2010         67,968         4,532         0.04         4/13/2020   
     (2 )       10/21/2010         50,781         11,719         0.04         10/21/2020   
     (2 )       1/20/2011         54,375         18,125         0.04         1/20/2021   
     (2 )       4/26/2011         2,200,000         1,000,000         0.02         4/26/2021   
     (2 )       2/01/2013         492,085         1,476,258         0.02         2/01/2023   
     (2 )       8/06/2013         125,000         875,000         0.02         8/06/2023   

John Lubniewski

     (2 )       4/26/2011         962,500         437,500         0.02         4/26/2021   
     (2 )       3/08/2012         150,000         150,000         0.02         3/08/2022   
     (2 )       2/01/2013         94,049         282,147         0.02         2/01/2023   
     (2 )       8/06/2013         175,000         1,225,000         0.02         8/06/2023   

Vijay Modur (3)

     (2 )       10/03/2012         337,500         562,500         0.02         10/03/2022   
     (2 )       2/01/2013         49,790         149,372         0.02         2/01/2023   
     (2 )       8/06/2013         187,500         1,312,500         0.02         8/06/2023   

 

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(1) Fully vested.
(2) Options vest over four years as follows: 1/16 of the outstanding shares vest at the end of each calendar quarter over a period of approximately four years, subject to the individual’s continued service with us through each vesting date.
(3) Dr. Modur resigned in June 2014, at which time all unvested options were forfeited and returned to the 2011 plan. Following his resignation, Dr. Modur purchased an aggregate of 1,045,001 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of his vested stock options, each at a cash exercise price of $0.02 per share.

Equity Benefit Plans

2014 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors adopted the 2014 plan in December 2014 and our stockholders approved the 2014 plan in                 2014. No grants may be made under the 2014 plan until it becomes effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement related to this offering. Once the 2014 plan is effective, no further grants will be made under the 2011 plan.

Stock Awards . The 2014 plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs, nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance-based stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation, or collectively, stock awards, all of which may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of us and our affiliates. Additionally, the 2014 plan provides for the grant of performance cash awards. ISOs may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee directors and consultants.

Share Reserve . Initially, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock awards under the 2014 plan after the 2014 plan becomes effective is the sum of (1)             shares, plus (2) the number of shares (not to exceed             shares) (i) reserved for issuance under our 2011 plan at the time our 2014 plan becomes effective, and (ii) any shares subject to outstanding stock options or other stock awards that were granted under our 2011 plan or 2001 plan that, on or after the effective date of our 2014 plan, are forfeited, terminate, expire or are otherwise not issued. Additionally, the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2014 plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2016 (assuming the 2014 plan becomes effective before such date) and continuing through and including January 1, 2024, by     % of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs under our 2014 plan is             shares.

No person may be granted stock awards covering more than             shares of our common stock under our 2014 plan during any calendar year pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights and other stock awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value on the date the stock award is granted. Additionally, no person may be granted in a calendar year a performance stock award covering more than             shares of our common stock or a performance cash award having a maximum value in excess of $                . Such limitations are designed to help assure that any deductions to which we would otherwise be entitled with respect to such awards will not be subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to any covered executive officer imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.

If a stock award granted under the 2014 plan expires or otherwise terminates without being exercised in full, or is settled in cash, the shares of our common stock not acquired pursuant to the stock award again will become available for subsequent issuance under the 2014 plan. In addition, the following types of shares of our common stock under the 2014 plan may become available for the grant of new stock awards under the 2014 plan: (1) shares that are forfeited to or repurchased by us prior to becoming fully vested; (2) shares withheld to satisfy income or employment withholding taxes; or (3) shares used to pay the exercise or purchase price of a stock

 

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award. Shares issued under the 2014 plan may be previously unissued shares or reacquired shares bought by us on the open market. As of the date hereof, no awards have been granted and no shares of our common stock have been issued under the 2014 plan.

Administration . Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2014 plan. Our board of directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than other officers) to be recipients of certain stock awards, and (2) determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to such stock awards. Subject to the terms of the 2014 plan, our board of directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.

The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2014 plan. Subject to the terms of our 2014 plan, the plan administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

Stock Options . ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2014 plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2014 plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2014 plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, and (5) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. An optionholder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the option following the optionholder’s death.

Tax Limitations On Incentive Stock Options . The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.

 

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Restricted Stock Awards . Restricted stock awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted stock awards may be granted in consideration for (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) services rendered to us or our affiliates, or (3) any other form of legal consideration. Common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in our favor in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the plan administrator. A restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as set by the plan administrator. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock awards that have not vested may be forfeited or repurchased by us upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards . Restricted stock unit awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator, or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.

Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, we will pay the participant an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the per share fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the strike price, multiplied by (2) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2014 plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the 2014 plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of a participant’s stock appreciation right agreement provides otherwise, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The stock appreciation right term may be further extended in the event that exercise of the stock appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If a participant’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, stock appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Performance Awards . The 2014 plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards that may qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to a covered executive officer imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. To help assure that the compensation attributable to performance-based awards will so qualify, our compensation committee can structure such awards so that stock or cash will be issued or paid pursuant to such award only after the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period.

The performance goals that may be selected include one or more of the following: (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and legal settlements; (5) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements and other income (expense); (6) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income

 

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(expense) and stock-based compensation; (7) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense), stock-based compensation and changes in deferred revenue; (8) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense), stock-based compensation, other non-cash expenses and changes in deferred revenue; (9) total stockholder return; (10) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (11) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (12) stock price; (13) margin (including gross margin); (14) income (before or after taxes); (15) operating income; (16) operating income after taxes; (17) pre-tax profit; (18) operating cash flow; (19) sales or revenue targets; (20) increases in revenue or product revenue; (21) expenses and cost reduction goals; (22) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (23) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (24) market share; (25) cash flow; (26) cash flow per share; (27) cash balance; (28) cash burn; (29) cash collections; (30) share price performance; (31) debt reduction; (32) implementation or completion of projects or processes (including, without limitation, clinical trial initiation, clinical trial enrollment and dates, clinical trial results, regulatory filing submissions, regulatory filing acceptances, regulatory or advisory committee interactions, regulatory approvals, and product supply); (33) stockholders’ equity; (34) capital expenditures; (35) debt levels; (36) operating profit or net operating profit; (37) workforce diversity; (38) growth of net income or operating income; (39) billings; (40) bookings; (41) employee retention; (42) initiation of studies by specific dates; (43) budget management; (44) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including, but not limited to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing or a product; (45) regulatory milestones; (46) progress of internal research or development programs; (47) acquisition of new customers; (48) customer retention and/or repeat order rate; (49) improvements in sample and test processing times; (50) progress of partnered programs; (51) partner satisfaction; (52) timely completion of clinical trials; (53) submission of 510(k)s or pre-market approvals and other regulatory achievements; (54) milestones related to samples received and/or tests or panels run; (55) expansion of sales in additional geographies or markets; (56) research progress, including the development of programs; (57) strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); and (58) to the extent that an award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by our board of directors.

The performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise (i) in the award agreement at the time the award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the performance goals at the time the goals are established, we will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of any “extraordinary items” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by us achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock-based compensation and the award of bonuses under our bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles; (12) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and (13) to exclude the effects of the timing of acceptance for review and/or approval of submissions to the FDA or any other regulatory body. In addition, we retain the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of the performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria we select to use for such performance period. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award.

 

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Other Stock Awards . The plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The plan administrator will set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.

Changes to Capital Structure . In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (3) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs, (4) the class and maximum number of shares subject to stock awards that can be granted in a calendar year (as established under the 2014 plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code) and (5) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions . In the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following actions with respect to stock awards:

 

    arrange for the assumption, continuation or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring entity or parent company;

 

    arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to the surviving or acquiring entity or parent company;

 

    accelerate the vesting of the stock award and provide for its termination at or prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction;

 

    arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase right held by us;

 

    cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as our board of directors may deem appropriate; or

 

    make a payment equal to the excess of (1) the value of the property the participant would have received upon exercise of the stock award over (2) the exercise price otherwise payable in connection with the stock award.

Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner.

Under the 2014 plan, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of (1) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Change of Control . The plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change of control. For example, certain of our employees may receive an award agreement that provides for vesting acceleration upon the individual’s termination without cause or resignation for good reason (including a material reduction in the individual’s base salary, duties, responsibilities or authority, or a material relocation of the individual’s principal place of employment with us) in connection with a change of control. Under the 2014 plan, a change of control is generally (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (2) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity; (3) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our assets; or (4) our stockholders approve a plan of our complete dissolution or liquidation or our complete dissolution or liquidation otherwise occurs.

 

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Amendment and Termination . Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2014 plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopted our 2014 plan.

2011 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors and our stockholders approved our 2011 plan in March 2011. The 2011 plan was subsequently amended by our board of directors and our stockholders, most recently in February 2014. The 2011 plan is the successor to and continuation of our 2001 plan. As of September 30, 2014, there were 7,111,785 shares remaining available for the grant of stock awards under our 2011 plan and there were outstanding options covering a total of 48,292,277 shares that were granted under our 2011 plan.

After the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement relating to this offering, no additional awards will be granted under the 2011 plan, and all outstanding awards granted under the 2011 plan that are repurchased, forfeited, expire or are cancelled will become available for grant under the 2014 plan in accordance with its terms.

Stock Awards . The 2011 plan provides for the grant of ISO, NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and other forms of stock awards, or collectively, stock awards, all of which may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of us and our affiliates. ISOs may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee directors and consultants.

Share Reserve . The aggregate number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to stock awards under the 2011 plan is 68,115,852 shares, which includes shares underlying outstanding options granted under our 2001 plan that are forfeited, terminated, expire or otherwise not issued and become available for grant under the 2001 plan. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs under our 2011 plan is 136,231,704 shares.

If a stock award granted under the 2011 plan expires or otherwise terminates without being exercised in full, or is settled in cash, the shares of our common stock not acquired pursuant to the stock award again will become available for subsequent issuance under the 2011 plan. In addition, the following types of shares under the 2011 plan may become available for the grant of new stock awards under the 2011 plan: (1) shares that are forfeited to or repurchased by us prior to becoming fully vested; (2) shares withheld to satisfy income or employment withholding taxes; or (3) shares used to pay the exercise or purchase price of a stock award. Shares issued under the 2011 plan may be previously unissued shares or reacquired shares bought by us on the open market.

Administration . Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2011 plan. Our board of directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than other officers) to be recipients of certain stock awards, and (2) determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to such stock awards. Subject to the terms of the 2011 plan, our board of directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.

The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2011 plan. Subject to the terms of our 2011 plan, the plan administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

 

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Stock Options . ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2011 plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2011 plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2012 plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and included in the option agreement and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, (5) a deferred payment or similar arrangement subject to certain conditions and (6) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. An optionholder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the option following the optionholder’s death.

Tax Limitations On Incentive Stock Options . The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

Changes to Capital Structure . In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (a) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2011 plan, (b) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs and (c) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions . Unless otherwise provided in a stock award agreement or other written agreement between us and a participant, in the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following actions with respect to stock awards:

 

    arrange for the assumption, continuation or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring entity or parent company;

 

    arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to the surviving or acquiring entity or parent company;

 

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    accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the stock award and provide for its termination prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction;

 

    arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase right held by us;

 

    cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as our board of directors may deem appropriate; or

 

    make a payment equal to the excess of (a) the value of the property the participant would have received upon exercise of the stock award over (b) the exercise price otherwise payable in connection with the stock award.

Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner.

Under the 2011 plan, a corporate transaction is generally defined as the consummation of (1) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Change of Control . The plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change of control. Under the 2011 plan, a change of control is generally defined as (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction, (2) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity, (3) approval by the stockholders or our board of directors of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of us or our complete dissolution or liquidation occurs or (4) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our assets.

Certain options granted under the 2011 plan, including the options held by our named executive officers, provide that if immediately prior to a change of control the participant’s service with the Company has not terminated, the option will accelerate vesting with respect to 25% of the then-unvested portion of the option; if the option continues, the remaining 75% of the unvested option will continue to vest on the option’s original schedule prior to the change of control and will accelerate vesting in full in the event that the participant’s continuous service is terminated without cause or by the participant for good reason within the 12 months following the change of control. “Good reason” for purposes of this “double-trigger” provision is generally defined as (1) an assignment of duties or responsibilities to the participant that results in a material diminution of the participant’s function; (2) a material reduction in the participant’s annual base salary; (3) failure to continue the participant’s benefit plans or programs, any action that would adversely affect the participant’s participation in any benefit plan, reduce the participant’s benefits under any benefit plan or deprive the participant of any fringe benefit; or (4) a relocation of the participant’s business office more than 50 miles.

Amendment and Termination . The 2011 plan will terminate by its terms in March 2021. However, our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2011 plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent.

2001 Stock Option Plan

Our board of directors and our stockholders approved our 2001 plan, which became effective in February 2001. The 2001 plan terminated and no further awards were granted under the 2001 plan upon the effective date of the 2011 plan. As of September 30, 2014, there were outstanding stock options under our 2001 plan covering a total of 9,959,861 shares of our common stock.

 

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Stock awards . The 2001 plan provides for the grant of ISOs and NSOs, or collectively, “stock options.” NSOs may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of us and our affiliates. ISOs may be granted only to employees.

Share Reserve . Shares are no longer available for the grant of stock options under our 2001 plan. However, if a stock option granted under the 2001 plan expires or otherwise terminates without being exercised in full, the shares of our common stock not acquired pursuant to the stock option again will become available for subsequent issuance under the 2011 plan or, upon and after its effectiveness, under the 2014 plan in accordance with its terms.

Administration . Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2001 plan. Subject to the terms of the 2001 plan, our board of directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock options to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock options, including the period of their exercisability and their vesting schedule. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price of stock options granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award. In addition, the plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding stock option award under our 2001 plan.

Stock Options . ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2001 plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2001 plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2001 plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than by action of the Company or an affiliate, retirement, disability or death, the optionholder may generally not exercise any options as of the date of termination. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates terminates by action of our Company or one of our affiliates, due to the optionholder’s retirement under a company retirement plan maintained by our Company or one of our affiliates, or the optionholder’s disability, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash or check, (2) by the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder and (3) if approved by us, certain types of deferred payment.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution.

Tax Limitations On Incentive Stock Options . The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.

 

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Changes to Capital Structure . In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 plan and (2) the class and number of shares and exercise price of all outstanding stock options.

Acceleration of Exercisability of Options Upon Occurrence of Certain Events . Upon dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or upon a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company as a result of which the outstanding Company stock is changed into or exchanged for property (including cash), rights or securities not of the Company’s issue, or any combination thereof, or upon a sale of substantially all of the property or assets of the Company to, or the acquisition of stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the stock of the Company then outstanding by another corporation or person (any of such events are referred to in this section as a “corporate transaction”), the options granted under the Plan shall terminate, unless provision is made in writing in connection with such corporate transaction for the continuation of or exchange of options granted under the plan for options issued by the surviving corporation or another corporation. If options granted under the plan are to terminate in a corporate transaction, optionees will have the right, prior to the consummation of such corporate transaction, to exercise the unexercised portions of the options which would not yet be exercisable.

Certain options granted under the 2001 plan held by Mr. Johnson provided that upon a corporate transaction, the option will terminate and the optionee will have the right, at such time prior to the consummation of such corporate transaction, to exercise the unvested portion of the option which would not yet otherwise be exercisable.

2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Our board of directors adopted the ESPP in                 2014 and our stockholders approved the ESPP in                 2014. The ESPP will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement related to this offering. The purpose of the ESPP is to retain the services of new employees and secure the services of new and existing employees while providing incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates.

Share Reserve. Following this offering, the ESPP authorizes the issuance of             shares of our common stock pursuant to purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year, from January 1, 2016 (assuming the ESPP becomes effective prior to such date) through January 1, 2024 by the least of (1) 1% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, (2)             shares, or (3) a number determined by our board of directors that is less than (1) and (2). The ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. As of the date hereof, no shares of our common stock have been purchased under the ESPP.

Administration. Our board of directors has delegated its authority to administer the ESPP to our compensation committee. The ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Under the ESPP, we may specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more purchase dates on which shares of our common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. An offering may be terminated under certain circumstances.

Payroll Deductions. Generally, all regular employees, including executive officers, employed by us or by any of our designated affiliates, may participate in the ESPP and may contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to 15% of their earnings for the purchase of our common stock under the ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, common stock will be purchased for accounts of employees participating in the ESPP at a

 

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price per share equal to the lower of (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first date of an offering or (2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase.

Limitations. Employees may have to satisfy one or more of the following service requirements before participating in the ESPP, as determined by our board of directors: (1) customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week, (2) customarily employed for more than five months per calendar year or (3) continuous employment with us or one of our affiliates for a period of time (not to exceed two years). No employee may purchase shares under the ESPP at a rate in excess of $25,000 worth of our common stock based on the fair market value per share of our common stock at the beginning of an offering for each year such a purchase right is outstanding. Finally, no employee will be eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the ESPP if immediately after such rights are granted, such employee has voting power over 5% or more of our outstanding capital stock measured by vote or value pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there occurs a change in our capital structure through such actions as a stock split, merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or similar transaction, the board of directors will make appropriate adjustments to (1) the number of shares reserved under the ESPP, (2) the maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year and (3) the number of shares and purchase price of all outstanding purchase rights.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain significant corporate transactions, including the consummation of: (1) a sale of all our assets, (2) the sale or disposition of 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction and (4) a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, any then-outstanding rights to purchase our stock under the ESPP may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue or substitute for such purchase rights, then the participants’ accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our common stock within ten business days prior to such corporate transaction, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately.

Plan Amendments, Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate our ESPP, provided that except in certain circumstances any such amendment or termination may not materially impair any outstanding purchase rights without the holder’s consent. We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to our ESPP as required by applicable law or listing requirements.

Employee Retention Plan

In October 2012, we adopted an Employee Retention Plan, which was amended in February 2014. The Employee Retention Plan provides for bonuses to select participants, including our named executive officers, upon certain change in control transactions. Participants in the Employee Retention Plan are selected by the board of directors. A participant must continue to be employed by us through a change in control transaction in order to receive a bonus. The total amount of bonuses paid under the Employee Retention Plan will equal 15% of the total consideration received in a corporate transaction less certain obligations as stated in the agreement. Participants will receive proportionate share of the amounts paid based on an allocation approved by the board of directors. The Employee Retention Plan will terminate by its terms upon the closing of this offering.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a tax-qualified retirement plan that provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax advantaged basis. All participants’ interests in their deferrals are 100% vested when contributed. In 2013, we made no matching contributions into the 401(k) plan. Pre-tax contributions are allocated to each

 

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participant’s individual account and are then invested in selected investment alternatives according to the participants’ directions. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, contributions to the 401(k) plan and earnings on those contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed from the 401(k) plan, and all contributions are deductible by us when made.

Director Compensation

We did not pay cash or equity compensation to any of our non-employee directors in 2013 for service on our board of directors.

In March 2014, we granted Mr. Weersing an option to purchase 350,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share. The shares subject to the option will vest in eight equal quarterly installments, with the first installment vesting on March 31, 2014, subject to his continued service with us through each vesting date.

Mr. Shuster joined our board of directors in March 2014 and in connection with his appointment was granted an option to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share. In May 2014, as compensation for Mr. Shuster’s service as the chairman of our audit committee, Mr. Shuster was granted an additional option to purchase 750,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share. Each of the options will vest in eight equal quarterly installments, with the first installment vesting on March 31, 2014, subject to his continued service with us through each vesting date. In addition, in May 2014, our board of directors approved annual cash compensation of $25,000 for Mr. Shuster’s service as the Chairman of our audit committee.

We have reimbursed and will continue to reimburse all of our non-employee directors for their travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors and committees of our board of directors, and will pay for the travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred by our employee directors to attend meetings of our board of directors and, as applicable, committees of our board of directors.

Our board of directors approved a new compensation policy in September 2014 that will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement related to this offering and will be applicable to all of our non-employee directors. This compensation policy provides that each such non-employee director will receive the following compensation for service on our board of directors:

 

    an annual cash retainer of $35,000;

 

    an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000 for service as chairman of our board of directors;

 

    an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 for service as chairman of our audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee, respectively;

 

    an automatic annual option grant to purchase             shares of our common stock for each non-employee director serving on the board of directors on the date of each annual stockholder meeting following this offering, in each case vesting monthly in equal installments over a one-year period such that the stock option is fully vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant; and

 

    upon first joining our board of directors following this offering an automatic initial option grant to purchase             shares of our common stock on the date of grant. One-third of the shares will vest twelve months after the date of grant and the remaining shares will vest monthly in equal installments over a two-year period thereafter such that the stock option is fully vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant. A director who, in the one year prior to his or her initial election to serve on the board of directors as a non-employee director, served as an employee of the company will not be eligible for an initial grant.

 

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Each of the option grants described above will vest and become exercisable subject to the director’s continuous service with us through each applicable vesting date, provided that each option will vest in full upon a change of control, as defined under our 2014 plan. The options will be granted under our 2014 plan, the terms of which are described in more detail above under “– Equity Benefit Plans – 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.”

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2011 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements, which are described under “Executive and Director Compensation.”

Prior Convertible Note Financing

Prior to January 1, 2011, we issued and sold convertible promissory notes to investors, including beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, and certain of our current or former executive officers and directors or entities affiliated with such individuals. The notes carried interest at 8.0% per annum. In February 2011, in connection with our Series D preferred stock financing described below, all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under these notes were cancelled and converted into shares of our Series D preferred stock at a conversion price of $0.2189 per share. Below is a summary of certain information relating to such notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Principal amount of promissory notes issued

   $ 1,738,500   

Largest aggregate principal amount outstanding

     1,738,500   

Aggregate interest expense accrued on notes payable

     77,351   

Principal and interest repaid

     —    

Principal and interest converted to equity

     1,815,851   

The holders of these convertible notes included the following related parties:

 

Related Party

   Aggregate Principal
Amount of Notes Converted
 

Merck Capital Ventures, LLC (1)

   $ 500,000   

Valley Ventures (2)

   $ 300,000   

Weersing Family Trust (3)

   $ 200,000   

Solstice Capital (4)

   $ 300,000   

Timothy B. Johnson (5)

   $ 25,000   

Investors affiliated with Bruce Seligmann (6)

   $ 75,000   

Kirk Collamer (7)

   $ 25,000   

 

(1) Affiliated with Larry Senour, a director.
(2) Affiliated with Jock Holliman, a former director.
(3) Affiliated with James R. Weersing, a director.
(4) Affiliated with Harry A. George, a director.
(5) Mr. Johnson is our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director.
(6) Mr. Seligmann is a former director.
(7) Mr. Collamer is our former Chief Financial Officer.

Preferred Stock and Warrant Financings

From February 18, 2011 through May 29, 2013, we issued and sold to investors across multiple closings an aggregate of 143,737,467 shares of our Series D preferred stock at a purchase price of $0.2189 per share, for aggregate consideration of $31.5 million. Of this amount, $1.8 million was paid for by cancellation of indebtedness under previously issued convertible promissory notes and the balance was paid for in cash. In connection with the financing, warrants previously issued to investors in our convertible note financing described above were converted into warrants to purchase shares of our Series D preferred stock.

 

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From February 4, 2014 through March 31, 2014, we issued and sold to investors in two closings an aggregate of 34,453,538 shares of our Series E preferred stock at a purchase price of $0.2189 per share, for aggregate consideration of $7.5 million. We also issued to investors in our Series E preferred stock financing warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 11,484,503 shares of our Series E preferred stock at an issue price of $0.0001 per share underlying the warrants, for aggregate consideration of $1,148. The Series E warrants were exercisable for $0.001 per share and were each exercised immediately upon issuance for an aggregate cash purchase price of $11,484.

The participants in these preferred stock financings included the following executive officers, directors and holders of more than 5% of our capital stock:

 

Participants

   Series D Preferred
Stock Warrants
     Series D
Preferred Stock
     Series E
Preferred Stock (1)
 

Executive Officers and Directors

        

Timothy B. Johnson

     11,420         233,495         60,910   

John L. Lubniewski

     —          228,414         76,138   

Debra A. Gordon

     —          25,124         7,646   

Shaun D. McMeans

     —          114,207         152,276   

James R. Weersing (2)

     91,365         1,867,969         609,106   

5% or Greater Stockholders

        

Novo A/S

     —          50,251,254         15,227,653   

S.R. One, Limited

     —          36,546,366         15,227,653   

Merck Capital Ventures, LLC

     228,414         20,658,958         7,613,826   

Entities affiliated with Fletcher Spaght Associates

     —          26,496,116         6,091,062   

Solstice Capital

     137,048         1,888,295         —    

Entities affiliated with Valley Ventures

     137,048         2,345,124         —    

 

(1) Includes the shares of Series E preferred stock issued to the participant upon exercise of the Series E preferred stock warrants issued in the financing.
(2) Mr. Weersing participated in the financings through his affiliated family trust.

Certain of our directors have affiliations with the investors that participated in the preferred stock financings described above, as indicated in the table below:

 

Director

   Principal Stockholder

Peter T. Bisgaard

   Novo A/S

Simeon J. George, M.D.

   S.R. One, Limited

Molly Hoult

   Fletcher Spaght Associates

Larry Senour

   Merck Capital Ventures, LLC

Harry A. George

   Solstice Capital

Convertible Note and Warrant Financings

In December 2014, we entered into two separate note and warrant purchase agreements, or collectively, the 2014 note purchase agreements, with certain of our existing investors, including beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock and certain entities affiliated with members of our board of directors. The first note and warrant purchase agreement, or the first note purchase agreement, provides for the sale and issuance by us of up to an aggregate of $7.3 million in principal amount of convertible notes in a series of closings, each of which must be approved by the unanimous vote or written consent of those members of our board of directors who are not an affiliate of any of the investors under such agreement. The second note and warrant purchase agreement, or the second note purchase agreement, provides for the sale and issuance by us of up to an aggregate of $6.2 million in principal amount of convertible notes in a series of closings, each of which must be approved by (i) our board of directors, including a majority of the directors elected by the holders of our Series E preferred stock, and (ii) investors whose purchase amount for such closing equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate

 

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principal amount of notes to be sold at such closing. The purchase and sale of notes under the 2014 note purchase agreements are subject to certain closing conditions, which include the absence of default under our Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank. These closing conditions must be met at the time of each closing. If issued, notes issued under the 2014 note purchase agreements would accrue interest at a rate of 8% per annum, compounded annually, and become due and payable on March 31, 2016, subject to their earlier conversion in the event we complete an initial public offering in which we receive gross offering proceeds of at least $20.0 million from the sale of shares to investors who are not holders of our securities, or a qualified initial public offering, or a private placement of our preferred stock (whether in one single transaction or several tranches) resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of at least $20.0 million from sales of securities to investors who are not holders of our securities, or a qualified private placement of our equity securities. The number of shares into which the notes may be converted, common shares in the case of a qualified initial public offering or preferred shares in the case of a qualified private placement, is equal to the outstanding principal and accrued interest divided by the price per share paid by investors purchasing such newly issued equity securities. To date, we have not sold or issued any convertible notes under either of the 2014 note purchase agreements. Certain provisions of the first note purchase agreement terminate (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) immediately prior to the earlier to occur of the closing of (i) a qualified initial public offering or (ii) a qualified private placement and certain provisions of the second note purchase agreement terminate (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) immediately prior to the earlier to occur of (x) the time at which a registration statement covering a public offering of our securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, becomes effective or (y) the initial closing of a qualified private placement. We expect that such provisions of the 2014 note purchase agreements (including the investors’ obligations to purchase notes thereunder) will be terminated in connection with this offering.

In connection with the execution of the 2014 note purchase agreements, we agreed to issue warrants, or the 2014 warrants, which are initially exercisable for an aggregate of 9,321,176 shares of our Series E preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. In the event of a qualified initial public offering or qualified private placement, the 2014 warrants will become exercisable for the same class and series of our capital stock issued in such financing and the exercise price per share will be the price per share received in such qualified initial public offering or qualified private placement. The 2014 warrants provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holder, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the 2014 warrants in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications and reorganizations or the like. In connection with the closing of this offering (assuming this offering constitutes a qualified initial public offering), the 2014 warrants, to the extent not previously exercised, will become exercisable for an aggregate of                  shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $            per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). The 2014 warrants will expire in December 2021.

The participants in these convertible note and warrant financings included the following director and holders of more than 5% of our capital stock:

 

Participants

   Shares of
Series E
Preferred Stock
Underlying
2014 Warrants
 

Directors

  

James R. Weersing (1)

     51,126   

5% or Greater Stockholders

  

Novo A/S

     3,184,170   

S.R. One, Limited

     2,784,593   

Merck Capital Ventures, LLC

     1,818,681   

Entities affiliated with Fletcher Spaght Associates

     1,358,988   

 

(1) Mr. Weersing participated through his affiliated family trust.

 

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Participation in this Offering

Entities affiliated with certain of our existing stockholders and directors have indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of approximately $         million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering.

Investor Rights Agreement

In connection with our preferred stock financings, we entered into an Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement containing registration rights, information rights, voting rights and rights of first refusal, among other things, with certain holders of our convertible preferred stock and certain holders of our common stock. In connection with this offering, we have entered into a further Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement with these holders which will become effective concurrently with the closing of this offering, and which will eliminate all of the rights and obligations provided in the current Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, except for the registration rights granted under the new agreement, as more fully described below in “Description of Capital Stock – Registration Rights.”

Employment Arrangements

We currently have written employment agreements with our executive officers. For information about our employment agreements with our named executive officers, refer to “Executive and Director Compensation – Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.”

Stock Options Granted to Executive Officers and Directors

We have granted stock options to our executive officers and directors, as more fully described in “Executive and Director Compensation – Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.”

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into, and intend to continue to enter into, separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or executive officers or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. A stockholder’s investment may be harmed to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Management Rights Agreements

We entered into separate, but substantially similar, Management Rights Agreements with Novo A/S and S.R. One Limited in June 2011. These agreements provided the named preferred shareholders with, among other

 

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things, the right to consult with and advise our management on significant business issues. These agreements will terminate upon closing of this offering.

Other Arrangements

In February 2011, in connection with the investment by Merck Capital Ventures LLC in our Series D preferred stock, we granted to Merck a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicenseable (except to certain affiliates) license, to certain of our qNPA patent rights solely for internal research and development purposes.

In June 2012, we entered into a Non-exclusive License Agreement with Merck, an affiliate of Merck Capital Ventures LLC, which grants us a non-exclusive license to a worldwide portfolio of patents and patent applications directed to Diagnosis and Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients ( e.g ., claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Nos. 60/298918 and/or 60/380710) in the fields of research, diagnosis, prognosis and/or prediction of therapeutic outcome or risk for humans or animals in the area of oncology.

Beginning mid-year 2013, we periodically engage Fletcher Spaght, Inc., or FSI, to conduct various market research studies for us. In 2013, we paid FSI $31,420 for one market research study and, between January 1 and September 8, 2014, have paid FSI $50,250 for two further market research studies.

Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

We have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-person transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related person” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A “related person” is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.

Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our audit committee (or, where review by our audit committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our board of directors) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our audit committee or other independent body of our board of directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

 

    the risks, costs and benefits to us;

 

    the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;

 

    the terms of the transaction;

 

    the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and

 

    the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally.

In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our capital stock by:

 

    each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;

 

    each of our directors;

 

    each of our named executive officers; and

 

    all of our current executive officers and directors as a group.

The percentage ownership information under the column entitled “Before offering” is based on 264,116,246 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, assuming conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into 252,706,466 shares of common stock. The percentage ownership information under the column entitled “After offering” includes shares of common stock issuable as dividends upon conversion of the                 shares of Series D preferred stock and Series E preferred stock held by Novo A/S, S.R. One, Limited, Merck Capital Ventures, LLC, entities affiliated with Fletcher Spaght Ventures, Timothy Johnson, Shaun McMeans, Debra Gordon, James Weersing, and John Lubniewski, assuming an issuance date of                     , 2015 (the expected closing date of this offering) and the sale of shares of common stock in this offering.

Entities affiliated with certain of our existing stockholders and directors have indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of approximately $         million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering. The information set forth below does not reflect any potential purchases by these potential investors. The information set forth below also does not include any shares issuable upon exercise of warrants issued or to be issued subsequent to September 30, 2014.

Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock. We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options or warrants that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable on or before November 29, 2014, which is 60 days after September 30, 2014. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

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Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, Arizona 85706.

 

Name and address of beneficial owner

   Number of shares
beneficially owned
     Percentage of shares
beneficially owned
   Before offering      After offering      Before offering     After offering

Greater than 5% stockholders

          

Novo A/S (1)

     65,478,907            24.8  

Turborg Havnevej 19

DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark

          

S.R. One Limited (2)

     51,774,019            19.6  

161 Washington Street, Suite 500

Comshocken, PA 19428-2077

          

Merck Capital Ventures, LLC (3)

     51,678,379            19.5  

One Merck Drive

P.O. Box 1000

Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-0100

          

Entities affiliated with Fletcher Spaght Ventures (4)

     32,587,178            12.3  

222 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116

          

Entities affiliated with Solstice Capital (5)

     16,187,096            6.1  

15 Broad Street, 3 rd Floor

Boston, MA 02109

          

Entities affiliated with Valley Ventures (6)

     14,879,741            5.6  

P.O. Box 62798

Phoenix, AZ 85082

          

Directors and named executive officers

          

Timothy B. Johnson (7)

     11,065,255            4.0  

John Lubniewski (8)

     2,938,307            1.1  

Vijay Modur (9)

     1,045,001         1,045,001         *     

Peter T. Bisgaard (10)

     —          —          *     

Harry A George (11)

     16,187,096            6.1  

Simeon J. George (12)

     —          —          *     

Mary Hoult (13)

     —          —          *     

Larry Senour (14)

     51,678,379            19.5  

James R. Weersing (15)

     3,125,440            1.2  

Lewis J. Shuster (16)

     312,500         312,500         *     

All current executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons) (17)

     88,028,561            31.2  

 

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
(1) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of 65,478,907 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015. The board of directors of Novo A/S, a Danish limited liability company consists of Sten Scheibye, Göran Ando, Jeppe Christiansen, Steen Riisgaard and Per Wold-Olsen, who have shared investment and voting control with respect to the shares held by Novo A/S and may exercise such control only with the support of a majority of the members of the Novo A/S board of directors. No individual member of the Novo A/S board of directors is deemed to hold any beneficial ownership or reportable pecuniary interest in the shares held by Novo A/S.
(2)

The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of 51,774,019 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion convertible preferred stock. The number of shares beneficially owned after

 

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  this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015. Voting and/or dispositive powers with respect to shares held in the name of S.R. One Limited are exercised by S.R. One Limited through a collective vote of S.R. One Limited’s principals, on a majority vote basis. The current roster of S.R. One Limited principals may be found at http://www.srone.com/Team.aspx.
(3) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of 51,449,965 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock and (b) 228,414 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants within 60 days following September 30, 2014. Shares beneficially owned after the offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.
(4) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of (a) 20,663,919 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock held by Fletcher Spaght Ventures II, L.P., (b) 2,080,986 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock held by FSV II, L.P., and (c) 9,842,273 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock held by FSV II-B, O.P. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.
(5) The number of shares before the this offering consists of (a) 15,377,101 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock and (b) 809,995 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants within 60 days following September 30, 2014. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.
(6) The number of shares before the this offering consists of (a) 14,675,400 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock and (b) 204,341 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants within 60 days following September 30, 2014. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015. John M Holliman, III is the managing member of Valley Ventures III, L.P. and Valley Ventures III Annex, L.P. and has sole voting power over both entities’ shares.
(7) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of (a) 518,720 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock, (b) 11,420 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants within 60 days following September 30, 2014, and (c) 10,535,115 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days following September 30, 2014. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                 , 2015.
(8) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of (a) 304,552 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock and (b) 2,633,755 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days following September 30, 2014.
(9) Consists of 1,045,001 shares of common stock. Dr. Modur resigned in June 2014.
(10) Mr. Bisgaard is employed as a partner of Novo Ventures (US), Inc., a consultant to Novo A/S, but does not have voting or investment power over the shares beneficially held by Novo A/S.
(11) Consists of the shares described in Note (6) above. Mr. George is the managing member of Solstice Capital and has joint voting and investment power over the shares held by Solstice Capital.
(12) Dr. George is a partner with S.R. One Limited but does not have voting or investment power over the shares held by S.R. One Limited.
(13) Ms. Hoult is a vice president of Fletcher Spaght but does not have voting or investment power over the shares held by Fletcher Spaght.

 

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(14) Consists of the shares described in Note (3) above. Mr. Senour is the Executive Director of Corporate Development with Merck & Co., Inc. and has responsibility for managing voting and investment power over the shares. Mr. Senour disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(15) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of (a) 2,477,075 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock held by the Weersing Family Trust, (2) 91,365 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by the Weersing Family Trust within 60 days following September 30, 2014 and (c) 557,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Weersing within 60 days following September 30, 2014. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable to the Weersing Family Trust upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.
(16) Consists of 312,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options within 60 days following September 30, 2014.
(17) The number of shares beneficially owned before this offering consists of (a) the shares described in Notes (7) through (16), (b) 299,253 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock held by two additional executive officers, and (c) 2,422,331 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by two additional executive officers. The number of shares beneficially owned after this offering consists of the foregoing shares and                 shares of common stock issuable upon payment of share dividends on Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Upon the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of                 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and                 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. All of our authorized preferred stock upon the closing of this offering will be undesignated. The following is a summary of the rights of our common and preferred stock and some of the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, and of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This summary is not complete. For more detailed information, please see our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Common Stock

Outstanding Shares

On September 30, 2014, there were 11,409,780 shares of common stock outstanding, held of record by 137 stockholders. This amount excludes our outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock, which will convert into 252,706,466 shares of common stock in connection with the closing of this offering. Based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, and assuming (1) the conversion of all outstanding shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock, (2) the issuance of                 shares of our common stock as payment for accrued dividends in connection with the closing of this offering, assuming a closing date for this offering of                     , 2015, and (3) the issuance by us of                 shares of common stock in this offering, there will be                 shares of common stock outstanding upon the closing of this offering.

As of September 30, 2014, there were 58,252,138 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options under our equity incentive plans.

Voting

Our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and does not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of

 

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the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

On September 30, 2014, there were 238,232,276 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding, held of record by 135 stockholders. In connection with the closing of this offering, all outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock will have been converted into 252,706,466 shares of our common stock. In connection with the closing of this offering, our certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated to delete all references to such shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock. Under the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control that may otherwise benefit holders of our common stock and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. We have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Warrants

Common Stock Warrant

As of September 30, 2014, 100,000 shares of our common stock were issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant at an exercise price of $0.06 per share. The warrant provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holder, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications and consolidations. The warrant expires by its terms on March 13, 2019 and contains a put option pursuant to which the holder may require us, within 60 days of the expiration date of the warrant, to repurchase the warrant at a price equal to the aggregate fair market value of the shares underlying the warrant minus the aggregate exercise price of the warrant. The put option will be exercised automatically upon expiration of the warrant in the event the fair market value of the underlying shares exceeds the aggregate exercise price. The shares underlying the warrant are also entitled to the benefit of any dividends declared on the outstanding common stock.

Preferred Stock Warrants

As of September 30, 2014, warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 5,469,524 shares of our preferred stock on an as-converted to common stock basis were outstanding, consisting of Series C-1 preferred stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 1,290,350 shares of Series C-1 preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.346 per share (which shares are convertible into an aggregate of 2,002,954 shares of our common stock), a Series C-2 preferred stock warrant exercisable for an aggregate of 157,912 shares of Series C-2 preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.2256 per share (which shares are convertible into an aggregate of 159,824 shares of our common stock) and Series D preferred stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 794,184 shares of Series D preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (which shares are convertible into an aggregate of 794,184

 

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shares of our common stock) and Series E preferred stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share (which shares are convertible into an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of our common stock). The warrants provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holder, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications and consolidations.

The Series C-1 preferred stock warrants and the Series D preferred stock warrants will terminate upon the closing of this offering if not exercised prior to or contemporaneously with the closing of this offering. The Series C-2 preferred stock warrant is subject to anti-dilution adjustments and will expire by its terms on December 24, 2015, provided that the warrant will be automatically exercised on a cashless basis upon expiration if not previously exercised if the fair market value of a share of our common stock exceeds the per share exercise price.

In connection with the completion of this offering, the Series E preferred stock warrants will become exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. The Series E preferred stock warrants expire by their terms on August 22, 2024, provided that the warrants will be automatically exercised on a cashless basis upon expiration if not previously exercised if the fair market value of a share of our common stock exceeds the per share exercise price.

In December 2014, in connection with two separate convertible note and warrant financings, we agreed to issue the 2014 warrants, which are initially exercisable for an aggregate of 9,321,176 shares of our Series E preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. In the event of a qualified initial public offering or qualified private placement, the 2014 warrants will become exercisable for the same class and series of our capital stock issued in such financing and the exercise price per share will be the price per share received in such qualified initial public offering or qualified private placement. The 2014 warrants provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holder, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, and reorganizations or the like. In connection with the closing of this offering (assuming this offering constitutes a qualified initial public offering), the 2014 warrants, to the extent not previously exercised, will become exercisable for an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $                 per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $                 per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). The 2014 warrants will expire in December 2021.

Registration Rights

Following the closing of this offering, certain holders of our common stock, or their transferees, will be entitled to the registration rights set forth below with respect to registration of the resale of such shares under the Securities Act pursuant to an amended and restated stockholders’ agreement by and among us and certain of our stockholders. The holder of our outstanding common stock warrant and outstanding Series C-2 preferred stock warrant will also have the “piggyback” registration rights described below.

Demand Registration Rights

Beginning six months following the completion of this offering, the holders of at least 50% of the registrable securities, as defined in the amended and restated stockholders’ agreement, have the right to make up to two demands that we file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such holders’ registrable securities then outstanding (provided that the anticipated aggregate offering price of securities requested to be sold under such registration statement is at least $7.5 million), subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

If we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, the holders of at least 50% or more of the outstanding registrable securities have the right to demand that we file a registration statement on Form S-3 so

 

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long as the aggregate amount of securities to be sold under the registration statement on Form S-3 is at least $5.0 million, subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations.

“Piggyback” Registration Rights

If we propose to register any securities for public sale, holders of registration rights will have the right to include their shares in the registration statement (except with respect to this offering, for which the holders have waived any and all rights to have their shares included). The underwriters of any underwritten offering will have the right to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration statement, subject to specified conditions and limitations. The holders of our common stock warrant and Series C-2 preferred stock warrant are also entitled to piggyback registration rights.

Expenses of Registration

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

Expiration of Registration Rights

The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights discussed above will terminate two years following the closing of this offering or, as to a given holder of registrable securities, when such holder is able to sell all of its registrable securities in a single 90-day period under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Bylaws and Delaware Law

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or Section 203. Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

    prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

    upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

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

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

 

    any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

    any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

 

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    subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

    subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder;

 

    the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation; and

 

    provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against the us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

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

 

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

 

    provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

 

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

 

    divide our board of directors into three classes;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board, our Chief Executive Officer or by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors.

 

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The amendment of any of these provisions, with the exception of the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto, would require approval by the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our then outstanding common stock.

Nasdaq Global Market Listing

We have applied for listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “HTGM.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Immediately prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices. Furthermore, since only a limited number of shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering because of contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below, sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market after the restrictions lapse could adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common stock as well as our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014, upon the closing of this offering,                 shares of common stock will be outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. All of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable unless held by an affiliate of ours. Except as set forth below, the remaining                 shares of common stock outstanding after this offering will be restricted as a result of securities laws or lock-up agreements. These remaining shares will generally become eligible for sale under Rule 144 or Rule 701 upon expiration of lock-up agreements at least 180 days after the date of this offering.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, any person who is not an affiliate of ours and has held their shares for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, may sell shares without restriction, provided current public information about us is available. In addition, under Rule 144, any person who is not an affiliate of ours and has held their 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. Beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a person who is an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities 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 restricted shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of:

 

    1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal                  approximately shares immediately after this offering; or

 

    the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales of restricted shares under Rule 144 held by our affiliates are also subject to requirements regarding the manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about us. Rule 144 also provides that affiliates relying on Rule 144 to sell shares of our common stock that are not restricted shares must nonetheless comply with the same restrictions applicable to restricted shares, other than the holding period requirement.

Notwithstanding the availability of Rule 144, the holders of substantially all of our restricted shares have entered into lock-up agreements as described below and their restricted shares will become eligible for sale at the expiration of the restrictions set forth in those agreements.

Rule 701

Under Rule 701, shares of our common stock acquired upon the exercise of currently outstanding options or pursuant to other rights granted under our stock plans may be resold by:

 

    persons other than affiliates, beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject only to the manner-of-sale provisions of Rule 144; and

 

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    our affiliates, beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject to the manner-of-sale and volume limitations, current public information and filing requirements of Rule 144, in each case, without compliance with the six-month holding period requirement of Rule 144.

As of September 30, 2014, options to purchase a total of 58,252,138 shares of common stock were outstanding, of which 28,181,651 were vested. All shares of our common stock issuable under these options are subject to contractual lock-up agreements with us or the underwriters described below under “Underwriting” and will become eligible for sale at the expiration of those agreements unless held by an affiliate of ours.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, along with our directors, executive officers and substantially all of our other stockholders and optionholders, have agreed that for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to specified exceptions, we or they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock. See “Underwriting – No Sale of Similar Securities” below. Upon expiration of the “lock-up” period, certain of our stockholders will have the right to require us to register their shares under the Securities Act. See “Registration Rights” below.

Registration Rights

Upon the closing of this offering, the holders of                 shares of our common stock will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares or shares underlying warrants under the Securities Act, subject to the lock-up arrangement described above. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates, immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock – Registration Rights.”

Equity Incentive Plans

We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 plan and the ESPP. The registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the closing of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under the registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations and the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK

The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock acquired in this offering by Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income tax law that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances, does not consider the potential application of the alternative minimum or Medicare contribution tax, does not deal with foreign, state, local, estate or gift tax consequences. Special rules different from those described below may apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, foreign governments, international organizations, broker-dealers and traders in securities, U.S. expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or integrated investment or other risk reduction strategy, partnerships and other pass-through entities, and investors in such pass-through entities or an entity that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (regardless of its place of organization or formation). Such Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions. This discussion assumes that the Non-U.S. Holder holds our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

Persons considering the purchase of our common stock pursuant to this offering should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common stock in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under other U.S. federal tax laws or the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any state, local or foreign tax consequences.

For the purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of common stock that has not been excluded from this discussion and is not a U.S. Holder. A “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (b) a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (c) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (d) a trust if it (1) 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 or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion below, distributions, if any, made on our common stock to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock to the extent made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) generally will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes and will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, certifying the Non-U.S. Holder’s entitlement to benefits under that treaty. In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is an entity, Treasury regulations and the relevant tax treaty provide rules to determine whether, for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty, dividends will be treated as paid to the entity or to those holding an interest in that entity. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s

 

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behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. The holder’s agent will then be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you should consult with your own tax advisor to determine if you are able to obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS.

We generally are not required to withhold tax on dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment that such holder maintains in the United States) if a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, stating that the dividends are so connected, is furnished to us (or, if stock is held through a financial institution or other agent, to such agent). In general, such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates, unless a specific treaty exemption applies. A Non- U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that receives effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax,” which is imposed, under certain circumstances, at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty) on the corporate Non-U.S. Holder’s effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain adjustments.

To the extent distributions on our common stock, if any, exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a non-taxable return of capital and will first reduce your adjusted basis in our common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain and taxed in the same manner as gain realized from a sale or other disposition of common stock as described in the next section.

Gain on Disposition of Our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on a sale or other disposition of our common stock unless (a) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of such holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment that such holder maintains in the United States), (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual and is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, or (c) we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 897(c)(2) at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition or such holder’s holding period. In general, we would be a United States real property holding corporation if interests in U.S. real estate comprised (by fair market value) at least half of our total worldwide interests in real property plus our business assets. We believe that we are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a United States real property holding corporation. Even if we are treated as a United States real property holding corporation, such treatment will not cause gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on a disposition of our common stock to be subject to U.S. federal income tax so long as (1) the Non-U.S. Holder owned, directly, indirectly and constructively, no more than 5% of our common stock at all times within the shorter of (i) the five-year period preceding the disposition or (ii) the holder’s holding period and (2) our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market. There can be no assurance that our common stock will qualify or continue to qualify as regularly traded on an established securities market.

If you are a Non-U.S. Holder described in (a) above, you will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, unless a specific treaty exemption applies, and corporate Non-U.S. Holders described in (a) above may be subject to the additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder described in (b) above, you will be required to pay a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses (even though you are not considered a resident of the United States).

 

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Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

Generally, we or certain financial middlemen must report information to the IRS with respect to any dividends we pay on our common stock including the amount of any such dividends, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. A similar report is sent to the holder to whom any such dividends are paid. Pursuant to tax treaties or certain other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the recipient’s country of residence.

Dividends paid by us (or our paying agents) to a Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to U.S. backup withholding. U.S. backup withholding generally will not apply to a Non-U.S. Holder who provides a properly executed appropriate IRS Form W-8 or otherwise establishes an exemption. The current backup withholding rate is 28%.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding requirements generally will apply to the proceeds from a disposition of our common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, except that information reporting and such requirements may be avoided if the holder provides a properly executed appropriate IRS Form W-8 or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing Non-U.S. Holder status or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding requirements will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a Non-U.S. Holder where the transaction is considered effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker. Information reporting and backup withholding requirements may, however, apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the broker has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is, in fact, a U.S. person. For information reporting purposes, certain brokers with substantial U.S. ownership or operations will generally be treated in a manner similar to U.S. brokers.

If backup withholding is applied to you, you should consult with your own tax advisor to determine if you are able to obtain a credit with respect to such backup withholding.

Foreign Accounts

A U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% may apply to dividends paid, and the gross proceeds from a disposition of our common stock paid after December 31, 2016, to a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined for this purpose), including when the foreign financial institution holds our common stock on behalf of a non-U.S. Holder, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners). This U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% will also apply to dividends paid, and the gross proceeds from a disposition of our common stock paid after December 31, 2016, to a non-financial foreign entity (as specifically defined for this purpose) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with either a certification that it does not have any substantial direct or indirect U.S. owners or provides information regarding direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this paragraph. Holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax on their investment in our common stock.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW, AS WELL AS ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR U.S. FEDERAL NON-INCOME TAX LAWS.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Leerink Partners LLC is acting as representative of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

  

Number of

Shares

Leerink Partners LLC

  

Canaccord Genuity Inc.

  

JMP Securities LLC

  

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

Certain of our existing principal stockholders or their affiliates and entities affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $         million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, these stockholders may determine to purchase fewer shares than they indicate an interest in purchasing or not to purchase any shares in this offering. It is also possible that these stockholders could indicate an interest in purchasing more shares of our common stock. In addition, the underwriters could determine to sell fewer shares to any of these stockholders than the stockholders indicate an interest in purchasing or not to sell any shares to these stockholders.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock.

 

     Per Share     

Without

Option

    

With

Option

 

Public offering price

   $                    $                    $                

Underwriting discount

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $         $         $     

 

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We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $        . We also have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for up to $         for their FINRA counsel fee. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, this reimbursed fee is deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up                 to                 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers and directors and substantially all of our other existing security holders have agreed not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Leerink Partners. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

    offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock;

 

    sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock;

 

    purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock;

 

    grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock;

 

    otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock;

 

    request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock; or

 

    enter into any swap or other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock, whether any such swap, agreement or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

NASDAQ Global Market Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “HTGM.”

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations between us and the representative. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are:

 

    the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representative believe to be comparable to us;

 

    our financial information;

 

    the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete;

 

    an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues;

 

    the present state of our development; and

 

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    the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

An active trading market for the shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representative may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, 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 granted to them. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of such option. 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 our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the closing of the offering.

The underwriters may also 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 representative has repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representative will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

 

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Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They may in the future receive customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their 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.

Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

    to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

    to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representative; or

 

    in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Company or the representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representative has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

The company, the representative and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

 

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For the purpose of the above provisions, 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 the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, San Diego, California. As of the date of this prospectus, Cooley LLP beneficially owned less than one percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The underwriters are being represented by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California.

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the two years then ended included in this Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing us at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, Arizona 85706 or telephoning us at (877) 289-2615.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and web site of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.htgmolecular.com, at which, following the closing of this offering, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus.

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Audited Financial Statements:

  

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-3   

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-5   

Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-6   

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-7   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-8   

Unaudited Financial Statements:

  

Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     F-33   

Condensed Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

     F-35   

Condensed Statement of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014

     F-36   

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

     F-38   

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

     F-39   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Tucson, Arizona

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements of operations, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended. 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements, the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012, have been restated to correct a misstatement related to an obligation due.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

September 23, 2014

 

F-2


Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,815,289      $ 7,316,054   

Accounts receivable, net

     603,853        183,718   

Inventory, net allowance of $536,119 in 2013 and $536,769 in 2012

     744,171        123,119   

Prepaid expenses and other

     164,127        202,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     3,327,440        7,825,263   

Property and equipment:

    

Office equipment

     310,158        250,358   

Leasehold improvements

     219,284        216,432   

Laboratory and manufacturing equipment

     1,871,234        1,156,119   

Software

     140,248        140,248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,540,924        1,763,157   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,470,517     (1,155,431
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     1,070,407        607,726   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,397,847      $ 8,432,989   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to the financial statements

 

F-3


Table of Contents
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 750,236      $ 603,339   

Accrued liabilities

     1,036,148        630,828   

Deferred revenue

     136,690        95,500   

NuvoGen obligation

     450,000        425,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,373,074        1,754,667   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     44,120        205,209   

NuvoGen obligation – non-current

     9,247,092        9,486,936   

Other

     117,172        213,625   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     11,781,458        11,660,437   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock:

    

Series A, $0.001 par value; $1,406,369 liquidation value; 1,292,084 shares authorized; 1,292,084 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012

     1,401,677        1,399,481   

Series B, $0.001 par value; $3,695,083 liquidation value; 12,657,346 shares authorized; 11,919,624 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012

     3,795,690        3,789,940   

Series C-1, $0.001 par value; $5,619,196 liquidation value; 19,896,300 shares authorized; 16,240,450 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012

     5,596,660        5,586,118   

Series C-2, $0.001 par value; $4,310,000 liquidation value; 19,262,522 shares authorized; 19,104,610 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012

     4,270,835        4,256,373   

Series D, $0.001 par value; $67,613,863 liquidation value at December 31, 2013; 198,217,972 shares authorized; 143,737,467 and 109,227,291 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

     35,803,437        25,893,415   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total redeemable convertible preferred stock

     50,868,299        40,925,327   

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value: 324,763,566 shares authorized; 10,503,643 and 10,353,643 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2013; 10,409,590 and 10,259,590 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2012

     10,354        10,260   

Distributions in excess of capital

     (3,976,969     (1,647,159

Treasury stock – 150,000 shares, at cost

     (75,000     (75,000

Accumulated deficit

     (54,210,295     (42,440,876
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (58,251,910     (44,152,775
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 4,397,847      $ 8,432,989   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Statements of Operations

 

     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Revenue

    

Product

   $ 771,478      $ 47,500   

Service

     953,184        1,845,764   

Other

     518,410        587,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     2,243,072        2,480,848   

Cost of revenue

     2,246,898        1,816,223   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross (loss) margin

     (3,826     664,625   

Operating expenses

    

Selling, general and administrative

     7,714,030        7,289,024   

Research and development

     4,197,610        3,924,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,911,640        11,213,484   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (11,915,466     (10,548,859

Income from change in stock warrant valuation

     161,089        23,870   

Interest expense

     (211,872     (251,076

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

     —         (2,008,663

Other income, net

     196,830        10,717   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss before income taxes

     (11,769,419     (12,774,011

Income taxes

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (11,769,419     (12,774,011

Accretion of stock issuance costs

     (151,496     (109,764

Accretion of Series D preferred stock dividends

     (2,270,426     (1,398,862
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (14,191,341   $ (14,282,637
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (1.37   $ (1.41

Shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     10,333,530        10,139,328   

See notes to financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

    Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Distributions
In excess of
Capital
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total  
    Series A     Series B     Series C-1     Series C-2     Series D            
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount          

Balance at January 1, 2012 (restated)

    1,292,084      $ 1,397,283        11,919,624      $ 3,784,184        16,240,450      $ 5,575,568        19,104,610      $ 4,241,925        74,078,788      $ 16,856,451        10,024,180      $ 10,024      $ (204,083   $ (75,000   $ (29,666,865   $ (29,935,924

Issuance of preferred stock Series D, net of issuance cost of $132,717

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         35,148,503        7,561,290        —         —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         314,160        314        8,280        —         —         8,594   

Return of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (78,750     (78     78        —         —         —    

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         57,192        —         —         57,192   

Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock issuance costs

    —         2,198        —         5,756        —         10,550        —         14,448        —         76,812        —         —         (109,764     —         —         (109,764

Accretion of Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,398,862        —         —         (1,398,862     —         —         (1,398,862

Net loss (restated)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (12,774,011     (12,774,011
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012 (restated)

    1,292,084        1,399,481        11,919,624        3,789,940        16,240,450        5,586,118        19,104,610        4,256,373        109,227,291        25,893,415        10,259,590        10,260        (1,647,159     (75,000     (42,440,876     (44,152,775

Issuance of preferred stock Series D, net of issuance cost of $33,227

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         34,510,176        7,521,050        —         —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         94,053        94        4,015        —         —         4,109   

Return of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         88,097        —         —         88,097   

Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock issuance costs

    —         2,196        —         5,750        —         10,542        —         14,462        —         118,546        —         —         (151,496     —         —         (151,496

Accretion of Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend

    —           —           —           —           —         2,270,426        —         —         (2,270,426     —         —         (2,270,426

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (11,769,419     (11,769,419
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

    1,292,084      $ 1,401,677        11,919,624      $ 3,795,690        16,240,450      $ 5,596,660        19,104,610      $ 4,270,835        143,737,467      $ 35,803,437        10,353,643      $ 10,354      $ (3,976,969   $ (75,000   $ (54,210,295   $ (58,251,910
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Statements of Cash Flows

 

     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (11,769,419   $ (12,774,011

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     315,086        222,626   

Amortization of discount on NuvoGen agreement

     210,156        229,494   

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen note

     —         2,008,663   

Bad debt expense

     36,300        16,950   

Share-based compensation

     88,097        57,192   

Change in preferred warrants valuation

     (161,089     (23,870

Change in provision for excess inventory

     —         238,563   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (456,435     1,711,356   

Inventory

     (621,052     (78,187

Prepaid expenses and other

     38,245        (138,331

Accounts payable

     146,897        (2,252

Accrued liabilities and other

     308,867        (149,963

Deferred revenue

     41,190        1,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (11,823,157     (8,679,934

Investing activities

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (777,767     (69,010
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (777,767     (69,010

Financing activities

    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     4,109        8,594   

Repayment of NuvoGen obligation

     (425,000     (400,000

Proceeds from sale of Series D preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     7,521,050        7,561,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     7,100,159        7,169,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (5,500,765     (1,579,062

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     7,316,054        8,895,116   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,815,289      $ 7,316,054   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing activities

    

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

   $ 151,496      $ 109,764   

Accretion of dividends on Series D preferred stock

   $ 2,270,426      $ 1,398,862   

Purchase of equipment through a capital lease obligation

   $ —       $ 146,213   

Supplemental cash flow information

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ —       $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

F-7


Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Background

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Company”) is a commercial stage company that developed and markets a novel technology platform to facilitate the routine use of complex molecular profiling. The Company’s HTG Edge platform, consisting of instrumentation, consumables and software analytics, is used in sample profiling applications including tumor profiling, molecular diagnostic testing and biomarker development. The Company’s HTG Edge platform automates the molecular profiling of genes and gene activity using its proprietary nuclease protection chemistry on a wide variety of biological samples. The Company derives revenue from the sale of instruments, consumables and related services.

The Company operates in one segment and its customers are primarily located in the United States. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 14% and 8%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue was generated from sales to customers located outside of the United States.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.8 million and obtained an additional $7.5 million of proceeds from the Series E Preferred Stock offering in February 2014 and $11.0 million under a term loan agreement with two lending institutions in August 2014. The Company has had recurring operating losses since inception and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $54.2 million as of December 31, 2013. The Company believes that current cash and cash equivalents and August 2014 borrowings will be sufficient to meet the Company’s current anticipated cash needs, including working capital needs, capital expenditures and various contractual obligations, for at least the next 12 months. If needed, the Company has the ability to strategically reduce its fixed operating costs. The Company will need to raise additional capital until its revenue reaches a level to provide for self-sustaining cash flows. There can be no assurance that additional equity or debt financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant estimates include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, the value of the warrant liability, the resolution of uncertain tax position, income tax valuation allowances, recovery of long-lived assets and provisions for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence and inventory valuation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with financial institutions and money market instruments.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable represent valid claims against debtors and have been reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $36,300 and $0 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Management reviews accounts receivable to identify where collectability may not be probable based on the specific identification method. Bad debt expense was $36,300 and $16,950 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to their liquidity and short-term nature.

Inventory, net

Inventory, consisting of raw materials and finished goods, is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence, or unmarketable inventory, in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the Company, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Inventory impairment charges establish a new cost basis for inventory and charges are not reversed subsequently to income, even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable.

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a decrease in the inventory reserve of $650 and an inventory impairment of $238,563, respectively, to adjust for estimated obsolescence. These amounts are recorded within cost of revenues for each year.

Included in inventory are HTG Edge instrument finished goods under evaluation at customer locations under evaluation agreements. Equipment that is under evaluation for purchase remains in inventory. Generally, the Company permits instruments to be evaluated for a period up to 90 days at which time management determines whether to extend the evaluation period or have the equipment returned to the Company. When management decides to extend the valuation period for a longer term to a small number of customers, the Company transfers the equipment to evaluation equipment, a long-term asset, and depreciates the asset over its estimated life of five years. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not have any equipment under evaluation for over 90 days.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated over their useful lives, which range from three to five years, using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life. Depreciation and leasehold improvement amortization expense was $268,337 and $175,877 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Costs incurred in the development and installation of software for internal use are expensed or capitalized, depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage (expensed), application development stage (capitalized), or post-implementation stage (expensed). Amounts capitalized following project completion are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the developed asset, which is generally three years. Amortization expense for capitalized software costs was $46,749 and $46,749 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Stock Issuance Costs

Certain costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Company’s Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) have been deferred and are being accreted. Stock issuance costs are accreted through a charge to distributions in excess of capital using the effective interest method. Accretion was $151,496 and $109,764 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents cash receipts for products or services to be provided in future periods. When products are delivered or services are rendered, deferred revenue is then recognized as earned.

 

F-9


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Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of instruments, consumables and related services when the following four basic criteria are met: (1) a contract has been entered into with a customer or persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (3) the fee is fixed and determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Sale of instruments and consumables

Instrument product revenue is generally recognized upon installation and calibration by our field service engineers, unless the customer has specified any other acceptance criteria. The sale of instruments and related installation and calibration are considered to be one unit of accounting, as instruments are required to be professionally installed and calibrated before use. Installation generally occurs within a week of shipment.

Consumables are considered to be separate units of accounting as they are sold separately. Consumables revenue is recognized upon transfer of ownership, which is generally upon shipment. The Company’s standard term and conditions provide that no right of return exists for instruments or consumables.

When a contract involves multiple elements, the items included in the arrangement (deliverables) are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. The Company performs this evaluation at the inception of an arrangement and as each item is delivered in the arrangement. Generally, the Company accounts for a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) separately if the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer, the customer is given a general right of return relative to the delivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item or service is probable and substantially in the Company’s control. When multiple elements can be separated into separate units of accounting, arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the arrangement, based on each deliverables’ relative selling price. All revenue from contracts determined not to have separate units of accounting is recognized based on consideration of the most substantive delivery factor of all the elements in the contract.

Service Revenue

For contracts related to custom panel design services and sample processing, the Company utilizes a proportional performance revenue recognition model, under which revenue is recognized as performance occurs based on the relative outputs of the performance that have occurred up to that point in time under the respective agreement. The Company includes all applicable costs incurred related to custom panel design services, including research and development costs and general and administrative expenses, in cost of revenue.

The Company also provides contract research services under cost plus fixed fee government contracts. Revenue is recognized under government contracts using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, contract research revenue is recognized as the work progresses and services are rendered and costs are incurred. The fixed fee is recognized in proportion to costs incurred compared to total estimated costs. The Company includes all applicable costs incurred from government contracts, including general and administrative expenses on government contracts, in cost of revenue.

Anticipated losses, if any, on contracts are charged to earnings as soon as they are identified. Anticipated losses cover all costs allocable to contracts. Revenue arising from claims or change orders is recorded either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated and its realization is probable.

Other Revenue

Other revenue includes license and grant revenue.

License revenue is generated from the licensing of the Company’s internally developed intellectual property to third parties. The revenue may be generated by nonrefundable up-front payments and license fees, milestone and

 

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other contingent payments, or royalties based on sales of commercialized products. Licensing fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement for agreements requiring specific continuing performance obligations with deferral of all or a portion of these fees. If it cannot be concluded that a license fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of an arrangement, amounts are recognized as income as payments from third parties become due. Licensing fees, included in other revenue, totaled $0 and $141,667 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Grant revenue, including amounts received under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project program administered under Section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code, are earned when expenditures relating to the projects under these awards are incurred.

Product Warranty

The Company generally sells products with a limited product quality warranty that is guaranteed by the Company’s third-party instrument manufacturers. The Company occasionally sells products with warranties that extend beyond the manufacturer’s guarantee. The Company maintains the primary obligation for extended warranties. When extended warranties are sold, the revenue is deferred until the standard warranty expires and then is recognized over the term of the extended warranty. The Company also sells products with a one-year warranty as guaranteed by the Company. The Company had a low rate of extended warranty claims for the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses represent both costs incurred internally for research and development activities as well as costs incurred externally to fund research activities. All research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments pursuant to an executory contract and which have no alternative future use are capitalized and recorded as expense when the respective product or services are delivered.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company records shipping and handling costs paid by customers as revenue. Likewise, the actual costs for shipping and handling are charged to cost of revenue.

Advertising

All costs associated with advertising and promotions are expensed as incurred. The amount of advertising and promotion expense was $66,649 and $28,571 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes expense for share-based payments, including grants of stock options and restricted stock awards, based on the fair value of awards on the date of grant. The fair value of each employee stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model is affected by the fair value of the Company’s stock price and a number of assumptions, including volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield.

The Company recognizes compensation cost for share-based payment awards with service conditions that have a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. However, the amount of compensation cost recognized at any time generally equals the portion of grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that date, net of estimated forfeitures. If the actual forfeitures differ from the Company’s estimates, compensation expense is adjusted. The Company is required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise

 

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those estimates in subsequent periods on a cumulative basis in the period the estimated forfeiture rate changes. The Company considered its historical experience of pre-vesting option forfeitures as the basis to arrive at its estimated pre-vesting option forfeiture rate of 10.4% and 15.7% per year for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company reports cash flows resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized from those options (excess tax benefits) as financing cash flows, if they should arise.

The Company uses fair value to account for restricted stock awards. The restricted stock awards are valued based on management’s valuation of the common stock price on the date of grant and amortized ratably over the life of the award.

For share-based payments to nonemployee consultants, the fair value of the share-based consideration issued is used to measure the transaction, as the Company believes this to be a more reliable measure of fair value than the services received. The fair value of the award is measured at the fair value of the Company’s stock options on the date that the commitment for performance by the nonemployee consultant has been reached or performance is complete. Stock-based compensation costs are recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period for awards, on a straight-line basis.

Black-Scholes assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

     2013     2012  

Fair value of common stock

   $ 0.02      $ 0.02   

Risk-free interest rate

     1.02% – 1.76     0.94% – 1.40

Expected volatility

     70     65

Expected term

     6 years        7 years   

Expected dividend yield

     —       —  

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of assumptions. The volatility assumption is based on the volatility of publicly traded industry competitors and adjusted for future expectations. The expected term of options is based on the utilization of the simplified method, which utilizes the contract term and vesting period to derive the expected term. The Company has elected to use the simplified method because the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term due to its equity shares not being publicly traded. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the expected terms of the stock option grant. The Company does not anticipate paying a dividend, and, therefore, no expected dividend yield was used.

Share-based compensation cost amounted to the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2013              2012      

Selling, general and administrative

   $ 67,367       $ 49,336   

Research and development

     20,730         7,856   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 88,097       $ 57,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $0.01 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation awards was approximately $155,443, which is expected to be recognized over approximately four years.

 

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Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established against net deferred tax assets for the uncertainty it presents of the Company’s ability to use the net deferred tax assets, in this case the net operating tax loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits in the future. In assessing the realizability of net deferred tax assets, the Company assesses the likelihood that net deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent that recovery is not likely or there is insufficient operating history, a valuation allowance is established. The Company records the valuation allowance in the period the Company determines it is “more likely than not” that net deferred tax assets will not be realized. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has provided a full valuation allowance for all net deferred tax assets due to their current realization being considered remote in the near term. The Company accounts for uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return using the more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. No material uncertain tax positions have been identified or recorded in the financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Concentration Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and uncollateralized accounts receivable. The Company maintains the majority of its cash balances in the form of cash deposits in bank checking and money market accounts in amounts in excess of federally insured limits. Management believes, based on the quality of the financial institution, that the credit risk with regard to these deposits is not significant.

The Company sells its instruments, consumables, sample processing services, custom panel design services and contract research services primarily to biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and credit losses have been minimal to date.

Approximately 14% and 10% of the Company’s revenue was derived from two customers for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 17% and 14% were derived from two customers for the year ended December 31, 2012. One customer accounted for approximately 22% and 68% of the Company’s net accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company derived 23% and 18% of its total revenue from grants and contracts, primarily from one organization, during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company currently relies on a single vendor to manufacture its HTG Edge processor and reader and additional single suppliers to supply subcomponents used in the processor. A loss of any of these suppliers could significantly delay the delivery of HTG Edge systems, which in turn would materially affect the Company’s ability to generate revenue.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Although the Company has accumulated losses since inception, the Company believes the future cash flows will be sufficient to exceed the carrying value of the Company’s long-lived assets. There were no impairments of long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”), to require that in certain cases, an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward when such items exist in the same taxing jurisdiction. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP.

The revised revenue standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year financial statements to conform to current year presentation.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to the end of the year and determined that, other than as disclosed elsewhere in these notes, there were no other material events that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Company has evaluated subsequent events through September 23, 2014, the date the financial statements were issued.

2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value measurements used by the Company for all financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements are based on the premise that fair value represents an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for

 

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considering such assumptions, the following three-tier fair value hierarchy has been used in determining the input used in measuring fair value:

 

Level 1 –    Quoted process in active markets for identical assets or liabilities on the reporting date. Financial assets in Level 1 include the amounts held in money market accounts classified as cash equivalents.
Level 2 –    Pricing inputs are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 –    Pricing inputs are generally unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require management’s judgment or estimation of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. The fair values are therefore determined using factors that involve considerable judgment and interpretations, including but not limited to private and public comparables, third-party appraisals, discounted cash flow models, and fund manager estimates. Financial liabilities in this category include the Company’s preferred stock warrants.

The following table provides information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively:

 

    Balance at
December 31,
2013
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Balance at
December 31,
2012
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Asset included in:

               

Money Markets

  $ 1,756,958      $ 1,756,958      $  —        $ —       $ 7,277,925      $ 7,277,925      $ —        $ —    

Liabilities:

               

Preferred Stock warrants

  $ 44,120      $ —        $ —        $ 44,120      $ 205,209      $ —       $ —        $ 205,209   

There are no other financial instruments subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis.

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2, and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between levels for either of the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model and other valuation models for measuring the fair value of its Level 3 preferred stock warrant liabilities.

The Company’s Preferred Stock warrants were categorized as Level 3 because they were valued based on unobservable inputs and management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such financial instruments. The Company performed a fair value assessment of the preferred stock warrant inputs on a quarterly basis using the Black-Sholes option pricing model. See Note 6 for the valuation technique and related unobservable inputs for the Level 3 measurements.

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are inherently subjective and involve significant judgment. Any change in the fair value was recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the statements of operations.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs are as follows:

 

     December 31  
     2013     2012  

Beginning balance

   $ 205,209      $ 229,079   

Additions

     —         —    

Unrealized (gains)

     (161,089     (23,870
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 44,120      $ 205,209   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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3. Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following as of the date indicated:

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Raw materials

   $ 203,201       $ 115,171   

Work in process

     3,117         52   

Finished goods

     537,853         7,896   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 744,171       $ 123,119   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Employee compensation and benefits

   $ 766,997       $ 407,248   

Professional fees

     74,322         90,000   

Other accrued liabilities

     194,829         133,580   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,036,148       $ 630,828   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5. Term Loan and Line of Credit

In December 2008, the Company entered into a $750,000 note payable (“Term Loan”) with a financial institution, which was repaid in 2011. In conjunction with the execution of the Term Loan, the Company also issued the financial institution a warrant (“Term Warrant”) to purchase 157,912 shares of the Company’s Series C-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C-2 Stock”) for $0.2256 per share. The Company has accounted for the Term Warrants as liabilities as the Term Warrants are indexed to shares that could be redeemed for cash outside the control of the Company. The Company allocated the total cash proceeds to the Term Loan and Term Warrant as a discount to be accreted over the term of the loan which, which was repaid during 2011, using the effective interest method.

On November 18, 2011, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company a line of credit for up to the lesser of $1,000,000 or 80% of the Company’s eligible domestic trade receivables and provided for a non-formula maximum borrowing amount of $750,000. The line of credit had no balance outstanding at December 31, 2011, and was set to mature on November 18, 2012. The line of credit bore interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% for any funds borrowed against the line. The line of credit also required the Company to maintain compliance with specific financial reporting requirements, a liquidity ratio, minimum net loss requirements, and other financial covenants.

On May 10, 2012, the Company entered into a forbearance agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution agreed to forbear its rights and remedies against a default of a maximum loss covenant pursuant to its loan and security agreement with the Company.

On July 12, 2012, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution to provide for a reduced non-formula maximum borrowing amount of $375,000 and a single liquidity covenant.

On November 16, 2012, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the maturity date of its loan and security agreement with the Company to December 30, 2012.

 

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On December 31, 2012, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company’s line of credit until December 30, 2013, increased the non-formula maximum borrowing amount to $500,000 and modified the single compliance covenant to a minimum cash covenant which provided that the Company’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents net of borrowing with the financial institution must at all times be $1,500,000 or more through the maturity of the amended and restated loan agreement. At December 31 2012, the Company had no balance outstanding and was in compliance with all covenants. At December 30, 2013, the loan agreement expired and no amounts were available for borrowing.

On January 17, 2014, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution no longer required the minimum cash covenant, and extended the Company’s line of credit until March 31, 2014, subject to the Company raising net proceeds of at least $5,000,000 in equity financing, and provided for an increase in the non-formula maximum borrowing amount to $750,000. On February 4, 2014 the Company raised in excess of $5,000,000 in equity financing from the sale of Series E redeemable convertible preferred stock (See Note 7).

On April 9, 2014, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company’s line of credit until June 29, 2014.

On July 25, 2014 the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company’s line of credit until August 15, 2014.

In August 2014, the Company entered into an asset-secured growth capital term loan (the “Growth Term Loan”) with a syndicate of two lending institutions. $11,000,000 was funded at closing with a second tranche of $5,000,000 available through June 30, 2016, subject to satisfaction of at least one of two milestones, including raising a minimum of $30,000,000 in net proceeds from an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock or achieving a minimum trailing six month revenue target. The Growth Term Loan bears interest at prime plus 5.25%, which as of August 22, 2014 was 8.50%, and matures in September 2018 and, at least through September 2015, is payable in monthly interest-only payments. The interest-only payment period is extendable through January 31, 2016, upon funding of the second tranche prior to September 1, 2015. Following the interest-only payment period, equal monthly payments of principal and interest amortized over the remaining term of the loan are due. The Growth Term Loan requires the Company to maintain compliance with specific reporting covenants and does not require financial covenants. The Growth Term Loan is secured by a lien covering substantially all of our assets, excluding patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights (except for rights to payment related to the sale, licensing or disposition of such intellectual property rights) and certain other specified property. We paid a facility fee of $320,000 for access to the Term Loans and will be required to pay a final payment of 3.75% of the total amount borrowed. The agreement includes warrants to purchase 2,512,562 shares of Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock at a price of $0.2189 per share or at the purchase price of the next round of equity sold if no further shares of Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series E Stock”) are sold. The warrants to purchase shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock expire on August 22, 2024.

The principal repayments due under the term loan as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:

 

2014

   $ —     

2015

     813,715   

2016

     3,432,771   

2017

     3,736,197   

2018

     3,017,317   
  

 

 

 
   $ 11,000,000   
  

 

 

 

 

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6. Warrants

Common Stock Warrants

In March 2009, the Company entered into a nonexclusive license agreement for certain intellectual property assets with the University of Arizona (the “University”). The license agreement grants the Company the nonexclusive right to use certain technologies related to prognostic gene identification for lymphoma. The term of the license is for the period of the licensed intellectual property’s remaining life of approximately 20 years. As consideration for entering into this agreement, the Company granted the University a fully vested warrant (the “University Warrant”) to acquire 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $0.06 per share. The University Warrant expires in March 2019. The warrant can be put back to the Company beginning in January 2019 at the option of the University for cash equal to the then-fair market value of 100,000 shares of Common Stock, less the aggregate exercise price of the University Warrant at the date of the put.

If the fair market value of Common Stock is in excess of the exercise price of the University Warrant at March 2019, the Company will automatically repurchase the University Warrant for a price equal to the difference between the then fair market value of Common Stock and the University Warrant’s exercise price. The University Warrant has been accounted for as a liability due to a cash redemption feature that is outside the control of the Company. However, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the University Warrant liability was deemed to be insignificant based on the current fair value of Common Stock.

Preferred Stock Warrants

In December 2008, the Company issued a Term Warrant, in connection with the issuance of a Term Loan, to purchase 157,912 shares of Series C-2 Stock (the “Series C-2 Warrants”) (see Note 5). At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Series C-2 Warrants was $1,942 and $4,106, respectively.

In connection with the 2003 Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock financing, the Company issued warrants to purchase 580,639 of Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Stock” and together with the Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series C Stock, the “Series A/B/C Stock”) at $0.31 per share (the “Series B Warrants”). The Series B Warrants expired during 2013. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Series B Warrants was $0 and $17,942, respectively.

In connection with the 2007 Series C-1 Preferred Stock financing, the Company issued warrants to a customer and majority shareholder of the Company’s Series C-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C-1 Stock” and together with the Series C-2 Stock, the “Series C Stock”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,365,500 shares of Series C-1 Stock at $0.346 per share (the “Holder Warrants”). The contractual expiration was December 2013 but the Holder Warrants only vested if the Company exceeded a certain level of sales to the majority shareholder during the three-year period ending December 31, 2009. In July 2009, this three-year performance period was extended to December 31, 2011. Prior to 2011, the probability of the Company meeting the sales targets was remote and therefore no previous liability had been recorded for the Holder Warrants.

Also in connection with the 2007 Series C-1 Stock financing, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,290,350 of Series C-1 Stock at $0.346 per share (together with the Holder Warrants, the “Series C-1 Warrants”). At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Series C-1 Warrants related to Series C-1 Stock was $24,388 and $51,485, respectively.

The Company has accounted for the Series B Warrants, Series C-1 Warrants and C-2 Warrants as liabilities as such warrants are indexed to shares that could be redeemed for cash outside the control of the Company. The Company allocated the total proceeds to the related financial instruments and warrants based on their relative fair values. The Company neither applied the residual method nor reflected the value as a discount to the preferred stock, any differences were immaterial.

 

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In connection with the issuance of convertible notes, the Company issued detachable warrants (“Convertible Note Warrants” and together with the Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants, the “Preferred Warrants”), after amendment, exercisable into 10% of the future shares of the Company’s next equity financing as issued upon conversion of principal of the convertible notes, ultimately into the Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. The Company issued 794,184 warrants to purchase shares of Series D Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Stock”) at $0.01 per share and which expire in July 2020. The Company allocated the total cash proceeds of the Convertible Notes and Convertible Note Warrants based on their relative fair values, which approximates residual value. The relative fair value of the Convertible Note Warrants was recorded as a discount on the Convertible Notes to be accreted over the term of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest method. The Company has accounted for the Convertible Note Warrants as liabilities as the Convertible Note Warrants are indexed to shares that could be redeemed for cash outside the control of the Company. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Convertible Note Warrants was $17,790 and $131,676, respectively.

The Series C-1 preferred stock warrants and the Series D preferred stock warrants will terminate upon the closing of an initial public offering if not exercised prior to or contemporaneously with the closing of an initial public offering. The Series C-2 preferred stock warrant is subject to anti-dilution adjustments and will expire by its terms on December 24, 2015, provided that the warrant will be automatically exercised on a cashless basis upon expiration if not previously exercised if the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the per share exercise price.

On August 22, 2014, in connection with the Company’s entry into the loan agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, the Company issued to the lenders Series E preferred stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of Series E preferred stock at a price of $0.2189 per share. The warrants provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holders, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, consolidations or dilutive issuances. In connection with the completion of this offering, the Series E preferred stock warrants will become exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. The Series E preferred stock warrants expire by their terms on August 22, 2024, provided that the warrant will be automatically exercised on a cashless basis upon expiration if not previously exercised if the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the per share exercise price.

Warrants outstanding for the purchase of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock at December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

                 Shares  

Series

   Expiration Date    Exercise Price      2013      2012  

Series B

   September 2012 – December 2013    $ 0.30 – $0.31         —          580,639   

Series C-1

   May 2017      0.346         1,290,350         1,290,350   

Series C-2

   December 2015      0.2256         157,912         157,912   

Series D

   July 2020      0.01         794,184         794,184   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
           2,242,446         2,823,085   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsequent adjustments to the fair value of the Preferred Warrants resulted in an unrealized loss of $161,089 and $23,870 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from the change in determined fair value.

 

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The Preferred Warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model utilizing the following assumptions at December 31:

 

     2013     2012  

Fair value of Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares on grant date or measurement date

   $ 0.02 – $0.12      $ 0.05 – $0.19   

Exercise price

   $ 0.01 – $0.346      $ 0.01 – $0.346   

Expected risk-free interest rate

     .80     0.50

Expected volatility

     70     65

Expected term

     3.1 years        3.5 years   

Expected dividend yield

     0 – 8     0 – 8

The volatility assumption is based on the volatility of publicly traded industry competitors as adjusted for future expectations. The expected term was based on the Company’s historical experience and future expectations with regard to the exercise of the Preferred Warrants and the probability of conversion of the underlying Preferred Stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the expected terms of the warrants. The fair value of the Company’s Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock was determined by a valuation model that considered both income and market-based valuations of the Company’s enterprise value.

The expected dividend yield is consistent with the dividend rate on the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, none of the Preferred Warrants issued had been exercised and 2,242,446 and 2,823,085 were exercisable, respectively.

In August 2014, in connection with the issuance of the Growth Term Loan, the Company issued warrants to purchase 2,512,562 shares of Series E Stock at $0.2189 per share, or the next round of equity if no further shares of Series E Stock are sold. The warrants expire on August 22, 2024.

7. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

On December 31, 2010, the Company entered into, and subsequently amended, a Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to issue up to 74,872,972 shares of Series D Stock at a price of $0.2189 per share. On February 18, 2011, the Company issued 45,728,641 shares of Series D Stock for gross proceeds of $10,010,000, and on June 9, 2011, the Company issued an additional 20,054,816 shares of Series D Stock for gross proceeds of $4,390,000. In conjunction with the February 18, 2011 closing, all the Company’s convertible notes outstanding plus accrued interest were converted into shares of Series D Stock. Concurrent with the issuance of the Series D Stock, the Company also amended its certificate of incorporation to extend the redemption date of the Series A/B/C Stock to occur simultaneously with the Series D Stock redemption date of February 17, 2016. The extension of the Series A/B/C Stock redemption dates was accounted for as a modification of an equity instrument and did not result in additional consideration being provided to the holders of Preferred Stock. As noted in Note 6, the Company issued warrants exercisable into Series D Stock in conjunction with the Convertible Note issuance and allocated the total cash proceeds to the Convertible Notes and Convertible Note Warrants based on their relative fair values, which approximates residual value. The Company additionally analyzed the issuance of warrants with the Series D Stock, noting there was no resulting beneficial conversion feature.

On November 2, 2012, the Company entered into a Second Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to issue up to 123,343,993 shares of the Company’s Series D Stock at a price of $0.2189 per share. On November 2, 2012, in an initial closing, the Company issued 34,515,756 shares of Series D Stock for gross proceeds of $7,555,499, and on December 20, 2012, the Company issued an additional 632,747 shares of Series D stock for gross proceeds of $138,508. Concurrent with the issuance of the Second Series D stock, the Company’s authorized shares were increased to 576,089,790 shares, consisting of 324,763,566 shares of Common Stock and 251,326,224 shares of preferred stock.

 

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The Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares have a par value of $0.001. In the event of a liquidation of the Company (“Liquidation Event”), the holders of the Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shareholders are entitled to receive preference to any distributions of the assets of the Company. The Series A/B/C Stock’s liquidation distribution is equal to the original purchase price of the shares plus any dividends declared but unpaid subject to antidilution adjustments.

The Series D Stock liquidation distribution is equal to two times the original issue price of the Series D Stock (the multiplier) plus any accrued but unpaid dividends whether or not declared, subject to antidilution adjustments. In the event of a Liquidation Event, payment of dividends, or share redemption, the Series D Stock shareholders have preference over the Series C-1 Stock, Series C-2 Stock, Series B Stock, Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Stock”), and Common Stock shareholders. The Series C-1 Stock and Series C-2 Stock shareholders have preference over the Series B Stock, Series A Stock, and Common Stock shareholders, and the Series A Stock and Series B Stock shareholders have preference over the Common Stock shareholders. After the payment in full of all series preferred liquidation preferences, the holders of series preferred and common stock then outstanding will share ratably in the distribution of net assets of the Company available for distribution, with each share of series preferred being deemed, for such purpose, to be equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such is convertible the day before such distribution, provided that the Series D Stock maximum participation amount would not exceed four times the Series D Stock original issue price, or $0.8756. A Liquidation Event is considered to occur upon any reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale, or capital stock transfer, whereby the preferred stockholders of record prior to the transition will immediately, after the transaction, hold less than 50% of the voting power of the surviving entity. A majority of the Series A/B/C Stock shareholders and at least 60% of the Series D Stock shareholders may deem any of the aforementioned Liquidation Events as void by giving notice to the Company five days before the potential Liquidation Event. The Company is accreting up to the redemption amount and not the liquidation value, because additional amounts due under the liquidation rights are not considered probable at initial recording or at December 31, 2013 and 2012.

The Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares are convertible into Common Stock based on their original issue price, subject to certain antidilution adjustments, excluding any accrued but unpaid dividends. The shares of Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock may convert into Common Stock at any time at the option of the holder at the then-applicable conversion rate. The Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock will automatically be converted into Common Stock at the then-applicable conversion rate as of the earlier of the close of a firm commitment underwritten public offering resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $30,000,000 and three times the Series D Stock original issue price, or at the election of the holders of a majority of the Series A/B/C Stock shareholders and at least 60% of the Series D Stock shareholders. All of the Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock share conversion prices are subject to adjustment if the Company issues any additional shares of Common Stock or preferred stock at a price less than the applicable Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock share conversion price in effect immediately prior to the issuance of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. None of these contingent conversion price adjustments resulted in a beneficial conversion feature at December 31, 2013 or 2012.

The Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares each have the right to redemption or their respective class of shares on a date beginning not prior to February 17, 2016 (the “Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date”). In order to affect each respective redemption, the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Stock need to vote in favor of a Series D Stock redemption and the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series A/B/C Stock need to vote in favor of a Series A/B/C Stock redemption, respectively. The Series D Stock redemption value is equal to the Series D Stock original issue price per share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like) plus dividends declared but unpaid thereon together with any accruing dividends accrued but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, with respect to such shares. The Series A/B/C Stock redemption value is equal to the respective series original issue price per share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like) plus dividends declared but unpaid thereon. If the Company does not have

 

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sufficient funds legally available to redeem all shares to be redeemed at any redemption date, it shall redeem as applicable (i) pro rata to Series D Stock, until all shares are redeemed, (ii) pro rata to Series C Stock, until all shares are redeemed, (iii) pro rata to Series A Stock and Series B Stock, until all shares are redeemed. If any shares to be redeemed remain outstanding, the Company shall redeem the remaining shares in accordance with the previous sentence as soon as sufficient funds are legally available. Due to the redemption feature, the preferred shares are recorded as mezzanine equity.

As of December 31, 2013, current Series A Stock, Series B Stock, Series C-1 Stock, Series C-2 Stock, and Series D Stock conversion ratios were 3.24, 1.20, 1.55, 1.01, and 1.00, respectively. If converted at December 31, 2013, all of the outstanding preferred shares would convert into 206,768,425 shares of Common Stock.

The Second Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement provides that in the event that, on or before May 31, 2013, the Company has achieved each of certain milestones, including financial and strategic initiatives, as set forth in the purchase agreement, then an additional closing of shares of the Series D Stock are to be sold in a subsequent closing. The determination of whether the milestones have been met shall be made reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors. Subject to the receipt of written notice following confirmation that the milestones were satisfied and the required Board and shareholders approvals of the additional closing were obtained, each initial closing purchaser is obligated to purchase the same amount of shares in the additional closing as they did in the initial closing.

Pursuant to the conditions precedent in the Second Series D Stock Purchase Agreement pertaining to a subsequent closing, the Company’s Board of Directors waived any unmet milestones in a Board meeting held on May 14, 2013. This action included a Board Resolution which authorized the Company to enter into a waiver document which waived the milestones and related approvals required under the Second Series D Purchase Agreement for the subsequent closing and, in addition, the requisite Series D Stock shareholders also waived the subsequent closing obligation that required the purchasers of less than 2,000,000 shares of Second Series D Stock in the initial closing to purchase the same number of shares of Series D Stock in the subsequent closing and approved the Company moving forward with the subsequent closing.

On May 29, 2013, the Company issued an additional 34,510,176 shares of its Second Series D Stock pursuant to the Second Tranche of the Second Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for gross proceeds of $7,554,277. The Second Series D Stock was subsequently closed for the issuance of the additional, available shares in that agreement.

On February 4, 2014, the Company entered into the Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Series E Agreement”) authorizing the sale and issuance of up to 99,132,024 shares of its Series E Stock for $0.2189 per share and warrants (the “Series E Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 33,044,008 shares of Series E Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share. Pursuant to the Series E Agreement, up to 49,566,012 shares of Series E Stock together with Series E Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 16,522,004 shares of Series E Stock would be offered at one or more closings of a first tranche and the remainder of which will be offered in a second tranche. The Series E Agreement further provided that the amount of shares reserved for issuance under the 2011 Stock Option Plan be increased to 20% and required to be kept at that percentage with each subsequent equity financing.

As a result of the Series E Preferred Agreement, the Company’s authorized shares were increased to 600,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 472,083,383 shares of Preferred Stock.

On February 4, 2014 the Company issued 34,099,476 shares of Series E Stock pursuant to the Series E Agreement at a price per share of $0.2189 per share. Along with the shares of Series E Stock, one Series E Warrant was issued for every three shares of Series E Stock purchased with a purchase price of $0.0001 per Series E Warrant and an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Series E Stock for a total of 11,366,486 Series E Warrants. Each Series E Stock purchaser was required to exercise the Series E Warrant in a simultaneous transaction with the purchase of shares of Series E Stock. Together with the Series E Warrants, the issuance of shares of Series E Stock and Series E Warrants resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $7,476,879.

 

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On March 31, 2014, pursuant to a rights offering, the Company issued 354,062 shares of Series E Stock pursuant to the Series E Agreement at a price per share of $0.2189 per share. Along with the shares of Series E Stock, one Series E Warrant was issued for each three shares of Series E Stock purchased with a purchase price of $0.0001 per Series E Warrant and an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Series E Stock for a total of 118,017 Series E Warrants. Each Series E Stock purchaser was required to exercise the Series E Warrant in a simultaneous transaction with the purchase of shares of Series E Stock. Together with Series E Warrants, the issuance of shares of Series E Stock and Series E Warrants resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $77,634. The Series E Agreement provides for a second tranche on or before November 30, 2014, contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones. Each share of Series E Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a one-for-one ratio.

The Series D Stock and Series E Stock accrue cumulative dividends at 8% per annum on the original issue price of $0.2189, whether or not declared by the Board of Directors. Cash dividends are only to be paid, however, upon declaration by the Board of Directors or upon the automatic conversion of the Company’s Preferred Stock. Dividends are accreted based on the number of days outstanding. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the cumulative Series D Stock dividends were $4,685,599 and $2,415,173, respectively. The Series D Stock and Series E Stock accruing dividends may be paid in additional shares of Series D Stock or Series E Stock or in underlying common stock (on if converted method) if preferred shares are converted instead of cash if approved by the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Stock, which approval has been obtained, subsequent to year end.

After payment of the accruing dividends above, any additional dividend payment (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock approved by at least a majority of the Series E Directors) shall be distributed among the holders of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock then outstanding pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each holder (assuming conversion of all such Preferred Stock into Common Stock at the then effective conversion prices). The Company cannot declare or pay any dividends on the Series A Stock, Series B Stock and Series C Stock or Common Stock (collectively, the “Junior Stock”) unless at the same time an equivalent or greater dividend is declared or paid on all outstanding shares of the Series D Stock and Series E Stock (the “Senior Preferred”), and all accruing dividends then accrued on outstanding shares of Senior Preferred have been paid in full. There were no dividends declared by the Board of Directors through December 31, 2013. The Series A/B/C Stock shareholders are also entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A/B/C Stock are convertible.

The following shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock have been issued by the Company as of December 31, 2013:

 

     Years
Issued
     Shares
Issued
     Net
Proceeds
 

Series A Stock

     2002 – 2004         1,292,084       $ 1,307,794   

Series B Stock

     2005 – 2006         11,919,624         3,542,237   

Series C-1 Stock

     2007         16,240,450         5,505,641   

Series C-2 Stock

     2008 – 2009         19,104,610         4,172,672   

Series D Stock

     2011 – 2013         143,737,467         30,947,548   

The value of the Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares is recorded at the amount initially received on the date of issuance, adjusted for the accretion of issuance costs utilizing the effective interest method and the accretion of cumulative dividends.

The value of the Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares is recorded at the amount initially received on the date of issuance or upon conversion from debt, less any applicable discounts for issuance costs, adjusted for the accretion of discounts utilizing the effective interest method up to the redemption amount from the respective issuance date to the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, and the accretion of cumulative dividends. The redemption value for Series A/B/C Stock agrees to the liquidation value on face of the balance sheet. The redemption value of Series D Stock is $36,149,731.

 

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8. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 324,763,566 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, at December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 10,503,643 and 10,353,643 and 10,409,590 and 10,259,590 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, respectively.

Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. All shares of Common Stock rank equally as to voting and all other matters. The shares of Common Stock have no preemptive or conversion rights, no redemption or sinking fund provisions, no liability for further call or assessment, and are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.

Restricted Stock Awards

In January 2011, the Company granted a 180,000 share restricted stock award of Common Stock to a certain nonemployee director with a determined fair value of $3,600. The shares vest over 14 quarters and are subject to early exercisability. Any unvested shares can be repurchased at the option of the Company for $0.02 per share in the event that the nonemployee director voluntarily or involuntarily separates from the Company. The provision expires proportionally with the vesting of the award. The fair value of the restricted stock award is recognized as stock compensation expense over the vesting period. The nonemployee director resigned his directorship in November 2012 and as a result, the Company issued 101,250 vested shares underlying the restricted stock agreement which terminated with his resignation.

Restricted stock activity is as follows:

 

     Shares     Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 

Balance at January 1, 2012 (unvested)

     112,500      $ 0.02   

Granted

     —         —    

Vested

     (33,750     0.02   

Forfeited

     (78,750     0.02   
  

 

 

   

Balance at December 31, 2012 (unvested)

     —         —    

Granted

     —         —    

Vested

     —         —    

Forfeited

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

Balance at December 31, 2013 (unvested)

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

Share-based compensation expense related to all restricted stock awards outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $0 and $1,238, respectively. There was no unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock at December 31, 2013.

Stock Option Plan

The Company has established the 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which includes incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock to be granted to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan was 41,612,687 at December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Board of Directors establishes the terms and conditions of all stock awards, subject to the 2001 Plan and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The exercise price of options and restricted stock granted under the 2001 Plan is generally equal to the estimated fair value of the Company’s

 

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stock at grant date, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The vesting period of options and restricted stock grants is also established by the Board of Directors but typically ranges between three and four years. Options under the 2001 Plan generally expire in 10 years.

On March 30, 2011, the Board of Directors approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) as the continuation of and successor to the 2001 Plan. Upon adoption of the 2011 Plan by the Board of Directors and as approved by the Company’s stockholders, all the outstanding stock awards granted pursuant to the 2001 Plan continue to be subject to the terms and conditions as set forth in the agreements evidencing such stock awards. However, any shares subject to the outstanding stock awards granted under the 2001 Plan that expire or terminate prior to exercise or settlement or are forfeited at any time on or after March 30, 2011, become available for issuance as awards granted pursuant to the 2011 Plan. At December 31, 2013, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan is 53,764,932.

A summary of the Plans’ stock option activity is as follows:

 

    Plan
Options
Outstanding
    Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 

Balance at January 1, 2012

    23,210,278      $ 0.04        8.0     

Options granted

    6,304,000        0.02       

Exercised

    (314,160     0.03       

Forfeited

    (4,087,274     0.03       
 

 

 

       

Balance at December 31, 2012

    25,112,844        0.04        6.4     

Options granted

    14,950,737        0.02       

Exercised

    (94,053     0.04       

Forfeited

    (2,472,301     0.03       
 

 

 

       

Balance at December 31, 2013

    37,497,227        0.03        7.5      $ —    
 

 

 

       

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013

    33,408,771        0.03        7.4      $ —    
 

 

 

       

Exercisable at December 31, 2013

    20,105,893        0.04        6.3      $ —    
 

 

 

       

Available for grant at December 31, 2013

    2,410,856         
 

 

 

       

Below is a summary of stock option grant activity and related fair value information for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

2013 Grants

   Options
Granted
     Exercise
Price
     Fair Value of
Common Stock on
Date of Grant
 

February

     5,295,237       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   

May

     295,000       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   

September

     9,320,500       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   

October

     40,000       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   
  

 

 

       

Total

     140,950,737         
  

 

 

       

In October 2012, the Board of Directors and 60% of requisite preferred holders approved a plan to set aside no less than 15% of the proceeds of any sale of the Company to be distributed to the Company’s employees, directors, or consultants as designated by the Board of Directors (the “HTG Employee Retention Plan”). The amount to be set aside is dependent on the net proceeds, defined as the value of consideration of a liquidating transaction in excess of the preferences due to holders of the Series D Stock (see Note 7) plus the amounts due

 

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under the NuvoGen asset purchase agreement (see Note 12), and any amounts received by the stock option holders for their stock options in the sales transaction. The HTG Employee Retention Plan is in preference to any required distributions to the Company’s Series A/B/C Stock shareholders. The HTG Employee Retention Plan can be revoked at any time by the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Company has granted 27,940,365 additional option shares through June 30, 2014.

9. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was based upon management’s estimate of taxable income or loss for each respective period. The Company recognized an asset or liability for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. These temporary differences would result in deductible or taxable amounts in future years, when the reported amounts of the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, respectively. The Company also recognized a deferred tax asset relating to the future tax benefits from net loss carryforwards.

The Company’s actual income tax expense for the years 2013 and 2012 differs from the expected amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to loss before income taxes as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Computed tax (benefit) at 34%

   $ (4,001,602   $ (4,343,164

State taxes, net of federal benefit

     (99,947     (388,395

Stock-based compensation

     11,303        19,165   

Expiring state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards

     137,316        75,878   

Return to provision

     2,308        (44,360

Other

     11,801        17,140   

Research and development tax credit – state

     (95,208     (328,379

Research and development tax credit – federal

     (29,035     (213,447

Change in valuation reserve

     4,063,064        5,205,562   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ —       $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities comprise the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
           (restated)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 15,735,837      $ 11,429,120   

Research and development credits

     741,948        764,640   

Deferred revenue

     15,594        35,478   

Inventory reserve

     196,707        199,406   

Fixed Assets

     102,157        131,604   

Accrued NuvoGen liability

     3,557,959        3,682,212   

Capitalized research and development

     82,859        111,859   

Other

     95,288        52,603   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     20,528,348        16,406,922   

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Other

     (118,505     (60,142
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     20,409,843        16,346,779   

Valuation allowance

     (20,409,843     (16,346,779
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset, net

   $ —       $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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As of December 31, 2013, the Company has estimated federal and state NOL carryforwards of approximately $43,112,326 and $22,171,123 for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively. The Company’s federal NOLs begin to expire in 2021. The Company’s state NOLs began expiring in 2006 and will continue to expire through 2033.

For financial reporting purposes, a valuation allowance of $20,409,843 and $16,346,779 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, has been established to offset deferred tax assets relating mainly to NOLs and research and development credits. The increase in the valuation allowance of $4,063,064 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $5,205,562 for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to increased operating losses. The Company has established a valuation allowance against the entire tax asset. As a result, the Company does not recognize any tax benefit until it is in a taxpaying position and, therefore, more likely to realize the tax benefit. Past and subsequent equity offerings by the Company, and other transactions that have an impact on the Company’s ownership structure, may trigger Sections 382 and 383 provisions of the Internal Revenue Code on special limitations on net operating losses and credits following ownership change. Such limitations may limit or eliminate the potential future tax benefit to be realized by the Company from its accumulated NOLs and research and development credits.

The Company applies a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation process, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has not identified any uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2013 or 2012.

The Company files income tax returns in the United States and various state jurisdictions, with varying statutes of limitations. As of December 31, 2013, the earliest tax year still subject to examination is 2010 for federal purposes and 2009 for state purposes. In June 2012, the IRS commenced an examination of the Company’s 2009 income tax year; however that audit was completed in 2012 with no changes to the return as filed.

10. Net Loss per Share

Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing the net loss allocable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock or common stock equivalents outstanding. Outstanding stock options, warrants and preferred stock have not been included in the calculation of diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the numerator and the denominator used in computing both basic and diluted net loss per share for each period are the same. The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

    For the years ended
December 31,
 
    2013     2012  

Numerator:

   

Net Loss

  $ (11,769,419   $ (12,774,011

Accretion of stock issuance costs

    (151,496     (109,764

Series D, preferred stock dividends

    (2,270,426     (1,398,862
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (14,191,341   $ (14,282,637
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator

   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding- basic and diluted

    10,333,530        10,139,328   

 

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The following outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

     For the years ended
December 31,
 
     2013      2012  

Options to purchase common stock

     37,497,227         25,112,844   

Convertible preferred stock (as converted)

     206,768,425         172,258,246   

Convertible preferred stock warrants (as converted)

     2,956,962         3,653,549   

Common stock warrant

     100,000         100,000   

11. Leases

The Company leases office and laboratory space under two noncancelable operating leases in Tucson, Arizona, which expire in November and December 2015, respectively. The Company leased office space in 2012 and 2013 under a noncancelable lease in Madison, Wisconsin, which it terminated on July 31, 2013. Under the terms of the two Tucson leases, the Company has one option to extend the leases for five years at the end of the initial seven-year lease term. The annual combined Tucson lease payment for 2013 was $296,845 and is subject to a 3% annual escalation provision.

Differences between accrued, straight-line rental expense and actual cash payments required under these leases are treated as deferred rent payable, which is included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheets, resulting in a liability of $69,303 and $75,380 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2013, future minimum lease payments required under all noncancelable operating leases with initial terms of one year or more consist of the following:

 

     Operating
Leases
 

2014

   $ 329,391   

2015

     331,010   

2016

     6,864   

2017

     4,022   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 671,287   
  

 

 

 

Rent expense and common area maintenance costs for all operating leases were $387,789 and $378,892 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively .

On December 31, 2012, the Company entered into a noncancelable capital lease for lab equipment and recorded an asset and obligation for $146,213. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, accumulated amortization was $29,243 and $0 respectively. The lease term is for five years after which title will transfer to the Company. Under the Lease, the Company is required to make monthly payments of $2,437 until December 2017 with annual commitments of $29,243 each year. Total obligation recorded as of December 31, 2013 was $116,970 of which $29,243 is classified as short term and $87,727 is classified as long term.

12. Other Agreements

NuvoGen Obligation

The Company entered into an asset purchase agreement in 2001, as amended (the “Agreement”), with NuvoGen Research, LLC (“NuvoGen”) to acquire certain intellectual property from NuvoGen. The Company accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition, however, as the intellectual property was determined to not have an alternative future use, the consideration was expensed. The Company exchanged upfront consideration of 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The remaining cash consideration of $15,000,000 is to be paid by the Company through the greater of minimum annual payments or 6% of the Company’s applicable annual revenues. The obligation is non-interest bearing and was secured by certain patents and trademarks.

 

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The Company recorded the obligation at the estimated present value of the future payments using a discount rate of 2.5%, the Company’s estimate of its effective borrowing rate for similar obligations. Unamortized debt discount was $751,651 and $961,807 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Pursuant to an amendment in November 2012, the Company and NuvoGen reached agreement to cap the payment due under the Agreement to an annually escalating amount ranging between $425,000 and $500,000 through December 31, 2016 and to provide for accrual of compound interest at a rate of 2.5% per year on the unpaid obligation beginning January 1, 2017. Beginning January 2017, the Agreement reverts back to the greater of minimum annual payments of $400,000 or 6% of the Company’s applicable annual revenues until the full $15,000,000 is paid. The amendment also provides that to the extent the amount of the otherwise 6% payment on applicable revenue exceeds the minimum payment due from 2013 thru 2016 (the “Deferral”), such Deferral would accrue annual interest at a rate of 5% and be added to the outstanding NuvoGen liability. The Deferral and accrued interest is determined payable at the earlier of June 30, 2019, or upon the Company achieving a trailing operating profit of $1,000,000 or more, measured at six month intervals, beginning June 30, 2017. Upon the achievement of this first payment date, 50% of the Deferral and 50% of the accrued interest are payable within 15 days of the measurement date, with the remaining Deferral and accrued interest due within 180 days. The amendment further provides that the accrued interest can be converted, at one warrant per dollar of accrued interest, into 5-year warrants for the purchase of the Company’s common stock at $1 per share.

The Company compared the present value of the cash flows after the November 2012 amendment using the effective interest rate of the original obligation with the carrying value of the obligation and determined that there was a more than 10% change and accordingly, accounted for the amendment as an extinguishment. A loss on extinguishment of $2,008,663 was recorded representing the difference between the carrying value of the original obligation and the fair value of the amended obligation. The fair value was estimated as the present value of the future payments at an effective interest rate of 2.5%.

On February 28, 2014, the Company and NuvoGen further amended the Agreement to increase the amount of minimum payments due, extended the minimum payment period and Deferral through December 31, 2017 and also extended the Deferral payment period one year to June 30, 2020 or upon the Company achieving a trailing operating profit of $1,000,000 or more, measured at six month intervals, beginning June 30, 2018. Upon the achievement of this first payment date, 50% of the Deferral and 50% of the accrued interest are payable within 15 days of the measurement date, with the remaining Deferral and accrued interest due within 180 days. The amendment did not significantly change the minimum cash flows or interest rate and therefore had no significant accounting effect.

Pursuant to the closing of the Growth Term Loan in August 2014 (See Note 5), the Company agreed to accelerate certain minimum payments pursuant to the NuvoGen Agreement and NuvoGen agreed to terminate its security interest in the originally pledged patents and trademarks. Remaining minimum payments that were otherwise due for 2014, 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, amounting to $868,750 were paid in advance. No further payment is due under the Agreement until the second quarter of 2016.

Payments to NuvoGen during 2013 and 2012 were $425,000 and $400,000, respectively. Interest accreted during 2013 and 2012 was $210,156 and $229,494, respectively.

 

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The minimum payments due to NuvoGen at December 31, 2013 after giving effect to the February 2014 amendment, are as follows:

 

2014

   $ 450,000   

2015

     575,000   

2016

     725,000   

2017

     800,000   

2018

     400,000   

2019 and beyond

     7,498,743   
  

 

 

 
   $ 10,448,743   
  

 

 

 

Merck Non-Exclusive License Agreement

In June 2012, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (“Merck”) whereby the Company agreed to sublicense certain intellectual property related to breast cancer biomarkers with the intent to develop, manufacture and commercialize a diagnostic test utilizing this technology. The Company agreed to pay Merck certain contingent milestone payments between $50,000 and $1,000,000 and future royalties of 3%-6% of sales derived from such products developed that utilize the licensed technology. No amounts have been paid under this agreement as the Company has not achieved any of the milestone targets or developed any products that utilize the licensed technology.

13. Related-Party Transactions

The Company recorded revenues from a customer who is the Company’s largest holder of Series C Stock and a Series D Stock shareholder, of approximately $33,400 and $190,800 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Accounts receivable from this customer approximated $11,200 and $28,800 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company issued a Preferred Warrant to this shareholder in 2007 that was contingently exercisable based on reaching certain sales targets with the shareholder through December 2011, which expired in December 2013 (see Note 6).

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company paid $425,000 and $400,000, respectively, to NuvoGen, who is also a Common Stock shareholder of the Company. The underlying agreement with NuvoGen was amended in November 2012 and February 2014 (see Note 12).

In August 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a member of its Board of Directors (‘Board’) to provide certain sales promotion services. The agreement stipulated payments to the Director of $65,000 per year for such services when the Company achieved revenues of $10,000,000 per year. While the consulting agreement expired on October 31, 2009, the agreement was amended in July of 2011 whereby the Company agreed to waive the minimum revenue target and pay the Director a total of $195,000 for past services performed in three equal installments beginning in 2011. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued $65,000 for the final payment under this agreement, which was included in accrued liabilities and other liabilities and then subsequently paid in July 2013. This Director resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors in November 2012.

In March 2014 and July 2013, the Company entered into two separate consulting agreements to assess potential markets for its products with a Series D shareholder. The shareholder was paid $27,793 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The shareholder’s principal is a member of the Board.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

The Company’s industry is characterized by frequent claims and litigation, including claims regarding intellectual property and product liability. As a result, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings from time to time. The results of any future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and regardless of the

 

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outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Any current litigation is considered immaterial and counter claims have been assessed as remote.

15. Defined Contribution Plan

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company established a defined contribution plan (the 401(k) Plan) under Internal Revenue Code section 401(k). All employees upon hire and who are over the age of 21 are eligible for participation in the 401(k) Plan. The Company may make discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan, but has not done so during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

16. BARDA Contract

In August 2011, the Company entered into a Research Subaward Agreement Amendment (the “Agreement”) with the Arizona State University (“ASU”) to continue its research efforts on the Biomarker Advanced Research Development Authority (“BARDA”) project entitled “Biomarker-Based Radiation Dosimetry Project,” which originated in 2009. Total maximum consideration to be earned by the Company under the original contract was $11,300,000 over five years if all annual extensions were awarded. In May 2012, ASU informed the Company that the Agreement’s original scope of work and compensation was being reduced by approximately 20% and that future extensions under the contract may be significantly reduced. After a series of amendments in 2012, the contract was extended through August 31, 2012, at which point it was terminated. The Company did not recognize revenues under the BARDA contract for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company recognized contract research revenue of $364,262 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company earned $2,635,621 from the contract since the inception of the project through December 31, 2013.

17. Restatement of Financial Statements

The Company restated certain opening balances as of January 1, 2012 to reflect the net present value of the non-interest bearing obligation due to NuvoGen (See Note 12) in the amount of $8,073,779 in connection with the acquisition of intellectual property. Accumulated deficit was increased $8,073,779 as of January 1, 2012 to record prior period expense related to the intellectual property purchased from NuvoGen.

For the year ended December 31, 2012 the Company recorded an adjustment of $400,000 to reduce cost of revenue and reclassify payments made to NuvoGen as a reduction of the amounts owed to them and interest. In addition, the Company recorded a discount to the amount due NuvoGen and amortized the discount at a rate of 2.5%. The unamortized discount at December 31, 2012 was $961,807.

Adjustments were also made as of January 1, 2012 to reclassify accretion of preferred stock dividends amounting to $2,947,580 from accumulated deficit to additional paid in capital as the Company had inception to date losses with no retained earnings and for the year ended December 31, 2012 to reclassify license revenue of $141,667 from other income, net to other revenue and to reclassify bad debt expense of $16,950 from other income, net to selling, general and administrative.

 

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The effect of the adjustments described above are presented in the following table:

 

     December 31, 2012  
    

As previously

reported

   

Reclassification

Adjustments

   

Restatement

Adjustments

    Restated  

Balance Sheet Data:

        

NuvoGen obligation (current)

     —         —         425,000        425,000   

NuvoGen obligation (non-current)

     —         —         9,486,936        9,486,936   

Accumulated deficit

     (35,476,520     2,947,580        (9,911,936     (42,440,876

Additional paid-in capital (Distributions in excess of capital)

     1,300,421        (2,947,580     —         (1,647,159

Statement of Operations Data:

        

Total revenue

     2,339,181        141,667        —         2,480,848   

Cost of revenue

     2,216,223        —         (400,000     1,816,223   

Gross margin

     122,958        141,667        400,000        664,625   

Selling, general and administrative

     7,272,074        16,950        —         7,289,024   

Operating loss

     (11,073,576     124,717        400,000        (10,548,859

Interest expense

     (21,582     —         (229,494     (251,076

Loss on extinguishment of NuvoGen obligation

     —         —         (2,008,663     (2,008,663

Other income, net

     135,434        (124,717     —         10,717   

Net loss, before income taxes

     (10,935,854     —         (1,838,157     (12,774,011

Net loss

     (10,935,854     —         (1,838,157     (12,774,011

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

     (12,444,480     —         (1,838,157     (14,282,637

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,694,480      $ 1,815,289   

Accounts receivable, net

     839,503        603,853   

Inventory, net allowance of $0 and $536,119 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

     1,291,628        744,171   

Prepaid expenses and other

     163,004        164,127   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     9,988,615        3,327,440   

Deferred financing and offering costs

     848,079        —    

Property and equipment:

    

Office equipment

     382,016        310,158   

Leasehold improvements

     234,602        219,284   

Laboratory and manufacturing equipment

     2,017,381        1,871,234   

Evaluation and rental equipment

     327,635        —    

Software

     140,248        140,248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,101,882        2,540,924   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,826,604     (1,470,517
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     1,275,278        1,070,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 12,111,972      $ 4,397,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 402,913      $ 750,236   

Accrued liabilities

     1,754,572        1,036,148   

Deferred revenue

     72,142        136,690   

NuvoGen obligation

     —         450,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,229,627        2,373,074   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     401,950        44,120   

Term loan payable

     10,394,618        —    

NuvoGen obligation non-current

     8,632,393        9,247,092   

Other

     87,623        117,172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     21,746,211        11,781,458   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock:

    

Series A, $0.001 par value; $1,406,369 liquidation value; 1,292,084 shares authorized; 1,292,084 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     1,402,438        1,401,677   

Series B, $0.001 par value; $3,695,083 liquidation value; 11,919,624 and 12,657,346 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 11,919,624 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     3,684,776        3,795,690   

Series C-1, $0.001 par value; $5,619,196 liquidation value; 17,530,800 and 19,896,300 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 16,240,450 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     5,600,311        5,596,660   

Series C-2, $0.001 par value; $4,310,000 liquidation value; 19,262,522 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 19,104,610 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     4,275,848        4,270,835   

Series D, $0.001 par value; $69,496,538 liquidation value; 237,031,908 and 198,217,972 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 143,737,467 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     37,727,770        35,803,437   

Series E, $0.001 par value; $20,634,985 liquidation value; 185,046,445 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 45,938,041 and no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

     8,221,615        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total redeemable convertible preferred stock

     60,912,758        50,868,299   

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 600,000,000 and 324,763,566 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 11,559,780 and 11,409,780 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2014; 10,503,643 and 10,353,643 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2013

     11,413        10,354   

Distributions in excess of capital

     (6,453,369     (3,976,969

Treasury stock – 150,000 shares, at cost

     (75,000     (75,000

Accumulated deficit

     (64,030,041     (54,210,295
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (70,546,997     (58,251,910
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 12,111,972      $ 4,397,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

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HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Condensed Statement of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2014     2013  

Revenue:

    

Product

   $ 977,386      $ 528,278   

Service

     396,840        738,783   

Other

     656,917        362,020   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     2,031,143        1,629,081   

Cost of revenue

     2,005,276        1,544,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     25,867        84,401   

Operating expenses:

    

Selling, general and administrative

     7,116,544        6,233,197   

Research and development

     2,372,972        3,143,185   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     9,489,516        9,376,382   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (9,463,649     (9,291,981

(Loss) income from change in stock warrant valuation

     (56,323     120,816   

Interest expense

     (292,018     (157,557

Other (expense) income, net

     (7,756     197,569   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss before income taxes

     (9,819,746     (9,131,153

Income taxes

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (9,819,746     (9,131,153

Accretion of stock issuance costs

     (71,175     (113,622

Accretion of Series E warrant discount

     (251,893     —    

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends

     (2,405,987     (1,635,972
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (12,548,801   $ (10,880,747
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (1.21   $ (1.05

Shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     10,357,118        10,326,727   

See notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited)

 

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HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(Unaudited)

 

    Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock  
    Series A     Series B     Series C-1     Series C-2     Series D     Series E  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Balance at December 31, 2013

    1,292,084      $ 1,401,677        11,919,624      $ 3,795,690        16,240,450      $ 5,596,660        19,104,610      $ 4,270,835        143,737,467      $ 35,803,437        —       $ —    

Issuance of preferred stock Series E, net of issuance cost of $126,206

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         34,453,538        5,539,106   

Exercise of Series E warrants

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         11,484,503        1,889,201   

Exercise of stock options

                       

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock issuance costs

    —         761        —         1,989        —         3,651        —         5,013        —         42,903        —         16,858   

Accretion of Series E warrant discount

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         251,893   

Adjustment to Series B book value

    —         —         —         (112,903     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,881,430        —         524,557   

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

    1,292,084      $ 1,402,438        11,919,624      $ 3,684,776        16,240,450      $ 5,600,311        19,104,610      $ 4,275,848        143,737,467      $ 37,727,770        45,938,041      $ 8,221,615   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    Accumulated Deficit  
    Common Stock     Distributions In
excess of Capital
    Treasury Stock     Accumulated
Deficit
    Total  
    Shares     Amount          

Balance at December 31, 2013

    10,353,643      $ 10,354      $ (3,976,969   $ (75,000   $ (54,210,295   $ (58,251,910

Issuance of preferred stock Series E, net of issuance cost of $126,206

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of Series E warrants

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

    1,056,137        1,059        20,246        —         —         21,305   

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         119,506        —         —         119,506   

Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock issuance costs

    —         —         (71,175     —         —         (71,175

Accretion of discount on Series E warrant

    —         —         (251,893     —         —         (251,893

Adjustment to book value of Series B

    —         —         112,903        —         —         112,903   

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend

    —         —         (2,405,987     —         —         (2,405,987

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (9,819,746     (9,819,746
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

    11,409,780      $ 11,413      $ (6,453,369   $ (75,000   $ (64,030,041   $ (70,546,997
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited)

 

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HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2014     2013  

Operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (9,819,746   $ (9,131,153

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     365,100        203,657   

Accretion of discount on NuvoGen obligation

     141,551        158,009   

Bad debt expense

     117,467        —    

Change in provision for excess inventory

     —         136   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     2,700        —    

Amortization of discount on term loan

     16,125        —    

Share-based compensation

     119,506        66,071   

Change in preferred warrants valuation

     56,323        (120,816

Loss on disposal of asset

     35,960        35,828   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (353,117     (396,948

Inventory

     (525,942     (362,832

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,123        (116,625

Accounts payable

     (347,323     (60,599

Accrued liabilities and other

     60,925        698,823   

Deferred revenue

     (64,548     (62,500

Other long term liabilities

     (7,617     (74,038
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (10,201,513     (9,162,987

Investing activities

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (627,446     (530,470
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (627,446     (530,470

Financing activities

    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     21,305        4,109   

Draws on line of credit

     750,000        —    

Payments on line of credit

     (750,000     —    

Payments on capital lease

     (21,932     (22,129

Payments on NuvoGen obligation

     (1,206,250     (318,750

Proceeds from term loan

     10,680,000        —    

Deferred financing and offering costs

     (193,280     —    

Proceeds from sale of Series D preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     —         7,521,051   

Proceeds from sale of Series E preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     7,428,307        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     16,708,150        7,184,281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     5,879,191        (2,509,176

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     1,815,289        7,316,054   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 7,694,480      $ 4,806,878   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing activities

    

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

   $ 71,175      $ 113,622   

Accretion of Series E warrant discount

   $ 251,893      $ —    

Adjustment to Series B book value

   $ (112,903   $ —    

Accretion of Series D and E redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends

   $ 2,405,987      $ 1,635,972   

Transfer of fixed assets to inventory

     21,515        —    

Accrual of deferred offering and finance costs

     657,499        —    

Allocation of Series E warrant debt discount

     301,507        —    

Supplemental cash flow information

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 145,367      $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited)

 

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HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Background

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Company”) is a commercial stage company that developed and markets a novel technology platform to facilitate the routine use of complex molecular profiling. The Company’s HTG Edge platform, consisting of instrumentation, consumables and software analytics, is used in sample profiling applications including tumor profiling, molecular diagnostic testing and biomarker development. The Company’s HTG Edge platform automates the molecular profiling of genes and gene activity using its proprietary nuclease protection chemistry on a wide variety of biological samples. The Company derives revenue from the sale of instruments, consumables and related services.

The Company operates in one segment and its customers are primarily located the United States. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, approximately 18% and 14%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue was generated from sales to customers located outside of the United States.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.7 million. The Company has had recurring operating losses since inception and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $64.0 million as of September 30, 2014. The Company believes that current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet the Company’s current anticipated cash needs, including working capital needs, capital expenditures and various contractual obligations, for at least the next 12 months. If needed, the Company has the ability to strategically reduce its fixed operating costs. The Company will need to raise additional capital until its revenue reaches a level to provide for self-sustaining cash flows. There can be no assurance that additional equity or debt financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and reflect the accounts of the Company as of September 30, 2014. Accordingly they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited, condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting or normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of its operations and cash flows, as of and for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in this prospectus.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant estimates include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, the value of the warrant liability, the resolution of uncertain tax positions, income tax valuation allowances, recovery of long-lived assets and provisions for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence and inventory valuation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable represent valid claims against debtors and have been reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $102,467 and $36,300 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Management reviews accounts receivable to identify where collectability may not be probable based on the specific identification method. Bad debt expense was $117,467 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to their liquidity and short-term nature.

Inventory, net

Inventory, consisting of raw materials and finished goods, is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence, or unmarketable inventory, in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the Company, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Inventory impairment charges establish a new cost basis for inventory and charges are not reversed subsequently to income, even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 the Company wrote off inventory previously reserved, resulting in a decrease in the inventory reserve of $536,119. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the Company recorded an increase in the inventory reserve of $136 to adjust for estimated obsolescence. The amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was recorded within the cost of revenues.

Included in inventory are HTG Edge instrument finished goods under evaluation at customer locations under evaluation agreements. Equipment that is under evaluation for purchase remains in inventory. Generally, the Company permits instruments to be evaluated for a period up to 90 days. If the customer has not completed the purchase of the instrument by the end of the 90-day evaluation period, management will then determine whether to extend the evaluation period or have the equipment returned to the Company. When management decides to extend the valuation period for a longer term to a small number of customers, the Company transfers the equipment to evaluation equipment, a long-term asset, and depreciates the asset over its estimated life of five years.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated over their useful lives, which range from three to five years, using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life. Depreciation and leasehold improvement amortization expense was $365,101 and $203,657 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Costs incurred in the development and installation of software for internal use are expensed or capitalized, depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage (expensed), application development stage (capitalized), or post-implementation stage (expensed). Amounts capitalized following project completion are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the developed asset, which is generally three years. Amortization expense for capitalized software costs was $15,583 and $35,062 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Stock Issuance Costs

Certain costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Company’s Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) have been deferred and are being accreted. Stock issuance costs are accreted to distributions in excess of capital using the effective interest method. Accretion was $71,175 and $113,622 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. An adjustment of $(112,903) was made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to correct an immaterial error from prior periods and reduce the book value of Series B to the correct accreted balance.

Deferred Financing Costs

Certain costs incurred in connection with an asset-secured growth capital term loan (the “Growth Term Loan”) have been deferred and are being amortized. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the Growth Term Loan using the effective interest method. The Company has recorded approximately $0.1 million and $0 of deferred financing costs as a non-current asset in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Amortization was $2,700 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs represent legal, accounting and other direct costs related to the Company’s efforts to raise capital through an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock. Future costs will be deferred until the completion of the initial public offering, at which time they will be reclassified to additional paid-in capital as a reduction of the proceeds. All deferred costs will be expensed if the Company terminates its plan for an initial public offering. The Company has recorded approximately $0.7 million and $0 of deferred offering costs as a non-current asset in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents cash receipts for products or services to be provided in future periods. When products are delivered or services are rendered, deferred revenue is then recognized as earned.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of instruments, consumables and related services when the following four basic criteria are met: (1) a contract has been entered into with a customer or persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (3) the fee is fixed and determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Sale of instruments and consumables

Instrument product revenue is generally recognized upon installation and calibration by our field service engineers, unless the customer has specified any other acceptance criteria. The sale of instruments and related installation and calibration are considered to be one unit of accounting, as instruments are required to be professionally installed and calibrated before use. Installation generally occurs within a week of shipment.

Consumables are considered to be separate units of accounting as they are sold separately. Consumables revenue is recognized upon transfer of ownership, which is generally upon shipment. The Company’s standard term and conditions provide that no right of return exists for instruments or consumables.

When a contract involves multiple elements, the items included in the arrangement (deliverables) are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. The Company performs this evaluation at the inception of an arrangement and as each item is delivered in the arrangement. Generally, the Company accounts

 

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for a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) separately if the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer, the customer is given a general right of return relative to the delivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item or service is probable and substantially in the Company’s control. When multiple elements can be separated into separate units of accounting, arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the arrangement, based on each deliverables’ relative selling price. All revenue from contracts determined not to have separate units of accounting is recognized based on consideration of the most substantive delivery factor of all the elements in the contract.

The Company provides instruments to customers under a reagent agreement. Under these agreements, the Company installs instruments in the customer’s facility without a fee and the customer agrees to purchase consumable products at a stated price over the term of the agreement; however, the agreements do not contain a minimum purchase requirement. Terms range from several months to multiple years and may automatically renew in several month or multiple year increments unless either party notifies the other in advance that the agreement will not renew. This represents a multiple element arrangement and because all consideration under the reagent agreement is contingent on the sale of consumables, no consideration has been allocated to the instrument and no revenue has been recognized upon installation of the instrument. The cost of the instrument under the agreement is expected to be recovered in the fees charged for consumables, to the extent sold, over the term of the agreement. Revenue is recognized as consumables are shipped.

The Company retains title to the instrument and such title is transferred to the customer at no additional charge at the conclusion of the initial arrangement. Because the pattern of revenue from the arrangement cannot be reasonably estimated, the cost of the instrument is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Cost to maintain the instrument while title remains with the Company is charged to cost of sales as incurred.

Service Revenue

For contracts related to custom panel design services and sample processing, the Company utilizes a proportional performance revenue recognition model, under which revenue is recognized as performance occurs based on the relative outputs of the performance that have occurred up to that point in time under the respective agreement. The Company includes all applicable costs incurred related to custom panel design services, including research and development costs and general and administrative expenses, in cost of revenue.

The Company also provides contract research services under cost plus fixed fee government contracts. Revenue is recognized under government contracts using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, contract research revenue is recognized as the work progresses and services are rendered and costs are incurred. The fixed fee is recognized in proportion to costs incurred compared to total estimated costs. The Company includes all applicable costs incurred from government contracts, including general and administrative expenses on government contracts, in cost of revenue.

Anticipated losses, if any, on contracts are charged to earnings as soon as they are identified. Anticipated losses cover all costs allocable to contracts. Revenue arising from claims or change orders is recorded either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated and its realization is probable.

Other Revenue

Other revenue includes license and grant revenue.

License revenue is generated from the licensing of the Company’s internally developed intellectual property to third parties. The revenue may be generated by nonrefundable up-front payments and license fees, milestone and other contingent payments, or royalties based on sales of commercialized products. Licensing fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement for agreements requiring specific continuing

 

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performance obligations with deferral of all or a portion of these fees. If it cannot be concluded that a license fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of an arrangement, amounts are recognized as income as payments from third parties become due. No licensing fees were included in other revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Grant revenue is earned when expenditures relating to the projects under these awards are incurred.

Concentration Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and uncollateralized accounts receivable. The Company maintains the majority of its cash balances in the form of cash deposits in bank checking and money market accounts in amounts in excess of federally insured limits. Management believes, based on the quality of the financial institution, that the credit risk with regard to these deposits is not significant.

The Company sells its instruments, consumables, sample processing services, custom panel design services and contract research services primarily to biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and molecular labs. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and credit losses have been minimal to date.

Approximately 12% and 10% of the Company’s revenue was derived from two customers for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. 19% and 12% was derived from two customers for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. One customer accounted for approximately 22% and 23% of the Company’s net accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company derived 32% of its total revenue from a grant from one organization during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The Company currently relies on a single vendor to manufacture its HTG Edge processor and reader and additional single suppliers to supply subcomponents used in the processor. A loss of any of these suppliers could significantly delay the delivery of HTG Edge systems, which in turn would materially affect the Company’s ability to generate revenue.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP.

The revised revenue standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or

 

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events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to the end of the period and determined that, other than as disclosed elsewhere in these notes, there were no other material events that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 13, 2014, the date the financial statements were issued.

2. Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following as of the date indicated:

 

     September 30, 2014      December 31, 2013  

Raw materials

   $ 113,643       $ 203,201   

Work in process

     733         3,117   

Finished goods

     1,177,252         537,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,291,628       $ 744,171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value measurements used by the Company for all financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements are based on the premise that fair value represents an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the following three-tier fair value hierarchy has been used in determining the input used in measuring fair value:

Level 1 – Quoted process in active markets for identical assets or liabilities on the reporting date. Financial assets in Level 1 include the amounts held in money market accounts classified as cash equivalents.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs are generally unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require management’s judgment or estimation of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. The fair values are therefore determined using factors that involve considerable judgment and interpretations, including but not limited to private and public comparables, third-party appraisals, discounted cash flow models, and fund manager estimates. Financial liabilities in this category include the Company’s preferred stock warrants.

 

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The following table provides information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively:

 

    Balance at
September 30,
2014
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Balance at
December 31,
2013
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Asset included in:

               

Money Markets

  $ 7,603,635      $ 7,603,635      $ —       $ —       $ 1,756,958      $ 1,756,958      $ —       $ —    

Liabilities:

               

Growth Term Loan warrants

    301,508        —         —         301,508        —         —         —         —    

Preferred stock warrants

  $ 100,402      $ —       $ —       $ 100,402      $ 44,120      $ —       $ —       $ 44,120   

There are no other financial instruments subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis.

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2, and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between levels for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model and other valuation models for measuring the fair value of its Level 3 preferred stock warrant liabilities.

The Company’s Preferred Stock warrants were categorized as Level 3 because they were valued based on unobservable inputs and management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such financial instruments. The Company performed a fair value assessment of the preferred stock warrant inputs on a quarterly basis using the Black-Scholes option pricing model utilizing the following assumptions:

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Fair value of Series A/B/C/D Stock and Series E Stock shares on grant date or measurement date

   $ 0.04 – $0.31      $ 0.02 – $0.12   

Exercise price

   $ 0.01 – $0.346      $ 0.01 – $0.346   

Expected risk-free interest rate

     1.60     .80

Expected volatility

     70     70

Expected term

     4.5 years        3.1 years   

Expected dividend yield

     0 – 8     0 – 8

The volatility assumption is based on the volatility of publicly traded industry competitors as adjusted for future expectations. The expected term was based on the Company’s historical experience and future expectations with regard to the exercise of the preferred stock warrants and the probability of conversion of the underlying preferred stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the expected terms of the warrants. The fair value of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock was determined by a valuation model that considered both income and market-based valuations of the Company’s enterprise value.

The expected dividend yield is consistent with the dividend rate on the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock.

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are inherently subjective and involve significant judgment. Any change in the fair value was recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the statements of operations.

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Beginning balance

   $ 44,120      $ 205,209   

Issuance of Series E Warrants

     2,191,507        —    

Exercise of Series E Warrants

     (1,890,000     —    

Unrealized (gains)/loss

     56,323        (161,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 401,950      $ 44,120   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

4. Line of Credit and Term Loan

Line of Credit

On January 17, 2014 the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution no longer required the minimum cash covenant, and extended the Company’s line of credit until March 31, 2014, subject to the Company raising net proceeds of at least $5,000,000 in equity financing and provided for an increase in the non-formula maximum borrowing amount to $750,000. On February 4, 2014 the Company raised in excess of $5,000,000 in equity financing from the sale of Series E redeemable convertible preferred stock (See Note 8).

On April 9, 2014, the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company’s line of credit until June 29, 2014.

On July 25, 2014 the Company amended and restated its loan and security agreement with the financial institution whereby the financial institution extended the Company’s line of credit until August 15, 2014.

On August 22, 2014, the Company paid the remaining outstanding balance of $750,000 on the line of credit in full with the proceeds of the Growth Term Loan and the line of credit was terminated. There was $0 outstanding on the line of credit at December 31, 2013.

Growth Term Loan

In August 2014, the Company entered into the Growth Term Loan with a syndicate of two lending institutions. The first tranche of the Growth Term Loan (“Growth Term Loan A”) of $11.0 million was funded at closing with a second tranche of $5.0 million (“Growth Term Loan B”) available through June 30, 2016, subject to satisfaction of at least one of two milestones, including raising a minimum of $30.0 million in net proceeds from an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock or achieving a minimum trailing six month revenue target. The Company received the proceeds, net of a $0.3 million original issue discount. The Company also booked a discount for the issuance of warrants with the debt (See Note 7). The original issuance discount and warrant discount are being amortized, using the effective interest method, over the term of the Growth Term Loan A. Amortization expense was $16,125 and $0 for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed statement of operations. The Growth Term Loan A bears interest at the fixed rate of 8.5% and matures in September 2018 and, at least through September 2015, is payable in monthly interest-only payments. The interest-only payment period is extendable through January 31, 2016, upon funding of the second tranche prior to September 1, 2015. Following the interest-only payment period, equal monthly payments of principal and interest amortized over the remaining term of the loan are due. The Growth Term Loan requires the Company to maintain compliance with specific reporting covenants and does not require financial covenants. The Growth Term Loan is secured by a lien covering substantially all of our assets, excluding patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights (except for rights to payment related to the sale, licensing or disposition of such intellectual property rights) and certain other specified property. The Company will be required to pay a final payment of 3.75% of the total amount borrowed.

 

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The Company paid $0.1 million in financing costs upon entering the Growth Term Loan. The agreement includes warrants to purchase 2,512,562 shares of Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock at a price of $0.2189 per share or at the purchase price of the next round of equity sold if no further shares of Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series E Stock”) are sold. The warrants to purchase shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock expire on August 22, 2024 (See Note 7).

The principal repayments due under the term loan as of September 30, 2014, are as follows:

 

2014

   $ —    

2015

     813,715   

2016

     3,432,771   

2017

     3,736,197   

2018

     3,017,317   
  

 

 

 

Total Growth Term Loan payments

     11,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Less discount

     605,382   
  

 

 

 

Total Growth Term Loan, net

   $ 10,394,618   
  

 

 

 

5. NuvoGen Obligation

The Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) in 2001, as amended, with NuvoGen Research, LLC (“NuvoGen”) to acquire certain intellectual property from NuvoGen. The Company accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition, however, as the intellectual property was determined to not have an alternative future use, the consideration was expensed. The Company exchanged upfront consideration of 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The remaining cash consideration of $15,000,000 is to be paid by the Company through a percentage of applicable annual sales equal to the greater of a minimum annual payment or 6% of the Company’s applicable annual revenues. The obligation is non-interest bearing and was secured by certain patents and trademarks.

The Company recorded the obligation at the estimated present value of the future payments using a discount rate of 2.5%, the Company’s estimate of its effective borrowing rate for similar obligations. Unamortized debt discount was $610,100 and $751,650 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Pursuant to an amendment in November 2012, the Company and NuvoGen reached an agreement to cap the payment due under the Agreement to an annually escalating amount ranging between $425,000 and $500,000 through December 31, 2016 and to provide for accrual of compound interest at a rate of 2.5% per year on the unpaid obligation beginning January 1, 2017. Beginning January 2017, the Agreement reverts back to the greater of minimum annual payments of $400,000 or 6% of the Company’s applicable annual revenues until the full $15,000,000 is paid. The amendment also provides that to the extent the amount of the otherwise 6% payment on applicable revenue exceeds the minimum payment due from 2013 thru 2016 (the “Deferral”), such Deferral would accrue annual interest at a rate of 5% and be added to the outstanding NuvoGen liability. The Deferral and accrued interest is determined payable at the earlier of June 30, 2019, or upon the Company achieving a trailing operating profit of $1,000,000 or more, measured at six month intervals, beginning June 30, 2017. Upon the achievement of this first payment date, 50% of the Deferral and 50% of the accrued interest are payable within 15 days of the measurement date, with the remaining Deferral and accrued interest due within 180 days. The amendment further provides that the accrued interest can be converted, at one warrant per dollar of accrued interest, into 5-year warrants for the purchase of the Company’s common stock at $1 per share.

On February 28, 2014, the Company and NuvoGen further amended the Agreement to increase the amount of minimum payments due, extended the minimum payment period and Deferral through December 31, 2017 and also extended the Deferral payment period one year to June 30, 2020 or upon the Company achieving a trailing operating profit of $1,000,000 or more, measured at six month intervals, beginning June 30, 2018. Upon the

 

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achievement of this first payment date, 50% of the Deferral and 50% of the accrued interest are payable within 15 days of the measurement date, with the remaining Deferral and accrued interest due within 180 days. The amendment did not significantly change the minimum cash flows and therefore had no significant accounting effect.

Pursuant to the closing of the Growth Term Loan in August 2014 (See Note 4), the Company agreed to accelerate certain minimum payments pursuant to the Agreement and NuvoGen agreed to terminate its security interest in the originally pledged patents and trademarks. Remaining, minimum payments that were otherwise due for 2014, 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, amounting to $868,750 were paid in advance. No further payment is due under the Agreement until the second quarter of 2016.

Payments to NuvoGen during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,206,250 and $318,750, respectively. Interest accreted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $141,551 and $158,009 respectively.

The remaining payments due to NuvoGen at September 30, 2014, are as follows:

 

2014

   $ —    

2015

     —    

2016

     543,750   

2017

     800,000   

2018

     400,000   

2019 and beyond

     7,498,743   
  

 

 

 
   $ 9,242,493   
  

 

 

 

6. Net Loss per Share

Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing the net loss allocable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock or common stock equivalents outstanding. Outstanding stock options, warrants and preferred stock have not been included in the calculation of diluted net loss to common stockholders per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the numerator and the denominator used in computing both basic and diluted net loss per share for each period are the same.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2014
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2013
 

Numerator:

    

Net Loss

   $ (9,819,746   $ (9,131,153

Accretion of stock issuance costs and warrant discounts

     (323,068     (113,622

Series D and E, preferred stock dividends

     (2,405,987     (1,635,972

Net loss to common stockholders

     (12,548,801   $ (10,880,747

Denominator

    

Weighted-average common shares outstanding- basic and diluted

     10,357,118        10,326,727   

 

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The following outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

    Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2014
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2013
 

Options to purchase common stock

    58,252,138        37,838,933   

Convertible preferred stock (as converted)

    252,706,466        206,768,425   

Convertible preferred stock warrants (as converted)

    5,569,524        3,189,154   

Common stock warrant

    100,000        100,000   

7. Preferred Stock Warrants

On August 22, 2014, in connection with the Company’s entry into the Growth Term Loan, the Company issued to the lenders Series E preferred stock warrants (the “Series E Warrants”) exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of Series E preferred stock at a price of $0.2189 per share. The warrants provide for cashless exercise at the option of the holders, and also contain provisions for the adjustment of the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, consolidations or dilutive issuances. In connection with the completion of this offering, the Series E preferred stock warrants will become exercisable for an aggregate of 2,512,562 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. The Series E preferred stock warrants expire by their terms on August 22, 2024, provided that the warrants will be automatically exercised on a cashless basis upon expiration if not previously exercised if the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the per share exercise price.

The Company allocated the total proceeds of the Growth Term Loan and the Series E Warrants based on the residual value method. The fair value of the Series E Warrants was recorded as a discount on the Growth Term Loan to be accreted over the term of the Growth Term Loan using the effective interest method. The Company has accounted for the Series E Warrants as liabilities as such warrants are indexed to shares that could be redeemed for cash outside the control of the Company. At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Series E Warrants was $301,507 and $0, respectively.

The Preferred Warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Refer to Note 3 for assumptions used to value these warrants.

8. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

On February 4, 2014, the Company entered into the Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Series E Agreement”) authorizing the sale and issuance of up to 99,132,024 shares of its Series E Stock for $0.2189 per share and warrants (the “Series E Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 33,044,008 shares of Series E Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share. Pursuant to the Series E Agreement, up to 49,566,012 shares of Series E Stock together with Series E Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 16,522,004 shares of Series E Stock would be offered at one or more closings of a first tranche and the remainder of which will be offered in a second tranche.

As a result of the Series E Preferred Agreement, the Company’s authorized shares were increased to 600,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 472,083,383 shares of Preferred Stock.

On February 4, 2014 the Company issued 34,099,476 shares of Series E Stock pursuant to the Series E Agreement at a price per share of $0.2189 per share. Along with the shares of Series E Stock, one Series E Warrant was issued for every three shares of Series E Stock purchased with a purchase price of $0.0001 per Series E Warrant and an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Series E Stock for a total of 11,366,486 Series E Warrants. Each Series E Stock purchaser was required to exercise the Series E Warrant in a simultaneous transaction with the purchase of shares of Series E Stock. Together with the Series E Warrants, the issuance of shares of Series E Stock and Series E Warrants resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $7,476,879.

 

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On March 31, 2014, pursuant to a rights offering, the Company issued 354,062 shares of Series E Stock pursuant to the Series E Agreement at a price per share of $0.2189 per share. Along with the shares of Series E Stock, one Series E Warrant was issued for each three shares of Series E Stock purchased with a purchase price of $0.0001 per Series E Warrant and an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Series E Stock for a total of 118,017 Series E Warrants. Each Series E Stock purchaser was required to exercise the Series E Warrant in a simultaneous transaction with the purchase of shares of Series E Stock. Together with Series E Warrants, the issuance of shares of Series E Stock and Series E Warrants resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $77,634. The Series E Agreement provides for a second tranche on or before November 30, 2014, contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones. Each share of Series E Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a one-for-one ratio. The Series A/B/C Stock, Series D Stock and Series E Stock will automatically be converted into Common Stock at the then-applicable conversion rate as of the earlier of the close of a firm commitment underwritten public offering resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $30,000,000 and three times the Series E Stock original issue price, or at the written election of the holders at least 60% of the Series E Stock and approval by the Company’s board of directors.

The Company has accounted for the Series E Warrants as liabilities as such warrants are indexed to shares that could be redeemed for cash outside the control of the Company. The Company allocated the total proceeds first to the Series E Warrants based on their fair value of approximately $1,890,000 and the remainder amounting to approximately $5,665,000 of the proceeds allocated to the Preferred Shares. The fair value of the Series E Warrants was estimated to approximate the fair value of the Series E Stock because of its nominal price. The amount allocated to the Series E Warrants represents a discount to the Preferred Shares and will be accreted using the effective interest method up to the redemption amount from the respective issuance date to redemption date of five years. Accretion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $252,000. Upon immediate exercise of the Series E Warrants, the amount recorded as warrant liability was reclassified to Preferred Shares, and issuance costs of $48,384 which had been allocated to the warrants were expensed. The Company is not accreting to the amount resulting from additional liquidation preference rights under the agreement because they are not considered probable at initial recording or at September 30, 2014. The Company additionally analyzed the issuance of Series E Warrants with the Series E Stock, noting there was no resulting beneficial conversion feature.

The Company’s Series D Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Stock”) and Series E Stock accrue cumulative dividends at 8% per annum on the original issue price of $0.2189, whether or not declared by the Board of Directors. In connection with the Company’s Growth Term Loan, the shareholders of both the Series D and Series E preferred stock agreed to waive their rights to cash dividends. As a result, only a share dividend based on the cumulative dividends divided by the original issue price is to be paid upon declaration by the Board of Directors or upon the automatic conversion of the Company’s Preferred Stock. Dividends are accreted based on the number of days outstanding. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the cumulative Series D Stock and Series E Stock dividends were $7,091,586 and $4,051,145, respectively. The Series D Stock and Series E Stock accruing dividends may only be paid in additional shares of Series D Stock or Series E Preferred Stock or in underlying common stock (on if converted method) when preferred shares are converted, as approved by the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred, which approval was obtained on August 22, 2014.

After payment of the accruing dividends above, any additional dividend payment (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock approved by at least a majority of the Series E Directors) shall be distributed among the holders of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock then outstanding pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each holder (assuming conversion of all such Preferred Stock into Common Stock at the then effective conversion prices). The Company cannot declare or pay any dividends on the Company’s Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock or Common Stock (collectively, the “Junior Stock”) unless at the same time an equivalent or greater dividend is declared or paid on all outstanding shares of the Series D Stock and Series E

 

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Stock (the “Senior Preferred”), and all accruing dividends then accrued on outstanding shares of Senior Preferred have been paid in full. There were no dividends declared by the Board of Directors through September 30, 2014. The holders of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A/B/C Stock”) are also entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A/B/C Stock shares are convertible.

The following shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock have been issued by the Company as of September 30, 2014:

 

     Years
Issued
     Shares
Issued
     Net
Proceeds
 

Series A Stock

     2002 – 2004         1,292,084       $ 1,307,794   

Series B Stock

     2005 – 2006         11,919,624         3,542,237   

Series C-1 Stock

     2007         16,240,450         5,505,641   

Series C-2 Stock

     2008 – 2009         19,104,610         4,172,672   

Series D Stock

     2011 – 2013         143,737,467         30,947,548   

Series E Stock

     2014         45,938,041         7,428,307   

The value of the Series A/B/C Stock and Series D Stock shares is recorded at the amount initially received on the date of issuance or upon conversion from debt, less any applicable discounts for warrants and issuance costs, adjusted for the accretion of discounts utilizing the effective interest method up to the redemption amount from the respective issuance date to the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, and the accretion of cumulative dividends. The redemption value for Series A/B/C Stock agrees to the liquidation value presented on face of the balance sheet. The redemption value of Series D Stock and Series E Stock is $38,032,407 and $10,579,148, respectively.

9. Stock Option Plan

In February 2014, pursuant to the Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the amount of shares reserved for the 2011 Plan was increased to 20% of the total outstanding shares of the Company calculated on a fully diluted basis and required to be kept at that percentage with each subsequent equity financing.

As of September 30, 2014, options to purchase 58,252,138 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, including 28,181,651 options that are fully vested. The remaining options vest over 2.4 years.

A summary of the Plans’ stock option activity is as follows:

 

     Plan
Options
Outstanding
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
     Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Balance at December 31, 2013

     37,497,227        0.03         7.5      

Granted

     27,940,365        0.02         

Exercised

     (1,056,137     0.04         

Forfeited

     (5,753,876     0.05         

Cancelled

     (375,441     0.02         
  

 

 

         

Balance at September 30, 2014

     58,252,138        0.03         8.0       $ —    
  

 

 

         

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2014

     53,970,934        0.03         7.7       $ —    
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at September 30, 2014

     28,181,651        0.03         8.0       $ —    
  

 

 

         

 

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Below is a summary of stock option grant activity and related fair value information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

2014

Grants

   Options Granted      Exercise
Price
     Fair Value of
Common
Stock on
Date of Grant
 

January

     225,000       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   

March

     26,782,385       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   

May

     932,980       $ 0.02       $ 0.02   
  

 

 

       

Total

     27,940,365         
  

 

 

       

As of September 30, 2014, there was total unrecognized compensation expense of $312,433 related to unvested stock options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

The Company’s industry is characterized by frequent claims and litigation, including claims regarding intellectual property and product liability. As a result, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings from time to time. The results of any current or future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Any current litigation is considered immaterial and counter claims have been assessed as remote.

Merck Non-Exclusive License Agreement

In June 2012, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (“Merck”) whereby the Company agreed to sublicense certain intellectual property related to breast cancer biomarkers with the intent to develop, manufacture and commercialize a diagnostic test utilizing this technology. The Company agreed to pay Merck certain contingent milestone payments between $50,000 and $1,000,000 and future royalties of 3%-6% of sales derived from such products developed that utilize the licensed technology. No amounts have been paid under this agreement as the Company has not achieved any of the milestone targets or developed any products that utilize the licensed technology.

11. Related-Party Transactions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid $1,206,250 and $318,750, respectively, to NuvoGen, who is also a Common Stock shareholder of the Company. The underlying agreement with NuvoGen was amended in February 2014 (see Notes 4 & 5).

In March 2014 and July 2013, the Company entered into two separate consulting agreements to assess potential markets for its products with a Series D Stock & Series E Stock shareholder. The shareholder was paid $99,800 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively under those agreements. The shareholder’s employee is a member of the Board.

12. Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes based upon management’s estimate of 2014 taxable income or loss. The Company recognizes an asset or liability for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. These temporary differences would result in deductible or taxable amounts in future years, when the reported amounts of the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, respectively.

 

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In each period since inception, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of our net deferred tax assets, as the realization of the net deferred tax assets is uncertain. As a result, the Company has not recorded any federal or state income tax benefit in the statements of operations.

The Company periodically reviews its filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal, state and international jurisdictions where the Company is or might be required to file tax returns or other required reports.

The Company applies a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The Company evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation process, if any. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, the Company may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. The Company recognizes a benefit for a tax position that meets the “more likely than not” criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution. Unrecognized tax benefits involve management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and has not recognized interest or penalties during the periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively, since there are no material unrecognized tax benefits. Management believes no material change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will occur within in the next 12 months.

 

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LOGO

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

 

Leerink Partners

 

Canaccord Genuity   JMP Securities

 

 

Through and including                     , 2015 (25 days after commencement of this offering), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their 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 all costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) in connection with the sale of the common stock being registered. All amounts shown are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the Nasdaq Global Market filing fee.

 

     Amount to be paid  

SEC registration fee

   $             *   

FINRA filing fee

     *   

Nasdaq Global Market listing fee

     *   

Blue sky qualification fees and expenses

     *   

Printing and engraving expenses

     *   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

     *   

Miscellaneous expenses

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

* To be provided by amendment.

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Registrant incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, are, or are threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred.

The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each of which will become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, provide for the indemnification of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

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Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except for liability for any:

 

    transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit;

 

    act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares; or

 

    breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders.

The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes such a provision. Expenses incurred by any officer or director in defending any such action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition shall be paid by the Registrant upon delivery to it of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.

Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors and executive officers, that require the Registrant to indemnify such persons against any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’, witness or other professional fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (including derivative actions), whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer or is or was acting or serving as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Registrant or any of its affiliated enterprises. Under these agreements, the Registrant is not required to provide indemnification for certain matters, including:

 

    indemnification beyond that permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law;

 

    indemnification for any proceeding with respect to the unlawful payment of remuneration to the director or officer;

 

    indemnification for certain proceedings involving a final judgment that the director or officer is required to disgorge profits from the purchase or sale of the Registrant’s stock;

 

    indemnification for proceedings involving a final judgment that the director’s or officer’s conduct was in bad faith, knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or constituted willful misconduct or a breach of his or her duty of loyalty, but only to the extent of such specific determination;

 

    indemnification for proceedings or claims brought by an officer or director against us or any of the Registrant’s directors, officers, employees or agents, except for claims to establish a right of indemnification or proceedings or claims approved by the Registrant’s board of directors or required by law;

 

    indemnification for settlements the director or officer enters into without the Registrant’s consent; or

 

    indemnification in violation of any undertaking required by the Securities Act or in any registration statement filed by the Registrant.

The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.

 

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Except as otherwise disclosed under the heading “Legal Proceedings” in the “Business” section of this registration statement, there is at present no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of the Registrant’s directors or executive officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and the Registrant is not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.

The Registrant has an insurance policy in place that covers its officers and directors with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.

The Registrant plans to enter into an underwriting agreement which provides that the underwriters are obligated, under some circumstances, to indemnify the Registrant’s directors, officers and controlling persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities.

The following sets forth information regarding all unregistered securities sold by the Registrant since January 1, 2011:

 

(1) Since January 1, 2011, the Registrant granted stock options under the Registrant’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2011 plan, to purchase an aggregate of 65,120,252 shares of common stock to its employees, directors and consultants, having exercise prices ranging from $0.02 to $0.12 per share.

 

(2) Since January 1, 2011, the Registrant issued and sold to its current and former employees an aggregate of 219,103 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of options granted prior to January 1, 2011 under the 2011 plan for aggregate consideration of $4,380.

 

(3) From February 18, 2011 through May 29, 2013, the Registrant issued and sold to investors an aggregate of 143,737,467 shares of its Series D preferred stock at a purchase price of $0.2189 per share, for aggregate consideration of $31.5 million. Of this amount, $1.8 million was paid for by cancellation of indebtedness under previously issued convertible promissory notes. Upon the closing of this offering, these shares will convert into 143,737,467 shares of common stock.

 

(4) From February 4, 2014 through March 31, 2014, the Registrant issued and sold to investors an aggregate of 45,938,041 shares of its Series E preferred stock at a purchase price of $0.2189 per share, for aggregate consideration of $10.1 million. The Registrant also issued to investors in the financing warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 11,484,503 shares of its Series E preferred stock at an issue price of $0.0001 per share underlying the warrants, for aggregate consideration of $1,148.45. The Series E warrants were exercisable for $0.001 per share and were exercised immediately upon issuance for an aggregate cash purchase price of $11,484.61.

 

(5) On August 22, 2014, the Registrant issued a warrant to each of Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, each exercisable for 1,256,281 shares of its Series E preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share. The warrants were issued in connection with the Registrant’s entry into a loan and security agreement with the warrant holders. Upon the conversion of the Registrant’s preferred stock in connection with the closing of this offering, the warrants will each become exercisable for 1,256,281 shares of the Registrant’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share.

 

(6) On December 30, 2014, the Registrant agreed to issue to investors warrants that are initially exercisable for an aggregate of 9,321,176 shares of its Series E preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.2189 per share, for aggregate consideration of $1,354. The Registrant agreed to issue the warrants in connection with the Registrant’s entry into two separate note and warrant purchase agreements with certain of the Registrant’s existing investors. Upon closing of this offering, the warrants are expected to become exercisable for an aggregate of              shares of the Registrant’s common stock at an exercise price of $                 per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of the prospectus forming a part of this registration statement).

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 in that the transactions were under

 

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compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of such securities were the Registrant’s employees, directors or bona fide consultants and received the securities under the 2011 plan or the Registrant’s 2001 Stock Option Plan. Appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about the Registrant.

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraphs (3) through (6) were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about the Registrant.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and financial statement schedules.

 

(a) Exhibits.

The exhibits filed with this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index hereto, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

(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.

 

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 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The Registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tucson, State of Arizona, on the 30 th day of December, 2014.

 

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Timothy Johnson

  Timothy Johnson
  President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Timothy Johnson and Shaun McMeans, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with the full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Timothy Johnson

   President, Chief Executive Officer and   December 30, 2014
Timothy Johnson   

Member of the Board of Directors

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

/s/ Shaun D. McMeans

   Chief Financial Officer   December 30, 2014
Shaun D. McMeans    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  

/s/ Peter T. Bisgaard

   Chairman of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Peter T. Bisgaard     

/s/ Harry A. George

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Harry A. George     

/s/ Simeon J. George, M.D.

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Simeon J. George, M.D.     

/s/ Molly Hoult

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Molly Hoult     


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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Larry Senour

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Larry Senour     

/s/ Lewis Shuster

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Lewis Shuster     

/s/ Jim Weersing

   Member of the Board of Directors   December 30, 2014
Jim Weersing     


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Document

  1.1†    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  2.1    Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001, as amended, by and between the Registrant, Neogen, L.L.C., Stephen Felder and Richard Kris.
  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently in effect.
  3.2    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering.
  3.3    Bylaws of the Registrant, as currently in effect.
  3.4    Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws to become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering.
  4.1†    Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
  4.2    Common Stock Warrant issued by the Registrant to the University of Arizona, dated March 13, 2009.
  4.3    Series C-2 Preferred Stock Warrant issued by the Registrant to Silicon Valley Bank, dated December 24, 2008.
  4.4    Series E Preferred Stock Warrant issued by the Registrant to Silicon Valley Bank, dated August 22, 2014.
  4.5    Series E Preferred Stock Warrant issued by the Registrant to Oxford Finance LLC, dated August 22, 2014.
  4.6†    Form of Warrant issued by Registrant to bridge financing investors.
  4.7†    Form of Warrant issued by Registrant to bridge financing investors.
  4.8    Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders, to become effective upon closing of this offering.
  5.1†    Opinion of Cooley LLP.
10.1+†    Form of Indemnity Agreement by and between the Registrant and its directors and officers.
10.2+    HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan and Forms of Stock Option Agreement and Stock Option Grant Notice thereunder.
10.3+    HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and Forms of Stock Option Agreement, Notice of Exercise and Stock Option Grant Notice thereunder.
10.4+†    HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and Forms of Stock Option Agreement, Notice of Exercise and Stock Option Grant Notice thereunder.
10.5+†    HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
10.6+†    HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.
10.7+†    Employment Letter Agreement dated January 14, 2008 by and between the Registrant and Timothy Johnson.
10.8+†    Employment Letter Agreement dated April 21, 2011 by and between the Registrant and John Lubniewski.
10.9+†    Employment Letter Agreement dated April 27, 2011 by and between the Registrant and Debra Gordon.


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Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Document

10.10+†    Employment Letter Agreement dated January 13, 2012 by and between the Registrant and Shaun McMeans.
10.11+†    Employment Letter Agreement dated March 4, 2014 by and between the Registrant and Patrick Roche.
10.12    Standard Commercial-Industrial Multi Tenant Triple Net Lease dated July 11, 2008 by and between the Registrant and Pegasus Properties LP.
10.13    Standard Commercial-Industrial Multi Tenant Triple Net Lease dated May 11, 2011 by and between the Registrant and Pegasus Properties LP.
10.14    Sponsored Research Agreement, dated April 25, 2014, by and between the Registrant and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
10.15    Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, by and among the Registrant, Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank.
10.16    Termination of Security Agreement, Release of Security Interest and Understanding Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, by and between the Registrant and NuvoGen Research LLC.
10.17*    IVD Test Development and Component Supply Agreement, dated October 15, 2014, by and between the Registrant and Illumina, Inc.
10.18†    Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated December 30, 2014, by and among the Registrant and the entities and persons listed therein.
16.1    Letter regarding change in certifying accountant.
23.1    Consent of BDO USA, LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2†    Consent of Cooley LLP. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
24.1    Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page hereto.

 

To be filed by amendment.
+ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
* We have requested confidential treatment for certain portions of this agreement.

Exhibit 2.1

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

By and between

NEOGEN, L.L.C.

STEPHEN FELDER

RICHARD KRIS

and

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.

JANUARY 9, 2001


ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001 by and between NeoGen, L.L.C., an Arizona limited liability company (“ NeoGen ”), Stephen Felder and Richard Kris, the members of NeoGen (the “Members”), and High Throughput Genomics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Purchaser ”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Systems Integration Drug Discovery Company, Inc. (“ SIDDCO” ).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, NeoGen has entered into a Technology License Agreement with the Purchaser, dated November 24, 1997 and a Technology License Agreement with SIDDCO, also dated November 24, 1997 (collectively, the “ Technology License Agreements ” and copies of which are attached as Exhibit A hereto);

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to acquire from NeoGen and the Members the technology that is the subject of the Technology License Agreements (the “ Technology ”) and certain related assets as described in Section 2.1 hereof (collectively, the “ Purchased Assets ”) and NeoGen and the Members desire to transfer the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, to induce NeoGen and the Members to enter into this Agreement and to perform their obligations hereunder, the Purchaser is willing to enter into the obligations of this Agreement and the Security Agreement (as defined below); and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

INTERPRETATION

1.1. Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including any agreement entered into pursuant to this Agreement or attached as an Exhibit) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

1.2. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein. The parties shall engage in good faith negotiations to replace any provision which is declared invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid or unenforceable provision which it replaces.

 

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1.3 Headings and Captions . The inclusion of headings and captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

1.4 Gender and Number : In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing gender include all genders.

1.5 Monetary Amounts . In this Agreement, all monetary amounts are stated, and all payments are to be made, in United States dollars.

1.6 “ Include”, “Includes” and “Including ”. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the words “ include ,” “ includes ” and “ including ” do not limit the preceding words or terms and shall mean “including (or includes or included) without limitation”.

ARTICLE II.

ASSETS TO BE PURCHASED

2.1 Purchased Assets . Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, NeoGen and, as applicable, each Member shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall accept and pay for, all of NeoGen’s and, as applicable, each Member’s right, title and interest in and to the following Purchased Assets:

(a) the Technology and all Intellectual Property Rights (as defined below) relating to the Technology. “ Intellectual Property Rights ” include any and all of the following and all rights in, arising out of, or associated therewith: (i) all United States, international and foreign patents and applications therefor and all reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof (including those patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 4.6 hereto); (ii) all inventions (whether or not patentable), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary information, processes, formulas, know how, computer software programs (in both source code and object code form), technology, protocols, technical data, tangible or intangible proprietary information, and all documentation relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) all copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) all industrial designs and any registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (v) all trade names, logos, business names, common law trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (vi) all operating manuals, engineering standards and specifications, lab books, notes and other information and data; (vii) all moral and economic rights of authors and inventors, however designated, throughout the world; (viii) all licenses and other agreements to which NeoGen or a Member is party or by which NeoGen or a Member is bound relating to any of the foregoing kinds of property; and (ix) any similar or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing anywhere in the world;

(b) all Intellectual Property Rights arising or created in the future relating to the Technology;

 

2


(c) all business and financial records relating to the Technology; and

(d) the goodwill relating to the Technology.

2.2 No Assumption of Liabilities . Except as otherwise specifically agreed to herein, the Purchaser shall not assume and NeoGen and the Members shall remain unconditionally liable for all obligations, liabilities and commitments, fixed or contingent, known or unknown, of NeoGen and the Members, as applicable. For greater certainty, the forgoing sentence shall not limit any liability of the Purchaser to NeoGen and the Members pursuant to paragraph 6.7(a) hereof.

2.3 Assumption of Liabilities under Grant . For greater certainty, the Purchaser shall be liable for its obligations under Phase II of the SBIR Grant No. 9961034.

ARTICLE III.

PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE AND SECURITY

3.1 Purchase Price . The purchase price for the Purchased Assets (the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be (i) the Aggregate Cash Consideration (as defined below), payable as provided in Section 3.2 hereof, plus (ii) additional consideration in the form of 600,000 shares of the Purchaser’s common stock, par value of $0.001 per share (the “ HTG Shares ”), to be issued and a certificate representing such shares to be delivered to NeoGen at the Closing (as defined in Section 7.1 hereof).

3.2 Aggregate Cash Consideration . The cash component of the Purchase Price (the “ Aggregate Cash Consideration ) shall not exceed $15,000,000 and shall be paid by the Purchaser to NeoGen in the following manner:

(a) Fixed payments (the “ Fixed Payments ”) in an aggregate amount of $740,000 payable (i) in an installment of $90,000 on the earlier of the closing of a SIDDCO Sale (as defined below) and February 1, 2001, (ii) an installment of $90,000 on the first Quarter Start Date (as defined below) after the date hereof, being April 1, 2001, and (iii) in installments of $70,000 on each of the next eight Quarter Start Dates beginning on July 1, 2001; provided that (1) any Revenue Payments (as defined below) that are made shall reduce, dollar for dollar, any outstanding Fixed Payments (such reduction being applied first to the last outstanding Fixed Payment), (2) any Option Proceeds (as defined below) that are actually paid shall reduce, dollar for dollar, any outstanding Fixed Payments (such reduction being applied first to the next outstanding Fixed Payment and so on) and (3) in the event that the Purchaser is prohibited by law from selling or licensing all products or services utilizing the Technology, no further Fixed Payments shall be required until such time, if any, as such prohibition ceases to exist (in which case, the Fixed Payments shall recommence on the date such prohibition ceases to exist, which date shall be deemed a Quarter Start Date, and three months thereafter the next Quarter Start Date, and so on). For the purposes of this Agreement, a “ Quarter ” means one of the three month periods in each calendar year beginning on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, and each of such dates means a “ Quarter Start Date ”.

(b) Subject to paragraphs (i), (j) and (k) below, revenue payments (the

 

3


Revenue Payments ”) equal to 20% of all Technology Revenue (as defined below) actually received by the Purchaser in each Quarter (which in the case of the Quarter in which the Closing Date (as defined in Section 7.1 hereof) occurs, shall be the partial Quarter from the Closing Date to the Quarter end), payable within 30 days of the applicable Quarter end, and subject to adjustment as necessary within 60 days of the applicable Quarter end; provided that any Option Proceeds that are paid which exceed the outstanding Fixed Payments shall substitute for, dollar for dollar, subsequent Revenue Payments (such substitution being applied first to the next Revenue Payment and so on). “ Technology Revenue ” means gross revenue earned from the sale or licensing of products or services utilizing or derived from the Technology subject to the following:

(i) if the utilization of, or product derived from, the Technology contributes less than 50% of the economic value (meaning in cash or cash equivalents) of a product or service, then the revenue earned from the sale or licensing of that product or service shall be included in Technology Revenue only in the same proportion that the economic value contributed from the utilization of, or product derived from, the Technology is to the total economic value of the product or service. For greater certainty, any disagreement between the parties over the application of this clause (i) may be subject to audit pursuant to Section 3.3 below;

(ii) Contributions in Kind (as defined below), Collaboration Payments (as defined below) and research grants shall be excluded from Technology Revenue; except that , (A) if any such contribution in kind, collaboration payment or research grant includes a profit component (meaning an excess over the Direct and Indirect Costs (as defined below) of the activity for which the contribution, payment or grant was made) such excess shall be included in Technology Revenue, and (B) if in any calendar year the sum of Collaboration Payments and research grants minus any profit component included in Technology Revenue pursuant to (A) exceeds $2,000,000, 50% of such excess shall be included in Technology Revenue. HTG shall proceed in good faith and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have a profit component included in each Contribution in Kind, Collaboration Payment and research grant that it is awarded.

Contributions in Kind ” means non-cash contributions of any kind made to the Purchaser in support of research and/or development. Such contributions may include but are not limited to man-hour contributions, raw or finished products or materials, and services of any kind to be used in such programs. Should any such contributions be sold or otherwise converted to cash, then it shall no longer be considered a “Contribution in Kind” but shall be considered a cash contribution to the extent of such cash receipts. Any revenue earned from the sale or licensing of products or services developed through Contributions in Kind shall be included in Technology Revenue.

Collaboration Payments ” means cash payments received by the Purchaser from any third party made to fund research and/or development in which the Purchaser and such third party collaborate together in the development

 

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and furtherance of the Technology. Any revenue earned from the sale or licensing of products or services developed through Collaboration Payments shall be included in Technology Revenue.

Direct and Indirect Costs ” of an activity means the direct costs of the activity (including (A) the salary/wage and benefit costs of employees engaged in the activity for the actual time during which they are so engaged, (B) the costs of agents and consultants engaged in the activity for the actual time during which they are so engaged and (C) the materials cost and other out-of- pocket expenses incurred in performing the activity) plus the indirect costs of the activity (including a reasonable allocation of general and overhead costs related to the activity); provided that , for purposes of such calculation, the aggregate Direct and Indirect Costs of an activity may not exceed the amount calculated by the following formula:

(2xSC) + MC

where

SC = staff costs, meaning the aggregate of (X) the salary/wage and benefit costs of employees engaged in the activity for the actual time during which they are so engaged plus (Y) the costs of agents and consultants engaged in the activity for the actual time during which they are so engaged, and

MC = the materials cost incurred in performing the activity;

(iii) tax credits, returns on investments, financing proceeds and similar receipts shall be excluded from Technology Revenue; and

(iv) the Technology Revenue actually received by the Purchaser in any Quarter shall be decreased by the legal and patent agent fees and disbursements, related taxes and like expenses paid by the Purchaser in such Quarter, in each case in the defense of any claims that the use, licensing or sale of the Technology and the Related Intellectual Property Rights infringes on or misappropriates the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.

(c) In any Quarter (which in the case of the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs, shall be the partial Quarter from the Closing Date to the Quarter end) that the Purchaser pays legal or patent agent fees and disbursements, related taxes and like expenses, in each case to defend patents relating to the Technology that, in total, exceed $100,000, the Fixed Payment, if any, payable on the next Quarter Start Date shall be reduced by $35,000, ($45,000 if the Quarter Start Date is January 1 or Apri1 1, 2001). Such $35,000 (or $45,000, as applicable) shall be paid on the next Quarter Start Date (or Quarter Start Dates, if necessary) on which, and to the extent that, a Fixed Payment totaling $70,000 is not already payable.

Sale of Technology

(d) If, when a portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration remains

 

5


outstanding, the Purchaser sells all of its right, title and interest in the Technology and related Intellectual Property Rights (other than pursuant to an internal reorganization and together with an assignment of the Purchaser’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with the consent of NeoGen or a Member, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), the Purchaser shall pay the proceeds therefrom (net of selling expenses) first to NeoGen in the amount of the outstanding Aggregate Cash Consideration (or such lesser amount as exhausts the proceeds and, in such circumstances, the Aggregate Cash Consideration shall be deemed to have been fully paid). If such proceeds include non-cash property, any payment thereof to NeoGen shall be in the form of a pro rata share of each kind of property and the Fair Value of the non-cash property shall be determined in accordance with Schedule 3.2 hereto. In the event of a sale as contemplated by this paragraph (d), the Purchaser shall be entitled to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to the purchaser.

Option (as defined in Section 6.5) Offset

(e) Subject to paragraphs (f) and (g) below, the Aggregate Cash Consideration shall be decreased by the Net Fair Value of the Option (as defined below), if any, effective on the earlier of (i) an exercise of the Option (a “ Post Exercise Decrease ”), (ii) a time when the Option is exercisable and the Net Fair Value of the Option is equal to or greater than the outstanding portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration (a “ Pre-Exercise Decrease ”), and (iii) a disposition of the Option. “ Net Fair Value of the Option ” means the Fair Value of the Option (as defined below) reduced by the Additional Tax (as defined below) due assuming the sale of the property underlying the Option on the date such Fair Value is determined. “ Fair Value of the Option ” means (1) if being determined upon an exercise of the Option or at a time when the Option is exercisable, the amount, if any, by which the Fair Value of the property underlying the Option exceeds the aggregate exercise price of the Option, such Fair Value to be determined in accordance with Schedule 3.2 hereto, and (2) if being determined upon a disposition of the Option, the Fair Value of the property received on the realization determined in accordance with Schedule 3.2 hereto. “ Additional Tax ” means the excess of the amount of income tax (federal, state and local) that would be payable assuming a sale of the property underlying the Option on the date the Fair Value is determined over the amount of income tax (federal, state and local) that would be payable upon receipt of a comparable amount of Aggregate Cash Consideration.

(f) If the Aggregate Cash Consideration is decreased under paragraph (e) above as a result of a Post Exercise Decrease and the underlying property is securities subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable securities laws (such a decrease being referred to as the “ Tentative Decrease ”), the determination of the actual amount by which the Aggregate Cash Consideration shall be decreased (the “ Actual Decrease ”) shall be deferred until the earlier of (i) three months after such time as the underlying securities can be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities Act (as defined below), or any successor provision thereto (“ Rule 144 ”), assuming non-application of any volume limitations pursuant to Rule 144, (ii) the underlying securities can be publicly traded without restrictions, and (iii) a disposition of the underlying securities. At such time, the Fair Value of the underlying securities shall be determined again in accordance with Schedule 3.2 hereto and the amount, if any, by which such Fair Value reduced by the Additional Tax (determined as of the date such Fair Value is determined) exceeds the aggregate exercise price of the Option shall constitute the amount of the Actual Decrease. During the period until the Actual Decrease is determined, the Purchaser shall

 

6


not be required to make any Revenue Payments (or payment of sale proceeds pursuant to paragraph (d) above) to NeoGen that would not be required if the Tentative Decrease were the Actual Decrease; however, the Purchaser will be required to deposit such amounts into an interest bearing escrow account from which no withdrawals will be made without the written consent of NeoGen and the Purchaser until such time as the Actual Decrease is determined. At such time, if any, that the Actual Decrease is determined to be less than the Tentative Decrease, NeoGen shall be immediately paid from such escrow the amount by which the Tentative Decrease exceeds the Actual Decrease. At such time, if any, that the Actual Decrease is determined to be greater than the Tentative Decrease, the Purchaser shall be immediately entitled to receive from such escrow any amounts remaining in escrow.

(g) If the Aggregate Cash Consideration is decreased under paragraph (e) above as a result of a Pre-Exercise Decrease, on notice by the Purchaser to NeoGen the Option shall be deemed to have been exercised and paragraph (f) shall apply according to its terms as if the Option had been exercised. If subsequent to the time of a Pre-Exercise Decrease and before the determination of the Actual Decrease, the Net Fair Value of the Option becomes less than the outstanding portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration (determined without regard to such Pre-Exercise Decrease), the Tentative Decrease shall be reduced to reflect the reduction in the Net Fair Value of the Option and the Purchaser shall once again be required to make Revenue Payments to NeoGen until such time as the Net Fair Value of the Option is equal to or greater than the outstanding portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration.

SIDDCO Sale

(h) Notwithstanding paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) above, if the outstanding capital stock of SIDDCO is sold to a third party (including by a merger transaction) on or before March 31, 2001 (a “ SIDDCO Sale ”), this paragraph (h) shall apply and such paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) shall be of no further force or effect. NeoGen hereby agrees with the Purchaser and with SIDDCO to sell the Option, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests whatsoever, pursuant to and as part of a SIDDCO Sale in consideration for the following (the “ Option Proceeds ”): (i) a cash payment out of the proceeds of the SIDDCO Sale at the same time and in the same amount per share of common stock underlying the Option as the holders of SIDDCO common stock receive per outstanding share upon the closing of the SIDDCO Sale (the “ Closing Payment per Share of Common Stock ”, which is expected to be approximately $2.05 per share) less $1.50 per share (being the exercise price per share under the Option); and (ii) a cash payment from the Purchaser at the same time (or, at the Purchaser’s election, in advance, including by designating any other payment as payment of Option Proceeds, and in which case interest shall cease to accrue on any Option Proceeds so paid) and in the same amount per share of common stock underlying the Option as the holders of SIDDCO common stock receive per outstanding share upon release of the indemnity escrow fund established pursuant to the SIDDCO Sale agreement (which release is currently expected to occur after 18 months after the closing) (the “ Escrow Payment per Share of Common Stock ” and which, if there are no indemnity claims, is expected to be approximately $0.56 per share plus earned interest and less escrow expenses). For greater certainty, NeoGen understands and agrees that neither SIDDCO nor any of its parents, officers, directors, shareholders or other affiliates (other than the Purchaser) shall have any obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to the Escrow Payment per share of Common Stock.

 

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NeoGen agrees to timely execute and deliver such other and further instruments and documents and to timely take such further action as the Purchaser or SIDDCO may reasonably request to carry into effect or to evidence further the sale of the Option as provided for herein, including a Release in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, to be executed and delivered by NeoGen concurrently with the closing of a SIDDCO Sale and payment to NeoGen of the Closing Payment per Share of Common Stock.

The Purchaser acknowledges that NeoGen’s agreement to this paragraph (h) is premised on the Closing Payment per Share of Common Stock and the Escrow Payment per Share of Common Stock comprising the aggregate consideration receivable per outstanding share pursuant to a SIDDCO Sale by the holders of SIDDCO common stock (excluding a distribution to such holders of the capital stock held by SIDDCO in the Purchaser). NeoGen shall only be bound by this paragraph (h) with respect to a SIDDCO Sale for which the foregoing sentence is true and the Purchaser and SIDDCO so represent and warrant to NeoGen.

Withholding of Revenue Payments

(i) At any time and from time to time the Purchaser may request a freedom to operate opinion as regards the Technology from patent counsel mutually acceptable to the Purchaser and any of NeoGen and the Members acting reasonably (“ Approved Patent Counsel ”). If: (1) Approved Patent Counsel is unable to provide the Purchaser with a clean freedom to operate opinion or (2) the Purchaser and any of NeoGen and the Members mutually agree; the Purchaser may commence to withhold 50% of any Revenue Payments (or 50% of any payment of sale proceeds pursuant to paragraph (d) above reasonably attributable to the use at issue) that would otherwise be payable to NeoGen. Subject to paragraph (j) below, such withholding shall cease as regards future Revenue Payments if Approved Patent Counsel shall provide the Purchaser with a clean freedom to operate opinion as regards the Technology (in the place of the one that previously could not be issued or was restricted) or the Purchaser and any of NeoGen and the members mutually agree. Either the Purchaser or NeoGen may request such opinion from time to time from Approved Patent Counsel at the expense of the requesting party.

(j) The Purchaser will be required to deposit any amounts withheld pursuant to paragraph (i) above in an interest bearing escrow account from which no withdrawals will be made without the written consent of NeoGen and the Purchaser until such time as either of the following shall occur:

(i) the risk(s) of infringement that resulted in the withholding of Revenue Payments shall have been resolved without resulting in liability on the part of the Purchaser; and such resolution shall be deemed to have occurred if Approved Patent Counsel shall provide the Purchaser, at the request of the Purchaser or NeoGen, with an opinion to that effect. In such event, NeoGen shall be immediately paid the amounts held in the escrow account; or

(ii) the Purchaser shall be liable to make payments (other than future royalty payments which are addressed in paragraph (k) below) to another person or entity for the alleged or proven infringement of intellectual property rights as a consequence of the use, licensing or sale of the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights. In such case: (l) commencing with the Revenue Payment subject to the first withholding, the Purchaser shall be

 

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entitled to apply 50% of any Revenue Payments that would otherwise be payable against payment of such liability, such application to be made first out of amounts held in the escrow account; and (2) with respect to any payment of sale proceeds pursuant to paragraph (d) above, a percentage (to a maximum of 50%) of any such payment that is equal to the percentage that such liability costs the shareholders of the Purchaser on such sale, such application to be made first out of amounts held in the escrow account. If the amounts held in the escrow account exceed 50% (or such lesser applicable percentage in the case of sale proceeds pursuant to paragraph (d) above) of such liability, NeoGen shall be immediately paid such excess amounts.

(k) If the Purchaser shall be liable at law to make future royalty payments to another person or entity in connection with the use, licensing or sale of the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights, the Purchaser shall be entitled to apply up to 50% of any Revenue Payments that would otherwise be payable in a Quarter against payment of 50% of such royalty payments attributable to such Quarter.

(1) For greater certainty, no application of Revenue Payments pursuant to paragraphs (j) or (k) above against infringement liabilities or royalty payments shall decrease or constitute payment of the Aggregate Cash Consideration.

3.3 Information and Audits . So long as any portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration remains outstanding, the Purchaser shall provide NeoGen with Quarterly statements of Technology Revenue and any other information required to calculate the Fixed Payments and Revenue Payments. NeoGen may require any such statement and information to be audited by the Purchaser’s auditors ( provided such auditors are acceptable to NeoGen, acting reasonably, for this purpose, and if not so acceptable, by a mutually acceptable regionally or nationally recognized accounting firm that is independent of the parties; and if NeoGen and the Purchaser cannot agree on such a firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers shall be the auditor for this purpose so long as such firm continues to be reasonably independent of the parties). If NeoGen requires an audit, NeoGen shall pay the costs thereof if the audit confirms the aggregate of the Fixed Payments and Revenue Payments in question is an amount not more than 7% greater than the amount calculated by the Purchaser; if the audit determines that the aggregate of such Fixed Payments and Revenue Payments is an amount more than 7% greater than the amount calculated by the Purchaser, the Purchaser shall pay the costs thereof.

3.4 Security . The obligation of the Purchaser to make the Fixed Payments, Revenue Payments and the Option Proceeds payment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be secured by a first lien on the Technology in favor of NeoGen pursuant to a Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment of Patents and Trademarks (the “ Security Agreement ”) in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND

COVENANTS OF NEOGEN

NeoGen hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Purchaser and its successors and permitted assigns, as of the date hereof, that:

4.1 Organization; Authority . NeoGen is a limited liability company, duly

 

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organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Arizona and has full corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is now engaged. Each of NeoGen and the Members has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its or his covenants and agreements hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by NeoGen, the performance by NeoGen of its covenants and agreements hereunder and the consummation by NeoGen of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. The Members are the only members of NeoGen. This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of NeoGen and the Members, enforceable against each of NeoGen and the Members in accordance with its terms. Complete and correct copies of the articles of organization as filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission and operating agreement of NeoGen (in each case, together with all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto) have been provided to the Purchaser. NeoGen has no by-laws.

4.2 Non-Contravention . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, violates any provision of the articles of organization or operating agreement of NeoGen or any statute, ordinance, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency or board, or conflicts with or will result in any breach of any of the terms of or constitute a default under or result in the termination of or the creation of any lien pursuant to the terms of any contract or agreement to which any of NeoGen and the Members is a party or by which any of NeoGen and the Members or any of the Purchased Assets is bound, with the exception of the Technology License Agreements. No consents, approvals or authorizations of, or filings with, any governmental authority or any other person or entity are required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.3 Title to the Purchased Assets .

(a) Each of the Members has conveyed all of his ownership, right, title and interest in the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights to NeoGen and has no further ownership, right, title or interest of any kind in or with respect to the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights.

(b) NeoGen has good and valid title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or security interests whatsoever, with the exception of the Technology License Agreements and government entitlements pursuant to NIH Grant No. R43CA84874-01 and NSF Grant No. DMI9961034, and has full power and authority to sell the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser and to execute in connection therewith this Agreement. There are no agreements, options or other rights pursuant to which any of NeoGen and the Members is or may become obligated to sell the Purchased Assets. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Purchaser shall have good and valid title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or security interests whatsoever.

4.4 Development of the Technology . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6 hereto, the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights were developed without inventive contribution from persons or entities other than (i) the Members and (ii) Bruce Seligmann and any other employee or agent of SIDDCO or the Purchaser.

4.5 Use of the Technology . With the exception of the Technology License

 

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Agreements and the government entitlements referred to in Section 4.3(b) hereto, the Sellers have not permitted, or granted any right to, any person or entity to use the Technology or the Intellectual Property Rights relating to the Technology.

4.6 Intellectual Property Rights including Patents . Schedule 4.6 hereto sets forth a complete list of all United States, international or foreign patents and patent applications (including provisional applications) relating to the Technology filed or drafted by or on behalf of NeoGen or a Member and specifies the jurisdictions in which such patents have been issued or registered or in which an application for such issuance and registration has been filed, including the date of grant and filing and the respective registration or application numbers and the names of all registered owners. The following is a list of all software programs used by NeoGen or a Member in connection with the Technology: MAPS FIT, Oligo Design, and MAPS Crunch. To the actual knowledge of NeoGen and the Members, all statements contained in all applications for registration of patents relating to the Technology (i) were true and correct as of the date of such applications and (ii) continue to be true and correct as of the date hereof, except as disclosed to the Purchaser and to the United States Patents and Trademarks Office by NeoGen, a Member or Anthony Zelano (patent counsel).

4.7 Other Registered Intellectual Property Rights . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6 hereto, neither NeoGen nor a Member has applied for or obtained registration of any Intellectual Property Rights (including trademarks and copyrights) relating to the Technology with any governmental or other similar authority in the United States or any other jurisdiction in the world.

4.8 Protection of Intellectual Property Rights . NeoGen and the Members have taken reasonable steps to protect NeoGen’s rights in its confidential information and trade secrets relating to the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights.

4.9 No Infringement .

(a) The current making, use, importing, offering for sale, and/or sale of the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights does not (i) infringe, to the actual knowledge of any of NeoGen and the Members, any valid United States patent of any other person or entity, and NeoGen and the Members have disclosed to the Purchaser and to the United States Patents and Trademarks Office all other circumstances of which any of NeoGen and the Members has actual knowledge that nevertheless may give rise to such infringement being alleged in the future, or (ii) violate any federal or state law or the regulations of any federal or state agency or governmental unit.

(b) There are no claims, actions or proceedings pending, or threatened to the actual knowledge of any of NeoGen and the Members, against or involving any of NeoGen and the Members in respect of the Technology or the related Intellectual Property Rights.

4.10 Infringement by Others . NeoGen and the Members have disclosed to the Purchaser and to the United States Patents and Trademarks Office all circumstances of which any of NeoGen and the Members has actual knowledge that may constitute actual or potential infringement by third parties on the Technology or the Intellectual Property Rights relating to the Technology.

4.11 Securities Requirements .

 

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(a) NeoGen understands that the Purchaser will issue and deliver to NeoGen, as part of the Purchase Price, the HTG Shares pursuant to this Agreement, without compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”); that for such purpose the Purchaser will rely upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein; and that such non-compliance with registration is not permissible unless such representations and warranties are correct and such covenants and agreements performed.

(b) NeoGen understands that the HTG Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Purchaser in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In the absence of an effective registration statement covering the HTG Shares or an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the HTG Shares must be held indefinitely. In this connection, NeoGen represents that it and the Members are familiar with Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as presently in effect, and understand the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act, including the Rule 144 condition that current information about the Purchaser be available to the public. Such information is not now available, and the Purchaser has no present plans to make such information available.

(c) NeoGen and each of the Members is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of SEC Rule 501 of Regulation D, as presently in effect.

(d) NeoGen and each of the Members is a sophisticated investor familiar with the type of risks inherent in the acquisition of restricted securities such as the HTG Shares and its or his financial position is such that it or he can afford to retain the HTG Shares for an indefinite period of time without realizing any direct or indirect cash return on its or his investment.

(e) NeoGen is acquiring the HTG Shares for its account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

4.12 Disclosure . The representations and warranties made by NeoGen in this Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, and do not omit any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Copies of all documents heretofore or hereafter delivered or made available to the Purchaser and referred to herein, including the documents disclosed in the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, are complete and accurate copies of such documents.

4.13 Payment of Taxes . NeoGen shall pay all local, state, federal or other taxes or similar charges which may be payable in connection with the conveyance and transfer of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser.

4.14 Bulk Sale Indemnification . Without admitting that the bulk sales law of any

 

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state is applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the parties hereby waive and agree not to comply with the bulk sales law of any state, and NeoGen agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from and against any and all liabilities arising by reason of such noncompliance in connection with the sale of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser, including any claims by creditors of NeoGen.

4.15 Further Assurances . NeoGen hereby further covenants and agrees:

(a) to timely execute and deliver such other and further instruments and documents and to timely take such further action as the Purchaser may reasonably request to carry into effect or to evidence further the sale and assignment of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser;

(b) that it will deliver to the Purchaser, promptly after the receipt thereof, all inquiries, correspondence and other materials received by NeoGen or a Member from any person or entity relating to the Purchased Assets; and

(c) to promptly pay or otherwise fulfill and discharge all obligations and liabilities of NeoGen and the Members in connection with the Purchased Assets when due and payable and otherwise prior to the time at which any of such obligations or liabilities could in any way result in a lien, charge or encumbrance on any of the Purchased Assets, or adversely affect the Purchaser’s title to or use of any of the Purchased Assets.

4.16 Disclaimer . For greater certainty, NeoGen and the Members do not represent or warrant that any patents will issue or that any issued patents are valid as a result of the patent application, nor do NeoGen and the Members represent or warrant that the Purchaser’s use of the Technology does not infringe on any other patents.

4.17 SBIR Grant . NeoGen shall promptly provide the Purchaser with copies of the interim and final results and all reports, lab books and other information and data for work relating to the SBIR Grant No. 9961034 so that the Purchaser may complete the application for a Phase II grant.

4.18 NeoGen to Continue Existence . NeoGen shall continue in existence, and shall neither dissolve nor otherwise terminate its existence, so long as it has obligations under this Agreement.

ARTICLE V.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND

COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, NeoGen and its successors and permitted assigns, as of the date hereof, that:

5.1 Organization; Authority . The Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is now engaged. The

 

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Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its covenants and agreements hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, the performance by the Purchaser of its covenants and agreements hereunder and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms. Complete and correct copies of the articles of merger as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and by-laws of the Purchaser (in each case, together with all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto) have been provided to NeoGen.

5.2 Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock . The authorized capital of the Purchaser consists of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which approximately 3,670,000 shares are, or are committed to be, issued and outstanding as of the date hereof plus the 600,000 HTG Shares. Each share of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Purchaser is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

5.3 Non-Contravention . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, violates any provision of the articles of merger or by-laws of the Purchaser or any statute, ordinance, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency or board, or conflicts with or will result in any breach of any of the terms of or constitute a default under or result in the termination of or the creation of any lien pursuant to the terms of any contract or agreement to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound. No consents, approvals or authorizations of, or filings with, any governmental authority or any other person or entity are required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.4 No Infringement .

(a) The current making, use, importing, offering for sale, and/or sale of the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights does not (i) infringe, to the actual knowledge of the Purchaser, any valid United States patent of any other person or entity, and the Purchaser has disclosed to the Members all other circumstances of which the Purchaser has actual knowledge that nevertheless may give rise to such infringement being alleged in the future, or (ii) violate any federal or state law or the regulations of any federal or state agency or governmental unit.

(b) There are no claims, actions or proceedings pending, or threatened to the actual knowledge of the Purchaser, against or involving the Purchaser in respect of the Technology or the related Intellectual Property Rights.

5.5 Infringement by Others . The Purchaser has disclosed to NeoGen all circumstances of which the Purchaser has actual knowledge that may constitute actual or potential infringement by third parties on the Technology or the Intellectual Property Rights relating to the Technology.

5.6 Disclosure . The representations and warranties made by the Purchaser in this Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), do not contain any untrue statement of a

 

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material fact, and do not omit any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Copies of all documents heretofore or hereafter delivered or made available to NeoGen and referred to herein, including the documents disclosed in the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, are complete and accurate copies of such documents.

5.7 Further Assurances . The Purchaser hereby further covenants and agrees:

(a) to timely execute and deliver such other and further instruments and documents (including financing statements) and to timely take such further action as NeoGen may reasonably request to carry into effect or to evidence further the sale and assignment of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser and the security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) and the rights, privileges and remedies created thereby. The Purchaser shall join NeoGen in executing one or more financing statements with respect to the Collateral and security interest therein in a form satisfactory to NeoGen acting reasonably; and

(b) to promptly pay or otherwise fulfill and discharge all obligations and liabilities of the Purchaser hereunder when due and payable.

5.8 Acknowledgement in Scientific Papers . So long as it is within the Purchaser’s control, the Purchaser shall cause NeoGen and the Members to be acknowledged (and recognized as authors, if permitted by the applicable ethical scientific rules) in the first three scientific papers relating to the Technology.

ARTICLE VI.

CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-COMPETITION AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

6.1 Confidentiality .

(a) Each of NeoGen and the Members acknowledges that the Purchaser will be irreparably damaged if its or his knowledge of the Technology or the related Intellectual Property Rights were disclosed to or utilized on behalf of any person or entity other than the Purchaser, and each of NeoGen and the Members covenants and agrees that it or he will not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, disclose (or permit to be disclosed) or use (or permit to be used) in any way such information (“ Confidential Information ”), unless (i) compelled to disclose Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of counsel, by other requirement of law, and, in any such event, such one of NeoGen and the Members gives the Purchaser prompt written notice of any such requirement prior to any such disclosure or (ii) the Confidential Information is generally available to the public through no fault of any of NeoGen and the Members.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Confidential Information includes the following types of information, and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing or still in development): designs, concepts, drawings, ideas, inventions, specifications, techniques, discoveries, models, data, source code, object code, documentation, diagrams, flow charts, research, development processes, procedures, and know- how related to the Technology, the related Intellectual Property Rights or the Purchaser’s

 

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business.

6.2 Non-Competition .

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, each of NeoGen and the Members agrees that it or he shall not, for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the later of (i) expiration of the last patent relating to the Technology arising from any of the patent applications listed in Schedule 4.6 hereto and (ii) 17 years after the Closing Date, either directly or indirectly, undertake or carry on or be engaged or have any financial interest in (except for the ownership of publicly-traded securities constituting not more than 5% of the outstanding securities of the issuer thereof), or in any other manner advise or assist any person or entity engaged or interested in, any technology or business that competes with (or, when developed would compete with), or is the same as or substantially similar to, the Technology and the business relating thereto.

(b) The non-competition covenant provided for in paragraph (a) above shall terminate if either:

(i) during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the day that the last Fixed Payment is due, the Purchaser (A) fails to achieve $10,000,000 in revenue and (B) has not paid to NeoGen Aggregate Cash Consideration (including (1) at the Purchaser’s option, any payments in advance and (2) any payment of Option Proceeds by the Purchaser or otherwise) of at least $2,000,000; or

(ii) the Purchaser defaults in making any required Fixed Payment or Revenue Payment and such default is not remedied within thirty days of the Purchaser receiving written notice from NeoGen.

6.3 Each of NeoGen and the Members acknowledges that actual breach or threatened breach by it or him of Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof will result in the Purchaser suffering irreparable harm which cannot be calculated or fully or adequately compensated by recovery of damages alone. Accordingly, each of NeoGen and the Members, in the event of proven actual or threatened breach of Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, (i) agrees that in addition to any other relief to which the Purchaser may become entitled, the Purchaser shall be entitled, upon posting of no more than nominal bond or other security, to interim and permanent injunctive relief, specific performance and other equitable remedies and (ii) hereby waives any right to claim that the Purchaser will not be irreparably harmed or that injunctive relief is not a proper remedy.

6.4 Notice of Potential Infringement and Cooperation in Defending . In the event that the Purchaser, NeoGen or the Members are contacted regarding the use, licensing or sale of the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights potentially infringing on or misappropriating the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity, the party so contacted shall promptly notify the other parties of the contact and the circumstances giving rise to the potential infringement or misappropriation. Each of NeoGen and the Members shall provide all reasonable cooperation to the Purchaser in any action the Purchaser may take to protect its rights in the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights, which shall

 

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include being a party, plaintiff or defendant, or witness in any legal action to protect, defend or enforce a patent or the Purchaser’s rights to exclusively use the Technology and the related Intellectual Property Rights.

6.5 Termination of Technology License and Other Agreements . NeoGen and the Purchaser agree that both of the Technology License Agreements and the Research & Development Agreement dated as of August 2, 1997, as amended March 2, 1998 between SIDDCO and Neotech Instrumentation, L.L.C. (“Neotech”) shall terminate coincidentally with the Closing; except that the option to purchase 300,000 shares of SIDDCO common stock granted to NeoGen pursuant to Section 4.01(a) of the Technology License Agreement between NeoGen and SIDDCO (the “ Option ”) shall continue in full force and effect according to its terms; provided , however , NeoGen understands and agrees that effective upon delivery to NeoGen of the Closing Payment per Share of Common Stock pursuant to a SIDDCO Sale, the Option shall thereby be automatically terminated and of no further force or effect although the Purchaser shall have the obligation to make the Escrow Payment per Share of Common Stock as provided in paragraph 3.2(h) hereof. By the execution of this Agreement where indicated below by their respective duly authorized representative(s), (i) NeoGen, Neotech, the Purchaser and SIDDCO hereby consent, as applicable, to the termination of the Technology License Agreement between NeoGen and the Purchaser, the Technology License Agreement between NeoGen and SIDDCO but without terminating the Option which shall continue in full force and effect according to its terms ( provided , however , NeoGen understands and agrees that effective upon delivery to NeoGen of the Closing Payment per Share of Common Stock pursuant to a SIDDCO Sale, the Option shall thereby be automatically terminated and of no further force or effect although the Purchaser shall have the obligation to make the Escrow Payment per share of Common Stock as provided in paragraph 3.2(h) hereof), and such Research & Development Agreement, and agree that the parties to both of the Technology License Agreements and such Research & Development Agreement shall have no further obligations thereunder and (ii) NeoGen and Neotech agree to promptly return to SIDDCO or the Purchaser all reports, lab books and other information and data borrowed pursuant to the Technology License Agreements and such Research & Development Agreement.

6.6 Guarantee of Members . Each of the Members, jointly and severally, hereby guarantees the performance by NeoGen of its following obligations hereunder (the “NeoGen Obligations”):

 

  (a) pursuant to Section 2.1;

 

  (b) pursuant to Sections 3.2(h) and 3.3;

 

  (c) any obligations arising out of or based upon NeoGen’s representations, warranties, covenants and agreements pursuant to Article IV;

 

  (d) pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.7(b);

 

  (e) pursuant to Article VII; and

 

  (f) pursuant to Section 9.2(a).

 

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The liability of the Members under this Section 6.6 shall be irrevocable, continuing, absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by, and each Member hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) the bankruptcy, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution or insolvency of NeoGen, including any discharge of any of the NeoGen Obligations resulting therefrom; (ii) any defense arising by reason of any failure of the Purchaser to make any presentment, demand for performance, notice of any non-performance, protest, or any other notice; or (iii) any change in the execution, structure, constitution, name, objects, powers, business, control, or ownership of NeoGen. Each Member hereby waives (1) notice of acceptance of this guarantee; and (2) any right to require that any action or proceeding be brought against NeoGen or any other person, or to require that the Purchaser seek enforcement of any performance against NeoGen or any other person, prior to any action against a Member under the terms hereof Each Member consents to the renewal, compromise, extension, acceleration or other changes in the time of payment of or other changes in the terms of the NeoGen Obligation agreed to by NeoGen, or any part thereof.

6.7 Indemnities

(a) The Purchaser shall defend, at its sole cost and expense, and indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, NeoGen and the Members from all losses and expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand or investigation or any settlement thereof (provided that such settlement is approved by the Purchaser in writing, acting reasonably) which arises out of or is based upon the Purchaser’s use, licensing or sale of the Technology or the related Intellectual Property Rights. The foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any losses or expenses incurred by a party to the extent the same arose out of any act or omission of any of NeoGen and the Members. For greater certainty, the foregoing indemnity shall not include lost or deferred payments that are lost or deferred payments pursuant to the terms of Section 3.2 hereof.

(b) NeoGen shall defend, at its sole cost and expense, and indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Purchaser from all losses and expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand or investigation or any settlement thereof (provided that such settlement is approved by NeoGen in writing, acting reasonably) which arises out of or is based upon NeoGen’s or a Member’s use, licensing or sale of the Technology or the related Intellectual Property Rights to third persons or entities other than the Purchaser. The foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any losses or expenses incurred by the Purchaser to the extent the same arose out of any act or omission of the Purchaser.

ARTICLE VII.

CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

7.1 Closing; Closing Date . The closing of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall take place by facsimile transmission at 11:00 a.m. local time, in Tucson, Arizona, on the earlier of the closing of a SIDDCO Sale and February 1, 2001; or such earlier or later date as may be mutually agreed upon. The date on which the Closing takes place is herein called the “ Closing Date ”.

 

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7.2 Conditions to Purchaser’s Obligation to Close . The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Purchased Assets and otherwise consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the Closing is subject to following conditions precedent:

(a) the execution and delivery by NeoGen and the Members of a Bill of Sale and Assignment of Patents in mutually acceptable form and substance acting reasonably;

(b) the execution and delivery by Bruce Seligmann of a release in mutually acceptable form and substance acting reasonably;

(c) the Purchaser shall have received an original copy of the resolutions adopted by the Members with respect to the authorization by the Members of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by NeoGen, the performance by NeoGen of its covenants and agreements hereunder and the consummation by NeoGen of the transactions contemplated hereby, which resolutions shall not have been amended or modified and shall be in full force and effect;

(d) the Purchaser shall have received an opinion of Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C., counsel for NeoGen and the Members, dated the Closing Date, in mutually acceptable form and substance acting reasonably; and

(e) the Purchaser shall have received such other Closing documents as it shall reasonably request.

7.3 Conditions to NeoGen’s and the Members’ Obligation to Close. The obligation of NeoGen and the Members to sell the Purchased Assets and otherwise consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the Closing is subject to following conditions precedent:

(a) The delivery to NeoGen of a certificate representing the HTG Shares;

(b) the execution and delivery by the Purchaser of the Security Agreement and related financing statements;

(c) NeoGen shall have received an original copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Purchaser with respect to the authorization by the Board of Directors of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, the performance by the Purchaser of its covenants and agreements hereunder and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby, which resolutions shall not have been amended or modified and shall be in full force and effect;

(d) NeoGen shall have received an opinion of Arizona counsel to the Purchaser (likely Bryan Daum) as to the laws of the State of Arizona, and an opinion of Torys, transaction counsel to the Purchaser, as to federal securities laws, in each case in mutually acceptable form and substance, acting reasonably; and

(e) NeoGen and the Members shall have received such other Closing

 

19


documents as they shall reasonably request.

ARTICLE VIII.

ENFORCEMENT; REMEDIES

8.1 Remedies at Law or in Equity . If (each a “Default”):

(a) NeoGen, a Member or the Purchaser shall default in any of its or his obligations or performance under this Agreement or under the Security Agreement and associated financing statement(s), which default shall continue 15 business days after written notice to the defaulting party;

(b) NeoGen, a Member or the Purchaser shall default in any other obligation, covenant or liability contained or referred to herein, which default shall continue 15 business days after written notice to the defaulting party;

(c) any representation or warranty made by NeoGen or a Member to the Purchaser or by the Purchaser to NeoGen, as the case may be, in this Agreement or the Security Agreement, or any other instrument delivered under or pursuant to any term hereof shall be untrue or misleading in any material respect as of the date it was made (notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by the party receiving the representation and warranty or any actual knowledge of such party as of the date hereof) and not be corrected within 15 business days after written notice by a party to the party who made the representation and warranty;

(d) the Purchaser defaults in payment of the purchase price as specified in Article III of this Agreement, which default shall continue 15 business days after written notice to the defaulting party; or

(e) there shall occur (i) the uninsured damage or destruction of substantially all of the Collateral or (ii) the sale or the encumbrance of any of the Collateral or the making of any levy, seizure or attachment thereof, in any such case in breach of this Agreement or the Security Agreement; or

(f) upon dissolution of the Purchaser, abandonment by the Purchaser of substantially all of the Collateral, the Purchaser being adjudicated insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction, termination of the Purchaser’s existence, appointment of a receiver of substantially all of the property of the Purchaser, assignment for the benefit of creditors by the Purchaser of substantially all of the property of the Purchaser, or the commencement of any proceeding regarding the Purchaser under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against the Purchaser, the aggrieved party may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for the specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in furtherance of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right of such party or to take any one or more of such actions; including in the event of default by the Purchaser, NeoGen shall pave the remedies of a secured party under the Arizona Uniform Commercial Code, and all remedies available at law or in equity, including specific performance and the right to appoint a receiver to manage, operate and control the Collateral. Pursuant to the Security

 

20


Agreement, NeoGen may require the Purchaser to assemble the Collateral and deliver or make it available to NeoGen at a place to be designated by NeoGen that is reasonably convenient to both parties. Expenses of retaking, holding or the like shall include NeoGen’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses and shall be included in the indebtedness owed by the Purchaser to NeoGen.

8.2 In the event of any such action, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party (i) all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement, including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants and all fees, costs and expenses of appeals and (ii) interest on damage and cost recovery payments from the date the damage or cost was incurred to the date of payment by the losing party at the rate of 8.0% per annum, compounded monthly.

8.3 Limitation on Liability of NeoGen . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the aggregate liability of NeoGen to the Purchaser pursuant to the indemnity set forth in paragraph 6.7(b) hereof shall not exceed the aggregate of (i) the Aggregate Cash Consideration (including, at the Purchaser’s option, any payments in advance) paid to NeoGen from time to time plus (ii) the Fair Value of the HTG Shares determined at the time of indemnification in accordance with Schedule 3.2 hereto.

8.4 Remedies Cumulative; Waiver .

(a) No remedy referred to herein is intended to be exclusive, but each shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedy referred to above or otherwise available to any party. No express or implied waiver by any party of any default shall be a waiver of any future or subsequent default. The failure or delay of any party in exercising any rights granted to it hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any such right and any single or partial exercise of any right by any party shall not exhaust the same or constitute a waiver of any other right provided herein.

(b) The taking of this Agreement or the Security Agreement shall not waive or impair any other rights or security NeoGen may have or hereafter acquire for the payment of money hereunder, nor shall the taking of any such additional security waive or impair this Agreement or the Security Agreement; but NeoGen may resort to any security it may name in the order it may deem proper, and notwithstanding any collateral security, NeoGen shall retain its rights of set off against the Purchaser.

8.5 Jurisdiction . The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any Arizona state or United States federal court sitting in Pima County, Arizona over any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Arizona state or federal court. The parties agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The parties further waive any objection to venue in such state and any objection to any action or proceeding in such state on the basis of forum non conveniens .

8.6 Set Off .

 

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(a) The Purchaser may set off any payments owed by it hereunder against any payments owed by any of NeoGen and the Members hereunder.

(b) NeoGen and the Members may set off any payments owed by them hereunder against any payments owed by the Purchaser hereunder.

ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Purchaser and NeoGen, and the respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of the Members.

9.2 Assignment .

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, no party may assign its or his rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, of (i) in the case of NeoGen or a Member, the Purchaser and (ii) in the case of the Purchaser, one of NeoGen and the Members.

(b) The Purchaser shall be entitled to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement as permitted by paragraph 3.2(d) hereof.

(c) No person or entity not a party to this Agreement, other than successors and permitted assigns, shall have any rights under or by virtue of this Agreement.

9.3 Survival . Each representation, warranty, covenant and agreement of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing without limitation, notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of any party or any knowledge of any party as at the date hereof.

9.4 Notices . All notices, requests or instructions hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by facsimile, courier or registered mail as follows:

(a) If to NeoGen:

        NeoGen, L.L.C.

        P.O. Box 64326

        Tucson, AZ 85728

        Attention: Stephen Felder and Richard Kris

        With a copy to:

        Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C.

        259 N. Meyer Avenue

        Tucson, AZ 85701-1090

        Facsimile: (520) 798-1037

 

22


        Attention: Jonathan Rothschild, Esq.

(b) If to a Member:

        Stephen Felder or Richard Kris

        c/o NeoGen, L.L.C.

        P.O. Box 64326

        Tucson, AZ 85728

        With a copy to:

        Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C.

        259N. Meyer Avenue

        Tucson, AZ 85701-1090

        Facsimile: (520) 798-1037

        Attention: Jonathan Rothschild, Esq.

(c) If to the Purchaser:

        High Throughput Genomics, Inc.

        9040 South Rita Road

        Suite 2338

        Tucson, AZ 85747

        Attention: President

        Facsimile: (520) 663-0795

        With a copy to:

        Torys

        237 Park Avenue

        New York, NY 10017-3142

        Facsimile: (212) 682-0200

        Attention: Richard G. Willoughby, Esq.

Any of the above addresses may be changed at any time by notice given as provided above; provided, however, that any such notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. All notices, requests or instructions given in accordance herewith shall be deemed received on the date of delivery, if hand delivered or sent by facsimile or courier, or five days after mailing, if sent by registered mail.

9.5 Expenses . Each of the parties shall bear such party’s own expenses, including fees of attorneys and other professional advisors, in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

9.6 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona applicable in the case of agreements made and to be performed entirely within such State, without regard to any conflict of laws principles that would apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

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9.7 Brokerage . Each party agrees to indemnify and hold the others free and harmless from all losses, damages, costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) that may be suffered as a result of claims brought by any broker or finder seeking compensation on account of this transaction arising out of the actions of such party.

9.8 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is in writing and signed by each of the parties.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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9.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

NEOGEN, L.L.C.
By   /s/ Stephen Felder
  Stephen Felder, Member
By   /s/ Richard Kris
  Richard Kris, Member
THE MEMBER, IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES
By   /s/ Stephen Felder
  Stephen Felder, Member
By   /s/ Richard Kris
  Richard Kris, Member
HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.
By   /s/ Bruce Seligmann
  Bruce Seligmann, President

 

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ACCEPTED AND AGREED AS TO SECTION 6.5:

NEOTECH INSTRUCTATION, L.L.C.

 

By  

/s/ Stephen Felder

  Stephen Felder, Member
By  

/s/ Richard Kris

  Richard Kris, Member

ACCEPTED AND AGREED AS TO SECTION 3.2(h) AND 6.5:

SYSTEMS INTEGRATEION DRUG

DISCOVERY COMPANY, INC.

 

By  

/s/ Bruce Seligmann

  Bruce Seligmann, President
By:  

/s/ Constance Junghans

 

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Schedule 3.2

DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF PROPERTY

The determination of the Fair Value of the property in question shall be made as follows:

 

1. “Fair Value” shall mean the price expressed in terms of money or money’s worth determined in an open and unrestricted market between prudent parties, acting at arm’s length and under no compulsion to act, and having reasonable knowledge of all relevant facts concerning the property in question.

 

2. The Purchaser and NeoGen shall attempt to agree on the Fair Value of the property in question. If agreement is reached, the Fair Value of the property shall be as so agreed.

 

3. If there is no agreement pursuant to paragraph 2 above within 15 days of a determination of Fair Value being required, within an additional 5 days the Purchaser and NeoGen shall jointly appoint and instruct an Independent Appraiser to prepare and deliver to the Purchaser and NeoGen, within a period of 30 days from the date of its appointment, a report determining the Fair Value of the property in question and the basis upon which such determination has been made. In determining the Fair Value, the Independent Appraiser shall be considered as an expert and shall not be construed as acting as an arbitrator within the meaning of any applicable legislation. “ Independent Appraiser ” means a regionally or nationally recognized qualified business valuator or investment dealer that, in either case, is independent of the Purchaser, NeoGen and the Members.

 

4. The report of the Independent Appraiser shall be conclusive and binding on the Purchaser, NeoGen and the Members and shall determine the Fair Value of the property in question for purposes of this Agreement.

 

5. The costs of the Independent Appraiser shall be borne as to 50% by the Purchaser and as to 50% by NeoGen and the Members.

 

6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the property in question is securities for which there is a published market, the Fair Value of such a security shall be determined as follows:

 

  A. The Fair Value of the security, at any date, is an amount equal to the simple average of the closing price of securities of that class for each of the business days on which there was a closing price falling not more than 20 business days before that date.

 

  B. Where a published market does not provide a closing price but provides only the highest and lowest prices of securities traded on a particular day, the Fair Value of the security, at any date, is an amount equal to the average of the simple averages of the highest and lowest prices for each of the business days on which there were highest and lowest prices falling not more than 20 business days before that date.

 

  C. Where there is more than one published market for the security, the Fair Value for the purposes of (A) and (B) above shall be determined solely by reference to the published market on which the greatest volume of trading in the particular class of security occurred during the 20 business days preceding the date as of which Fair Value is being determined.

 

  D.

Where there has been trading of the security in a published market for fewer than 10 of the 20 business days preceding the date as of which the Fair Value of the security is being

 

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  determined, the Fair Value shall be the average of the following prices established for each of the 20 business days preceding that date:

 

  (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for each day on which there was no trading; and

 

  (ii) the closing price of securities of the class for each day that there has been trading, if the published market provides a closing price; or

 

  (iii) the average of the highest and lowest prices of securities of that class for each day that there has been trading, if the published market provides only the highest and lowest prices of securities traded on a particular day.

 

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Schedule 4.6

PATENTS AND.OTHER MATTERS

 

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CASE NO.

  

SUB CASE

  

CTY

  

FILING DATE

  

TITLE

NEOGEN-1

      AU    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      BS    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      CA    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      CN    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      CZ    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      EA    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      EP    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      IL    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      IN    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      JM    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      JP    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      KR    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      MX    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      MY    19-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      NO    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      NZ    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      PH    18-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      PL    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      SG    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   V1    US    19-Dec-1997    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P3    US    21-Jun-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   C1    US    15-Sep-2000    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P4    US    UNFILED    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P1    US    22-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM FOR MONITORING ESTS

NEOGEN-1

      US    2-Jul-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P2    US    22-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM USING MASS SPECTROMETRY

NEOGEN-1

   P2    WO    22-Dec-1999    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P1    WO    22-Dec-1999    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

   P3    WO    21-Jun-2000    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

NEOGEN-1

      WO    21-Dec-1998    HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

 

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Exhibit A

TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENTS

 

31


EXHIBIT “B”

TECHNICAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

The services to be provided by Licensor will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Licensee and Licensor will agree as to the objectives to be achieved by Licensor. The rate of payment will be the actual cost of travel and incidental costs incurred. Travel, lodging and food costs of Licensor will be paid by Licensee as long as such travel costs are arranged and approved by Licensee and are within Licensee’s guidelines.

Initial Manpower Services

Richard Kris – Validation as per research plan, formulation of assays and broadening of Licensee’s application scope. Make technical presentation to potential partners, customers or sublicensees.

Stephen Felder – Formulation of assays, broadening of Licensee’s application scope, development of plate manufacturing technology. Make technical presentations to potential partners, customers and sublicensees.

 

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EXHIBIT “C”

MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES AGREEMENT

The management services to be provided by SIDDCO will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Licensee will specify the objectives to be achieved by SIDDCO. The objectives will describe the tasks to be completed, the person to complete the task and the maximum amount of time to be expended on each task. SIDDCO will maintain records of the time expended on each task, and Licensee will make payment from such records.

No payments will be made to SIDDCO until Licensee has received initial payment from any sublicensee.

Initial Annualized Services :

A. Management and Business Manpower at Actual Travel Costs and Incidental Costs Incurred and FTE Costs Incurred as long as the Person Charges at least 25% of their Time to Licensee and the Sublicense Agreement Profit-To-Cost Rations of 70:30 or Greater are Targeted as Contemplated in Exhibit “E” :

Bruce Seligmann – Oversight of research plan and operations, formulation of marketing strategy and implementation of marking strategy, contract negotiation.

Pete Reisinger – Cost formulation, contract negotiation.

Constance Junghans – Contract preparation and negotiation.

Colin Dalton – Business development and customer contact.

B. Scientific Manpower at $220,000/FTE :

Biology supervisor 75% - perform biology validation, and assay development. Make presentations to potential partners, customers and sublicensee.

Biology technician 25% - Perform biology validation, and assay development.

Chemist 50% - Develop and apply chemistry for attaching chemical grids to plates.

C. Any marketing costs beyond those anticipated above in “A” can accrue to Licensee but not be paid from the first sublicense agreement. Licensee reaches with a third party.

 

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EXHIBIT “D”

RESEARCH PLAN FOR HTG (“Licensee”)

FOR PERIOD

NOVEMBER, 1997 THROUGH APRIL, 1998

Initial Work Force :

0.5 FTE from NeoTech, starting November 15 (Rick and Stephen)

1.0 FTE new hire, senior research scientist or above, starting January 1

0.5 FTE from SIDDCO, starting November 15 (Alan)

Consultant from Harvard for cell preparations and extractions (Towia Liberman)

Attachment of Anchors : (Alan)

Activation and derivitization of polystyrene.

Spotting of Anchors and Linker Design : (Rick and Towia)

Tests with spotting of biotinylated anchors to Streptavidin surface (and FITC-linkers)

Work out spatial resolutions and molecular sensitivity (molecules of FITC detectable)

Plate Design : (Stephen and Rick)

Contact Tucson plastics company and test micromachined HTG wells

Contact photolithography at U of A and wafer company for tests of silicon/glass plates.

Intellectual Property Rights : (Stephen and Rick)

Meet with Zelano and finish preparation of claims and initial filing

Coordinate with Zelano for defining follow-up demonstration of technology.

Marketing : (Bruce, Pete, Rick and Stephen)

Finish slide show and prepare “road show”

 

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EXHIBIT “E”

MARKETING PLAN

Licensee will not target any specific profit-to-cost ratio in any initial contract or sublicense before validation is complete. Instead, it will negotiate a first agreement with a third party for a first year sublicense fee or co-development cost of $500,000 and a performance milestone payment of $500,000, which will be treated as a License Fee paid to Licensee for the purpose of calculating Pre-Tax Profits, upon validation and demonstration of an assay agreed to by the third party using materials supplied by a the third party. After payment of the milestone payment, the sublicense fee in years 2 through 5 will be $1,000,000 per year. The sublicense will be restricted to use for lead generation and optimization and will not include use for safety, toxicology or adverse side-effect optimization.

Subsequent sublicenses will be written so that Pre-Tax Profits for each sublicensee target 70% or greater of receipts. Licensee’s costs will be determined in accordance with ARTICLE IV of the Technology License Agreement and Licensee may enter into sublicense agreements where the pre-tax profit is less than 70% only with the concurrence of Licensor. Such concurrence need not be sought or obtained after pre-tax profits equal or exceed $ 10,000,000.

 

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Exhibit B

RELEASE

This Release (the “ Release ”) is being executed and delivered pursuant to paragraph 3.2(h) of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement dated January             , 2001 (the “ Asset Purchase Agreement ”), by and between NEOGEN, L.L.C. (“ NeoGen ”), STEPHEN FELDER and RICHARD KRIS, and HIGH THROUGHTPUT GENOMICS, INC. (“ HTG ”) and in connection with that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of December 21, 2000 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among DISCOVER PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware Corporation (“ Parent ”), SI ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION, an Arizona corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Acquisition Co. ”), SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DRUG DISCOVER COMPANY, INC., an Arizona corporation (the “ Company ”), and certain stockholders of the Company.

NeoGen acknowledges that Parent is relying on this Release in consummating the merger (contemplated under the Merger Agreement) of Acquisition Co. with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”) resulting in the indirect acquisition by Parent of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company.

NeoGen, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, in order to include Parent to consummate the Merger, hereby agrees as follows:

NeoGen, on behalf of itself and each of its Related Parties (as defined below), hereby releases and forever discharges Parent, Acquisition Co. and the Company, and each of their respective individual, joint or mutual, past, present and future representatives, affiliates, officers, directors, managers, agents, attorneys, stockholders, members, controlling persons, subsidiaries, successors and assigns, other than HTG (individually, a “ Releasee ” and collectively, (“ Releasees ”) from any and all claims, demands, proceedings, causes of action, orders, obligations, contracts, agreements, debts and liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which NeoGen, or any of its Related Parties on the date hereof, now have, have ever had or may hereafter have against the respective Releasees, arising contemporaneously with or prior to the consummation of the Merger or on account of or arising out of any matter, cause or event occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the consummation of the Merger including, without limitation, any rights to indemnification or reimbursement from the Company, whether pursuant to its organizational documents, contracts or otherwise and whether or not relating to claims pending on, or asserted after, the consummation of the Merger, and other than claims arising out of the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, any and all rights of NeoGen against any Releasee arising out of or in connection with that certain Technology License Agreement dated November 24, 1997, and the Asset Purchase Agreement.

Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to NeoGen, (i) any Person (as defined below) that directly or indirectly controls, is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is directly or indirectly under common control with NeoGen, (ii) each Person that serves as a partner, executor, member or trustees of NeoGen (or in a similar capacity), (iii) any Person in which NeoGen holds a Material Interest (as defined below), (iv) any Person with respect to which NeoGen serves as a general partner, member or trustee (or in a similar capacity) or (v) Neotech Instrumentation, L.L.C. For purposes of this definition, “Person” shall mean any individual corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or

 

51


limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union or other entity. For purposes of this definition, “ Material Interest ” shall mean direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of voting securities or other voting interests representing at least 10 percent (10%) of the outstanding voting power of a Person or equity securities or other equity interests representing at least ten percent (10%) of outstanding equity securities or equity interest in a Person.

In furtherance hereof, NeoGen expressly waives the benefits and provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”

NeoGen hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any proceeding of any kind against any Releasee, based upon any matter purported to be released hereby.

Without in any way limiting any of the rights and remedies otherwise available to any Releasee, NeoGen hereby indemnifies and holds harmless each Releasee from and against all loss, liability, claim, damage (including incidental and consequential damages) or expense (including costs of investigation and defense and reasonable attorney’s fees) whether or not involving third party claims, arising directly or indirectly from or in connections with (i) the assertion by or on behalf of NeoGen or any of its respective Related Parties of any claim or other matter purported to be released pursuant to this Release and (ii) the assertion by any third party of any claim or demand against any Releasee which claim or demand arises directly or indirectly from, or in connection with, any assertion by or on behalf of NeoGen or any of its respective Related Parties against such third party of any claims or other matters purported to be release pursuant to this Release.

If any provision of this Release is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Release will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Release held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.

This Release may not be changed except in a writing signed by the person(s) against whose interest such change shall operate. This Release shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

All words used in this Release will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.

 

52


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Release as of the consummation of the Merger.

 

NEOGEN, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Felder

  Stephen Felder, Member

 

By:  

/s/ Richard Kris

  Richard Kris, Member

 

53


Exhibit C

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND COLLATERAL

ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

 

54


WHEN FILED PLEASE MAIL TO:

Mesch Clark & Rothschild, P.C.

259 North Meyer Avenue

Tucson, AZ 85701-1090

Attn: Jonathan Rothschild

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND COLLATERAL

ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 12 th day of January, 2001, by and between NeoGen, L.L.C. (the “Secured Party”), an Arizona limited liability company, whose address is P.O. Box 64326, Tucson, Arizona, 85728, and High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (the “Debtor”), a Delaware corporation, whose address is 9040 S. Rita Road, Bldg. 2338, Tucson, Arizona, 85747.

WHEREAS, the Secured Party wishes to assure itself of the performance of the obligations of the Debtor under the Asset Purchase Agreement between the parties dated January 9, 2001 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Debtor wishes to grant the Secured Party a security interest in its technology, information, documentation, trade secrets, invention, source code, object code, and other similar and related things necessary in order for the Secured Party, during a default by the Debtor, to enjoy full use of its rights under the Asset Purchase Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of good and valuable considerations, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledge, the parties hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Collateral: For purposes of this Security Agreement, “Collateral” shall mean and refer to any and all of Debtor’s present and future right, title and interest in and to the following items together with any and all rights corresponding or similar to the following items under applicable law:

1.1 the Technology (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) and all Intellectual Property rights (as defined below) relating to the Technology. “Intellectual Property Rights” include any and all of the following and all rights in, arising out of, or associated therewith: (i) all United States, international and foreign patents and applications therefore and all reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof (including those patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 4.6 to the Asset Purchase Agreement): (ii) all inventions (whether or not patentable), inventions disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary information, processes, formulas, know how, computer software programs (in both source code and object code

 

55


form), technology protocols, technical data, tangible or intangible proprietary information, and all documentation relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) all copyrights, copyright regulations and application therefor, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) all industrial designs and any registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (v) all trade names, logos, business names, common law trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefore throughout the world; (vi) all operating manuals, engineering standards and specifications, lab books, notes and other information and (vii) data all moral and economic rights of authors and inventors, however designated throughout the world; (viii) all licenses and other agreements to which the Debtor is a party or by which Debtor is bound relating to any of the foregoing kinds of property; and (ix) any similar or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing anywhere in the world.

1.2 all Intellectual Property Rights arising or created in the future relating to the Technology;

1.3 all business and financial records relating to the Technology; and

1.4 the goodwill relating to the Technology.

For greater certainty, “Collateral” shall include the Patents and Trademarks referred to in Paragraph 4.1.

2. Grant of Security Interest. For valuable consideration, the Debtor hereby grants to the Security Party a security interest in the Collateral. Upon the Secured Party’s request, the Debtor shall execute a financing statement or statements covering the Collateral and take such other steps as are necessary to cooperate with the Secured Party to protect its security interested granted hereunder.

3. Obligations Secured. This Security Agreement and the security interest created hereby are given for the purpose of securing Debtor’s performance of all obligations of the Debtor to the Secured Party under the Asset Purchase Agreement or this Security Agreement. All obligations secured hereby are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Obligations.”

4. Collateral Assignment of Patents and Trademarks

4.1 in addition to the security interest granted in paragraph 2, Debtor hereby grants to Secured Party security interest in, and does collaterally assign all of Debtor’s right, title and interest in and to the Patents and Trademarks on Exhibit 1.

4.2 as long as no default has occurred and is continuing under the Asset Purchase Agreement or this Security Agreement, the Debtor is permitted:

(i) to use the Patents and Trademarks and any reissues thereof, and to practice the teachings of the Patents and Trademarks; and

(ii) to retain possession and have full legal and beneficial ownership of the Collateral and shall have the benefit of any increase and bear the risk of any decrease in the value of the Collateral. Debtor shall pay all taxes or other charges assessable against it upon as with respect to such Collateral or any income or distributions therefrom.

 

56


5. Default and Remedies

5.1 For purposes of this Security Agreement, the occurrence of a Default (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) with respect to the Debtor, shall constitute and “Event of Default” pursuant to this Security Agreement.

5.2 Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default as defined above, the Secured Party may declare all of the Obligations of the Debtor immediately due.

5.3 In addition to the rights provided for in Paragraph 5.2 hereof, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Secured Party shall be entitled:

(i) to enter on the premises of the Debtor and take possession of the Collateral or any portion thereof. In the exercise of its rights hereunder, the Secured Party may require the Debtor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Secured Party at a location designated by the Secured Party and reasonable convenient to the Secured Party and the Debtor. All reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the Secured Party’s exercise of its rights under this Paragraph 5.3(i) shall be borne by the Debtor;

(ii) to all other rights and remedies permissible under the applicable law. All rights and remedies of the secured Party provided for in this Paragraph 5 shall be cumulative and shall not be to the exclusion of any additional rights that the Secured Party may enjoy under applicable law. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Secured Party enforcing its rights under this Agreement, including legal expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be borne by the Debtor.

5.4 The failure of the Secured Party to Exercise any right to seek any remedy provided for in this Paragraph 5, and the acceptance by the Secured Party of any partial or delinquent performance by the Debtor of any of the Obligations, shall not constitute a waiver by the Secured Party of any of its rights or remedies hereunder or of its right thereafter to enforce this Security Agreement strictly in accordance with its terms. No waiver of any rights of the Secured Party or modification of any term of this Agreement shall be enforceable unless in writing and signed by the authorized representative of each of the parties hereto.

6. Covenants and Further Assurances

6.1 Debtor agrees not to sell, assign, pledge, mortgage, transfer or otherwise encumber its right, title or interest in or to a material portion of the Collateral as long as the Asset Purchase Agreement and this Security Agreement are in effect, except (i) for a sale in connections with which the Debtor complies with Paragraph 3.2(d) of the Asset Purchase Agreement or (ii) with the prior written consent of the Secured Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

6.2 Debtor shall promptly notify Secured Party of any levy, attachment, garnishment or other seizure (by legal process or otherwise) of any of the Collateral and of any threatened or filed claims or

 

57


proceedings that might impair the security interest of Secured Party.

6.3 Upon the reasonable request of Secured Party, Debtor agrees from time to time to execute, deliver and file, if necessary, all further instruments and documents (including without limitation UCC-1 financing statements), and takes all further action that may be necessary to perfect and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to the Collateral.

 

7. Default

7.1 Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, Secured Party shall immediately be entitled to foreclose the security interest granted herein.

7.2 All cash proceeds received by Secured Party in respect of any sales of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral may, in the discretion of Secured Party, be held by Secured Party and/or then, of at any time thereafter, be applied in whole or in part against all or any part of the Obligations, plus reasonable costs of collection, attorney’s fees and sale, in such order as Secured Party shall reasonably elect. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by Secured Party and remaining after payment in full of all the Obligations shall be paid over to Debtor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

7.3 The rights and remedies of Secured Party under this Security Agreement upon an Event of Default are cumulative and are not in lieu of, but are in addition to, any other rights or remedies which Secured Party shall have at law or otherwise, if any.

8. Expenses. Debtor shall indemnify, defend and hold Secured Party harmless from and against any and all reasonable costs, claims, expenses, damages and other liabilities, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees which Secured Party may incur or which may be assessed against Secured Party, in exercising any of its proper rights under this Agreement.

9. Waiver. Failure by Secured Party to exercise any right which it may have hereunder shall not be deemed a waiver thereof unless so agreed in writing by Secured Party, and the waiver by Secured Party of any default by Debtor hereunder shall not constitute a continuing waiver of a waiver of any other default or of the same default on any other occasion.

10. Notices. Any Notice, request or other communication to any party hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when delivered, telecopied or, if mailed, when mailed if sent by certified or registered mail, at the address of such party as set forth below, or to such other addresses which may be specified in writing to all parties hereto.

 

If to Debtor, to:    High Throughput Genomics, Inc.
   Attention: President
   9040 S. Rita Road, Building #2338
   Tucson, Arizona 85747

 

58


   Facsimile: 520-663-0795
with a copy to:    Torys
   Attention: Richard G. Willoughby
   237 Park Avenue
   New York, NY 10017-3142
   Facsimile: 212-682-0200
If Secured Party, to:    NeoGen, L.L.C.
   Attention: Stephen Felder and Richard Kris
   P.O. Box 64326
   Tucson, Arizona 85728
   Facsimile: 520-232-9429
with a copy to:    Jonathan Rotheschild
   Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C.
   259 N. Meyer Ave.
   Tucson, Arizona 85701
   Facsimile: 520-798-1037

11. Severability. If any provision of this agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall not affect or impair the validity, legality and enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

12. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed, nor shall any waiver or any provision hereof be effective, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver, amendment, change, modification or discharge is sought.

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Arizona without regard to conflict of law principles. Jurisdiction and venue shall include Pima County, Arizona.

14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and facsimile signatures shall be treated as original signatures.

15 Termination. This Agreement, and the security interests granted hereunder, shall automatically terminate upon payment in full of the “Aggregate Cash Consideration” as defined in and as provided by the Asset Purchase Agreement. Upon such payment, the Secured Party shall execute, deliver, and file, if necessary, all instruments and documents (including, without limitation, UCC financing discharge statements), and take all further action that may be necessary to discharge the security interest granted hereunder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the

 

59


date first above written.

 

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC. Debtor

/s/ Bruce Seligmann

By:   Bruce Seligmann
Its:   President
NEOGEN, L.L.C., Secured Party

/s/ Richard Kris

By:   Richard Kris
Its:   Member

/s/ Stephen Felder

By:   Stephen Felder
Its:   Member

 

60


STATE OF ARIZONA

       )
  

    )ss.

COUNTY OF PIMA

       )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 11 day of Jan., 2000, by Bruce Seligman, President of High Throughput Genomics, Inc.

 

/s/ Illegible

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

 

STATE OF ARIZONA

       )
  

    )ss.

COUNTY OF PIMA

       )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 11 day of Jan., 2000, by Richard Kris, Member of NeoGen L.L.C.

 

/s/ Illegible

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

 

STATE OF ARIZONA        )
       )ss.
COUNTY OF PIMA        )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 11 day of Jan., 2000, by Stephen Felder, Member of NeoGen, L.L.C.

 

/s/ Illegible

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

 

61


CASE NO.

  

SUB CASE

  

CTY

  

FILING DATE

    

TITLE

NEOGEN - 1       AU      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       BS      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       CA      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       CN      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       CZ      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       EA      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       EP      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       IL      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       IN      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       JM      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       JP      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       KR      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       MX      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       MY      19 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       NO      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       NZ      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       PH      18 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       PL      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       SG      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    V1    US      19 - Dec - 1997       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P3    US      21 - Jun - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    C1    US      15 - Sep - 2000       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P4    US      UNFILED       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P1    US      22 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM FOR MONITORING ESTS
NEOGEN - 1       US      2 - Jul - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P2    US      22 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM USING MASS SPECTROMETRY
NEOGEN - 1    P2    WO      22 - Dec - 1999       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P1    WO      22 - Dec - 1999       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1    P3    WO      21 - Jun - 2000       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM
NEOGEN - 1       WO      21 - Dec - 1998       HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY SYSTEM

 

EXHIBIT 1


AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

NeoGen, L.L.C., an Arizona limited liability company (“NeoGen”), Stephen Felder, and Richard Kris, the Members of NeoGen, L.L.C., (the “Members”), and High Throughput Genomics. Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HTG”) desire to resolve differences which arose under the Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001 (“Agreement”) between the parties which are enumerated in High Throughput Genomics, Inc. vs. NeoGen, L.L.C ., Pima County Superior Court Cause No. C20025303 and in order to resolve said differences, amend the Agreement as follows:

3.2 is amended as follows:

3.2 Aggregate Cash Consideration : The cash component of the Purchase Price (the “ Aggregate Cash Consideration ”) shall not exceed $15,000,000.00 and shall be paid by the Purchaser to NeoGen in the following manner:

3.2 (a), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l) are deleted. 3.2(b) is deleted and the following language shall be substituted.

Revenue is defined as any revenue of HTG excluding grant revenue.

3.2(b): Revenue payments (the “Revenue Payments”) shall be equal to 6% of all Revenue actually received by HTG excluding grant revenue, in each Quarter payable within 30 days of the applicable Quarter(s) end.

Revenue Payments shall be made on the following schedule:

l) The Revenue Payment for a quarter will be payable within 30 days of the applicable quarter end and subject to adjustment as necessary within 60 days of the quarter end.

2) Starting on the first quarter within which HTG completes a “Financing” as defined below, the Revenue Payment due for any quarter will have a minimum value, such that the cumulative Revenue Payments to NeoGen within any calendar year will equal 6% of Revenue for that year or $60,000 per quarter whichever is greater. Hence for the first quarter of a year the Revenue Payment must be at least $60,000. At the end of the second quarter the sum of the Revenue Payment for the first and second quarters must be either 6% of the Revenue for quarters one and two or $120,000 whichever is greater. After three quarters it must be 6% for the three quarters or $180,000 whichever is greater. At the end of the year it must be 6% of the total Technology Revenue for the year or $240,000 whichever is greater. After HTG completes a “Financing”, HTG agrees to put $60,000 into escrow as security for the payment of the Revenue Payments. The $60,000 will be returned to HTG after the Purchase Price has been fully paid.

3) “Financing” is defined as any monies HTG receives, including equity investments, but excluding: 1) Technology Revenue, 2) other Revenue received from the sale of products and


services, and 3) monies received from temporary bridge loans from shareholders, management employees, officers or directors. “Financing” includes grant funds received in excess of $2,000,000. Any consideration that includes as a component an equity investment will trigger the minimum payment described in paragraph number 2 above.

4) HTG shall pay NeoGen $9,903.06 as and for past Revenue Payments through December 31, 2002. This amount will be due and payable with accumulated interest of 6% per annum from April 11, 2003 within five (5) days of a Financing. In addition, the sum due from HTG to NeoGen for the first two quarters of 2003, utilizing a 12.5% revenue payment rate, results in an estimated $68,668.75 payable. Of this amount, $26,520.00 was paid to NeoGen on April 30, 2003 and $947.50 was paid to NeoGen on July 30, 2003. The $41,201.25 balance due for the first two quarters of 2003 will be due and payable within 3 days of the date of this Amendment. Future revenue payments starting with the Q3 of 2003 payment due October 30, 2003 will be computed using a 6% revenue payment rate.

5) Total Payments and Payment Cap: The parties agree that in view of the cap on the aggregate cash consideration portion of the purchase price for the technology of $15,000,000.00, that it is in the interest of both parties that NeoGen be compensated based on the total revenue of HTG, excluding grant monies, at a rate of 6% total revenue, not to exceed $15,000,000.000. Once a total of $15,000,000.00 has been paid (of which $819,628.00 will have been paid upon the signing of this amendment, prior to any financing event), no further cash payments will be due NeoGen under this Agreement.

3.2(d) is reaffirmed as part of Section 3.2.

Section 3.3 Information and Audits . So long as any portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration remains outstanding, the Purchaser shall provide NeoGen with Quarterly statements of Revenue and a copy of its annual audit.

The parties acknowledge and agree that the covenant not to compete as outlined in Sections 6.2(a) and (b) of the Agreement is terminated and 6.3 is deleted in its entirety.

HTG and NeoGen agree to continue to collaborate on the following grants and follow-up Phase II grants that are on-going: Phase I AI51921 NIAID grant and the Phase II grant that will be applied for after the Phase I is finished; Phase II grant, if received by NeoGen, which is the follow-up of the Phase I HD 44142 grant; Phase II of the apoptosis grant, which is the follow-up of CA96382. Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, all provision of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.

 

AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed and delivered this Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, which is effective this 20 day of November, 2003.

 

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Bruce Seligmann

  Bruce Seligmann
Its:   President

 

STATE OF ARIZONA        )
       ) ss.
COUNTY OF PIMA        )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 26th day of November, 2003 by Bruce Seligmann, President, High Throughput Genomics, Inc.

 

/s/ Illegible
Notary Public

 

NEOGEN, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Richard Kris

  Richard Kris
Its:   Member

 

STATE OF ARIZONA        )
       ) ss.
COUNTY OF PIMA        )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 19 day of November, 2003 by Richard Kris, Member of NeoGen, L.L.C.

 

/s/ Illegible

Notary Public

 

AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

3


NEOGEN, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Felder

  Stephen Felder
Its:   Member
STATE OF ARIZONA        )
       ) ss.
COUNTY OF PIMA        )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 19 day of November, 2003 by Richard Kris, Member of NeoGen, L.L.C.

 

/s/ Illegible

Notary Public

 

AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

4


SECOND AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Second Amendment Asset Purchase Agreement (“Second Amendment”) is made and entered into as of September 15, 2004, by and between NeoGen, L.L.C., an Arizona limited liability company (“NeoGen”); Stephen Felder and Richard Kris, the members of NeoGen (the “Members”); and High Throughput Genomics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HTG”) and amends and modifies the Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001 by and among the foregoing parties as amended by an Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 20, 2003 (the “Current Agreement’’) in the following manner.

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning assigned to such term in the Purchase Agreement.

RECITALS

The parties acknowledge that the following Recitals are true and correct and constitute an integral part of this Amendment.

A. HTG is seeking additional financing to grow its business and believes that the amendments to the Current Agreement made pursuant to this Second Amendment will facilitate its ability to obtain such financing.

B. These amendments are also beneficial to NeoGen since the amount and timing of payments to NeoGen of royalties under the Current Agreement depend on the Revenues of HTG.

C. In addition, the holders of HTG’s outstanding $0.001 par value Common Stock and the holders (“Series A Investors”) of HTG’s $0.001 par value Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) will benefit if HTG obtains such additional financing.

D. In recognition of these mutual interests, NeoGen and HTG are willing to amend the Current Agreement and thus HTG is willing to increase its minimum quarterly Revenue Payments to NeoGen and grant a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to the Technology to NeoGen and the Members and to NeoGen Affiliates (as defined in the License Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “License Agreement”)).

E. HTG is currently engaged in negotiations for a $3 Million financing (the “Series B Transaction”‘) involving the issuance of a Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Stock”). In the event that the Series B Transaction does not occur, HTG will likely obtain an investment of approximately $1.5 Million in the form of a bridge loan from the holders of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Bridge Financing”).

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Effect of Amendment . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms,

 

1


conditions, obligations or agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement all of which shall remain in full force and effect subject to further amendments in accordance with the terms thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Amendment shall not reduce the Aggregate Cash Consideration due to NeoGen under the Current Agreement or limit in any way the terms of the Security Agreement which secures the payment of the Aggregate Cash Consideration.

2. Effective Date . This Amendment shall become effective (“Effective Date’’) upon the execution by all parties of (i) this Agreement and (ii) the License Agreement.

3. Amendments to Current Agreement . The Current Agreement is hereby amended as follows and all references to the ‘‘Purchase Agreement’’ shall mean the Current Agreement as amended by this Second Amendment:

3.1 Section 3.2(b) . Section 3.2(b) is amended to read as follows:

(i) Effective for each Quarter following the date (“Financing Date’’) of a Financing (as defined below) until the Aggregate Cash Consideration has been paid in full, HTG Shall pay NeoGen a sum (“Royalty Payments”) equal to the greater of: (i) $400,000 per calendar year (“Minimum Payment”) or (ii) 6% of all “Revenue” for such calendar year (“Percentage Amount’’). “Revenue” shall mean all revenue (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) actually received by HTG from any source during such calendar year (including Drug Royalties, as defined in the License Agreement) but excluding grants.

Payments of the Minimum Payment shall be made in four (4) equal amounts of $100,000 each on or before the third business day of each Quarter following the Financing Date. Within 30 days after the end of each Quarter following the Financing Date, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the cumulative Percentage Amount for the calendar year in question and the product of 100,000 and the number of completed Quarters in such calendar year. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Quarter” means one of the three-month periods in each calendar year ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31.

On the later of October 4, 2004 or the 5th business day following HTG’s receipt of the initial proceeds of a Financing, HTG shall pay NeoGen the sum of $100,000 (“First Minimum Payment’’). The First Minimum Payment shall be credited against HTG’s obligation to make the payment of the First Minimum Payment following the Financing Date.

‘‘Financing” means HTG’s receipt of any monies from any source including equity investments but excluding: (i) Revenues, (ii) monies received from current shareholders, management employees, officers or directors and (iii) grant funds up to $2,000,000.

The operation of the foregoing provisions is illustrated by the following examples:

 

2


On September 15, 2004, HTG receives the proceeds of a Financing.

 

    On October 4, 2004, HTG shall pay the first Minimum Payment of $100,000 to NeoGen for the Quarter ending December 31, 2004.

 

    On January 5, 2005, HTG shall pay a Minimum Payment of$100,000 to NeoGen for the quarter ending March 31, 2005.

 

    On or before January 30, 2005, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between 6% of HTG’s Revenues for the Quarter ended December 31, 2004 and $100,000.

 

    On April 6, 2005, HTG shall pay a Minimum Payment of $100,000 to NeoGen for the quarter ending June 30, 2005.

 

    On or before April 30, 2005, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between 6% of HTG’s Revenues for the Quarter ended March 31, 2005 and $100,000.

 

    On July 7, 2005, HTG shall pay a Minimum Payment of $100,000 to NeoGen for the quarter ending September 30, 2005.

 

    On or before July 30, 2005, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between 6% of HTG’s aggregate Revenues for the previous two Quarters and $200,000.

 

    On October 6, 2005, HTG shall pay a Minimum Payment of $100,000 to NeoGen for the quarter ending December 31, 2005.

 

    On or before October 30, 2005, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between 6% of HTG’s aggregate Revenues for the three previous Quarters and $300,000.

 

    On January 5, 2006, HTG shall pay a Minimum Payment of $100,000 to NeoGen for the quarter ending March 31, 2006.

 

    On or before January 30, 2006, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between 6% of HTG’s aggregate Revenues for the 2005 and $400,000.

(ii) The following provisions relating to Royalty Payments shall apply if the Series B Transaction does not occur but a Bridge Financing of no more than $1.5 Million does; provided that any financing pursuant to which HTG receives, in the aggregate, more than $1.5 Million shall not be deemed a Bridge Financing:

 

3


    Effective for each Quarter following the date of the Bridge Financing (the “Bridge Date”), until the earlier of either a Financing or the Aggregate Cash Consideration has been paid in full, HTG shall pay NeoGen a sum equal to the greater of. (i) $240,000 per calendar year (“Bridge Minimum Payment”) or (ii) the Percentage Amount for such calendar year.

 

    Payments of the Bridge Minimum Payment shall be made in four (4) equal amounts of $60,000 each, in advance on or before the third business day of each Quarter following the Bridge Date. Within 30 days after the end of each Quarter following the Bridge Date, HTG shall pay NeoGen an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the cumulative Percentage Amount for the calendar year in question and the product of $60,000 and the number of completed Quarters in such calendar year.

 

    On the later of October 4, 2004 or the 5th business day following HTG’s completion of a Bridge Financing, HTG shall pay NeoGen the sum of $60,000 (“First Bridge Minimum Payment”). The First Bridge Minimum Payment shall be credited against HTG’s obligation to make the payment of the First Bridge Payment following the Bridge Date. The operation of the provisions relating to payments to be made in the event of a Bridge Financing are the same as shown in the example above for a Financing.

(iii) Within five (5) days of a Financing, HTG shall pay NeoGen the sum of $9,903.06 as and for past payments due through December 31, 2002 together with interest from April 11, 2003 at a rate equal to 6% per annum.

(iv) Until the occurrence of a Financing or Bridge Financing, future Revenue Payments will remain at the current 6% of Revenue with no minimum payments.

(v) Upon payment in full of the Aggregate Cash Consideration, all remaining obligations of HTG under the Purchase Agreement and the Security Agreement shall cease and NeoGen agrees to take such action as may be reasonably requested by HTG to release the security interest in the Technology created by the Security Agreement.

3.2 Section 3.2(d) . Section 3.2(d) of the Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:

HTG shall notify NeoGen, in writing, of any prospective Sale of HTG (as hereinafter defined at least ten (10) business days prior to the consummation of such Sale of HTG.

“Sale of HTG” means (i) the sale or other transfer of the Technology other than by grant of a non-exclusive license; (ii) the sale or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of HTG in a transaction requiring the approval of the stockholders of HTG pursuant to Section 271 of the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware, or (iii) any reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger involving HTG in which the Common Stock of HTG is

 

4


converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property in which the holders of HTG’s outstanding voting stock immediately prior to such transaction own, immediately after such transaction, securities representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the corporation, the surviving entity, or the entity that controls such surviving entity; but not including a transaction involving the issuance of securities of HTG with the intention that HTG’s business shall continue in substantially the same manner as before such transaction.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.2(b), in the event of a Sale of HTG, the parties agree that they will, in good faith, negotiate an alternative definition of “Revenues” that reflects the buyer’s intended use of the Technology in its future business activities and the portion of the buyer’s revenues that are anticipated to be derived from the utilization, sale or licensing of the Technology, together with any related matters; provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require NeoGen to negotiate or accept a decrease in the Minimum Payments provided for herein. Any alternative definition may recognize the prospective revenue benefits to be derived by the buyer as a result of its ownership of HTG and/or the Technology.

4. Array Plates™ .

4.1 Sale of Array Plates to NeoGen . HTG agrees that it shall sell “Array Plates” to NeoGen or a NeoGen Affiliate designated by NeoGen (“NeoGen Purchaser’’) for a price equal to HTG’s actual manufactured cost of producing such Array Plates plus 25% of such cost, excluding marketing, sales and general and administrative costs, plus applicable taxes and third-party delivery costs, if any. An “Array Plate” means the microplate product being sold by HTG from time to time with 16 programmable anchors in each well of a 96-well microplate, together with all the general reagents for performing the assay from lysis to detection substrate, excluding the gene-specific reagents. The current manufactured cost of an Array Plate is $192.00.

4.2 Use of HTG Array Plates . NeoGen agrees that, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, should NeoGen or a NeoGen Affiliate use Array Plates, they shall only use Array Plates purchased from HTG and only for “Permitted Uses” as defined in the License Agreement.

4.3 Delivery . HTG agrees that it shall deliver Array Plates ordered by NeoGen within thirty (30) days after receipt of a written purchase order. The purchase price for such Array Plates shall be paid within 30 days of delivery to the NeoGen Purchaser. Orders place by NeoGen shall be in multiples of 10 Array Plates or the then-current batch size being sold by HTG.

4.4 Improvements in Design or Method .

4.4.1 If, during the course of its use of Array Plates, a NeoGen Purchaser develops an alternative method of printing arrays to be used in connection with the use of the Technology (“Printing Method’), it shall notify HTG, in writing, and provide the details of such Printing Method. Provided HTG determines (which determination shall be reasonably made)

 

5


that the quality control standards that exist with respect to such Printing Method are as good or better than HTG’s then current quality control standards (defined below), NeoGen or the NeoGen Purchaser (i) shall be permitted to manufacture its own arrays for use in connection with the Technology and (ii) shall make such Printing Method available to HTG for use in its manufacture of arrays, without charge by executing a license or such other form of consent as HTG may reasonably request NeoGen or a NeoGen Purchaser may continue to use such Printing Method but may not license or otherwise permit its use by any person other that a NeoGen Affiliate. For purposes of this Section 4.4, HTG’s “then current quality control standards” shall be those quality control standards which are actually used, employed, and applied by HTG at that point in time with respect to products HTG is providing to its customers. HTG will provide to NeoGen or a designated NeoGen Purchaser, in written form and within 10 days of the date of this Amendment, the quality control standards which are actually used, employed, and applied by HTG as of the date of this Second Amendment, and thereafter HTG shall provide NeoGen or the NeoGen Purchaser with written changes in its quality control standards within 10 days after changes are made.

4.4.2 If, during the course of its use of Array Plates, a NeoGen Purchaser develops a method of printing arrays to be used in connection with the use of the Technology that results in higher density (e.g. 384 or 1536 wells) microplate formats (“Density Method”), it shall notify HTG, in writing, and provide the details of such Density Method. Provided HTG determines (which determination shall be reasonably made) that the quality control standards that exists with respect to such Density Method are as good or better than HTG’s then current quality control standards, NeoGen or such NeoGen Purchaser (i) shall be permitted to manufacture its own arrays for use in connection with the Technology using such Density Method and (ii) shall make such Density Method available to HTG for use in its manufacture of Array Plates, without charge by executing a license or such other form of consent as HTG may reasonably request.

4.5 Restrictions on Sale or Use of Array Plates . NeoGen agrees that, without the prior written consent of HTG, it shall not sell to or otherwise permit the use by any non-Affiliate of Array Plates purchased from HTG or of arrays to be used in connection with the Technology manufactured by NeoGen using a Printing Method or a Density Method.

4.6 Purchase of NeoGen Equipment . Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraphs 4.2.1 or 4.2.2, at HTG’s election, it may require NeoGen to purchase Array Plates manufactured using the Density Method or the Printing Method; provided it reimburses NeoGen for the cost of the equipment purchased by NeoGen in order to manufacture Array Plates and HTG then will own and receive that equipment from NeoGen within a reasonable period of time.

5 Sale of Omix Imager . HTG agrees to sell NeoGen one (1) Omix lmager (“Imager”) for an amount equal to the invoiced purchase price paid by HTG for such Imager which is currently $71,947 (plus applicable sales tax and delivery and costs). The price paid by NeoGen will be no higher than the actual price charged to HTG.

6. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed by facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

NEOGEN, L.L.C.
By  

/s/ Stephen Felder

Stephen Felder, Member
By  

/s/ Richard Kris

Richard Kris, Member
THE MEMBERS IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES

/s/ Stephen Felder

Stephen Felder, Member

/s/ Richard Kris

Richard Kris, Member
HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS
By  

/s/ Kirk Collamer

VP & CFO

 

7


CONFIDENTIAL

AMENDED AND RESTATED THIRD AMENDMENT TO

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED THIRD AMENDMENT TO ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (“Amendment”), dated February 28, 2014, is by and between Nuvogen Research LLC (f.k.a., Neogen, LLC), Stephen Felder, and Richard Kris (collectively, “Seller”), and HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (f.k.a., High Throughput Genomics, Inc.) (“HTG”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS the Parties entered into that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 9, 2001, as amended by that certain Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 20, 2003, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 15, 2004 (collectively, the “Agreement”), which Agreement was further amended by the third amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 12, 2012 (“Third Amendment”), and

WHEREAS the Parties now desire to modify their understandings and amend and restate in its entirety the Third Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the above premises, and in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions contained in the Agreement and herein, the parties agree as follows:

To the extent not modified by this Amendment, the Agreement remains in full force and effect.

1. Defined Terms . Except as otherwise defined in this Amendment, defined terms shall have the meaning given them in the Agreement.

2. Payment of Aggregate Cash Consideration . The terms and conditions of payment of Aggregate Cash Consideration applicable from and after January 1, 2013 shall be modified as follows:

 

  a. Aggregate Cash Consideration . The Parties agree that, as of November 12, 2012 (the “Amendment Effective Date”), the unpaid Aggregate Cash Consideration equaled $10,873,743. 00 (“Unpaid Obligation”).

 

  b. Deferral Period and Minimum Payment . Beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2017 (“Deferral Period”), HTG shall pay, and Seller shall accept as the sole payment against the Aggregate Cash Consideration, for the indicated years, the following annual Minimum Payments:


CONFIDENTIAL

 

Year

   Payment  

2013

   $ 425,000   

2014

   $ 450,000   

2015

   $ 575,000   

2016

   $ 725,000   

2017

   $ 800,000   

For each indicated year, the annual Minimum Payment shall be payable in equal quarterly installments as currently set forth in the Agreement (subject to rounding of uneven amounts). All quarterly installments shall be paid timely and the failure of HTG to pay any installment timely shall constitute a breach of this Amendment; in which event this Amendment may, in addition to all other remedies of Seller hereunder, be terminated at the election of Seller, whereupon the payment terms set forth in the Agreement immediately preceding the Amendment Effective Date shall be reinstated and shall be enforceable by Seller as if this Amendment had not been entered into.

 

  c. Deferral of Excess Portion of Percentage Amount . No Percentage Amounts shall be payable for or during the Deferral Period except as follows: For each calendar year of the Deferral Period, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the Percentage Amount that would otherwise have been payable over (b) the annual Minimum Payment above (each, a “Deferred Amount”) shall accrue and shall be payable, together with interest at the rate of 5% per year, accruing and compounding annually, as provided in paragraph 2(d) below.

 

  d.

Payment of Deferred Amount . Each June 30 and December 31 beginning in 2018, HTG shall determine, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), its operating profit as defined under GAAP (but not including accrued, unpaid Deferred Amount) in the trailing 12 month period. If such operating profit is $1,000,000 or more, or no later than June 30, 2020 in any event, then 50% of the Deferred Amounts, together with 50% of the accrued interest on the Deferred Amount, shall be payable to Seller within 15 business days thereafter, and the balance of the unpaid Deferred Amounts and interest thereon shall be payable within one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter. Each payment of interest on the Deferred Amounts shall be payable, at Seller’s option, either in cash or by issuance of a 5-year warrant to purchase the number of shares of HTG common stock equal to payment amount divided by $1, at an exercise price of $1 per share. HTG’s payment of the Deferred Amount and interest thereon shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the Minimum Payments or Percentage Amounts payable in accordance with the terms of the Agreement after January 1, 2018. Upon payment in full of the Deferred Amounts, all obligations of HTG under this paragraph shall terminate. For each calendar year during which the Deferred Amount or any portion thereof remains unpaid and outstanding, HTG shall, with reasonable advance written notice and during normal business hours, permit Seller to audit HTG’s books and records to the extent necessary to determine whether HTG’s operating profit was $1,000,000 or

 

Amended and Restated Third Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement Nuvogen, Kris, Felder/HTG    Page 2 of 4


CONFIDENTIAL

 

  more for such 12-month trailing period. Seller shall treat information to which it has access for audit purposes as Confidential Information under Section 6.1 of the Agreement.

 

  e. Post-Deferral-Period Payments . Beginning January 1, 2018 and continuing until the Remaining Obligation (defined below) has been paid in full, HTG shall timely pay the Minimum Payments or Percentage Amounts as set forth in the Agreement immediately preceding the Amendment Effective Date. All Minimum Payments and Percentage Amounts paid on or after January 1, 2018 shall be applied to reduce the unpaid Remaining Obligation. As used herein, “Remaining Obligation” means the Unpaid Obligation as reduced by the annual Minimum Payments actually paid in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and further reduced by all Deferred Amounts.

 

  f. Interest on Remaining Obligation . Beginning January 1, 2018 and until the Remaining Obligation has been paid in full, interest on the unpaid Remaining Obligation shall accrue and compound annually at the rate of 2.5% per year. All accrued interest on the Remaining Obligation shall be paid on the date that the Remaining Obligation has been paid in full. Such interest shall be payable, at Seller’s option, either in cash or by issuance of a 5-year warrant to purchase the number of shares of HTG common stock equal to the payment amount divided by $1, at an exercise price of $1 per share.

 

  g. Right to Prepay . HTG may prepay any amount payable under the Agreement or this Amendment at any time without penalty.

 

  h. Limitation on Amount Payable . The Parties acknowledge and agree that when the Seller has received payments after the effective date of this Amendment in an aggregate amount equal to the Unpaid Obligation, together with all interest (whether paid in cash or by issuance of warrants) payable in accordance with this paragraph 2, all of HTG’s obligations under Section 3.2 of the Agreement and this Amendment will have been satisfied in full.

3. Further Acts . The Parties agree to perform such further acts as are required to give full effect to this Amendment with the intent that Seller shall timely receive the full benefit of this Amendment and the payment of all sums to which it is entitled under the terms hereof. The obligations of HTG under this Amendment shall be secured in the same manner as are HTG’s payment obligations under the Agreement.

4. Counterparts . This Amendment may be signed in counterparts, each one of which is considered an original, but all of which constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered by email (including PDF), fax or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered is valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Amended and Restated Third Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement Nuvogen, Kris, Felder/HTG    Page 3 of 4


CONFIDENTIAL

 

5. Effective Date . This Amendment does not bind either Party until it is fully executed by all Parties. When duly signed by the Parties, the effective date of this Amendment shall be the Amendment Effective Date defined above.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused duly authorized representatives to execute this Amendment.

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Shaun McMeans

  Shaun McMeans
  Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

NUVOGEN RESEARCH LLC
By:  

/s/ Richard Kris

  Richard Kris
  Member
By:  

/s/ Stephen Felder

  Stephen Felder
  Member

/s/ Richard Kris

RICHARD KRIS, in his individual capacity

/s/ Stephen Felder

STEPHEN FELDER, in his individual capacity

 

Amended and Restated Third Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement Nuvogen, Kris, Felder/HTG    Page 4 of 4

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL” ), does hereby certify as follows:

1. The name of the corporation is HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. The corporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware its original Certificate of Incorporation on December 14, 2000 under the name of HTG, Inc.

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which amends and restates the corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently in effect, was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, and was approved by written consent of the stockholders of the corporation given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL. The resolution setting forth the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is as follows:

R ESOLVED : That the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, be, and hereby is, amended and restated in its entirety so that the same shall read as follows:

ARTICLE FIRST: The name of the corporation is HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Corporation” ).

ARTICLE SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the county of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is (i) 600,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock” ), and (ii) 472,083,383 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock” ).

The following is a statement of the designations and the powers, privileges and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation:


A. C OMMON S TOCK .

1. General. All shares of Common Stock will be identical and will entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” ) upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.

2. Voting. The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of stockholders (and written actions in lieu of meetings). Except as provided by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters with the holders of Preferred Stock. There shall be no cumulative voting.

The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

3. Dividends. Dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock from funds lawfully available therefor if, as and when determined by the Board of Directors and subject to any preferential dividend rights and the other relative rights and preferences of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.

4. Liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to receive all assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them, subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.

B. P REFERRED S TOCK . Any shares of Preferred Stock which may be redeemed, purchased or acquired by the Corporation may not be reissued. Different series of Preferred Stock shall not be construed to constitute different classes of shares for the purposes of voting by classes unless expressly provided or required by law.

C. S ERIES A C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK , S ERIES B C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK , S ERIES C-1 C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK , S ERIES C-2 C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK , S ERIES D C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK AND S ERIES E C ONVERTIBLE P REFERRED S TOCK .

1,292,084 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock” ), 11,919,624 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series B Preferred Stock” ), 17,530,800 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series C-1 Preferred Stock” ), 19,262,522 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series C-2 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series C-2 Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series C-1 Preferred Stock, the “Series C Preferred Stock” ), 237,031,908 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series D Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series D Preferred

 

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Stock” ) and 185,046,445 shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series E Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series E Preferred Stock” ). The term “Series Preferred” as used herein shall mean collectively the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock without distinction as to series, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. The term “ Senior Preferred ” as used herein shall mean collectively the Series D Preferred Stock and the Series E Preferred Stock without distinction as to series, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. The Series Preferred shall have the following rights, preferences, powers, privileges and restrictions, qualifications and limitations:

1. Dividends.

(a) From and after the date of the first issuance of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock (the “ Series E Original Issuance Date ”), dividends at the rate per annum of eight percent (8%) of the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price (as defined below) per share shall accrue on such shares of Series E Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock) (the “Series E Accruing Dividends” ). Series E Accruing Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative; provided, however , that except as set forth in Section C.2(a), C.5(c)(iv), C.6(b), C.9(a), C.9(b) or C.9(g) of this Article Fourth, such Series E Accruing Dividends shall be payable, only, in the case of cash dividends, out of funds or other assets legally available therefor, when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors. Subject to such approval by the Board of Directors, the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the Series E Accruing Dividends out of any funds or other assets legally available therefor, in preference to the holders of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock, including without limitation, the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Common Stock (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock approved by at least a majority of the Series E Directors (as defined below)). The term “Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $0.2189 per share of Series E Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event). The Series E Accruing Dividends may be paid in additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock ( “Additional E Shares” ) instead of cash if approved by the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred, except that any Additional E Shares paid upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock shall be deemed converted pursuant to Section C.5 and paid on an as converted basis. With respect to Series E Accruing Dividends paid in Additional E Shares and the value of any fractional share, such Additional E Shares shall be valued at the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event). No fractional shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be issued as a result of payment of the Series E Accruing Dividends with Additional E Shares. If any fractional share of Series E Preferred Stock would be delivered upon such payment to any stockholder, the Corporation shall pay to the stockholder entitled to such fractional share an amount in cash equal to the value of such fractional share. The number of Additional E Shares payable to any holder of Series E Preferred Stock and whether or not fractional shares are issuable shall be determined as of the date the applicable Series E Accruing Dividends are paid. The Corporation shall at all times when any shares of

 

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Series E Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of issuing the Series E Accruing Dividends, such number of its duly authorized shares of Series E Preferred Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient for the purpose of issuing the Series E Accruing Dividends. If at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall not be sufficient for the purpose of issuing the Series E Accruing Dividends, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of such Series E Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Series E Preferred Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if at any time the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock request in writing that the Board of Directors pay all or any portion of the then-accrued Series E Accruing Dividends (the “Requested Series E Dividends” ), and the Corporation does not pay the Requested Series E Dividends within 60 days following such request, then the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of shares of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding on the date payment of the Requested Series E Dividends was requested in writing (the “Series E Dividends Request Date” ) may, by written notice to the Corporation, require the Corporation to redeem, to the extent it may lawfully do so, up to the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock for which the aggregate Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price plus then-accrued Series E Accruing Dividends on such shares equals the value of any unpaid Requested Series E Dividends on a pro rata basis among the holders of Series E Preferred Stock on the Series E Dividends Request Date on the date specified by the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock outstanding on the Series E Dividends Requested Date that is at least sixty (60) days following the written notice (the “Series E Dividends Redemption Date” ). The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying cash in exchange for the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series E Dividends Redemption Date. If the Corporation does not have funds or other assets legally available to effectuate such redemption in full, the Company shall redeem the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that is legally permitted to redeem based on the amount of the funds or other assets it has legally available on a pro rata basis among the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding on the Series E Dividends Request Date and will redeem the remaining shares, on a pro rata basis, as funds or other assets become legally available for such payment. At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series E Dividends Redemption Date, the Corporation shall send a notice to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed setting forth the number of shares to be redeemed from each holder and the aggregate payment price therefor and the place at which such holders may obtain payment for such redemption upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ). On or after the Series E Dividends Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender such holder’s certificates representing such shares to the Corporation in the manner and at the place designated in the Series E Dividends Redemption Notice, and thereupon the redemption price of such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be canceled. In the event less than all the shares represented by such certificates are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after such Series E Dividends Redemption Date, unless there shall have been a default in payment of the redemption price, or the Corporation is

 

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unable to pay the redemption price due to not having sufficient legally available funds, all rights of the holder of such shares as holder of Series E Preferred Stock (except the right to receive payment for the redemption of such unredeemed shares without interest upon surrender of their certificates), shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided that in the event that shares of Series E Preferred Stock are not redeemed due to a default in payment by the Corporation or because the Corporation does not have sufficient legally available funds, such shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding and shall be entitled to all of the rights and preferences provided herein until redeemed.

(b) From and after the date of the first issuance of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock, dividends at the rate per annum of eight percent (8%) of the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price (as defined below) per share shall accrue on shares of Series D Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock) (the “Series D Accruing Dividends” and collectively with the Series E Accruing Dividends, the “Accruing Dividends” ). Series D Accruing Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative; provided, however , that except as set forth in Sections C.2(a), C.5(c)(iv), C.6(b), C.9(a), C.9(b) or C.9(g) of this Article Fourth, such Series D Accruing Dividends shall be payable, only, in the case of cash dividends, out of funds or other assets legally available therefor, only when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors. The holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the Series D Accruing Dividends out of any funds or other assets legally available therefor, in preference to the holders of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock, including without limitation, the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Common Stock (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock approved by at least a majority of the Series E Directors). The term “Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $0.2189 per share of Series D Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event). The Series D Accruing Dividends may be paid in additional shares of Series D Preferred Stock ( “Additional D Shares” ) instead of cash if approved by the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred, except that any Additional D Shares paid upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be deemed converted pursuant to Section C.5 and paid on an as converted basis. With respect to Series D Accruing Dividends paid in Additional D Shares and the value of any fractional share, such Additional D Shares shall be valued at the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event). No fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be issued as a result of payment of the Series D Accruing Dividends with Additional D Shares. If any fractional share of Series D Preferred Stock would be delivered upon such payment to any stockholder, the Corporation shall pay to the stockholder entitled to such fractional share an amount in cash equal to the value of such fractional share. The number of Additional D Shares payable to any holder of Series D Preferred Stock and whether or not fractional shares are issuable shall be determined as of the date the applicable Series D Accruing Dividends are paid. The Corporation shall at all times when any shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of issuing the Series D Accruing Dividends, such number of its duly authorized shares of Series D Preferred Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient for the purpose of issuing the Series D Accruing Dividends.

 

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If at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall not be sufficient for the purpose of issuing the Series D Accruing Dividends, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of such Series D Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Series D Preferred Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

(c) After payment of the Accruing Dividends described in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) above, any additional dividend payment (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock approved by at least a majority of the Series E Directors) shall be distributed among the holders of the Series Preferred and Common Stock then outstanding pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each holder (assuming conversion of all such Preferred Stock into Common Stock at the then effective Conversion Prices (as defined below)).

(d) The Corporation shall not declare or pay any dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock or Common Stock (the “Junior Stock” ) unless at the same time an equivalent or greater dividend is declared or paid on all outstanding shares of Senior Preferred, and all Accruing Dividends then accrued on outstanding shares of Senior Preferred have been paid in full.

(e) Nothing in this Section C.1 shall limit the Corporation’s ability to repurchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock from any employee or director of or consultant to the Corporation in connection with a stock purchase agreement or stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors that permits the Corporation to repurchase such shares at a price equal to or less than cost upon the termination of such employee’s, director’s or consultant’s services to the Corporation.

2. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (a “Liquidation Event” ), the holders of Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or property of the Corporation to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other Junior Stock, by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount for each share of Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding equal to two times the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price, plus any Series E Accruing Dividends then accrued on such shares of Series E Preferred Stock but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared (the “Series E Liquidation Preference” ). If upon any such Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of Series E Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled hereunder, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets and funds of the Corporation in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

 

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(b) In the event of any Liquidation Event, after payment of the Series E Liquidation Preference, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or property of the Corporation to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other Junior Stock, each holder of Series D Preferred Stock then outstanding, by reason of such holder’s ownership thereof, shall be entitled to receive an amount for each share of Series D Preferred Stock then outstanding equal to two times the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price, plus any Series D Accruing Dividends then accrued on such shares of Series D Preferred Stock but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared (the “Series D Liquidation Preference” and together with the Series E Liquidation Preference, the “Senior Preferred Liquidation Preferences” ). If upon any such Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of Series D Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled hereunder, the holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets and funds of the Corporation in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

(c) In the event of a Liquidation Event, after payment of the Senior Preferred Liquidation Preferences, the holders of shares of Series Preferred and Common Stock then outstanding shall share ratably in the distribution of the net assets of the Corporation available for distribution, with each share of Series Preferred being deemed, for such purpose, to be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock (including fractional shares) into which such shares of Series Preferred is convertible immediately prior to the close of business on the day fixed for such distribution; provided, however, that if the aggregate amount which the holders of Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to receive per share under Section C.2(b) and the first clause of this C.2(c) would exceed four times the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price (the “Maximum Participation Amount” ), each holder of Series D Preferred Stock shall instead be entitled to receive upon such Liquidation Event an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Maximum Participation Amount or (ii) the amount such holder would have received if all shares of Series D Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such Liquidation Event.

(d) Notwithstanding anything set forth in Sections C.2(a), C.2(b) and C.2(c) of this Section 2, all assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution in a Liquidation Event (or the consideration received in such transaction) shall be subject to the Corporation’s obligations pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Employee Retention Bonus Plan adopted on or about the Filing Date (as defined below), as may be amended from time to time (the “ Retention Bonus Plan ”), in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Retention Bonus Plan.

(e) Any Company Sale (as defined below) shall be deemed to be a Liquidation Event for purposes of this Section C.2, unless (x) the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and (y) a majority of the Series E Directors elect not to deem such Company Sale a Liquidation Event for purposes of this Section C.2 by giving written notice to the Corporation at least five (5) days before the effective date of such Company Sale. A “ Company Sale ” means (i) any merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is a constituent party or a subsidiary of the Corporation is a constituent party (except any such

 

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merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof in which the holders of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold immediately following such merger or consolidation a majority by voting power of the capital stock of (A) the surviving or resulting corporation or (B) if the surviving or resulting corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of another corporation immediately following such merger or consolidation, the parent corporation of such surviving or resulting corporation in the same relative proportions as prior to such merger or consolidation), or (ii) any sale, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, by exclusive license) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.

(f) In the event the Corporation proposes to distribute assets other than cash in connection with any Liquidation Event (including, without limitation, a Company Sale), the value of such assets to be distributed to the holders of shares of Series Preferred and Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors including a majority of the Series E Directors, subject to the valuation principles set forth below. Any securities not subject to investment letter or similar restrictions on free marketability shall be valued as follows:

(i) If traded on a securities exchange or a quotation system, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the security’s closing sales prices reported or quoted on such exchange or quotation system over the twenty (20)-day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution;

(ii) If actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the twenty (20)-day period ending three (3) days prior to the distribution; and

(iii) If there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

The holders of at least 60% of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have the right to challenge any determination by the Board of Directors of fair market value pursuant to this Section C.2(f), in which case the determination of fair market value shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the Board of Directors and the challenging parties, the cost of such appraisal to be borne by the challenging parties (as a group); provided, however , that if the independent appraiser determines that the fair market value of the assets being valued is either (or both) (A) at least ten percent (10%) greater than the fair market value of such assets as determined by the Board of Directors or (B) at least $100,000 greater than the fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors, then the cost of such appraisal shall be borne solely by the Corporation.

(g) In the event of a Liquidation Event (including, without limitation, a Company Sale), if any portion of the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation is placed into escrow and/or is payable to the stockholders of the Corporation subject to contingencies, including but not limited to contingent payments, earn-outs or escrows, the agreement governing the Liquidation Event shall provide that (i) the portion of such consideration that is actually paid to stockholders and not placed in escrow and not subject to any

 

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contingencies (the “Initial Consideration” ) shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Section C.2 hereof as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such Liquidation Event and (ii) any additional consideration that becomes payable to the stockholders of the Corporation upon release from escrow or satisfaction of any such contingencies shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Section C.2 hereof after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transaction, with such calculation being performed each time additional consideration is paid in connection with such Liquidation Event. The Corporation shall not have the power to effect a Company Sale unless the definitive agreement for such transaction provides that the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation in connection therewith shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with this Section C.2, disregarding payments that may be made in respect of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock held by employees or directors of or consultants to the Company so long as such payments are consistent with payments to be made on shares of Common Stock (accounting for appropriate adjustments pertaining to the unpaid exercise price of such outstanding options).

3. Voting.

(a) Generally. On any matter presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (or by written action of stockholders in lieu of meeting), each holder of outstanding shares of Series Preferred shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series Preferred held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Except as provided by applicable law, by the provisions of this Section C of Article Fourth or by the provisions establishing any other series of Preferred Stock, holders of the Series Preferred and of any other outstanding series of Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class.

(b) Number and Election of Directors . The authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock, subject to the restrictions set forth in Section C.4(l) of this Article Fourth and this Section 3(b) and shall be neither less than eight (8) nor more than eleven (11). A quorum of the Board of Directors shall require the presence of a majority of the authorized members of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding Section C.3(a) above, (i) the holders of a majority in voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) director of the Corporation (the “Junior Preferred Director” ), (ii) the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) director of the Corporation (the “Common Director” ), who shall be the Corporation’s then current duly elected Chief Executive Officer, (iii) the holders of a majority in voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issued on conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock), voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect four (4) directors of the Corporation (the “Series E Directors” ), provided that upon the election of the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the authorized number of directors shall be increased to nine (9), ten (10) or eleven (11) as requested

 

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by such holders of Series E Preferred Stock and that the holders of a majority in voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issued on conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock) shall also be entitled to elect each of the ninth (9 th ), tenth (10 th ) and eleventh (11 th ) authorized directors of the Corporation, if applicable and authorized in accordance with the foregoing, who upon election shall also be “Series E Directors” for all purposes hereunder, and (iv) the holders of a majority in voting power of the Series Preferred and Common Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, shall be entitled to elect two (2) directors of the Corporation (the “Joint Directors” ), who shall both be Independent Directors (as defined below). The two Independent Directors shall be nominated by any duly elected director then in office or by any holder of outstanding Series Preferred. Following any such nomination, the Board of Directors (excluding the two Independent Directors) shall meet or act by written consent to confirm such nomination or to nominate another individual to serve as an Independent Director, which confirmation must be approved by the Board of Directors, including at least a majority of the Series E Directors, to be effective. For purposes hereof, the term “Independent Director” shall mean an individual who (I) is not at the time of initial appointment as a director, or at any time while serving as a director, and has not been at any time during the preceding five (5) years: (a) a director (with the exception of serving as Independent Director), officer, employee, partner, member, attorney or counsel of the Corporation or any of its affiliates; (b) a customer, supplier or other person or entity (or an affiliate of any of the foregoing) who derives any of his or her income or revenues from its activities with the Corporation, or any of its affiliates; or (c) an affiliate of any such director, officer, partner, member, customer, supplier or other person or entity described in clause (a) or (b) above; or a member of their immediate family; (II) is not prior to the date of initial appointment as director, a stockholder or other security holder of the Corporation; (III) is not on or after the earlier of (a) the date or initial appointment as a director of the Corporation or (b) the Filing Date, a director serving on the board of another entity with two or more non-Independent Directors of the Corporation and (IV) possesses substantial knowledge and expertise in the industry or industries in which the Corporation operates and conducts its business. As used in the definition of Independent Director, the term “affiliate” means, with respect to any particular person or entity, a person or entity controlling or under common control with such person or entity, and the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management, policies or activities of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(c) Quorum; Vacancies; Removal of Directors. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a Junior Preferred Director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in voting power of the aggregate number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing the Common Director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in voting power of the aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock then outstanding shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a Series E Director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a Joint Director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in voting power of the aggregate number of shares of the Series Preferred and Common Stock (calculated as a single class on an as-converted basis) then outstanding shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy of a Junior Preferred Director shall be filled

 

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only by the vote of the holders of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, sufficient to elect such directors in accordance with Section C.3(b) above. A vacancy of the Common Director shall be filled only by vote of the holders of outstanding Common Stock, sufficient to elect such director in accordance with Section C.3(b) above. A vacancy of a Series E Director shall be filled only by the vote of the holders of outstanding Series E Preferred Stock, sufficient to elect such director in accordance with Section C.3(b) above. A vacancy among the Joint Directors shall be filled only by vote of the holders of outstanding shares of Series Preferred and Common Stock, sufficient to elect such directors in accordance with Section C.3(b) above. Any director who shall have been elected by the holders of a class or series of stock may be removed from office, either with or without cause, by, and only by, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of the class or series of stock entitled to elect such director or directors in accordance with Section C.3(b) above, given either at a special meeting of such stockholders duly called for that purpose or pursuant to a written consent of stockholders.

4. Protective Provisions. The Corporation shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries (including, in each case, directly or indirectly and whether effected by or in connection with a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, reorganization, amendment or by any other means) to, without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written consent, as provided by law) of (i) a majority of the Series E Directors and (ii) the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock:

(a) increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or any series of Series Preferred, except to increase the number of authorized shares of Series E Preferred Stock in accordance with Section C.1(a) of Article Fourth;

(b) authorize, create or issue, or reclassify any outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation into, or obligate itself to authorize, create or issue or reclassify shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation having rights, preferences or privileges (including, without limitation, as to the right to receive either dividends or amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or voting rights other than those granted to the Series Preferred) senior to, or on a parity with, those of any or all series of the Series Preferred, or authorize, create or issue any options, warrants or other rights to acquire any such capital stock, or permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to take any of the foregoing actions;

(c) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Corporation in any manner;

(d) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire (or pay into or set aside for a sinking fund for such purpose) any of the equity securities of the Corporation (including Options and Convertible Securities, each as defined in Section C.5(d) below); provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to (a) the redemption of shares of Series E Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to Section C.9 hereof or (b) the repurchase of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock from any employee or director of or consultant to the Corporation in connection with a stock purchase or stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors that permits the Corporation to repurchase such shares at a price equal to or less than

 

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cost upon the termination of such employee’s, director’s or consultant’s services to the Corporation;

(e) declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend or other distribution on any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation other than (i) any Accruing Dividends, (ii) a dividend or distribution payable solely to effect a stock split of the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock or (iii) the Corporation’s repurchase of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock from any employee or director of or consultant to the Corporation in connection with a stock purchase agreement or stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors that permits the Corporation to repurchase such shares at a price equal to or less than cost upon the termination of such employee’s, director’s or consultant’s services to the Corporation

(f) authorize or effect, or permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to authorize or effect, a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, the sale of substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, an exclusive license of substantially all of the Corporation’s intellectual property rights, or the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any Liquidation Event);

(g) encumber or grant a security interest in all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Corporation in connection with the incurrence of any indebtedness by the Corporation;

(h) authorize or effect the acquisition of any material amount of assets or capital stock or other equity interests of any other person or entity;

(i) increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Corporation’s 2001 Stock Option Plan or the Corporation’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Option Plans” ), except for the share increases authorized pursuant to Section 5.1(l) of the Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement entered into by the Corporation on or about the Filing Date (as may be amended from time to time, the “Series E Purchase Agreement” ), or adopt any new stock option plan or stock purchase plans;

(j) authorize or effect any transaction that results in the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any person or entity other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation;

(k) authorize or effect any material change to the business currently conducted by the Corporation;

(l) increase or decrease the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors except in accordance with Section C.3(b) of Article Fourth, or hire or terminate any officer of the Corporation;

(m) unless approved by the consent of the Board of Directors, including the consent of at least a majority of the Series E Directors, authorize any (a) joint venture of the Corporation or (b) investment of 50% or more of the Corporation’s assets;

 

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(n) unless approved by the consent of the Board of Directors, including the consent of at least a majority of the Series E Directors, enter into any transaction with an affiliate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the Corporation;

(o) unless approved by the consent of the Board of Directors, including the consent of at least a majority of the Series E Directors, make any capital expenditure in excess of amounts expressly contemplated by an annual budget approved by the Board of Directors;

(p) enter into any agreement or take any action that restricts or adversely affects the Corporation’s ability to perform any of its agreements with the holders of the outstanding shares of any series of Series Preferred;

(q) materially modify any clinical development program of the Corporation previously approved by the Board of Directors;

(r) amend the Retention Bonus Plan so as to increase the aggregate amount payable thereunder; or

(s) enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing.

5. Optional Conversion. The holders of the Series Preferred shall have conversion rights as follows (the “Conversion Rights” ):

(a) Right to Convert.

(i) Each share of Series E Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by the Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion.

(ii) Each share of Series D Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by the Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion.

(iii) Each share of Series C-2 Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the product of (A) 0.9820547 and (B) the Series C-2 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by (C) the Series C-2 Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion. The “Series C-2 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $0.2256 per share of Series C-2

 

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Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event).

(iv) Each share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the product of (A) 0.9820547 and (B) the Series C-1 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by (C) the Series C-1 Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion. The “Series C-1 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $0.3460 per share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event).

(v) Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the product of (A) 0.8471362 and (B) the Series B Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by (C) the Series B Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion. The “Series B Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $0.31 per share of Series B Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event).

(vi) Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the product of (A) 0.6514881 and (B) the Series A Preferred Stock Original Issue Price by (C) the Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Price (as adjusted below) in effect at the time of conversion. The “Series A Preferred Stock Original Issue Price” shall mean $1.08845 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar event).

For purposes hereof, the “Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Price,” “Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price,” “Series C-2 Preferred Stock Conversion Price,” “Series C-1 Preferred Stock Conversion Price,” “Series B Preferred Stock Conversion Price” and the “Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Price” shall mean $0.2189. Together, the Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series C-2 Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series C-1 Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series B Preferred Stock Conversion Price and the Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Price are referred to herein as the “Conversion Prices.” The Conversion Prices, and the rate at which the shares of Series Preferred may be converted into shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to adjustment as provided below.

(b) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Series Preferred. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction

 

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multiplied by the then fair market value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

(c) Mechanics of Conversion.

(i) In order for a holder of Series Preferred to convert shares of Series Preferred into shares of Common Stock, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates for such shares of Series Preferred, at the office of the transfer agent for the Series Preferred (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent), together with written notice that such holder elects to convert all or any number of the shares of the Series Preferred represented by such certificate or certificates. Such notice shall state such holder’s name or the names of the nominees in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock to be issued. If required by the Corporation, certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or his or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The date of receipt of such certificates and notice by the transfer agent (or by the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) shall be the conversion date (the “Conversion Date” ), and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares represented by such certificate shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the Conversion Date, issue and deliver to such holder of Series Preferred, or to such holder’s nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share.

(ii) The Corporation shall at all times when any shares of Series Preferred shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Series Preferred, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series Preferred. If at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series Preferred, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of such Series Preferred, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes. In addition, before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the applicable Conversion Price below the then par value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the applicable series of Series Preferred, the Corporation will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted applicable Conversion Price.

(iii) Upon any such conversion, no adjustment to the applicable Conversion Price shall be made for any declared but unpaid dividends on the Series Preferred surrendered for conversion or on the Common Stock delivered upon conversion.

 

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(iv) All shares of Series Preferred which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares, including the rights, if any, to receive notices and to vote, shall immediately cease and terminate on the Conversion Date, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor and payment of any dividends declared but unpaid thereon together with any Accruing Dividends accrued but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, out of funds legally available therefor, to the extent required by Sections C.2(a), C.6(b), C.9(a), C.9(b) or C.9(g) of this Article Fourth. Any shares of Series Preferred so converted shall be retired and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and the Corporation (without the need for stockholder action) may from time to time take such appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of the corresponding series of Series Preferred accordingly.

(v) The Corporation shall pay any and all issue and other taxes (other than income taxes) that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series Preferred pursuant to this Section C.5.

(vi) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, if a conversion of shares of Series Preferred is to be made in connection with any transaction affecting the Corporation (including, without limitation, a Liquidation Event), the conversion of any shares of Series Preferred, may, at the election of the holder thereof, be conditioned upon the consummation of such transaction, in which case such conversion shall not be deemed to be effective until such transaction has been consummated, subject in all events to the terms hereof applicable to such transaction.

(d) Adjustments to Applicable Conversion Price for Diluting Issues:

(i) Special Definitions. For purposes of this Section C.5, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) “Additional Shares of Common Stock” means all shares of Common Stock issued (or, pursuant to Section C.5(d)(iii) below, deemed to be issued) by the Corporation at any time after this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Filing Date” ), other than:

(I) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion or exchange of any Convertible Securities or exercise of any Options outstanding on the Filing Date;

(II) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable as a dividend or distribution on the Series Preferred;

(III) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on shares of Common Stock that is covered by Section C.5(e) or (f) below;

(IV) up to an aggregate of the Option Maximum (as defined below) number of shares (or such larger number of shares as may be approved by the

 

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Board of Directors of the Corporation, including at least a majority of the Series E Directors) of Common Stock or Options with respect thereto (inclusive of shares and Options outstanding on the Filing Date and subject to equitable adjustment whenever there shall occur a stock dividend, distribution, combination of shares, reclassification or other similar event with respect to the Common Stock) issued or issuable to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Corporation pursuant to the Option Plans or a plan, agreement or arrangement adopted pursuant to the approval of the Board of Directors (for these purposes, “ Option Maximum ” means the number of shares calculated in accordance with Section 5.1(l) of the Series E Purchase Agreement);

(V) shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued or issuable to financial institutions, lessors or consultants in connection with commercial credit arrangements, equipment financing transactions, commercial property lease transactions or similar bona fide transactions or to a person or an entity as a component of any business relationship with such person or entity involving a strategic collaboration or development or licensing arrangement, in any such case, if approved by the Board of Directors, which approval shall include the consent of at least a majority of the Series E Directors;

(VI) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction approved by the Board of Directors, which approval shall include the consent of at least a majority of the Series E Directors;

(VII) shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued pursuant to the Series E Purchase Agreement; or

(VIII) shares of Common Stock issued in the closing of the sale of shares of Common Stock at a price to the public of at least three (3) times the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price in a firm-commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act” ), resulting in gross offering proceeds in excess of $30,000,000 to the Corporation (a “Qualified Public Offering” ).

(B) “Convertible Securities” means any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.

(C) “Option” means a right, option or warrant to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

(ii) No Adjustment of Applicable Conversion Price. No adjustment in the applicable Conversion Prices shall be made with respect to the applicable series of Senior Preferred as the result of the issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock if: (a) the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Section C.5) for such Additional Shares of Common Stock issued or deemed to be issued by the Corporation is equal to or greater than the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the issuance or deemed issuance

 

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of such Additional Shares of Common stock, or (b) prior to such issuance or deemed issuance, the Corporation receives written notice from the holders of at least 60% of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock agreeing that no such adjustment to such series shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock.

(iii) Issue of Securities Deemed Issue of Additional Shares of Common Stock. If the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Filing Date shall issue any Options (excluding Options covered by Sections C.5(d)(i)(A)(IV) and (V) above) or Convertible Securities (excluding Convertible Securities covered by Section C.5(d)(i)(A)(V) and VII above) or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares of Common Stock issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, provided that Additional Shares of Common Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued unless the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Section C.5(d)(v) hereof) of such Additional Shares of Common Stock would be less than the applicable Conversion Prices in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, or such record date, as the case may be; provided further that, in any such case in which Additional Shares of Common Stock are deemed to be issued pursuant to this Section C.5(d)(iii):

(A) No further adjustment in the applicable Conversion Prices shall be made upon the subsequent issue of Convertible Securities or shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of such Options or conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities;

(B) If such Options or Convertible Securities by their terms provide, with the passage of time or otherwise, for any increase or decrease in the consideration payable to the Corporation, then upon the exercise, conversion or exchange thereof, the applicable Conversion Prices computed upon the original issue thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon, shall, upon any such increase or decrease becoming effective, be recomputed to reflect such increase or decrease insofar as it affects such Options or the rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities;

(C) Upon the expiration or termination of any such unexercised Option or unconverted Convertible Security, the applicable Conversion Prices shall be readjusted to such applicable Conversion Prices as would then be in effect had such issuance of such Options or Convertible Securities never occurred and the Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed issued as the result of the original issue of such Option or Convertible Security shall not be deemed issued for the purposes of any subsequent adjustment of the applicable Conversion Price;

 

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(D) In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security, including, but not limited to, a change resulting from the anti-dilution provisions thereof, the applicable Conversion Prices then in effect shall forthwith be readjusted to such applicable Conversion Prices as would have been obtained had the adjustment which was made upon the original issuance of such Option or Convertible Security not yet exercised, converted or exchanged prior to such change been made upon the basis of such change; and

(E) No readjustment pursuant to clause (B), (C) or (D) above shall have the effect of increasing the applicable Conversion Prices to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the applicable Conversion Prices on the original adjustment date, or (ii) the applicable Conversion Prices that would have resulted from any issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.

In the event the Corporation, after the Filing Date, amends the terms of any Options or Convertible Securities (whether such Options or Convertible Securities were outstanding on the Filing Date or were issued after the Filing Date), then such Options or Convertible Securities, as so amended, shall be deemed to have been issued after the Filing Date and the provisions of this Section C.5(d)(iii) shall apply.

(iv) Adjustment of Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock.

(A) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Filing Date issue Additional Shares of Common Stock (including Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to Section C.5(d)(iii) but excluding shares issued as a dividend or distribution as provided in Section C.5(f) or upon a stock split or combination as provided in Section C.5(e)), without consideration or for consideration per share less than the Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue, then and in such event: (i) the Series E Preferred Stock Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price equal to the consideration per share received or deemed to be received by the Corporation for such Additional Shares of Common Stock (or if no consideration is received or deemed to be received by the Corporation for such Additional Shares of Common Stock, then one-hundredth of a cent ($0.0001)).

(B) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Filing Date issue Additional Shares of Common Stock (including Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to Section C.5(d)(iii) but excluding shares issued as a dividend or distribution as provided in Section C.5(f) or upon a stock split or combination as provided in Section C.5(e)), without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue, then and in such event: (i) the Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) determined by multiplying the Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be (1) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus (2) the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration received or to be received by the Corporation for the

 

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total number of Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued or deemed to be issued would purchase at the Series D Preferred Stock Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance; and (B) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus the number of such Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued or deemed to be issued; provided that, for the purpose of this Section C.5(d)(iv), all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities and exercise of Options outstanding immediately prior to such issue shall be deemed to be outstanding. There shall be no adjustment on the issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock to the Series C-2 Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series C-1 Preferred Stock Conversion Price, Series B Preferred Stock Conversion Price or Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Price.

(v) Determination of Consideration. For purposes of this Section C.5(d), the consideration received by the Corporation for the issue of any Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be computed as follows:

(A) Cash, Property and Services: Such consideration shall:

(I) insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amounts of cash received by the Corporation, excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest and dividends;

(II) insofar as it consists of property other than cash, or services, be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; and

(III) in the event Additional Shares of Common Stock are issued together with other shares or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received, computed as provided in clauses (I) and (II) above, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

(B) Options and Convertible Securities. The consideration per share received by the Corporation for Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section C.5(d)(iii) relating to Options and Convertible Securities shall be determined by dividing: (a) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue of such Options or Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, by (b) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

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(e) Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Filing Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, the applicable Conversion Prices in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Filing Date combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the applicable Conversion Prices then in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustment under this section shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(f) Adjustment for Certain Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Filing Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of Common Stock, then and in each such event the applicable Conversion Prices in effect immediately before such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, by multiplying the applicable Conversion Prices then in effect by a fraction: (1) the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and (2) the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution;

provided, however, that if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, then the applicable Conversion Prices shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such record date and thereafter the applicable Conversion Prices shall be adjusted pursuant to this section as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions; and provided further, however, that no adjustment with respect to the applicable Conversion Prices shall be made if the holders of Series Preferred simultaneously receive (i) a dividend or other distribution of shares of Common Stock in a number equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that they would have received if all outstanding shares of such series of Series Preferred had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event or (ii) a dividend or other distribution with respect to each share of Series Preferred which are convertible, as of the date of such event, into such number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to the number of additional shares of Common Stock being issued with respect to each share of Common Stock in such dividend or distribution.

(g) Adjustments for Other Dividends and Distributions. In the event that the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Filing Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in securities of the Corporation (other than shares of Common Stock) or in cash or other property (other than cash out of earnings or earned surplus, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), then and in each such event provision shall be made so that the holders of the Series Preferred shall receive upon conversion thereof in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock receivable thereupon, the kind and amount of securities of the Corporation, cash or other property which they would have been entitled to receive had such Series Preferred been converted into Common Stock on

 

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the date of such event and had they thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the conversion date, retained such securities receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, giving application to all adjustments called for during such period under this Section with respect to the rights of the holders of the Series Preferred; provided, however, that no such adjustment shall be made if the holders of the Series Preferred simultaneously receive a dividend or other distribution of such securities, cash or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Series Preferred had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.

(h) Adjustment for Merger or Reorganization, etc. If there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger involving the Corporation in which the Common Stock (but not a series of Series Preferred) is converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property (other than a transaction covered by Sections C.5(e), (f) or (g) hereof or a transaction which is deemed a Liquidation Event under Section C.2(a) hereof), then, as a part of and a condition to such reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger, provision shall be made so that thereafter each share of such series of Series Preferred shall be convertible into the same kind and amount of securities, cash or other property of the Corporation, or of the successor corporation resulting from such reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger, which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation issuable upon conversion of one share of such series of Series Preferred immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction; and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) shall be made in the application of the provisions in this Section C.5 set forth with respect to the rights and interest thereafter of the holders of each such series of Series Preferred to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section C.5 (including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the applicable Conversion Prices) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any shares of stock or other property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of such series of Series Preferred.

(i) No Impairment. Without first obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities to any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section C.5 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the holders of the Series Preferred against impairment.

(j) Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the applicable Conversion Prices pursuant to this Section C.5, the Corporation, at its expense, shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of the Series E Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Series C-2 Preferred Stock, Series C-1 Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series A Preferred Stock, as applicable, a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or

 

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readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the written request at any time of any holder of Series Preferred, furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Conversion Prices and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities, cash or property which then would be received upon the conversion of the Series Preferred held by such holder.

(k) Miscellaneous.

(i) The holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have the right to challenge any determination by the Board of Directors of fair value pursuant to this Section C.5, in which case such determination of fair value shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the Board of Directors and the challenging parties, the cost of such appraisal to be borne by the challenging parties (as a group); provided, however, that if the independent appraiser determines that the fair market value of the assets being valued is either (or both) (i) at least ten percent (10%) greater than the fair market value of such assets as determined by the Board of Directors or (ii) at least $100,000 greater than the fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors, then the cost of such appraisal shall be borne solely by the Corporation.

6. Mandatory Conversion.

(a) Preferred Stock. As of immediately prior to the earliest to occur of (A) the closing of a Qualified Public Offering or (B) approval by the Board of Directors and the written election of the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock (the earliest of the dates in clauses (A) and (B), the “Mandatory Preferred Stock Conversion Date” ), all outstanding shares of Series Preferred then outstanding shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock at the then effective applicable conversion rate, and the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be automatically reduced to zero.

(b) All holders of record of Series Preferred shall be given prior written notice of the Mandatory Preferred Stock Conversion Date and the place designated for mandatory conversion of all such shares pursuant to this Section C.6. Such notice shall be sent by first class or registered mail, postage prepaid, to each record holder of Series Preferred at such holder’s address last shown on the records of the transfer agent for the Series Preferred (or the records of the Corporation, if it serves as its own transfer agent). Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of Series Preferred shall surrender such holder’s certificate or certificates for all such shares to the Corporation at the place designated in such notice, and shall thereafter receive certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Section C.6. On the Mandatory Preferred Stock Conversion Date, all outstanding shares of Series Preferred shall be deemed to have been converted into shares of Common Stock, which shall be deemed to be outstanding of record, and all rights with respect to the Series Preferred so converted, including the rights, if any, to receive notices and vote (other than as a holder of Common Stock) will terminate, except only the rights of the holders thereof, upon surrender of their certificate or certificates therefor, to receive certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock into which Series Preferred has been converted, and, in the case of the Series E Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock, at the election of the holders of at least 60% of the

 

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outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock, respectively, either (x) payment in cash or other property of any dividends declared but unpaid thereon together with any Accruing Dividends accrued but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, out of funds legally available therefor or (y) subject to any limitations under applicable law, such number of additional shares of Common Stock as the applicable Accruing Dividends could purchase at the then effective Conversion Price of the Series E Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock, as applicable. If so required by the Corporation, certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or by his or its attorney duly authorized in writing. As soon as practicable after the Mandatory Preferred Stock Conversion Date and the surrender of the certificate or certificates for the Series Preferred, the Corporation shall cause to be issued and delivered to such holder, on such holder’s written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable on such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and cash as provided in Section C.5(b) of this Article Fourth in respect of any fraction of a share of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion.

(c) The Corporation shall pay any and all issue and other taxes (other than income taxes) that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Series Preferred pursuant to this Section C.6.

(d) All certificates evidencing shares of Series Preferred which are required to be surrendered for conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof shall, from and after the Mandatory Preferred Stock Conversion Date be deemed to have been retired and cancelled and the shares of Series Preferred represented thereby converted into Common Stock for all purposes, notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender such certificates on or prior to such date.

7. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series Preferred converted, redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall, automatically and without further action, be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof, and shall not be reissued and the Corporation (without the need for stockholder action) from time to time shall take such action as may be necessary to reduce the number of authorized shares of the Preferred Stock accordingly.

8. Notice of Record Date. In the event:

(a) the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock (or other stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Series Preferred) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other right;

(b) of any capital reorganization of the Corporation, any reclassification of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Corporation, any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Corporation is the surviving entity and its Common Stock is not converted into or exchanged for

 

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any other securities or property), or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; or

(c) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation,

then, and in each such case, the Corporation will mail or cause to be mailed to the holders of the Series Preferred a notice specifying, as the case may be, (A) the record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (B) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities at the time issuable upon the conversion of the Series Preferred) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Such notice shall be mailed at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice.

9. Redemption.

(a) Series E Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall be obligated to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock as follows:

(i) The holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock may require the Corporation, to the extent it may lawfully do so, to redeem all of the then outstanding Series E Preferred Stock on a date (the “Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date” ) beginning not prior to five years following the Series E Original Issuance Date, subject to the provisions of Section C.9(g) below; provided that the Corporation shall receive at least sixty (60) days prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date written notice of such election of the Series E Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying in cash in exchange for the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date a sum equal to the Series E Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like after the filing date hereof) plus all dividends declared but unpaid thereon together with any Accruing Dividends accrued but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, with respect to such shares. The total amount to be paid for the Series E Preferred Stock is hereinafter referred to as the “Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Price .

(ii) At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall: (A) send a notice to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock setting forth the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Price for the shares to be redeemed and the place at which such holders may obtain payment of the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Price upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ) and (B) notify all holders of Series D Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock that the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock have elected to redeem their shares. If, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the holders of at least 60% of

 

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the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted-to-Common Stock basis, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, or the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, elect to redeem their shares pursuant to Section C.9(b), (c), (d) or (e) below, then the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date (each as defined below), as applicable, shall be the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date (each such date, a “Redemption Date” ), notwithstanding any notice provisions set forth in Section C.9(b), (c), (d) or (e) below, and the Corporation shall promptly send the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice (each as defined below), as applicable.

(b) Series D Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall be obligated to redeem the Series D Preferred Stock as follows:

(i) The holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock may require the Corporation, to the extent it may lawfully do so, to redeem all of the then outstanding Series D Preferred Stock on a date (the “Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date” ) beginning on a date not prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date; provided that the Corporation shall receive at least sixty (60) days prior to the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date written notice of such election of the Series D Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying in cash in exchange for the shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date a sum equal to the Series D Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like after the filing date hereof) plus all dividends declared but unpaid thereon together with any Series D Accruing Dividends accrued but unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, with respect to such shares. The total amount to be paid for the Series D Preferred Stock is hereinafter referred to as the “Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Price .

(ii) At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall: (A) send a notice to all holders of Series D Preferred Stock setting forth the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Price for the shares to be redeemed and the place at which such holders may obtain payment of the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Price upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ) and (B) notify all holders of Series C Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock that the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock have elected to redeem their shares. If, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted-to-Common Stock basis, Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, or the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, elect to redeem their shares pursuant to Section C.9(c), (d) or (e) below, then the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption

 

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Date, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, notwithstanding any notice provisions set forth in Section C.9(c), (d) or (e) below, and the Corporation shall promptly send the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, as applicable.

(c) Series C Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall be obligated to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock as follows:

(i) The holders of at least a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted-to-Common Stock basis, may require the Corporation, to the extent it may lawfully do so, to redeem all of the then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock on a date (the “Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date” ) beginning not prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date; provided that the Corporation shall receive at least sixty (60) days prior to the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date written notice of such election of the Series C Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying in cash in exchange for the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date a sum equal to the Series C-1 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock and the Series C-2 Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share of Series C-2 Preferred Stock (each as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like after the filing date hereof) plus all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to such shares. The total amount to be paid for the Series C Preferred Stock is hereinafter referred to as the “Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Price .

(ii) At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall: (A) send a notice to all holders of Series C Preferred Stock setting forth the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Price for the shares to be redeemed and the place at which such holders may obtain payment of the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Price upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ) and (B) notify all holders of the Series D Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock that the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock have elected to redeem their shares. If, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the holders of at least 60% in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, or the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, elect to redeem their shares pursuant to Section C.9(b) above or Section C.9(d) or (e) below, then the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be the Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date, notwithstanding any notice provisions set forth in Section C.9(b) above or Section C.9(d) or (e) below, and the Corporation shall promptly send the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, as applicable.

 

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(d) Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall be obligated to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock as follows:

(i) The holders of at least a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, may require the Corporation, to the extent it may lawfully do so, to redeem all of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Stock on a date (the “Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date” ) beginning not prior to the Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Date; provided that the Corporation shall receive at least sixty (60) days prior to the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date written notice of such election of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying in cash in exchange for the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date a sum equal to the Series B Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share of Series B Preferred Stock (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like after the filing date hereof) plus all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to such shares. The total amount to be paid for the Series B Preferred Stock is hereinafter referred to as the “Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Price .

(ii) At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall: (A) send a notice to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock setting forth the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Price for the shares to be redeemed and the place at which such holders may obtain payment of the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Price upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ) and (B) notify all holders of Series D Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock that the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have elected to redeem their shares. If, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the holders of at least 60% in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, or sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, elect to redeem their shares pursuant to Section C.9(b) or (c) above or C.9(e) below, then the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date, notwithstanding any notice provisions set forth in Section C.9(b) or (c) above or C.9(e) below, and the Corporation shall promptly send the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, as applicable.

(e) Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall be obligated to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock as follows:

(i) The holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, may require the Corporation, to the extent it may lawfully do so, to redeem all of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock beginning on a date (the “Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date” ) beginning not prior to the Series E Preferred Stock

 

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Redemption Date; provided that the Corporation shall receive at least sixty (60) days prior to the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date written notice of such election of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall effect such redemption by paying in cash in exchange for the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date a sum equal to the Series A Preferred Stock Original Issue Price per share of Series A Preferred Stock (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like after the filing date hereof) plus all declared and unpaid dividends with respect to such shares. The total amount to be paid for the Series A Preferred Stock is hereinafter referred to as the “Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Price .

(ii) At least forty (40) days but no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall: (A) send a notice to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed setting forth the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Price for the shares to be redeemed and the place at which such holders may obtain payment of the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Price upon surrender of their share certificates (the “Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice” ) and (B) notify all holders of Series D Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock that the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have elected to redeem their shares. If, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the holders of at least 60% in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock, voting together as a separate class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, or a majority in voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, elect to redeem their shares pursuant to Section C.9(b), (c) or (d) above, then the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Date, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Date or Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Date, notwithstanding any notice provisions set forth in Section C.9(b), (c) or (d) above, and the Corporation shall promptly send the Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, as applicable.

(f) Redemption Priorities and Procedures .

(i) If the Corporation does not have sufficient funds or other assets legally available to redeem all shares to be redeemed at any Redemption Date, then it shall so notify the holders of shares to be redeemed at such Redemption Date and shall redeem, as applicable, (I)  first , the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, pro rata to each holder of Series E Preferred Stock based on such holder’s ownership thereof, until all shares of Series E Preferred Stock are redeemed, (II) second , the shares of Series D Preferred Stock, pro rata to each holder of Series D Preferred Stock based on such holder’s ownership thereof, until all shares of Series D Preferred Stock are redeemed, (III) third , the shares of Series C Preferred Stock, pro rata to each holder of Series C Preferred Stock based on such holder’s ownership thereof, until all shares of Series C Preferred Stock are redeemed, and (IV) fourth , the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, on a pro rata basis (based on the portion of the aggregate Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Price or Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Price, as applicable, payable to them), to the extent possible. If any shares to be redeemed remain

 

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outstanding, the Corporation shall redeem the remaining shares to be redeemed in accordance with the previous sentence as soon as sufficient funds are legally available.

(ii) On or after each applicable Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Series Preferred to be redeemed shall surrender such holder’s certificates representing such shares to the Corporation in the manner and at the place designated in the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Notice or Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Notice, as the case may be, and thereupon the Series A Preferred Stock Redemption Price, Series B Preferred Stock Redemption Price, Series C Preferred Stock Redemption Price, Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Price or Series E Preferred Stock Redemption Price (collectively defined for this Section 9(f) as, the “Series Preferred Redemption Prices” ), as applicable, of such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be canceled. In the event less than all the shares represented by such certificates are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after such Redemption Date, unless there shall have been a default in payment of an applicable Series Preferred Redemption Price, or the Corporation is unable to pay an applicable Series Preferred Redemption Price, due to not having sufficient legally available funds, all rights of the holder of such shares as holder of Series Preferred, as applicable (except the right to receive the Series Preferred Redemption Price, as applicable, without interest upon surrender of their certificates), shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided that in the event that shares of Series Preferred, as applicable, are not redeemed due to a default in payment by the Corporation or because the Corporation does not have sufficient legally available funds, such shares of Series Preferred shall remain outstanding and shall be entitled to all of the rights and preferences provided herein until redeemed.

(g) Special Redemption Right.

(i) Upon the request of the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors will meet with twenty (20) days for the purpose of approving a Company Sale on substantially the terms set forth in definitive transaction agreements presented to the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days in advance of such meeting. If the Board of Directors does not approve the Company Sale on substantially the terms set forth in such definitive transaction agreements at such meeting, the primary reason for which (as evidenced in the minutes of such meeting) is not based on the decision by the Board of Directors to pursue an alternative, bona fide offer to effectuate a Company Sale on superior terms (as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith at such meeting), and provided that (1) such definitive transaction agreements provide that the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation in connection with the Company Sale shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Section C.2 of Article Fourth above, disregarding payments that may be made in respect of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock held by employees or directors of or consultants to the Company so long as such payments are consistent with payments to be made on shares of Common Stock (accounting for appropriate adjustments pertaining to the unpaid exercise price of such outstanding options) and (2) the Company Sale is approved on substantially the terms set forth in such definitive transaction agreements presented at such meeting of the Board of

 

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Directors by either (x) at least a majority of the Series E Directors and, within five days following such meeting, the holders of at least 60% of the Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding, or (y) the holders of at least 70% of the Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding, within five days following such meeting, then, in such event, for a period of five days thereafter, the holders of at least 60% of the Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding may, by written election delivered to the Corporation (the “Special Redemption Notice” ), require the Corporation to redeem all of the outstanding shares of Senior Preferred (the “Special Redemption Right” ) for a price per share of Senior Preferred (as applicable, the “Special Redemption Price” ) equal to the amount each such share would receive if the Company Sale were consummated on the terms set forth in such definitive transaction agreements, assuming the receipt of all consideration payable pursuant to the terms of such definitive transaction agreements, including any contingent consideration contemplated thereby ( “Contingent Consideration” ) and without reduction for potential indemnity claims (the “ Aggregate Company Sale Amount ”), subject to the provisions of Section C.9(g)(ii) below.

(ii) For purposes of calculating the Aggregate Company Sale Amount: (A) the value of the consideration payable pursuant to the definitive transaction agreements shall be valued in accordance with the provisions of Section C.2(f) of Article Fourth above to the extent applicable, except as otherwise specified in this Section C.9(g); (B) any consideration payable pursuant to the definitive transaction agreements that is subject to a financing contingency of the acquiror or any affiliate thereof shall be excluded from the calculation; (C) any Contingent Consideration or other consideration payable following the closing of the Company Sale shall be appropriately discounted to take into account the time value of money; and (D) in the event any of the Contingent Consideration cannot be readily determined (for example, if such Contingent Consideration is in the form of earn-out or royalty payments), then the amount of any such Contingent Consideration shall be the fair market value of the right to receive or potentially receive such Contingent Consideration as determined by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Series E Directors, in good faith. The Corporation’s determination of the Aggregate Company Sale Amount shall be communicated by the Corporation to the holders of Senior Preferred in writing within 60 days following the Corporation’s receipt of the Special Redemption Notice. The holders of at least 60% of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have the right to challenge any determination by the Board of Directors of fair market value pursuant to this Section C.9(g)(ii) by delivering written notice to the Corporation thereof within 15 days following the date on which the determination by the Board of Directors of the Aggregate Company Sale Amount is communicated to the holders of Senior Preferred in writing, in which case the determination of fair market value thereof shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the Board of Directors and the challenging parties (the cost of such appraisal to be borne by the challenging parties (as a group)).

(iii) The redemption pursuant to the exercise of the Special Redemption Right shall be effected by payment in cash in exchange for the shares of Senior Preferred to be redeemed, and shall occur on the date selected by the holders of at least 60% of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock, provided such date shall not be less than sixty (60) days and not more than one hundred twenty (120) days following the final determination of the Aggregate Company Sale Amount (as determined pursuant to Section C.9(g)(ii) above) (the “Special Redemption Date” ). If the Corporation does not have

 

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sufficient funds legally available to redeem all shares of Senior Preferred to be redeemed pursuant to the exercise of the Special Redemption Right on the Special Redemption Date, then it shall so notify the holders of shares of Senior Preferred to be redeemed and shall redeem, as applicable, (I)  first , the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, pro rata to each holder of Series E Preferred Stock based on such holder’s ownership thereof, until all shares of Series E Preferred Stock are redeemed, and (II) second , the shares of Series D Preferred Stock, pro rata to each holder of Series D Preferred Stock based on such holder’s ownership thereof, until all shares of Series D Preferred Stock are redeemed.

(iv) On or after the Special Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Senior Preferred to be redeemed shall surrender such holder’s certificates representing such shares to the Corporation in the manner and at the place designated in the Special Redemption Notice, and thereupon the Special Redemption Price of such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be canceled. In the event less than all the shares represented by such certificates are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after the Special Redemption Date, unless there shall have been a default in payment of an applicable Special Redemption Price, or the Corporation is unable to pay an applicable Special Redemption Price, due to not having sufficient legally available funds, all rights of the holder of such shares as holder of Senior Preferred (except the right to receive the applicable Special Redemption Price, without interest upon surrender of their certificates), shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided that in the event that shares of Senior Preferred are not redeemed due to a default in payment by the Corporation or because the Corporation does not have sufficient legally available funds, such shares of Senior Preferred shall remain outstanding and shall be entitled to all of the rights and preferences provided herein until redeemed. If any shares to be redeemed remain outstanding, the Corporation shall redeem the remaining shares to be redeemed in accordance with the previous sentence as soon as sufficient funds are legally available.

ARTICLE FIFTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE SIXTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-laws of the Corporation shall so provide.

ARTICLE SEVENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except to the extent that exemption from liability thereof is not permitted under the DGCL at the time such liability or limitation thereof is determined. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article shall adversely affect the rights and protection afforded to a director of the Corporation under this Article Seventh for acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.

ARTICLE EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the

 

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manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

ARTICLE NINTH: The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (an “Indemnitee” ), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law.

ARTICLE TENTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of the DGCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of the DGCL, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths (3/4) in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.

ARTICLE ELEVENTH: The Corporation hereby renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunities that are presented to any of its directors who are not otherwise employed by the Corporation. No amendment or repeal of this Article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any such director for or with respect to any opportunities of which such director become aware prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

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I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer this 3 rd day of February, 2014.

 

HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .
By:  

/s/ Timothy B. Johnson

  Timothy B. Johnson
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

ONE: The name of this corporation is HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., and the original name of this corporation is HTG, Inc.

TWO: The date on which the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was December 14, 2000.

THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

I.

The name of this corporation is HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

II.

The address of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Zip Code 19808, and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is the Corporation Service Company.

III.

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

IV.

A.          The corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “ Common Stock ” and “ Preferred Stock .” The total number of shares which the corporation is authorized to issue is 210,000,000 shares. 200,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001). 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001).

B.          The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of any or all of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors

 

1.


providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

C.          Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the corporation for their vote; provided, however , that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock), that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

V.

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the corporation, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

A.

1.           The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.

2.           Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board of Directors, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the

 

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third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified (unless the director has elected not to stand for reelection to serve as a director following the end of his or her term or such director has not been nominated for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term, in which case, such director shall serve until the end of his or her term) or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

3.

a.          Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock that may be designated from time to time to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.

b.          Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

4.           Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and, unless such director has elected not to stand for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term or has not been nominated for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term, until such director’s successor has been elected and qualified.

B.

1.           The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any

 

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class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

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

3.           No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the corporation except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws.

4.           Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.

VI.

A.          The liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated and otherwise limited to the fullest extent under applicable law.

B.          To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the corporation (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the corporation to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.

C.           Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

VII.

A.          Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as may be amended from time to time) or the Bylaws of the corporation (as amended from time to time); and/or (4) any action asserting a claim against

 

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the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

VIII.

A.          The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article VIII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

B.          Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal any of Articles V, VI or VII.

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FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors.

FIVE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted and approved by written consent of the stockholders in accordance with sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL and written notice of such action has been given as provided in section 228 of the DGCL.

 

5.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer this      day of                     , 2015.

 

HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .

   
 

T IMOTHY J OHNSON

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

6.

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BY-LAWS

of

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

(Effective December 30, 2004)

ARTICLE I

Offices

The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

Books

The books and records of the Corporation may be kept (except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware) outside of the State of Delaware and at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III

Stockholders

Section 1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the election of Directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before said meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation or at such other place or places either within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, on such day and at such time as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Written notice of the place designated for the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be delivered personally or mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) and not more than sixty (60) days prior to said meeting, but at any meeting at which all stockholders shall be present, or of which all stockholders not present have waived notice in writing, the giving of notice as above described may be dispensed with. If mailed, said notice shall be directed to each stockholder at his address as the same appears on the stock ledger of the Corporation unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be mailed to the address designated in such request.

 

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Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held whenever called in the manner required by the laws of the State of Delaware for purposes as to which there are special statutory provisions, and for other purposes whenever called by resolution of the Board of Directors, the President, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, or the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation the holders of which are entitled to vote on matters that are to be voted on at such meeting. Any such special meeting of stockholders may be held at the principal business office of the Corporation or at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be specified in the notice thereof. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice thereof.

Except as otherwise expressly required by the laws of the State of Delaware, written notice of each special meeting, stating the day, hour and place, and in general terms the business to be transacted thereat, shall be delivered personally or mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) and not more than sixty (60) days before the meeting. If mailed, said notice shall be directed to each stockholder at his address as the same appears on the stock ledger of the Corporation unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be mailed to the address designated in said request. At any special meeting at which all stockholders shall be present, or of which all stockholders not present have waived notice in writing, the giving of notice as above described may be dispensed with.

Section 3. List of Stockholders. The officer of the Corporation who shall have charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

Section 4. Quorum. At any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation” ), or these By-Laws, there must be present, either in person or by proxy, in order to constitute a quorum, stockholders owning a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at said meeting. At any meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is not present, the holders of, or proxies for, a majority of the stock which is represented at such meeting, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new

 

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record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 5. Organization. The President, or in his absence any Vice President, shall call to order meetings of the stockholders and shall act as chairman of such meetings. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may appoint any stockholder or any Director or officer of the Corporation to act as chairman of any meeting in the absence of the President and all of the Vice Presidents.

The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may appoint any other person to act as secretary of any meeting.

Section 6. Voting. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, each stockholder of record of the Corporation shall, at every meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock standing in his name on the books of the Corporation on any matter on which he is entitled to vote, and such votes may be cast either in person or by proxy, appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney, and filed with the Secretary before being voted on, but no proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a longer period. If the Certificate of Incorporation provides for more or less than one (1) vote for any share of capital stock of the Corporation, on any matter, then any and every reference in these By-Laws to a majority or other proportion of capital stock shall refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes of such stock.

The vote on all elections of Directors and on any other questions before the meeting need not be by ballot, except upon demand of any stockholder.

When a quorum is present at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the vote of the holders of a majority of the capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting and present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, under any provision of the laws of the State of Delaware or of the Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is required in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 7. Consent. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, whenever the vote of the stockholders at a meeting thereof is required or permitted to be taken in connection with any corporate action by any provision of the laws of the State of Delaware or of the Certificate of Incorporation, such corporate action may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which an shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented thereto in writing.

 

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Section 8. Judges. At every meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation at which a vote by ballot is taken, the polls shall be opened and closed, the proxies and ballots shall be received and taken in charge, and all questions touching the qualifications of voters, the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by, two (2) judges. Said judges shall be appointed by the Board of Directors before the meeting, or, if no such appointment shall have been made, by the presiding officer of the meeting. If for any reason any of the judges previously appointed shall fail to attend or refuse or be unable to serve, judges in place of any so failing to attend, or refusing or unable to serve, shall be appointed in like manner.

ARTICLE IV

Directors

Section 9. Number, Election and Term of Office. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors. The number of Directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, except as provided in Section 10, to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and have qualified. In addition to the powers by these By-Laws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation as are not by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Section 10. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or that certain Investor Rights Agreement dated as of September 16, 2004 by and among the Company and the stockholders named therein, as such agreement may be amended from time to time (the “Investor Rights Agreement” ), and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancy in the office of a Director occurring for any reason other than the removal of a Director pursuant to Section 11 of this Article, and any newly created Directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors, may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office or by a sole remaining Director. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Investor Rights Agreement, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, in the event that any vacancy in the office of a Director occurs as a result of the removal of a Director pursuant to Section 11 of this Article, or in the event that vacancies occur contemporaneously in the offices of all of the Directors, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders called for the purpose. Directors chosen or elected as aforesaid shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and have qualified.

Section 11. Removals. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Investor Rights Agreement, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation called for the purpose, the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting may remove from office, with or without cause, any or an of the Directors.

 

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Section 12. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.

Section 13. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or any two Directors on notice given to each Director, and such meetings shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation or at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be specified in the notices thereof.

Section 14. Annual Meetings. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Director shall be held as soon as practicable after each annual election of Directors and on the same day, at the same place at which regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held, or at such other time and place as may be provided by resolution of the Board. Such meeting may be held at any other time or place which shall be specified in a notice given, as hereinafter provided, for special meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 15. Notice. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors requiring notice shall be given to each Director by mailing the same, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least five (5) days, or shall be sent to him at such place by facsimile transmission, courier, telegraph, cable or wireless, or shall be delivered personally or by telephone, at least twenty-four (24) hours, before the time fixed for the meeting. At any meeting at which every Director shall be present or at which all Directors not present shall waive notice in writing, any and all business may be transacted even though no notice shall have been given.

Section 16. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of the following number of the Directors constituting the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business: if there is one (1) or two (2) Directors, the presence of all the Directors; and if there are three (3) Directors or more, the presence of at least a majority of the Directors. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Investor Rights Agreement or these By-Laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at the time of such vote shall be the act of the Board of Directors if a quorum is present. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 17. Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

Section 18. Telephonic Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in such meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 18 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

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Section 19. Compensation of Directors. Directors, as such, shall not receive any stated salary for their services, but, by resolution of the Board, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 20. Resignations. Any Director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof; and unless otherwise specified therein, acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 21. Number, Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and may at the discretion of the Board of Directors include one or more Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its meeting held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, and shall hold their respective offices until their successors are duly elected and have qualified. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint such other officers and agents as the interest of the Corporation may require and may fix their duties and terms of office.

Section 22. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have general and active management of the business of the Corporation, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. He shall ensure that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other records of the Corporation are kept, made or filed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of the stockholders. He shall cause to be called regular and special meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors in accordance with these By-Laws. He may sign, execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing, execution or delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these By-Laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or where any of them shall be required by law otherwise to be signed, executed or delivered. He may sign, with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certificates of stock of the Corporation. He shall appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and fix the compensation of all servants, agents, employees and clerks of the Corporation other than the duly elected or appointed officers, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and duties expressly conferred upon him by these By-Laws, he shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, have such other powers and duties as shall from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 23. Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as the President or the Board of Directors shall require. Any Vice President shall, during the absence or incapacity of the President, assume and perform his duties.

Section 24. Secretary. The Secretary may sign all certificates of stock of the Corporation. He shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders of the Corporation in books to be kept for that purpose. He shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and may affix the same to any instrument requiring such seal when authorized by the Board of Directors, and when so affixed he may attest the same by his signature. He shall keep the transfer books, in which all transfers of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be registered, and the stock books, which shall contain the names and addresses of all holders of the capital stock of the Corporation and the number of shares held by each; and he shall keep such stock and transfer books open daily during business hours to the inspection of every stockholder and for transfer of stock. He shall notify the Directors and stockholders of their respective meetings as required by law or by these By-Laws, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by law or by these By-Laws, or which may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 25. Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretaries shall, during the absence or incapacity of the Secretary, assume and perform all functions and duties which the Secretary might lawfully do if present and not under any incapacity.

Section 26. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds and securities of the Corporation. He may sign all certificates of stock. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the Corporation in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, and shall render to the President or the Directors, whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and an account of the business and financial position of the Corporation.

Section 27. Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Treasurers shall, during the absence or incapacity of the Treasurer, assume and perform all functions and duties which the Treasurer might lawfully do if present and not under any incapacity.

Section 28. Treasurer’s Bond. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers shall, if required so to do by the Board of Directors, each give a bond (which shall be renewed every six (6) years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may require.

Section 29. Transfer of Duties. The Board of Directors in its absolute discretion may transfer the power and duties, in whole or in part, of any officer to any other officer, or persons, notwithstanding the provisions of these By-Laws, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 30. Vacancies. If the office of President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, or of any other officer or agent becomes vacant for any reason, the Board of Directors may choose a successor to hold office for the unexpired term.

 

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Section 31. Removals. At any meeting of the Board of Directors called for the purpose, any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote or a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 32. Compensation of Officers. The officers shall receive such salary or compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 33. Resignations. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof; and unless otherwise specified therein, acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

ARTICLE VI

Contracts, Checks and Notes

Section 34. Contracts. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise specifically direct, all contracts of the Corporation shall be executed in the name of the Corporation by the President or a Vice President.

Section 35. Checks and Notes. All checks, drafts, bills of exchange and promissory notes and other negotiable instruments of the Corporation shall be signed by such officers or agents of the Corporation as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

Stock

Section 36. Certificates of Stock. The certificates for shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be in such form, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, as shall be prepared or approved by the Board of Directors. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary certifying the number of shares owned by him and the date of issue; and no certificate shall be valid unless so signed. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued.

Where a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (2) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

All certificates surrendered to the Corporation shall be cancelled and, except in the case of lost or destroyed certificates, no new certificates shall be issued until the former certificates

 

8.


for the same number of shares of the same class of stock shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

Section 37. Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

ARTICLE VIII

Registered Stockholders

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE IX

Lost Certificates

Any person claiming a certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed, shall make an affidavit or affirmation of the fact and advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors may require, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in a sum sufficient, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss of any such certificate. A new certificate of the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one alleged to be lost or destroyed may be issued without requiring any bond when, in the judgment of the Directors, it is proper so to do.

ARTICLE X

Fixing of Record Date

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action . A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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ARTICLE XI

Dividends

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

Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors shall think conducive to, the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE XII

Indemnification

Section 38. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

(a) Directors and Executive Officers . The corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article XI, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).

(b) Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents . The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly

 

10.


following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 43 or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this By-Law, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this By-Law shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this By-Law to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this By-Law shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws,

 

11.


agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law.

(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this By-Law shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this By-Law.

(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this By-Law shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this By-Law in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

(i) Saving Clause. If this By-Law or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this By-Law that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section 43 shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under applicable law.

(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this By-Law, the following definitions shall apply:

(i) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

(ii) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

(iii) The term the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in

 

12.


the same position under the provisions of this By-Law with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(iv) References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

(v) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this By-Law.

ARTICLE XIII

Waiver of Notice

Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given by statute or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent thereto.

ARTICLE XIV

Seal

The corporate seal of the Corporation shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.”

ARTICLE XV

Amendments

Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new By-Laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment or repeal of the By-Laws or of adoption of new By-Laws be contained in the notice of such special meeting.

 

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Exhibit 3.4

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.            Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

Section 2.            Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE SEAL

Section 3.            Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

ARTICLE III

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 4.            Place Of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“ DGCL ”).

Section 5.            Annual Meetings.

(a)           The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of

 

i.


stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the stockholder’s notice provided for in Section 5(b), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations and submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ 1934 Act ”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(b)           At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.

(i)          For nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a), the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee, (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (5) with respect to each nominee for election or re-election to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 5(e) and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv). The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

(ii)          Other than proposals sought to be included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14(a)-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a), the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii), and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the


meeting, and any material interest (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporation’s capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv).

(iii)          To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90 th ) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however , that, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iv)          The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “ Proponent ” and collectively, the “ Proponents ”): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporation’s books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous twelve (12) month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions.


For purposes of Sections 5 and 6, a “ Derivative Transaction ” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial:

(w)         the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation,

(x)         which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation,

(y)         the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes, or

(z)         which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation,

which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

(c)           A stockholder providing written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five (5) business days prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five (5) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two (2) business days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two (2) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.

(d)           Notwithstanding anything in Section 5(b)(iii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors in an Expiring Class is increased and there is no public announcement of the appointment of a director to such class, or, if no appointment was made, of the vacancy in such class, made by the corporation at least ten (10) days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with Section 5(b)(iii), a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 5 and which complies with the requirements in Section 5(b)(i), other than the timing requirements in Section 5(b)(iii), shall also be considered


timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions in such Expiring Class created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation. For purposes of this section, an “ Expiring Class ” shall mean a class of directors whose term shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

(e)           To be eligible to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the corporation pursuant to a nomination under clause (iii) of Section 5(a), such proposed nominee or a person on such proposed nominee’s behalf must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 5(b)(iii) or 5(d), as applicable) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) that has not been disclosed to the corporation in the questionnaire or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the corporation that has not been disclosed therein; and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the corporation, and will comply with, all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the corporation.

(f)           A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director unless the person is nominated either in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5(a), or in accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5(a). Except as otherwise required by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Amended and Restated Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E), to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.

(g)           Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these


Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Amended and Restated Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii).

(h)           For purposes of Sections 5 and 6,

(i)          “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act; and

(ii)          “affiliates” and “associates” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”).

Section 6.            Special Meetings.

(a)           Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

(b)           The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.

(c)           Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i). In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c). In no event shall an


adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(d)           Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Amended and Restated Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c).

Section 7.            Notice Of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If sent via electronic transmission, notice is deemed given as of the sending time recorded at the time of transmission. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

Section 8.            Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by


proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

Section 9.            Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings . Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 10.            Voting Rights . For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

Section 11.            Joint Owners Of Stock . If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such


tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest.

Section 12.          List Of Stockholders . The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.

Section 13.          Action Without Meeting.

No action may be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and no action may be taken by the stockholders by written consent (whether transmitted by mail or by electronic transmission).

Section 14.          Organization.

(a)           At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President, or, if the President is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

(b)           The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.


ARTICLE IV

DIRECTORS

Section 15.          Number And Term Of Office . The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Section 16.          Powers . The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 17.          Term of Directors . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board of Directors, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section and except as otherwise specified in the Certificate of Incorporation, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified (unless such director has elected not to stand for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term or such director has not been nominated for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term, in which case, such director shall serve until the end of his or her term) or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 18.          Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however , that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships


of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and, unless such director has elected not to stand for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term or such director has not been nominated for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term, until such director’s successor has been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

Section 19.          Resignation . Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the time of delivery to the Secretary. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and, unless such director has elected not to stand for reelection to serve a director following the expiration of his or her term or such director has not been nominated for reelection to serve as a director following the expiration of his or her term, until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.

Section 20.          Removal.

(a)           Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.

(b)           Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.

Section 21.          Meetings.

(a)            Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.


(b)            Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the authorized number of directors.

(c)            Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

(d)            Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(e)            Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though it had been transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

Section 22.          Quorum And Voting.

(a)           Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 44 for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.

(b)           At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws.


Section 23.          Action Without Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 24.          Fees And Compensation . Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 25.          Committees.

(a)          Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation.

(b)          Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

(c)          Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in


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

(d)          Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

Section 26.          Lead Independent Director . The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if the Chairman is not an independent director, one of the independent directors, may be designated by the Board of Directors as lead independent director to serve until replaced by the Board of Directors (“ Lead Independent Director ”). The Lead Independent Director will: with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, establish the agenda for regular Board meetings and serve as chairman of Board of Directors meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors; establish the agenda for meetings of the independent directors; coordinate with the committee chairs regarding meeting agendas and informational requirements; preside over meetings of the independent directors; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the evaluation or compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is presented or discussed; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the performance of the Board of Directors is presented or discussed; and perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Section 27.          Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Lead Independent Director, or if the Lead Independent Director is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or other officer or director directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the


Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 28.          Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 29.          Tenure And Duties Of Officers.

(a)          General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

(b)          Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Lead Independent Director has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Amended and Restated Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(c)          Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director, or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to


the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(d)          Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.

(e)          Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Amended and Restated Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Amended and Restated Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

(f)          Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Amended and Restated Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

(g)          Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and


shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

Section 30.          Delegation Of Authority . The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 31.          Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

Section 32.          Removal . Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES

OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

Section 33.          Execution Of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.

All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.

Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

Section 34.          Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such


authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.

ARTICLE VII

SHARES OF STOCK

Section 35.          Form And Execution Of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated if so provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by certificate in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 36.          Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Section 37.          Transfers.

(a)           Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

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

Section 38.          Fixing Record Dates.

(a)           In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date


shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b)           In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 39.          Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE VIII

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

Section 40.          Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 35), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however , that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall


have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.

ARTICLE IX

DIVIDENDS

Section 41.          Declaration Of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

Section 42.          Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

Section 43.          Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 44.          Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

(a)          Directors and officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).


(b)          Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

(c)          Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this section or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

(d)          Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this section to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law


for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this section or otherwise shall be on the corporation.

(e)          Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.

(f)          Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(g)          Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this section.

(h)          Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this section shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

(i)          Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this section that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this section shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction,


then the corporation shall indemnify each director and officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.

(j)          Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:

(i)          The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

(ii)          The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

(iii)          The term the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(iv)          References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

(v)          References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.


ARTICLE XII

NOTICES

Section 45.          Notices.

(a)          Notice To Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by US mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

(b)          Notice To Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), as otherwise provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, or by overnight delivery service, facsimile, telex or telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.

(c)          Affidavit Of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

(d)          Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

(e)          Notice To Person With Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

(f)          Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written


notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 46.           Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 44(h) or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE XIV

LOANS TO OFFICERS

Section 47.          Loans To Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance shall bear interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

ARTICLE XV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 48.          Forum. Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the


corporation’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation (as amended from time to time) or these Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended from time to time); and/or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Exhibit 4.2

SECURITIES SUBJECT HERETO HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND NEITHER THE SHARES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED, OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR SOME OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

COMMON STOCK WARRANT

TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OF

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.

No. W- 35

This certifies that, for value received, The Arizona Board of Regents, on behalf of The University of Arizona (“ University ”) or its registered transferees (“ Holder ”), is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, at any time during the Exercise Period (as defined below), but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from High Throughput Genomics, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), On Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “ Warrant Shares ”), which, as of the date hereof, represents Twelve One-Hundredths of One Percent (.12%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Company on a fully-diluted basis. The term “ Warrant ” as used herein, shall mean this Warrant and any warrant delivered in substitution or exchange therefor as provided herein.

1. Term of Warrant . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, this Warrant shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, from time to time during the term hereof, commencing on the date hereof and ending at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the Ten (1 0) year anniversary of the date of this Warrant (the “ Exercise Period ”), after which time this Warrant shall be void.

2. Exercise Price . The exercise price (“ Exercise Price ”) of the Company’s Common Stock covered by this Warrant shall be Six Cents US ($0.06) per share. The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

3. Exercise of Warrant .

(a) Cash Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised by Holder by (i) the surrender of this Warrant to the Company at the Company’s address given in Section 11(e) below, with the Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Exhibit A duly executed on behalf of Holder at the office of the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as the Company may designate by notice in writing to Holder at the address of Holder appearing on the books of the Company) during the Exercise Period and (ii) the delivery of payment to the Company, for the account of the Company, by cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account specified by the Company, or by certified or bank cashier’s check, of the Exercise Price for the number of Warrant Shares specified in the Notice of Exercise in lawful money of the United States of America. The Company agrees that such Warrant Shares shall be deemed to be issued to Holder as the record holder of such Warrant Shares as of the close of business on the date on which this


Warrant is surrendered and payment made for the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof, and the person entitled to receive the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on such date. A stock certificate or certificates for the Warrant Shares specified in the Notice of Exercise shall be delivered to Holder as promptly as practicable, and in any event within ten (10) days, thereafter. If this Warrant is exercised only in part, then the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the stock certificate or certificates, deliver to Holder a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining Warrant Shares, which new Warrant shall be identical to this Warrant in all other respects. Upon Holder’s purchase of all the Warrant Shares, the Company shall physically void the Warrant.

(b) Net Issue Exercise . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of one share of the Company’s Common Stock is greater than the Exercise Price (at the date of calculation as set forth below), in lieu of exercising this Warrant pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof, the Holder may elect to receive shares equal to the value (as determined below) of this Warrant (or portion thereof being canceled) by surrendering this Warrant to the Company, with a duly executed Notice of Exercise marked to reflect Net Issue Exercise and specifying the number of Warrant Shares to be purchased, during normal business hours on any business day during the Exercise Period. Such Warrant Shares shall be deemed to be issued to Holder as the record holder of such Warrant Shares as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant is surrendered in accordance with the provisions hereof, and the person entitled to receive the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on such date. Upon such exercise, Holder shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall issue to Holder, a number of Warrant Shares computed as of the date of surrender of this Warrant to the Company using the following formula:

 

   X =   

Y(A-B)

 

          A
Where    X =       the number of Warrant Shares to be issued to Holder under this Section 3(b);
   Y =       the number of Warrant Shares in respect of which this election is made;
   A =       the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of one share of the Company’s Common Stock at the date of such calculation; and
   B =       the Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of the issuance).

(c) Fair Market Value . For the purposes of Section 3(b) hereof, the fair market value (“ Fair Market Value ”) of one share of the Company’s Common Stock shall mean, as of any date:

(i) the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock as of such date, as determined from the last closing price per share of the Company’s Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading,

 

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(ii) the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock as of such date, as determined from the last reported sales price per share of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market (collectively, “ Nasdaq ”) if the Company’s Common Stock is not listed or traded on any such exchange,

(iii) the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock as of such date, as determined from the average of the bid and asked price per share of the Company’s Common Stock as reported in the “pink sheets” published by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. if the Company’s Common Stock is not listed or traded on any exchange or Nasdaq, or

(iv) if such quotations are not available, the fair market value per share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date such notice was received by the Company as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that if the Warrant is being exercised immediately prior to or upon the closing of an IPO (as defined in Section 9(e) below), the Fair Market Value shall not be determined by the Board of Directors and shall be the initial “price to public” of one share of the Company’s Common Stock specified in the final prospectus with respect to the IPO.

4. No Fractional Shares or Scrip . No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. In lieu of any fractional share to which Holder otherwise would be entitled, the Company shall make a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one share of the Company’s Common Stock as determined under Section 3(c) multiplied by such fraction.

5. Replacement of Warrant . Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, upon delivery of a certification of loss (without obligation to indemnify) by Holder reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company at its expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.

6. No Rights as Stockholder . Except as provided in this Section 6 (Subject to Sections 7 and 11 of this Warrant), the Holder shall not be entitled to vote or be deemed the holder of Common Stock, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether upon recapitalization, issuance of stock, reclassification of stock, change of par value, or change of stock to no par value, consolidation, merger, conveyance, or otherwise) or to receive notice of meetings, or to receive subscription rights or otherwise until the Warrant shall have been exercised as provided herein. Nothing contained herein shall obligate Holder to purchase any Company securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise).

7. Adjustments .

(a) Stock Dividend, Subdivision or Split-Up . If, at any time after the date hereof, the number of shares of the Company’s capital stock outstanding is increased by a stock dividend or by a subdivision or split-up of shares, then, following the record date for the determination of holders of capital stock entitled to receive such stock dividend, subdivision or split-up, the

 

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Exercise Price shall be appropriately decreased and the aggregate number of Warrant Shares shall be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding shares. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any successive stock dividend, subdivision or split-up.

(b) Combination, Reverse-Split . If, at any time after the date hereof, the number of shares of the Company’s capital stock outstanding is decreased by a combination or reverse-split of shares, then, following the record date for the determination of holders of capital stock for such combination or reverse-split, the Exercise Price shall be appropriately increased and the aggregate number of Warrant Shares shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any successive combination or reverse-split.

(c) Dividends . If, at any time after the date hereof, the holders of the securities as to which purchase rights under this Warrant exist at the time shall have received, or, on or after the record date fixed for the determination of eligible stockholders, shall have become entitled to receive, without payment therefor, other or additional stock or other securities or property (including cash) of the Company by way of a dividend, then, and in each case, this Warrant shall represent the right to acquire, in addition to the number of shares of the securities receivable upon exercise of this Warrant, and without payment of any additional consideration therefor, the amount of such other or additional stock or other securities or property (including cash) of the Company that such Holder would hold on the date of such exercise had it been the holder of record of the securities receivable upon exercise of this Warrant on the date thereof and had thereafter, during the period from the date thereof to and including the date of such event, retained such shares and/or all other additional stock available to it during such period, all as adjusted pursuant to this Section 7.

(d) Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale – Non-University Holder . With respect to any Holder other than University, in the event of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a stock dividend or subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), any consolidation or merger of the Company, or any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, this Warrant shall after such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale be exercisable for the kind and number of shares of stock or other securities, cash or property of the Company or of the entity resulting from such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, surviving such merger, or such asset sale to which the Holder would have been entitled if this Warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any successive reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale.

(e) Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale – University Holder . With respect to University as Holder of this Warrant, in the event of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a stock dividend or subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), any consolidation or merger of the Company, or any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale, regardless of the consideration provided for in such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale (whether it be shares of stock

 

4


or other securities, debt, cash or property of the Company or of the entity resulting from such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, surviving such merger, or such asset sale), at University’s election, the Company shall pay to University, in lieu of University exercising this Warrant, in cash or cash equivalents the aggregate value of the Warrant Shares as if this Warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale pursuant to Section 3(b), where Fair Market Value is the price per fully-diluted share of Common Stock payable in such transaction. Such payment shall be made at the closing of the transaction to which it relates. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any successive reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or asset sale.

(f) Calculations . All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest one hundredth (1/100) of a cent or the nearest one tenth (1/10) of a share, as the case may be.

(g) No Impairment . The Company will not, by any voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant to be observed or performed by the Company, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 7 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder of this Warrant against impairment.

8. Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The Company represents, warrants and covenants to the Holder that (a) all shares of the Company’s Common Stock which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant will be, when issued, non-assessable, fully paid, and validly issued, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof, and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company with respect to the issue thereof and (b) the issuance of this Warrant, the shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable hereunder and the other transactions contemplated hereunder do not require the consent of any person or entity and do not and shall not conflict, result in a default under or violate the terms of any agreement, contract, document, instrument or obligation which may be binding upon the Company. The Company covenants to the Holder that it will from time to time take all such action as may be required to assure that the stated or par value per share of the Company’s Common Stock is at all times no greater than the then-effective Exercise Price. The Company further covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be required to assure that the Company shall at all times have authorized and reserved, free from preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock to provide for the exercise by Holder of all its rights with respect to this Warrant. The Company agrees that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant.

9. Transfer of Warrant .

(a) Transferability . This Warrant may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part without compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, if such are requested by the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no investment representation letter or opinion of counsel shall be required for any transfer of this Warrant (or any portion thereof) or of any shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued upon exercise hereof or conversion thereof (i) in compliance with Rule 144 or Rule

 

5


144A of the Act, or (ii) by gift, will or intestate succession by Holder to his or her spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors or any trust for any of the foregoing; provided that in each of the foregoing cases the transferee agrees in writing to be subject to the terms of this Warrant. Subject to the provisions of this Warrant with respect to compliance with the Act, title to this Warrant may be transferred by endorsement, in whole or in part, (by Holder executing the Assignment Form attached hereto as Exhibit B) and delivery in the same manner as a negotiable instrument transferable by endorsement and delivery; provided, however, that in connection with any such transfer any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable). The Company may refuse to transfer this Warrant or the Warrant Shares to any person who directly competes with the Company, unless, in either case, the stock of the Company is publicly traded.

(b) Exchange of Warrant Upon a Transfer . Upon surrender of this Warrant for exchange, properly endorsed on the Assignment Form attached hereto as Exhibit B and subject to the provisions of this Warrant with respect to compliance with the Act and with the limitations on assignments and transfers contained in this Section, the Company at its expense shall issue to, or upon the order of, Holder a new warrant or warrants of like tenor, in the name of Holder or as Holder (upon payment by Holder of all applicable transfer taxes, if any) may direct, for the number of shares issuable upon exercise hereof.

(c) Further Compliance with Securities Laws .

(i) Holder, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof are being acquired solely for Holder’s own account and not as a nominee for any other party, and for investment, and that Holder will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant or Warrant Shares except under circumstances that will not result in a violation of the Act or applicable state securities laws. Upon exercise of this Warrant, Holder shall confirm in writing, in a form satisfactory to the Company, that the Warrant Shares so purchased are being acquired solely for Holder’s own account and not as a nominee for any other party, for investment, and not with a view toward distribution or resale.

(ii) This Warrant and all Warrant Shares issued upon exercise hereof shall be stamped or imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form (in addition to any legend required by applicable state securities laws):

SECURITIES SUBJECT HERETO HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND NEITHER THE SHARES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED, OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR SOME OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

6


(d) Removal of Legend . The Company agrees to remove promptly, upon the request of the Holder of this Warrant and securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, the foregoing legend from the documents and/or certificates representing such securities upon full compliance with the terms and provisions hereof and Rules 144 and 145 under the Act.

(e) Lock-Up Agreement . Holder shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company’s governing body (such as its Board of Directors) in its sole discretion, offer or sell this Warrant or any of the Warrant Shares for one hundred eighty (180) days after the closing of an initial public stock offering of the Company’s Common Stock under the Act, the result of which is that the Company’s Common Stock is traded, or quoted, as applicable, on a national securities exchange, over the counter on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or through the National Market System of the Nasdaq Stock Market (an “ IPO ”), provided that the Company’s officers, directors and greater than one percent (1%) shareholders are similarly restricted from selling their securities of the Company in that period.

(f) Registration Under Securities Act of 1933, a s amended . The Company agrees that the Warrant Shares shall have certain incidental or “Piggyback” registration rights pursuant to and as set forth in the Company’s Investors’ Rights Agreement or similar agreement, or if there is no such agreement in existence, then such incidental or “Piggyback” registration rights as are customary in the venture capital industry. The provisions set forth in the Company’s Investors’ Rights Agreement or similar agreement relating to the above in effect as of the issue date may not be amended, modified or waived without the prior written consent of Holder unless such amendment, modification, or waiver affects the rights associated with the Warrant Shares in the same manner as such amendment, modification or waiver affects the rights associated with all other shares of the same series and class as the Warrant Shares granted to Holder.

10. University Put Option . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10, at any time commencing on the date that is sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Exercise Period, University as Holder may notify the Company that University desires to have the Company repurchase the Warrant at a price equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Warrant Shares minus the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant Shares. In the event that, upon the expiration of the Exercise Period, the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock of the Company is greater than the Exercise Price in effect on such date, then regardless of the failure of University to notify the Company of its election pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Company shall automatically repurchase the Warrant at a price equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Warrant Shares minus the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant Shares. The Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with Section 3(c), provided, that if University disputes the Fair Market Value as determined in accordance with Section 3(c), then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by an independent business valuation specialist mutually approved by the Company and University. Neither the Company nor University shall have had a relationship with such independent business valuation specialist within the immediately preceding three year period. Such determination of the Fair Market Value shall be final and binding on the Company and University, and the Company shall be obligated to repurchase the Warrant to the extent legally permissible under Delaware law. The Company’s purchase shall be finalized and payment made in cash to University no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the Fair Market Value determination.

 

7


11. Miscellaneous .

(a) Amendments . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

(b) Governing Law . This Warrant shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

(c) Information Rights . So long as the Holder holds this Warrant and/or any of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall deliver to the Holder (a) promptly after mailing, copies of all communiques to the shareholders of the Company, (b) within one hundred fifty (150) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the annual financial statements of the Company certified by independent public accountants of recognized standing, if such financial statements have been audited (c) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year, the Company’s quarterly, unaudited financial statements and (d) within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, a Company-prepared monthly financial statement of the Company.

(d) Attorneys’ Fees . If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Warrant, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

(e) Notices .

(i) Whenever the Exercise Price or number of shares purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Company shall, at its expense, compute such adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Warrant and prepare an accounting setting forth such adjustment showing in detail the facts upon which the adjustment is based including the event requiring the adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the Exercise Price and number of shares purchasable hereunder after giving effect to such adjustment. The Company will mail a copy of each such accounting to the Holder within ten (10) days of such adjustment.

(ii) In case:

1. the Company shall take a record of holders of its Common Stock (or other stock or securities receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) for the purpose of entitling them to receive from the Company any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, property, stock or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend), any right to subscribe for any shares of stock of any class or any other securities (or any stock or securities convertible into capital stock), or to receive any other right,

2. of an offer to sell any shares of the Company’s capital stock (or other securities convertible into such capital stock), other than (a) pursuant to the Company’s stock option or other compensatory plans, (b) in connection with commercial credit arrangements or equipment financings, or (c) in connection with strategic transactions for purposes other than capital raising,

3. of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into

 

8


another corporation (or other business entity), or any conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,

4. of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding- up of the Company, or

5. of any offer to holders of registration rights the opportunity to participate in an underwritten public offering of the Company’s securities for cash,

then in connection with each such event, the Company shall give to Holder: (A) at least fifteen. (15) days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of Common Stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining the right to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (3) and (4) above, (B) in the case of matters referred to in (3) and (4) above, at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of Common Stock will be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event); and (C) in the case of the matter referred to in (5) above, the same notice as is given to the holders of such registration rights.

(iii) Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by Federal Express, Express Mail or similar overnight delivery or courier service or delivered by facsimile transmission or email or personal delivery to whom it is to be given,

if to the Company:

President

High Throughput Genomics

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

if to the University:

Attn: Case # UA08-033

Patrick L. Jones, Director

Office of Technology Transfer

888 Euclid Ave, Room 204

P.O. BOX 210158

Tucson, AZ 85721-0158

or in either case, to such other address or facsimile number as the party shall have furnished in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Notice to the estate of any party shall be sufficient if addressed to the party as provided in this Section. Any notice or other communication given by certified mail shall be deemed given at the time of certification thereof, except for a notice changing a party address which shall be deemed given at the time of receipt thereof, Any notice given by other means permitted by this Section shall be deemed given at the time of receipt thereof.

 

9


(f) “S” Corporation Covenant . If and for so long as the Company has in effect a valid election to be treated as an “S” corporation under the Internal Revenue Code, University agrees that it will not:

(i) exercise the Warrant, or

(ii) transfer the Warrant to a third party unless that third party agrees in writing: 1) not to exercise this Warrant if such exercise would cause the Company’s “S” election to be invalid, and 2) not to transfer this Warrant to another party unless that party agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 11(f)(ii).

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: March 13, 2009     HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.
    By:   /s/ Tim B. Johnson
    Name:   Tim B. Johnson
    Title:   President + CEO
    THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, on behalf of THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
   

/s/ Patrick L. Jones

    Patrick L. Jones, Director
    Office of Technology Transfer University of Arizona

 

[ Signature Page to Common Stock Warrant ]


EXHIBIT A

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

To: High Throughput Genomics, Inc.

(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase                      shares of Common Stock of High Throughput Genomics, Inc. , a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price for such shares in full.

(2) In exercising this Warrant, the undersigned hereby confirms and acknowledges that the shares of the Company’s Common Stock are being acquired solely for the account of the undersigned and not as a nominee for any other party, for investment, and that the undersigned shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any such shares of Common Stock except under circumstances that will not result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, applicable state securities laws, and that the undersigned will continue to be bound by Section 9(c) of the Warrant after exercise of this Warrant.

(3) Please issue a certificate or certificates representing such shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

            
      (Name)
         

(Date)

      (Name)

(4) Please issue a new Warrant for the unexercised portion of the attached Warrant in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

            
      (Name)
         

(Date)

      (Signature)

                     Check here if this Notice is for a “net exercise” pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Warrant.


EXHIBIT B

ASSIGNMENT FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned registered owner of this Warrant hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the assignee named below (“ Assignee ”) all of the rights of the undersigned under this Warrant, with respect to the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below:

 

Name of Assignee

   Address   

No. of

Warrant Shares

     

 

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney                      to make such transfer on the books of High Throughput Genomics, Inc. maintained for the purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.

The undersigned also represents that, by assignment hereof, the Assignee acknowledges that this Warrant and the shares of stock to be issued upon exercise hereof or conversion thereof are being acquired for investment and that the Assignee shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant or shares of stock to be issued upon exercise hereof or conversion thereof except under circumstances that will not result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws. Further, the Assignee acknowledges that, upon exercise of this Warrant, the Assignee shall, if requested by the Company, confirm in writing, in a form satisfactory to the Company, that the shares of stock so purchased are being acquired for investment and not with a view toward distribution or resale. The Assignee further acknowledges and agrees that it is bound by all of the Warrant, including the provisions of Section 9(c) thereof.

 

            

(Date)

       
      Signature of Holder
       
      Signature of Assignee

Exhibit 4.3

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AND PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 5 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

 

Company:   High Throughput Genomics, Inc., a Delaware corporation
Number of Shares:   157,912
Class of Stock:   Series C Preferred
Warrant Price:   $0.2256 per share
Issue Date:   12/24/08
Expiration Date:   The 7th anniversary after the Issue Date
Credit Facility:   This Warrant is issued in connection with the Term Loan
  referenced in the Loan and Security Agreement between
  Company and Silicon Valley Bank dated as of the Effective Date
  (as defined therein).

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, SILICON VALLEY BANK (Silicon Valley Bank, together with any registered holder from time to time of this Warrant or any holder of the shares issuable or issued upon exercise of this Warrant, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of the class of securities (the “Shares”) of the Company at the Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Article 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.

ARTICLE 1. EXERCISE .

1.1 Method of Exercise . Holder may exercise this Warrant by delivering a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached as Appendix 1 to the principal office of the Company. Unless Holder is exercising the conversion right set forth in Article 1.2, Holder shall also deliver to the Company a check, wire transfer (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.

1.2 Conversion Right . In lieu of exercising this Warrant as specified in Article 1.1, Holder may from time to time convert this Warrant, in whole or in part, into a number of Shares determined by dividing (a) the aggregate fair market value of the Shares or other securities otherwise issuable upon exercise of this Warrant minus the aggregate Warrant Price of such Shares by (b) the fair market value of one Share. The fair market value of the Shares shall be determined pursuant to Article 1.3.

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


1.3 Fair Market Value . If the Company’s common stock is traded in a public market and the Shares are common stock, the fair market value of each Share shall be the closing price of a Share reported for the business day immediately before Holder delivers its Notice of Exercise to the Company (or in the instance where the Warrant is exercised immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Company’s initial public offering, the “price to public” per share price specified in the final prospectus relating to such offering). If the Company’s common stock is traded in a public market and the Shares are preferred stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock reported for the business day immediately before Holder delivers its Notice of Exercise to the Company (or, in the instance where the Warrant is exercised immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Company’s initial public offering, the initial “price to public” per share price specified in the final prospectus relating to such offering), in both cases, multiplied by the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which a Share is convertible. If the Company’s common stock is not traded in a public market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine fair market value in its reasonable good faith judgment.

1.4 Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant . Promptly after Holder exercises or converts this Warrant and, if applicable, the Company receives payment of the aggregate Warrant Price, the Company shall deliver to Holder certificates for the Shares acquired and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised or converted and has not expired, a new Warrant representing the Shares not so acquired.

1.5 Replacement of Warrants . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation on surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor.

1.6 Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company .

1.6.1 “ Acquisition ”. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any sale, license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any reorganization, consolidation, or merger of the Company where the holders of the Company’s securities before the transaction beneficially own less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity after the transaction.

1.6.2 Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition .

A) Upon the written request of the Company, Holder agrees that, in the event of an Acquisition that is not an asset sale and in which the sole consideration is cash, either (a) Holder shall exercise its conversion or purchase right under this Warrant and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition or (b) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant will expire upon the consummation of such Acquisition. The Company shall provide Holder with written notice of its request relating to the foregoing (together with such reasonable information as Holder may request in connection with such contemplated Acquisition

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to Holder not less than ten (10) days prior to the closing of the proposed Acquisition.

B) Upon the written request of the Company, Holder agrees that, in the event of an Acquisition that is an “arms length” sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (and only its assets) to a third party that is not an Affiliate (as defined below) of the Company (a “True Asset Sale”), either (a) Holder shall exercise its conversion or purchase right under this Warrant and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition or (b) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant will continue until the Expiration Date if the Company continues as a going concern following the closing of any such True Asset Sale. The Company shall provide Holder with written notice of its request relating to the foregoing (together with such reasonable information as Holder may request in connection with such contemplated Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to Holder not less than ten (10) days prior to the closing of the proposed Acquisition.

C) Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than those particularly described in subsections (A) and (B) above, the successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall be exercisable for the same securities, cash, and property as would be payable for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on the record date for the Acquisition and subsequent closing. The Warrant Price and/or number of Shares shall be adjusted accordingly.

As used herein “ Affiliate ” shall mean any person or entity that owns or controls directly or indirectly ten (10) percent or more of the stock of Company, any person or entity that controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such persons or entities, and each of such person’s or entity’s officers, directors, joint venturers or partners, as applicable.

ARTICLE 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES .

2.1 Stock Dividends, Splits. Etc . If the Company declares or pays a dividend on the Shares payable in common stock, or other securities, then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities to which Holder would have been entitled had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend occurred. If the Company subdivides the Shares by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares or takes any other action which increase the amount of stock into which the Shares are convertible, the number of shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

2.2 Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution . Upon any reclassification, exchange, substitution, or other event that results in a change of the number and/or class of the securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant, Holder shall be entitled to receive, upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant, the number and kind of securities and property that Holder would have received for the Shares if this Warrant had been exercised immediately before such reclassification,

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


exchange, substitution, or other event. Such an event shall include any automatic conversion of the outstanding or issuable securities of the Company of the same class or series as the Shares to common stock pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Articles or Certificate (as applicable) of Incorporation upon the closing of a registered public offering of the Company’s common stock. The Company or its successor shall promptly issue to Holder an amendment to this Warrant setting forth the number and kind of such new securities or other property issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant as a result of such reclassification, exchange, substitution or other event that results in a change of the number and/or class of securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant. The amendment to this Warrant shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 2 including, without limitation, adjustments to the Warrant Price and to the number of securities or property issuable upon exercise of the new Warrant. The provisions of this Article 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, substitutions, or other events.

2.3 Adjustments for Diluting Issuances . The Warrant Price and the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant or, if the Shares are preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall be subject to adjustment, from time to time in the manner set forth in the Company’s Articles or Certificate of Incorporation as if the Shares were issued and outstanding on and as of the date of any such required adjustment. The provisions set forth for the Shares in the Company’s Articles or Certificate (as applicable) of Incorporation relating to the above in effect as of the Issue Date may not be amended, modified or waived, without the prior written consent of Holder unless such amendment, modification or waiver affects the rights associated with the Shares in the same manner as such amendment, modification or waiver affects the rights associated with all other shares of the same series and class as the Shares granted to Holder.

2.4 No Impairment . The Company shall not, by amendment of its Articles or Certificate (as applicable) of Incorporation or through a reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue, or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under this Warrant by the Company, but shall at all times in good faith assist in carrying out of all the provisions of this Article 2 and in taking all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect Holder’s rights under this Article against impairment.

2.5 Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional share interest arises upon any exercise or conversion of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional share interest by paying Holder the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by the fair market value of a full Share.

2.6 Certificate as to Adjustments . Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, the Company shall promptly notify Holder in writing, and, at the Company’s expense, promptly compute such adjustment, and furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer setting forth such adjustment and the facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request, furnish

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


Holder a certificate setting forth the Warrant Price in effect upon the date thereof and the series of adjustments leading to such Warrant Price.

ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY .

3.1 Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants to Holder as follows:

(a) The initial Warrant Price referenced on the first page of this Warrant is not greater than (i) the price per share at which the Shares were last issued in an arms-length transaction in which at least $500,000 of the Shares were sold and (ii) the fair market value of the Shares as of the date of this Warrant.

(b) All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws.

(c) The Company’s capitalization table attached hereto as Schedule 1 is true and complete as of the Issue Date.

3.2 Notice of Certain Events . If the Company proposes at any time (a) to declare any dividend or distribution upon any of its stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend; (b) to offer for sale any shares of the Company’s capital stock (or other securities convertible into such capital stock), other than (i) pursuant to the Company’s stock option or other compensatory plans, (ii) in connection with commercial credit arrangements or equipment financings, or (iii) in connection with strategic transactions for purposes other than capital raising; (c) to effect any reclassification or recapitalization of any of its stock; (d) to merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation, or sell, lease, license, or convey all or substantially all of its assets, or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or (e) offer holders of registration rights the opportunity to participate in an underwritten public offering of the Company’s securities for cash, then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder: (1) at least 10 days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of common stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above; (2) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least 10 days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of common stock will be entitled to exchange their common stock for securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event); and (3) in the case of the matter referred to in (e) above, the same notice as is given to the holders of such registration rights. Company will also provide information requested by Holder reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.

3.3 Registration Under Securities Act of 1933, as amended . The Company agrees that the Shares or, if the Shares are convertible into common stock of the Company, such common stock, shall have certain “piggyback,” registration rights pursuant to and as set forth in the Company’s Investor Rights Agreement or similar

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


agreement. The provisions set forth in the Company’s Investors’ Right Agreement or similar agreement relating to the above in effect as of the Issue Date may not be amended, modified or waived without the prior written consent of Holder unless such amendment, modification or waiver affects the rights associated with the Shares in the same manner as such amendment, modification, or waiver affects the rights associated with all other shares of the same series and class as the Shares granted to Holder.

3.4 No Shareholder Rights . Except as provided in this Warrant, Holder will not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the exercise of this Warrant.

ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF HOLDER . Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

4.1 Purchase for Own Account . This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder will be acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

4.2 Disclosure of Information . Holder has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

4.3 Investment Experience . Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

4.4 Accredited Investor Status . Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

4.5 The Act . Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise or conversion hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise or conversion hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available.

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS .

5.1 Term . This Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before the Expiration Date.

5.2 Legends . This Warrant and the Shares (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AND PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 5 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

5.3 Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer . This Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part without compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Silicon Valley Bank (“Bank”) to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to Bank’s parent company, SVB Financial Group (formerly Silicon Valley Bancshares), or any other affiliate of Bank. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of current information as referenced in Rule 144(c), Holder represents that it has complied with Rule 144(d) and (e) in reasonable detail, the selling broker represents that it has complied with Rule 144(f), and the Company is provided with a copy of Holder’s notice of proposed sale.

5.4 Transfer Procedure . After receipt by Bank of the executed Warrant, Bank will transfer all of this Warrant to SVB Financial Group by execution of an Assignment substantially in the form of Appendix 2. Subject to the provisions of Article 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, SVB Financial Group and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the Shares issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, SVB Financial Group or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable). The Company may refuse to transfer this Warrant or the Shares to any person who directly competes with the Company, unless, in either case, the stock of the Company is publicly traded.

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


5.5 Notices . All notices and other communications from the Company to Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective when given personally or mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may (or on the first business day after transmission by facsimile) be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time. Effective upon receipt of the fully executed Warrant and the initial transfer described in Article 5.4 above, all notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:

SVB Financial Group

Attn: Treasury Department

3003 Tasman Drive, HA 200

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Telephone: 408-654-7400

Facsimile: 408-496-2405

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:

High Throughput Genomics, Inc.

Attn: Kirk A. Collamer

6296 E. Grant Road

Tucson, AZ 85712

Telephone: 520 - 547 - 2827 X105

Facsimile: 520 - 547 - 2837

5.6 Waiver . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

5.7 Attorneys’ Fees . In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

5.8 Automatic Conversion upon Expiration . In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be converted pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised or converted, and the Company shall promptly deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such conversion to Holder.

5.9 Counterparts . This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

5.10 Governing Law . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


“COMPANY”     Date: 12/23/08
HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.    
By:   /s/ Bruce Seligmann     By:   /s/ Kirk A. Collamer
Name:   Bruce Seligmann     Name:   Kirk A. Collamer
  (Print)       (Print)
Title:  

Chairman of the Board, President or

Vice President

    Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary,

Assistant Treasurer or Assistant

Secretary

 

“HOLDER”

 

SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:   /s/ Mark Thylin
Name:   Mark Thylin
  (Print)
Title:   Relationship Manager

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


SCHEDULE 1

CAPITALIZATION TABLE

[See attached.]

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


APPENDIX 1

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

1. Holder elects to purchase                  shares of the Common/Series              Preferred [strike one] Stock of                      pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders payment of the purchase price of the shares in full.

[or]

1. Holder elects to convert the attached Warrant into Shares/cash [strike one] in the manner specified in the Warrant. This conversion is exercised for                                      of the Shares covered by the Warrant.

[Strike paragraph that does not apply.]

2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the shares in the name specified below:

 

       
  

Holders Name

 

 

  
       
  

(Address)

  

3. By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Article 4 of the Warrant as the date hereof.

 

HOLDER:

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    
(Date):    

 

SVB Warrant Form April 2006


APPENDIX 2

ASSIGNMENT

For value received, Silicon Valley Bank hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

Name:         SVB Financial Group
Address:    

3003 Tasman Drive (HA-200)

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Tax ID:        91-1962278

that certain Warrant to Purchase Stock issued by                                      (the “Company”), on                          , 2              (the “Warrant”) together with all rights, title and interest therein.

 

SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:   /s/ Mark Thylin
Name:   Mark Thylin
Title:   Relationship Manager

Date: 12/23/08

By its execution below, and for the benefit of the Company, SVB Financial Group makes each of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 4 of the Warrant and agrees to all other provisions of the Warrant as of the date hereof.

 

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Exhibit 4.4

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

 

Company:    HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
Number of Shares:    1,256,281, plus all Additional Shares which Holder is entitled to purchase pursuant to Section 1.7
Type/Series of Stock:    Series E Preferred ; provided, however, that if a Next Round occurs and the Next Round Price (as defined below) is less than the Warrant Price in effect as of immediately prior thereto, this Warrant shall, instead, to the extent not previously exercised, automatically be exercisable for Next Round Stock at the Next Round Price. As used herein “ Next Round Stock ” means the class and series of stock sold by Company to investors in connection with the Next Round, and “ Next Round ” means Company’s next bona fide round of equity financing resulting in net cash proceeds to Company of not less than $2,000,000.00.
Warrant Price:    $0.2189 per share (if Series E Preferred), or Next Round Price (if Next Round Stock). As used herein, “ Next Round Price ” means the price per share paid by the lead investor for the Next Round Stock in connection with the Next Round.
Issue Date:    August 22, 2014
Expiration Date:    August 22, 2024 See also Section 5.1(b).
Credit Facility:    This Warrant to Purchase Stock (“ Warrant ”) is issued in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith among Oxford Finance LLC, as Lender and Collateral Agent, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, including Silicon Valley Bank and the Company (the “ Loan Agreement ”).

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, SILICON VALLEY BANK (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “ Holder ”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “ Shares ”) of the above-stated Type/Series of Stock (the “ Class ”) of the above-named company (the “ Company ”) at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted as set forth above and pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. Reference is made to Section 5.4 of this Warrant whereby Silicon Valley Bank shall transfer this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group.

SECTION 1. EXERCISE .


1.1 Method of Exercise . Holder may at any time and from time to time exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.

1.2 Cashless Exercise . On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:

 

  X = Y(A-B)/A
where:     
  X =    the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder;
  Y =    the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price);
  A =    the Fair Market Value (as determined pursuant to Section 1.3 below) of one Share; and
  B =    the Warrant Price.

1.3 Fair Market Value . If the Company’s common stock is then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “ Trading Market ”) and the Class is common stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of common stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s common stock is then traded in a Trading Market and the Class is a series of the Company’s convertible preferred stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of the Company’s common stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company multiplied by the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which a Share is then convertible. If the Company’s common stock is not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.

1.4 Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant . Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.

 

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1.5 Replacement of Warrant . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.

1.6 Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company .

(a) Acquisition. For the purpose of this Warrant, “ Acquisition ” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.

(b) Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition . In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s stockholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “ Cash/Public Acquisition ”), and the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, and Holder has not exercised this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 above as to all Shares, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed to be cashless exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of a Cash/Public Acquisition. In connection with such cashless exercise, Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as the date thereof and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon exercise. In the event of a Cash/Public Acquisition where the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be less than the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, then this Warrant will automatically expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition.

(c) Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition defined above, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

(d) As used in this Warrant, “ Marketable Securities ” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is

 

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then traded in Trading Market, and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise or convert this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.

1.7 Additional Shares . Upon the funding of the Term B Loans (as defined in the Loan Agreement) pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have automatically granted to Holder, in addition to the number of Shares of the Class which this Warrant can otherwise be exercised for by Holder, the right to purchase that number of additional Shares, rounded upward to the nearest whole number, equal to five percent (5.00%) of the amount of the Term B Loans funded by or on behalf of Silicon Valley Bank divided by the Warrant Price then in effect (such additional shares being called the “ Additional Shares ”).

SECTION 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE .

2.1 Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc . If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Class payable in common stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Class by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of the Class are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

2.2 Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution . Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Class are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.

2.3 Conversion of Preferred Stock . If the Class is a class and series of the Company’s convertible preferred stock, in the event that all outstanding shares of the Class are converted, automatically or by action of the holders thereof, into common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as may be amended from time to time, the “ Charter ”), including, without limitation, in connection with the Company’s initial, underwritten public offering and sale of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act (the “ IPO ”), then from and after the date on which all outstanding shares of the Class have been so converted, this Warrant shall be exercisable for such number of shares of common stock into which the Shares would have been converted had the Shares been outstanding on the date of such conversion, and the Warrant Price shall equal the Warrant Price in effect as of immediately prior to such conversion

 

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divided by the number of shares of common stock into which one Share would have been converted, all subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

2.4 Adjustments for Diluting Issuances . Without duplication of any adjustment otherwise provided for in this Section 2, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares shall be subject to anti-dilution adjustment from time to time in the manner set forth in the Charter as if the Shares were issued and outstanding on and as of the date of any such required adjustment.

2.5 No Fractional Share . No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.

2.6 Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments . Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, Class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY .

3.1 Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:

(a) The initial Warrant Price referenced on the first page of this Warrant is not greater than the price per share at which shares of the Class were last sold and issued prior to the Issue Date hereof in an arms-length transaction in which at least $500,000 of such shares were sold.

(b) All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of the Class, common stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant and the conversion of the Shares into common stock or such other securities.

(c) The Company’s capitalization table attached hereto as Schedule 1 is true and complete, in all material respects, as of the Issue Date.

3.2 Notice of Certain Events . If the Company proposes at any time to:

 

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(a) declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Class or common stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;

(b) offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Class any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive rights);

(c) effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Class;

(d) effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or

(e) effect an IPO;

then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:

(1) at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Class will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above;

(2) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event and such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such event giving rise to the notice); and

(3) with respect to the IPO, at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which the Company proposes to file its public registration statement in connection therewith.

Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.

The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

4.1 Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

4.2 Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers

 

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necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

4.3 Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

4.4 Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

4.5 The Act. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

4.6 Market Stand-off Agreement . The Holder agrees that the Shares shall be subject to the Market Standoff provisions in Section 5.12 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2014, as may be amended from time to time or similar agreement.

4.7 No Voting Rights . Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1 Term and Automatic Conversion Upon Expiration .

(a) Term . Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.

(b) Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration . In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been

 

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exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.

5.2 Legends . The Shares (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO SILICON VALLEY BANK DATED AUGUST     , 2014, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

5.3 Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer . This Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to SVB Financial Group (Silicon Valley Bank’s parent company) or any other affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

5.4 Transfer Procedure. After receipt by Silicon Valley Bank of the executed Warrant, Silicon Valley Bank will transfer all of this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group. By its acceptance of this Warrant, SVB Financial Group hereby makes to the Company each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant as if the original Holder hereof. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, SVB Financial Group and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the securities issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, SVB Financial Group or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable); and provided further, that any subsequent transferee other than SVB Financial Group shall agree in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, at all times prior to the IPO, Holder may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer this Warrant or any portion hereof, or any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, or any shares or other securities issued upon any conversion of any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, to any person or entity who directly competes with the Company, except in connection with an Acquisition of the Company by such a direct competitor.

 

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5.5 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3 rd ) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by facsimile or electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:

SVB Financial Group

Attn: Treasury Department

3003 Tasman Drive, HC 215

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Telephone: (408) 654-7400

Facsimile: (408) 988-8317

Email address: derivatives@svb.com

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

Attn: Shaun McMeans

Telephone: (520) 901-2139

Facsimile: (520) 547-2837

Email: smcmeans@htgmolecular.com

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

Cooley LLP

4401 Eastgate Mall

San Diego, CA 92121

Attn: Steven M. Przesmicki

Telephone: (858) 550-6070

Facsimile: (858) 550-6420

Email: przes@cooley.com

5.6 Waiver . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

5.7 Attorneys’ Fees . In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

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5.8 Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures . This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.

5.9 Governing Law . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

5.10 Headings . The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.

5.11 Business Days . “ Business Day ” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Silicon Valley Bank is closed.

[Remainder of page left blank intentionally]

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.

 

“COMPANY”
HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shaun McMeans

Name:  

Shaun McMeans

  (Print)
Title:  

CFO

“HOLDER”
SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:  

/s/ R. Michael White

Name:  

R. Michael White

  (Print)
Title:  

Managing Director

Signature Page to Warrant to Purchase Stock (SVB)


APPENDIX 1

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

1. The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right purchase                  shares of the Common/Series              Preferred [circle one] Stock of HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC. (the “ Company ”) in accordance with the attached Warrant To Purchase Stock, and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:

 

[    ]    check in the amount of $         payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith
[    ]    Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account
[    ]    Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Warrant
[    ]    Other [Describe]    

2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:

 

  

 

 
   Holder’s Name  
  

 

 
  

 

 
   (Address)  

3. By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Stock as of the date hereof.

 

HOLDER:

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

(Date):  

 

 

Appendix 1


SCHEDULE 1

Company Capitalization Table

See attached

 

Schedule 1

Exhibit 4.5

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

 

Company:    HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation
Number of Shares:    1,256,281 (Subject to Section 1.7)
Type/Series of Stock:    Series E Preferred (Subject to Section 1.7)
Warrant Price:    $0.2189 per share (Subject to Section 1.7)
Issue Date:    August 22, 2014
Expiration Date:    August 22, 2024 See also Section 5.1(b).
Credit Facility:    This Warrant to Purchase Stock (“ Warrant ”) is issued in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith among Oxford Finance LLC, as Lender and Collateral Agent, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, including Silicon Valley Bank and the Company (as modified, amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”).

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, OXFORD FINANCE LLC (“ Oxford ” and, together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “ Holder ”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “ Shares ”) of the above-stated Type/Series of Stock (the “ Class ”) of the above-named company (the “ Company ”) at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Sections 1.7 and 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.

SECTION 1. EXERCISE.

1.1 Method of Exercise . Holder may at any time and from time to time exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.

1.2 Cashless Exercise . On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:

 

  X = Y(A-B)/A
where:     
  X =    the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder;
  Y =    the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price);

 

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  A =    the Fair Market Value (as determined pursuant to Section 1.3 below) of one Share; and
  B =    the Warrant Price.

1.3 Fair Market Value . If the Company’s common stock is then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “ Trading Market ”) and the Class is common stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of common stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s common stock is then traded in a Trading Market and the Class is a series of the Company’s convertible preferred stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of the Company’s common stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company multiplied by the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which a Share is then convertible. If the Company’s common stock is not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.

1.4 Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant . Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.

1.5 Replacement of Warrant . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.

1.6 Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company .

(a) Acquisition . For the purpose of this Warrant, “ Acquisition ” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization (or, if such Company stockholders beneficially own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or successor entity as of immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, such surviving or successor entity is not the Company); or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.

(b) Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition . In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s stockholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “ Cash/Public Acquisition ”), either (i) Holder shall exercise this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 and/or 1.2 and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of such Acquisition or (ii) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant will automatically expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition.

(c) The Company shall provide Holder with written notice of its request relating to the Cash/Public Acquisition (together with such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such contemplated Cash/Public Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to Holder not less than seven (7) Business Days prior to the closing of the proposed Cash/Public Acquisition. In the event the Company does not provide such notice, then if, immediately prior to the Cash/Public Acquisition, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date,

 

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then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to the Holder and Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as the date thereof.

(d) Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition defined above, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

(e) As used in this Warrant, “ Marketable Securities ” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded in Trading Market, and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise or convert this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.

1.7 Adjustment to Class of Shares; Number of Shares; Warrant Price; Adjustments Cumulative . If, upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing, the Next Equity Financing Price shall be less than the Warrant Price in effect as of immediately prior thereto, then the “Class” shall be Next Equity Financing Securities from and after such closing, subject to adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant and the “Warrant Price” shall be the Next Equity Financing Price from and after such closing, subject to adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant; provided, that upon such date, if any, as the “Class” becomes Next Equity Financing Securities pursuant to this sentence, this Warrant shall be exercisable for such number of shares of such Class as shall equal (i) Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000.00) minus the aggregate dollar amount of any previously exercised Shares under this Warrant, divided by (ii) the Next Equity Financing Price, subject to adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. As used herein (i) “Next Equity Financing” means the first sale or issuance by the Company on or after the Issue Date of this Warrant set forth above, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of shares of its convertible preferred stock or other senior equity securities to one or more investors for cash for financing purposes with proceeds of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00); (ii) “Next Equity Financing Securities” means the type, class and series of convertible preferred stock or other senior equity security sold or issued by the Company in the Next Equity Financing; and (iii) “Next Equity Financing Price” means the lowest price per share for which Next Equity Financing Securities are sold or issued by the Company in the Next Equity Financing.

SECTION 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.

2.1 Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc . If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Class payable in common stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Class by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of the Class are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

 

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2.2 Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution . Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Class are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.

2.3 Conversion of Preferred Stock . If the Class is a class and series of the Company’s convertible preferred stock, in the event that all outstanding shares of the Class are converted, automatically or by action of the holders thereof, into common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as may be amended from time to time, the “ Charter ”), including, without limitation, in connection with the Company’s initial, underwritten public offering and sale of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act (the “ IPO ”), then from and after the date on which all outstanding shares of the Class have been so converted, this Warrant shall be exercisable for such number of shares of common stock into which the Shares would have been converted had the Shares been outstanding on the date of such conversion, and the Warrant Price shall equal the Warrant Price in effect as of immediately prior to such conversion divided by the number of shares of common stock into which one Share would have been converted, all subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

2.4 Adjustments for Diluting Issuances . Without duplication of any adjustment otherwise provided for in this Section 2, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares shall be subject to anti-dilution adjustment from time to time in the manner set forth in the Charter as if the Shares were issued and outstanding on and as of the date of any such required adjustment.

2.5 No Fractional Share . No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.

2.6 Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments . Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, Class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

3.1 Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:

(a) The initial Warrant Price referenced on the first page of this Warrant is not greater than the price per share at which shares of the Class were last sold and issued prior to the Issue Date hereof in an arms-length transaction in which at least $500,000 of such shares were sold.

(b) All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of the Class, common stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant and the conversion of the Shares into common stock or such other securities.

 

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(c) The Company’s capitalization table attached hereto as Schedule 1 is true and complete, in all material respects, as of the Issue Date.

3.2 Notice of Certain Events . If the Company proposes at any time to:

(a) declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Class or common stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;

(b) offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Class any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive rights);

(c) effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Class;

(d) effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or

(e) effect an IPO;

then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:

(1) at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Class will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above;

(2) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event); and

(3) with respect to the IPO, at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which the Company proposes to file its public registration statement in connection therewith.

Reference is made to Section 1.6(c) whereby this Warrant will be deemed to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof if the Company does not give written notice to Holder of a Cash/Public Acquisition as required by the terms hereof. Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.

The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

4.1 Purchase for Own Account . This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

4.2 Disclosure of Information . Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without

 

5


unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

4.3 Investment Experience . Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

4.4 Accredited Investor Status . Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

4.5 The Act . Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

4.6 Market Stand-off Agreement . The Holder agrees that the Shares shall be subject to the Market Standoff provisions in Section 5.12 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2014, as may be amended from time to time or similar agreement.

4.7 No Voting Rights . Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1 Term; Automatic Cashless Exercise Upon Expiration .

(a) Term . Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.

(b) Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration . In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.

5.2 Legends . Each certificate evidencing Shares (and each certificate evidencing the securities issued upon conversion of any Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO OXFORD FINANCE LLC DATED

 

6


AUGUST     , 2014, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

5.3 Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer . This Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to an affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

5.4 Transfer Procedure . After receipt by Oxford of the executed Warrant, Oxford may transfer all or part of this Warrant to one or more of Oxford’s affiliates (each, an “ Oxford Affiliate ”), by execution of an Assignment substantially in the form of Appendix 2. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, Oxford, any such Oxford Affiliate and any subsequent Holder, may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the Shares issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any other transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, the Oxford Affiliate(s) or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant or Shares being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant or any Share certificate to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable). Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, at all times prior to the IPO, Holder may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer this Warrant or any portion hereof, or any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, or any shares or other securities issued upon any conversion of any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, to any person or entity who directly competes with the Company, except in connection with an Acquisition of the Company by such a direct competitor.

5.5 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by facsimile or electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:

Oxford Finance LLC

133 N. Fairfax Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Attn: Legal Department

Telephone: (703) 519-4900

Facsimile: (703) 519-5225

Email: LegalDepartment@oxfordfinance.com

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

Attn: Shaun McMeans

 

7


Telephone: (520) 901-2139

Facsimile: (520) 547-2837

Email: smcmeans@htgmolecular.com

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

Cooley LLP

4401 Eastgate Mall

San Diego, CA 92121

Attn: Steven M. Przesmicki

Telephone: (858) 550-6070

Facsimile: (858) 550-6420

Email: przes@cooley.com

5.6 Waiver . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

5.7 Attorneys’ Fees . In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

5.8 Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures . This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.

5.9 Governing Law . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

5.10 Headings . The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.

5.11 Business Days . “ Business Day ” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Silicon Valley Bank is closed.

[Remainder of page left blank intentionally]

[Signature page follows]

 

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.

 

“COMPANY”
HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shaun McMeans

Name:  

Shaun McMeans

  (Print)
Title:  

CFO

“HOLDER”
OXFORD FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ T.A. Lex

Name:  

T.A. Lex

  (Print)
Title:  

COO

 

[ Signature Page to Warrant to Purchase Stock (Oxford Term A) ]


APPENDIX 1

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

1. The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right purchase                  shares of the Common/Series              Preferred [circle one] Stock of HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC. (the “ Company ”) in accordance with the attached Warrant To Purchase Stock, and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:

 

  [    ] check in the amount of $         payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith

 

  [    ] Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account

 

  [    ] Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Warrant

 

  [    ] Other [Describe]                                         

2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:

 

 

   
Holder’s Name    

 

   

 

   
(Address)    

3. By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Stock as of the date hereof.

 

HOLDER:

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Date:  

 

 

Appendix 1


APPENDIX 2

ASSIGNMENT

For value received, Oxford Finance LLC hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

  Name:   [OXFORD TRANSFEREE]  
  Address:  

 

 
  Tax ID:  

 

 

that certain Warrant to Purchase Stock issued by HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC. (the “ Company ”), on August     , 2014 (the “ Warrant ”) together with all rights, title and interest therein.

 

      OXFORD FINANCE LLC
      By:  

 

      Name:  

 

      Title:  

 

Date:  

 

     

By its execution below, and for the benefit of the Company, [OXFORD TRANSFEREE] makes each of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 4 of the Warrant and agrees to all other provisions of the Warrant as of the date hereof.

 

      [OXFORD TRANSFEREE]
      By:  

 

      Name:  

 

      Title:  

 

 

Appendix 2


SCHEDULE 1

Company Capitalization Table

See attached

 

 

Schedule 1

Exhibit 4.8

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

T HIS A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of December 22, 2014, by and among HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC . , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), certain holders of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (“ Common Stock ”) listed on Exhibit A-1 hereto (the “ Common Stockholders ”) and the holders of Preferred Stock (as defined below) listed on Exhibit A-2 hereto (the “ Investors ”). The Common Stockholders and the Investors may be referred to herein individually as a “Stockholder” and collectively as “Stockholders.”

R ECITALS

W HEREAS , in connection with the Company’s prior sale of its Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company and the Stockholders entered into that certain Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated as of February 4, 2014 (the “ Prior Agreement ”); and

W HEREAS , in anticipation of the consummation of the Initial Offering (as defined below), the Company and the undersigned Stockholders (on behalf of themselves and all other Investors and all Common Stockholders) desire to enter into this Agreement in order to amend and restate the Prior Agreement as set forth herein.

A GREEMENT

N OW , T HEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. GENERAL.

1.1 Amendment and Restatement of Prior Agreement. The Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as set forth herein, contingent and effective upon the closing of the Initial Offering (the “ Effective Time ”), and all rights and covenants made under the Prior Agreement (including registration rights and related notice provisions), contingent and effective upon the Effective Time, are hereby terminated in their entirety and shall have no further force or effect whatsoever; provided, however , that, if the Initial Offering is not completed for any reason by March 31, 2015 (or such later date as consented to by the Requisite Investors (as such term is defined in the Prior Agreement)), or upon the earlier abandonment of the Initial Offering (whether as a result of the determination of the Board of Directors not to file with the Commission a registration statement for the Initial Offering or the withdrawal by the Company of the registration statement with respect thereto), this Agreement shall be null and void and the Prior Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations, if any, of Novo, Fletcher and MCV (each as defined in the Prior Agreement) in the intention letters dated on or about June 9, 2011 shall remain discharged in full, effective as of November 2, 2012.

1.2 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

Affiliate ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule.

Certificate of Incorporation ” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 2014, as amended and/or restated from time to time.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency of the federal government administering the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any similar or successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

Initial Offering ” means the Company’s first firm commitment underwritten public offering of its Common Stock registered under the Securities Act, in connection with which the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are converted into shares of Common Stock.

 

1


Person ” or “ person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Preferred Stock ” means the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and Series E Convertible Preferred Stock held by the Stockholders.

The terms “ register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement, or, as the context may require, under the Exchange Act or applicable state securities laws.

Registrable Securities ” means (i) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock, (ii) for purposes of Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.14 and 2.15 only, shares of Common Stock held by the Common Stockholders as of the date hereof, and (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to any of the foregoing upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or similar event, excluding, in any event, securities that (a) have been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to an effective registration statement filed thereunder and disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, (b) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144, (c) are eligible for sale without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 or (d) sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under Section 2 of this Agreement are not assigned.

Requisite Investors ” means the holders of at least 60% of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities that were issued upon conversion of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

SECTION 2. TRANSFER OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES; REGISTRATION RIGHTS .

2.1 Restrictive Legend . Each certificate or uncertificated share representing Registrable Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, be stamped or otherwise imprinted or notated, as applicable, with a legend substantially in the following form (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREOF.”

Upon request of a holder of such Registrable Securities, the Company shall remove the foregoing legend from the certificate or uncertificated shares or issue to such holder a new certificate or uncertificated shares therefor free of such legend if there is an effective registration statement covering the securities represented by such certificate or uncertificated shares or, with such request, the Company shall have received either the opinion of counsel or no-action letter referred to in Section 2.2 (unless such opinion of counsel or no-action letter is not required by Section 2.2), subject in each case to the continued effectiveness of such registration statement, opinion of counsel or no-action letter.

2.2 Notice of Proposed Transfer . Prior to any proposed sale, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer of any Registrable Securities (other than under the circumstances described in Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5), the holder thereof shall give written notice to the Company of its intention to effect such sale, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner of the proposed sale, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer and, if requested by the Company, shall be accompanied by either (i) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that the proposed sale, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act or (ii) a “no-action” letter from the Commission to the effect that the distribution

 

2


of such securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the Commission that action be taken with respect thereto (it being understood that if such transfer, in the reasonable opinion of the Company upon advice of its counsel, will be in accordance with Rule 144, the Company shall not require an opinion of counsel or no-action letter), whereupon the holder of such securities shall be entitled to transfer such securities in accordance with the terms of its notice; provided , however , that no such opinion of counsel or no-action letter shall be required for a distribution to one or more partners of the transferor (in the case of a transferor that is a partnership) or to a stockholder (in the case of a transferor that is a corporation) in each case in respect of the beneficial interest of such partner or stockholder. All certificates or uncertificated shares, as applicable, for Registrable Securities transferred as provided above shall bear the appropriate restrictive legend set forth in Section 2.1, except that such certificate or uncertificated shares shall not bear such legend if (a) such transfer is in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 (or any other rule permitting public sale without registration under the Securities Act) or (b) the opinion of counsel or “no-action” letter referred to above is to the further effect that the transferee and any subsequent transferee (other than an affiliate of the Company) would be entitled to transfer such securities in a public sale without registration under the Securities Act or that such legend is not required to establish compliance with any provisions of the Securities Act. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the restrictions provided for in this Section 2.2 shall not apply to securities which are not required to bear the legend prescribed by Section 2.1 in accordance with the provisions of that Section.

2.3 Required Registration.

(a) At any time after the date that is 180 days following the date of the underwriting agreement for the Initial Offering, holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the total shares of Registrable Securities then outstanding may request that the Company register under the Securities Act all or any portion of the shares of Registrable Securities held by such requesting holder or holders for sale in the manner specified in such notice, provided that the reasonably anticipated price to the public of such shares would be at least $7,500,000 (before deducting any Selling Expenses (as defined in Section 2.7)).

(b) Following receipt of any notice under Section 2.3(a), the Company shall immediately notify all holders of Registrable Securities from whom notice has not been received and such holders shall then be entitled within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice from the Company to request the Company to include in the requested registration all or any portion of their shares of Registrable Securities, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 2.3(c). The Company shall use its best efforts to register under the Securities Act, for public sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified in the notice from requesting holders described in paragraph (a) above, the number of shares of Registrable Securities specified in such notice (and in all notices received by the Company from other holders within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice by such holders, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.3(c)). The Company shall be obligated to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.3 on two (2) occasions only; provided , however , that such obligation shall be deemed satisfied only when a registration statement covering all of the shares of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the holders of Registrable Securities in accordance with the method of disposition specified by the requesting holders shall have become effective and, if such method of disposition is a firm commitment underwritten public offering, all such shares shall have been sold pursuant thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no request may be made under this Section 2.3 after the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company covering a firm commitment underwritten public offering and prior to ninety (90) days after the effective date of such registration statement.

(c) If the holders requesting such registration intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 2.3 and the Company shall include such information in the written notice referred to in paragraph (b) above. The right of any holder to registration pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be conditioned upon such holder’s agreeing to participate in such underwriting and to permit inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting. If such method of disposition is an underwritten public offering, the Company shall designate the managing underwriter of such offering, which underwriter shall be reasonably acceptable to the holders of at least a majority in interest of the shares of Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering. A holder may elect to include in such underwriting all or a part of the Registrable Securities it holds, subject to the limitations required by the managing underwriter as provided for in Section 2.3(d) below.

(d) A registration statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.3 may, subject to the following provisions, include (i) shares of Common Stock for sale by the Company for its own account and (ii) shares of Common Stock held by persons who by virtue of agreements with the Company in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.13 hereof are entitled to include such shares in such registration (the “ Other Stockholders ”), in each case for sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified by the requesting holders. If such registration shall be underwritten, the Company and Other Stockholders proposing to distribute their shares through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or

 

3


underwriters selected for such underwriting on terms no less favorable to the Company and such Other Stockholders than the terms afforded the holders of Registrable Securities. If and to the extent that the managing underwriter determines that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be included in such registration, then the shares of Common Stock held by Other Stockholders (other than Registrable Securities) and shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company for its own account shall be excluded from such registration to the extent so required by such managing underwriter, and unless the holders of such shares and the Company have otherwise agreed in writing, such exclusion shall be applied first to the shares held by the Other Stockholders to the extent required by the managing underwriter, then to the shares of Common Stock of the Company to be included for its own account to the extent required by the managing underwriter. If the managing underwriter determines that marketing factors require a further limitation of the number of Registrable Securities to be registered under this Section 2.3, then Registrable Securities shall be excluded in such manner that the securities to be sold shall be allocated among the selling holders pro rata based on their ownership of Registrable Securities; provided however that all Registrable Securities that were originally issued as Common Stock shall be excluded before excluding any Registrable Securities that were originally issued as Preferred Stock. In any event all securities to be sold other than Registrable Securities will be excluded prior to any exclusion of Registrable Securities. No Registrable Securities or any other security excluded from the underwriting by reason of the underwriter’s marketing limitation shall be included in such registration. If any holder of Registrable Securities or Other Stockholder who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such holder of securities may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter. The securities so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from registration. Except for registration statements on Form S-4, S-8 or any comparable forms or successors thereto or another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public, the Company will not file with the Commission any other registration statement with respect to its Common Stock, whether for its own account or that of other stockholders, from the date of receipt of a notice from requesting holders pursuant to this Section 2.3 until one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of such registration, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(e) If at the time of any request to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.3, the Company is engaged in any activity which, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors, would be adversely affected by the requested registration to the material detriment of the Company, then the Company may, at its option, direct that such request be delayed for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of a request for registration, such right to delay a request to be exercised by the Company not more than once in any one (1)-year period.

2.4 Incidental Registration. If the Company at any time proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act for sale to the public, whether for its own account or for the account of other security holders or both (except with respect to registration statements on Forms S-4, S-8 or any comparable forms or successors thereto or another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public), each such time it will promptly give written notice to all holders of the Registrable Securities of its intention so to do. Upon the written request of any such holder received by the Company within twenty (20) days after the giving of any such notice by the Company to register any or all of its Registrable Securities, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities as to which registration shall have been so requested to be included in the securities to be covered by the registration statement proposed to be filed by the Company, all to the extent required to permit the sale or other disposition by the holder (in accordance with its written request) of such Registrable Securities so registered. If the registration of which the Company gives notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so advise the holders of Registrable Securities as a part of the written notice given pursuant to this Section 2.4. In such event the right of any holder of Registrable Securities to registration pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting to the extent provided herein. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company and the Other Stockholders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.4, if the underwriter determines that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, such limitation will be imposed pro rata with respect to all securities whose holders have a contractual, incidental (“piggyback”) right to include such securities in the registration statement and as to which inclusion has been requested pursuant to such right; provided , however , that the number of Registrable Securities shall not be reduced below thirty percent (30%) of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwriting; and provided further that the number of Registrable Securities underlying Preferred Stock shall not be reduced below twenty-five percent (25%) of the number of securities included in such underwriting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company may withdraw any registration statement referred to in this Section 2.4 for any reason without thereby incurring any liability to the holders of Registrable Securities. If any holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, it may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration.

 

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2.5 Registration on Form S-3.

(a) In addition to the rights provided in Sections 2.3 and 2.4, if at any time (i) one or more holders of Registrable Securities constituting at least fifty percent (50%) of the total shares of Registrable Securities then outstanding requests that the Company file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form thereto for a public offering of all or any portion of the shares of Registrable Securities held by such requesting holder or holders, the reasonably anticipated aggregate price to the public of which would be at least $5,000,000 (before deducting any Selling Expenses), and (ii) the Company is a registrant entitled to use Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form thereto to register such shares, then the Company shall use its best efforts to register under the Securities Act on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form thereto, for public sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified in such notice, the number of shares of Registrable Securities specified in such notice. Whenever the Company is required by this Section 2.5 to use its best efforts to effect the registration of Registrable Securities, each of the procedures and requirements of Section 2.3, including, but not limited to, the cut-back provisions and the requirement that the Company notify all holders of Registrable Securities from whom notice has not been received and provide them with the opportunity to participate in the offering, shall apply to such registration; provided , however , that the number of registrations on Form S-3 which may be requested and obtained under this Section 2.5 during any twelve (12)-month period shall not exceed two (2).

(b) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to qualify for registration on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms; and to that end the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to register (whether or not required by law to do so) the Common Stock under the Exchange Act in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act following the effective date of the first registration of any securities of the Company on Form S-1 or any comparable or successor form.

(c) If at the time of any request to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.5, the Company is engaged in any activity which, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors, would be adversely affected by the requested registration to the material detriment of the Company, then the Company may at its option direct that such request be delayed for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of a request for registration, such right to delay a request to be exercised by the Company not more than once in any one (1)-year period.

2.6 Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 to use its best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, the Company will, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement (which, in the case of an underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 2.3, shall be on Form S-1 or other form of general applicability satisfactory to the managing underwriter selected as therein provided) with respect to such securities including executing an undertaking to file post-effective amendments and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective for the period of the distribution contemplated thereby;

(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the period specified herein and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the sellers’ intended method of disposition set forth in such registration statement for such period;

(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities and to each underwriter such number of copies of the registration statement and each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits) and the prospectus included therein (including each preliminary prospectus) as such persons reasonably may request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement;

(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the sellers of Registrable Securities or, in the case of an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter reasonably shall request;

(e) use its best efforts to list the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement with any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock of the Company is then listed;

 

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(f) comply with all applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Act and Exchange Act;

(g) immediately notify each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter under such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event of which the Company has knowledge as a result of which the prospectus contained in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplement or amendment so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include 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 in light of the circumstances then existing;

(h) if the offering is underwritten and at the request of any seller of Registrable Securities, furnish on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration: (i) an opinion of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, dated such date, addressed to the underwriters to such effects as reasonably may be requested by counsel for the underwriters, and executed counterparts of such opinion addressed to the sellers of Registrable Securities to the same effects as requested by counsel for the underwriters, and (ii) a letter, dated such date, from the independent public accountants retained by the Company, addressed to the underwriters stating that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and that, in the opinion of such accountants, the financial statements of the Company included in the registration statement or the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act, and such letter shall additionally cover such other financial matters with respect to such registration as such underwriters reasonably may request;

(i) make available for inspection by each seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any distribution pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such seller or underwriter, reasonable access to all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, as such parties may reasonably request, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

(j) cooperate with the selling holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or uncertificated shares representing Registrable Securities to be sold, such certificates or uncertificated shares to be in such denominations and registered in such names as such holders or the managing underwriter may request at least two (2) business days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities; and

(k) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in the sole and exclusive judgment, exercised in good faith, of such holder, might be deemed to be a controlling person of the Company, to participate in good faith in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included.

For purposes of this Agreement, the period of distribution of Registrable Securities in a firm commitment underwritten public offering shall be deemed to extend until each underwriter has completed the distribution of all securities purchased by it, and the period of distribution of Registrable Securities in any other registration shall be deemed to extend until the earlier of the sale of all Registrable Securities covered thereby or one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date thereof, provided , however , in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or a comparable or successor form which are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such one hundred eighty (180)-day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold, provided that Rule 415, or any successor rule under the Securities Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis, and provided further that applicable rules under the Securities Act governing the obligation to file a post-effective amendment, permit, in lieu of filing a post-effective amendment which (y) includes any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or (z) reflects facts or events representing a material or fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement, the incorporation by reference of information required to be included in clauses (y) and (z) above contained in periodic reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in the registration statement.

In connection with each registration hereunder, the sellers of Registrable Securities will furnish to the Company in writing such information requested by the Company and the managing underwriter, if any, with respect to themselves and the proposed distribution by them as shall be reasonably necessary in order to assure compliance with Federal and applicable state securities laws. Any holder of

 

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Registrable Securities may withdraw all or part of its Registrable Securities from a registration pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 at any time prior to the effective date of such registration.

2.7 Expenses.

(a) All expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees) incurred in connection with complying with state securities or “blue sky” laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), transfer taxes, fees of transfer agents and registrars, costs of any insurance which might be obtained by the Company with respect to the offering by the Company, and reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel selected by at least a majority in interest of the sellers of Registrable Securities (which fees and disbursements of counsel shall not exceed $25,000 per required registration or S-3 registration and shall not exceed an aggregate of $50,000 for all registrations effected during any twelve (12)-month period), but excluding any Selling Expenses, are called “ Registration Expenses ”. All underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities are called “ Selling Expenses .”

(b) The Company will pay all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5; provided , however , if any registration requested pursuant to Section 2.3 or 2.5 is withdrawn at the request of the holders initiating such registration, such holders may elect to (i) have the Company pay the Registration Expenses for such withdrawn registration but such withdrawn registration shall count as a completed registration toward the Company’s obligation pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or 2.5(a), as the case may be, or (ii) pay the Registration Expenses for such withdrawn registration but such withdrawn registration shall not count as a completed registration toward the Company’s obligation under Section 2.3(b) or 2.5(a), as the case may be; provided further , however , that if a registration is withdrawn after the holders of Registrable Securities initiating such registration have learned of a material adverse change in the financial condition or prospects of the Company or have learned of other material adverse information relating to the Company, in either case not known to such holders at the time of their request for such registration, then all Registration Expenses related to such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company and such withdrawn registration shall not be counted as a completed registration under Section 2.3(b) or 2.5(a), as the case may be. All Selling Expenses in connection with each registration statement under Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 shall be borne by the participating sellers in proportion to the number of shares sold by each, or by such participating sellers other than the Company as they may agree.

2.8 Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) In connection with a registration of any of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each seller of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and partners, each underwriter of such Registrable Securities thereunder and each other person, if any, who controls such holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder, officer, director, partner, underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any prospectus, offering circular or other document incident to such registration (including any related notification, registration statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof), (ii) any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company specifically for that purpose or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to qualify any or all of the Registrable Securities under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information herein called a “ Blue Sky Application ”), (iii) any omission or alleged omission to state in any such registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement or in any Blue Sky Application executed or filed by the Company, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iv) any violation by the Company or its agents of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act applicable to the Company or its agents and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration, or (v) any failure to register or qualify the Registrable Securities in any state where the Company or its agents has affirmatively undertaken or agreed in writing that the Company (the undertaking of any underwriter chosen by the Company being attributed to the Company) will undertake such registration or qualification (provided that in such instance the Company shall not be so liable if it has used its best efforts to so register or qualify the Registrable Securities) and will reimburse each such seller, and such officer, director and partner, each such underwriter and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, promptly after being so incurred, provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case for any amounts paid in settlement of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be

 

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unreasonably withheld, and, provided further , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with written information furnished by any such holder, any such underwriter or any such controlling person in writing specifically for use in such registration statement or prospectus.

(b) In connection with a registration of any of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5, each seller of such Registrable Securities thereunder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each officer of the Company, each director of the Company, each other seller of Registrable Securities, each underwriter and each person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company or such officer, director, other seller, underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any prospectus, offering circular or other document incident to such registration (including any related notification, registration statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof), or any Blue Sky Application or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and each such officer, director, other seller, underwriter and controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, promptly after being so incurred, provided , however , that such seller will be liable hereunder in any such case if and only to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information pertaining to such seller, as such, furnished in writing to the Company by such seller specifically for use in such registration statement or prospectus and, provided that, in no event shall such seller be liable for any amounts paid in settlement of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities if such settlement is effected without the consent of such seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and provided further , however , that the liability of each seller hereunder shall be limited to the proportion of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense which is equal to the proportion that the public offering price of the securities sold by such seller under such registration statement bears to the total public offering price of all securities sold thereunder, but not in any event to exceed the proceeds received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement. Not in limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the indemnification obligations of any seller hereunder pursuant to any underwriting agreement entered into in connection herewith shall be limited to the obligations contained in this subparagraph (b).

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party unless and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.8 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, provided , however , that if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or that the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party (together with all other indemnified parties which may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to select one separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or action, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or action. Each indemnified party shall furnish such information regarding itself or the claim in question as an indemnifying party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.

(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any holder of Registrable Securities exercising rights under this Agreement, or any controlling person of any such holder,

 

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makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.8 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 2.8 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any such selling holder or any such controlling person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 2.8; then, and in each such case, the Company and such holder will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof), as well as any other equitable considerations, it being understood that the relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, provided , however , that, in any such case, (A) no such holder of Registrable Securities will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the proceeds received from the sale of all such Registrable Securities offered by it pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) The indemnities and obligations provided in this Section 2.8 shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by such holder effected in accordance with this Agreement or the termination of any registration rights granted hereunder.

2.9 Changes in Common Stock . If, and as often as, there is any change in the Common Stock by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights and privileges granted hereby shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

2.10 Rule 144 and 144A Reporting . With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, at all times after any registration statement covering a public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act shall have become effective, the Company agrees to:

(a) use its best efforts to comply with all of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and shall use its best efforts to comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the Commission as a condition to the availability of an exemption from the Securities Act for the sale of any of the Registrable Securities by any holder of Registrable Securities (including any such exemption pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A thereof);

(b) cooperate with each holder of Registrable Securities in supplying such information as may be necessary for such holder of Registrable Securities to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of an exemption from the Securities Act (under Rule 144 or Rule 144A thereunder or otherwise) for the sale of any of the Registrable Securities by any holder of Registrable Securities; and

(c) furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 or Rule 144A (or any successor rule), and such information as such holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration.

2.11 [Reserved] .

2.12 “Market Stand-Off” Agreement . Each of the Stockholders hereby agrees, severally and not jointly, if requested by the Company and an underwriter of securities of the Company, not to directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to sell (including, without limitation, any short sale or other similar hedging transaction), grant any option to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of (other than to transferees who agree to be similarly bound) any Common Stock or securities of the Company convertible into capital stock of the Company held by such Stockholder (but excluding any shares acquired in or following the Initial Offering) during the one hundred and eighty (180) day period following the effective date of the registration statement for the Initial Offering and to enter into a written agreement with such underwriter to that effect, provided that :

 

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(a) all executive officers and directors of the Company and all holders of five percent (5%) or greater of the outstanding capital stock of the Company enter into similar agreements; and

(b) the Company uses its reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter to agree to permit periodic early releases of the capital stock of the Company held by the Stockholders that is subject to the foregoing restrictions and, in the event that the managing underwriter permits such early releases, the capital stock of the Company held by all Stockholders is released on a pro rata basis (providing such managing underwriter will not be required to effect any pro rata release unless and until such managing underwriter has first released more than three percent (3%) of the Company’s total outstanding shares from such lock-up).

The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares (or securities) subject to the foregoing restriction until the end of said period. Each of the Stockholders agrees to sign such agreements or documents reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriters relating to and consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.12.

2.13 Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights . The Company shall not grant to any Person any registration rights without the consent of the Requisite Investors, other than registration rights that are subordinate to or on parity with the registration rights contained herein.

2.14 Assignment of Registration Rights . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a holder of Registrable Securities to a transferee or assignee of such securities who, after such assignment or transfer, holds at least 200,000 shares of such class or series of Registrable Securities (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations and other recapitalizations effected following the closing of the Initial Offering), or such lesser number of shares if such number represents all shares of Registrable Securities held by the holder transferring such Registrable Securities; provided that the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and provided further , that the transferee or assignee shall acknowledge in writing that the transferred or assigned Registrable Securities shall remain subject to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of Registrable Securities may assign its rights under this Section 2 in accordance with the preceding sentence to any Affiliate, member, principal, director, partner or stockholder of such holder (including spouses and ancestors, lineal descendants and siblings of such members, principals, directors, partners or stockholders who acquire Registrable Securities by gift, will or intestate succession) without regard to the minimum share requirement set forth above.

2.15 Termination of Registration Rights . The Company’s obligations under Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 to register the Registrable Securities shall terminate on the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the closing of the Initial Offering. In addition, a Stockholder’s registration rights under this Section 2 shall expire if all Registrable Securities held by and issuable to such Stockholder may be sold under Rule 144 during any ninety (90)-day period.

SECTION 3. CERTAIN COVENANTS

3.1 Qualified Small Business. The Company shall submit to its stockholders and to the Internal Revenue Service any reports that may be required under Section 1202(d)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “ Code ”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder. In addition, within ten (10) days after an Investor’s written request therefor, the Company shall furnish such Investor with a written statement informing such Investor whether such Investor’s Registrable Securities constitute “Qualified Small Business Stock” (as defined in Section 1202(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended).

SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS .

4.1 Notices . All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth below or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (i) delivered by hand, (ii) made by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, (iii) sent by overnight courier or (iv) sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.

If to the Company:

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

 

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Tucson, AZ 85706

 

Attn: President

 

Phone:

  (877) 289-2615  

Fax:

  (520) 547-2837  

With a copy to:

 

Cooley LLP   
4401 Eastgate Mall   
San Diego, CA 92121   
Attn: Steve M. Przesmicki, Esq.   
Phone:   (858) 550-6070   
Fax:   (858) 550-6420   

If to the Common Stockholders: To the addresses set forth on Exhibit A-1 hereto.

If to the Investors: To the addresses set forth on Exhibit A-2 hereto.

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if made by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, at the time that receipt thereof has been acknowledged by electronic confirmation or otherwise, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not send during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (iii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day (or if sent overseas, on the second (2nd) business day) following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service or (iv) if sent by registered or certified mail, on the fifth (5th) business day (or if sent overseas, on the tenth (10th) business day) following the day such mailing is made.

4.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect, or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this Agreement.

4.3 Waivers and Amendment . Except as otherwise expressly provided, any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in any particular instance), only with the written consent of the Company and the Requisite Investors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) (i) any amendment or waiver of the definition of Registrable Securities or of Section 2.4 that would have the effect of eliminating the right of Common Stockholders to include Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.4 in a registration, (ii) any amendment or waiver of the last sentence of Section 1.1 or of Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.8 or 2.12, (iii) any amendment or waiver of any other provision of this Agreement that would impose additional obligations on the Common Stockholders without imposing similar obligations on the Investors or would adversely affect the rights or obligations of Common Stockholders without having a similar adverse effect on the rights of the Investors, and (iv) any amendment or waiver of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and this clause (iv), shall also require the written consent of Common Stockholders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Common Stockholders, and (B) the right of any Stockholder may be waived to the extent that such waiver applies solely to such Stockholder’s rights by such Stockholder. Any waiver or amendment effected in accordance with the terms hereof shall be binding upon all Stockholders and the Company. Upon the effectuation of each such waiver or amendment, the Company shall promptly give written notice thereof to the Stockholders who have not previously consented thereto in writing.

4.4 Assignment . The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by the Company or any Common Stockholder without the prior written consent of the Requisite Investors, unless pursuant to a transfer of Registrable Securities specifically permitted by the terms hereof.

4.5 Benefit . All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement, except indemnitees pursuant to Article 2 hereof.

 

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4.6 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

4.7 Severability . In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement shall be unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent that such court deems it enforceable, and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

4.8 Interpretation . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that: (i) each party and its counsel reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement and have contributed to its revision; (ii) the rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement; and (iii) the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to all parties hereto and not in favor of or against any party, regardless of which party was generally responsible for the preparation of this Agreement.

4.9 Headings and Captions . The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof. All pronouns used in this Agreement shall be deemed to include masculine, feminine and neuter forms, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

4.10 Enforcement . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the rights acquired by each party hereunder are unique and that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement to be performed by the other parties were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, in addition to any other remedy to which the parties hereto are entitled at law or in equity, each party hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by any other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court to which the parties have agreed hereunder to submit to jurisdiction.

4.11 No Waiver of Rights, Powers and Remedies . No failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement, and no course of dealing among the parties hereto, shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or remedy of the party. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement by a party hereto, nor any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any such right, power or remedy, shall preclude such party from any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The election of any remedy by a party hereto shall not constitute a waiver of the right of such party to pursue other available remedies. No notice to or demand on a party not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such notice or demand to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving such notice or demand to any other or further action in any circumstances without such notice or demand.

4.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of signatures by facsimile or PDF will be as effective as the delivery of original signatures.

4.11 Aggregation of Stock . All shares of Registrable Securities held by any Stockholder and its Affiliates shall be aggregated for determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.

4.12 Confidentiality. Each Investor agrees to hold all confidential information received pursuant to this Agreement in confidence, and not to use or disclose any of such information to any third party, except to the extent that such information may be made publicly available by the Company and other than to monitor and maintain its investment in the Company; provided, however, that any Investor may, in the ordinary course of business, provide the financial results of the Company to its stockholders, partners or members in the same manner such information is provided by such Investor with respect to its portfolio companies.

4.13 Section References . References herein to “Articles” and “Sections” herein shall be to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

[R EMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]

 

12


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

COMPANY:
HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .
Signature:  

/s/ Timothy Johnson

Print Name:   Timothy Johnson
Title:   President and Chief Executive
Officer


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
S.R. ONE, LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Simeon J. George

Name: Simeon J. George
Title: Vice President and Partner


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:

NOVO A/S

By:

 

/s/ Jack B. Nielsen

Name: Jack B. Nielsen

Title: Partner


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:

Fletcher Spaght Ventures II, L.P.

By: Fletcher Spaght Associates II, L.P., its General Partner

By: FSA II, LLC, its General Partner

By:

 

/s/ R. John Fletcher

Name:

 

R. John Fletcher

Title: Managing Member

FSV II, L.P.

By: Fletcher Spaght Associates II, L.P., its General Partner

By: FSA II, LLC, its General Partner

By:

 

/s/ R. John Fletcher

Name:

 

R. John Fletcher

Title: Managing Member

FSV II-B, L.P.

By: Fletcher Spaght Associates II-B, LLC, its General Partner

By: FSA II, LLC, its Manager

By:

 

/s/ R. John Fletcher

Name:

 

R. John Fletcher

Title: Managing Member


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:

MERCK CAPITAL VENTURES, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Lawrence D. Senour

Name: Lawrence D. Senour

Title: Executive Director, Corporate Development


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:

SOLSTICE CAPITAL II, L.P.

By: Solstice Capital LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Harry A. George

Name: Harry A. George

Title: Managing Member


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:

/s/ Jim Weersing

J IM W EERSING , T RUSTEE OF THE W EERSING

F AMILY T RUST


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this A MENDED AND R ESTATED I NVESTOR R IGHTS A GREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:   
 

/s/ Bruce Seligman

  
 

B RUCE S ELIGMANN , T RUSTEE OF THE S ELIGMANN -J UNGHANS

F AMILY T RUST U/A/D J ULY  9, 1999

 

/s/ Bruce Seligman

  
  B RUCE S ELIGMANN   


EXHIBIT A-1

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

  

COMMON STOCK

 

  

OPTIONS

 

Seligmann-Junghans Family

Trust U/A/D July 9, 1999

Address on file with Company

 

   5,105,714     

Ralph R. Martel

Address on file with Company

 

   140,000     

Constance A. Junghans

Address on file with Company

 

   498,130     

Timothy B. Johnson

Address on file with Company

 

        11,863,118

Bruce Seligmann

Address on file with Company

 

   657,000    1,859,510

Pete Clemens

Address on file with Company

 

   138,750     

Shaun McMeans

Address on file with Company

 

        2,499,162

John Lubniewski

Address on file with Company

 

        3,476,196

Stephen Hagan

Address on file with Company

 

        1,915,969

Debra Gordon

Address on file with Company

 

        893,840

Donald Ball

Address on file with Company

 

        746,710

Vijay Modur

Address on file with Company

 

        2,599,162


EXHIBIT A-2

INVESTORS

 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

S.R. One, Limited

Address on file with Company

 

                  36,546,366   15,227,653

NOVO A/S

Address on file with Company

 

                  50,251,254   15,227,653

Fletcher Spaght Ventures II, L.P. c/o Fletcher

Address on file with Company

 

                  16,801,503   3,862,416

FSV II, L.P.

c/o Fletcher Spaght, Inc./ Fletcher Spaght

Ventures

Address on file with Company

 

                  1,692,017   388,969

FSV II-B, L.P.

c/o Fletcher Spaght, Inc./ Fletcher Spaght

Ventures

Address on file with Company

 

                  8,002,596   1,839,677

MERCK CAPITAL VENTURES, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

WITH A COPY TO:

 

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge

Address on file with Company

 

          8,670,520   9,601,924   20,658,958   7,613,826

 

Solstice Capital II, L.P.

Address on file with Company

 

  574,212   4,183,874   1,547,390   4,157,017   1,888,295    

Valley Ventures III, L.P.

Address on file with Company

 

  459,369   3,616,906   516,010   992,890   586,281    

Valley Ventures III Annex, L.P.

Address on file with Company

 

          1,083,815   2,978,666   1,758,843    


NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

Village Ventures Partners Fund, L.P.

Address on file with Company

 

With a copy to:

 

Village Ventures, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

  106,227   768,556   286,254            

Village Ventures Partners Fund A, L.P.

c/o Village Ventures, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

With a copy to:

 

Village Ventures, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

  8,041   58,199   21,675            

VVN, LLC

c/o Village Ventures, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

With a copy to:

 

Village Ventures, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

  574   4,154   1,547            

GC&H INVESTMENTS, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

          72,254       90,394    

ETP/FBR Venture Capital II, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

      691,227   308,527            

PALICE INVESTMENTS, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

          380,829       238,220    

415 Golf View LLC

c/o Granger L. Vinall

Address on file with Company

 

          37,085            

Miramar Ventures, LLC

c/o David C. Smallhouse

Address on file with Company

 

      164,577   314,915            

Steven P. Sim and Marilyn B. Einstein

Address on file with Company

 

      65,138   148,341            

Edward B. Berger and Christina McComb-

Berger Family Trust dated December 6, 2002

c/o Edward B. Berger and Christina McComb-Berger Family Trust

Address on file with Company

 

      82,165   74,170            


NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

Curtis Gunn

Address on file with Company

 

      32,611   451,923            

Weintraub Family Trust W/A dtd 03/13/80

Ronald H. Weintraub &
Diane B. Weintraub,

Trustees

Address on file with Company

 

      65,831   74,154            

Pierre Sice & Genevieve Sice, Community

Property

Address on file with Company

 

      101,205           95,164    

Pierre Sice

Address on file with Company

 

          73,917            

Ralph R. Martel

Address on file with Company

 

          44,212            

Lawrence J. Aldrich

Address on file with Company

 

          44,212       27,656    

E. William Radany

Address on file with Company

 

          44,212            

Bruce Seligmann

Address on file with Company

 

  143,661                    

ARCTURUS CAPITAL VENTURE FUND,

L.P.

Address on file with Company

 

          1,445,087   1,108,156        

The Second Sonenblick Family Limited

Partnership

Address on file with Company

 

      32,915   72,254            

Pete Clemens

Address on file with Company

 

              44,326        

Weersing Family Trust

Address on file with Company

 

                  1,867,969   609,106

Bruce Seligmann, Trustee of the Seligmann-

Junghans Family Trust U/A/D July 9, 1999

Address on file with Company

 

      123,228   44,157       119,288    

Timothy B. Johnson

Address on file with Company

 

              221,631   233,495   60,910

Constance Junghans

Address on file with Company

 

          44,212       119,288    


NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

Kirk Collamer

Address on file with Company

 

          44,212       119,288    

BJ Kerns

Address on file with Company

 

                  23,857    

John Luecke

Address on file with Company

 

                  11,928    

Fredrick Pollock

Address on file with Company

 

                  4,771    

Kathleen Toolan

Address on file with Company

 

                  119,288    

Bernice Junghans

Address on file with Company

 

                  119,288    

Sharyl Cummings & Steve Blomquist

Address on file with Company

 

                  119,288    

Huw R. Jones and Cynthia D. Heydon-Jones

Address on file with Company

 

                  238,577    

Douglas E. Marsh 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

Address on file with Company

 

                  71,573    

James Glinn

Address on file with Company

 

                  861,723    

Basil E. Horner

Address on file with Company

 

                  23,857    

Jerry Sonenblick

Address on file with Company

 

                  47,715    

Edward Michael Gloyne

Address on file with Company

 

      164,577   148,341       238,577    

Phillip Chu

Address on file with Company

 

                  119,288    

John Wineman

Address on file with Company

 

                  91,366    

Tom Vasicek

Address on file with Company

 

                  22,841    


NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

Danilo Cacciamatta

Address on file with Company

 

      100,964                

DBD Fund, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

      81,246                

Deimos Ventures, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

      645,161                

Holualoa Arizona, Inc.

Address on file with Company

 

      162,386                

Margaret King Joukowsky

Address on file with Company

 

      36,895                

William H. Lomicka

Address on file with Company

 

      81,069                

Tucson Pharma Ventures, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

      32,555                

Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D.

Address on file with Company

 

      81,528                

BSE Trust

Address on file with Company

 

      82,289                

Fairfax Management Company, LLC

Address on file with Company

 

      65,831                

Artemis Joukowsky III

Address on file with Company

 

      45,093           21,800    

John Lubniewski

Address on file with Company

 

                  228,414   76,138

Shaun McMeans

Address on file with Company

 

                  114,207   152,276

Stephen Hagan

Address on file with Company

 

                  114,207   60,910

Debra Gordon

Address on file with Company

 

                  25,124    

Julie Capadona

Address on file with Company

 

                  1,133    

Elsie L. Elliott

Address on file with Company

 

                  20,954    


NAME AND ADDRESS OF

 

STOCKHOLDER

 

   SERIES   

 

A

     SERIES B     

   SERIES   

 

C-1

 

   SERIES   

 

C-2

     SERIES D         SERIES E   

Jeffrey R. Lee

Address on file with Company

 

                  764    

Tamara Morrissy

Address on file with Company

 

                  52    

Donald Ball

Address on file with Company

 

                      30,456

David and Shaila Silverio, JTWROS

Address on file with Company

 

                      60,910

Todd McMeans

Address on file with Company

 

                      152,276

Desert Sidecar IV, LLC

c/o Curtis Gunn

Address on file with Company

 

                      102,786

Exhibit 10.2

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.

2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN

1. Purposes of Plan. The purposes of this Plan, which shall be known as the High Throughput Genomics, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan and is hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”, are (i) to provide incentives for employees, directors, consultants and other individuals providing services to High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiary or parent corporations (within the respective meanings of Sections 424(f) and 424(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and referred to herein as “Subsidiary” and “Parent”, respectively, and such Parent and each Subsidiary are referred to herein individually as an “Affiliate” and collectively as “Affiliates”) by encouraging their ownership of the common stock, $.001 par value, of the Company (the “Stock”) and (ii) to aid the Company in retaining such employees, directors, consultants and other individuals upon whose efforts the Company’s success and future growth depends and in attracting other such employees, directors, consultants and individuals.

2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or by any other committee designated by the Board of Directors to administer the Plan and composed of not less than two directors (the Board of Directors or the committee administering the Plan is herein after referred to as the “Committee”). For purposes of administration, the Committee, subject to the terms of the Plan, shall have plenary authority to establish such rules and regulations, to make such determinations and interpretations, and to take such other administrative actions as it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including Optionees (as hereinafter defined) and their legal representatives and beneficiaries.

No Member of the Committee shall be liable for any act or omission with respect to his/her service on the Committee if he/she acts in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

3. Stock Available for Options. There shall be available for options under the plan total of 1,500,000 shares of Stock, subject to any adjustments which may be made pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof. Shares of Stock used for purposes of the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares, or previously issued shares held in the treasury of the Company, or both. Shares of Stock covered by options which have terminated or expired prior to exercise shall be available for further options hereunder.

4. Eligibility. Options under the Plan may be granted to employees of the Company or any Affiliate, including officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate, and to consultants and other individuals providing services to the Company or any Affiliate (each such grantee, an “Optionee”). Options may be granted to eligible individuals whether or not they hold or have held options previously granted under the Plan or otherwise granted or assumed by the Company. In selecting individuals for

 


options, the Committee may take into consideration any factors it may deem relevant, including its estimate of the individual’s present and potential contributions to the success of the Company and its Affiliates. Service as an employee, director, officer or consultant of or to the Company or any Affiliate shall be considered employment for purposes of the Plan (and the period of such service shall be considered the period of employment for purposes of Section 5(d) of the Plan); provided, however, that incentive stock options may be granted under the Plan only to an individual who is an “employee” (as such term is used in Section 422 of the Code) of the Company or any Affiliate.

5. Terms and Conditions of Options. The Committee shall, in its discretion, prescribe the terms and conditions of the options to be granted hereunder, which terms and conditions need not be the same in each case, subject to the following:

(a) Option Price . The price at which each share of Stock covered by an option granted under the Plan may be purchased shall not be less than the Market Value (as defined in Section 5(c) hereof) per share of Stock on the date of grant of the option. The date of the grant of an option shall be the date specified by the Committee in its grant of the option.

(b) Option Period. The period for exercise of an option shall in no event be more than ten years from the date of grant, or in the case of any option intended to be an incentive stock option granted to an individual owning, on the date of grant, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, more than five years from the date of grant. Options may, in the discretion of the Committee, be made exercisable in installments during the option period. Any shares not purchased on any applicable installment date may be purchased thereafter at any time before the expiration of the option period.

(c) Exercise of Options. In order to exercise an option, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company written notice specifying the number of shares of Stock to be purchased, together with cash of a check payable to the order of the Company in the full amount of the purchase price therefor; provided that, for the purpose of assisting an Optionee to exercise an option, the Company may make loans to the Optionee or guarantee loans made by third parties to the Optionee, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may authorize; and provided further that such purchase price may be paid in shares of Stock owned by the Optionee for a period of at least six months prior to the date of exercise and having an aggregate Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate purchase price, or in a combination of cash and Stock. For purposes of the Plan, the “Market Value” per share of Stock shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with the regulations promulgated under Section 2031 of the Code, or by any other appropriate method selected by the Committee. If the Optionee so requests, shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of an option may be issued in the name of the Optionee or another person. An Optionee shall have none of the rights of a stockholder until the shares of Stock are issued to him.

 

2


(d) Effect of Termination of Employment. An option may not be exercised after the Optionee has ceased to be in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, except in the following circumstances:

(i) If the Optionee’s employment is terminated by action of the Company or an Affiliate, or by reason of disability or retirement under any retirement plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, the option may be exercised by the Optionee within three months after such termination, but only as to any shares exercisable on the date the Optionee’s employment so terminates;

(ii) In the event of the death of the Optionee during the three month period after termination of employment covered by (i) above or the death of the Optionee while employed, the person or persons to whom the Optionee’s rights are transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution shall have a period of one year from the date of such Optionee’s death to exercise any options which were exercisable by the Optionee at the time of such Optionee’s death. The provisions of the foregoing sentence shall apply to any outstanding options which are incentive stock options to the extent permitted by Section 422(d) of the Code and such outstanding options in excess thereof shall, immediately upon the occurrence of the event described in the foregoing sentence, be treated for all purposes of the Plan as nonstatutory stock options and shall be immediately exercisable as such as provided in the foregoing sentence.

In no event shall any option be exercisable more than ten years from the date of grant thereof. Nothing in the Plan or in any option granted pursuant to the Plan (in the absence of an express provision to the contrary) shall confer on any individual any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate his/her employment at any time.

(e) Limitation on Transferability of Options. Except as provided in this Section 5(e), during the lifetime of an Optionee, options held by such Optionee shall be exercisable only by him/her and no option shall be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that during the lifetime of an Optionee, options held by such Optionee, other than incentive stock options, may be transferred to or for the benefit of a member of such Optionee’s immediate family. For purposes hereof, the term “immediate family” of an Optionee shall mean such Optionee’s spouse and children (both natural and adoptive), and the direct lineal descendants of such Optionee’s children.

(f) Adjustments for Change in Stock Subject to Plan. Subject to Section 5(g) hereof, in the event of (i) a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee shall make such adjustments, if any, as it deems appropriate in the number and kind of shares subject

 

3


to the Plan, in the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding options, or in the option price per share, or both or (ii) a merger, consolidation or other transaction pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving corporation or pursuant to which the holders of outstanding Stock shall receive in exchange therefor shares of capital stock of the surviving corporation or another corporation, the Committee may require an Optionee to exchange options granted under the Plan for options issued by the surviving corporation or such other corporation.

(g) Acceleration of Exercisability of Optios Upon Occurrence of Certain Events. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or upon a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company as a result of which the outstanding Stock is changed into or exchanged for property (including cash), rights or securities not of the Company’s issue, or any combination thereof, or upon a sale of substantially all the property or assets of the Company to, or the acquisition of stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the stock of the Company then outstanding by, another corporation or person, the options granted under the Plan shall terminate, unless provision be made in writing in connection with such transaction for the continuation of the options, or the exchange of options granted under the Plan for options issued by the surviving corporation or another corporation, with appropriate adjustments in accordance with the provisions in Section 5(f) hereof, as to the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding options and the option price per share, in which event the options granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided. If the options granted under the Plan are to terminate as provided in this Section 5(g), Optionees shall have the right, at such time prior to the consummation of the transaction causing such termination as the Company shall designate, to exercise the unexercised portions of the options which would, but for this Section 5(g), not yet be exercisable. The foregoing shall apply to any outstanding options which are incentive stock options to the extent permitted by Section 422(d) of the Code and such outstanding options in excess thereof shall, immediately upon the occurrence of the event described in clause (i) or (ii) of the foregoing sentence, be treated for all purposes of the plan as nonstatutory stock options and shall be immediately exercisable as such as provided in the foregoing sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any option be exercisable after the date of termination of the exercise period of such option specified in Sections 5(b) and 5(d).

(h) Registration , Listing and Qualification of Shares of Stock. Each option shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Board of Directors shall determine that the registration, listing or qualification of the shares of Stock covered thereby upon any securities exchange or under any federal or state law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of such option or the purchase of shares of Stock thereunder, no such option may be exercised unless and until such registration, listing, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board of Directors. The Company may require that any person exercising an option shall make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as it deems appropriate to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirement.

 

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(i) Other Terms and Conditions. The Committee may impose such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms hereof, on the grant or exercise of options, as it deems advisable.

6. Additional Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options. T he Committee may, in its discretion, grant options under the Plan to eligible employees which constitute “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that (a) the aggregate Market Value of the Stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed the limitation set forth in Section 422(d) of the Code; and (b) if the Optionee owns on the date of grant securities possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities of the Company or of any Affiliate, the price per share shall not be less than 110% of the Market Value per share on the date of grant.

7. Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors may at any time terminate or amend the Plan or any outstanding options. No termination or amendment of the Plan may, without the consent of an Optionee, adversely affect the rights of such Optionee under any option held by such Optionee.

8. Stockholder Approval of Plan. The establishment of the Plan shall be subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast thereon by the stockholders of the Company at a meeting of stockholders duly called and held for such purpose or by a method and in a degree that would be treated as adequate under the applicable law of the Company’s state of incorporation, and no option granted hereunder shall be exercisable prior to such approval.

9. Withholding . It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue shares of Stock upon exercise of an option, that the Optionee (or any beneficiary, transferee or person entitled to act under Sections 5(d) or 5(e) hereof) pay to the Company, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes. If the amount requested is not paid, the Company may refuse to issue such shares of Stock.

10. Issuance, of Certificates; Legends. The Company may endorse such legend or legends upon the certificates for shares of Stock issued upon the exercise of an option granted hereunder and may issue such “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent in respect of such shares as, in its absolute discretion, it determines to be necessary or appropriate.

11. Correction of Defects, Omissions, and Inconsistencies. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry this Plan into effect.

 

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12. Other Actions. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including but not by way of limitation, the right of the Company to grant or assume options for proper corporate purposes other than under the Plan with respect to any employee or other person, firm, corporation or association.

 

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HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.

Stock Option Certificate

Under 2001 Stock Option Plan

Vesting Date:

Name of Optionee:

Number of Shares:

Price Per Share:

This is to certify that, effective on the date of grant specified above, the Stock Option Committee (the “Committee’’) of the Board of Directors of High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (the “Company’’) has granted to the above-named optionee (the ‘‘Optionee’’) an option to purchase from the Company, for the price per share set forth above, the number of shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share (the “Stock”), of the Company set forth above pursuant to the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan’’). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan. This option is intended to be treated as an “incentive stock option’’ within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code’’).

The terms and conditions of the option granted hereby, in addition to the terms and conditions contained in the Plan, are as follows:

1. The price at which each share of Stock subject to this option may be purchased shall be the price set forth above, subject to any adjustments which may be made pursuant to Section 9 hereof, provided that it shall in no event be less than the Market Value per share of Stock on the date of grant.

2. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, this option may be exercised to purchase shares of Stock covered by this option as to 6.25% of the total number of shares of Stock optioned on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing at the end of the quarter of the date of grant. This option shall terminate and no shares of Stock may be purchased hereunder more than ten years alter the date of grant.

3. Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, this option may not be exercised unless the Optionee is in the employ of the Company or one of its parent or subsidiary corporations (within the meaning of Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, and such parent or subsidiary corporations referred to herein collectively as “Affiliates”) at the time of such exercise and shall have been so employed continuously since the date of grant of this option. For purposes of this option, service as a director, officer or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate shall be considered employment.

 

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4. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Optionee may exercise this option at any time as to all or any of the shares of Stock then purchasable in accordance with Section 2 hereof by delivering to the Company written notice specifying:

(i) the number of whole shares of Stock to be purchased together with payment in full of the aggregate option price of such shares, provided that this option may not be exercised for less than ten (10) shares of Stock or the number of shares of Stock remaining subject to option, whichever is smaller:

(ii) the name or names in which the stock certificate or certificates are to be registered;

(iii) the address to which dividends, notices, reports, etc. are to be sent; and

(iv) the Optionee’s social security number.

Only one stock certificate will be issued unless the Optionee otherwise requests in writing. Payment shall be in cash, or by check payable to the order of the Company, free from all collection charges; provided, however, that payment may be made in shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate purchase price, or in a combination of cash and Stock. For purposes of this option, the Market Value per share of Stock shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with the regulations promulgated under Section 2031 of the Code, or by any other appropriate method selected by the Committee. If the Optionee so requests, shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of an option may be issued in the name of the Optionee or another person. The Optionee shall not be entitled to any rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock covered by this option until such shares of Stock shall have been paid for in full and issued to the Optionee.

5. As soon as practicable after the Company receives payment for shares of Stock covered by this option, it shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing the shares of Stock so purchased to the Optionee. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Optionee, or in such other name or names as the Optionee shall request.

6. This option is personal to the Optionee and during the Optionee’s lifetime may be exercised only by the Optionee. This option shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

7. In the event that the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Affiliate (hereinafter the “Optionee’s Employment’’) is terminated prior to the time that this option has been fully exercised, this option shall be exercisable, as to any remaining shares of Stock subject hereto, only in the following circumstances:

(i) If the Optionee’s employment is terminated by action of the Company or an Affiliate, or by reason of disability or retirement under any retirement plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, this option may be exercised by the Optionee within three months after such termination, but only as to any shares exercisable on the date the Optionee’s employment so terminates; and

(ii) In the event of the death of the Optionee during the three month period after termination of the Optionee’s employment covered by (i) above or the death of the Optionee while employed, the person or persons to whom the Optionee’s rights are transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution shall have a period of one year from the date of such Optionee’s death to exercise any options which were exercisable by the Optionee at the time of such Optionee’s death.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, this option shall in no event be exercisable after the date of termination of such option specified in Section 2 hereof. The period of the Optionee’s service as a director or consultant to the Company or any Affiliate shall be deemed the period of employment for purposes of this Section 7.

8. This option does not confer on the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate or interfere in any way with the right of the Company to determine the terms of the Optionee’s employment.

9. Subject to Section 10 hereof, in the event of (i) a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee shall make such adjustments, if any, as it deems appropriate in the number and kind of shares subject to this option, or in the option price per share, or both or (ii) a merger, consolidation or other transaction pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving corporation or pursuant to which the holders of outstanding Stock shall receive in exchange therefor shares of capital stock of the surviving corporation or another corporation, the Committee may require an Optionee to exchange options granted under the Plan for options issued by the surviving corporation or Such other corporation.

10. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or upon a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company as a result of which the outstanding Stock is changed into or exchanged for property (including cash), rights or securities not of the Company’s issue, or any combination thereof, or upon a sale of substantially all the property or assets of the Company to, or the acquisition of stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the stock of the Company then outstanding by, another corporation or person, the options granted under the Plan shall terminate and Optionees shall have the right, at such time prior to the consummation of the transaction causing such termination as the Company shall designate, to exercise the unexercised portions of the options which would, but for this Section 10, not yet be exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall this option be exercisable after the date of termination of the exercise period of this option specified in Sections 2 and 7 hereof.

11. This option shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Board of Directors shall determine that the registration, listing or qualification of the shares of Stock covered hereby upon any securities exchange or under any federal or state law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of this option or the purchase of shares of Stock hereunder, this option may not be exercised unless and until such registration, listing, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board of Directors. The Committee may require that the person exercising this option shall make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as it deems appropriate to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirements.

12. This option and the terms and conditions herein set forth are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which shall be controlling. All interpretations or determinations of the Committee shall be binding and conclusive upon the Optionee and his legal representatives on any question arising hereunder.

 

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13. It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue shares of Stock upon exercise of this option, that the Optionee (or any beneficiary or person entitled to act under Section 7 hereof) pay to the Company, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes.

14. All notices hereunder to the Company and the Optionee shall he delivered or mailed to the following addresses:

 

  (i) if to the Company:

 

       High Throughput Genomics, Inc.
       6296 E. Grant Road
       Tucson, AZ 85712
       Attention: Secretary

 

  (ii) if to the Optionee:

 

       at the address specified below

Such address for the service of notices may be changed at any time provided notice of such change is furnished in advance to the Company or to the Optionee, as applicable.

 

HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOMICS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

Name:  

 

 

Signature:  

 

 

Address:  

 

 

 

10

Exhibit 10.3

HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .

2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

A DOPTED BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS : M ARCH  15, 2011

A PPROVED BY THE S TOCKHOLDERS : M ARCH  15, 2011

A MENDED BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS : N OVEMBER  2, 2012

A PPROVED BY THE S TOCKHOLDERS : N OVEMBER  2, 2012

A MENDED BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS : F EBRUARY  3, 2014

A PPROVED BY THE S TOCKHOLDERS : F EBRUARY  3, 2014

T ERMINATION D ATE : M ARCH  14, 2021

1. G ENERAL .

(a) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the High Throughput Genomics, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “ Prior Plan ”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. Any shares remaining available for future issuance of stock awards under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date (the “Prior Plan’s Available Reserve” ) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan shall remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan; provided, however , any shares underlying outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement or are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares (the “ Returning Shares ”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. All Stock Awards granted on or after the Effective Date of this Plan shall be subject to the terms of this Plan.

(b) Eligible Stock Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Stock Awards are Employees, Directors and Consultants.

(c) Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

(d) Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards as set forth in Section 1(b), to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate, and to provide a means by which such eligible recipients may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Stock Awards.

 

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2. A DMINISTRATION .

(a) Administration by Board. The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

(b) Powers of Board. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine from time to time (A) which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award shall be granted; (C) what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive cash or Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

(iv) To accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan into compliance therewith, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, to the extent required by applicable law, stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment of the Plan that either (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (D) materially extends the term of

 

2.


the Plan, or (E) expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided above, rights under any Stock Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options.

(viii) To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however , that, the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (ii) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without the affected Participant’s consent, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards if necessary to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

(x) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States.

(xi) To effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan, (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan and the grant in substitution therefore of (1) a new Option or SAR under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (2) a Restricted Stock Award, (3) a Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) an Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion), or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however , that no such reduction or cancellation may be effected if it is determined, in the Company’s sole discretion, that such reduction or cancellation would result in any such outstanding Option becoming subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(c) Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee,

 

3.


including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers of the Company the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Officers and Employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be recipients of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Officers and Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation shall specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may not delegate authority to an Officer to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(t) below.

(e) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

3. S HARES S UBJECT TO THE P LAN .

(a) Share Reserve . Subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards beginning on the Effective Date shall not exceed 68,115,852 shares, which number consists of the Returning Shares, if any, as such shares become available from time to time (the “ Share Reserve ”). Furthermore, if a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued, or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement shall not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. For clarity, the limitation in this Section 3(a) is a limitation in the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve . If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares which are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Also, any Returning Shares, shares reacquired by the Company pursuant to Section 8(g) or as consideration for the exercise of an Option shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3(b), any such shares shall not be subsequently issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.

 

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(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(c), subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 136,231,704 shares of Common Stock.

(d) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

4. E LIGIBILITY .

(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however , Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin off transaction) or unless such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(b) Ten Percent Stockholders . A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

(c) Consultants. A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions .

5. P ROVISIONS R ELATING TO O PTIONS AND S TOCK A PPRECIATION R IGHTS .

Each Option or SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, then the Option shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however , that each Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by

 

5.


reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Incentive Stock Options granted to Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price (or strike price) of each Option or SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Option or SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise price (or strike price) lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR if such Option or SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and 424(a) of the Code (whether or not such Stock Awards are Incentive Stock Options). Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

(c) Consideration for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board shall have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

(iv) if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however , that the Company shall accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued; provided, further , that shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are reduced to

 

6.


pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

(v) according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however , that interest shall compound at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

(vi) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.

(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such Stock Appreciation Right, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date, over (B) the strike price that will be determined by the Board at the time of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution in respect to a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right.

(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board shall determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs shall apply:

(i) Restrictions on Transfer . An Option or SAR shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however , that the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR to such extent as permitted by Rule 701 and in a manner consistent with applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request.

(ii) Domestic Relations Orders . Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(iii) Beneficiary Designation . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise

 

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satisfactory to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect Option exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Participant, shall thereafter be the beneficiary of an Option with the right to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, in the event that a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause or upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than thirty (30) days if necessary to comply with applicable state laws unless such termination is for Cause) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Stock Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause or upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period

 

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after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, in the event that a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months if necessary to comply with applicable state laws), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Stock Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, in the event that (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months if necessary to comply with applicable state laws), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Stock Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the termination date of such Participant’s Continuous Service, and the Participant shall be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

(l) Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, in the event of the Participant’s death or Disability, upon

 

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a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control in which the vesting of such Options or SARs accelerates, or upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines) any such vested Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

(m) Early Exercise of Options. An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l) is not violated, the Company shall not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

(n) Right of Repurchase . Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

(o) Right of First Refusal . The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR. Such right of first refusal shall be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l). Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(o) or in the Stock Award Agreement, such right of first refusal shall otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the Bylaws of the Company.

6. P ROVISIONS OF R ESTRICTED S TOCK A WARDS , R ESTRICTED S TOCK U NITS AND O THER S TOCK A WARDS .

(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s Bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock may be (x) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (y) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate shall be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however , that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation

 

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of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration . A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash or cash equivalents, (B) past or future services actually or to be rendered to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting . Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service . If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(iv) Transferability . Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(v) Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical, provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

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(iii) Payment . A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

(v) Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all the terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

(vi) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

(vii) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award. For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

(c) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

 

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7. C OVENANTS OF THE C OMPANY .

(a) Availability of Shares. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

(c) No Obligation to Notify. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

8. M ISCELLANEOUS .

(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.

(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.

(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock thereunder, pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

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(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(e) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

(f) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (x) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (y) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

(g) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however , that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld

 

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by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (iv) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

(h) Electronic Delivery . Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet.

(i) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

(j) Compliance with Section 409A. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

(k) Compliance with Exemption Provided by Rule 12h-1(f) . If at the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year: (i) the aggregate of the number of persons who hold outstanding compensatory employee stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan or otherwise (such persons, “ Holders of Options ”) equals or exceeds five hundred (500), and (ii) the Company’s assets exceed $10 million, then the following restrictions shall apply during any period during which the Company does not have a class of its securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and is not required to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (A) the Options and, prior to exercise, the shares of Common Stock to be issued on exercise of the Options may not be transferred until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (“ Rule 12h-1(f) ”), except: (1) as permitted by Rule 701(c) promulgated under the Securities Act, (2) to a guardian upon the disability of the Holder of Options, or (3) to an executor upon the death of the Holder of Options (collectively, the “ Permitted Transferees ”); provided, however, the following transfers are permitted: (i) transfers by the Holder of Options to the Company, and (ii) transfers in connection with a change of control or other acquisition involving the Company, if following such transaction, the Options no longer remain outstanding and the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); provided

 

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further, that any Permitted Transferees may not further transfer the Options; (B) except as otherwise provided in (A) above, the Options and shares of Common Stock to be issued on exercise of the Options are restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation, or other transfer, including any short position, any “put equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(h) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any “call equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act by the Holder of Options prior to exercise of an Option until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); and (C) at any time that the Company is relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f), the Company shall deliver to Holders of Options (whether by physical or electronic delivery or written notice of the availability of the information on an internet site) the information required by Rule 701(e)(3), (4), and (5) promulgated under the Securities Act every six (6) months, including financial statements that are not more than one hundred eighty (180) days old; provided, however, that the Company may condition the delivery of such information upon the Holder of Options’ agreement to maintain its confidentiality.

(l) Repurchase Limitation . The terms of any repurchase right shall be specified in the Stock Award Agreement. The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock shall be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase. The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock shall be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price. However, the Company shall not exercise its repurchase right until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

9. A DJUSTMENTS UPON C HANGES IN C OMMON S TOCK ; O THER C ORPORATE E VENTS .

(a) Capitalization Adjustments . In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously

 

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expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions shall apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Stock Award or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. Except as otherwise stated in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board shall take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board shall determine (or, if the Board shall not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction;

(iv) arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

(vi) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the holder of the Stock Award would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

The Board need not take the same action with respect to all Stock Awards or with respect to all Participants.

 

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(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur.

10. T ERMINATION OR S USPENSION OF THE P LAN .

(a) Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 2, the Plan shall automatically terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

11. E FFECTIVE D ATE OF P LAN .

This Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date.

12. C HOICE OF L AW .

The law of the State of Arizona shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

13. D EFINITIONS . As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a) Affiliate ” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(b) Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(c) Capitalization Adjustment ” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

18.


(d) Cause ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (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. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

(e) Change in Control ” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “ Subject Person ”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger,

 

19.


consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur, except for a liquidation into a parent corporation; or

(iv) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.

(f) Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(g) Committee ” means a committee of one (1) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(h) Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company.

(i) Company ” means HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(j) Consultant ” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, shall not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

(k) Continuous Service ” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director, or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service

 

20.


with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however , if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering service ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service shall be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an employee of the Company to a consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director shall not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

(l) Corporate Transaction ” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(ii) the consummation of a sale or other disposition of at least ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iv) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

(m) Director ” means a member of the Board.

(n) Disability ” means the inability of a Participant to engage in any substantially gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code and shall be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

(o) Effective Date ” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, or (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

21.


(p) Employee ” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, shall not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

(q) Entity ” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(r) Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(s) Exchange Act Person ” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” shall not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

(t) Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

(u) Incentive Stock Option ” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(v) Nonstatutory Stock Option ” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(w) Officer ” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

(x) Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(y) Option Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(z) Optionholder ” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

22.


(aa) Other Stock Award ” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

(bb) Other Stock Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(cc) Own ,” “ Owned ,” “ Owner ,” “ Ownership ” A person or Entity shall be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

(dd) Participant ” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

(ee) Plan ” means this HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

(ff) Restricted Stock Award ” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

(gg) Restricted Stock Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(hh) Restricted Stock Unit Award ” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(jj) Rule 405 ” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(kk) Rule 701 ” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(ll) Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(mm) Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

(nn) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a

 

23.


Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(oo) Stock Award ” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right or any Other Stock Award.

(pp) Stock Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(qq) Subsidiary ” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%).

(rr) Ten Percent Stockholder ” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

24.


HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .

S TOCK O PTION G RANT N OTICE

(2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN )

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Option Agreement, the Plan, and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.

 

Optionholder:  

 

Date of Grant:  

 

Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

Number of Shares Subject to Option:  

 

Exercise Price (Per Share):  

 

Total Exercise Price:  

 

Expiration Date:  

 

 

Type of Grant:    x  Incentive Stock Option 1    ¨ Nonstatutory Stock Option
Exercise Schedule :    x  Same as Vesting Schedule    ¨ Early Exercise Permitted
Vesting Schedule :   

[ 1/4 th of the shares vest on the one year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date; the balance of the shares vest in a series of twelve (12) successive equal quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the last day of the calendar quarter first occurring after the one year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each such vesting date.] 2

 

[ The shares vest in a series of sixteen (16) successive equal quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the last day of the calendar quarter first occurring after the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each such vesting date.] 3

Payment:    By cash or check   

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: The undersigned Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by Optionholder and a duly authorized officer of the Company. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding the acquisition of stock in the Company and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder under the Plan, and (ii) the following agreements only:

 

O THER A GREEMENTS 4 :   

None

 

1   If this is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
2   Insert this vesting schedule for initial option grants to employees whose employment date is on or after 1/1/2012.
3   Insert this vesting schedule for (i) all employees whose employment date is on or before 12/31/2011, or (ii) for option grants other than the initial option grant to employees whose employment date is on or after 1/1/2012.
4   If applicable, delete “None” and insert the title, date and parties of a relevant agreement.


HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .     O PTIONHOLDER :
By:  

 

   

 

  Signature     Signature
Title:  

 

    Date:  

 

Date:  

 

     

 

A TTACHMENTS :   Option Agreement and Notice of Exercise. A copy of the Plan is available upon request to the Corporate Secretary.


A TTACHMENT I

HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .

2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

O PTION A GREEMENT

(I NCENTIVE S TOCK O PTION OR N ONSTATUTORY S TOCK O PTION )

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“ Grant Notice ”) and this Option Agreement, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (the “ Company ”) has granted you an option under its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option are as follows:

1. V ESTING . Subject to the limitations contained herein, your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. N UMBER OF S HARES AND E XERCISE P RICE . The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share referenced in your Grant Notice may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. E XERCISE R ESTRICTION FOR N ON -E XEMPT E MPLOYEES . In the event that you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended ( i.e. , a “ Non-Exempt Employee ”), you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six (6) months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant specified in your Grant Notice, notwithstanding any other provision of your option.

4. E XERCISE PRIOR TO V ESTING (“E ARLY E XERCISE ”). If permitted in your Grant Notice ( i.e. , the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option shall be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise shall be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

(c) you shall enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and


(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . Payment of the exercise price is due in full upon exercise of all or any part of your option. You may elect to make payment of the exercise price in cash or by check or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not exercise your option by tender to the Company of Common Stock to the extent such tender would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company shall accept a cash or other payment from you to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued; provided further, however, that shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (1) shares are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (2) shares are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (3) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations.

(d) Pursuant to the following deferred payment alternative:

(i) Not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate exercise price, plus accrued interest, shall be due four (4) years from date of exercise or, at the Company’s election, upon termination of your Continuous Service.

(ii) Interest shall be compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (1) the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment arrangement and (2) the classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes.


(iii) In order to elect the deferred payment alternative, you must, as a part of your written notice of exercise, give notice of the election of this payment alternative and, in order to secure the payment of the deferred exercise price to the Company hereunder, if the Company so requests, you must tender to the Company a promissory note and a pledge agreement covering the purchased shares of Common Stock, both in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, or such other or additional documentation as the Company may request.

6. W HOLE S HARES . You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. S ECURITIES L AW C OMPLIANCE . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, you may not exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if such shares of Common Stock are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

8. T ERM . You may not exercise your option before the commencement or after the expiration of its term. The term of your option commences on the Date of Grant and expires upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, Disability or death, provided that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option shall not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it shall have been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service;

(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;

(d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die during your Continuous Service;

(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you die during the period provided in Section 8(b) or 8(c) above, the term of your option shall not expire until the earlier of eighteen (18) months after your death, the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice, or the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on


the date of grant of your option and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three (3) months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. E XERCISE .

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (1) the exercise of your option, (2) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (3) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of your option grant or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

(d) By exercising your option you agree that you shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as necessary to permit compliance with NASD Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 and similar rules and regulations (the “ Lock-Up Period ”); provided, however , that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. T RANSFERABILITY . Your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, you may designate a third party who, in the event of your death, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise your


option. In addition, if permitted by the Company you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust, provided that you and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

11. R IGHT OF F IRST R EFUSAL . Shares of Common Stock that you acquire upon exercise of your option are subject to any right of first refusal that may be described in the Company’s bylaws in effect at such time the Company elects to exercise its right; provided, however, that if your option is an Incentive Stock Option and the right of first refusal described in the Company’s bylaws in effect at the time the Company elects to exercise its right is more beneficial to you than the right of first refusal described in the Company’s bylaws on the Date of Grant, then the right of first refusal described in the Company’s bylaws on the Date of Grant shall apply. The Company’s right of first refusal shall expire on the first date upon which any security of the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on a national securities exchange or quotation system.

12. R IGHT OF R EPURCHASE . To the extent provided in the Company’s bylaws in effect at such time the Company elects to exercise its right, the Company shall have the right to repurchase all or any part of the shares of Common Stock you acquire pursuant to the exercise of your option.

13. O PTION NOT A S ERVICE C ONTRACT . Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option shall obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, Boards of Directors, Officers or Employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

14. W ITHHOLDING O BLIGATIONS .

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) Upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, in its sole discretion, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from


fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein unless such obligations are satisfied.

15. T AX C ONSEQUENCES . You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You shall not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you shall not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

16. N OTICES . Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company.

17. G OVERNING P LAN D OCUMENT . Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

18. C HANGE IN C ONTROL .

(a) If a Change in Control occurs and your Continuous Service with the Company has not terminated as of, or immediately prior to, the effective time of the Change in Control, then, as of the effective time of such Change in Control, the vesting and exercisability of your option will be accelerated such that twenty-five percent (25%) of the then unvested portion of your option will immediately become vested. The remaining seventy-five percent (75%) will vest on the same schedule and at the same rate as your option would have vested without reference to the Change in Control until your option is fully vested. For example, if, at the time of the Change in Control the unvested portion of your option is 1,000 shares, which vest in 10 equal installments of 100 shares each, then (i) 250 shares will become vested immediately upon the Change in Control and (ii) the remaining 750 shares will vest in seven installments of 100 shares and a final installment of 50 shares, with the result being


that your option would be fully vested two installments earlier than it would have vested had no Change in Control occurred.

(b) In addition to the foregoing, if a Change in Control occurs and within twelve (12) months after, the effective time of such Change in Control your Continuous Service terminates due to an involuntary termination (not including death or Disability) without Cause or due to a voluntary termination with Good Reason (as defined below), then, as of the date of termination of Continuous Service, the vesting and exercisability of your option will be accelerated in full.

(c) Good Reason ” means that one or more of the following are undertaken by the Company without your express written consent: (i) the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities that results in a material diminution in your function as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however , that a change in your title or reporting relationships will not provide the basis for a voluntary termination with Good Reason; (ii) a material reduction by the Company in your annual base salary, as in effect on the effective date of the Change in Control or as increased thereafter; provided, however , that Good Reason will not be deemed to have occurred in the event of a reduction in your annual base salary that is pursuant to a salary reduction program affecting substantially all of the employees of the Company and that does not adversely affect you to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees; (iii) any failure by the Company to continue in effect any benefit plan or program, including incentive plans or plans with respect to the receipt of securities of the Company, in which you were participating immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control (hereinafter referred to as “ Benefit Plans ”), or the taking of any action by the Company that would adversely affect your participation in or reduce your benefits under the Benefit Plans or deprive you of any fringe benefit that you enjoyed immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however , that Good Reason will not be deemed to have occurred if the Company provides for your participation in benefit plans and programs that, taken as a whole, are comparable to the Benefit Plans; (iv) a relocation of your business office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location at which you performed your duties as of the effective date of the Change in Control, except for required travel by you on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with your business travel obligations prior to the effective date of the Change in Control; or (v) a material breach by the Company of any provision of the Plan or the Option Agreement or any other material agreement between you and the Company concerning the terms and conditions of your employment or service with the Company.

(d) Parachute Payments. If any payment or benefit you would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (“ Payment ”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount ((x) or (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in your receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction will occur in the manner that results in the greatest economic benefit for you.


The independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the event described in Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code will perform the foregoing calculations. If the independent registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting such Change in Control or similar transaction, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The independent registered public accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and you within thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which your right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or you) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Company or you. Any good faith determinations of the independent registered public accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and you.


A TTACHMENT II

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

OF STOCK OPTIONS

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

Dear Sir or Madam:

This constitutes notice under my stock option grant that I elect to purchase the number of vested shares for the price set forth below.

 

Stock Option Grant Date:

   Number of
Shares Exercised:
   Exercise Price
per Share:
     Total Exercise Price
(No. of Shares Exercised x
Exercise Price Per Share)
 
      $         $     
      $         $     
      $         $     
      $         $     
        

 

 

 

Total Exercise Amount:

(Cash payment)

         $     
        

 

 

 

 

Certificate to be issued in name of:   

 

 
   (Please Print)  
Date of Exercise:  

 

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) to notify you in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this option(s) that occurs within two (2) years after the date of grant of this option(s) or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are issued upon exercise of this option(s).

I hereby make the following certifications and representations with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company listed above (the “ Shares ”), which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise of the option(s) as set forth above:


I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and are deemed to constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 701 and Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. I warrant and represent to the Company that I have no present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as permitted under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for at least ninety days (90) if and when the stock of the Company becomes publicly traded ( i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive conditions apply to affiliates of the Company under Rule 144.

I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the Shares subject to the provisions of the option(s) shall have endorsed thereon appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any legends reflecting restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and/or applicable securities laws.

I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as necessary to permit compliance with NASD Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 and similar rules and regulations (the “ Lock-Up Period ”). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

 

Sincerely,

 

Print Name:  

 

Exhibit 10.12

Note to User: If the Lessee is an individual, and the individual is married, Arizona community property law requires that the Lessee’s spouse must also sign any Lease (or Guaranty of Lease) for a Term of a year or more .

STANDARD COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL MULTI TENANT TRIPLE NET LEASE

BASIC TERMS SHEET

This Basic Terms Sheet to that certain Standard Commercial-Industrial Multi-Tenant Triple Net Lease between the parties listed below is for the convenience of the parties in quickly referencing certain of the basic terms of the Lease. It is not intended to serve as a complete summary of the Lease. In the event of any inconsistency between this Basic Terms Sheet and the Lease, the applicable Lease provision shall prevail and control.

 

Date of Lease (See Section 1 ):    July 11, 2008
Name of Lessor (See Section 1 ):    Pegasus Properties LP, a Wisconsin Limited Partnership
Name of Lessee (See Section 1 ):    High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (HTG), a Delaware Corporation
Lessee’s Telephone Number :    (877)289-2615
Lessee’s Guarantor :    None
Address of Premises (See Section 2 ):    3400 E. Global Loop, Tucson AZ 85706, Suite 300
Approximate Gross Rentable Area of Premises (See Section 12 ):    12,600 square feet
Lessee’s Percentage of Insurance, Real Property Tax and CAM Amounts (See Section 12 ):    17% of total multi-tenant building Lot 11- 14
Lease Commencement Date (See Section 3.1 ):    approx. December 2008
Lease Expiration Date (See Section 3.1 ):    7 Years after Commencement Date
TI Allowance ( see Section 3.4 )   

Up to $ 592,000.00 are included from Lessor.

Monthly Base Rent (See Section 4 ):    From Commencement Date to 12 month anniversary, the sum of $ 13,178.00 per month.
   On the first anniversary of the Commencement Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereof during the Term, the monthly base rent shall be increased for the succeeding one year period (or part thereof) pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Lease.
Additional Rent   

1.      Rental Tax (See Section 4.1 )

  

2.      Insurance Amount (See Section 8.10 )

  

3.      Real Property Tax Amount ( Section 10.1 )

  

4.      CAM Amount (See Section 11 )

Lessee’s Security Deposit (See Section 5 ):    $ 13,178.00
Lessee’s Permitted Use (See Section 6.1 ):    Warehousing, Office, Light Manufacturing, R&D
Address for Lessor :    Po Box 506, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

 

LESSOR:     LESSEE:
By:  

/s/ Matt Schmidt-Wetekam

    By:  

/s/ Kirk Collamer

Its:  

Managing Partner

    Its:  

VP & CFO

Date:  

7/11/08

    Date:  

7/11/08


STANDARD COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL MULTI TENANT

TRIPLE NET LEASE

1. PARTIES . This Lease, dated July     , 2008 for reference purposes only, is made by and between Pegasus Properties LP ( PEGASUS ), a Wisconsin Partnership or its Assigns (“Lessor”), and High Throughput Genomics, Inc. ( HTG ), a(n) Delaware Corporation (“Lessee”).

2. PREMISES . Lessor hereby leases to Lessee and Lessee leases from Lessor for the term, at the rental, and upon all the conditions set forth herein, the premises demised by this Lease, located at 3400 E.GLOBAL LOOP, TUCSON ARIZONA, Suite # t.b.d. OF THE TIBC TECH CENTER (the “Premises”), together with a nonexclusive right to use the parking and common areas (collectively, the “Common Areas”), surrounding the Premises and within the project commonly known as (the “Project”). The location of the Premises and the parameters of the Common Areas and the Project are shown on Exhibit “A” attached hereto. All dimensions and areas quoted herein or in any exhibit attached hereto are approximate and are based on gross rentable area, rather than solely on areas designed for the exclusive use and occupancy of tenants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Lessor reserves to itself the use of the roof, exterior walls, and the area above and below the Premises, together with the right to install, maintain, use, repair and replace pipes, ducts, conduits, wires and structural elements leading through the Premises.

3. TERM .

3.1. TERM. The term of this Lease shall commence on the issue date of the occupancy permit (or temporary occupancy permit) (“Commencement Date”) and end on its 7 th anniversary (“Expiration Date”), unless sooner terminated pursuant to any provision hereof (“Term”).

3.2. RENEWAL OPTIONS. Lessee shall have the option to renew this Lease for one additional period of five (5) years commencing the day after the 7 th anniversary of the initial term (the Renewal Term”) upon the same terms and conditions except that the lease rate will be set at rates currently applicable for like/kind buildings within the market but in no event less than the last rent rate (incl. annual increases) paid by Lessee. If Lessee elects to exercise such option to renew, it shall give Landlord written notice of such exercise at least nine (9) months prior to the termination of the Initial or first renewal term.

3.3. DELAY IN COMMENCEMENT. Notwithstanding the Commencement Date, if for any reason Lessor cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Lessee on said date, Lessor shall not be subject to any liability therefor, nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease or the obligations of Lessee hereunder or extend the Term hereof, but in such case Lessee shall not be obligated to pay rent until possession of the Premises is tendered to Lessee; provided, however, that if Lessor shall not have delivered possession of the Premises within ninety (90) days from the Commencement Date and such delay is absent of force majeure or otherwise, Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, by notice in writing to Lessor within ten (10) days thereafter, cancel this Lease, in which event the parties shall be discharged from all obligations hereunder. If Lessee occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, such occupancy shall be subject to all provisions hereof; such occupancy shall not advance the Expiration Date, and Lessee shall pay rent from its date of occupancy at the initial monthly rates set forth below. If Lessor, by reason of force majeure or otherwise, cannot deliver the Premises within ninety (90) days from the Commencement Date, Lessor or Lessee may, at their respective options, by notice in writing within ten (10) days thereafter, cancel this Lease. In the event Lessor is required to improve the Premises in the manner described on Exhibit “B” attached hereto (the “Lessor’s Work”), Lessor agrees to use reasonable diligence to have Lessor’s Work completed and the Premises ready for occupancy on or before the Commencement Date.

3.4. TENANT LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS (TIs). The monthly Base Rent includes an amount of up to $ 592,000.00 (five hundred ninety two thousand dollars) to be used for TIs in line with EXHIBIT B . Lessor also agrees to pay for the City of Tucson Impact fees and to furnish 9 (nine) covered parking spaces and a keypad entry system for the front door. The construction cost and the Impact fees will be an additional TI allowance. Lessor shall collect additional rent for 8 of the 10 spaces at an initial rate of $25.00/month. The covered parking spaces are scheduled at the East side of the building and will be constructed in accordance with the requirements for the TIBC. Design changes and or upgrades desired by Lessee are the responsibility of Lessee and will be paid for by Lessee. There will be no reduction in rent for any unused amounts. Details of the TI allowance are in accordance with Exhibit B.

3.5. EARLY TERMINATION OPTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 3, at the end of the 42 nd month after the Lease Commencement date, Lessee shall have the option to give nine (9) months written notice to Lessor of Lessee’s intent to terminate early. The earliest effective date of Lease termination would be on the last day of month 51.If Lessor re rents the space at equal or better conditions compared to the conditions Lessee is paying during the notice period Lessor will release Lessee before the end of the 9 month termination period. During the notice period Lessee grants Lessor full access to the space to be shown to prospective tenants. On the date of such termination, Lessee shall pay to Lessor an early termination payment that includes any unamortized tenant improvements, unearned broker commissions as well as Lessor’s other expenses in conjunction with the early termination. This payment shall be made by wire transfer or certified bank check.

4. RENT .

4.1. MONTHLY BASE RENT. During the first year of the Term, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a monthly base rental of thirteen thousand one hundred and seventy eight dollars ($13,178.00). On each anniversary of the Commencement Date, the monthly base rental shall be increased by 3.0%. The monthly base rental due hereunder shall be payable to Lessor by the first day of each month during the Term at the address stated herein or to such other persons or at such other places as Lessor may designate in writing and shall be paid in lawful money of the United States of America. All

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

2


rent shall be payable to Lessor’s bank account by regular electronic deposit , without prior demand or notice and without deduction or set off for counterclaim. The Lessee further agrees to pay Lessor, in addition to the rent as provided herein, all privilege, sales, excise, rental and other taxes (except income taxes) imposed now or hereinafter imposed by any governmental authority upon the rentals and all other amounts herein provided to be paid by the Lessee to the Lessor. Said payment shall be in addition to and accompanying each monthly rental payment made by Lessee to Lessor. The base rental set forth in this Section 4.1 is a negotiated figure and shall govern whether or not the actual gross rentable square footage of the Premises is the same as set forth in Section 12 hereof. Lessee shall have no right to withhold, deduct or offset any amount from the base monthly rental or any other sum due hereunder even if the actual gross rentable square footage of the Premises is less than that set forth in Section 12 . Rent for any period during the Term which is for less than one month shall be a pro rata portion of the monthly installment. The term “rent” as used herein, unless otherwise specified, shall refer collectively to the monthly base rent and any other sums required to be paid by Lessee to Lessor hereunder. Rent shall be paid without deduction, offset, prior notice or demand, and Lessor’s acceptance of any rent payment that is for less than the entire amount then currently due hereunder shall be only as an acceptance on account and shall not constitute an accord and satisfaction or a waiver by Lessor of the balance of the rent due or a waiver of any of the remedies available to Lessor by reason of Lessee’s continuing default hereunder.

4.2. ANNUAL INCREASES. Commencing on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date and on each subsequent anniversary thereof (the “Adjustment Date”), the monthly base rental described in Section 4 shall be increased by 3.0%. (three per cent)

5. SECURITY DEPOSIT . Lessee shall deposit with Lessor upon execution hereof thirteen thousand one hundred and seventy eight Dollars ($13,178.00) as security for Lessee’s faithful performance of Lessee’s obligations hereunder. If Lessee fails to pay rent or other charges due hereunder, or otherwise defaults with respect to any provision of the Lease, Lessor may use, apply, or retain all or any portion of said deposit for the payment of any rent or other charge in default or for the payment of any other sum for which Lessor may become obligated by reason of Lessee’s default, or to compensate Lessor for any loss or damage which Lessor may suffer thereby. If Lessor so uses or applies all or any portion of said deposit, Lessee shall within ten (10) days after written demand therefor deposit cash with Lessor in an amount sufficient to restore said deposit to the full amount hereinabove stated, and Lessee’s failure to do so shall be a material breach of this Lease. Lessor shall not be required to keep said deposit separate from its general accounts. If Lessee performs all of Lessee’s obligations hereunder, said deposit, or so much thereof as has not theretofore been applied by Lessor, shall be returned, without payment of interest or other increment for its use, to Lessee (or, at Lessor’s option, to the last assignee, if any, of Lessee’s interest hereunder) at the expiration of the Term and after Lessee has vacated the Premises.

6. USE .

6.1. PERMITTED USES.

(a) The Premises are to be used only for warehousing, office and light manufacturing and R&D purposes (“Permitted Use”) and for no other business or purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of Lessor. No act shall be done in or about the Premises that is unlawful or that will increase the existing rate of insurance on the Project. In the event of a breach of this covenant, Lessee shall pay to Lessor any and all increases in insurance premiums resulting from such breach upon demand, and Lessor shall have all additional remedies provided for herein to redress such breach. Lessee shall not commit or allow to be committed any waste upon the Premises, or any public or private nuisance or other act or thing which disturbs the quiet enjoyment of any other lessee in the Project. If any of Lessee’s machines or equipment disturb any other lessee in the Project, then Lessee shall provide adequate insulation, or take such other action as may be necessary to eliminate the noise or disturbance. Lessee, at its expense, shall comply with all laws relating to its use and occupancy of the Premises and shall observe such reasonable rules and regulations as may be adopted and made available to Lessee by Lessor from time to time for the safety, care and cleanliness of the Premises or the Project and for the preservation of good order therein.

(b) Lessee warrants that the operation of its business shall be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable recorded covenants, federal, state and local environmental, safety and other pertinent laws, rules, regulations and ordinances and that any alterations necessary to the Premises by reason of such laws, rules, regulations and ordinances shall be at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that there is no risk to Lessee, Lessee’s visitors and others using the Premises arising from Lessee’s operations. Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any claim, liability, expense, lawsuit, loss or other damage, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or relating to Lessee’s use of the Premises or Lessee’s activities within the Project.

6.2. CONDITION OF PREMISES. Lessee hereby accepts the Premises in their condition existing as of the date of the execution hereof or in the condition described on the attached Exhibit “B”, whichever is applicable, subject to all recorded covenants, applicable laws, ordinances and regulations governing and regulating the use of the Premises, and subject to all matters disclosed thereby. Lessee acknowledges that neither Lessor nor Lessor’s agents nor Lessor’s broker(s) has made any representation or warranty as to the suitability of the Premises for the conduct of Lessee’s business and that Lessee and its agents and contractors have been provided with an opportunity to thoroughly inspect and measure the Premises and the Project.

6.3. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

(a) As used herein, the term “Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance or material which has been determined by any state, federal or local governmental authority to be capable of posing a risk of injury to health, safety or property, including all of those materials and substances designated as hazardous or toxic by the city in which the Premises

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

3


are located, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, or any other governmental agency now or hereafter authorized to regulate materials and substances in the environment.

(b) Lessee may introduce hazardous material necessary to its Permitted Use in or on the Premises as part of its business operations, while at all times complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies and authorities relating to the storage, use, disposal and clean-up of hazardous material, including but not limited to the obtaining of all proper permits.

(c) Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor of any inquiry, test, investigation, or enforcement proceeding by, against or directed at Lessee or the Premises concerning a Hazardous Material. Lessee acknowledges that Lessor, as the owner of the Premises, shall have the right, at its election, in its own name or as Lessee’s agent, to negotiate, defend, approve, and appeal, at Lessee’s expense, any action taken or order issued with regard to a Hazardous Material by any applicable governmental authority.

(d) Neither Lessor nor, to the best of Lessor’s knowledge, any other person has ever caused or permitted any hazardous material to be placed, held, located or disposed of on, under or at the Premises or any part thereof, and neither the Premises nor any part of the real property owned by Lessor has ever been used (whether by Lessor or, to the best of Lessor’s knowledge, by any other person) as a treatment, storage or disposal (whether permanent or temporary) site for any hazardous material. Lessee shall have no responsibility for any losses, liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses or claims of any and every kind whatsoever, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from the use, discharge or release of any hazardous material on the Premises prior to the date of this Lease. Lessor hereby indemnities Lessee and agrees to pay, defend and hold Lessee harmless “m and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses and claims of every kind whatsoever, including reasonable attorney’s fees, paid, incurred or suffered by or against Lessee with respect to the use or disposal by Lessor, its employees or agents, of any hazardous materials on the Premises.

(e) If Lessee’s storage, use or disposal of any Hazardous Material in, on or adjacent to the Premises or the Project results in any contamination of the Premises, the Project, the soil, surface or groundwater thereunder or the air above and around the Premises and the Project (i) requiring remediation under federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, regulations or policies, or (ii) at levels which are unacceptable to Lessor, in Lessor’s sole and absolute discretion, Lessee agrees to clean-up the contamination immediately, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. Lessee further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Lessor harmless from and against any claims, suits, causes of action, costs, damages, loss and fees, including attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or in connection with (i) any clean-up work, inquiry or enforcement proceeding relating to Hazardous Materials currently or hereafter used, stored or disposed of by Lessee or its agents, employees, contractors or invitees on or about the Premises or the Project, and (ii) the use, storage, disposal or release by Lessee or its agents, employees, contractors or invitees of any Hazardous Materials on or about the Premises or the Project.

(f) Notwithstanding any other right of entry granted to Lessor under this Lease, Lessor shall have the right to enter the Premises or to have consultants enter the Premises throughout the Term at reasonable times for the purpose of determining: (1) whether the Premises are in conformity with federal, state and local statutes, regulations, ordinances and policies, including those pertaining to the environmental condition of the Premises; (2) whether Lessee has complied with this Section 6 ; and (3) the corrective measures, if any, required of Lessee to ensure the safe use, storage and disposal of Hazardous Materials. Lessee agrees to provide access and reasonable assistance for such inspections. Such inspections may include, but are not limited to, entering the Premises with machinery for the purpose of obtaining laboratory samples. Lessor shall not be limited in the number of such inspections during the Term. If, during such inspections, it is found that Lessee’s use of Hazardous Materials constitutes a violation of this Lease, Lessee shall reimburse Lessor for the cost of such inspections within ten (10) days of receipt of a written statement therefor. If such consultants determine that the Premises are contaminated with Hazardous Material or in violation of any applicable environmental law, Lessee shall, in a timely manner, at its expense, remove such Hazardous Materials or otherwise comply with the recommendations of such consultants to the reasonable satisfaction of Lessor and any applicable governmental agencies. If Lessee fails to do so, Lessor, at its sole discretion, may, in addition to all other remedies available to Lessor, cause the violation and/or contamination to be remedied at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. The right granted to Lessor herein to inspect the Premises shall not create a duty on Lessor’s part to inspect the Premises, or liability of Lessor for Lessee’s use, storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials, it being understood that Lessee shall be solely responsible for all liability in connection therewith.

(g) Lessee shall surrender the Premises to Lessor upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease free of Hazardous Materials and in a condition which complies with all governmental statutes, ordinances, regulations and policies, recommendations of consultants hired by Lessor, and such other reasonable requirements as may be imposed by Lessor.

(h) Lessee’s obligations under this Section 6 and all indemnification obligations of Lessee under this Lease shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS .

7.1. LESSOR’S OBLIGATIONS. Subject to the provisions of Section 9 and except as provided in Section 7.2 and elsewhere herein and except for damage caused by any negligent or intentional act or omission of Lessee, Lessee’s agents, employees or invitees, Lessor, at Lessor’s expense, shall keep in good order, condition, and repair the foundations, exterior walls (except painting and caulking), and the structural portions of the exterior roof of the Premises. Any repairs of

 

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damages caused by Lessee’s lack of service and maintenance become the responsibility of the Lessee. Lessee expressly waives the benefits of any statute now or hereafter in effect which would otherwise afford Lessee the right to make repairs at Lessor’s expense or to terminate this Lease because of Lessor’s failure to keep the Premises and Project in good order, condition, and repair.

7.2. LESSEE’S OBLIGATIONS.

(a) Lessee shall, at its expense throughout the Term, maintain, service, replace, and keep in good repair the interior structures except those items for which Lessor is specifically made responsible under Section 7.1 , and mechanical equipment of the Premises, and all other aspects of the Premises including such items as floors, ceilings, walls, doors, glass, plumbing, paint, parking lots and landscaping, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, partitions, electrical equipment, wires, and electrical fixtures, and surrender same upon the expiration of the Term in the same condition as received, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Lessee shall give Lessor prompt written notice of any item that Lessor is required to repair or of any unsafe condition upon or within the Premises.

(b) On the last day of the Term, or on any sooner termination, Lessee shall surrender the Premises to Lessor in the same condition as received, broom clean, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Lessee shall repair any damage to the Premises occasioned by the removal of its trade fixtures, furnishings and equipment pursuant to Section 7.3 which repair shall include without limitation the patching and filling of holes and repair of structural damage.

7.3. ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS.

(a) Alterations or removal of any fixtures may not be made to the Premises without the prior written consent of Lessor, and any alterations, improvements, additions or utility installations to the Premises, excepting movable furniture and machinery and trade fixtures, shall, at Lessor’s option, become part of the realty and belong to Lessor upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. However, this shall not prevent Lessee from installing trade fixtures, machinery, or other trade equipment in conformance with all applicable ordinances, regulations and laws. Lessee shall keep the Premises, the building in which the Premises are located, and the land on which the Premises are situated free from any liens arising out of any work performed for, material furnished to, or obligations incurred by the Lessee. It is further understood and agreed that under no circumstance is the Lessee to be deemed the agent of the Lessor for any alteration, repair, or construction within the Premises, the same being done at the sole expense of the Lessee. All contractors, materialmen, mechanics, and laborers are hereby charged with notice that they must look only to the Lessee for the payment of any charge for work done and materials furnished upon the Premises during the Term.

(b) Upon the expiration or sooner termination of the Term, Lessee shall, upon written demand by Lessor, at Lessee’s sole expense, with due diligence, remove any alteration, addition or improvement made by Lessee, designated by Lessor to be removed, and repair any damage to the Premises caused by such removal. Lessee shall remove all of its movable property and trade fixtures which can be removed without damage to the Premises at the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease and shall pay Lessor for all damages from injury to the Premises or Project resulting from such removal.

8. INSURANCE; INDEMNITY .

8.1. LESSEE’S LIABILITY INSURANCE. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s expense, obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy of commercial general liability insurance written on an occurrence basis insuring Lessee against any liability arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy, or maintenance of the Premises and all areas appurtenant thereto. Such insurance shall be primary and not contributing with any insurance maintained by Lessor, shall have a combined single limit of liability of $2,000,000 and shall name Lessor as an additional insured. The limits of said insurance shall not, however, limit the liability of Lessee hereunder. Said insurance shall have a Lessor’s Protective Liability endorsement attached thereto, and shall contain a contractual liability endorsement covering all indemnification obligations of Lessee hereunder. If Lessee shall fail to procure and maintain said insurance, Lessor may, but shall not be required to, procure and maintain the same, but at the expense of Lessee.

8.2. LESSEE’S PROPERTY INSURANCE. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s expense, obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to Lessee’s personal property, merchandise, stock in trade, fixtures and equipment located on the Premises from time to time, in the amount of the full replacement value thereof, providing protection against all perils included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, special extended perils (special form).

8.3. LESSOR’S LIABILITY INSURANCE. Lessor shall obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy of commercial general liability insurance written on an occurrence basis insuring Lessor against any liability arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy, or maintenance of the Project, including the Common Areas. Such insurance shall have a combined single limit of liability of at least $2,000,000.

8.4. LESSOR’S PROPERTY INSURANCE. Lessor shall obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to the Project, in the amount of the full replacement value thereof, exclusive of footings and foundations, providing protection against all perils included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, special extended perils (special form). Lessee understands and agrees that the insurance described in this Section 8.4 will not cover Lessee’s personal property, merchandise, stock in trade, trade fixtures and equipment. Lessee shall be responsible for Lessee’s proportionate share of the insurance cost.

 

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8.5. OTHER INSURANCE. Lessor may, at its option, obtain and keep in force during the Term: (i) a policy of business interruption insurance payable to Lessor in an amount sufficient to cover any loss of rental income from the Premises for a period of twelve (12) months; and (ii) a policy of flood insurance in an amount and upon such other terms as are acceptable to Lessor.

8.6. INSURANCE POLICIES. Insurance required hereunder shall be in companies rated “A-XII” or better by A. M. Best Co., in Best’s Key guide. On or prior to the Commencement Date, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor copies of policies of liability insurance required under Section 8.1 and policies of casualty insurance required by Section 8.2 or certificates evidencing the existence and amounts of such insurance, and in the case of the liability insurance policy indicating that Lessor has been named an additional insured thereunder. All such policies and certificates of insurance shall state explicitly that such insurance shall not be cancelable or subject to reduction of coverage or other modification except upon at least thirty (30) days’ advance written notice by the insurer to Lessor. Lessee shall furnish Lessor with renewals or “binders” thereof, or Lessor may order such insurance and charge the cost thereof to Lessee, which amount shall be payable by Lessee upon demand. Lessee shall not do or permit to be done anything which shall invalidate the insurance policies referred to in Sections 8.2 and Section 8.3 . Either party may provide any required insurance under a so-called blanket policy or policies covering other parties and locations and may maintain the required coverage by a so-called umbrella policy or policies, so long as the required coverage is not thereby diminished.

8.7. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Lessee and Lessor each hereby waives any and all rights of recovery against the other, or against the officers, partners, employees, agents, and representatives of the other, for loss of or damage to such waiving party or its property or the property of others under its control, where such loss or damage is insured against and actually covered under any property insurance policy in force at the time of such loss or damage, but such waiver extends only to the extent of the actual insurance coverage. Lessee and Lessor shall, upon obtaining the policies of insurance required hereunder, give notice to the insurance carrier or carriers that the foregoing mutual waiver of subrogation is contained in this Lease.

8.8. INDEMNITY. Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any and all claims arising from Lessee’s use of the Premises, or from the conduct of Lessee’s business or from any activity, work, or things done, permitted, or suffered by Lessee in or about the Premises or elsewhere, and shall further indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any and all claims arising from any breach or default in the performance of any obligation on Lessee’s part to be performed under the terms of this Lease or arising from any negligence of the Lessee, or any of the Lessee’s agents, contractors or employees, and from and against all costs, attorneys’ fees, expenses, and liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claim or any action or proceeding brought thereon. Lessee, as a material part of the consideration to Lessor, hereby assumes all risk of damage to property or injury to persons, in, upon, or about the Premises arising from any cause and Lessee hereby waives all claims in respect thereof against Lessor, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lessor.

8.9. EXEMPTION OF LESSOR FROM LIABILITY.

(a) Lessee hereby agrees that Lessor and its agents shall not be liable for injury to Lessee’s business or any loss of income therefrom or for damage to the goods, wares, merchandise, or other property of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, invitees, customers, or any other person in or about the Premises, nor shall Lessor be liable for injury to the person of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, agents or contractors, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction, or other defects of pipes, sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, air conditioning or light fixtures, or from any other cause whether said damage or injury results from conditions arising upon the Premises or upon other portions of the building of which the Premises are a part, or from other sources or places, and regardless of whether the cause of such damage or injury or the means of repairing the same is inaccessible to Lessee, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lessor. Lessor shall not be liable for any damages arising from any act or neglect of any other lessee, if any, of the building in which the Premises are located.

(b) No individual partners, members, managers, manager of a member(s), shareholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of Lessor or individual, member of a joint venture, tenancy in common, firm or partnership, general or limited, which may be the Lessor or any successor in interest, shall be subject to personal liability with respect to any of the covenants or conditions of this Lease. The Lessee shall look solely to the equity of the Lessor in the Project, and the rents, issues and profits derived therefrom, and to no other assets of Lessor, for the satisfaction of the remedies of the Lessee in the event of a breach by the Lessor. Lessee will not seek recourse against the individual partners, members, managers, manager of a member(s), shareholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of Lessor or an individual, member of a joint venture, tenancy in common, firm or partnership, general or limited, which may be the Lessor or any successor in interest or any of their personal assets for such satisfaction. It is mutually agreed that this clause is and shall be considered an integral part of this Lease.

8.10. LESSEE’S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF INSURANCE PREMIUMS. Lessee shall pay during the Term, as additional rent and in addition to all other charges due hereunder, Lessee’s proportionate share (calculated in the manner described in Section 12 ) of the premiums for the insurance required to be carried by Lessor hereunder (the “Insurance Amount”), whether the Insurance Amount shall be the result of the nature of Lessee’s occupancy, any act or omission of Lessee, requirements of the holder of a mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises, increased valuation of the Premises or the Project, or otherwise. Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share of the Insurance Amount together with all applicable rental taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all of

 

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Lessor’s insurance costs for the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement.

9. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION .

9.1. RECONSTRUCTION OF PREMISES. If during the Term all or part of the Premises should be destroyed partially or totally by fire or other casualty, this Lease shall continue thereafter in full force and effect, except as hereinafter provided, and the Lessor shall cause the reconstruction of the Premises within the ninety (90) days following such destruction to substantially the same condition in which it existed at the time immediately preceding such destruction. Lessee’s obligation to pay rental to Lessor hereunder shall abate from the date of such destruction until completion of such reconstruction. Should the Premises be partially damaged or destroyed, rent shall be abated in the same proportion as the destruction affects Lessee’s ability to occupy and use the Premises for its intended purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessor shall have thirty (30) days following the partial or total destruction of the Premises to elect in writing not to commence reconstruction, repair or replacement of the Premises. In the event of such an election by Lessor, this Lease shall be deemed terminated and of no further force or effect.

9.2. FORCE MAJEURE. If Lessor is bona fide delayed or hindered in or prevented from the performance of any term, covenant or act required in Section 9.1 by reason of strikes, labor troubles, inability to procure materials or services, power failure, sabotage, rebellion, war, act of God, or other reason of a like nature, any of which must be beyond the reasonable control of Lessor, financial inability excepted, then the performance of that term, covenant or act is excused for the period of the delay and the reconstruction period shall be deemed correspondingly extended.

9.3. ABATEMENT SOLE REMEDY. Except for abatement of rent, if any, Lessee shall have no claim against Lessor for any damage suffered by reason of any such damage, destruction, repair or restoration of the Premises.

10. REAL PROPERTY TAXES .

10.1. PAYMENT OF LESSEE’S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF TAXES. Lessor shall pay all real property taxes applicable to the Premises; provided, however, that Lessee shall pay, as additional rent and in addition to all other charges due hereunder, Lessee’s proportionate share (as defined in Section 12 ) of real property taxes applicable to the Project (the “Real Property Tax Amount”). Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount, together with all applicable rental taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all real property taxes relating to the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement. If the Term does not commence or expire concurrently with the commencement or expiration of the tax year, Lessee’s liability for real property taxes for the such partial year shall be prorated on an annual basis.

10.2. DEFINITION OF “REAL PROPERTY TAX”. As used herein, the term “real property tax” shall include any form of assessment, levy, or tax (other than inheritance or estate taxes), imposed by any authority having the direct or indirect power to tax, including any city, county, state, or federal government, or any school, agricultural, lighting, drainage, or other improvement district thereof, as against any legal or equitable interest of Lessor in the Premises, the Project and the real property of which the Premises and the Project are a part.

10.3. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.

(a) Lessee shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes assessed against and levied upon trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and all other personal property of Lessee contained in the Premises or elsewhere. When possible, Lessee shall cause said trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and all other personal property to be assessed and billed separately from the real property of Lessor.

(b) If any of Lessee’s personal property shall be assessed and billed with Lessor’s real property, Lessee shall pay Lessor the taxes attributable to Lessee within ten (10) days after receipt of a written statement setting forth the taxes applicable to Lessee’s property.

11. COMMON AREA CHARGES . In addition to the rental and other charges herein provided to be paid by Lessee to Lessor, Lessee shall pay to Lessor, as additional rent and as Lessee’s share of the cost of maintaining, operating, repairing and managing the Project, Lessee’s proportionate share (as defined in Section 12 ) of the Total Common Area Charges (as hereinafter defined) for any calendar year during the Term (the “CAM Amount”). Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share (as described in Section 12 ) of the CAM Amount, together with all applicable rental taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term or as soon thereafter as is

 

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reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all Total Common Area Charges for the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the CAM Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the CAM Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement. Total Common Area Charges shall consist of all costs and expenses of every type associated with the management, repair, maintenance, and insuring of the Common Areas including, without limitation, costs and expenses for the following: gardening and landscaping; utilities, water and sewer charges; premiums for liability, property damage and casualty insurance and workman’s compensation insurance; all personal property taxes levied on or attributable to personal property used in connection with the Common Areas; straight line depreciation on personal property owned by Lessor which is consumed in the operation or maintenance of the Common Areas; rental or lease payments paid by Lessor for rented or leased personal property used in the operation or maintenance of Common Areas; fees for required licenses and permits; refuse disposal charges; repairing, resurfacing, repaving, maintaining, painting, lighting, cleaning, refuse removal, security and similar items; repair and maintenance of exterior roofs and reserves for roof replacement and exterior painting of the Project and other appropriate reserves; and fees paid to property managers. Said Total Common Area Charges shall further include all charges for semi-annual preventive maintenance service of mechanical equipment including, without limitation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, which is attributable to the Project, and the cost of lighting, maintenance and repair of the Project identification signs.

12. PROPORTIONATE SHARE . For purposes of Sections 8.10 and 10.1 and Section 11 , Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount, the Real Property Tax Amount and the CAM amount shall be a fraction, the numerator of which is the total gross rentable square footage of the Premises, and the denominator of which is the total gross rentable square footage of the entire Project, from time to time. The parties agree that as of the Commencement Date, Lessee’s proportionate share will be:

 

    17% for CAM Charges, based on the total development square footage of 74,200

 

    100% for Real Property Tax and other expenses allocable only to Lot 14 based on a developed square footage of 12,600.

 

    25% for Insurance Charges and other expenses allocable only to Lot 11, 13 and 14 based on a developed square footage of 49,700.

13. UTILITIES; UTILITIES DEREGULATION .

13.1. LESSEE’S PAYMENT OBLIGATION. Lessee shall pay for all water, gas, heat, light, power, telephone, and other utilities and services supplied to the Premises, together with any taxes thereon.

13.2. LESSOR CONTROLS SELECTION. If permitted by law, Lessor shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the Term to contract for service from a company or companies providing electricity service different from the utility company currently providing electricity service to the Premises (each such different company shall hereinafter be referred to as an “Alternate Service Provider”).

13.3. LESSEE SHALL GIVE LESSOR ACCESS. Lessee shall cooperate with Lessor, the utility company currently providing electricity service to the Premises (the “Electric Service Provider”), and any Alternate Service Provider at all times and, as reasonably necessary, shall allow Lessor, Electric Service Provider and any Alternate Service Provider reasonable access to the Premises’ electric lines, feeders, risers, wiring, and any other machinery within the Premises.

13.4. LESSOR NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE. Lessor shall in no way be liable or responsible for any loss, damage, or expense that Lessee may sustain or incur by reason of any change, failure, interference, disruption, or defect in the supply or character of the electric energy furnished to the Premises, or if the quantity or character of the electric energy supplied by the Electric Service Provider or any Alternate Service Provider is no longer available or suitable for Lessee’s requirements, and no such change, failure, defect, unavailability, or unsuitability shall constitute an actual or constructive eviction, in whole or in part, or entitle Lessee to any abatement or diminution of rent or additional rent, or relieve Lessee from any obligations under the Lease.

14. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING .

14.1. LESSOR’S CONSENT REQUIRED. Lessee shall not voluntarily or by operation of law, assign, transfer, mortgage, sublet, or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of Lessee’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises, without Lessor’s prior written consent. Any attempted assignment, transfer, mortgage, encumbrance, or subletting without such consent shall be void, and shall constitute a breach of this Lease.

14.2. NO RELEASE OF LESSEE. Regardless of Lessor’s consent, no subletting or assignment shall release Lessee of Lessee’s obligation or alter the primary liability of Lessee to pay the rent and to perform all other obligations to be performed by Lessee hereunder. The acceptance of rent by Lessor from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver by Lessor of any provision hereof. Consent to one assignment or subletting shall not be deemed consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting.

15. DEFAULTS; REMEDIES .

 

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15.1. DEFAULTS. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a material default and breach of this Lease by Lessee:

(a) The failure by Lessee to make any payment of rent or any other payment required to be made by Lessee hereunder within ten (10) days of the date when due.

(b) The failure by Lessee to observe or perform any of the covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Lessee, other than described in Section15.1(b) above, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Lessor to Lessee.

(c) (i) The making by Lessee of any general assignment or general arrangement for the benefit of creditors; (ii) the filing by or against Lessee of a petition to have Lessee adjudged a bankrupt or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy (unless, in the case of a petition filed against Lessee, the same is dismissed within sixty (60) days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to Lessee within thirty (30) days; or (iv) the attachment, execution, or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within thirty (30) days.

(d) The chronic delinquency by Lessee in the payment of monthly rental, or any other periodic payment required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease. “Chronic delinquency” shall mean failure by Lessee to pay monthly rental, or any other periodic payment required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease, within ten (10) days as described in Section 15.1(b) above, for any three (3) months (consecutive or nonconsecutive) during any twelve (12) month period. In the event of the chronic delinquency, at Lessor’s option, Lessor shall have the additional right to require that monthly rental be paid by Lessee quarter-annually, in advance, for the remainder of the Term.

(e) Any guarantor of the Lease revokes or otherwise terminates, or purports to revoke or otherwise terminate (by operation of law or otherwise) any guaranty of all or any portion of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease

15.2. REMEDIES. In the event of any such material default or breach by Lessee, Lessor may at any time thereafter, with or without notice or demand and without limiting Lessor in the exercise of any other right or remedy which Lessor may have by reason of such default or breach:

(a) Terminate Lessee’s right to possession of the Premises by any lawful means, in which case this Lease shall terminate and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession of the Premises to Lessor. In such event, Lessor shall be entitled to recover from Lessee all damages incurred by Lessor by reason of Lessee’s default including, but not limited to, the cost of recovering possession of the Premises; expenses of reletting, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Premises, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and any real estate commission actually paid; the “worth at the time of award” established by the court having jurisdiction thereof of the amount by which the unpaid rent and other charges due for the balance of the Term after the time of Lessee’s default exceeds the amount of such rental loss for the same period that Lessee proves by clear and convincing evidence could have been reasonably avoided; and that portion of the leasing commission paid by Lessor applicable to the unexpired term of this Lease. Unpaid installments of rent or other sums shall bear interest from the date due at the rate of 15 % per annum. For purposes of this Section 15.2(a) , “worth at the time of award” of the amount referred to above shall be computed by discounting each amount by a rate equal to the prime rate (or its equivalent) of Bank One at the time of the award, but in no event more than a rate of ten percent ( 10 %) per annum.

(b) Re-enter the Premises, without terminating this Lease, and remove any property from the Premises in which case Lessor shall be entitled to enforce all of Lessor’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the rent and all other amounts due hereunder as they become due. No re-entry or taking possession of the Premises by Lessor pursuant to this Section 15.2 or other action on Lessor’s part shall be construed as an election to terminate the Lease unless a written notice of such intention is given to Lessee or unless the termination thereof is decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Lessor’s election not to terminate this Lease pursuant to this Section 15.2(b) or pursuant to any other provision of this Lease shall not preclude Lessor from subsequently electing to terminate this Lease or pursuing any of its other remedies.

(c) Maintain Lessee’s right to possession, in which case this Lease shall continue in effect, whether or not Lessee shall have abandoned the Premises. In such event Lessor shall be entitled to enforce all of Lessor’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the rent and all other amounts due hereunder as they become due hereunder.

(d) Pursue any other or additional remedy now or hereafter available to Lessor under the laws or judicial decisions of the State of Arizona. The expiration or termination of this Lease and/or the termination of Lessee’s right to possession shall not relieve Lessee from liability under any indemnity provisions of this Lease as to matters occurring or accruing during the Term hereof or by reason of Lessee’s occupancy of the Premises.

The remedies set forth herein shall be deemed cumulative and not exclusive.

15.3. DEFAULT BY LESSOR. Lessor shall not be deemed in default unless Lessor fails to perform obligations required of Lessor within a reasonable time, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after written notice by Lessee to Lessor and to the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises whose name and address shall have theretofore been furnished to Lessee in writing specifying wherein Lessor has failed to perform such obligations; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessor’s obligation is such that more than thirty (30) days are required for performance, then

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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Lessor shall not be in default if Lessor commences performance within such 30-day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes the same to completion. If Lessor does not perform, Lessor’s mortgagee may perform in Lessor’s place and Lessee must accept such performance. In no event shall Lessee have the right to terminate this Lease as a result of Lessor’s default, and Lessee’s remedies shall be limited to damages and/or an injunction.

15.4. LATE CHARGES. Lessee hereby acknowledges that late payment by Lessee to Lessor of rent and other sums due hereunder will cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the exact amount of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Such costs include, but are not limited to, processing and accounting charges, and late charges which may be imposed on Lessor by the terms of any mortgage or trust deed covering the Premises. Accordingly, if any installment of rent or any other sum due from Lessee shall not be received by Lessor or Lessor’s designee on or before the date when due, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a late charge equal to ten percent (10%) of such overdue amount but not exceeding $250.00 if paid within 10 days of the original due date. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs Lessor will incur by reason of late payment by Lessee. Acceptance of such late charge by Lessor shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s default with respect to such overdue amount nor prevent Lessor from exercising any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder.

16. CONDEMNATION . If less than twenty percent (20%) of the gross rentable floor area of the Premises is taken under the power of eminent domain, or sold under the threat of the exercise of said power (all of which are herein called “condemnation”), this Lease shall terminate as to the part so taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever occurs first, and in addition, Lessor shall have the option in such event to terminate this Lease in full by providing Lessee with written notice thereof within ten (10) days following the date when the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If twenty percent (20%) or more of the floor area of the Premises is taken by condemnation, either Lessor or Lessee may terminate this Lease by providing the other with written notice thereof within ten (10) days following the date when the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If neither Lessor or Lessee elects to terminate this Lease in accordance with the foregoing, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect as to the portion of the Premises remaining, except that the rent shall be reduced in the proportion that the gross rentable floor area taken bears to the total gross rentable floor area of the original Premises. Any award for the taking of all or any part of the Premises under the power of eminent domain or any payment made under threat of the exercise of such power shall be the property of Lessor, whether such award shall be made as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold or for the taking of the fee, or as severance damages; provided, however, that Lessee shall be entitled to any award for loss or damage to Lessee’s trade fixtures and removable property. In the event that this Lease is not terminated by reason of such condemnation, Lessor shall, to the extent of severance damages actually received by Lessor in connection with such condemnation, repair any damage to the Premises caused by such condemnation except to the extent that Lessee has been reimbursed therefor by the condemning authority. Lessee shall pay any amount in excess of such severance damages required to complete such repair.

17. GENERAL PROVISIONS .

17.1. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE.

(a) Lessee shall at any time upon not less than ten (10) days prior written notice from Lessor execute, acknowledge and deliver to Lessor a statement in writing (i) certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if modified, stating the nature of such modification and certifying that this Lease, as so modified, is in full force and effect) and the date to which the rent and other charges are paid in advance, if any; (ii) acknowledging that there are not, to Lessee’s knowledge, any uncured defaults on the part of Lessor hereunder, or specifying such defaults if any are claimed; and (iii) setting forth such other statements with respect to this Lease as may be reasonably requested by Lessor. Any such statement may be conclusively relied upon by any prospective purchaser or encumbrancer of the Project.

(b) Lessee’s failure to deliver such statement within such time shall be conclusive upon Lessee (i) that this Lease is in full force and effect, without modification except as may be represented by Lessor, (ii) that there are no uncured defaults in Lessor’s performance, and (iii) that not more than one month’s rent has been paid in advance.

(c) If Lessor desires to finance or refinance the Project, or any part thereof, Lessee hereby agrees to deliver to any lender designated by Lessor such financial statements of Lessee as may be reasonably required by such lender. Such statements shall include the past three years’ financial statements of Lessee. All such financial statements shall be received by Lessor in confidence and shall be used only for the purposes herein set forth.

17.2. LESSOR’S LIABILITY. The term “Lessor” as used herein shall mean only the owner or owners at the time in question of the fee title or a lessee’s interest in a ground lease of the Premises. In the event of any transfer of such title or interest, Lessor herein named (and in case of any subsequent transfers the then grantor) shall be relieved from and after the date of such transfer of all liability as respects Lessor’s obligations thereafter to be performed, provided that any funds in the hands of Lessor or the then grantor at the time of such transfer, in which Lessee has an interest, shall be delivered to the grantee. The obligations contained in this Lease to be performed by Lessor shall, subject as aforesaid, be binding on Lessor’s successors and assigns, only during their respective periods of ownership.

17.3. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity of any provision of this Lease as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof.

17.4. INTEREST ON PAST-DUE OBLIGATIONS Except as expressly herein provided, any amount due to Lessor not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 15 % per annum from the date due. Payment of such interest shall not excuse or cure any default by Lessee under this Lease.

 

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Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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17.5. TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence.

17.6. CAPTIONS. Section and Section captions are not a part hereof.

17.7. INCORPORATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENTS. This Lease contains all agreements of the parties with respect to any matter mentioned herein. No prior agreement or understanding pertaining to any such matter shall be effective. This Lease may be modified in writing only, signed by the parties in interest at the time of the modification.

17.8. NOTICES AND PAYMENTS. All notices and demands which may be required or permitted to be given to either party hereunder shall be in writing, and all such notices and demands hereunder shall be sent by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or hand delivered to the addresses set out below or to such other person or place as each party may from time to time designate in a notice to the other. All payments due hereunder, except for the monthly rent payment which is to be transferred electronically, shall be sent by first class United States mail, postage prepaid or hand delivered to the address of the Lessor set out below or to such other person or place as Lessor may from time to time designate in a notice to Lessee. Notices and payments shall be deemed given and made upon actual receipt. Any notice, demand or payment required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be addressed to Lessor and Lessee, respectively, at the addresses set forth below:

 

If to Lessor:   Pegasus Properties L.P.
  P.O. Box 506
  6411 Via Naranjal
  Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
If to Lessee:   High Throughput Genomics, Inc.
  3400 E. Global Loop, Suite xxx
  Tucson, AZ 85706

17.9. MORTGAGEE PROTECTION

(a) If, in connection with obtaining financing for the Project or any portion thereof, Lessor’s lender shall request reasonable modifications to this Lease as a condition to such financing, Lessee shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or defer its consent to such modifications, provided such modifications do not materially adversely affect Lessee’s rights or increase Lessee’s obligations under this Lease.

(b) Lessee agrees to give to any trust deed or mortgage holder (“Holder”), by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested, at the same time as it is given to Lessor, a copy of any notice of default given to Lessor, provided that prior to such notice Lessee has been notified, in writing, (by way of notice of assignment of rents and leases, or otherwise) of the address of such Holder. Lessee further agrees that if Lessor shall have failed to cure such default within the time provided for in this Lease, then the Holder shall have an additional twenty (20) days after expiration of such period, or after receipt of such notice from Lessee (if such notice to the Holder is required by this Section 17.9(b) , whichever shall last occur, within which to cure such default or if such default cannot be cured within that time, then such additional time as may be necessary if within such twenty (20) days, any Holder has commenced and is diligently pursuing the remedies necessary to cure such default (including but not limited to commencement of foreclosure proceedings, if necessary, to effect such cure), in which event this Lease shall not be terminated.

17.10. WAIVERS. No waiver by Lessor of any provision hereof shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision hereof or of any subsequent breach by Lessee of the same or any other provision. Lessor’s consent to or approval of any act shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of Lessor’s consent to or approval of any subsequent act by Lessee. The acceptance of rent hereunder by Lessor shall not be a waiver of any preceding breach by Lessee of any provision hereof, other than the failure of Lessee to pay the particular rent so accepted, regardless of Lessor’s knowledge of such preceding breach at the time of acceptance of such rent.

17.11. RECORDING. Lessee shall not record this Lease without Lessor’s prior written consent, and such recordation shall, at the option of Lessor, constitute a non-curable default of Lessee hereunder.

17.12. HOLDING OVER. If Lessee remains in possession of the Premises or any part thereof after the expiration of the Term hereof, without the written consent of Lessor, such occupancy shall be a tenancy at sufferance, for which Lessee shall pay a monthly base rental of one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the monthly base rental in

 

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Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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effect immediately prior to the expiration of the Term plus all other charges payable hereunder, and upon all the terms hereof applicable to such a tenancy at sufferance.

17.13. CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive but shall, wherever possible, be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity.

17.14. COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS. Each provision of this Lease performable by Lessee shall be deemed both a covenant and a condition.

17.15. BINDING EFFECT; CHOICE OF LAW. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment or subletting and subject to the provisions of Section 17.2 , this Lease shall bind the parties, their personal representatives, successors and assigns. This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona.

17.16. SUBORDINATION.

(a) This Lease, at Lessor’s option, shall be subordinate to any ground lease, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other hypothecation for security now or hereafter placed upon the Project and to any and all advances made on the security thereof and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions thereof. If Lessor or any mortgagee, trustee, or ground lessor shall elect to have this Lease prior to the lien of a mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, and shall give written notice thereof to Lessee, this Lease shall be deemed prior to such mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, whether this Lease is dated prior or subsequent to the date of said mortgage, deed of trust, or ground lease or the date of recording thereof.

(b) Lessee agrees to execute any documents required to effectuate such subordination or to make this Lease prior to the lien of any mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, as the case may be, and failing to do so within ten (10) days after written demand, does hereby make, constitute, and irrevocably appoint Lessor as Lessee’s attorney in fact and in Lessee’s name, place and stead, to do so.

17.17. ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If either party brings an action to enforce the terms hereof or declare rights hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees in any such action, on trial or appeal, to be paid by as fixed by the court. If Lessee or Lessor shall be in breach or default under this Lease, such party (the “Defaulting Party”) shall reimburse the other party (the “Nondefaulting Party”) upon demand for any costs or expenses that the Nondefaulting Party incurs in connection with any breach or default of the Defaulting Party under this Lease, whether or not suit is commenced or judgment entered. Such costs shall include reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred for the negotiation of a settlement, enforcement of rights or otherwise.

17.18. LESSOR’S ACCESS. Lessor and Lessor’s agents shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable times between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays for the purpose of inspecting the same, showing the same to prospective purchasers, lenders, consultants and other professionals and making such alterations, repairs, improvements, or additions to the Premises or to the building of which they are a part as Lessor may deem necessary or desirable. Except as specifically provided herein to the contrary, no entry by Lessor hereunder nor any work performed by Lessor to the Premises shall entitled Lessee to terminate this Lease or to a reduction or abatement of rent or other amounts owed by Lessee hereunder nor to any claim for damages. Lessor may at any time place on or about the Premises any ordinary “For Sale” and “For Lease” signs. Lessor and Lessor’s agent shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time in the case of an emergency.

17.19. SIGNS AND AUCTIONS. Lessee shall not place any sign upon the Premises or conduct any auction from the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

17.20. MERGER. The voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Lessee or a mutual cancellation thereof shall, at the option of Lessor, terminate all or any existing subtenancies or may, at the option of Lessor, operate as an assignment to Lessor of any or all of such subtenancies.

17.21. CORPORATE AUTHORITY. If Lessee is a corporation, a limited liability company, partnership or other entity, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of said entity represents and warrants that he is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of said entity, and that this Lease is binding upon said entity in accordance with its terms. If Lessee is a corporation, a limited liability company, partnership or other entity, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor, upon Lessee’s execution of this Lease, evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor of the authority of the person(s) signing this Lease on behalf of Lessee to do so and that Lessee has approved entering into this Lease. Such evidence may include a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or members of said entity authorizing or ratifying the execution of this Lease.

18. PARKING AND COMMON AREAS . The Lessee, its agents, employees and invitees shall be entitled to park in common with other lessees of Lessor in the unreserved parking spaces at the Project providing that it agrees not to overburden the parking facilities of the Project and agrees to cooperate with the Lessor and other lessees in the use of the parking facilities. The Lessor specifically reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to determine whether parking facilities are becoming overburdened and in such event to allocate the parking spaces among the Lessee and other lessees, their agents, employees, and business invitees using the parking facilities. All loading operations for receipt or shipment of goods, wares and merchandise by the Lessee shall be done in the rear of the Premises or in such area therein which is specifically designated in writing by the Lessor.

 

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Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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19. SAFETY . Lessee shall maintain on the Premises at all times during the Term hereof an adequate number, size and type of fire extinguishers as are appropriate to Lessee’s business. Lessee will at all times adhere to good safety practices or as may be required by safety inspectors. Lessee shall not suffer, permit or perform any acts on or about the Premises which will increase the existing rate of fire insurance. If the said insurance rate is increased by such an act, then the increased cost of such insurance shall be paid by Lessee to Lessor with the next succeeding installment of rental. Lessee, at its sole expense, shall comply with any and all requirements of any insurance organization or company necessary for the maintenance of reasonable fire and public liability insurance covering the Premises, the Project or any portion thereof.

20. ATTORNMENT . In the event any proceedings are brought for foreclosure, or in the event of the exercise of the power of sale under any mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises, the Lessee shall attorn to the purchaser upon any such foreclosure or sale and recognize such purchaser as the Lessor under this Lease.

21. NO ACCESS TO ROOF . Lessee shall have no right of access to the roof of the Premises or the building in which the Premises are located and shall not install, repair or replace any aerial, fan, satellite dish, air conditioner or other device on the roof of the Premises or the building in which the Premises are located without the prior written consent of Lessor. Any aerial, fan, satellite dish, air conditioner or device installed without such written consent shall be subject to removal, at Lessee’s expense, without notice, at any time.

22. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment or subletting and subject to the provisions of Section 17.2 , the covenants and conditions herein contained, inure to and bind the heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assigns of the parties hereto.

23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . Within fifteen (15) days after Lessor’s request, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor the current financial statements of Lessee, and financial statements of the two (2) years prior to the current financial statements year, including a balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the most recent prior year, all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Such financial statement, balance sheet and profit and loss statement shall be certified as accurate by Lessee or a properly authorized representative of Lessee if Lessee is a corporation, partnership or other business entity.

24. NO ACCORD OR SATISFACTION . No payment by Lessee or receipt by Lessor of a lesser amount than the monthly rent and other sums due hereunder shall be deemed to be other than on account of the earliest rent or other sums due, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or accompanying any check or payment be deemed an accord and satisfaction; and Lessor may accept such check or payment without prejudice to Lessor’s right to recover the balance of such rent or other sum or pursue any other remedy provided in this Lease.

25. ACCEPTANCE . This Lease shall only become effective and binding upon full execution hereof by Lessor and delivery of a fully executed copy to Lessee.

26. INABILITY TO PERFORM . This Lease and the obligations of the Lessee hereunder shall not be affected or impaired because the Lessor is unable to fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or is delayed in doing so, if such inability or delay is caused by reason of strike, labor troubles, acts of God, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Lessor.

27. OTHER TENANTS . Lessor reserves the absolute right to permit such other tenancies and businesses in the Project as Lessor, in the exercise of its sole business judgment, shall determine to best promote the interests of the Project. Lessee is not relying on the understanding, nor does Lessor represent, any specific lessee or number of lessees shall during the Term occupy any space in the Project. Lessee hereby waives all defenses arising from, and Lessor shall not be liable for damages arising from, any act or neglect of any other lessee or from Lessor’s acts or omissions in enforcing any provision of its lease against another lessee, whether or not Lessor has notice of the offending lessee’s disturbing or unlawful act or the opportunity to cure the disturbance by invoking its powers under such other lease.

28. JOINT OBLIGATION . If there be more than one Lessee, the obligations hereunder imposed shall be joint and several.

29. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS . Except as specifically otherwise stated herein, no consent or approval to be given any party shall be unreasonably withheld.

30. BASIC TERMS SHEET . The Basic Terms Sheet to which this Lease is attached is for the convenience of the parties in quickly referencing certain of the basic terms of the Lease. It is not intended to serve as a complete summary of the Lease. In the event of any inconsistency between the Basic Terms Sheet and the Lease, the applicable Lease provision shall prevail and control.

31. TRIPLE NET LEASE. Lessee acknowledges that this is a Triple Net Lease and that Lessee shall do all acts and make all payments connected with or arising out of its use and occupation of the Premises to the end that Lessor shall receive all rent provided for herein free and undiminished by any expenses, charges, fees, taxes and assessments, and Lessor shall not be obligated to perform any acts or be subject to any liabilities or to make any payments, except as otherwise specifically and expressly provided in this Lease.

32. QUIET POSSESSION . Subject to payment by Lessee of the rent and performance of all of the covenants, conditions and provisions on Lessee’s part to be observed and performed under this Lease, Lessor shall not disturb Lessee’s quiet possession and quiet enjoyment of the Premises during the Term.

 

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Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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33. SECURITY MEASURES . Lessee hereby acknowledges that the rental payable to Lessor hereunder does not include the cost of guard service or other security measures and that Lessor shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide same. Lessee assumes all responsibility for the protection of the Premises, Lessee, its agents and invitees and their property from the acts of third parties.

34. OFFER . Preparation of this Lease by either party or their agent and submission of same to the other party shall not be deemed an offer to lease to the other party. This Lease is not intended to be binding until executed and delivered by all parties hereto.

35. BROKERS. Upon execution of this Lease by both Lessor and Lessee, Lessor shall pay a real estate commission to Lessor’s broker, Picor (“Lessor’s Broker”), as provided in the written agreement between Lessor and Lessor’s Broker for services rendered to Lessor by Lessor’s Broker in this transaction (the “Broker Agreement”). Lessor shall pay Lessor’s Broker any commission earned pursuant to the terms of such Broker Agreement. —NONE— (“Lessee’s Broker”) represents the Lessee, and Lessor’s Broker may pay a portion of its commission to Lessee’s Broker pursuant to a separate agreement. Nothing contained in this Lease shall impose any obligation on Lessor to pay a commission or fee to any party other than Lessor’s Broker.

35.1. PROTECTION OF BROKERS . If Lessor sells the Premises, or assigns Lessor’s interest in this Lease, the buyer or assignee shall, by accepting in writing such conveyance of the Premises or assignment of the Lease, be conclusively deemed to have agreed to make all payments to Lessor’s Broker thereafter required of Lessor under this Paragraph 36 . Lessor’s Broker shall have the right to bring a legal action to enforce or declare rights under this provision. The prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees to be paid by the losing party. Such attorneys’ fees shall be fixed by the court in such action. This Paragraph is included in this Lease for the benefit of Lessor’s Broker, which is an intended third party beneficiary.

35.2. BROKER’S DISCLOSURE OF AGENCY. Lessor’s Broker hereby discloses to Lessor and Lessee and Lessor and Lessee hereby consent to Lessor’s Broker acting in this transaction as the agent of (check one):

 

     X    Lessor exclusively; or   
        both Lessor and Lessee.   

36.3 NO OTHER BROKERS. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that the Lessor’s Broker and Lessee’s Broker are the only agents, brokers, finders or other parties with whom Lessee has dealt who are or may be entitled to any commission or fee with respect to this Lease or the Premises If any other person shall assert a claim to a finder’s fee, brokerage commission, or any other compensation on account of alleged employment as a finder or broker or performance of services as a finder or broker in connection with this transaction, the party under whom the finder or broker is claiming shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from and against any such claim and all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with such claim or any action or proceeding brought on such claim, including, but not limited to, counsel and witness fees and court costs in defending against such claim.

The parties hereto have executed this Lease on the dates specified immediately adjacent to their respective signatures.

 

This Lease has been prepared for submission to your attorney for approval. No representation or recommendation is made by the Lessor or its agents or employees as to the legal effect or tax consequences of this Lease or the transaction relating thereto.

 

LESSOR:      LESSEE:
Pegasus Properties, LP      High Throughput Genomics, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Matt Schmidt-Wetekam

     By:  

/s/ Kirk Collamer

  Matt Schmidt-Wetekam        Kirk Collamer
Its:  

Managing Partner

     Its  

Vice President & CFO

Date:  

7/11/2008

     Date:  

7//11/08

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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EXHIBIT “A”

[ATTACH SITE PLAN(S) SHOWING PREMISES, PROJECT AND IDENTIFYING COMMON AREAS — ALL DIMENSIONS AND AREAS TO BE BASED ON GROSS RENTABLE SQUARE FEET.]

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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EXHIBIT “B”

[ATTACH WORK LETTER, IF APPLICABLE, RELATING TO TENANT IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO PREMISES.]

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

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Exhibit 10.13

Note to User: If the Lessee is an individual, and the individual is married, Arizona community property law requires that the Lessee’s spouse must also sign any Lease (or Guaranty of Lease) for a Term of a year or more .

STANDARD COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL MULTI TENANT TRIPLE NET LEASE

BASIC TERMS SHEET

This Basic Terms Sheet to that certain Standard Commercial-Industrial Multi-Tenant Triple Net Lease between the parties listed below is for the convenience of the parties in quickly referencing certain of the basic terms of the Lease. It is not intended to serve as a complete summary of the Lease. In the event of any inconsistency between this Basic Terms Sheet and the Lease, the applicable Lease provision shall prevail and control.

 

Date of Lease (See Section 1 ):    May 11 th , 2011
Name of Lessor (See Section 1 ):    Pegasus Properties LP, a Wisconsin Limited Partnership
Name of Lessee (See Section 1 ):    High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (HTG), a Delaware Corporation
Lessee’s Telephone Number :    (877) 289-2615
Lessee’s Guarantor :    None
Address of Premises (See Section 2 ):    3400 E. Global Loop, Tucson AZ 85706, Suite 100
Approximate Gross Rentable Area of Premises (See Section 12 ):   

approx. 6000 sqft 6/1/2011 – 10/30/2011 Phase I

approx. 17,500 sqft 11/1/2011-11/30/2015 Phase II

Lessee’s Percentage of Insurance, Real Property Tax and CAM Amounts (See Section 12 ):    24% of total multi-tenant building Lot 11- 14
Lease Commencement Date (See Section 3.1 ):    June 1 st , 2011
Lease Expiration Date (See Section 3.1 ):    November 30 th , 2015
TI Allowance (see Section 3.4 )    None
Monthly Base Rent (See Section 4 ):    See rent schedule
Additional Rent    1. Rental Tax (See Section 4.1 )
   2. Insurance Amount (See Section 8.10 )
   3. Real Property Tax Amount ( Section 10.1 )
   4. CAM Amount (See Section 11 )
Lessee’s Security Deposit (See Section 5 ):    $ 10,000
Lessee’s Permitted Use (See Section 6.1 ):    Warehousing, Office, Light Manufacturing, R&D
Address for Lessor :    Po Box 506, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

 

LESSOR:     LESSEE:
By:  

/s/ Matt Schmidt

    By:  

/s/ Kirk Collamer

Its:  

Managing Partner

    Its:  

VP and CFO

Date:  

5/18/11

    Date:  

5/11/11


STANDARD COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL MULTI TENANT

TRIPLE NET LEASE

1. PARTIES . This Lease, dated May 5 th , 2011 for reference purposes only, is made by and between Pegasus Properties LP ( PEGASUS ), a Wisconsin Partnership or its Assigns (“Lessor”), and High Throughput Genomics, Inc. ( HTG ), a(n) Delaware Corporation (“Lessee”).

2. PREMISES . Lessor hereby leases to Lessee and Lessee leases from Lessor for the term, at the rental, and upon all the conditions set forth herein, the premises demised by this Lease, located at 3400 E.GLOBAL LOOP, TUCSON ARIZONA, Suite # 100. OF THE TIBC TECH CENTER (the “Premises”), together with a nonexclusive right to use the parking and common areas (collectively, the “Common Areas”), surrounding the Premises and within the project commonly known as (the “Project”). The location of the Premises and the parameters of the Common Areas and the Project are shown on Exhibit “A” attached hereto. All dimensions and areas quoted herein or in any exhibit attached hereto are approximate and are based on gross rentable area, rather than solely on areas designed for the exclusive use and occupancy of tenants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Lessor reserves to itself the use of the roof, exterior walls, and the area above and below the Premises, together with the right to install, maintain, use, repair and replace pipes, ducts, conduits, wires and structural elements leading through the Premises.

3. TERM .

3.1. TERM. The term of this Lease shall commence on 6/1/2011 (“Commencement Date”) and end 11/30/2015 (“Expiration Date”), unless sooner terminated pursuant to any provision hereof (“Term”). The initial term is split in 2 phases:

 

    Phase one: Approx. 6,000 sqft of office space starting 6/1/2011.

 

    Phase two: Approx. 17,500 sqft of office and warehouse space starting 11/1/2011.

3.2. RENEWAL OPTIONS. Lessee shall have the option to renew this Lease for one additional period of five (5) years commencing 12/1/2015 (the Renewal Term”) upon the same terms and conditions except that the lease rate will be set at rates currently applicable for like/kind buildings within the market but in no event less than the last rent rate ( incl. annual increases) paid by Lessee. If Lessee elects to exercise such option to renew, it shall give Landlord written notice of such exercise at least nine (9) months prior to the termination of the Initial or first renewal term.

3.3. DELAY IN COMMENCEMENT. Notwithstanding the Commencement Date, if for any reason Lessor cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Lessee on said date, Lessor shall not be subject to any liability therefor, nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease or the obligations of Lessee hereunder or extend the Term hereof, but in such case Lessee shall not be obligated to pay rent until possession of the Premises is tendered to Lessee; provided, however, that if Lessor shall not have delivered possession of the Premises within ninety (90) days from the Commencement Date and such delay is absent of force majeure or otherwise, Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, by notice in writing to Lessor within ten (10) days thereafter, cancel this Lease, in which event the parties shall be discharged from all obligations hereunder. If Lessee occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, such occupancy shall be subject to all provisions hereof; such occupancy shall not advance the Expiration Date, and Lessee shall pay rent from its date of occupancy at the initial monthly rates set forth below. If Lessor, by reason of force majeure or otherwise, cannot deliver the Premises within ninety (90) days from the Commencement Date, Lessor or Lessee may, at their respective options, by notice in writing within ten (10) days thereafter, cancel this Lease. In the event Lessor is required to improve the Premises in the manner described on Exhibit “B” attached hereto (the “Lessor’s Work”), Lessor agrees to use reasonable diligence to have Lessor’s Work completed and the Premises ready for occupancy on or before the Commencement Date.

3.4. TENANT LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS (TIs). NOT APPLICABLE

4. RENT .

4.1 MONTHLY BASE RENT. The following Schedule shall apply:

 

    June 1 st 2011 to December 31 st , 2011 $ 6,000 per month

 

    January 1 st 2012 to December 31 st , 2012 $ 9,000 per month

 

    January 1st 2013 to December 31 st , 2013 $ 10,500 per month

 

    January 1 st 2014 to December 31 st , 2014 $ 11,500 per month

 

    January 1 st 2015 to November 30 th , 2015 $ 13,000 per month

The monthly base rental due hereunder shall be payable to Lessor by the first day of each month during the Term at the address stated herein or to such other persons or at such other places as Lessor may designate in writing and shall be paid in lawful money of the United States of America. All rent shall be payable to Lessor’s bank account by regular electronic deposit , without prior demand or notice and without deduction or set off for counterclaim. The Lessee further agrees to pay Lessor, in addition to the rent as provided herein, all privilege, sales, excise, rental and other taxes (except income taxes) imposed now or hereinafter imposed by any governmental authority upon the rentals and all other amounts herein provided to be paid by the Lessee to the Lessor. Said payment shall be in addition to and accompanying each monthly rental payment made by Lessee to Lessor. The base rental set forth in this Section 4.1 is a negotiated figure and shall govern whether or not the actual gross rentable square footage of the Premises is the same as set forth in Section 12 hereof. Lessee shall have no right to withhold, deduct or offset any amount from the base monthly rental or any other sum due hereunder even if the

 

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actual gross rentable square footage of the Premises is less than that set forth in Section 12 . Rent for any period during the Term which is for less than one month shall be a pro rata portion of the monthly installment. The term “rent” as used herein, unless otherwise specified, shall refer collectively to the monthly base rent and any other sums required to be paid by Lessee to Lessor hereunder. Rent shall be paid without deduction, offset, prior notice or demand, and Lessor’s acceptance of any rent payment that is for less than the entire amount then currently due hereunder shall be only as an acceptance on account and shall not constitute an accord and satisfaction or a waiver by Lessor of the balance of the rent due or a waiver of any of the remedies available to Lessor by reason of Lessee’s continuing default hereunder.

4. ANNUAL INCREASES. per schedule under 4.1

5. SECURITY DEPOSIT . Lessee shall deposit with Lessor upon execution hereof ten thousand Dollars ($10,000) as security for Lessee’s faithful performance of Lessee’s obligations hereunder. If Lessee fails to pay rent or other charges due hereunder, or otherwise defaults with respect to any provision of the Lease, Lessor may use, apply, or retain all or any portion of said deposit for the payment of any rent or other charge in default or for the payment of any other sum for which Lessor may become obligated by reason of Lessee’s default, or to compensate Lessor for any loss or damage which Lessor may suffer thereby. If Lessor so uses or applies all or any portion of said deposit, Lessee shall within ten (10) days after written demand therefor deposit cash with Lessor in an amount sufficient to restore said deposit to the full amount hereinabove stated, and Lessee’s failure to do so shall be a material breach of this Lease. Lessor shall not be required to keep said deposit separate from its general accounts. If Lessee performs all of Lessee’s obligations hereunder, said deposit, or so much thereof as has not theretofore been applied by Lessor, shall be returned, without payment of interest or other increment for its use, to Lessee (or, at Lessor’s option, to the last assignee, if any, of Lessee’s interest hereunder) at the expiration of the Term and after Lessee has vacated the Premises.

6. USE .

6.1. PERMITTED USES.

(a) The Premises are to be used only for warehousing, office and light manufacturing and R&D purposes (“Permitted Use”) and for no other business or purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of Lessor. No act shall be done in or about the Premises that is unlawful or that will increase the existing rate of insurance on the Project. In the event of a breach of this covenant, Lessee shall pay to Lessor any and all increases in insurance premiums resulting from such breach upon demand, and Lessor shall have all additional remedies provided for herein to redress such breach. Lessee shall not commit or allow to be committed any waste upon the Premises, or any public or private nuisance or other act or thing which disturbs the quiet enjoyment of any other lessee in the Project. If any of Lessee’s machines or equipment disturb any other lessee in the Project, then Lessee shall provide adequate insulation, or take such other action as may be necessary to eliminate the noise or disturbance. Lessee, at its expense, shall comply with all laws relating to its use and occupancy of the Premises and shall observe such reasonable rules and regulations as may be adopted and made available to Lessee by Lessor from time to time for the safety, care and cleanliness of the Premises or the Project and for the preservation of good order therein.

(b) Lessee warrants that the operation of its business shall be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable recorded covenants, federal, state and local environmental, safety and other pertinent laws, rules, regulations and ordinances and that any alterations necessary to the Premises by reason of such laws, rules, regulations and ordinances shall be at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that there is no risk to Lessee, Lessee’s visitors and others using the Premises arising from Lessee’s operations. Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any claim, liability, expense, lawsuit, loss or other damage, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or relating to Lessee’s use of the Premises or Lessee’s activities within the Project.

6.2. CONDITION OF PREMISES. Lessee hereby accepts the Premises in their condition existing as of 6/1/2011 for phase one and as of 11/1/2011 for phase two, whichever is applicable, subject to all recorded covenants, applicable laws, ordinances and regulations governing and regulating the use of the Premises, and subject to all matters disclosed thereby. Lessee acknowledges that neither Lessor nor Lessor’s agents nor Lessor’s broker(s) has made any representation or warranty as to the suitability of the Premises for the conduct of Lessee’s business and that Lessee and its agents and contractors have been provided with an opportunity to thoroughly inspect and measure the Premises and the Project.

6.3. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

(a) As used herein, the term “Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance or material which has been determined by any state, federal or local governmental authority to be capable of posing a risk of injury to health, safety or property, including all of those materials and substances designated as hazardous or toxic by the city in which the Premises are located, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, or any other governmental agency now or hereafter authorized to regulate materials and substances in the environment.

(b) Lessee may introduce hazardous material necessary to its Permitted Use in or on the Premises as part of its business operations, while at all times complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies and authorities relating to the storage, use, disposal and clean-up of hazardous material, including but not limited to the obtaining of all proper permits.

 

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(c) Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor of any inquiry, test, investigation, or enforcement proceeding by, against or directed at Lessee or the Premises concerning a Hazardous Material. Lessee acknowledges that Lessor, as the owner of the Premises, shall have the right, at its election, in its own name or as Lessee’s agent, to negotiate, defend, approve, and appeal, at Lessee’s expense, any action taken or order issued with regard to a Hazardous Material by any applicable governmental authority.

(d) Neither Lessor nor, to the best of Lessor’s knowledge, any other person has ever caused or permitted any hazardous material to be placed, held, located or disposed of on, under or at the Premises or any part thereof, and neither the Premises nor any part of the real property owned by Lessor has ever been used (whether by Lessor or, to the best of Lessor’s knowledge, by any other person) as a treatment, storage or disposal (whether permanent or temporary) site for any hazardous material. Lessee shall have no responsibility for any losses, liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses or claims of any and every kind whatsoever, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from the use, discharge or release of any hazardous material on the Premises prior to the date of this Lease. Lessor hereby indemnities Lessee and agrees to pay, defend and hold Lessee harmless “m and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses and claims of every kind whatsoever, including reasonable attorney’s fees, paid, incurred or suffered by or against Lessee with respect to the use or disposal by Lessor, its employees or agents, of any hazardous materials on the Premises.

(e) If Lessee’s storage, use or disposal of any Hazardous Material in, on or adjacent to the Premises or the Project results in any contamination of the Premises, the Project, the soil, surface or groundwater thereunder or the air above and around the Premises and the Project (i) requiring remediation under federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, regulations or policies, or (ii) at levels which are unacceptable to Lessor, in Lessor’s sole and absolute discretion, Lessee agrees to clean-up the contamination immediately, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. Lessee further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Lessor harmless from and against any claims, suits, causes of action, costs, damages, loss and fees, including attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or in connection with (i) any clean-up work, inquiry or enforcement proceeding relating to Hazardous Materials currently or hereafter used, stored or disposed of by Lessee or its agents, employees, contractors or invitees on or about the Premises or the Project, and (ii) the use, storage, disposal or release by Lessee or its agents, employees, contractors or invitees of any Hazardous Materials on or about the Premises or the Project.

(f) Notwithstanding any other right of entry granted to Lessor under this Lease, Lessor shall have the right to enter the Premises or to have consultants enter the Premises throughout the Term at reasonable times for the purpose of determining: (1) whether the Premises are in conformity with federal, state and local statutes, regulations, ordinances and policies, including those pertaining to the environmental condition of the Premises; (2) whether Lessee has complied with this Section 6 ; and (3) the corrective measures, if any, required of Lessee to ensure the safe use, storage and disposal of Hazardous Materials. Lessee agrees to provide access and reasonable assistance for such inspections. Such inspections may include, but are not limited to, entering the Premises with machinery for the purpose of obtaining laboratory samples. Lessor shall not be limited in the number of such inspections during the Term. If, during such inspections, it is found that Lessee’s use of Hazardous Materials constitutes a violation of this Lease, Lessee shall reimburse Lessor for the cost of such inspections within ten (10) days of receipt of a written statement therefor. If such consultants determine that the Premises are contaminated with Hazardous Material or in violation of any applicable environmental law, Lessee shall, in a timely manner, at its expense, remove such Hazardous Materials or otherwise comply with the recommendations of such consultants to the reasonable satisfaction of Lessor and any applicable governmental agencies. If Lessee fails to do so, Lessor, at its sole discretion, may, in addition to all other remedies available to Lessor, cause the violation and/or contamination to be remedied at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. The right granted to Lessor herein to inspect the Premises shall not create a duty on Lessor’s part to inspect the Premises, or liability of Lessor for Lessee’s use, storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials, it being understood that Lessee shall be solely responsible for all liability in connection therewith.

(g) Lessee shall surrender the Premises to Lessor upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease free of Hazardous Materials and in a condition which complies with all governmental statutes, ordinances, regulations and policies, recommendations of consultants hired by Lessor, and such other reasonable requirements as may be imposed by Lessor.

(h) Lessee’s obligations under this Section 6 and all indemnification obligations of Lessee under this Lease shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS .

7.1. LESSOR’S OBLIGATIONS. Subject to the provisions of Section 9 and except as provided in Section 7.2 and elsewhere herein and except for damage caused by any negligent or intentional act or omission of Lessee, Lessee’s agents, employees or invitees, Lessor, at Lessor’s expense, shall keep in good order, condition, and repair the foundations, exterior walls (except painting and caulking), and the structural portions of the exterior roof of the Premises. Any repairs of damages caused by Lessee’s lack of service and maintenance become the responsibility of the Lessee. Lessee expressly waives the benefits of any statute now or hereafter in effect which would otherwise afford Lessee the right to make repairs at Lessor’s expense or to terminate this Lease because of Lessor’s failure to keep the Premises and Project in good order, condition, and repair.

7.2. LESSEE’S OBLIGATIONS.

 

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(a) Lessee shall, at its expense throughout the Term, maintain, service, replace, and keep in good repair the interior structures except those items for which Lessor is specifically made responsible under Section 7.1 , and mechanical equipment of the Premises, and all other aspects of the Premises including such items as floors, ceilings, walls, doors, glass, plumbing, paint, parking lots and landscaping, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, partitions, electrical equipment, wires, and electrical fixtures, and surrender same upon the expiration of the Term in the same condition as received, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Lessee shall give Lessor prompt written notice of any item that Lessor is required to repair or of any unsafe condition upon or within the Premises.

(b) On the last day of the Term, or on any sooner termination, Lessee shall surrender the Premises to Lessor in the same condition as received, broom clean, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Lessee shall repair any damage to the Premises occasioned by the removal of its trade fixtures, furnishings and equipment pursuant to Section 7.3 which repair shall include without limitation the patching and filling of holes and repair of structural damage.

7.3. ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS.

(a) Alterations or removal of any fixtures may not be made to the Premises without the prior written consent of Lessor, and any alterations, improvements, additions or utility installations to the Premises, excepting movable furniture and machinery and trade fixtures, shall, at Lessor’s option, become part of the realty and belong to Lessor upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. However, this shall not prevent Lessee from installing trade fixtures, machinery, or other trade equipment in conformance with all applicable ordinances, regulations and laws. Lessee shall keep the Premises, the building in which the Premises are located, and the land on which the Premises are situated free from any liens arising out of any work performed for, material furnished to, or obligations incurred by the Lessee. It is further understood and agreed that under no circumstance is the Lessee to be deemed the agent of the Lessor for any alteration, repair, or construction within the Premises, the same being done at the sole expense of the Lessee. All contractors, materialmen, mechanics, and laborers are hereby charged with notice that they must look only to the Lessee for the payment of any charge for work done and materials furnished upon the Premises during the Term.

(b) Upon the expiration or sooner termination of the Term, Lessee shall, upon written demand by Lessor, at Lessee’s sole expense, with due diligence, remove any alteration, addition or improvement made by Lessee, designated by Lessor to be removed, and repair any damage to the Premises caused by such removal. Lessee shall remove all of its movable property and trade fixtures which can be removed without damage to the Premises at the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease and shall pay Lessor for all damages from injury to the Premises or Project resulting from such removal.

8. INSURANCE; INDEMNITY.

8.1. LESSEE’S LIABILITY INSURANCE. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s expense, obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy of commercial general liability insurance written on an occurrence basis insuring Lessee against any liability arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy, or maintenance of the Premises and all areas appurtenant thereto. Such insurance shall be primary and not contributing with any insurance maintained by Lessor, shall have a combined single limit of liability of $2,000,000 and shall name Lessor as an additional insured. The limits of said insurance shall not, however, limit the liability of Lessee hereunder. Said insurance shall have a Lessor’s Protective Liability endorsement attached thereto, and shall contain a contractual liability endorsement covering all indemnification obligations of Lessee hereunder. If Lessee shall fail to procure and maintain said insurance, Lessor may, but shall not be required to, procure and maintain the same, but at the expense of Lessee.

8.2. LESSEE’S PROPERTY INSURANCE. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s expense, obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to Lessee’s personal property, merchandise, stock in trade, fixtures and equipment located on the Premises from time to time, in the amount of the full replacement value thereof, providing protection against all perils included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, special extended perils (special form).

8.3. LESSOR’S LIABILITY INSURANCE. Lessor shall obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy of commercial general liability insurance written on an occurrence basis insuring Lessor against any liability arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy, or maintenance of the Project, including the Common Areas. Such insurance shall have a combined single limit of liability of at least $2,000,000.

8.4. LESSOR’S PROPERTY INSURANCE. Lessor shall obtain and keep in force during the Term a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to the Project, in the amount of the full replacement value thereof, exclusive of footings and foundations, providing protection against all perils included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, special extended perils (special form). Lessee understands and agrees that the insurance described in this Section 8.4 will not cover Lessee’s personal property, merchandise, stock in trade, trade fixtures and equipment. Lessee shall be responsible for Lessee’s proportionate share of the insurance cost.

8.5. OTHER INSURANCE. Lessor may, at its option, obtain and keep in force during the Term: (i) a policy of business interruption insurance payable to Lessor in an amount sufficient to cover any loss of rental income from the Premises for a period of twelve (12) months; and (ii) a policy of flood insurance in an amount and upon such other terms as are acceptable to Lessor.

8.6. INSURANCE POLICIES. Insurance required hereunder shall be in companies rated “A-XII” or better by A. M. Best Co., in Best’s Key guide. On or prior to the Commencement Date, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor copies of

 

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policies of liability insurance required under Section 8.1 and policies of casualty insurance required by Section 8.2 or certificates evidencing the existence and amounts of such insurance, and in the case of the liability insurance policy indicating that Lessor has been named an additional insured thereunder. All such policies and certificates of insurance shall state explicitly that such insurance shall not be cancelable or subject to reduction of coverage or other modification except upon at least thirty (30) days’ advance written notice by the insurer to Lessor. Lessee shall furnish Lessor with renewals or “binders” thereof, or Lessor may order such insurance and charge the cost thereof to Lessee, which amount shall be payable by Lessee upon demand. Lessee shall not do or permit to be done anything which shall invalidate the insurance policies referred to in Sections 8.2 and Section 8.3 . Either party may provide any required insurance under a so-called blanket policy or policies covering other parties and locations and may maintain the required coverage by a so-called umbrella policy or policies, so long as the required coverage is not thereby diminished.

8.7. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Lessee and Lessor each hereby waives any and all rights of recovery against the other, or against the officers, partners, employees, agents, and representatives of the other, for loss of or damage to such waiving party or its property or the property of others under its control, where such loss or damage is insured against and actually covered under any property insurance policy in force at the time of such loss or damage, but such waiver extends only to the extent of the actual insurance coverage. Lessee and Lessor shall, upon obtaining the policies of insurance required hereunder, give notice to the insurance carrier or carriers that the foregoing mutual waiver of subrogation is contained in this Lease.

8.8. INDEMNITY. Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any and all claims arising from Lessee’s use of the Premises, or from the conduct of Lessee’s business or from any activity, work, or things done, permitted, or suffered by Lessee in or about the Premises or elsewhere, and shall further indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any and all claims arising from any breach or default in the performance of any obligation on Lessee’s part to be performed under the terms of this Lease or arising from any negligence of the Lessee, or any of the Lessee’s agents, contractors or employees, and from and against all costs, attorneys’ fees, expenses, and liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claim or any action or proceeding brought thereon. Lessee, as a material part of the consideration to Lessor, hereby assumes all risk of damage to property or injury to persons, in, upon, or about the Premises arising from any cause and Lessee hereby waives all claims in respect thereof against Lessor, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lessor.

8.9. EXEMPTION OF LESSOR FROM LIABILITY.

(a) Lessee hereby agrees that Lessor and its agents shall not be liable for injury to Lessee’s business or any loss of income therefrom or for damage to the goods, wares, merchandise, or other property of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, invitees, customers, or any other person in or about the Premises, nor shall Lessor be liable for injury to the person of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, agents or contractors, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction, or other defects of pipes, sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, air conditioning or light fixtures, or from any other cause whether said damage or injury results from conditions arising upon the Premises or upon other portions of the building of which the Premises are a part, or from other sources or places, and regardless of whether the cause of such damage or injury or the means of repairing the same is inaccessible to Lessee, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lessor. Lessor shall not be liable for any damages arising from any act or neglect of any other lessee, if any, of the building in which the Premises are located.

(b) No individual partners, members, managers, manager of a member(s), shareholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of Lessor or individual, member of a joint venture, tenancy in common, firm or partnership, general or limited, which may be the Lessor or any successor in interest, shall be subject to personal liability with respect to any of the covenants or conditions of this Lease. The Lessee shall look solely to the equity of the Lessor in the Project, and the rents, issues and profits derived therefrom, and to no other assets of Lessor, for the satisfaction of the remedies of the Lessee in the event of a breach by the Lessor. Lessee will not seek recourse against the individual partners, members, managers, manager of a member(s), shareholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of Lessor or an individual, member of a joint venture, tenancy in common, firm or partnership, general or limited, which may be the Lessor or any successor in interest or any of their personal assets for such satisfaction. It is mutually agreed that this clause is and shall be considered an integral part of this Lease.

8.10. LESSEE’S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF INSURANCE PREMIUMS. Lessee shall pay during the Term, as additional rent and in addition to all other charges due hereunder, Lessee’s proportionate share (calculated in the manner described in Section 12 ) of the premiums for the insurance required to be carried by Lessor hereunder (the “Insurance Amount”), whether the Insurance Amount shall be the result of the nature of Lessee’s occupancy, any act or omission of Lessee, requirements of the holder of a mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises, increased valuation of the Premises or the Project, or otherwise. Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share of the Insurance Amount together with all applicable rental taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all of Lessor’s insurance costs for the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement.

 

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9. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION .

9.1. RECONSTRUCTION OF PREMISES. If during the Term all or part of the Premises should be destroyed partially or totally by fire or other casualty, this Lease shall continue thereafter in full force and effect, except as hereinafter provided, and the Lessor shall cause the reconstruction of the Premises within the ninety (90) days following such destruction to substantially the same condition in which it existed at the time immediately preceding such destruction. Lessee’s obligation to pay rental to Lessor hereunder shall abate from the date of such destruction until completion of such reconstruction. Should the Premises be partially damaged or destroyed, rent shall be abated in the same proportion as the destruction affects Lessee’s ability to occupy and use the Premises for its intended purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessor shall have thirty (30) days following the partial or total destruction of the Premises to elect in writing not to commence reconstruction, repair or replacement of the Premises. In the event of such an election by Lessor, this Lease shall be deemed terminated and of no further force or effect.

9.2. FORCE MAJEURE. If Lessor is bona fide delayed or hindered in or prevented from the performance of any term, covenant or act required in Section 9.1 by reason of strikes, labor troubles, inability to procure materials or services, power failure, sabotage, rebellion, war, act of God, or other reason of a like nature, any of which must be beyond the reasonable control of Lessor, financial inability excepted, then the performance of that term, covenant or act is excused for the period of the delay and the reconstruction period shall be deemed correspondingly extended.

9.3. ABATEMENT SOLE REMEDY. Except for abatement of rent, if any, Lessee shall have no claim against Lessor for any damage suffered by reason of any such damage, destruction, repair or restoration of the Premises.

9.4. During Phase one tenant will not be held responsible for any building damage not caused by tenant or located outside of tenants Phase one space. After the completion of Phase one a walkthrough shall be scheduled for Phase two space. Tenant acknowledges that Phase two space is previously used building space and accepts that space as is, except that Lessor will repair items that are not functional at Lessor’s expense but will not make cosmetic repairs to the premises.

10. REAL PROPERTY TAXES .

10.1. PAYMENT OF LESSEE’S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF TAXES. Lessor shall pay all real property taxes applicable to the Premises; provided, however, that Lessee shall pay, as additional rent and in addition to all other charges due hereunder, Lessee’s proportionate share (as defined in Section 12 ) of real property taxes applicable to the Project (the “Real Property Tax Amount”). Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount, together with all applicable rental taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all real property taxes relating to the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the Real Property Tax Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement. If the Term does not commence or expire concurrently with the commencement or expiration of the tax year, Lessee’s liability for real property taxes for the such partial year shall be prorated on an annual basis.

10.2. DEFINITION OF “REAL PROPERTY TAX”. As used herein, the term “real property tax” shall include any form of assessment, levy, or tax (other than inheritance or estate taxes), imposed by any authority having the direct or indirect power to tax, including any city, county, state, or federal government, or any school, agricultural, lighting, drainage, or other improvement district thereof, as against any legal or equitable interest of Lessor in the Premises, the Project and the real property of which the Premises and the Project are a part.

10.3. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.

(a) Lessee shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes assessed against and levied upon trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and all other personal property of Lessee contained in the Premises or elsewhere. When possible, Lessee shall cause said trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and all other personal property to be assessed and billed separately from the real property of Lessor.

(b) If any of Lessee’s personal property shall be assessed and billed with Lessor’s real property, Lessee shall pay Lessor the taxes attributable to Lessee within ten (10) days after receipt of a written statement setting forth the taxes applicable to Lessee’s property.

11. COMMON AREA CHARGES . In addition to the rental and other charges herein provided to be paid by Lessee to Lessor, Lessee shall pay to Lessor, as additional rent and as Lessee’s share of the cost of maintaining, operating, repairing and managing the Project, Lessee’s proportionate share (as defined in Section 12 ) of the Total Common Area Charges (as hereinafter defined) for any calendar year during the Term (the “CAM Amount”). Lessee shall pay Lessor in advance its monthly estimated proportionate share (as described in Section 12 ) of the CAM Amount, together with all applicable rental

 

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taxes due thereon, within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice from Lessor setting forth Lessor’s estimate of such amount. Within ninety (90) days following the end of each calendar year during the Term or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, Lessor shall furnish Lessee with a statement of all Total Common Area Charges for the Project for the previous calendar year indicating the computation of Lessee’s proportionate share of the CAM Amount for such calendar year and the payments made by Lessee during such calendar year. If Lessee’s aggregate estimated monthly payments actually paid to Lessor for the calendar year are greater than Lessee’s proportionate share of the CAM Amount for such calendar year, Lessor shall promptly pay the excess to Lessee or shall apply the excess to any past due amounts owing from Lessee to Lessor; if the payments made are less than Lessee’s proportionate share, Lessee shall pay the difference to Lessor within ten (10) days of its receipt of such statement. Total Common Area Charges shall consist of all costs and expenses of every type associated with the management, repair, maintenance, and insuring of the Common Areas including, without limitation, costs and expenses for the following: gardening and landscaping; utilities, water and sewer charges; premiums for liability, property damage and casualty insurance and workman’s compensation insurance; all personal property taxes levied on or attributable to personal property used in connection with the Common Areas; straight line depreciation on personal property owned by Lessor which is consumed in the operation or maintenance of the Common Areas; rental or lease payments paid by Lessor for rented or leased personal property used in the operation or maintenance of Common Areas; fees for required licenses and permits; refuse disposal charges; repairing, resurfacing, repaving, maintaining, painting, lighting, cleaning, refuse removal, security and similar items; repair and maintenance of exterior roofs and reserves for roof replacement and exterior painting of the Project and other appropriate reserves; and fees paid to property managers. Said Total Common Area Charges shall further include all charges for semi-annual preventive maintenance service of mechanical equipment including, without limitation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, which is attributable to the Project, and the cost of lighting, maintenance and repair of the Project identification signs.

12. PROPORTIONATE SHARE . For purposes of Sections 8.10 and 10.1 and Section 11 , Lessee’s proportionate share of the Insurance Amount, the Real Property Tax Amount and the CAM amount shall be a fraction, the numerator of which is the total gross rentable square footage of the Premises, and the denominator of which is the total gross rentable square footage of the entire Project, from time to time. The parties agree that as of the Commencement Date, Lessee’s proportionate share during Phase II will be:

 

    24%   for CAM Charges, based on the total development square footage of 74,200
    71.4%  

for Real Property Tax and other expenses allocable only to Lot 13 based on a developed

square footage of 24,500.

    35%  

for Insurance Charges and other expenses allocable only to Lot 11,13 and 14 based on

a developed square footage of 49,700.

CAM charges during Phase I will be calculated to amount to 34.3% ( = 6000 sqft : 17,500 sqft) of the percentages under Phase II.

It has further been agreed that during Phase one only the electrical bill b Tucson Electric will be split 50/50 between HTG and Skyholdings Inc. In case the monthly amount would exceed $700.00 Skyholdings share would be limited to $350.00/mth, provided that Skyholdings operations remain at the same dormant level as it is currently the case. The cost for the alarm system monitoring will be taken over by Pegasus and charged back under the CAM% split concept to both parties during phase one and 100% to HTG during phase two.

13. UTILITIES; UTILITIES DEREGULATION .

13.1. LESSEE’S PAYMENT OBLIGATION. Lessee shall pay for all water, gas, heat, light, power, telephone, and other utilities and services supplied to the Premises, together with any taxes thereon.

13.2. LESSOR CONTROLS SELECTION. If permitted by law, Lessor shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the Term to contract for service from a company or companies providing electricity service different from the utility company currently providing electricity service to the Premises (each such different company shall hereinafter be referred to as an “Alternate Service Provider”).

13.3. LESSEE SHALL GIVE LESSOR ACCESS. Lessee shall cooperate with Lessor, the utility company currently providing electricity service to the Premises (the “Electric Service Provider”), and any Alternate Service Provider at all times and, as reasonably necessary, shall allow Lessor, Electric Service Provider and any Alternate Service Provider reasonable access to the Premises’ electric lines, feeders, risers, wiring, and any other machinery within the Premises.

13.4. LESSOR NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE. Lessor shall in no way be liable or responsible for any loss, damage, or expense that Lessee may sustain or incur by reason of any change, failure, interference, disruption, or defect in the supply or character of the electric energy furnished to the Premises, or if the quantity or character of the electric energy supplied by the Electric Service Provider or any Alternate Service Provider is no longer available or suitable for Lessee’s requirements, and no such change, failure, defect, unavailability, or unsuitability shall constitute an actual or constructive eviction, in whole or in part, or entitle Lessee to any abatement or diminution of rent or additional rent, or relieve Lessee from any obligations under the Lease.

14. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING .

14.1. LESSOR’S CONSENT REQUIRED. Lessee shall not voluntarily or by operation of law, assign, transfer, mortgage, sublet, or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of Lessee’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises, without Lessor’s prior written consent. Any attempted assignment, transfer, mortgage, encumbrance, or subletting without such consent shall be void, and shall constitute a breach of this Lease.

 

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14.2. NO RELEASE OF LESSEE. Regardless of Lessor’s consent, no subletting or assignment shall release Lessee of Lessee’s obligation or alter the primary liability of Lessee to pay the rent and to perform all other obligations to be performed by Lessee hereunder. The acceptance of rent by Lessor from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver by Lessor of any provision hereof. Consent to one assignment or subletting shall not be deemed consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting.

15. DEFAULTS; REMEDIES .

15.1. DEFAULTS. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a material default and breach of this Lease by Lessee:

(a) The failure by Lessee to make any payment of rent or any other payment required to be made by Lessee hereunder within ten (10) days of the date when due.

(b) The failure by Lessee to observe or perform any of the covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Lessee, other than described in Section15.1(b) above, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Lessor to Lessee.

(c) (i) The making by Lessee of any general assignment or general arrangement for the benefit of creditors; (ii) the filing by or against Lessee of a petition to have Lessee adjudged a bankrupt or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy (unless, in the case of a petition filed against Lessee, the same is dismissed within sixty (60) days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to Lessee within thirty (30) days; or (iv) the attachment, execution, or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within thirty (30) days.

(d) The chronic delinquency by Lessee in the payment of monthly rental, or any other periodic payment required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease. “Chronic delinquency” shall mean failure by Lessee to pay monthly rental, or any other periodic payment required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease, within ten (10) days as described in Section 15.1(b) above, for any three (3) months (consecutive or nonconsecutive) during any twelve (12) month period. In the event of the chronic delinquency, at Lessor’s option, Lessor shall have the additional right to require that monthly rental be paid by Lessee quarter-annually, in advance, for the remainder of the Term.

(e) Any guarantor of the Lease revokes or otherwise terminates, or purports to revoke or otherwise terminate (by operation of law or otherwise) any guaranty of all or any portion of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease

15.2. REMEDIES. In the event of any such material default or breach by Lessee, Lessor may at any time thereafter, with or without notice or demand and without limiting Lessor in the exercise of any other right or remedy which Lessor may have by reason of such default or breach:

(a) Terminate Lessee’s right to possession of the Premises by any lawful means, in which case this Lease shall terminate and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession of the Premises to Lessor. In such event, Lessor shall be entitled to recover from Lessee all damages incurred by Lessor by reason of Lessee’s default including, but not limited to, the cost of recovering possession of the Premises; expenses of reletting, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Premises, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and any real estate commission actually paid; the “worth at the time of award” established by the court having jurisdiction thereof of the amount by which the unpaid rent and other charges due for the balance of the Term after the time of Lessee’s default exceeds the amount of such rental loss for the same period that Lessee proves by clear and convincing evidence could have been reasonably avoided; and that portion of the leasing commission paid by Lessor applicable to the unexpired term of this Lease. Unpaid installments of rent or other sums shall bear interest from the date due at the rate of 15 % per annum. For purposes of this Section 15.2(a) , “worth at the time of award” of the amount referred to above shall be computed by discounting each amount by a rate equal to the prime rate (or its equivalent) of Bank One at the time of the award, but in no event more than a rate of ten percent ( 10 %) per annum.

(b) Re-enter the Premises, without terminating this Lease, and remove any property from the Premises in which case Lessor shall be entitled to enforce all of Lessor’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the rent and all other amounts due hereunder as they become due. No re-entry or taking possession of the Premises by Lessor pursuant to this Section 15.2 or other action on Lessor’s part shall be construed as an election to terminate the Lease unless a written notice of such intention is given to Lessee or unless the termination thereof is decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Lessor’s election not to terminate this Lease pursuant to this Section 15.2(b) or pursuant to any other provision of this Lease shall not preclude Lessor from subsequently electing to terminate this Lease or pursuing any of its other remedies.

(c) Maintain Lessee’s right to possession, in which case this Lease shall continue in effect, whether or not Lessee shall have abandoned the Premises. In such event Lessor shall be entitled to enforce all of Lessor’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the rent and all other amounts due hereunder as they become due hereunder.

(d) Pursue any other or additional remedy now or hereafter available to Lessor under the laws or judicial decisions of the State of Arizona. The expiration or termination of this Lease and/or the termination of Lessee’s right to

 

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possession shall not relieve Lessee from liability under any indemnity provisions of this Lease as to matters occurring or accruing during the Term hereof or by reason of Lessee’s occupancy of the Premises.

The remedies set forth herein shall be deemed cumulative and not exclusive.

15.3. DEFAULT BY LESSOR. Lessor shall not be deemed in default unless Lessor fails to perform obligations required of Lessor within a reasonable time, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after written notice by Lessee to Lessor and to the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises whose name and address shall have theretofore been furnished to Lessee in writing specifying wherein Lessor has failed to perform such obligations; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessor’s obligation is such that more than thirty (30) days are required for performance, then Lessor shall not be in default if Lessor commences performance within such 30-day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes the same to completion. If Lessor does not perform, Lessor’s mortgagee may perform in Lessor’s place and Lessee must accept such performance. In no event shall Lessee have the right to terminate this Lease as a result of Lessor’s default, and Lessee’s remedies shall be limited to damages and/or an injunction.

15.4. LATE CHARGES. Lessee hereby acknowledges that late payment by Lessee to Lessor of rent and other sums due hereunder will cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the exact amount of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Such costs include, but are not limited to, processing and accounting charges, and late charges which may be imposed on Lessor by the terms of any mortgage or trust deed covering the Premises. Accordingly, if any installment of rent or any other sum due from Lessee shall not be received by Lessor or Lessor’s designee on or before the date when due, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a late charge equal to ten percent (10%) of such overdue amount but not exceeding $250.00 if paid within 10 days of the original due date. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs Lessor will incur by reason of late payment by Lessee. Acceptance of such late charge by Lessor shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s default with respect to such overdue amount nor prevent Lessor from exercising any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder.

16. CONDEMNATION . If less than twenty percent (20%) of the gross rentable floor area of the Premises is taken under the power of eminent domain, or sold under the threat of the exercise of said power (all of which are herein called “condemnation”), this Lease shall terminate as to the part so taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever occurs first, and in addition, Lessor shall have the option in such event to terminate this Lease in full by providing Lessee with written notice thereof within ten (10) days following the date when the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If twenty percent (20%) or more of the floor area of the Premises is taken by condemnation, either Lessor or Lessee may terminate this Lease by providing the other with written notice thereof within ten (10) days following the date when the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If neither Lessor or Lessee elects to terminate this Lease in accordance with the foregoing, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect as to the portion of the Premises remaining, except that the rent shall be reduced in the proportion that the gross rentable floor area taken bears to the total gross rentable floor area of the original Premises. Any award for the taking of all or any part of the Premises under the power of eminent domain or any payment made under threat of the exercise of such power shall be the property of Lessor, whether such award shall be made as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold or for the taking of the fee, or as severance damages; provided, however, that Lessee shall be entitled to any award for loss or damage to Lessee’s trade fixtures and removable property. In the event that this Lease is not terminated by reason of such condemnation, Lessor shall, to the extent of severance damages actually received by Lessor in connection with such condemnation, repair any damage to the Premises caused by such condemnation except to the extent that Lessee has been reimbursed therefor by the condemning authority. Lessee shall pay any amount in excess of such severance damages required to complete such repair.

17. GENERAL PROVISIONS .

17.1. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE.

(a) Lessee shall at any time upon not less than ten (10) days prior written notice from Lessor execute, acknowledge and deliver to Lessor a statement in writing (i) certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if modified, stating the nature of such modification and certifying that this Lease, as so modified, is in full force and effect) and the date to which the rent and other charges are paid in advance, if any; (ii) acknowledging that there are not, to Lessee’s knowledge, any uncured defaults on the part of Lessor hereunder, or specifying such defaults if any are claimed; and (iii) setting forth such other statements with respect to this Lease as may be reasonably requested by Lessor. Any such statement may be conclusively relied upon by any prospective purchaser or encumbrancer of the Project.

(b) Lessee’s failure to deliver such statement within such time shall be conclusive upon Lessee (i) that this Lease is in full force and effect, without modification except as may be represented by Lessor, (ii) that there are no uncured defaults in Lessor’s performance, and (iii) that not more than one month’s rent has been paid in advance.

(c) If Lessor desires to finance or refinance the Project, or any part thereof, Lessee hereby agrees to deliver to any lender designated by Lessor such financial statements of Lessee as may be reasonably required by such lender. Such statements shall include the past three years’ financial statements of Lessee. All such financial statements shall be received by Lessor in confidence and shall be used only for the purposes herein set forth.

17.2. LESSOR’S LIABILITY. The term “Lessor” as used herein shall mean only the owner or owners at the time in question of the fee title or a lessee’s interest in a ground lease of the Premises. In the event of any transfer of such title or interest, Lessor herein named (and in case of any subsequent transfers the then grantor) shall be relieved from and after the date of such transfer of all liability as respects Lessor’s obligations thereafter to be performed, provided that any

 

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funds in the hands of Lessor or the then grantor at the time of such transfer, in which Lessee has an interest, shall be delivered to the grantee. The obligations contained in this Lease to be performed by Lessor shall, subject as aforesaid, be binding on Lessor’s successors and assigns, only during their respective periods of ownership.

17.3. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity of any provision of this Lease as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof.

17.4. INTEREST ON PAST-DUE OBLIGATIONS Except as expressly herein provided, any amount due to Lessor not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 15 % per annum from the date due. Payment of such interest shall not excuse or cure any default by Lessee under this Lease.

17.5. TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence.

17.6. CAPTIONS. Section and Section captions are not a part hereof.

17.7. INCORPORATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENTS. This Lease contains all agreements of the parties with respect to any matter mentioned herein. No prior agreement or understanding pertaining to any such matter shall be effective. This Lease may be modified in writing only, signed by the parties in interest at the time of the modification.

17.8. NOTICES AND PAYMENTS. All notices and demands which may be required or permitted to be given to either party hereunder shall be in writing, and all such notices and demands hereunder shall be sent by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or hand delivered to the addresses set out below or to such other person or place as each party may from time to time designate in a notice to the other. All payments due hereunder, except for the monthly rent payment which is to be transferred electronically, shall be sent by first class United States mail, postage prepaid or hand delivered to the address of the Lessor set out below or to such other person or place as Lessor may from time to time designate in a notice to Lessee. Notices and payments shall be deemed given and made upon actual receipt. Any notice, demand or payment required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be addressed to Lessor and Lessee, respectively, at the addresses set forth below:

 

If to Lessor:   Pegasus Properties L.P.
  P.O. Box 506
  6411 Via Naranjal
  Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
If to Lessee:   High Throughput Genomics, Inc.
  3430 E. Global Loop
  Tucson, AZ 85706

17.9. MORTGAGEE PROTECTION

(a) If, in connection with obtaining financing for the Project or any portion thereof, Lessor’s lender shall request reasonable modifications to this Lease as a condition to such financing, Lessee shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or defer its consent to such modifications, provided such modifications do not materially adversely affect Lessee’s rights or increase Lessee’s obligations under this Lease.

(b) Lessee agrees to give to any trust deed or mortgage holder (“Holder”), by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested, at the same time as it is given to Lessor, a copy of any notice of default given to Lessor, provided that prior to such notice Lessee has been notified, in writing, (by way of notice of assignment of rents and leases, or otherwise) of the address of such Holder. Lessee further agrees that if Lessor shall have failed to cure such default within the time provided for in this Lease, then the Holder shall have an additional twenty (20) days after expiration of such period, or after receipt of such notice from Lessee (if such notice to the Holder is required by this Section 17.9(b) , whichever shall last occur, within which to cure such default or if such default cannot be cured within that time, then such additional time as may be necessary if within such twenty (20) days, any Holder has commenced and is diligently pursuing the remedies necessary to cure such default (including but not limited to commencement of foreclosure proceedings, if necessary, to effect such cure), in which event this Lease shall not be terminated.

17.10. WAIVERS. No waiver by Lessor of any provision hereof shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision hereof or of any subsequent breach by Lessee of the same or any other provision. Lessor’s consent to or approval of any act shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of Lessor’s consent to or approval of any subsequent act by Lessee. The acceptance of rent hereunder by Lessor shall not be a waiver of any preceding breach by

 

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Lessee of any provision hereof, other than the failure of Lessee to pay the particular rent so accepted, regardless of Lessor’s knowledge of such preceding breach at the time of acceptance of such rent.

17.11. RECORDING. Lessee shall not record this Lease without Lessor’s prior written consent, and such recordation shall, at the option of Lessor, constitute a non-curable default of Lessee hereunder.

17.12. HOLDING OVER. If Lessee remains in possession of the Premises or any part thereof after the expiration of the Term hereof, without the written consent of Lessor, such occupancy shall be a tenancy at sufferance, for which Lessee shall pay a monthly base rental of one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the monthly base rental in effect immediately prior to the expiration of the Term plus all other charges payable hereunder, and upon all the terms hereof applicable to such a tenancy at sufferance.

17.13. CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive but shall, wherever possible, be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity.

17.14. COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS. Each provision of this Lease performable by Lessee shall be deemed both a covenant and a condition.

17.15. BINDING EFFECT; CHOICE OF LAW. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment or subletting and subject to the provisions of Section 17.2 , this Lease shall bind the parties, their personal representatives, successors and assigns. This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona.

17.16. SUBORDINATION.

(a) This Lease, at Lessor’s option, shall be subordinate to any ground lease, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other hypothecation for security now or hereafter placed upon the Project and to any and all advances made on the security thereof and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions thereof. If Lessor or any mortgagee, trustee, or ground lessor shall elect to have this Lease prior to the lien of a mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, and shall give written notice thereof to Lessee, this Lease shall be deemed prior to such mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, whether this Lease is dated prior or subsequent to the date of said mortgage, deed of trust, or ground lease or the date of recording thereof.

(b) Lessee agrees to execute any documents required to effectuate such subordination or to make this Lease prior to the lien of any mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, as the case may be, and failing to do so within ten (10) days after written demand, does hereby make, constitute, and irrevocably appoint Lessor as Lessee’s attorney in fact and in Lessee’s name, place and stead, to do so.

17.17. ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If either party brings an action to enforce the terms hereof or declare rights hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees in any such action, on trial or appeal, to be paid by as fixed by the court. If Lessee or Lessor shall be in breach or default under this Lease, such party (the “Defaulting Party”) shall reimburse the other party (the “Nondefaulting Party”) upon demand for any costs or expenses that the Nondefaulting Party incurs in connection with any breach or default of the Defaulting Party under this Lease, whether or not suit is commenced or judgment entered. Such costs shall include reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred for the negotiation of a settlement, enforcement of rights or otherwise.

17.18. LESSOR’S ACCESS. Lessor and Lessor’s agents shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable times between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays for the purpose of inspecting the same, showing the same to prospective purchasers, lenders, consultants and other professionals and making such alterations, repairs, improvements, or additions to the Premises or to the building of which they are a part as Lessor may deem necessary or desirable. Except as specifically provided herein to the contrary, no entry by Lessor hereunder nor any work performed by Lessor to the Premises shall entitled Lessee to terminate this Lease or to a reduction or abatement of rent or other amounts owed by Lessee hereunder nor to any claim for damages. Lessor may at any time place on or about the Premises any ordinary “For Sale” and “For Lease” signs. Lessor and Lessor’s agent shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time in the case of an emergency.

17.19. SIGNS AND AUCTIONS. Lessee shall not place any sign upon the Premises or conduct any auction from the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

17.20. MERGER. The voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Lessee or a mutual cancellation thereof shall, at the option of Lessor, terminate all or any existing subtenancies or may, at the option of Lessor, operate as an assignment to Lessor of any or all of such subtenancies.

17.21. CORPORATE AUTHORITY. If Lessee is a corporation, a limited liability company, partnership or other entity, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of said entity represents and warrants that he is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of said entity, and that this Lease is binding upon said entity in accordance with its terms. If Lessee is a corporation, a limited liability company, partnership or other entity, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor, upon Lessee’s execution of this Lease, evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor of the authority of the person(s) signing this Lease on behalf of Lessee to do so and that Lessee has approved entering into this Lease. Such evidence may include a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or members of said entity authorizing or ratifying the execution of this Lease.

 

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18. PARKING AND COMMON AREAS . The Lessee, its agents, employees and invitees shall be entitled to park in common with other lessees of Lessor in the unreserved parking spaces at the Project providing that it agrees not to overburden the parking facilities of the Project and agrees to cooperate with the Lessor and other lessees in the use of the parking facilities. The Lessor specifically reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to determine whether parking facilities are becoming overburdened and in such event to allocate the parking spaces among the Lessee and other lessees, their agents, employees, and business invitees using the parking facilities. All loading operations for receipt or shipment of goods, wares and merchandise by the Lessee shall be done in the rear of the Premises or in such area therein which is specifically designated in writing by the Lessor.

19. SAFETY . Lessee shall maintain on the Premises at all times during the Term hereof an adequate number, size and type of fire extinguishers as are appropriate to Lessee’s business. Lessee will at all times adhere to good safety practices or as may be required by safety inspectors. Lessee shall not suffer, permit or perform any acts on or about the Premises which will increase the existing rate of fire insurance. If the said insurance rate is increased by such an act, then the increased cost of such insurance shall be paid by Lessee to Lessor with the next succeeding installment of rental. Lessee, at its sole expense, shall comply with any and all requirements of any insurance organization or company necessary for the maintenance of reasonable fire and public liability insurance covering the Premises, the Project or any portion thereof.

20. ATTORNMENT . In the event any proceedings are brought for foreclosure, or in the event of the exercise of the power of sale under any mortgage or deed of trust covering the Premises, the Lessee shall attorn to the purchaser upon any such foreclosure or sale and recognize such purchaser as the Lessor under this Lease.

21. NO ACCESS TO ROOF . Lessee shall have no right of access to the roof of the Premises or the building in which the Premises are located and shall not install, repair or replace any aerial, fan, satellite dish, air conditioner or other device on the roof of the Premises or the building in which the Premises are located without the prior written consent of Lessor. Any aerial, fan, satellite dish, air conditioner or device installed without such written consent shall be subject to removal, at Lessee’s expense, without notice, at any time.

22. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment or subletting and subject to the provisions of Section 17.2 , the covenants and conditions herein contained, inure to and bind the heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assigns of the parties hereto.

23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . Within fifteen (15) days after Lessor’s request, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor the current financial statements of Lessee, and financial statements of the two (2) years prior to the current financial statements year, including a balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the most recent prior year, all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Such financial statement, balance sheet and profit and loss statement shall be certified as accurate by Lessee or a properly authorized representative of Lessee if Lessee is a corporation, partnership or other business entity.

24. NO ACCORD OR SATISFACTION . No payment by Lessee or receipt by Lessor of a lesser amount than the monthly rent and other sums due hereunder shall be deemed to be other than on account of the earliest rent or other sums due, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or accompanying any check or payment be deemed an accord and satisfaction; and Lessor may accept such check or payment without prejudice to Lessor’s right to recover the balance of such rent or other sum or pursue any other remedy provided in this Lease.

25. ACCEPTANCE . This Lease shall only become effective and binding upon full execution hereof by Lessor and delivery of a fully executed copy to Lessee.

26. INABILITY TO PERFORM . This Lease and the obligations of the Lessee hereunder shall not be affected or impaired because the Lessor is unable to fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or is delayed in doing so, if such inability or delay is caused by reason of strike, labor troubles, acts of God, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Lessor.

27. OTHER TENANTS . Lessor reserves the absolute right to permit such other tenancies and businesses in the Project as Lessor, in the exercise of its sole business judgment, shall determine to best promote the interests of the Project. Lessee is not relying on the understanding, nor does Lessor represent, any specific lessee or number of lessees shall during the Term occupy any space in the Project. Lessee hereby waives all defenses arising from, and Lessor shall not be liable for damages arising from, any act or neglect of any other lessee or from Lessor’s acts or omissions in enforcing any provision of its lease against another lessee, whether or not Lessor has notice of the offending lessee’s disturbing or unlawful act or the opportunity to cure the disturbance by invoking its powers under such other lease.

28. JOINT OBLIGATION . If there be more than one Lessee, the obligations hereunder imposed shall be joint and several.

29. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS . Except as specifically otherwise stated herein, no consent or approval to be given any party shall be unreasonably withheld.

30. BASIC TERMS SHEET . The Basic Terms Sheet to which this Lease is attached is for the convenience of the parties in quickly referencing certain of the basic terms of the Lease. It is not intended to serve as a complete summary of the Lease. In the event of any inconsistency between the Basic Terms Sheet and the Lease, the applicable Lease provision shall prevail and control.

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

13


31. TRIPLE NET LEASE. Lessee acknowledges that this is a Triple Net Lease and that Lessee shall do all acts and make all payments connected with or arising out of its use and occupation of the Premises to the end that Lessor shall receive all rent provided for herein free and undiminished by any expenses, charges, fees, taxes and assessments, and Lessor shall not be obligated to perform any acts or be subject to any liabilities or to make any payments, except as otherwise specifically and expressly provided in this Lease.

32. QUIET POSSESSION . Subject to payment by Lessee of the rent and performance of all of the covenants, conditions and provisions on Lessee’s part to be observed and performed under this Lease, Lessor shall not disturb Lessee’s quiet possession and quiet enjoyment of the Premises during the Term.

33. SECURITY MEASURES . Lessee hereby acknowledges that the rental payable to Lessor hereunder does not include the cost of guard service or other security measures and that Lessor shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide same. Lessee assumes all responsibility for the protection of the Premises, Lessee, its agents and invitees and their property from the acts of third parties.

34. OFFER . Preparation of this Lease by either party or their agent and submission of same to the other party shall not be deemed an offer to lease to the other party. This Lease is not intended to be binding until executed and delivered by all parties hereto.

35. BROKERS. Upon execution of this Lease by both Lessor and Lessee, Lessor shall pay a real estate commission to Lessor’s broker, Picor (“Lessor’s Broker”), as provided in the written agreement between Lessor and Lessor’s Broker for services rendered to Lessor by Lessor’s Broker in this transaction (the “Broker Agreement”). Lessor shall pay Lessor’s Broker any commission earned pursuant to the terms of such Broker Agreement. —NONE— (“Lessee’s Broker”) represents the Lessee, and Lessor’s Broker may pay a portion of its commission to Lessee’s Broker pursuant to a separate agreement. Nothing contained in this Lease shall impose any obligation on Lessor to pay a commission or fee to any party other than Lessor’s Broker.

35.1. PROTECTION OF BROKERS . If Lessor sells the Premises, or assigns Lessor’s interest in this Lease, the buyer or assignee shall, by accepting in writing such conveyance of the Premises or assignment of the Lease, be conclusively deemed to have agreed to make all payments to Lessor’s Broker thereafter required of Lessor under this Paragraph 36 . Lessor’s Broker shall have the right to bring a legal action to enforce or declare rights under this provision. The prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees to be paid by the losing party. Such attorneys’ fees shall be fixed by the court in such action. This Paragraph is included in this Lease for the benefit of Lessor’s Broker, which is an intended third party beneficiary.

35.2. BROKER’S DISCLOSURE OF AGENCY. Lessor’s Broker hereby discloses to Lessor and Lessee and Lessor and Lessee hereby consent to Lessor’s Broker acting in this transaction as the agent of (check one):

 

     X    Lessor exclusively; or   
        both Lessor and Lessee.   

35.3 NO OTHER BROKERS. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that the Lessor’s Broker and Lessee’s Broker are the only agents, brokers, finders or other parties with whom Lessee has dealt who are or may be entitled to any commission or fee with respect to this Lease or the Premises If any other person shall assert a claim to a finder’s fee, brokerage commission, or any other compensation on account of alleged employment as a finder or broker or performance of services as a finder or broker in connection with this transaction, the party under whom the finder or broker is claiming shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from and against any such claim and all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with such claim or any action or proceeding brought on such claim, including, but not limited to, counsel and witness fees and court costs in defending against such claim.

The parties hereto have executed this Lease on the dates specified immediately adjacent to their respective signatures.

This Lease has been prepared for submission to your attorney for approval. No representation or recommendation is made by the Lessor or its agents or employees as to the legal effect or tax consequences of this Lease or the transaction relating thereto.

 

LESSOR:     LESSEE :
Pegasus Properties, LP     High Throughput Genomics , Inc.
By:  

/s/ Matt Schmidt

    By:  

/s/ Kirk Collamer

  Matt Schmidt       Kirk Collamer
Its:  

Managing Partner

    Its  

Vice-President & CFO

Date:  

5/25/11

    Date:  

5/11/11

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

14


EXHIBIT “A”

[ATTACH SITE PLAN(S) SHOWING PREMISES, PROJECT AND IDENTIFYING COMMON AREAS — ALL DIMENSIONS AND AREAS TO BE BASED ON GROSS RENTABLE SQUARE FEET.]

 

Please Initial:

Lessor     ¨

Lessee     ¨

 

15

Exhibit 10.14

SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENT

This Sponsored Research Agreement (“ Agreement ”), effective as of the 25 day of April, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”) is made by and between The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, (“ MD Anderson ” or “MDACC”), a member institution of The University of Texas System (“ System ”), with a place of business at 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77030, and HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706 (“ Sponsor ” or “HTG”). MD Anderson and Sponsor hereinafter may be referred to each as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS

A. MD Anderson and Sponsor are interested in pursuing research in the area of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

B. Sponsor desires to collaborate with MD Anderson and is willing to sponsor the research study described in Exhibit A attached hereto (“Study”).

C. Sponsor and MD Anderson are entering into this Agreement to set forth the rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to the Study.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, MD Anderson and Sponsor agree as follows:

1. TERM

This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue in effect for a period of two (2) years following the Effective Date (“ Term ”) unless such Term is extended by mutual written agreement of the Parties, or the Agreement is earlier terminated in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement.

2. STUDY CONDUCT

2.1 MD Anderson and Sponsor will each use its own facilities and its reasonable best efforts to conduct its respective obligations in the performance of the Study, in accordance with Exhibit A and applicable laws and regulations. For MD Anderson, the Study shall be performed under the direction of Ken Young, M.D., Ph.D., or his/her successor as mutually agreed to by the Parties (the “ Principal Investigator ”). In the event of any conflict between Exhibit A and this Agreement, this Agreement shall control. MD Anderson shall provide all necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities and resources to perform MD Anderson’s obligations in the Study, and shall be fully responsible for the activities of any MD Anderson personnel to whom Study activities are delegated. Sponsor shall provide all necessary personnel, equipment, supplies,


facilities and resources to perform Sponsor’s obligations in the Study, and shall be fully responsible for the activities of any Sponsor’s personnel to whom Study activities are delegated.

2.2 Sponsor understands and acknowledges that MD Anderson’s primary mission is the development and dissemination of scientific knowledge, and that MD Anderson makes no representations, certifications, or guarantees with respect to any specific results of the Study. MD Anderson understands and acknowledges that Sponsor makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees with respect to any specific results of the Study.

2.3 Sponsor understands and acknowledges that MD Anderson may be involved in similar research through other researchers on behalf of itself and others. Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement will limit or prohibit MD Anderson or any of its personnel, including the Principal Investigator, from conducting any research or for performing research for or with any entity or person, including any other outside sponsors. Sponsor acknowledges that this provision is intended to preserve the academic freedom and integrity of MD Anderson and its faculty and to ensure that MD Anderson and its faculty are not regarded as captive researchers for Sponsor.

3. STUDY BUDGET

3.1 Sponsor agrees to pay MD Anderson an amount equal to $75,000.00 inclusive of overhead and to support MD Anderson’s conduct of the Study as expressly set forth in Exhibit A (collectively, “ Budget ”). The schedule and procedure of payments under the Budget shall be made as set forth in Exhibit B, attached hereto. In the event of any conflict between Exhibit B and this Agreement, this Agreement shall control. Sponsor shall not be required to make any payment or perform any in-kind services in excess of the Budget without the prior written approval of a corporate officer of Sponsor.

4. DATA

4.1 Both parties shall own jointly all right, title and interest to all data and results generated in the conduct of the Study (“Data”). Joint ownership of Data shall be construed in accordance with U.S. patent law and subject to the terms of this Agreement and/or any other applicable agreement entered by the parties. Each Party shall promptly provide the other Party with all Data generated in the conduct of the Study. For clarification purposes, source documents, original medical records and lab notebooks of MD Anderson will be the sole, exclusive property of MDACC and shall not be provided to HTG, except that copies may be provided to HTG to the extent necessary for the conduct of the Study. Source documents, original records and lab notebooks of HTG will be the sole, exclusive property of HTG and shall not be provided to MD Anderson, except that copies may be provided to MD Anderson to the extent necessary for the conduct of the Study. HTG shall have all rights of a co-owner of the Data, including the right to utilize Data for any purpose, including any future filings and/or submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

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4.2 If either party desires to publish or present Data in a scientific publication and/or at scientific meetings, such party will provide the other party with a copy of any presentation, manuscript or abstract disclosing the Data prior to submission thereof to a publisher or to any third party, and in any case, not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such submission or public disclosure. Each party may require the disclosing Party to withhold disclosure for an additional sixty (60) days to complete any applicable analyses of patentability and/or patent filings of Inventions. Each party agrees to acknowledge the other party, as academically and scientifically appropriate, based on each party’s contribution to the Study. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, HTG shall not have any rights to use or otherwise disclose or publish any Protected Health Information (as such term is defined by HIPAA). Each party will maintain all Data in confidence until earlier of (a) the parties’ joint publication or joint public disclosure of the Data or (b) twelve (12) months after the completion of a Study.

5. PUBLICITY

5.1 Neither Party will reference the other in a press release or any other oral or written statement in connection with the Study, except with the written approval of the other party or as required by applicable law or regulation, or in conjunction with a publication or presentation of Data pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement. In any permitted statements, the Parties shall describe the scope and nature of their participation in the Study accurately and appropriately.

6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

6.1 In conjunction with the Study, the Parties may wish to disclose certain of their respective confidential and/or proprietary information (“ Confidential Information ”) to each other. Each Party will use Confidential Information of the other Party solely for the purpose of conducting the Study, and shall use reasonable efforts to prevent the disclosure of such other Party’s Confidential Information to third parties during the Term and for a period of five (5) years after expiration or termination of this Agreement, provided that the receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and non-use hereunder shall not apply to information that: (a) is already in the receiving Party’s possession at the time of disclosure, as evidenced in written records of the receiving Party; (b) is or later becomes part of the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is received from a third party having no obligations of confidentiality or nonuse to the disclosing Party; (d) is independently developed by the receiving Party, as evidenced in written records of the receiving Party; (e) is required by law or regulation to be disclosed; (f) is published in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Agreement; or (g) is communicated to MD Anderson’s scientific and/or institutional review committees solely to obtain approval to conduct all or a portion of the Study.

6.2 In the event that information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 6.1(e), the Party required to make disclosure shall notify the other Party to allow the other Party to assert whatever exclusions or exemptions may be available to such Party under applicable law or regulation.

 

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6.3 In the event that Sponsor shall come into contact with any “ Protected Health Information ” (as such term is defined under HIPAA) of MD Anderson or any information which could be used to identify any of MD Anderson’s patients or research subjects, Sponsor shall maintain any such Protected Health Information or other information confidential in accordance with laws and regulations as applicable to MD Anderson, including without limitation HIPAA, and shall not use or disclose any such Protected Health Information or other information in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation if such use or disclosure was made by MD Anderson.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

7.1 Sponsor and MD Anderson understand and agree that the performance of the Study may require use of information and/or materials that may be protected by patents or other proprietary rights owned by or licensed to either Party (“ Background Intellectual Property ”). Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed or construed to convey or transfer to either Party any rights or license with respect to the Background Intellectual Property of the other Party except insofar as contemplated by this Agreement.

7.2 DLBCL Validation Inventions

 

  (a) Ownership of inventions or discoveries, whether or not patentable, conceived and/or reduced to practice in the course of and arising from the performance of the DLBCL validation portion of the Study under this Agreement (“DLBCL Inventions”) shall be determined in accordance with United States Patent law; that is, ownership shall follow inventorship. After the notification of any DLBCL Inventions is received by MDACC’s Office of Technology Commercialization, MDACC shall promptly and confidentially disclose in writing to HTG any such DLBCL Inventions. HTG shall promptly notify MDACC in writing and on a confidential basis of any DLBCL Inventions disclosed to HTG. HTG hereby grants to MDACC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable, fully paid up right to HTG’s interest in any DLBCL Invention for MDACC’s internal research, academic and patient care purposes.

 

  (b) As set forth in Section 7.2(a), HTG and MDACC shall have a joint ownership interest in any jointly developed DLBCL Inventions made by both parties (“Joint DLBCL Inventions”). The parties shall mutually determine whether to file one or more patent applications claiming Joint DLBCL Inventions (“Joint Application”). If a Joint Application is to be filed, HTG shall have the right to undertake and control the drafting, prosecution and maintenance of the Joint Application and any and all patent applications or patents that claim priority to such Joint Application.

 

  (c)

MDACC hereby grants to HTG an exclusive option to negotiate an exclusive (subject to MDACC’s internal right to use such DLBCL Invention for research, academic and patient care purposes), royalty-bearing license to MDACC’s ownership interest in any MDACC sole DLBCL Invention or Joint DLBCL Invention, provided that HTG pays all patent expenses for such DLBCL Invention in the event HTG exercises its option. HTG must exercise its option to negotiate a license to any DLBCL Invention by notifying MDACC in writing within sixty (60) days of MDACC disclosing such Invention to HTG (the “Option Period”). If HTG fails to timely exercise its option within the Option Period with respect to any DLBCL Invention, HTG’s right to negotiate a license agreement with respect to such DLBCL Invention will automatically terminate, and MDACC will be free to negotiate and enter into a license with any other party. If HTG timely exercises its option, the terms of the license shall be

 

Page 4 of 14


negotiated in good faith within ninety (90) days of the date such option is exercised, or within such time the parties may mutually agree in writing (the “Negotiation Period”). The license will include commercially reasonable terms based on relevant industry standards and the respective contributions of the parties, including respective contributions of the parties in developing, manufacturing and commercializing licensed product(s). If, however, HTG timely exercises its option, but MDACC and HTG are unable to agree upon the terms of the license during the Negotiation Period, HTG’s right to license such DLBCL Invention will terminate, and MDACC will be free to enter into a license with any other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any DLBCL Invention is an improvement to HTG’s Background Intellectual Property, MD Anderson hereby grants to HTG a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to such DLBCL Invention.

7.3 MiRNA Profiling Inventions

 

  (a) Ownership of inventions or discoveries, whether or not patentable, conceived and/or reduced to practice in the course of and arising from the performance of the miRNA profiling portion of the Study under this Agreement (“Profiling Inventions”), regardless of inventorship, shall be owned solely by MD Anderson. HTG hereby assigns to MD Anderson all right, title and interest in any Profiling Inventions arising from HTG and/or its representatives’ performance of the Study and agrees to take and cause its representatives to take such reasonable actions to make such assignment to MD Anderson.

 

  (b) MD Anderson hereby grants to HTG an exclusive option to negotiate an exclusive (subject to MD Anderson’s internal right to use such Profiling Invention for research, academic and patient care purposes) or non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to any Profiling Invention, provided that HTG pays all patent expenses for such Profiling Invention in the event HTG exercises its option. HTG must exercise its option to negotiate a license to any Profiling Invention by notifying MD Anderson in writing within sixty (60) days of the disclosure by either party to the other Party regarding such Profiling Invention. If HTG timely exercises its option during such period, the terms of the license shall be negotiated in good faith within the Negotiation Period. If, however, HTG timely exercises its option, but MDACC and HTG are unable to agree upon the terms of the license during the Negotiation Period, HTG’s right to license such Profiling Invention will terminate, and MDACC will be free to enter into a license with any other party.

7.5 This Agreement shall be a joint research agreement in accordance with and for purposes of 35 U.S.C. §103(c)(3).

8. INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 Sponsor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and subject to the statutory duties of the Texas State Attorney General defend MD Anderson, System, their Regents, officers, agents and employees (“ MD Anderson Indemnitees ”) from any liability, loss or damage they may suffer as a result of third-party claims, demands, costs or judgments against them arising out of Sponsor’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to Sponsor’s use of Data; provided, however, that Sponsor shall not be obligated to hold harmless any MD Anderson Indemnitee from claims arising out of the negligence or willful malfeasance of any MD Anderson Indemnitee.

8.2 To the extent authorized by the constitution and laws of the State of Texas, MD Anderson agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor, its officers, agents and employees (“ Sponsor Indemnitees ”) from any liability, loss or damage they may suffer as a result of third-party claims, demands, costs or judgments against them arising out of MD Anderson’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to negligence or willful malfeasance in MD Anderson’s conducting of the Study, provided, however, that MD Anderson shall not be obligated to hold harmless any Sponsor Indemnitee from claims arising out of the negligence or willful malfeasance of any Sponsor Indemnitee.

8.3 Both Parties agree that upon receipt of a notice of indemnified claim or action arising out of the Study, the Party receiving such notice will notify the other Party promptly.

9. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

For the purposes of this Agreement and the Study, the Parties shall be, and shall be deemed to be, independent contractors and not agents or employees of the other Party. Neither Party shall have authority to make any statements, representations nor commitments of any kind, or to take any action which shall be binding on the other Party, except as may be expressly provided for herein or authorized in writing.

 

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10. TERMINATION

10.1 This Agreement may be terminated: (a) as set forth ( e.g ., immediately) by the written agreement of both Parties; (b) by either Party for its convenience upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Party; (c) immediately by either Party if at any time Principal Investigator becomes unable to conduct the Study, and the Parties cannot agree upon a mutually acceptable successor to the Principal Investigator, or (d) as set forth in Section 10.2.

10.2 In the event that either Party shall be in default of its material obligations under this Agreement and shall fail to remedy such default within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof, this Agreement shall terminate upon expiration of the thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended by written agreement of the Parties.

10.3 Termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties accrued prior to termination. Upon termination: (a) (i) except by Sponsor for cause, Sponsor shall pay MD Anderson for all reasonable Study-related expenses incurred or committed to be expended as of the effective termination date, or (ii) by Sponsor for cause, Sponsor shall pay MD Anderson for all reasonable Study-related expenses incurred or committed to be expended as of the date of HTG’s notice of MD Anderson’s breach in accordance with Section 10.2; and (b) each Party shall return to the other Party or destroy any Confidential Information of such other Party remaining in the Party’s possession, provided that such Party may retain one (1) copy of such Confidential Information for purposes of compliance with this Agreement and with applicable laws and regulations. Expenses “committed to be expended” are those expenses that MD Anderson can reasonably demonstrate may not be readily avoided or deployed for the benefit of other activities of Principal Investigator.

10.4 Any provisions of this Agreement which by their nature extend beyond expiration or termination of the Agreement shall survive such expiration or termination.

11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

11.1 This Agreement may not be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that Sponsor may assign this Agreement without prior written consent of MD Anderson to a successor in connection with the merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or that portion of its business to which this Agreement relates.

11.2 This Agreement constitutes the entire and only agreement between the Parties relating to the Study, and all prior negotiations, representations, agreements and understandings are superseded hereby. No agreements altering or supplementing the terms hereof may be made except by means of a written document signed by the duly authorized representatives of the Parties.

 

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11.3 Principal Investigator and Sponsor may be parties to a consulting agreement or other outside agreement to which MD Anderson is not a party. Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that MD Anderson has no involvement with or responsibility for these consulting or outside agreements.

11.4 Any notice required by this Agreement shall be given by prepaid, first class, certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed in the case of MD Anderson to:

The University of Texas System

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

ATTN: Executive Director, Sponsored Programs

1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1676

Houston, TX 77030

With a copy to:

The University of Texas System

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

ATTN: Chief Legal Officer, Legal Services

7007 Bertner Ave. Unit 1674

Houston, TX 77030

or in the case of Sponsor to:

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

ATTN: Chief Medical Officer

or at such other addresses as may be given from time to time in accordance with the terms of this notice provision.

11.5 This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

11.6 MD Anderson is an agency of the State of Texas and under the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas possesses certain rights and privileges and only such authority as is granted to it under the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, nothing herein is intended to be, nor will it be construed to be, a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the State of Texas or a prospective waiver or restriction of any of the rights, remedies, claims, and privileges of the State of Texas. Moreover, notwithstanding the generality or specificity of any provision hereof, the provisions of this agreement as they pertain to MD Anderson are enforceable only to the extent authorized by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas.

 

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11.7 Neither MD Anderson nor Sponsor will be required to perform any act or to refrain from any act or be bound to any act that would violate any state or federal law applicable to it. In this regard, this Agreement is subject to, and MD Anderson and Sponsor agree to comply with, all applicable local, state, federal, national and international laws, statutes, rules and regulations. Any provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation that invalidates any provision of this Agreement, that is inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, or that would cause one or any of the Parties hereto to be in violation of law will be deemed to have superseded the terms of this Agreement. MD Anderson and Sponsor, however, will use all reasonable efforts to accommodate the terms and intent of this Agreement to the greatest extent possible consistent with the requirements of the law and negotiate in good faith toward amendment of this Agreement in such respect. If the Parties cannot reach agreement on an appropriate amendment, then this Agreement may be immediately terminated by either Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.     THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
By:  

/s/ Timothy B. Johnson

    By:  

/s/ Renee Gonzales

Print Name:   Timothy B. Johnson     Print Name:   Renee Gonzales, Sponsored Programs
Title:   Chief Executive Officer     Title:   Executive Director, Sponsored Programs

 

READ AND UNDERSTOOD BY:

/s/ Ken Young

Name:   Ken Young, MD
Title:   Principal Investigator
Reviewed & Approved:

/s/ George Starkschall

Date:  

4-25-14

 

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EXHIBIT A

MDACC-HTG DLBCL Research Plan

 

1.0 Study Introduction

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of aggressive and the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 40% of lymphomas among adults. The median age at diagnosis of DLBCL is around 60 years, but it also occurs in children. The incidence of NHL and DLBCL, ranked fifth of all cancer types in the United States, has increased by at least 100% over the last twenty years. A majority of DLBCL patients will survive less than five years with standard CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone), whereas the addition of Rituxan (R-CHOP) significantly improves clinical outcomes. Most common chromsome anomalies associated with DLBCL include but not limited to t(3;Var)(q27;Var) with BCL6-rearrangement, t(14;18)(q32;q21) with BCL2-rearrangement, t(8;14)(q24;q32) with MYC-rearrangement, or even a combination of BCL6, MYC and/or BCL2 rearrangements. We and others have shown that gene expresison profiling and mutation profile have significant effects on understanding the pathogenesis of DLBCL.

Application of gene expression profiling to lymphoma was one of the first demonstrations of the power of the technique. Activated B-Cell (ABC) and Germinal Center B-cell (GCB) subsets of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were clearly identified based on gene expression profiling showing both intrinsic biology that had differential behavior and prognosis. Later studies have confirmed that the biologic subsets of DLBCL have prognostic value independent of IPI. To meet this need, a ~20-gene expression classifier has been developed to accurately assess the prognosis of DLBCL to be validated in the current project.

The present project also initiates a large-scale attempt to identify novel genetic and epigenetic alterations and clinical outcome in DLBCL patients. Specifically, we will analyze the distribution of the genetic and epigenetic alteration signature defined by the HTG analysis of miRNA in 450 DLBCL patients with respect to known clinicopathological features such as patient demographics and pathological subtypes. We will also correlate a ~20-gene signature (prognostic ABC/GCB) with the clinical outcomes of DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP regimen in a further 400-500 patients. Additional correlations between the genetic and epigenetic signature with the distribution profile of any protein expression of unique gene products by immunohistochemistry will be performed. We hypotheisize that the analysis will provide critical information for selection of novel pharmacologically-defined inhibitors/drugs for therapy and also better predict outcomes in DLBCL patients than genotyping on individual genes.

 

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2.0 Study Objectives

 

1) To validate 20-gene expression classifier for ABC/GCB subtyping and prognosis using samples from 550 patients treated with R-CHOP regimen.

 

2) Perform discovery studies of large scale miRNA expression profiling (>1500 miRNAs) in 450 patients and determine relationships, if any, with ABC vs. GCB subtypes, clinical parameters, gene expression and other clinical and molecular profiles.

 

3.0 Investigators

Professor of Pathology – MDACC - Dr. Ken He Young

Chief Medical Officer and VP of Translational Research - HTG Molecular Diagnostics – Dr. Vijay Modur

 

4.0 Approvals

IRB approval to be obtained by MDACC

 

5.0 Detailed Project Design

The Study Objectives will be accomplished in three stages.

Stage I:

1. At the time of signing of the Agreement, 25 blocks of DLBCL will be provided to HTG by Dr. Young to start the collaboration for the miRNA technology (see Objective 2). HTG will cut required material for analytical studies and return original blocks to Dr. Young after cutting required amount of tissue. The 25 DLBCL samples will be used by HTG to characterize the analytical performance of gene signature assay

2. 150 DLBCL samples with clinical outcomes (IPI scores, therapy, duration of follow-up, PFS and OS) and prior Affymetrix gene expression data will be mutually selected for miRNA and ABC/GCB subtyping/prognostic classifier studies at HTG as soon as possible following signing of the Agreement. Known ABC/GCB subtype for each sample shall be identified by Dr. Young and provided to HTG.

3. After characterizing the analytical performance of the miRNA assays in step (1), the 150 DLBCL samples selected in step 2 will be profiled by HTG on a ~20-gene (mRNA) expression panel The initial ~20-gene profiling is to confirm the performance of the panel for ABC/GCB subtyping and correlation with prognosis. In addition, the miRNA profiling quality, initial associations with prognosis, clinical outcomes and molecular parameters to ensure data quality will also be performed as a biological check/first look.

 

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4. At the completion of Stage I activities, any determination of thresholds for further validation, needs for troubleshooting of technique or problems with biological associations will be performed by HTG so that success in subsequent stages of the project is optimized. Success of stage I will be based on results of data analysis by HTG and MDACC in a mutually agreed fashion. In general, high level of assay reproducibility sufficient for research publication will be considered as success.

In addition, both MDACC and HTG will jointly perform miRNA, ABC/GCB typing and clinical outcomes analysis in Stage I. HTGs analysis will mainly focus on characterization of miRNA within ABC/GCB subsets and MDACC will focus on expanded analysis to include biological mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

Stage II:

In stage II, 300 further DLBCL samples will be subjected to miRNA analysis. These 300 samples already have prior Affymetrix gene expression performed at MDACC and ABC/GCB subtype analysis available with other clinical and molecular profiles and are part of the International R-CHOP consortium. The miRNA profiles will include associations like correlation of the gene signature, the genetic and epigenetic signature with the distribution profile of any protein expression of unique gene products by immunohistochemistry and with the clinical outcomes to R-CHOP therapy. These samples may also be used to further optimize ABC/GCB subtyping or prognostic 20-gene (mRNA) algorithm used in Stage I.

Stage III:

1. 400 samples from a separate cohort of primary de novo DLBCL patients will be sent by Dr. Young to HTG. Dr. Young will have patient information, including at least stage, lactic dehydrogenase level, ECOG performance status, extranodal involvement, chemotherapy regimen and survival, for each such sample used at this Stage III.

2. HTG initially will be blinded to the sample information and will use the Stage III samples to perform expression profiling of an approximately 20-gene (mRNA) signature that is believed to be DLBCL prognostic and able to subtype ABC/GCB.

3. Upon completion of the ~20-gene (mRNA) expression assay(s), Dr. Young will promptly provide the sample information from Step 1 to HTG. HTG will determine the correlation (if any) of the prognostic signature to progression free survival and overall survival (>5 years) on R-CHOP 21 therapy. The relationship between ABC and GCB subtype and prognostic signature also will be determined by HTG. Poor prognostic GCB and ABC subtypes will be defined by the ~20-gene HTG signature to determine if there are prognostically overlapping populations between ABC and GCB which have unique biology that may represent novel approaches to prognosis or therapy.

4. Any panel of miRNA having an association with DLBCL prognosis or ABC/GBC subtyping that was discovered in Stage II may be reduced to a smaller panel for the validation of miRNA associations with prognosis or ABC/GBC subtyping using this Stage III cohort.

 

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Milestones and Estimated Completion Dates

 

Milestone

  

Estimated Date

Initial analytical validation of miRNA profiling method    Q1 2014
Assay validation of ABC/GCB/prognostic algorithm    Initial testing to start Q1-2014 and continue for the duration of the collaboration
miRNA profiling of 150 DLBCL samples from initial 450 sample cohort    March 31 st 2014
miRNA profiling of 300 DLBCL samples    July 2014
Assay of 500 samples for prognostic and ABC/GCB subtyping    Dec 2014

 

6.0 Deliverables (i.e., Study Outputs)

 

  6.1 HTG Deliverables

 

    miRNA profiling data as part of the collaboration and joint data analysis

 

    ABC/GCB subtyping of all previously untyped samples used in the collaboration using HTG DLBCL COO classifier

 

    Other assays, reagents and data as mutually accepted to fall within the research agreement by both parties acknowledged in writing

 

  6.2 MD Anderson Deliverables

 

    Samples for initial feasibility testing, assay optimization and validation

 

    Results of testing of ABC/GCB subtyping and clinical outcomes outlined in section 5

 

    Other samples and data as mutually accepted to fall within the research agreement by both parties acknowledged in writing

 

    Analysis of miRNA profiling data

 

7.0 Proposed Publication Plan

 

1. The initial miRNA analysis is planned to be submitted for a manuscript of method in which, Dr. Young will be the co-corresponding and last author in the manuscript. Dr. Modur and his associates will be the first and principal corresponding author.

 

2. Data from the 20-gene classifier studies is planned to be published in a molecular diagnostics publication with Dr. Young listed as a co-corresponding and last author in the manuscript. Dr. Modur and his associates will be the first and principal corresponding author.

 

3. A publication with miRNA data is anticipated and will have HTG scientists, as authors and Dr. Young will be the corresponding and last author in the manuscript. Dr. Modur may be the co-corresponding author.

 

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8.0 Contacts and Communications

 

Role

  

Name

  

Phone

  

E-mail

HTG         
Project Manager    BJ Kerns – Sr. VP for clinical services    520-547-2827    bjkerns@htgmolecular.com
Institution         
Principal Investigator    Dr. Ken He Young    713-745-2598    khyoung@mdanderson.org

 

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EXHIBIT B

STUDY BUDGET

Upon completion by MD Anderson and approval by Sponsor of the following milestones, MD Anderson may submit to Sponsor invoices for the following amounts:

 

Milestone

   $ Amount      % of Total  

1. Execution of contract

   $ 30,000         50   

2. Completion of Stage I and II tasks

   $ 15,000         25   

3. Completion of Stage II tasks

   $ 30,000         25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL:

   $ 75,000         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unless otherwise specified by Sponsor in writing, invoices shall reference this Agreement and shall be sent to:

Accounts Payable

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

or via email: finance@htgmolecular.com

Unless otherwise specified by MD Anderson in writing, payments to MD Anderson shall be made to:

The University of Texas

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Attn: Grants and Contracts

P.O. Box 4390

Houston, Texas 77210-4390

Invoices shall be payable within sixty (60) days of receipt by Sponsor.

 

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Exhibit 10.15

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, this “ Agreement ”) dated as of August 22, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”) among OXFORD FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with an office located at 133 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (“ Oxford ”), as collateral agent (in such capacity, “ Collateral Agent ”), the Lenders listed on Schedule 1.1 hereof or otherwise a party hereto from time to time including Oxford in its capacity as a Lender and SILICON VALLEY BANK, a California corporation with an office located at 3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (“ Bank ” or “ SVB ”) (each a “ Lender ” and collectively, the “ Lenders ”), and HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation with an office located at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706 (“ Borrower ”), provides the terms on which the Lenders shall lend to Borrower and Borrower shall repay the Lenders. The parties agree as follows:

 

1. ACCOUNTING AND OTHER TERMS

1.1 Accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. Calculations and determinations must be made in accordance with GAAP. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in Section 13. All other terms contained in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meaning provided by the Code to the extent such terms are defined therein. All references to “ Dollars ” or “ $ ” are United States Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

2. LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT

2.1 Promise to Pay. Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay each Lender, the outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans advanced to Borrower by such Lender and accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any other amounts due hereunder as and when due in accordance with this Agreement.

2.2 Term Loans.

(a) Availability . (i) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree, severally and not jointly, to make term loans to Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount of up to Eleven Million Dollars ($11,000,000.00) according to each Lender’s Term A Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (such term loans are hereinafter referred to singly as a “ Term A Loan ”, and collectively as the “ Term A Loans ”). After repayment, no Term A Loan may be re-borrowed.

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree, severally and not jointly, during the Second Draw Period, to make term loans in a single draw to Borrower in an aggregate amount up to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) according to each Lender’s Term B Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (such term loans are hereinafter referred to singly as a “ Term B Loan ”, and collectively as the “ Term B Loans ”; each Term A Loan or Term B Loan is hereinafter referred to singly as a “ Term Loan ” and the Term A Loans and the Term B Loans are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “ Term Loans ”). After repayment, no Term B Loan may be re-borrowed.

(b) Repayment . Borrower shall make monthly payments of interest only commencing on the first (1 st ) Payment Date following the Funding Date of each Term Loan, and continuing on the Payment Date of each successive month thereafter through and including the Payment Date immediately preceding the Amortization Date. Borrower agrees to pay, on the Funding Date of each Term Loan, any initial partial monthly interest payment otherwise due for the period between the Funding Date of such Term Loan and the first Payment Date thereof. Commencing on the Amortization Date with respect to each Term Loan, and continuing on the Payment Date of each month thereafter, Borrower shall make consecutive equal monthly payments of principal and interest, in arrears, to each Lender, as calculated by Collateral Agent (which calculations shall be deemed correct absent manifest error) based upon: (1) the amount of such Lender’s Term Loan, (2) the effective rate of interest, as determined in Section 2.3(a), and (3) a repayment schedule (i) with respect to the Term A Loans, equal to (A) thirty-six (36) months, if the Term B Loans are not funded prior to September 1, 2015, or (B) thirty (30) months, if the Term B Loans are funded prior to September 1, 2015, and (ii) with respect to the Term B Loans, (A) equal to thirty


(30) months, if the Term B Loans are funded prior to September 1, 2015, or (B) based upon the number of Payment Dates remaining after the Funding Date of the Term B Loans up to and including the Maturity Date, if the Term B Loans are not funded prior to September 1, 2015. All unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Term Loan is due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. Each Term Loan may only be prepaid in accordance with Sections 2.2(c) and 2.2(d).

(c) Mandatory Prepayments . If the Term Loans are accelerated following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Borrower shall immediately pay to Lenders, payable to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, an amount equal to the sum of: (i) all outstanding principal of the Term Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date, (ii) the Final Payment, (iii) the Prepayment Fee, plus (iv) all other Obligations that are due and payable, including Lenders’ Expenses and interest at the Default Rate with respect to any past due amounts. Notwithstanding (but without duplication with) the foregoing, on the Maturity Date, if the Final Payment had not previously been paid in full in connection with the prepayment of the Term Loans in full, Borrower shall pay to Collateral Agent, for payment to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, the Final Payment in respect of the Term Loan(s).

(d) Permitted Prepayment of Term Loans . Borrower shall have the option to prepay all, but not less than all, of the Term Loans advanced by the Lenders under this Agreement, provided Borrower (i) provides written notice to Collateral Agent of its election to prepay the Term Loans at least fifteen (15) days prior to such prepayment, and (ii) pays to the Lenders on the date of such prepayment, payable to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, an amount equal to the sum of (A) all outstanding principal of the Term Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date, (B) the Final Payment, (C) the Prepayment Fee, plus (D) all other Obligations that are due and payable, including Lenders’ Expenses and interest at the Default Rate with respect to any past due amounts.

2.3 Payment of Interest on the Credit Extensions.

(a) Interest Rate. Subject to Section 2.3(b), the principal amount outstanding under the Term Loans shall accrue interest at a fixed per annum rate (which rate shall be fixed for the duration of the applicable Term Loan) equal to the Basic Rate, determined by Collateral Agent on the Funding Date of the applicable Term Loan, which interest shall be payable monthly in arrears in accordance with Sections 2.2(b) and 2.3(e). Interest shall accrue on each Term Loan commencing on, and including, the Funding Date of such Term Loan, and shall accrue on the principal amount outstanding under such Term Loan through and including the day on which such Term Loan is paid in full.

(b) Default Rate . Immediately upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Obligations shall accrue interest at a fixed per annum rate equal to the rate that is otherwise applicable thereto plus five percentage points (5.00%) (the “ Default Rate ”). Payment or acceptance of the increased interest rate provided in this Section 2.3(b) is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Collateral Agent.

(c) 360-Day Year . Interest shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year consisting of twelve (12) months of thirty (30) days.

(d) Debit of Accounts . Collateral Agent and each Lender may debit (or ACH) any deposit accounts, maintained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including the Designated Deposit Account, for principal and interest payments or any other amounts Borrower owes the Lenders under the Loan Documents when due. Any such debits (or ACH activity) shall not constitute a set-off.

(e) Payments . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower under the Loan Documents shall be made to the respective Lender to which such payments are owed, at such Lender’s office in immediately available funds on the date specified herein. Unless otherwise provided, interest is payable monthly on the Payment Date of each month. Payments of principal and/or interest received after 12:00 noon Eastern time are considered received at the opening of business on the next Business Day. When a payment is due on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment is due the next Business Day and additional fees or interest, as applicable, shall continue to accrue until paid. All payments to be made by Borrower hereunder or under any other

 

2


Loan Document, including payments of principal and interest, and all fees, expenses, indemnities and reimbursements, shall be made without set-off, recoupment or counterclaim, in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available funds.

2.4 Secured Promissory Notes. The Term Loans shall be evidenced by a Secured Promissory Note or Notes in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto (each a “ Secured Promissory Note ”), and shall be repayable as set forth in this Agreement. Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make or cause to be made, on or about the Funding Date of any Term Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note, an appropriate notation on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record reflecting the making of such Term Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of each Term Loan set forth on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Lender, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower under any Secured Promissory Note or any other Loan Document to make payments of principal of or interest on any Secured Promissory Note when due. Upon receipt of an affidavit of an officer of a Lender as to the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of its Secured Promissory Note, and a reasonable and customary indemnity agreement, Borrower shall issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Secured Promissory Note in the same principal amount thereof and of like tenor.

2.5 Fees. Borrower shall pay to Collateral Agent:

(a) Facility Fee . A fully earned, non-refundable facility fee of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) to be shared between the Lenders pursuant to their respective Commitment Percentages payable on the Effective Date;

(b) Final Payment . The Final Payment, when due hereunder, to be shared between the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares;

(c) Prepayment Fee . The Prepayment Fee, when due hereunder, to be shared between the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares; and

(d) Lenders’ Expenses . All Lenders’ Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses for documentation and negotiation of this Agreement) incurred through and after the Effective Date, when due.

2.6 Withholding. Payments received by the Lenders from Borrower hereunder will be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority (including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto). Specifically, however, if at any time any Governmental Authority, applicable law, regulation or international agreement requires Borrower to make any withholding or deduction from any such payment or other sum payable hereunder to the Lenders, Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that the amount due from Borrower with respect to such payment or other sum payable hereunder will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such required withholding or deduction, each Lender receives a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no withholding or deduction been required and Borrower shall pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority. Borrower will, upon request, furnish the Lenders with proof reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders indicating that Borrower has made such withholding payment; provided, however, that Borrower need not make any withholding payment if the amount or validity of such withholding payment is contested in good faith by appropriate and timely proceedings and as to which payment in full is bonded or reserved against by Borrower. The agreements and obligations of Borrower contained in this Section 2.6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

3. CONDITIONS OF LOANS

3.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension. Each Lender’s obligation to make a Term A Loan is subject to the condition precedent that Collateral Agent and each Lender shall consent to or shall have

 

3


received, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent and each Lender, such documents, and completion of such other matters, as Collateral Agent and each Lender may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation:

(a) original Loan Documents, each duly executed by Borrower and each Subsidiary, as applicable;

(b) duly executed original Control Agreements with respect to any Collateral Accounts maintained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(c) duly executed original Secured Promissory Notes in favor of each Lender according to its Term A Loan Commitment Percentage;

(d) the Operating Documents and good standing certificates of Borrower and its Subsidiaries certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of Borrower’s and such Subsidiaries’ jurisdiction of organization or formation and each jurisdiction in which Borrower and each Subsidiary is qualified to conduct business, each as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date;

(e) a completed Perfection Certificate for Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries;

(f) the Annual Projections, for the current calendar year;

(g) duly executed original officer’s certificate for Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a party to the Loan Documents, in a form acceptable to Collateral Agent and the Lenders;

(h) certified copies, dated as of date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date, of financing statement searches, as Collateral Agent shall request, accompanied by written evidence (including any UCC termination statements) that the Liens indicated in any such financing statements either constitute Permitted Liens or have been or, in connection with the initial Credit Extension, will be terminated or released;

(i) a landlord’s consent executed in favor of Collateral Agent in respect of all of Borrower’s and each Subsidiaries’ leased locations;

(j) a bailee waiver executed in favor of Collateral Agent in respect of each third party bailee where Borrower or any Subsidiary maintains Collateral having a book value in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00);

(k) a duly executed legal opinion of counsel to Borrower dated as of the Effective Date;

(l) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Lenders that the insurance policies required by Section 6.5 hereof are in full force and effect, together with appropriate evidence showing loss payable and/or additional insured clauses or endorsements in favor of Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;

(m) a copy of any applicable Registration Rights Agreement or Investors’ Rights Agreement and any amendments thereto;

(n) a payoff letter from Bank in respect of the Existing Indebtedness;

(o) evidence that (i) the Liens securing the Existing Indebtedness will be terminated and (ii) the documents and/or filings evidencing the perfection of such Liens, including without limitation any financing statements and/or control agreements, have or will, concurrently with the initial Credit Extension, be terminated; and

(p) payment of the fees and Lenders’ Expenses then due as specified in Section 2.5 hereof.

 

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3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to make each Credit Extension, including the initial Credit Extension, is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) receipt by (i) the Lenders of an executed Disbursement Letter in the form of Exhibit B-1 attached hereto; and (ii) SVB of an executed Loan Payment/Advance Request Form in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto;

(b) the representations and warranties in Section 5 hereof shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects on the date of the Disbursement Letter (and the Loan Payment/Advance Request Form) and on the Funding Date of each Credit Extension; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date, and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result from the Credit Extension. Each Credit Extension is Borrower’s representation and warranty on that date that the representations and warranties in Section 5 hereof are true, accurate and complete in all material respects; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date;

(c) in such Lender’s sole discretion, there has not been any Material Adverse Change or any material adverse deviation by Borrower from the Annual Projections of Borrower presented to and accepted by Collateral Agent and each Lender;

(d) to the extent not delivered at the Effective Date, duly executed original Secured Promissory Notes and Warrants, in number, form and content acceptable to each Lender, and in favor of each Lender according to its Commitment Percentage, with respect to each Credit Extension made by such Lender after the Effective Date; and

(e) payment of the fees and Lenders’ Expenses then due as specified in Section 2.5 hereof.

3.3 Covenant to Deliver. Borrower agrees to deliver to Collateral Agent and the Lenders each item required to be delivered to Collateral Agent under this Agreement as a condition precedent to any Credit Extension. Borrower expressly agrees that a Credit Extension made prior to the receipt by Collateral Agent or any Lender of any such item shall not constitute a waiver by Collateral Agent or any Lender of Borrower’s obligation to deliver such item, and any such Credit Extension in the absence of a required item shall be made in each Lender’s sole discretion.

3.4 Procedures for Borrowing. Subject to the prior satisfaction of all other applicable conditions to the making of a Term Loan set forth in this Agreement, to obtain a Term Loan, Borrower shall notify the Lenders (which notice shall be irrevocable) by electronic mail, facsimile, or telephone by 12:00 noon Eastern time three (3) Business Days prior to the date such Term Loan is to be made. Together with any such electronic, facsimile or telephonic notification, Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders by electronic mail or facsimile a completed Disbursement Letter (and the Loan Payment/Advance Request Form, with respect to SVB) executed by a Responsible Officer or his or her designee. The Lenders may rely on any telephone notice given by a person whom a Lender reasonably believes is a Responsible Officer or designee. On the Funding Date, each Lender shall credit and/or transfer (as applicable) to the Designated Deposit Account, an amount equal to its Term Loan Commitment.

 

4. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST

4.1 Grant of Security Interest. Borrower hereby grants Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, to secure the payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and pledges to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, the Collateral, wherever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, and all proceeds and products thereof. Borrower represents, warrants, and covenants that the security interest granted herein is and shall at all times continue to be a first priority perfected

 

5


security interest in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens that are permitted by the terms of this Agreement to have priority to Collateral Agent’s Lien. If Borrower shall acquire a commercial tort claim (as defined in the Code), Borrower, shall promptly notify Collateral Agent in a writing signed by Borrower, as the case may be, of the general details thereof (and further details as may be required by Collateral Agent) and grant to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

Borrower acknowledges that it previously has entered, and/or may in the future enter, into Bank Services Agreements with Bank. Regardless of the terms of any Bank Services Agreement, Borrower agrees that any amounts Borrower owes Bank thereunder shall be deemed to be Obligations hereunder and that it is the intent of Borrower and Bank to have all such Obligations secured by the first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral granted herein (subject only to Permitted Liens that may have superior priority to Collateral Agent’s Lien in this Agreement).

If this Agreement is terminated, Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are repaid in full in cash. Upon payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) and at such time as the Lenders’ obligation to make Credit Extensions has terminated, Collateral Agent shall, at the sole cost and expense of Borrower, release its Liens in the Collateral and all rights therein shall revert to Borrower. In the event (x) all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations), except for Bank Services, are satisfied in full, and (y) this Agreement is terminated, Collateral Agent shall terminate the security interest granted herein upon Borrower providing cash collateral acceptable to Bank in its good faith business judgment for Bank Services, if any. In the event such Bank Services consist of outstanding Letters of Credit, Borrower shall provide to Bank cash collateral in an amount equal to (x) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in Dollars, then one hundred five percent (105.00%); and (y) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then one hundred ten percent (110.00%), of the Dollar Equivalent of the face amount of all such Letters of Credit plus all interest, fees, and costs due or to become due in connection therewith (as estimated by Bank in its good faith business judgment), to secure all of the Obligations relating to such Letters of Credit.

4.2 Authorization to File Financing Statements. Borrower hereby authorizes Collateral Agent to file financing statements or take any other action required to perfect Collateral Agent’s security interests in the Collateral, without notice to Borrower, with all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect or protect Collateral Agent’s interest or rights under the Loan Documents, including a notice that any disposition of the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, by Borrower, or any other Person, shall be deemed to violate the rights of Collateral Agent under the Code.

 

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Borrower represents and warrants to Collateral Agent and the Lenders as follows:

5.1 Due Organization, Authorization: Power and Authority. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is duly existing and in good standing as a Registered Organization in its jurisdictions of organization or formation and Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is qualified and licensed to do business and is in good standing in any jurisdiction in which the conduct of its businesses or its ownership of property requires that it be qualified except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. In connection with this Agreement, Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has delivered to Collateral Agent a completed perfection certificate signed by an officer of Borrower or such Subsidiary (each a “ Perfection Certificate ” and collectively, the “ Perfection Certificates ”). Borrower represents and warrants that (a) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries’ exact legal name is that which is indicated on its respective Perfection Certificate and on the signature page of each Loan Document to which it is a party; (b) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is an organization of the type and is organized in the jurisdiction set forth on its respective Perfection Certificate; (c) each Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth each of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ organizational identification number or accurately states that Borrower or such Subsidiary has none; (d) each Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ place of business, or, if more than one, its chief executive office as well as Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ mailing address (if different than its chief executive office); (e) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (and each of its respective predecessors) have not, in the past five (5) years, changed its jurisdiction

 

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of organization, organizational structure or type, or any organizational number assigned by its jurisdiction; and (f) all other information set forth on the Perfection Certificates pertaining to Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, is accurate and complete (it being understood and agreed that Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries may from time to time update certain information in the Perfection Certificates (including the information set forth in clause (d) above) after the Effective Date to the extent permitted by one or more specific provisions in this Agreement); such updated Perfection Certificates subject to the review and approval of Collateral Agent. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is not now a Registered Organization but later becomes one, Borrower shall notify Collateral Agent of such occurrence and provide Collateral Agent with such Person’s organizational identification number within five (5) Business Days of receiving such organizational identification number.

The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized, and do not (i) conflict with any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’ organizational documents, including its respective Operating Documents, (ii) contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material Requirement of Law applicable thereto, (iii) contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority by which Borrower or such Subsidiary, or any of their property or assets may be bound or affected, (iv) require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or Governmental Approval from, any Governmental Authority (except such Governmental Approvals which have already been obtained and are in full force and effect) or are being obtained pursuant to Section 6.1(b), or (v) constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries, or their respective properties, is bound. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets is bound in which such default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

5.2 Collateral.

(a) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good title to, have rights in, and the power to transfer each item of the Collateral upon which it purports to grant a Lien under the Loan Documents, free and clear of any and all Liens except Permitted Liens, and neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Accounts or other investment accounts other than the Collateral Accounts or the other investment accounts, if any, described in the Perfection Certificates delivered to Collateral Agent in connection herewith (as the same may be updated from time to time, provided that any such updates shall be in form and substance acceptable to Collateral Agent in its discretion) with respect of which Borrower or such Subsidiary has given Collateral Agent notice and taken such actions as are necessary to give Collateral Agent a perfected security interest therein. The Accounts are bona fide, existing obligations of the Account Debtors.

(b) On the Effective Date, and except as disclosed on the Perfection Certificate (as the same may be updated from time to time, provided that any such updates shall be in form and substance acceptable to Collateral Agent in its discretion) (i) the Collateral is not in the possession of any third party bailee (such as a warehouse), and (ii) no such third party bailee possesses components of the Collateral in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00). None of the components of the Collateral shall be maintained at locations other than as disclosed in the Perfection Certificates on the Effective Date or as permitted pursuant to Section 6.11.

(c) All Inventory is in all material respects of good and marketable quality, free from material defects.

(d) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is the sole owner of the Intellectual Property each respectively purports to own, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as noted on the Perfection Certificates or as notified to Collateral Agent pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 5.2(d), neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, nor is bound by, any material license or other material agreement with respect to which Borrower or such Subsidiary is the licensee that (i) prohibits or otherwise restricts Borrower or its Subsidiaries from granting a security interest in Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’ interest in such material license or material agreement or any other property, or (ii) for which a default under or termination of could interfere with Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s right to sell any Collateral. Borrower shall provide written notice to Collateral Agent and each Lender within ten (10) days of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entering into or becoming bound by any license or agreement with respect to which Borrower or any Subsidiary is the licensee (other than over-the-counter software that is commercially available to the public).

 

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5.3 Litigation. Except as disclosed (i) on the Perfection Certificates, or (ii) in accordance with Section 6.9 hereof, there are no actions, suits, investigations, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers, threatened in writing by or against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

5.4 No Material Deterioration in Financial Condition; Financial Statements. All consolidated financial statements for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, delivered to Collateral Agent fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the consolidated results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries. There has not been any material deterioration in the consolidated financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries since the date of the most recent financial statements submitted to any Lender.

5.5 Solvency. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is Solvent.

5.6 Regulatory Compliance. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged as one of its important activities in extending credit for margin stock (under Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors). Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” as each term is defined and used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated any laws, ordinances or rules, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Neither Borrower’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has been used by Borrower or such Subsidiary or, to Borrower’s knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance other than in material compliance with applicable laws. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all Governmental Authorities that are necessary to continue their respective businesses as currently conducted.

None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Affiliates or any of their respective agents acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is (i) in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law, (ii) engaging in or conspiring to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) is a Blocked Person. None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Borrower and any of their Affiliates or agents, acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (x) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, or (y) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, any similar executive order or other Anti-Terrorism Law.

5.7 Investments. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any stock, shares, partnership interests or other equity securities except for Permitted Investments.

5.8 Tax Returns and Payments; Pension Contributions. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed or have timely obtained extensions for filing all required tax returns and reports, and Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, has timely paid all foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrower and such Subsidiaries, in all jurisdictions in which Borrower or any such Subsidiary is subject to taxes, including the United States, unless such taxes are being contested in accordance with the following sentence. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, may defer payment of any contested taxes, provided that Borrower or such Subsidiary, (a) in good faith contests its obligation to pay the taxes by appropriate proceedings promptly and diligently instituted and conducted, (b) notifies Collateral Agent in writing of the commencement of, and any material development in, the proceedings, and (c) posts bonds or takes any other steps required to prevent the Governmental Authority levying such contested taxes from obtaining a Lien upon any of the Collateral that is other than a “Permitted Lien.” Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’, prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have paid all

 

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amounts necessary to fund all present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with their terms, and neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have, withdrawn from participation in, and have not permitted partial or complete termination of, or permitted the occurrence of any other event with respect to, any such plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other Governmental Authority.

5.9 Use of Proceeds. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions solely as working capital and to fund its general business requirements in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and not for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes. A portion of the proceeds of the Term A Loans shall be used by Borrower to repay the Existing Indebtedness in full on the Effective Date, together with associated fees, costs and expenses.

5.10 Full Disclosure. No written representation, warranty or other statement of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any certificate or written statement given to Collateral Agent or any Lender, as of the date such representation, warranty, or other statement was made, taken together with all such written certificates and written statements given to Collateral Agent or any Lender, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained in the certificates or statements not misleading (it being recognized that the projections and forecasts provided by Borrower in good faith and based upon reasonable assumptions are not viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results).

5.11 Definition of Knowledge. ” For purposes of the Loan Documents, whenever a representation or warranty is made to Borrower’s knowledge or awareness, to the “best of” Borrower’s knowledge, or with a similar qualification, knowledge or awareness means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the Responsible Officers.

 

6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all of the following:

6.1 Government Compliance.

(a) Maintain its and all its Subsidiaries’ legal existence and good standing in their respective jurisdictions of organization and maintain qualification in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, the noncompliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

(b) Obtain and keep in full force and effect, all of the material Governmental Approvals necessary for the performance by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of their respective businesses and obligations under the Loan Documents and the grant of a security interest to Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in all of the Collateral. Borrower shall promptly provide copies to Collateral Agent of any material Governmental Approvals obtained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

6.2 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates.

(a) Deliver to each Lender:

(i) as soon as available, but no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month, a company prepared consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement covering the consolidated operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such month certified by a Responsible Officer and in a form reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent;

(ii) as soon as available, but no later than the earlier of (x) two hundred forty (240) days after the last day of Borrower’s fiscal year and (y) five (5) days of filing with the SEC, audited consolidated

 

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financial statements prepared under GAAP, consistently applied, together with an unqualified opinion on the financial statements from an independent certified public accounting firm acceptable to Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion (provided that Borrower’s 2013 audited consolidated financial statements shall be due no later than September 30, 2014);

(iii) as soon as available, but no later than the earlier of (x) seven (7) days after approval thereof by Borrower’s Board of Directors and (y) sixty (60) days after the last day of each of Borrower’s fiscal years, Borrower’s annual financial projections for the entire current fiscal year as approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors, which such annual financial projections shall be set forth in a month-by-month format (such annual financial projections as originally delivered to Collateral Agent and the Lenders are referred to herein as the “ Annual Projections ”; provided that, any revisions of the Annual Projections approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors shall be delivered to Collateral Agent and the Lenders no later than seven (7) days after such approval);

(iv) within five (5) days of delivery, copies of all statements, reports and notices made available to Borrower’s security holders or holders of Subordinated Debt;

(v) in the event that Borrower becomes subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within five (5) days of filing, all reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,

(vi) prompt notice of any amendments of or other changes to the capitalization table of Borrower and to the Operating Documents of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, together with any copies reflecting such amendments or changes with respect thereto;

(vii) prompt notice of any event that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the value of the Intellectual Property;

(viii) as soon as available, but no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month, copies of the month-end account statements for each Collateral Account maintained by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, which statements may be provided to Collateral Agent and each Lender by Borrower or directly from the applicable institution(s), and

(ix) other information as reasonably requested by Collateral Agent or any Lender.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents required to be delivered pursuant to the terms hereof (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on Borrower’s website on the internet at Borrower’s website address.

(b) Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements specified in Section 6.2(a)(i) above but no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month, deliver to each Lender, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer.

(c) Keep proper books of record and account in accordance with GAAP in all material respects, in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, allow, at the sole cost of Borrower, Collateral Agent or any Lender, during regular business hours upon reasonable prior notice (provided that no notice shall be required when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine and make abstracts or copies from any of its books and records, and to conduct a collateral audit and analysis of its operations and the Collateral. Such audits shall be conducted no more often than twice every year unless (and more frequently if) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

6.3 Inventory; Returns. Keep all Inventory in good and marketable condition, free from material defects. Returns and allowances between Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, and their respective Account Debtors shall follow Borrower’s, or such Subsidiary’s, customary practices as they exist at the Effective Date. Borrower

 

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must promptly notify Collateral Agent and the Lenders of all returns, recoveries, disputes and claims that involve more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) individually or in the aggregate in any calendar year (excluding returns of demonstration equipment or products).

6.4 Taxes; Pensions. Timely file and require each of its Subsidiaries to timely file, all required tax returns and reports and timely pay, and require each of its Subsidiaries to timely file, all foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, except for deferred payment of any taxes contested pursuant to the terms of Section 5.8 hereof, and shall deliver to Lenders, on demand, appropriate certificates attesting to such payments, and pay all amounts necessary to fund all present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with the terms of such plans.

6.5 Insurance. Keep Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ business and the Collateral insured for risks and in amounts standard for companies in Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ industry and location and as Collateral Agent may reasonably request. Insurance policies shall be in a form, with companies, and in amounts that are reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and Lenders. All property policies shall have a lender’s loss payable endorsement showing Collateral Agent as lender loss payee and waive subrogation against Collateral Agent, and all liability policies shall show, or have endorsements showing, Collateral Agent, as additional insured. Collateral Agent shall be named as lender loss payee and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing coverage in respect of any Collateral, and each provider of any such insurance shall agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to Collateral Agent, that it will give Collateral Agent thirty (30) days (ten (10) days for non-payment of premium) prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be materially altered or canceled. At Collateral Agent’s request, Borrower shall deliver certified copies of policies and evidence of all premium payments. Proceeds payable under any policy shall, at Collateral Agent’s option, be payable to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, on account of the Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall have the option of applying the proceeds of any casualty policy up to One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) with respect to any loss, but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), in the aggregate for all losses under all casualty policies in any one year, toward the replacement or repair of destroyed or damaged property; provided that any such replaced or repaired property (i) shall be of equal or like value as the replaced or repaired Collateral and (ii) shall be deemed Collateral in which Collateral Agent has been granted a first priority security interest, and (b) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all proceeds payable under such casualty policy shall, at the option of Collateral Agent, be payable to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, on account of the Obligations. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fails to obtain insurance as required under this Section 6.5 or to pay any amount or furnish any required proof of payment to third persons, Collateral Agent and/or any Lender may make, at Borrower’s expense, all or part of such payment or obtain such insurance policies required in this Section 6.5, and take any action under the policies Collateral Agent or such Lender deems prudent.

6.6 Operating Accounts.

(a) Maintain (i) all of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Collateral Accounts in accounts which are subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent (other than Deposit Accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s, or any of its Subsidiaries’, employees and identified to Collateral Agent by Borrower as such in the Perfection Certificates), and (ii) Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries primary Collateral Accounts with Bank or its Affiliates, which Collateral Accounts consisting of Securities Accounts shall represent at least eighty-five percent (85.00%) of the dollar value of Borrower’s and such Subsidiaries’ Securities Accounts at all financial institutions.

(b) Borrower shall provide Collateral Agent five (5) days’ prior written notice before Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries establishes any Collateral Account at or with any Person other than Bank or its Affiliates. In addition, for each Collateral Account that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, at any time maintains, Borrower or such Subsidiary shall cause the applicable bank or financial institution at or with which such Collateral Account is maintained to execute and deliver a Control Agreement or other appropriate instrument with respect to such Collateral Account to perfect Collateral Agent’s Lien in such Collateral Account in accordance with the terms hereunder prior to the establishment of such Collateral Account, which Control Agreement may not be terminated without prior written consent of Collateral Agent. The provisions of the previous sentence shall not apply to Deposit

 

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Accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s, or any of its Subsidiaries’, employees and identified to Collateral Agent by Borrower as such in the Perfection Certificates. Collateral Agent agrees not to place a “hold” or deliver a notice of exclusive control, entitlement order, or other similar directions or instructions under any Control Agreement or similar agreements providing control of any Collateral unless an Event of Default has occurred.

(c) Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall maintain any Collateral Accounts except Collateral Accounts maintained in accordance with Sections 6.6(a) and (b).

6.7 Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of its Intellectual Property that is material to Borrower’s business; (b) promptly advise Collateral Agent in writing upon becoming aware of material infringement by a third party of its Intellectual Property; and (c) not allow any Intellectual Property material to Borrower’s business to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Collateral Agent’s prior written consent.

6.8 Litigation Cooperation. Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through the termination of this Agreement, make available to Collateral Agent and the Lenders, without expense to Collateral Agent or the Lenders, Borrower and each of Borrower’s officers, employees and agents and Borrower’s Books, to the extent that Collateral Agent or any Lender may reasonably deem them necessary to prosecute or defend any third-party suit or proceeding instituted by or against Collateral Agent or any Lender with respect to any Collateral or relating to Borrower.

6.9 Notices of Litigation and Default. Borrower will give prompt written notice to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of any litigation or governmental proceedings pending or threatened (in writing) against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to result in damages or costs to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or more or which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Without limiting or contradicting any other more specific provision of this Agreement, promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon Borrower becoming aware of the existence of any Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, Borrower shall give written notice to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of such occurrence, which such notice shall include a reasonably detailed description of such Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

6.10 [Intentionally Omitted.]

6.11 Landlord Waivers; Bailee Waivers. In the event that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, after the Effective Date, intends to add any new offices or business locations, including warehouses, or otherwise store any portion of the Collateral with, or deliver any portion of the Collateral to, a bailee, in each case pursuant to Section 7.2, then Borrower or such Subsidiary will first notify Collateral Agent in writing and, in the event that the Collateral at any new location is valued in excess of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.00) in the aggregate, such bailee or landlord, as applicable, must execute and deliver a bailee waiver or landlord waiver, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent prior to the addition of any new offices or business locations, or any such storage with or delivery to any such bailee, as the case may be.

6.12 Creation/Acquisition of Subsidiaries. In the event Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Subsidiary, Borrower shall provide prior written notice to Collateral Agent and each Lender of the creation or acquisition of such new Subsidiary and take all such action as may be reasonably required by Collateral Agent or any Lender to cause each such Subsidiary to become a co-Borrower hereunder or to guarantee the Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents and, in each case, grant a continuing pledge and security interest in and to the assets of such Subsidiary (substantially as described on Exhibit A hereto); and Borrower (or its Subsidiary, as applicable) shall grant and pledge to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a perfected security interest in the stock, units or other evidence of ownership of each such newly created Subsidiary.

6.13 Further Assurances .

 

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(a) Execute any further instruments and take further action as Collateral Agent or any Lender reasonably requests to perfect or continue Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral or to effect the purposes of this Agreement.

(b) Deliver to Collateral Agent and Lenders, within five (5) days after the same are sent or received, copies of all material correspondence, reports, documents and other filings with any Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any of the Governmental Approvals material to Borrower’s business or otherwise could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

 

7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders:

7.1 Dispositions. Convey, sell, lease, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “Transfer”), or permit any of its Subsidiaries to Transfer, all or any part of its business or property, except for Transfers (a) of Inventory in the ordinary course of business; (b) of worn-out or obsolete Equipment; and (c) in connection with Permitted Liens, Permitted Investments and Permitted Licenses.

7.2 Changes in Business, Management, Ownership, or Business Locations. (a) Engage in or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any business other than the businesses engaged in by Borrower as of the Effective Date or reasonably related thereto; (b) liquidate or dissolve; or (c) (i) any Key Person shall cease to be actively engaged in the management of Borrower unless written notice thereof is provided to Collateral Agent within five (5) days of such change, or (ii) enter into any transaction or series of related transactions in which the stockholders of Borrower who were not stockholders immediately prior to the first such transaction own more than forty nine percent (49.00%) of the voting stock of Borrower immediately after giving effect to such transaction or related series of such transactions (other than by the sale of Borrower’s equity securities in a public offering, a private placement of public equity or to venture capital investors so long as Borrower identifies to Collateral Agent the venture capital investors prior to the closing of the transaction). Borrower shall not, without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent: (A) add any new offices or business locations, including warehouses (unless such new offices or business locations contain less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in assets or property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries); (B) change its jurisdiction of organization, (C) change its organizational structure or type, (D) change its legal name, or (E) change any organizational number (if any) assigned by its jurisdiction of organization. Collateral Agent agrees not to deliver a notice to a bailee purporting to exercise dominion or control over any Collateral or any other similar direction or instruction under any bailee agreement with a Borrower unless an Event of Default has occurred.

7.3 Mergers or Acquisitions. Merge or consolidate, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, with any other Person, or acquire, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire, all or substantially all of the capital stock, shares or property of another Person. A Subsidiary may merge or consolidate into another Subsidiary (provided such surviving Subsidiary is a “co-Borrower” hereunder or has provided a secured Guaranty of Borrower’s Obligations hereunder) or with (or into) Borrower provided Borrower is the surviving legal entity, and as long as no Event of Default is occurring prior thereto or arises as a result therefrom. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall not, without Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, enter into any binding contractual arrangement with any Person to attempt to facilitate a merger or acquisition of Borrower, unless (i) no Event of Default exists when such agreement is entered into by Borrower, (ii) such agreement does not give such Person the right to claim any fees, payments or damages from Borrower in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), and (iii) Borrower notifies Collateral Agent in advance of entering into such an agreement.

7.4 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, or be liable for any Indebtedness, or permit any Subsidiary to do so, other than Permitted Indebtedness.

7.5 Encumbrance. Create, incur, allow, or suffer any Lien on any of its property, or assign or convey any right to receive income, including the sale of any Accounts, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so, except for Permitted Liens, or permit any Collateral not to be subject to the first priority security interest granted herein (except for Permitted Liens that are permitted by the terms of this Agreement to have priority over Collateral Agent’s Lien),

 

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or enter into any agreement, document, instrument or other arrangement (except with or in favor of Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders) with any Person which directly or indirectly prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, from assigning, mortgaging, pledging, granting a security interest in or upon, or encumbering any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s Intellectual Property, except as is otherwise permitted in Section 7.1 hereof and the definition of “ Permitted Liens ” herein.

7.6 Maintenance of Collateral Accounts. Maintain any Collateral Account except pursuant to the terms of Section 6.6 hereof.

7.7 Distributions; Investments. (a) Pay any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in capital stock) or make any distribution or payment in respect of or redeem, retire or purchase any capital stock (other than repurchases pursuant to the terms of employee stock purchase plans, employee restricted stock agreements, stockholder rights plans, director or consultant stock option plans, or similar plans, provided such repurchases do not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate per fiscal year) or (b) directly or indirectly make any Investment other than Permitted Investments, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Subsidiaries of Borrower shall be permitted to pay dividends, or make other distributions, to Borrower.

7.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except for (a) transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business, upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-affiliated Person, and (b) Subordinated Debt or equity investments by Borrower’s investors in Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

7.9 Subordinated Debt. (a) Make or permit any payment on any Subordinated Debt, except under the terms of the subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement to which such Subordinated Debt is subject, or (b) amend any provision in any document relating to the Subordinated Debt which would increase the amount thereof or adversely affect the subordination thereof to Obligations owed to the Lenders.

7.10 Compliance. Become an “investment company” or a company controlled by an “investment company”, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or undertake as one of its important activities extending credit to purchase or carry margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), or use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for that purpose; fail to meet the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, permit a Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, as defined in ERISA, to occur; fail to comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act or violate any other law or regulation, if the violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so; withdraw or permit any Subsidiary to withdraw from participation in, permit partial or complete termination of, or permit the occurrence of any other event with respect to, any present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other Governmental Authority.

7.11 Equity Issuances.  Issue any shares of Series E Preferred Stock (as defined in Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation) or other equity interests of Borrower having any cash redemption rights (a) without prior written notice to Lenders and (b) without such investor entering into an approval and waiver with respect to such redemption rights in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, except for issuances of (A) Series E Preferred Stock (i) consisting of Additional E Shares as payment of the Series E Accruing Dividends (as both terms are defined in Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation) in accordance with the terms of Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation, (ii) to the Lenders, and (iii) pursuant to that certain Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated February 4, 2014, so long as such issuance does not change (other than de minimis changes thereto) the composition and percentage ownership with respect to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock as in effect on the Effective Date and (B) shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock, Series C-2 Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock (each as defined in Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation) upon the exercise of warrants outstanding on the Effective Date.

 

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7.12 Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws. Collateral Agent hereby notifies Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that pursuant to the requirements of Anti-Terrorism Laws, and Collateral Agent’s policies and practices, Collateral Agent is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and their principals, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and their principals and such other information that will allow Collateral Agent to identify such party in accordance with Anti-Terrorism Laws. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permit any Affiliate to, directly or indirectly, knowingly enter into any documents, instruments, agreements or contracts with any Person listed on the OFAC Lists. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall immediately notify Collateral Agent if Borrower or such Subsidiary has knowledge that Borrower, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, is listed on the OFAC Lists or (a) is convicted on, (b) pleads nolo contendere to, (c) is indicted on, or (d) is arraigned and held over on charges involving money laundering or predicate crimes to money laundering. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, permit any Affiliate to, directly or indirectly, (i) conduct any business or engage in any transaction or dealing with any Blocked Person, including, without limitation, the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, (ii) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224 or any similar executive order or other Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in Executive Order No. 13224 or other Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Any one of the following shall constitute an event of default (an “ Event of Default ”) under this Agreement:

8.1 Payment Default. Borrower fails to (a) make any payment of principal or interest on any Credit Extension on its due date, or (b) pay any other Obligations within three (3) Business Days after such Obligations are due and payable (which three (3) Business Day grace period shall not apply to payments due on the Maturity Date or the date of acceleration pursuant to Section 9.1 (a) hereof). During the cure period, the failure to cure the payment default is not an Event of Default (but no Credit Extension will be made during the cure period);

8.2 Covenant Default.

(a) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fails or neglects to perform any obligation in Sections 6.2 (Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates), 6.4 (Taxes), 6.5 (Insurance), 6.6 (Operating Accounts), 6.7 (Protection of Intellectual Property Rights), 6.9 (Notice of Litigation and Default), 6.11 (Landlord Waivers; Bailee Waivers), 6.12 (Creation/Acquisition of Subsidiaries) or 6.13 (Further Assurances) or Borrower violates any covenant in Section 7; or

(b) Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any other term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any Loan Documents, and as to any default (other than those specified in this Section 8) under such other term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement that can be cured, has failed to cure the default within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, that if the default cannot by its nature be cured within the ten (10) day period or cannot after diligent attempts by Borrower be cured within such ten (10) day period, and such default is likely to be cured within a reasonable time, then Borrower shall have an additional period (which shall not in any case exceed thirty (30) days) to attempt to cure such default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to cure the default shall not be deemed an Event of Default (but no Credit Extensions shall be made during such cure period). Grace periods provided under this Section shall not apply, among other things, to any covenants set forth in subsection (a) above;

8.3 Material Adverse Change. A Material Adverse Change occurs;

8.4 Attachment; Levy; Restraint on Business.

 

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(a) (i) The service of process seeking to attach, by trustee or similar process, any funds of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any entity under control of Borrower or its Subsidiaries on deposit with any Lender or any Lender’s Affiliate or any bank or other institution at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Collateral Account, or (ii) a notice of lien, levy, or assessment is filed against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets by any government agency, and the same under subclauses (i) and (ii) hereof are not, within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof, discharged or stayed (whether through the posting of a bond or otherwise); provided, however, no Credit Extensions shall be made during any ten (10) day cure period; and

(b) (i) any material portion of Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets is attached, seized, levied on, or comes into possession of a trustee or receiver, or (ii) any court order enjoins, restrains, or prevents Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from conducting any part of its business;

8.5 Insolvency. (a) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes Insolvent; (b) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries begins an Insolvency Proceeding; or (c) an Insolvency Proceeding is begun against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and not dismissed or stayed within forty-five (45) days (but no Credit Extensions shall be made while Borrower or any Subsidiary is Insolvent and/or until any Insolvency Proceeding is dismissed);

8.6 Other Agreements. There is a default in (a) any Nuvogen Document or (b) any agreement to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with a third party or parties resulting in a right by such third party or parties, whether or not exercised, to accelerate the maturity of any Indebtedness in an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; provided, however, that the Event of Default under this Section 8.6 caused by the occurrence of a default with respect to such agreement shall be cured or waived for purposes of this Agreement upon Collateral Agent receiving written notice from the party asserting such default of the cure or waiver of such default, if at the time of such cure or waiver (i) neither Collateral Agent nor any Lender has declared an Event of Default under this Agreement and/or exercised any rights with respect thereto; (ii) any such cure or waiver does not result in an Event of Default under any other provision of this Agreement or any Loan Document; and (iii) in connection with any such cure or waiver, the terms of any agreement with such third party are not modified or amended in any manner which could in the good faith judgment of Collateral Agent or the Lenders be materially less advantageous to Borrower;

8.7 Judgments. One or more judgments, orders, or decrees for the payment of money in an amount, individually or in the aggregate, of at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) (not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which liability has been accepted by such insurance carrier) shall be rendered against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and shall remain unsatisfied, unvacated, or unstayed for a period of ten (10) days after the entry thereof (provided that no Credit Extensions will be made prior to the satisfaction, vacation, or stay of such judgment, order or decree);

8.8 Misrepresentations. Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person acting for Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation, warranty, or other statement now or later in this Agreement, any Loan Document or in any writing delivered to Collateral Agent and/or Lenders or to induce Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders to enter this Agreement or any Loan Document, and such representation, warranty, or other statement is incorrect in any material respect when made;

8.9 Subordinated Debt. A default or breach occurs under any subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement between Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any creditor of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that signed such an agreement with Collateral Agent or the Lenders, or any creditor that has signed such an agreement with Collateral Agent or the Lenders breaches any terms of such agreement;

8.10 Guaranty. (a) Any Guaranty terminates or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect; (b) any Guarantor does not perform any obligation or covenant under any Guaranty; (c) any circumstance described in Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, or 8.8 occurs with respect to any Guarantor, or (d) the liquidation, winding up, or termination of existence of any Guarantor;

8.11 Governmental Approvals. Any Governmental Approval shall have been revoked, rescinded, suspended, modified in an adverse manner, or not renewed in the ordinary course for a full term and such

 

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revocation, rescission, suspension, modification or non-renewal has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; or

8.12 Lien Priority . Any Lien created hereunder or by any other Loan Document shall at any time fail to constitute a valid and perfected Lien on any of the Collateral purported to be secured thereby, subject to no prior or equal Lien, other than Permitted Liens which are permitted to have priority in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

9. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

9.1 Rights and Remedies.

(a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent may, and at the written direction of Required Lenders shall, without notice or demand, do any or all of the following: (i) deliver notice of the Event of Default to Borrower, (ii) by notice to Borrower declare all Obligations immediately due and payable (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.5 occurs all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable without any action by Collateral Agent or the Lenders) or (iii) by notice to Borrower suspend or terminate the obligations, if any, of the Lenders to advance money or extend credit for Borrower’s benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.5 occurs all obligations, if any, of the Lenders to advance money or extend credit for Borrower’s benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders shall be immediately terminated without any action by Collateral Agent or the Lenders).

(b) Without limiting the rights of Collateral Agent and the Lenders set forth in Section 9.1(a) above, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice or demand, to do any or all of the following:

(i) foreclose upon and/or sell or otherwise liquidate, the Collateral;

(ii) apply to the Obligations any (a) balances and deposits of Borrower that Collateral Agent or any Lender holds or controls, or (b) any amount held or controlled by Collateral Agent or any Lender owing to or for the credit or the account of Borrower; and/or

(iii) commence and prosecute an Insolvency Proceeding or consent to Borrower commencing any Insolvency Proceeding.

(c) Without limiting the rights of Collateral Agent and the Lenders set forth in Sections 9.1(a) and (b) above, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice or demand, to do any or all of the following:

(i) settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors for amounts on terms and in any order that Collateral Agent considers advisable, notify any Person owing Borrower money of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such funds, and verify the amount of such account;

(ii) make any payments and do any acts it considers necessary or reasonable to protect the Collateral and/or its security interest in the Collateral. Borrower shall assemble the Collateral if Collateral Agent requests and make it available in a location as Collateral Agent reasonably designates. Collateral Agent may enter premises where the Collateral is located, take and maintain possession of any part of the Collateral, and pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien which appears to be prior or superior to its security interest and pay all expenses incurred. Borrower grants Collateral Agent a license to enter and occupy any of its premises, without charge, to exercise any of Collateral Agent’s rights or remedies;

(iii) ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, and/or advertise for sale, the Collateral. Collateral Agent is hereby granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license or other

 

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right to use, without charge, Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ labels, patents, copyrights, mask works, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, or any similar property as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral and, in connection with Collateral Agent’s exercise of its rights under this Section 9.1, Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements inure to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders;

(iv) place a “hold” on any account maintained with Collateral Agent or the Lenders and/or deliver a notice of exclusive control, any entitlement order, or other directions or instructions pursuant to any Control Agreement or similar agreements providing control of any Collateral;

(v) demand and receive possession of Borrower’s Books;

(vi) appoint a receiver to seize, manage and realize any of the Collateral, and such receiver shall have any right and authority as any competent court will grant or authorize in accordance with any applicable law, including any power or authority to manage the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(vii) subject to clauses 9.1(a) and (b), exercise all rights and remedies available to Collateral Agent and each Lender under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code (including disposal of the Collateral pursuant to the terms thereof);

(viii) for any Letters of Credit, demand that Borrower (i) deposit cash with Bank in an amount equal to (x) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in Dollars, then one hundred five percent (105.00%); and (y) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then one hundred ten percent (110.00%), of the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit remaining undrawn (plus all interest, fees, and costs due or to become due in connection therewith (as estimated by Bank in its good faith business judgment)), to secure all of the Obligations relating to such Letters of Credit, as collateral security for the repayment of any future drawings under such Letters of Credit, and Borrower shall forthwith deposit and pay such amounts, and (ii) pay in advance all letter of credit fees scheduled to be paid or payable over the remaining term of any Letters of Credit; and

(ix) terminate any FX Contracts.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 9.1 to the contrary, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all remedies referenced in this Section 9.1 without the written consent of Required Lenders following the occurrence of an Exigent Circumstance. As used in the immediately preceding sentence, “ Exigent Circumstance ” means any event or circumstance that, in the reasonable judgment of Collateral Agent, imminently threatens the ability of Collateral Agent to realize upon all or any material portion of the Collateral, such as, without limitation, fraudulent removal, concealment, or abscondment thereof, destruction or material waste thereof, or failure of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after reasonable demand to maintain or reinstate adequate casualty insurance coverage, or which, in the judgment of Collateral Agent, could reasonably be expected to result in a material diminution in value of the Collateral.

9.2 Power of Attorney. Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Collateral Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact, exercisable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to: (a) endorse Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any checks or other forms of payment or security; (b) sign Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any invoice or bill of lading for any Account or drafts against Account Debtors; (c) settle and adjust disputes and claims about the Accounts directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and on terms Collateral Agent determines reasonable; (d) make, settle, and adjust all claims under Borrower’s insurance policies; (e) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, and adverse claim in or to the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same; and (f) transfer the Collateral into the name of Collateral Agent or a third party as the Code or any applicable law permits. Borrower hereby appoints Collateral Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact to sign Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any documents necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred until all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) have been satisfied in full and Collateral Agent and the

 

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Lenders are under no further obligation to make Credit Extensions hereunder. Collateral Agent’s foregoing appointment as Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ attorney in fact, and all of Collateral Agent’s rights and powers, coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) have been fully repaid and performed and Collateral Agent’s and the Lenders’ obligation to provide Credit Extensions terminates.

9.3 Protective Payments. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fail to obtain the insurance called for by Section 6.5 or fails to pay any premium thereon or fails to pay any other amount which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to pay under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Collateral Agent may obtain such insurance or make such payment, and all amounts so paid by Collateral Agent are Lenders’ Expenses and immediately due and payable, bearing interest at the Default Rate, and secured by the Collateral. Collateral Agent will make reasonable efforts to provide Borrower with notice of Collateral Agent obtaining such insurance or making such payment at the time it is obtained or paid or within a reasonable time thereafter. No such payments by Collateral Agent are deemed an agreement to make similar payments in the future or Collateral Agent’s waiver of any Event of Default.

9.4 Application of Payments and Proceeds. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (a) Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments at any time or times thereafter received by Collateral Agent from or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of all or any part of the Obligations, and, as between Borrower on the one hand and Collateral Agent and Lenders on the other, Collateral Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and to reapply any and all payments received against the Obligations in such manner as Collateral Agent may deem advisable notwithstanding any previous application by Collateral Agent, and (b) the proceeds of any sale of, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied: first, to the Lenders’ Expenses; second, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts); third, to the principal amount of the Obligations outstanding; and fourth, to any other indebtedness or obligations of Borrower owing to Collateral Agent or any Lender under the Loan Documents. Any balance remaining shall be delivered to Borrower or to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such balance or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. In carrying out the foregoing, (x) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category, and (y) each of the Persons entitled to receive a payment in any particular category shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant thereto for such category. Any reference in this Agreement to an allocation between or sharing by the Lenders of any right, interest or obligation “ratably,” “proportionally” or in similar terms shall refer to Pro Rata Share unless expressly provided otherwise. Collateral Agent, or if applicable, each Lender, shall promptly remit to the other Lenders such sums as may be necessary to ensure the ratable repayment of each Lender’s portion of any Term Loan and the ratable distribution of interest, fees and reimbursements paid or made by Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Lender receiving a scheduled payment shall not be responsible for determining whether the other Lenders also received their scheduled payment on such date; provided, however, if it is later determined that a Lender received more than its ratable share of scheduled payments made on any date or dates, then such Lender shall remit to Collateral Agent or other Lenders such sums as may be necessary to ensure the ratable payment of such scheduled payments, as instructed by Collateral Agent. If any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, properties or securities, shall be received by a Lender in excess of its ratable share, then the portion of such payment or distribution in excess of such Lender’s ratable share shall be received by such Lender in trust for and shall be promptly paid over to the other Lender for application to the payments of amounts due on the other Lenders’ claims. To the extent any payment for the account of Borrower is required to be returned as a voidable transfer or otherwise, the Lenders shall contribute to one another as is necessary to ensure that such return of payment is on a pro rata basis. If any Lender shall obtain possession of any Collateral, it shall hold such Collateral for itself and as agent and bailee for Collateral Agent and other Lenders for purposes of perfecting Collateral Agent’s security interest therein.

9.5 Liability for Collateral. So long as Collateral Agent and the Lenders comply with reasonable banking practices regarding the safekeeping of the Collateral in the possession or under the control of Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall not be liable or responsible for: (a) the safekeeping of the Collateral; (b) any loss or damage to the Collateral; (c) any diminution in the value of the Collateral; or (d) any

 

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act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, or other Person. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, Borrower bears all risk of loss, damage or destruction of the Collateral.

9.6 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. Failure by Collateral Agent or any Lender, at any time or times, to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive, affect, or diminish any right of Collateral Agent or any Lender thereafter to demand strict performance and compliance herewith or therewith. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless signed by Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders and then is only effective for the specific instance and purpose for which it is given. The rights and remedies of Collateral Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative. Collateral Agent and the Lenders have all rights and remedies provided under the Code, any applicable law, by law, or in equity. The exercise by Collateral Agent or any Lender of one right or remedy is not an election, and Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s waiver of any Event of Default is not a continuing waiver. Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s delay in exercising any remedy is not a waiver, election, or acquiescence.

9.7 Demand Waiver. Borrower waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, demand, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, notice of any default, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees held by Collateral Agent or any Lender on which Borrower or any Subsidiary is liable.

 

10. NOTICES

All notices, consents, requests, approvals, demands, or other communication (collectively, “ Communication ”) by any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given, or delivered: (a) upon the earlier of actual receipt and three (3) Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, registered or certified mail return receipt requested, with proper postage prepaid; (b) upon transmission, when sent by electronic mail (if an email address is specified herein) or facsimile transmission; (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges prepaid; or (d) when delivered, if hand-delivered by messenger, all of which shall be addressed to the party to be notified and sent to the address, facsimile number, or email address indicated below. Any of Collateral Agent, Lender or Borrower may change its mailing address or electronic mail address or facsimile number by giving the other party written notice thereof in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.

 

If to Borrower:   

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

3430 E. Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

Attn: Shaun McMeans, Chief Financial Officer

Fax: (520) 547-2837

Email: smcmeans@htgmolecular.com

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

COOLEY LLP

101 California Street, 5 th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

Attn: Barry Graynor

Fax: (415) 693-2222

Email: bgraynor@cooley.com

If to Collateral Agent:   

OXFORD FINANCE LLC

133 North Fairfax Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Attention: Legal Department

Fax: (703) 519-5225

Email: LegalDepartment@oxfordfinance.com

with a copy to   

SILICON VALLEY BANK

555 Mission Street, 9 th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

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Attn: Michael White

Fax: (415) 856-0810

Email: mwhite@svb.com

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

VLP Law Group LLP

3411 Cypress Drive

Falls Church, VA 22042

Attn: Denise Zack

Fax: (703) 260-6551

Email: DZack@VLPLawGroup.com

 

11. CHOICE OF LAW, VENUE AND JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE

California law governs the Loan Documents without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Borrower, Collateral Agent and each Lender each submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts in Santa Clara County, California; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to operate to preclude Collateral Agent or any Lender from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to realize on the Collateral or any other security for the Obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of Collateral Agent or any Lender. Borrower expressly submits and consents in advance to such jurisdiction in any action or suit commenced in any such court, and Borrower hereby waives any objection that it may have based upon lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, or forum non conveniens and hereby consents to the granting of such legal or equitable relief as is deemed appropriate by such court. Borrower hereby waives personal service of the summons, complaints, and other process issued in such action or suit and agrees that service of such summons, complaints, and other process may be made by registered or certified mail addressed to Borrower at the address set forth in, or subsequently provided by Borrower in accordance with, Section 10 of this Agreement and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of Borrower’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER, COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.

WITHOUT INTENDING IN ANY WAY TO LIMIT THE PARTIES’ AGREEMENT TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY, if the above waiver of the right to a trial by jury is not enforceable, the parties hereto agree that any and all disputes or controversies of any nature between them arising at any time shall be decided by a reference to a private judge, mutually selected by the parties (or, if they cannot agree, by the Presiding Judge of the Santa Clara County, California Superior Court) appointed in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 (or pursuant to comparable provisions of federal law if the dispute falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts), sitting without a jury, in Santa Clara County, California; and the parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of such court. The reference proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 638 through 645.1, inclusive. The private judge shall have the power, among others, to grant provisional relief, including without limitation, entering temporary restraining orders, issuing preliminary and permanent injunctions and appointing receivers. All such proceedings shall be closed to the public and confidential and all records relating thereto shall be permanently sealed. If during the course of any dispute, a party desires to seek provisional relief, but a judge has not been appointed at that point pursuant to the judicial reference procedures, then such party may apply to the Santa Clara County, California Superior Court for such relief. The proceeding before the private judge shall be conducted in the same manner as it would be before a court under the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings. The parties shall be entitled to discovery which shall be conducted in the same manner as it would be before a court under the rules of discovery applicable to judicial proceedings. The private judge shall oversee discovery and may enforce all discovery rules and orders applicable to judicial proceedings in the same manner as a trial court judge.

 

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The parties agree that the selected or appointed private judge shall have the power to decide all issues in the action or proceeding, whether of fact or of law, and shall report a statement of decision thereon pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 644(a). Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the right of any party at any time to exercise self-help remedies, foreclose against collateral, or obtain provisional remedies. The private judge shall also determine all issues relating to the applicability, interpretation, and enforceability of this paragraph.

 

12. GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement binds and is for the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of each party. Borrower may not transfer, pledge or assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations under it without Collateral Agent’s and each Lender’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in Collateral Agent’s and each Lender’s discretion, subject to Section 12.6). The Lenders have the right, without the consent of or notice to Borrower, to sell, transfer, assign, pledge, negotiate, or grant participation in (any such sale, transfer, assignment, negotiation , or grant of a participation, a “Lender Transfer”) all or any part of, or any interest in, the Lenders’ obligations, rights, and benefits under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided , however , that any such Lender Transfer (other than a transfer, pledge, sale or assignment to an Eligible Assignee) of its obligations, rights, and benefits under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall require the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (such approved assignee, an “ Approved Lender ”) . Borrower and Collateral Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interests so assigned until Collateral Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto, and shall have received such other information regarding such Eligible Assignee or Approved Lender as Collateral Agent reasonably shall require. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Lender Transfer (other than a Lender Transfer (i) in respect of the Warrants or (ii) in connection with (x) assignments by a Lender due to a forced divestiture at the request of any regulatory agency; or (y) upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions) shall be permitted, without Borrower’s consent, to any Person which is an Affiliate or Subsidiary of Borrower, a direct competitor of Borrower or a vulture hedge fund, each as determined by Collateral Agent.

12.2 Indemnification. Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Collateral Agent and the Lenders and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, or any other Person affiliated with or representing Collateral Agent or the Lenders (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) harmless against: (a) all obligations, demands, claims, and liabilities (collectively, “ Claims ”) asserted by any other party in connection with; related to; following; or arising from, out of or under, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; and (b) all losses or Lenders’ Expenses incurred, or paid by Indemnified Person in connection with; related to; following; or arising from, out of or under, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents between Collateral Agent, and/or the Lenders and Borrower (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), except as to (a) or (b) for Claims and/or losses and/or expenses (including Lenders’ Expenses) directly caused by such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Borrower hereby further indemnifies, defends and holds each Indemnified Person harmless from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnified Person) in connection with any investigative, response, remedial, administrative or judicial matter or proceeding, whether or not such Indemnified Person shall be designated a party thereto and including any such proceeding initiated by or on behalf of Borrower, and the reasonable expenses of investigation by engineers, environmental consultants and similar technical personnel and any commission, fee or compensation claimed by any broker (other than any broker retained by Collateral Agent or Lenders) asserting any right to payment for the transactions contemplated hereby which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Person as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the use or intended use of the proceeds of the loan proceeds except for liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements directly caused by such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

12.3 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for the performance of all Obligations in this Agreement.

 

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12.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement is severable from every other provision in determining the enforceability of any provision.

12.5 Correction of Loan Documents. Collateral Agent and the Lenders may correct patent errors and fill in any blanks in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in a manner consistent with the agreement of the parties so long as Collateral Agent provides Borrower with written notice of such correction and allows Borrower at least ten (10) days to object to such correction. In the event of such objection, such correction shall not be made except by an amendment signed by both Collateral Agent and Borrower.

12.6 Amendments in Writing; Integration. (a) No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no approval or consent thereunder, or any consent to any departure by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Borrower, Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders provided that:

(i) no such amendment, waiver or other modification that would have the effect of increasing or reducing a Lender’s Term Loan Commitment or Commitment Percentage shall be effective as to such Lender without such Lender’s written consent;

(ii) no such amendment, waiver or modification that would affect the rights and duties of Collateral Agent shall be effective without Collateral Agent’s written consent or signature;

(iii) no such amendment, waiver or other modification shall, unless signed by all the Lenders directly affected thereby, (A) reduce the principal of, rate of interest on or any fees with respect to any Term Loan or forgive any principal, interest (other than default interest) or fees (other than late charges) with respect to any Term Loan (B) postpone the date fixed for, or waive, any payment of principal of any Term Loan or of interest on any Term Loan (other than default interest) or any fees provided for hereunder (other than late charges or for any termination of any commitment); (C) change the definition of the term “ Required Lenders ” or the percentage of Lenders which shall be required for the Lenders to take any action hereunder; (D) release all or substantially all of any material portion of the Collateral, authorize Borrower to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all or any material portion of the Collateral or release any Guarantor of all or any portion of the Obligations or its guaranty obligations with respect thereto, except, in each case with respect to this clause (D), as otherwise may be expressly permitted under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder); (E) amend, waive or otherwise modify this Section 12.6 or the definitions of the terms used in this Section 12.6 insofar as the definitions affect the substance of this Section 12.6; (F) consent to the assignment, delegation or other transfer by Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under any Loan Document or release Borrower of its payment obligations under any Loan Document, except, in each case with respect to this clause (F), pursuant to a merger or consolidation permitted pursuant to this Agreement; (G) amend any of the provisions of Section 9.4 or amend any of the definitions of Pro Rata Share, Term Loan Commitment, Commitment Percentage or that provide for the Lenders to receive their Pro Rata Shares of any fees, payments, setoffs or proceeds of Collateral hereunder; (H) subordinate the Liens granted in favor of Collateral Agent securing the Obligations; or (I) amend any of the provisions of Section 12.10. It is hereby understood and agreed that all Lenders shall be deemed directly affected by an amendment, waiver or other modification of the type described in the preceding clauses (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) of the preceding sentence;

(iv) the provisions of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are subject to the provisions of any interlender or agency agreement among the Lenders and Collateral Agent pursuant to which any Lender may agree to give its consent in connection with any amendment, waiver or modification of the Loan Documents only in the event of the unanimous agreement of all Lenders.

(b) Other than as expressly provided for in Section 12.6(a)(i)-(iii), Collateral Agent may, if requested by the Required Lenders, from time to time designate covenants in this Agreement less restrictive by notification to a representative of Borrower.

(c) This Agreement and the Loan Documents represent the entire agreement about this subject matter and supersede prior negotiations or agreements. All prior agreements, understandings,

 

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representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties about the subject matter of this Agreement and the Loan Documents merge into this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

12.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, is an original, and all taken together, constitute one Agreement.

12.8 Survival. All covenants, representations and warranties made in this Agreement continue in full force and effect until this Agreement has terminated pursuant to its terms and all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations and any other obligations which, by their terms, are to survive the termination of this Agreement) have been satisfied. Without limiting the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.1, the grant of security interest by Borrower in Section 4.1 shall survive until the termination of all Bank Services Agreements. The obligation of Borrower in Section 12.2 to indemnify each Lender and Collateral Agent, as well as the confidentiality provisions in Section 12.9 below, shall survive until the statute of limitations with respect to such claim or cause of action shall have run.

12.9 Confidentiality. In handling any confidential information of Borrower, the Lenders and Collateral Agent shall exercise the same degree of care that it exercises for their own proprietary information, but disclosure of information may be made: (a) subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to the Lenders’ and Collateral Agent’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or in connection with a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions and upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing or securitization transaction; (b) to prospective transferees (other than those identified in (a) above) or purchasers of any interest in the Credit Extensions (provided, however, the Lenders and Collateral Agent shall, except upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, obtain such prospective transferee’s or purchaser’s agreement to the terms of this provision or to similar confidentiality terms); (c) as required by law, regulation, subpoena, or other order; (d) to Lenders’ or Collateral Agent’s regulators or as otherwise required in connection with an examination or audit; (e) as Collateral Agent reasonably considers appropriate in exercising remedies under the Loan Documents; and (f) to third party service providers of the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent so long as such service providers have executed a confidentiality agreement with the Lenders and Collateral Agent with terms no less restrictive than those contained herein. Confidential information does not include information that either: (i) is in the public domain or in the Lenders’ and/or Collateral Agent’s possession when disclosed to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent, or becomes part of the public domain after disclosure to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent through no fault of any Lender or Collateral Agent; or (ii) is disclosed to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent by a third party, if the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent does not know that the third party is prohibited from disclosing the information. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.9, Collateral Agent and the Lenders may use confidential information for any purpose, including, without limitation, for the development of client databases, reporting purposes, and market analysis so long as Collateral Agent does not disclose Borrowers’ identity or the identity of any person associated with any Borrower unless otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement. The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall survive the termination of this Agreement. The agreements provided under this Section 12.9 supersede all prior agreements, understanding, representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties about the subject matter of this Section 12.9.

12.10 Right of Set Off. Borrower hereby grants to Collateral Agent and to each Lender, a lien, security interest and right of set off as security for all Obligations to Collateral Agent and each Lender hereunder, whether now existing or hereafter arising upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Collateral Agent or the Lenders or any entity under the control of Collateral Agent or the Lenders (including a Collateral Agent affiliate) or in transit to any of them. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without demand or notice, Collateral Agent or the Lenders may set off the same or any part thereof and apply the same to any liability or obligation of Borrower even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing the Obligations. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE COLLATERAL AGENT TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF BORROWER ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

 

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12.11 Silicon Valley Bank as Agent . Collateral Agent hereby appoints Silicon Valley Bank (“ SVB ”) as its agent (and SVB hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Collateral Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Division 8 or Division 9, as applicable, of the Code can be perfected by possession or control, including without limitation, all Deposit Accounts maintained at SVB.

12.12 Cooperation of Borrower. If necessary, Borrower agrees to (i) execute any documents (including new Secured Promissory Notes) reasonably required to effectuate and acknowledge each assignment of a Term Loan Commitment or Loan to an assignee in accordance with Section 12.1, (ii) make Borrower’s management available to meet with Collateral Agent and prospective participants and assignees of Term Loan Commitments or Credit Extensions (which meetings shall be conducted no more often than twice every twelve months unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), and (iii) assist Collateral Agent or the Lenders in the preparation of information relating to the financial affairs of Borrower as any prospective participant or assignee of a Term Loan Commitment or Term Loan reasonably may request. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.9, Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any prospective participant or assignee of a Term Loan Commitment, any and all information in such Lender’s possession concerning Borrower and its financial affairs which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, or which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of Borrower prior to entering into this Agreement.

 

13. DEFINITIONS

13.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Account ” is any “account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes, without limitation, all accounts receivable and other sums owing to Borrower.

Account Debtor ” is any “account debtor” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.

Affiliate ” of any Person is a Person that owns or controls directly or indirectly the Person, any Person that controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person, and each of that Person’s senior executive officers, directors, partners and, for any Person that is a limited liability company, that Person’s managers and members.

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Amortization Date ” is, (i) with respect to the Term A Loans, (a) October 1, 2015, if the Term B Loans are not funded prior to September 1, 2015, or (b) April 1, 2016, if the Term B Loans are funded prior to September 1, 2015, and (ii) with respect to Term B Loans, (a) April 1, 2016, if the Term B Loans are funded prior to September 1, 2015, or (b) the first (1 st ) Payment Date following the Funding Date of the Term B Loans, if the Term B Loans are not funded prior to September 1, 2015.

Annual Projections ” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” are any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), the USA PATRIOT Act, the laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the laws administered by OFAC.

Approved Fund ” is any (i) investment company, fund, trust, securitization vehicle or conduit that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business or (ii) any Person (other than a natural person) which temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any entity described in the preceding clause (i) and that, with respect to each of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) a Person (other than a natural person) or an Affiliate of a Person (other than a natural person) that administers or manages a Lender.

 

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Approved Lender ” is defined in Section 12.1.

Bank Services ” are any products, credit services, and/or financial accommodations previously, now, or hereafter provided to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by Bank or any Bank Affiliate, including, without limitation, any letters of credit, cash management services (including, without limitation, merchant services, direct deposit of payroll, business credit cards, and check cashing services), interest rate swap arrangements, and foreign exchange services as any such products or services may be identified in Bank’s various agreements related thereto (each, a “ Bank Services Agreement ”).

Bank ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Basic Rate ” is, with respect to a Term Loan, the per annum rate of interest (based on a year of three hundred sixty (360) days) equal to the greater of (i) eight and one-half of one percent (8.50%) and (ii) the sum of (a) the Prime Rate reported in The Wall Street Journal three (3) Business Days prior to the Funding Date of such Term Loan, plus (b) five and one-quarter of one percent (5.25%).

Blocked Person ” is any Person: (a) listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (b) a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (c) a Person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law, (d) a Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in Executive Order No. 13224, or (e) a Person that is named a “specially designated national” or “blocked person” on the most current list published by OFAC or other similar list.

Borrower ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Borrower’s Books ” are Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ books and records including ledgers, federal, and state tax returns, records regarding Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets or liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition, and all computer programs or storage or any equipment containing such information.

Business Day ” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Collateral Agent is closed.

Cash Equivalents ” are (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency or any State thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition; (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year after its creation and having the highest rating from either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (c) certificates of deposit maturing no more than one (1) year after issue provided that the account in which any such certificate of deposit is maintained is subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent; and (d) money market funds at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (c) of this definition. For the avoidance of doubt, the direct purchase by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Auction Rate Securities, or purchasing participations in, or entering into any type of swap or other derivative transaction, or otherwise holding or engaging in any ownership interest in any type of Auction Rate Security by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be conclusively determined by the Lenders as an ineligible Cash Equivalent, and any such transaction shall expressly violate each other provision of this Agreement governing Permitted Investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents does not include and Borrower, and each of its Subsidiaries, are prohibited from purchasing, purchasing participations in, entering into any type of swap or other equivalent derivative transaction, or otherwise holding or engaging in any ownership interest in any type of debt instrument, including, without limitation, any corporate or municipal bonds with a long-term nominal maturity for which the interest rate is reset through a dutch auction and more commonly referred to as an auction rate security (each, an “ Auction Rate Security ”).

Claims ” are defined in Section 12.2.

 

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Code ” is the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may, from time to time, be enacted and in effect in the State of California; provided, that, to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein or in any Loan Document and such term is defined differently in different Articles or Divisions of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9 shall govern; provided further, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Collateral Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of California, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Collateral ” is any and all properties, rights and assets of Borrower described on Exhibit A .

Collateral Account ” is any Deposit Account, Securities Account, or Commodity Account, or any other bank account maintained by Borrower or any Subsidiary at any time.

Collateral Agent ” is, Oxford, not in its individual capacity, but solely in its capacity as agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Lenders.

Commitment Percentage ” is set forth in Schedule 1.1 , as amended from time to time.

Commodity Account ” is any “commodity account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.

Communication ” is defined in Section 10.

Compliance Certificate ” is that certain certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

Contingent Obligation ” is, for any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or not, of that Person for (a) any indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other obligation of another such as an obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted or sold with recourse by that Person, or for which that Person is directly or indirectly liable; (b) any obligations for undrawn letters of credit for the account of that Person; and (c) all obligations from any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap or collar agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designated to protect a Person against fluctuation in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices; but “Contingent Obligation” does not include endorsements in the ordinary course of business. The amount of a Contingent Obligation is the stated or determined amount of the primary obligation for which the Contingent Obligation is made or, if not determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability for it determined by the Person in good faith; but the amount may not exceed the maximum of the obligations under any guarantee or other support arrangement.

Control Agreement ” is any control agreement entered into among the depository institution at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Deposit Account or the securities intermediary or commodity intermediary at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Securities Account or a Commodity Account, Borrower and such Subsidiary, and Collateral Agent pursuant to which Collateral Agent obtains control (within the meaning of the Code) for the benefit of the Lenders over such Deposit Account, Securities Account, or Commodity Account.

Copyrights ” are any and all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work or authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished and whether or not the same also constitutes a trade secret.

Credit Extension ” is any Term Loan or any other extension of credit by Collateral Agent or Lenders for Borrower’s benefit.

Default Rate ” is defined in Section 2.3(b).

 

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Deposit Account ” is any “deposit account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.

Designated Deposit Account ” is Borrower’s deposit account, account number *******1952, maintained with Bank.

Disbursement Letter ” is that certain form attached hereto as Exhibit B-1 .

Dollar Equivalent ” is, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in a Foreign Currency, the equivalent amount therefor in Dollars as determined by Bank at such time on the basis of the then-prevailing rate of exchange in San Francisco, California, for sales of the Foreign Currency for transfer to the country issuing such Foreign Currency.

Dollars , ” “ dollars ” and “$” each mean lawful money of the United States.

Effective Date ” is defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

Eligible Assignee ” is (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender, (iii) an Approved Fund and (iv) any commercial bank, savings and loan association or savings bank or any other entity which is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, including insurance companies, mutual funds, lease financing companies and commercial finance companies, in each case, which either (A) has a rating of BBB or higher from Standard & Poor’s Rating Group and a rating of Baa2 or higher from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. at the date that it becomes a Lender or (B) has total assets in excess of Five Billion Dollars ($5,000,000,000.00), and in each case of clauses (i) through (iv), which, through its applicable lending office, is capable of lending to Borrower without the imposition of any withholding or similar taxes; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) Borrower or any of Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (ii) a direct competitor of Borrower or a vulture hedge fund, each as determined by Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in connection with assignments by a Lender due to a forced divestiture at the request of any regulatory agency, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Eligible Assignee shall mean any Person or party and (y) in connection with a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Eligible Assignee shall mean any Person or party providing such financing or formed to undertake such securitization transaction and any transferee of such Person or party upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing or securitization transaction; provided that no such sale, transfer, pledge or assignment under this clause (y) shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such Person or party for such Lender as a party hereto until Collateral Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement from such Person or party in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto, and shall have received such other information regarding such Eligible Assignee as Collateral Agent reasonably shall require.

Equipment ” is all “equipment” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all machinery, fixtures, goods, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), and any interest in any of the foregoing.

Equity Event ” is the receipt by Borrower on or after the Effective Date of unrestricted net cash proceeds of not less than Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) from Borrower’s initial, underwritten public offering and sale of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ERISA ” is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and its regulations.

Event of Default ” is defined in Section 8.

 

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Existing Indebtedness ” is the indebtedness of Borrower to Bank in the aggregate principal outstanding amount as of the Effective Date of approximately Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00) pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2011, entered into by and between Bank and Borrower, as amended, restated or otherwise modified.

Final Payment ” is a payment (in addition to and not a substitution for the regular monthly payments of principal plus accrued interest) due on the earliest to occur of (a) the Maturity Date, or (b) the acceleration of any Term Loan, or (c) the prepayment of a Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or (d), equal to the original principal amount of such Term Loan multiplied by the Final Payment Percentage, payable to Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

Final Payment Percentage ” is three and three-quarters of one percent (3.75%).

Foreign Currency ” means lawful money of a country other than the United States.

Funding Date ” is any date on which a Credit Extension is made to or on account of Borrower which shall be a Business Day.

FX Contract ” is any foreign exchange contract by and between Borrower and Bank under which Borrower commits to purchase from or sell to Bank a specific amount of Foreign Currency on a specified date.

GAAP ” is generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other Person as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

General Intangibles ” are all “general intangibles” as defined in the Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation, all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work of authorship and derivative work, whether published or unpublished, any patents, trademarks, service marks and, to the extent permitted under applicable law, any applications therefor, whether registered or not, any trade secret rights, including any rights to unpatented inventions, payment intangibles, royalties, contract rights, goodwill, franchise agreements, purchase orders, customer lists, route lists, telephone numbers, domain names, claims, income and other tax refunds, security and other deposits, options to purchase or sell real or personal property, rights in all litigation presently or hereafter pending (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), insurance policies (including without limitation key man, property damage, and business interruption insurance), payments of insurance and rights to payment of any kind.

Governmental Approval ” is any consent, authorization, approval, order, license, franchise, permit, certificate, accreditation, registration, filing or notice, of, issued by, from or to, or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” is any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization.

Guarantor ” is any Person providing a Guaranty in favor of Collateral Agent or any Lender.

Guaranty ” is any guarantee of all or any part of the Obligations, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented.

Indebtedness ” is (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred price of property or services, such as reimbursement and other obligations for surety bonds and letters of credit, (b) obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) capital lease obligations, and (d) Contingent Obligations.

 

29


Indemnified Person ” is defined in Section 12.2.

Insolvency Proceeding ” is any proceeding by or against any Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code, or any other bankruptcy or insolvency law, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, compositions, extensions generally with its creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other relief.

Insolvent ” means not Solvent.

Intellectual Property ” means all of Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the following:

(a) its Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents;

(b) any and all trade secrets and trade secret rights, including, without limitation, any rights to unpatented inventions, know-how, operating manuals;

(c) any and all source code;

(d) any and all design rights which may be available to Borrower;

(e) any and all claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement of any of the foregoing, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect such damages for said use or infringement of the Intellectual Property rights identified above; and

(f) all amendments, renewals and extensions of any of the Copyrights, Trademarks or Patents.

Inventory ” is all “inventory” as defined in the Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products, including without limitation such inventory as is temporarily out of any Person’s custody or possession or in transit and including any returned goods and any documents of title representing any of the above.

Investment ” is any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including stock, partnership interest or other securities), and any loan, advance, payment or capital contribution to any Person.

Key Person ” is each of Borrower’s (i) Chief Executive Officer, who is Tim Johnson as of the Effective Date, (ii) Chief Financial Officer, who is Shaun McMeans as of the Effective Date and (iii) Chief Business Officer, who is John Lubniewski as of the Effective Date.

Lender ” is any one of the Lenders.

Lenders ” are the Persons identified on Schedule 1.1 hereto and each assignee that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1.

Lenders’ Expenses ” are all audit fees and expenses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, as well as appraisal fees, fees incurred on account of lien searches, inspection fees, and filing fees) for preparing, amending, negotiating, administering, defending and enforcing the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, those incurred in connection with appeals or Insolvency Proceedings) or otherwise incurred by Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents.

Letter of Credit” is a standby or commercial letter of credit issued by Bank upon request of Borrower based upon an application, guarantee, indemnity, or similar agreement.

 

30


Lien ” is a claim, mortgage, deed of trust, levy, charge, pledge, security interest, or other encumbrance of any kind, whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of law or otherwise against any property.

Loan Documents ” are, collectively, this Agreement, the Warrants, the Perfection Certificates, each Compliance Certificate, each Disbursement Letter, each Loan Payment/Advance Request Form and any Bank Services Agreement, the Post Closing Letter, any subordination agreements, any note, or notes or guaranties executed by Borrower or any other Person, and any other present or future agreement entered into by Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person for the benefit of the Lenders and Collateral Agent in connection with this Agreement; all as amended, restated, or otherwise modified.

Loan Payment/Advance Request Form ” is that certain form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 .

Material Adverse Change ” is (a) a material impairment in the perfection or priority of Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral or in the value of such Collateral; (b) a material adverse change in the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Borrower or any Subsidiary; or (c) a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations.

Maturity Date ” is, for each Term Loan, September 1, 2018.

Nuvogen Documents ” are, collectively, the Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 9, 2001 by and between Nuvogen Research LLC (f/k/a Neogen, L.L.C.), Stephen Felder, Richard Kris and Borrower, the Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment of Patents and Trademarks dated January 12, 2001 by and between Nuvogen Research LLC (f/k/a Neogen, L.L.C.) and Borrower, and all other agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection therewith, each as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Obligations ” are all of Borrower’s obligations to pay when due any debts, principal, interest, Lenders’ Expenses, the Prepayment Fee, the Final Payment, and other amounts Borrower owes the Lenders now or later, in connection with, related to, following, or arising from, out of or under, this Agreement or, the other Loan Documents (other than the Warrants), or otherwise, including, without limitation, all obligations relating to letters of credit (including reimbursement obligations for drawn and undrawn letters of credit), cash management services, and foreign exchange contracts, if any, and including interest accruing after Insolvency Proceedings begin (whether or not allowed) and debts, liabilities, or obligations of Borrower assigned to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent, and the performance of Borrower’s duties under the Loan Documents (other than the Warrants).

OFAC ” is the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

OFAC Lists ” are, collectively, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sept. 25, 2001) and/or any other list of terrorists or other restricted Persons maintained pursuant to any of the rules and regulations of OFAC or pursuant to any other applicable Executive Orders.

Operating Documents ” are, for any Person, such Person’s formation documents, as certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of such Person’s jurisdiction of organization on a date that is no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date, and, (a) if such Person is a corporation, its bylaws in current form, (b) if such Person is a limited liability company, its limited liability company agreement (or similar agreement), and (c) if such Person is a partnership, its partnership agreement (or similar agreement), each of the foregoing with all current amendments or modifications thereto.

Patents ” means all patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisions, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same.

Payment Date ” is the first (1 st ) calendar day of each calendar month.

Perfection Certificate ” and “ Perfection Certificates ” is defined in Section 5.1.

 

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Permitted Indebtedness ” is:

(a) Borrower’s Indebtedness to the Lenders and Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and disclosed on the Perfection Certificate(s);

(c) Subordinated Debt;

(d) unsecured Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Indebtedness consisting of capitalized lease obligations and purchase money Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such Indebtedness owing with respect to leased equipment pursuant to the Ventana Medical Systems Agreement, the Dell Financial Services Agreement and the Sharp MX-2600 Copier Lease Agreement disclosed on the Perfection Certificate as of the Effective Date), in each case incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to finance the acquisition, repair, improvement or construction of fixed or capital assets of such person, provided that (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness does not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) at any time and (ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the lower of the cost or fair market value of the property so acquired or built or of such repairs or improvements financed with such Indebtedness (each measured at the time of such acquisition, repair, improvement or construction is made);

(f) Indebtedness incurred as a result of endorsing negotiable instruments received in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

(g) (i) Indebtedness of Borrower to a Subsidiary that is a co-Borrower or secured guarantor of the Obligations and Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is a co-Borrower or secured guarantor of the Obligations to Borrower or (ii) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a co-Borrower or secured guarantor of the Obligations to another Subsidiary that is not a co-Borrower or secured guarantor of the Obligations; and

(h) extensions, refinancings, modifications, amendments and restatements of any items of Permitted Indebtedness (a) through (e) above, provided that the principal amount thereof is not increased or the terms thereof are not modified to impose materially more burdensome terms upon Borrower, or its Subsidiary, as the case may be.

Permitted Investments ” are:

(i) Investments disclosed on the Perfection Certificate(s) and existing on the Effective Date;

(j) (i) Investments consisting of cash and Cash Equivalents, and (ii) any other Investments permitted by Borrower’s investment policy, as amended from time to time, provided that such investment policy (and any such amendment thereto) has been approved in writing by Collateral Agent;

(k) Investments consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of Borrower;

(l) Investments consisting of Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts in which Collateral Agent has a perfected security interest;

(m) Investments in connection with Transfers permitted by Section 7.1;

(n) Investments (i) by Borrower in a Subsidiary that is a co-Borrower or secured guarantor of the Obligations, (ii) by Subsidiaries that are not co-Borrowers or guarantors of the Obligations in other Subsidiaries that are not co-Borrowers or guarantors of the Obligations, and (iii) by Subsidiaries in Borrower;

 

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(o) Investments consisting of (i) travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) loans to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of equity securities of Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock purchase plans or agreements approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors; not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate for (i) and (ii) in any fiscal year;

(p) Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

(q) Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business; provided that this paragraph (h) shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary; and

(r) non-cash Investments in joint ventures, corporate collaborations or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business consisting of the licensing of technology constituting Permitted Licenses, the development of technology or the providing of technical support.

Permitted Licenses ” are (A) licenses of over-the-counter software that is commercially available to the public, and (B) non-exclusive and exclusive licenses for the use of the Intellectual Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided , that, with respect to each such license described in clause (B), (i) no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing at the time of such license; (ii) the license constitutes an arms-length transaction, the terms of which, on their face, do not provide for a sale or assignment of any Intellectual Property and do not restrict the ability of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to pledge, grant a security interest in or lien on, or assign or otherwise Transfer any Intellectual Property; (iii) in the case of any exclusive license, (x) Borrower delivers ten (10) days’ prior written notice and a brief summary of the terms of the proposed license to Collateral Agent and the Lenders and delivers to Collateral Agent and the Lenders copies of the final executed licensing documents in connection with the exclusive license promptly upon consummation thereof, and (y) any such license could not result in a legal transfer of title of the licensed property but may be exclusive in respects other than territory and may be exclusive as to territory only as to discrete geographical areas outside of the United States; and (iv) all upfront payments, royalties, milestone payments or other proceeds arising from the licensing agreement that are payable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are paid to a Deposit Account that is governed by a Control Agreement.

Permitted Liens ” are:

(s) Liens existing on the Effective Date and disclosed on the Perfection Certificates or arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(t) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other government charges or levies, either (i) not due and payable or (ii) being contested in good faith and for which Borrower maintains adequate reserves on its Books, provided that no notice of any such Lien has been filed or recorded under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations adopted thereunder;

(u) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (e) of the definition of “ Permitted Indebtedness ,” provided that (i) such liens exist prior to the acquisition of, or attach substantially simultaneous with, or within twenty (20) days after the, acquisition, lease, repair, improvement or construction of, such property financed or leased by such Indebtedness and (ii) such liens do not extend to any property of Borrower other than the property (and proceeds thereof) acquired, leased or built, or the improvements or repairs, financed by such Indebtedness;

(v) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, suppliers, or other Persons that are possessory in nature arising in the ordinary course of business so long as such Liens attach only to Inventory, securing liabilities in the aggregate amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), and which are not delinquent or remain

 

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payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;

(w) Liens to secure payment of workers’ compensation, employment insurance, old-age pensions, social security and other like obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than Liens imposed by ERISA);

(x) Liens incurred in the extension, renewal or refinancing of the indebtedness secured by Liens described in (a) through (c), but any extension, renewal or replacement Lien must be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the indebtedness may not increase;

(y) leases or subleases of real property granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), and leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of personal property (other than Intellectual Property) granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), if the leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit granting Collateral Agent or any Lender a security interest therein;

(z) banker’s liens, rights of setoff and Liens in favor of financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business arising in connection with Borrower’s Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts held at such institutions solely to secure payment of fees and similar costs and expenses and provided such accounts are maintained in compliance with Section 6.6(b) hereof;

(aa) Liens in favor of custom and revenue authorities arising in the ordinary course of business as a matter of law to secure the payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(bb) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), contracts for the purchase of property, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature in an aggregate amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) at any time, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not representing an obligation for borrowed money;

(cc) easements, reservations, rights-of-way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar Liens affecting real property not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary course of the business of Borrower and in an aggregate amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) at any time;

(dd) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.4 or 8.7; and

(ee) Liens consisting of Permitted Licenses.

Person ” is any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint stock company, estate, entity or government agency.

Post Closing Letter ” is, if applicable, that certain Post Closing Letter dated as of the Effective Date by and between Collateral Agent and Borrower.

Prepayment Fee ” is, with respect to any Term Loan subject to prepayment prior to the Maturity Date, whether by mandatory or voluntary prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, an additional fee payable to the Lenders in amount equal to:

(i) for a prepayment made on or after the Funding Date of such Term Loan through and including the first anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan, three percent (3.00%) of the principal amount of such Term Loan prepaid;

 

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(ii) for a prepayment made after the date which is after the first anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan through and including the second anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan, two percent (2.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loans prepaid; and

(iii) for a prepayment made after the date which is after the second anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan, one percent (1.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loans prepaid.

Prime Rate ” is the rate of interest per annum from time to time published in the money rates section of The Wall Street Journal or any successor publication thereto as the “prime rate” then in effect; provided that if such rate of interest, as set forth from time to time in the money rates section of The Wall Street Journa l, becomes unavailable for any reason as determined by Collateral Agent, the “ Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced by Bank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in the State of California (such Bank announced Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by Bank in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).

Pro Rata Share ” is, as of any date of determination, with respect to each Lender, a percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) determined by dividing the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans held by such Lender by the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans.

Registered Organization ” is any “registered organization” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.

Required Lenders ” means (i) for so long as all of the Persons that are Lenders on the Effective Date (each an “ Original Lender ”) have not assigned or transferred any of their interests in their Term Loans, Lenders holding one hundred percent (100.00%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans, or (ii) at any time from and after any Original Lender has assigned or transferred any interest in its Term Loans, Lenders holding at least sixty-six percent (66.00%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans and, in respect of this clause (ii), (A) each Original Lender that has not assigned or transferred any portion of its Term Loans, (B) each assignee or transferee of an Original Lender’s interest in the Term Loans, but only to the extent that such assignee or transferee is an Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Original Lender, and (C) any Person providing financing to any Person described in clauses (A) and (B) above; provided, however, that this clause (C) shall only apply upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing.

Requirement of Law ” is as to any Person, the organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law (statutory or common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” is any of the President, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer of Borrower acting alone.

Revenue Event ” is the achievement by Borrower after the Effective Date of consolidated trailing six-month revenues of at least Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), as determined by Collateral Agent at the end of any fiscal month of Borrower based upon written evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

Second Draw Period ” is the period commencing on the date of Collateral Agent’s receipt of evidence satisfactory to it and the Lenders of the occurrence of the Revenue Event or the Equity Event, whichever occurs first, and ending on the earliest of (i) the date that is sixty (60) days after the date of such earlier occurrence of the Revenue Event or Equity Event, as applicable, (ii) June 30, 2016, and (iii) the occurrence of an Event of Default; provided, however, that the Second Draw Period shall not commence if on the date of the occurrence of the earlier of the Revenue Event or the Equity Event, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Secured Promissory Note ” is defined in Section 2.4.

 

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Secured Promissory Note Record ” is a record maintained by each Lender with respect to the outstanding Obligations owed by Borrower to Lender and credits made thereto.

Securities Account ” is any “securities account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.

Solvent ” is, with respect to any Person: the fair salable value of such Person’s consolidated assets (including goodwill minus disposition costs) exceeds the fair value of such Person’s liabilities; such Person is not left with unreasonably small capital after the transactions in this Agreement; and such Person is able to pay its debts (including trade debts) as they mature.

Subordinated Debt ” is indebtedness incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries subordinated to all Indebtedness of Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries to the Lenders (pursuant to a subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Lenders entered into between Collateral Agent, Borrower, and/or any of its Subsidiaries, and the other creditor), on terms acceptable to Collateral Agent and the Lenders.

Subsidiary ” is, with respect to any Person, any Person of which more than fifty percent (50.00%) of the voting stock or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than corporations) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or through one or more intermediaries.

Term Loan ” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(ii) hereof.

Term A Loan ” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(i) hereof.

Term B Loan ” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(ii) hereof.

Term Loan Commitment ” is, for any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a Term Loan, up to the principal amount shown on Schedule 1.1 . Term Loan Commitments ” means the aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders.

Trademarks ” means any trademark and servicemark rights, whether registered or not, applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected with and symbolized by such trademarks.

Transfer ” is defined in Section 7.1.

Warrants ” are those certain Warrants to Purchase Stock dated as of the Effective Date, or any date thereafter, issued by Borrower in favor of each Lender or such Lender’s Affiliates, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E attached hereto.

[ Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.

 

BORROWER:
HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By  

/s/ Shaun McMeans

Name:  

Shaun McMeans

Title:  

CFO

COLLATERAL AGENT AND LENDER:
OXFORD FINANCE LLC
By  

/s/ T.A. Lex

Name:  

T.A. Lex

Title:  

COO

LENDER:
SILICON VALLEY BANK
By  

/s/ Michael White

Name:  

Michael White

Title:  

Managing Director

[ Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement ]


SCHEDULE 1.1

Lenders and Commitments

Term A Loans

 

                                                     

Lender

   Term Loan Commitment      Commitment Percentage  

OXFORD FINANCE LLC

   $ 5,500,000.00         50.00

SILICON VALLEY BANK

   $ 5,500,000.00         50.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 11,000,000.00         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Term B Loans

 

                                                     

Lender

   Term Loan Commitment      Commitment Percentage  

OXFORD FINANCE LLC

   $ 2,500,000.00         50.00

SILICON VALLEY BANK

   $ 2,500,000.00         50.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 5,000,000.00         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate (all Term Loans)

 

                                                     

Lender

   Term Loan Commitment      Commitment Percentage  

OXFORD FINANCE LLC

   $ 8,000,000.00         50.00

SILICON VALLEY BANK

   $ 8,000,000.00         50.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 16,000,000.00         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


EXHIBIT A

Description of Collateral

The Collateral consists of all of Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the following personal property:

All goods, Accounts (including health-care receivables), Equipment, Inventory, contract rights or rights to payment of money, leases, license agreements, franchise agreements, General Intangibles (except as noted below), commercial tort claims, documents, instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), cash, deposit accounts and other Collateral Accounts, all certificates of deposit, fixtures, letters of credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), securities, and all other investment property, supporting obligations, and financial assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, wherever located; and

All Borrower’s Books relating to the foregoing, and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions for, additions, attachments, accessories, accessions and improvements to and replacements, products, proceeds and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral does not include: (i) any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired; provided, however, the Collateral shall include all Accounts and all proceeds of Intellectual Property; provided further, that if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) would hold that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in such Accounts and such property that are proceeds of Intellectual Property, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of the Effective Date, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Accounts and such other property of Borrower that are proceeds of the Intellectual Property; (ii) Equipment or personal property subject to a Lien described in clause (c) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” if the granting of a Lien in such Equipment or personal property is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such Equipment or personal property (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Article 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such Equipment or personal property, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral”; or (iii) any license or contract, in each case if the granting of a Lien in such license or contract is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such license or contract (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Division 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such license or contract, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral.”

Pursuant to the terms of a certain negative pledge arrangement with Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Borrower has agreed not to encumber any of its Intellectual Property except as expressly permitted hereunder.


EXHIBIT B-1

Form of Disbursement Letter

[see attached]


DISBURSEMENT LETTER

AUGUST     , 2014

The undersigned, being the duly elected and acting                                          of HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC. , a Delaware corporation with an office located at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706 (“ Borrower ”), does hereby certify to OXFORD FINANCE LLC (“ Oxford ” and “ Lender ”), as collateral agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”) in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August     , 2014, by and among Borrower, Collateral Agent and the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Loan Agreement ”; with other capitalized terms used below having the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement) that:

1. The representations and warranties made by Borrower in Section 5 of the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

2. No event or condition has occurred that would constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.

3. Borrower is in compliance with the covenants and requirements contained in Sections 4, 6 and 7 of the Loan Agreement.

4. All conditions referred to in Section 3 of the Loan Agreement to the making of the Loan to be made on or about the date hereof have been satisfied or waived by Collateral Agent.

5. No Material Adverse Change has occurred.

6. The undersigned is a Responsible Officer.

[7. With respect the Term B Loans, the Revenue Event or Equity Event (whichever occurred first) occurred not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date hereof.]

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


[7][8]. The proceeds of the Term [A][B] Loans shall be disbursed as follows:

 

Disbursement from Oxford:

  

Loan Amount

   $                

Less:

  

—Facility Fee

   ($             

—Interim Interest on Term [A][B] Loan

   ($             

—Lender’s Legal Fees

   ($              )* 

Net Proceeds due from Oxford:

   $                

Disbursement from SVB:

  

Loan Amount

   $                

Less:

  

—Facility Fee

   ($             

—Interim Interest on Term [A][B] Loan

   ($             

—Existing Debt Payoff to be remitted to SVB per the Payoff Letter dated August     , 2014

   ($             

Net Proceeds due from SVB:

   $                

TOTAL TERM A LOAN NET PROCEEDS FROM LENDERS

   $                

[8][9]. The Term [A][B] Loans shall amortize in accordance with the Amortization Table[s] attached hereto [as Exhibits A-1 and A-2, as applicable].

[9][10]. The aggregate net proceeds of the Term [A][B] Loans shall be transferred to the Designated Deposit Account as follows:

 

  Account Name:      HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.   
  Bank Name:      Silicon Valley Bank   
  Bank Address:     

3003 Tasman Drive

Santa Clara, California 95054

  
  Account Number:     

 

  
  ABA Number:      121140399   

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

* Legal fees and costs are through the Effective Date. Post-closing legal fees and costs, payable after the Effective Date, to be invoiced and paid post-closing.


Dated as of the date first set forth above.

 

BORROWER:
HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

COLLATERAL AGENT AND LENDER:
OXFORD FINANCE LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

LENDER:
SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[ Signature Page to Disbursement Letter ]


AMORTIZATION TABLE

(Term [A][B] Loans)

[see attached]


EXHIBIT B-2

Loan Payment/Advance Request Form

D EADLINE FOR SAME DAY PROCESSING IS N OON P ACIFIC T IME *

 

Fax To:    Date:  

 

L OAN P AYMENT :

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

 

From Account #  

 

    To Account #  

 

 
              (Deposit Account #)       (Loan Account #)              
Principal $  

 

    and/or Interest $  

 

 

 

Authorized Signature:  

 

    Phone Number:  

 

 
Print Name/Title:  

 

     

L OAN A DVANCE :

Complete Outgoing Wire Request section below if all or a portion of the funds from this loan advance are for an outgoing wire.

 

From Account #  

 

    To Account #  

 

 
              (Loan Account #)       (Deposit Account #)  

 

Amount of Advance $  

 

     

All Borrower’s representations and warranties in the Loan and Security Agreement are true, correct and complete in all material respects on the date of the request for an advance; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date:

 

Authorized Signature:  

 

    Phone Number:  

 

 
Print Name/Title:  

 

     

O UTGOING W IRE R EQUEST :

Complete only if all or a portion of funds from the loan advance above is to be wired.

Deadline for same day processing is noon, Pacific Time

 

Beneficiary Name:  

 

    Amount of Wire: $  

 

Beneficiary Bank:  

 

    Account Number:  

 

City and State:  

 

     

 

Beneficiary Bank Transit (ABA) #:  

 

    Beneficiary Bank Code (Swift, Sort, Chip, etc.):  

 

                  (For International Wire Only)  
Intermediary Bank:  

 

    Transit (ABA) #:  

 

For Further Credit to:  

 

Special Instruction:  

 

By signing below, I (we) acknowledge and agree that my (our) funds transfer request shall be processed in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreements(s) covering funds transfer service(s), which agreements(s) were previously received and executed by me (us).

 

Authorized Signature:  

 

    2 nd  Signature (if required):  

 

 
Print Name/Title:  

 

    Print Name/Title:  

 

 
Telephone #:  

 

    Telephone #:  

 

 


EXHIBIT C

Compliance Certificate

 

TO:  

OXFORD FINANCE LLC, as Collateral Agent and Lender

SILICON VALLEY BANK, as Lender

FROM:   HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

The undersigned authorized officer (“ Officer ”) of HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC. (“ Borrower ”), hereby certifies that in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Borrower, Collateral Agent, and the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Loan Agreement ;” capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Loan Agreement),

(a) Borrower is in complete compliance for the period ending                      with all required covenants in the Loan Documents except as noted below;

(b) There are no Events of Default, except as noted below;

(c) Except as noted below, all representations and warranties of Borrower stated in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on this date and for the period described in (a), above; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date.

(d) Borrower, and each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, has timely filed all required tax returns and reports, Borrower, and each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, has timely paid all foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrower, or Subsidiary, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 5.8 of the Loan Agreement;

(e) No Liens have been levied or claims made against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to unpaid employee payroll or benefits of which Borrower has not previously provided written notification to Collateral Agent and the Lenders.

Attached are the required documents, if any, supporting our certification(s). The Officer, on behalf of Borrower, further certifies that the attached financial statements are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and are consistently applied from one period to the next except as explained in an accompanying letter or footnotes and except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the absence of footnotes and subject to year-end audit adjustments as to the interim financial statements.

Please indicate compliance status since the last Compliance Certificate by circling Yes, No, or N/A under “Complies” column.

 

     Reporting Covenant    Requirement    Actual      Complies  

1)

   Financial statements    Monthly within 30 days         Yes      No         N/A   

2)

   Annual (CPA Audited) statements    Earlier of 5 days after filing with SEC or 240 days after FYE         Yes      No         N/A   

3)

   Annual Financial Projections/Budget (prepared on a monthly basis)    Annually (earlier of 7 days following board-approval or 60 days after FYE), and when revised         Yes      No         N/A   


4)

   8-K, 10-K and 10-Q Filings    If applicable, within 5 days of filing         Yes      No         N/A   

5)

   Compliance Certificate    Monthly within 30 days         Yes      No         N/A   

6)

   IP Report    When required by 6.2(a)(vii) or 6.7         Yes      No         N/A   

7)

   Total amount of Borrower’s cash and cash equivalents at the last day of the measurement period       $                  Yes      No         N/A   

8)

   Total amount of Borrower’s Subsidiaries’ cash and cash equivalents at the last day of the measurement period       $                  Yes      No         N/A   

Deposit and Securities Accounts

(Please list all accounts; attach separate sheet if additional space needed)

 

     Institution Name    Account Number    New Account?    Account Control Agreement in place?

1)

         Yes    No    Yes    No

2)

         Yes    No    Yes    No

3)

         Yes    No    Yes    No

4)

         Yes    No    Yes    No

Other Matters

 

1)

   Have there been any changes in management since the last Compliance Certificate?        Yes            No    

2)

   Have there been any transfers/sales/disposals/retirement of Collateral or IP prohibited by the Loan Agreement?        Yes            No    

3)

   Have there been any new or pending claims or causes of action against Borrower that involve more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00)?        Yes            No    

4)

   Have there been any amendments of or other changes to the capitalization table of Borrower and to the Operating Documents of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries? If yes, provide copies of any such amendments or changes with this Compliance Certificate.        Yes            No    


Exceptions

Please explain any exceptions with respect to the certification above: (If no exceptions exist, state “No exceptions.” Attach separate sheet if additional space needed.)

 

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Date:  

 

LENDER USE ONLY
Received by:  

 

     Date:  

 

Verified by:  

 

     Date:  

 

Compliance Status:             Yes             No


EXHIBIT D

Form of Secured Promissory Note

[see attached]


SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

(Term [A][B] Loan)

 

$            Dated:                     

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation with an office located at 3430 E. Global Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706 (“ Borrower ”) HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to the order of [OXFORD FINANCE LLC][SILICON VALLEY BANK] (“ Lender ”) the principal amount of                      DOLLARS ($        ) or such lesser amount as shall equal the outstanding principal balance of the Term [A][B] Loan made to Borrower by Lender, plus interest on the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Term [A][B] Loan, at the rates and in accordance with the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement dated August     , 2014 by and among Borrower, Lender, Oxford Finance LLC, as Collateral Agent, and the other Lenders from time to time party thereto (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”). If not sooner paid, the entire principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest hereunder shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date as set forth in the Loan Agreement. Any capitalized term not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the Loan Agreement.

Principal, interest and all other amounts due with respect to the Term [A][B] Loan, are payable in lawful money of the United States of America to Lender as set forth in the Loan Agreement and this Secured Promissory Note (this “ Note ”). The principal amount of this Note and the interest rate applicable thereto, and all payments made with respect thereto, shall be recorded by Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto which is part of this Note.

The Loan Agreement, among other things, (a) provides for the making of a secured Term [A][B] Loan by Lender to Borrower, and (b) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events.

This Note may not be prepaid except as set forth in Section 2.2 (c) and Section 2.2(d) of the Loan Agreement.

This Note and the obligation of Borrower to repay the unpaid principal amount of the Term [A][B] Loan, interest on the Term [A][B] Loan and all other amounts due Lender under the Loan Agreement is secured under the Loan Agreement.

Presentment for payment, demand, notice of protest and all other demands and notices of any kind in connection with the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of this Note are hereby waived.

Borrower shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred by Lender in the enforcement or attempt to enforce any of Borrower’s obligations hereunder not performed when due.

This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of California.

The ownership of an interest in this Note shall be registered on a record of ownership maintained by Lender or its agent. Notwithstanding anything else in this Note to the contrary, the right to the principal of, and stated interest on, this Note may be transferred only if the transfer is registered on such record of ownership and the transferee is identified as the owner of an interest in the obligation. Borrower shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of this Note (as recorded on such record of ownership) as the owner in fact thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in this Note on the part of any other person or entity.

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized on the date hereof.

 

BORROWER:
HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[ Oxford Finance LLC ] [ Silicon Valley Bank ]

Term [A][B] Loan Secured Promissory Note


LOAN INTEREST RATE AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

   Principal
Amount
   Interest Rate    Scheduled
Payment Amount
   Notation By
           
           
           


EXHIBIT E

Form of Warrants

[see attached]


CORPORATE BORROWING CERTIFICATE

 

B ORROWER :    HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.    D ATE :                     
L ENDERS :    OXFORD FINANCE LLC, as Collateral Agent and Lender   
   SILICON VALLEY BANK, as Lender   

I hereby certify as follows, as of the date set forth above:

1. I am the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other officer of Borrower. My title is as set forth below.

2. Borrower’s exact legal name is set forth above. Borrower is a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

3. Attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit B , respectively, are true, correct and complete copies of (i) Borrower’s Articles/Certificate of Incorporation (including amendments), as filed with the Secretary of State of the state in which Borrower is incorporated as set forth in paragraph 2 above; and (ii) Borrower’s Bylaws. Neither such Articles/Certificate of Incorporation nor such Bylaws have been amended, annulled, rescinded, revoked or supplemented, and such Articles/Certificate of Incorporation and such Bylaws remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

4. The following resolutions were duly and validly adopted by Borrower’s Board of Directors at a duly held meeting of such directors (or pursuant to a unanimous written consent or other authorized corporate action). Such resolutions are in full force and effect as of the date hereof and have not been in any way modified, repealed, rescinded, amended or revoked, and the Lenders may rely on them until each Lender receives written notice of revocation from Borrower.

[ Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


R ESOLVED , that any one of the following officers or employees of Borrower, whose names, titles and signatures are below, may act on behalf of Borrower:

 

Name

  

Title

  

Signature

  

Authorized to

Add or Remove

Signatories

 

  

 

  

 

   ¨

 

  

 

  

 

   ¨

 

  

 

  

 

   ¨

 

  

 

  

 

   ¨

R ESOLVED F URTHER , that any one of the persons designated above with a checked box beside his or her name may, from time to time, add or remove any individuals to and from the above list of persons authorized to act on behalf of Borrower.

R ESOLVED F URTHER , that such individuals may, on behalf of Borrower:

Borrow Money . Borrow money from the Lenders.

Execute Loan Documents . Execute any loan documents any Lender requires.

Grant Security . Grant Collateral Agent a security interest in any of Borrower’s assets.

Negotiate Items . Negotiate or discount all drafts, trade acceptances, promissory notes, or other indebtedness in which Borrower has an interest and receive cash or otherwise use the proceeds.

Issue Warrants . Issue warrants for Borrower’s capital stock.

Further Acts . Designate other individuals to request advances, pay fees and costs and execute other documents or agreements (including documents or agreement that waive Borrower’s right to a jury trial) they believe to be necessary to effectuate such resolutions.

R ESOLVED F URTHER , that all acts authorized by the above resolutions and any prior acts relating thereto are ratified.

[ Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


5. The persons listed above are Borrower’s officers or employees with their titles and signatures shown next to their names.

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

*** If the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other certifying officer executing above is designated by the resolutions set forth in paragraph 4 as one of the authorized signing officers, this Certificate must also be signed by a second authorized officer or director of Borrower.

I, the                                          of Borrower, hereby certify as to paragraphs 1 through 5 above, as of the date set forth above.

[print title]

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[ Signature Page to Corporate Borrowing Certificate ]


EXHIBIT A

Articles/Certificate of Incorporation (including amendments)

[see attached]


EXHIBIT B

Bylaws

[see attached]


DEBTOR:    HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
SECURED PARTY:   

OXFORD FINANCE LLC,

as Collateral Agent

EXHIBIT A TO UCC FINANCING STATEMENT

Description of Collateral

The Collateral consists of all of Debtor’s right, title and interest in and to the following personal property:

All goods, Accounts (including health-care receivables), Equipment, Inventory, contract rights or rights to payment of money, leases, license agreements, franchise agreements, General Intangibles (except as noted below), commercial tort claims, documents, instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), cash, deposit accounts and other Collateral Accounts, all certificates of deposit, fixtures, letters of credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), securities, and all other investment property, supporting obligations, and financial assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, wherever located; and

All Debtor’s Books relating to the foregoing, and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions for, additions, attachments, accessories, accessions and improvements to and replacements, products, proceeds and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral does not include: (i) any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired; provided, however, the Collateral shall include all Accounts and all proceeds of Intellectual Property; provided further, that if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) would hold that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in such Accounts and such property that are proceeds of Intellectual Property, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of the Effective Date, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Accounts and such other property of Debtor that are proceeds of the Intellectual Property; (ii) Equipment or personal property subject to a Lien described in clause (c) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” if the granting of a Lien in such Equipment or personal property is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such Equipment or personal property (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Article 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such Equipment or personal property, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral”; or (iii) any license or contract, in each case if the granting of a Lien in such license or contract is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such license or contract (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Division 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such license or contract, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral.”

Pursuant to the terms of a certain negative pledge arrangement with Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Debtor has agreed not to encumber any of its Intellectual Property except as expressly permitted hereunder.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of California as in effect from time to time (the “Code”) or, if not defined in the Code, then in the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Debtor, Collateral Agent and the other Lenders party thereto (as modified, amended and/or restated from time to time).

Exhibit 10.16

TERMINATION OF SECURITY AGREEMENT,

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AND

UNDERSTANDING REGARDING ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Termination of Security Agreement, Release of Security Interest and Understanding Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”), is made and entered into as of the 22nd day of August, 2014 (“Effective Date”), by and between NUVOGEN RESEARCH LLC, an Arizona limited liability company (“NuvoGen”), formerly known as Neogen, LLC, Stephen Felder, and Richard Kris (collectively, “Seller”), and HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, a Delaware corporation, formerly known as High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (“HTG”). Seller or HTG, individually, is a “Party” and, collectively, they are the “Parties.”

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 9, 2001, as amended by the Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 20, 2003, the Second Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 15, 2004, and the Amended and Restated Third Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 28, 2014 (collectively, the “Sale Agreement”), pursuant to which Seller sold the Purchased Assets to HTG in exchange for the Purchase Price, which included payment of the Aggregate Cash Consideration over a period of time as set forth in the Sale Agreement. The terms Purchased Assets, Purchase Price and Aggregate Cash Consideration are as defined in the Sale Agreement.

WHEREAS, to secure the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of HTG to Sellers under the Sale Agreement, HTG and NuvoGen entered into a Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment of Patents and Trademarks, dated January 12, 2001 (“Security Agreement”), pursuant to which HTG granted NuvoGen a security interest in the Collateral, as it is defined in the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

WHEREAS, HTG is in the process of obtaining a growth capital term loan in an amount not less than $11,000,000 (less expenses and payoff of existing SVB debt facility) (“Loan”) from Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford”), as collateral agent (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”) and Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB,” Oxford and SVB each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), and the Collateral Agent and Lenders have required HTG to obtain from NuvoGen a release of the lien on Collateral created pursuant to the Security Agreement and a Subordination Agreement in a form acceptable to the Lenders and Nuvogen.

WHEREAS, Seller is willing to release the lien on Collateral pursuant to this Agreement and deliver a Subordination Agreement in a form acceptable to the Lenders and Nuvogen in exchange for acceleration of certain payments of the Aggregate Cash Consideration and because Seller understands that the Loan provides HTG liquidity that also benefits Seller.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, which are deemed material elements of this Agreement and not mere recitals, the mutual benefits to be received by the Parties, and the covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree to the following:


1. Termination of Security Agreement . Contingent upon the closing of the Loan and HTG receiving the proceeds of the Loan, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Security Agreement or Sale Agreement, the Security Agreement is hereby terminated in its entirety. If the Loan does not close on or before August 29, 2014, this Agreement shall be void.

2. Release of Nuvogen’s Security Interest . Nuvogen and each of the other Sellers, to the extent they have a security interest in, or other right to, the Collateral, hereby release and discharge any security interest, each or any of them, individually or collectively, have in any and all Collateral and hereby waive any and all claims or interest each or any of them, individually or collectively, has or might have in and with respect to the Collateral, regardless of (a) when a security interest in the Collateral became perfected, (b) the value of the Collateral, or (c) the amount Seller is owed by HTG pursuant to the Sale Agreement.

3. Consent . Nuvogen and each of the other Sellers hereby agree that any restriction on liens, security interests and other encumbrances (i.e. any negative pledge) with respect to the Collateral which may be contained in the Sale Agreement or any related agreement is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect. In furtherance of the foregoing, NuvoGen and each of the other Sellers hereby consents to the Collateral Agent’s and Lenders’ restrictions on liens, security interests and other encumbrances (i.e. negative pledge) with respect to the Collateral, as set forth in the agreements and documents now or hereafter evidencing or securing the Loan (collectively, the “Loan Documents”), and to any liens, security interests and other encumbrances that Collateral Agent and/or Lenders may be granted now or in the future in the Collateral.

4. Further Actions . Seller hereby authorizes HTG (or its designee) to file any releases or terminations necessary to release any lien(s) the Collateral created by or as a result of the Security Agreement or the Sale Agreement. Upon the reasonable request of HTG, Seller (or any one of them) agrees from time to time to execute, deliver or file, if necessary, at HTG’s sole expense, any and all releases, instruments and/or other documents and take any and all further actions that may be necessary to release any lien(s) on the Collateral created by or as a result of the Security Agreement or the Sale Agreement.

5. Security Agreement Controls . The Parties hereby agree that the Security Agreement controls and supersedes in the entirety any and all rights, obligations, remedies (except as accrued prior to the Effective Date) terms and/or conditions in the Sale Agreement relating to securing the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of HTG to Sellers under the Sale Agreement, and that any and all such rights, obligations, remedies (except as accrued prior to the Effective Date), terms and/or conditions in the Sale Agreement are terminated concurrent with the termination of the Security Agreement.

6. Acceleration of Certain Aggregate Cash Consideration . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Sale Agreement, HTG shall pay to Sellers no later than five business days after the closing of the Loan the next six Minimum Payment installments previously payable as follows (collectively, the “Accelerated Payments”):

 


Date

   Amount  

October 3, 2014

   $ 112,500   

January 6, 2015

   $ 131,250   

April 3, 2015

   $ 131,250   

July 3, 2015

   $ 131,250   

October 5, 2015

   $ 131,250   

January 6, 2016

   $ 181,250   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 868,750   
  

 

 

 

Seller shall accept the Accelerated Payments as payment against the Aggregate Cash Consideration. The Accelerated Payments shall be made by check drawn on an account having immediately available funds, made payable to NuvoGen Research, LLC, and sent to Post Office Box 64326, Tucson, AZ 85728-4326, or as otherwise reasonably requested by Nuvogen in writing to HTG. Following payment of the Accelerated Payments, Minimum Payments shall resume and become due and payable as provided in the Sale Agreement beginning on April 5, 2016.

7. Minimum Payments . The Parties agree, subject to Section 6 above, the Sale Agreement provides that annual Minimum Payments shall be payable in four (4) equal amounts on or before the third business day of each Quarter, where the terms “Minimum Payment” and “Quarter” are defined in the Sale Agreement.

8. Governing Law . This Agreement is governed by and is construed in accordance with the laws of Arizona, without reference to its principles of conflicts of laws.

9. Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all successors and assigns. The Parties agree that Collateral Agent and Lenders shall be express third party beneficiaries of the statements and agreements contained herein and shall be entitled to rely thereon.

10. Entire Agreement; Modification . This Agreement, together with Exhibit A, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings and agreements, whether verbal or written, between the Parties. No modification or amendment of any provision of this Agreement is valid or effective unless made in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of each of the Parties.

11. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. An electronically delivered ( e.g ., facsimile or e-mail) copy of an original signature will be deemed to be an original signature for purpose of execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or has caused a duly authorized representative to execute this Agreement.

 

HTG MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shaun McMeans

  Shaun McMeans
  Chief Financial Officer
NUVOGEN RESEARCH LLC
By:  

/s/ Richard Kris

  Richard Kris
  Member
By:  

/s/ Stephen Felder

  Stephen Felder
  Member

/s/ Richard Kris

RICHARD KRIS, in his individual capacity

/s/ Stephen Felder

STEPHEN FELDER, in his individual capacity

 

Termination of Security Agreement, Release of Security Interest and

Understanding Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement

  


EXHIBIT A

Security Agreement

[See attached nine (9) pages]

 

Termination of Security Agreement, Release of Security Interest and

Understanding Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement

  

Exhibit 10.17

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately

with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Confidential Treatment Requested

Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4)

and 230.406

IVD TEST DEVELOPMENT AND COMPONENT SUPPLY AGREEMENT

This IVD Test Development and Component Supply Agreement (the “Agreement” ) is effective as of the last date of signature found below (the “Effective Date” ) and is made by and between Illumina, Inc., a Delaware corporation having a place of business at 5200 Illumina Way, San Diego, California 92122, ( “Illumina” ) and HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a Delaware corporation having a place of business at 3430 E Global Loop, Tucson, Arizona 85706 ( “Company” ). Illumina and Company may also individually be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties” .

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company desires to develop and commercialize one or more test kits that will use components supplied by Illumina and will be commercialized for use on Illumina’s diagnostic instrument(s);

WHEREAS, under this Agreement, Illumina will supply certain components for the test kits and provide Company certain regulatory and development support for such test kits.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

Article I.

Definitions

The following capitalized terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or general partnership or managing member interests, by contract or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to control any other Person in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the ownership interests.

“Commercially Reasonable Efforts” means, with respect to the efforts to be expended by a Party with respect to its obligations expressly specified in this Agreement, the reasonable, diligent, good faith efforts to accomplish such obligations as such Party would normally use to accomplish similar obligations under similar circumstances. Commercially Reasonable Efforts shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, and it is anticipated that the level of effort shall be different for different markets, and shall change over time, reflecting changes in the status of the applicable diagnostic service and the market(s) involved.

 

1


“Components” means those components that Illumina supplies to Company under this Agreement for use in the IVD Test Kit. The Components are set forth on Exhibit A as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement of the Parties. The Components set forth on Exhibit A are and will be standard, “off the shelf,” non-custom consumables ( e . g ., MiSeqDx consumables) that are generally available to other customers in addition to Company, rather than custom consumables developed solely for Company.

Development Plan ” means the document executed by authorized representatives of each Party containing the designs and plans for carrying out the activities necessary to develop and seek Regulatory Approval for an IVD Test Kit under this Agreement and, for each stage, sets forth the key target milestones, target timelines to milestones, anticipated functional resources needed from Illumina and the estimated time commitment from each such Illumina resource.

“Documentation” means Illumina’s output file formats, user manuals, package inserts, and any other formal documentation owned or controlled by Illumina (i) relating to the Components or IVD Hardware that Illumina provides to Company under this Agreement, and (ii) that is required for Regulatory Approval of an IVD Test Kit for purposes of this Agreement.

Excluded Activities ” means any and all uses of a Component that (i) involve the disassembling, reverse-engineering, reverse-compiling, or reverse-assembling of the Components, or (ii) involve the separation, extraction, or isolation of components or elements of Components or other unauthorized analysis of the Components or their formulation.

“Excluded Fields” means any and all fields of use outside the Selected Fields. Excluded Fields include, without limitation, human leukocyte antigen, forensic, microbial, and prenatal testing, including non-invasive prenatal testing.

“Fields” is defined in Section 2.01.

“FDA” means the United States Food and Drug Administration or any successor governmental authority having substantially the same function.

Gene Expression Profiling ” means, notwithstanding any common usage, the detection in a biological sample of levels of ribonucleic acids (“RNA”) (such as mRNA and/or miRNA) by nucleic acid sequencing of synthetic DNA probes added to the sample prior to sequencing using IVD Hardware.

“Illumina Intellectual Property Rights” means any and all Intellectual Property Rights owned or controlled by Illumina or its Affiliates that cover Components or IVD Hardware but only to the extent such Intellectual Property Rights are required to use Components in or IVD Hardware with an IVD Test Kit as authorized under this Agreement in the Selected Fields without infringing such Intellectual Property Rights.

“Intellectual Property Right(s)” means all rights in patent, copyrights (including rights in computer software), know-how, trademark, service mark and trade dress rights and other

 

2


industrial or intellectual property rights under the Laws of any jurisdiction, whether registered or not and including all applications or rights to apply therefor and registrations thereto.

“IVD Hardware” means Illumina’s nucleic acid sequencing instrument labeled by Illumina for human in-vitro diagnostic use on which the IVD Test Kit will be designed to work. IVD Hardware includes embedded software and may include ancillary software necessary for the operation of the IVD Hardware. The IVD Hardware is set forth in Exhibit B as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

“IVD Test Kit” means a complete diagnostic Gene Expression Profiling test in a Selected Field, which test is developed and commercialized pursuant to this Agreement and comprises at least (i) test-specific elements supplied by Company ( e . g ., probes, primers, enzymes); (ii) Components supplied to Company by Illumina under this Agreement; and (iii) analysis/interpretation software developed by Company that will accept IVD Hardware standard output files and operate on or with the IVD Hardware.

Law ” means all statutes, statutory instruments, regulations, ordinances, or legislation to which a Party is subject; common law and the law of equity as applicable to the Parties; binding court orders, judgments or decrees; industry code of practice, guidance, policy or standards enforceable by law; and applicable, directions, policies, guidance, rules or orders enforceable by law made or given by a governmental or regulatory authority.

“Revenue” means the gross amount invoiced by Company and its Affiliates to independent third parties for the sale, transfer, or other disposition of IVD Test Kits in the Territory, less the following items as applicable to such IVD Test Kits to the extent actually taken or incurred with respect to such sale and all in accordance with standard allocation procedures, allowance methodologies and accounting methods consistently applied, in accordance with GAAP (except as otherwise provided below):

(a) credits or allowances for returns, rejections, recalls, or billing corrections;

(b) separately itemized invoiced freight, postage, shipping and insurance, handling and other transportation costs;

(c) sales, use, value added, medical device and other taxes (excluding income taxes), tariffs, customs duties, surcharges and other governmental charges levied on the production, sale, transportation, delivery or use of the IVD Test Kits in the Territory that are incurred at time of sale or are directly related to the sale;

(d) any quantity, cash or other trade discounts, rebates, returns, refunds, charge backs, fees, credits or allowances, retroactive price reductions and billing corrections; and

 

3


(e) written-off bad debt not to exceed 4% of the cumulative amounts invoiced, net of (a) – (c), for the pertinent Period (defined in Section 7.01).

Except as otherwise permitted in this definition, no deductions shall be made for commissions paid to individuals or entities, or for cost of collections. Company’s transfer of IVD Test Kits to an Affiliate (unless such transfer is a final sale to an Affiliate end-user) will not be included in Revenue. For the avoidance of doubt, gross amount invoiced by Affiliates for sale, transfer or other disposition of the IVD Test Kits in Territory is included in Revenue. If an IVD Test Kit is sold, transferred or otherwise provided to a third party in a manner that is not an arm’s-length transaction ( e . g . , at no charge or without an invoice), then Revenue will include the amount deemed to have been invoiced to that third party at the Running Average Revenue; provided that, no invoice amounts will be imputed to or assessed on IVD Test Kits that (i) are used solely in pre-clinical or clinical trials, or (ii) do not exceed […***…]% of the total amount of IVD Test Kits sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of in the corresponding Period (defined in Section 7.01) and are (A) used for internal research, development or manufacturing studies, testing, verification, validation or quality assurance; (B) distributed free of charge or at fully allocated manufacturing costs in the course of research conducted in furtherance of IVD Test development or Regulatory Approvals; or (C) distributed free of charge for product evaluation purposes or other promotional efforts, compassionate use or any indigent patient program. If an IVD Test Kit is sold, transferred, or otherwise provided to a distributor that is not an Affiliate for re-sale, then the amount invoiced to the distributor shall be multiplied by […***…] in calculating Revenue.

In the case of a service performed by Company or its Affiliate for a third party that employs an IVD Test Kit, Revenue shall include the Running Average Revenue for the IVD Test Kits used in the services.

“Other IP” means any and all Intellectual Property Rights of third parties (excluding Illumina’s Affiliates) to the extent pertaining to or covering the Selected Fields and the use of the IVD Test Kits in the Selected Fields (excluding general uses of the Components not in regard to any specific field of use) or compositions in the IVD Test Kit other than the Components. By way of non-limiting example, third party Intellectual Property Rights for non-invasive pre-natal testing, for specific diagnostic methods, for specific forensic methods, or for specific nucleic acid biomarkers, probe sequences, or combinations of biomarkers or sequences, are examples of Other IP. For clarification, any third party Intellectual Property Right that is the subject of an indemnified Illumina Infringement Claim shall not be “Other IP.”

“Person” means any individual or corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, joint stock or other company, business trust, trust, organization, university, college, Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind.

“Regulatory Approval” means all approvals, licenses and consents, clearances and CE marking from applicable governmental authorities (if any) required to commercialize an IVD Test Kit, in any country in the Territory (including without limitation all applicable pricing and governmental reimbursement approvals).

 

  4   ***Confidential Treatment Requested


Regulatory Authority ” means the FDA or any other person, organization or agency having competent jurisdiction to grant Regulatory Approval in each applicable jurisdiction of the Territory.

Running Average Revenue ” means the average of gross selling price of an IVD Test Kit less allowable deductions (those set forth in (a) – (e) in the Definition of “Revenue” above) in the applicable country during any relevant Period (defined in Section 7.01) determined in reference to sales of IVD Test Kits in similar quantities as those involved in the underlying activity for which that determination is being made.

“Selected Fields” is defined in Section 2.01.

“Specifications” means Illumina’s written specifications for the Components or IVD Hardware as set forth in the respective product’s labeling in effect on the date the Components or IVD Hardware are shipped from Illumina to Company.

“Term” is defined in Section 11.01.

“Territory” means worldwide.

Article II.

Development of IVD Test Kits

2.01 IVD Test Kits . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Company may develop, make (or have made), use and commercialize (including, selling and importing and having sold and imported) up to two IVD Test Kits. Such IVD Test Kits will be intended and labeled for use in no more than two discrete testing fields chosen by Company from the following groups: (i) one in oncology for one of the following tumor types: breast, lung, lymphoma, or melanoma; and (ii) one in transplant, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or immunology/autoimmunity; provided, however, at Company’s discretion, it may select a second oncology type for a test rather than a test from group (ii) (collectively, the fields in groups (i) and (ii) are the “Fields” ). The two individual fields selected by Company from the Fields listed in (i) and (ii) are referred to as the “Selected Fields.” If Company wishes to develop (a) more than two IVD Test Kits within the Fields or (b) IVD Test Kits not in the Selected Fields, Company must negotiate new terms and conditions with Illumina for such additional IVD tests; provided, however, Illumina is under no obligation to enter into such negotiations or to complete such negotiations.

2.02 Designation of Selected Fields and IVD Test Kit; Development Plan . If Company chooses to elect two Selected Fields, it shall provide Illumina written notice of (a) the first of its chosen Selected Fields no later than 180 days, and (b) the second of its chosen Selected Fields no later than 24 months, after the Effective Date. If Company chooses to elect only one Selected Field, it must provide written notice to Illumina of its Selected Field no later than 24 months after the Effective Date. Company’s failure to timely provide written notice for either selection shall not be deemed a breach of this

 

5


Agreement, provided that Company’s failure to provide written notice to Illumina of at least one Selected Field within 24 months of the Effective Date shall forfeit Company’s right to make such selection and Illumina shall have the right to terminate the Agreement immediately. Company shall prepare and provide Illumina with a proposed Development Plan for each IVD Test Kit for each Selected Field no later than 90 days after providing notice of such chosen Selected Fields. The Development Plan shall also contain a mutually agreed to list of countries for which Company may (but is not required to) seek Regulatory Approval; provided that Company may seek Regulatory Approval in unlisted countries, but Illumina shall have no obligations with respect to Regulatory Approval efforts in such unlisted countries unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Illumina. Illumina will review such proposed Development Plan and return reasonable proposed changes no later than 30 days after receipt of the proposed Development Plan. Once the Parties agree, the Parties will sign the proposed Development Plan, whereupon the Development Plan shall be effective and incorporated in its entirety into this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of a Development Plan and this Agreement as regards a specific matter, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control unless and only to the extent an applicable Development Plan expressly states the intent of the Parties that the Development Plan supersede this Agreement with respect to that specific matter.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties recognize that the Development Plan is speculative and uncertain in its nature. The Parties provide no assurance that the Development Plan will result in IVD Test Kits that are useful or capable of Regulatory Approval despite the use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts. Accordingly, the Parties provide no warranty or assurance regarding the results of any Development Plan and they will not be in breach of this Agreement solely for any failure of the Development Plan to achieve its commercial objectives.

2.03 Company Responsibilities . Company shall timely take Commercially Reasonable Efforts to:

(a) Subject to Illumina’s fulfillment of its responsibilities in Section 2.04 below, conduct the Development Plan;

(b) seek, obtain, and maintain Regulatory Approvals for each IVD Test Kit as set forth in the Development Plan, subject to HTG’s right to discontinue development or commercialization of an IVD Test Kit in its sole discretion;

(c) purchase, at its own expense, as it deems necessary, and when supplied in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the IVD Hardware required to conduct the Development Plan from Illumina, Illumina’s Affiliate, or its authorized distributor; and

(d) purchase, at its own expense, the Components required to conduct the Development Plan from Illumina when supplied in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

6


2.04 Illumina Responsibilities . Illumina shall timely take Commercially Reasonable Efforts to:

(a) Provide the development, software and regulatory support relating to the Components and the IVD Hardware (as they relate to the IVD Test Kit) as specified in the Development Plan, up to a reasonable maximum number of hours specified in the Development Plan starting no later than 90 days after both Parties signing of the Development Plan (unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties);

(b) to the extent not specified in the Development Plan and as is otherwise required by a Regulatory Authority in a country agreed to by the Parties in the Development Plan, provide such additional appropriate and timely support and Documentation for the IVD Hardware and Components for each IVD Test Kit submission to a Regulatory Authority, subject to Section 2.05(a) and the fees set forth in Section 2.06(b);

(c) supply the IVD Hardware to Company when ordered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

(d) supply the Components required to execute the Development Plan and to support Company’s commercialization of IVD Test Kits when ordered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

(e) provide support for the IVD Hardware and imbedded software to Company and its IVD Test Kit customers in accordance with Illumina’s standard terms and conditions for commercial customers.

2.05 Joint Responsibilities . The Parties agree to timely take Commercially Reasonable Efforts to:

(a) Consider any guidance and feedback obtained from Regulatory Authorities, including that obtained during pre-submission meetings (or foreign equivalent) and work together, in good faith, to negotiate a corresponding amendment to the Development Plan ( e.g. , timelines, scope, or limits to support) or other provisions of this Agreement in a mutually acceptable manner, subject to the following and without limiting Section 2.06(b):

(i) if Illumina’s performance under such amended Development Plan exceeds the amount of hours contemplated for Illumina support in the original Development Plan by more than […***…]%, then Illumina shall not be obligated to perform any such excess hours ( e.g. , if the original Development Plan contemplated […***…] hours of Illumina support, then Illumina shall be permitted to cease performance under the Development Plan after it performs an additional […***…] hours of support under the amended Development Plan), and Company shall be permitted, in its discretion and at its expense to perform the remainder of Illumina’s obligations under the Development Plan to the extent feasible; and

 

  7   ***Confidential Treatment Requested


(ii) if Company’s performance of the remainder of Illumina’s obligations described above is not feasible or would not, in Illumina’s discretion, satisfy the Regulatory Authorities, then the Parties shall in good faith coordinate a wind down of the Development Plan (and of the Agreement if no other Development Plans can reasonably be performed in view of guidance and feedback from the Regulatory Authorities).

(b) agree on the final configuration of each IVD Test Kit; provided that, in the event of disagreement, Illumina shall have final decision making authority on the configuration of IVD Hardware and Components, and Company shall have final decision making authority on all other matters of IVD Test Kit configuration.

2.06 Initial Fee; Costs and Expenses During the Development of IVD Test Kits .

(a) Initial Fee . Company shall pay to Illumina a one-time, non-refundable initial fee of $[…***…] within 5 business days of the last date of signature of the first Development Plan (the “ Initial Fee ”).

(b) Development and Regulatory Support Fees . Company shall pay to Illumina an hourly fee at the rate of $[…***…] per hour for each hour of development and regulatory support provided by Illumina under a Development Plan that exceeds […***…] total hours of support, unless HTG is required to submit a PMA application, in which case the hourly fee would only apply to support in excess of […***…] total hours.

2.07 Additional Payments . For IVD Test Kits developed under this Agreement Company shall pay the following non-refundable and non-creditable payments to Illumina:

(a) United States: Upon submission to FDA for each IVD Test Kit:

 

  (i) 510(k) application: $[…***…]

 

  (ii) PMA application: $[…***…]

(b) Upon FDA clearance or approval of each IVD Test Kit: $[…***…]

(c) Upon first regulatory clearance/approval/registration by any Regulatory Authority of each IVD Test Kit, Company shall pay Illumina $[…***…] (note FDA approval, if first, will trigger payments under both (b) and (c)).

Article III.

Commercialization of IVD Test Kit

 

  8   ***Confidential Treatment Requested


3.01 Company. Company (i) may elect, in its sole discretion, to commercialize the IVD Test Kit in all or any part of the Territory; and (ii) shall be responsible to provide all product support, including without limitation, technical support, for the IVD Test Kit; provided that Illumina shall provide product support to Company for purchased Components and IVD Hardware consistent with its standard terms and conditions of sale for such Components and IVD Hardware.

3.02 HTG Decision Not to Commercialize . The Parties acknowledge that HTG retains at all times final decision making authority on whether or where to commercialize any IVD Test Kit developed under a Development Plan and this Agreement.

3.03 Co-Branding . Unless both Parties agree differently in writing, the IVD Test Kit(s) shall not bear Illumina branding or labeling, provided that the Components and IVD Hardware shall retain the Illumina branding and labeling as provided by Illumina. Communications between Company and Illumina pursuant to this Section shall be effective if transmitted electronically ( e.g. , by email) between representatives of the Parties’ Marketing groups.

Article IV.

Purchase of IVD Hardware

4.01 Company Use. During the Term Company shall, in its sole discretion as needed for IVD Test Kit research and development, purchase, for its internal use only (except as provided in Section 4.03), all of its requirements for IVD Hardware from Illumina, an Illumina Affiliate, or an authorized Illumina distributor/reseller.

4.02 Company Customers. During the Term Company shall advise customers of its IVD Test Kit that Illumina, an Illumina Affiliate, or an authorized Illumina distributor/reseller are the only sources for purchase of IVD Hardware that produce the standard output files necessary for the analysis/interpretation software included in or with such IVD Test Kit.

4.03 Reagent Rental Program. If Company wishes to implement a reagent rental program, it shall purchase the IVD Hardware for such program from Illumina and lease such IVD Hardware to its customers; provided, however, it may not resell, loan, or otherwise transfer any of these IVD Hardware. Under a reagent rental arrangement, Company would purchase the IVD Hardware and Illumina would install (or have installed on its behalf) the IVD Hardware at the customer facility, and Company would supply the IVD Test Kit to such customer. Company and Illumina agree to negotiate in good faith regarding a separate written agreement regarding any reagent rental program.

Article V.

Quality

 

9


5.01 Quality Audits. During the Term, Illumina agrees to allow Company to audit Illumina’s operations that pertain to Components or as otherwise required by any Regulatory Authority with jurisdiction over an IVD Test Kit, upon 45 days prior written notice (or such shorter period if required to comply with requested or ordered inspections by a Regulatory Authority), during normal business hours, no more often than one time per calendar year or more often as required of Company by any Regulatory Authority, and at Company’s sole expense, only to the extent necessary to satisfy Company’s obligations under applicable Law. Company will provide a written audit plan or agenda to Illumina at least 20 days prior to audit. Illumina shall reasonably cooperate in the conduct of any audit conducted pursuant to this Section. The locations, times, dates, and scope for such audits will be mutually agreed upon in writing between the Parties prior to conducting the audit. Company shall comply with all of Illumina’s reasonable directions when conducting the audit. If requested by Illumina, Company shall procure that Company and any person conducting the audit sign a confidentiality agreement of a form reasonably acceptable to Illumina prior to conducting such audit. Company will issue to Illumina audit findings within 30 days of concluding the audit. Illumina shall maintain adequate records in accordance with all requirements of Law and good manufacturing practice relating to the manufacture of IVD Hardware, Components, the testing of same, and Illumina’s performance in other respects under this Agreement. Illumina shall keep the records subject to inspection and audit hereunder for no less than […***…] from the end of the calendar quarter in which the Components or IVD Hardware Product to which they pertain were shipped to Company.

5.02 Change Notice. Company acknowledges that Illumina is constantly innovating and developing new products or new versions of products. Accordingly, Illumina makes no guarantee that the specific products described in or referenced in this Agreement including the IVD Hardware and Components will be manufactured or sold in their current forms throughout the Term or for any specific period of time. Without limiting the foregoing, Illumina agrees to provide prior written notice to Company of any material changes to form, fit, or function or discontinuation of IVD Hardware or Components, which notice shall be accompanied by a detailed written description of the material change and any corresponding revisions or updates to any then-existing Documentation occasioned by the material change (collectively, the “ Change Notice ”). The Change Notice for each such material changes will be provided no less than […***…***…] prior to such change for Components or IVD Hardware unless such change must be made sooner due to safety, applicable laws, regulatory requirements, or failure to conform to Specifications. During such time period, subject to Section 11.02, Illumina will discuss the steps necessary to migrate to successor instruments or modified Components and take Commercially Reasonable Efforts to help Company with such transition. Unless expressly stated otherwise in this Agreement Illumina is under no obligation to notify Company of any other changes to existing products or developments of new products.

Article VI.

IVD Hardware and Components Pricing

 

  10   ***Confidential Treatment Requested


6.01 IVD Hardware. All IVD Hardware purchased under this Agreement shall be purchased at Illumina’s then-current list price for such instrument at the time Company places an order for such instrument, unless separately negotiated, and the terms of such purchase shall be governed by Illumina’s standard terms and conditions of sale applicable to such instrument. In the event of any conflict between such standard terms and conditions and this Agreement, this Agreement shall control. In no event may anything in such terms and conditions of sale be construed as preventing Company from using such IVD Hardware as expressly permitted by this Agreement.

6.02 Components. The price for Components, set forth in Exhibit A, shall reflect a […***…] to then-current list price for such Components. Components shall be purchased under this Agreement in accordance with Article VIII (Ordering, Delivery and Payment).

6.03 Revenue Share. As partial consideration for the right to commercialize IVD Test Kits for use with IVD Hardware, Illumina’s development and regulatory support and other activities contemplated by this Agreement, Company shall pay Illumina […***…]% of Revenue (such amount referred to as the “ Revenue Share ”) as set forth in Article VII.

Article VII.

Records and Accounting

7.01 Accounting. During the Term and for 60 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the Term ends, Company shall furnish to Illumina a written report within 45 days after the close of each calendar quarter (March 31, June 30, September 31 and December 31) (each calendar quarter, a “Period” ) showing on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis (i) the kind and number of IVD Test Kits sold, transferred, or otherwise provided, (ii) the gross amount invoiced for sale of IVD Test Kits, (iii) the detailed calculation of Revenue during the Period, including permitted deductions, (iv) withholding taxes, if any, required by Law to be deducted, (v) the official exchange rates used in determining the Revenue Share earned by Illumina, and (vi) the amount of Revenue Share payable to Illumina. The Revenue Share earned during a Period shall accompany such report.

7.02 Payments. All payments required under this Agreement shall be paid in the United States Dollars to the address applicable under Article XIII of this Agreement or to such other place as Illumina may reasonably designate in writing.

7.03 Records. During the Term and for 3 years thereafter, Company agrees to maintain written records with respect to its operations for such period pursuant to this Agreement in sufficient detail to reasonably enable Illumina or its designated accountants to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement and compute the amount of Revenue Share or other payments payable to Illumina. Illumina may audit said records from time to time, on 30 days advance written notice to Company, during normal business hours to the extent necessary to verify the amount of Revenue Share or other

 

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payments due hereunder; provided Illumina shall not be entitled to perform more than one audit in any calendar year. Any auditor shall execute a confidentiality agreement satisfactory to Company. A copy of the auditor’s report shall be provided to both Company and Illumina at the same time. Illumina shall pay the costs of said audit unless a cumulative underpayment of greater than 5% due for the Period(s) being audited is present, in which case Company shall reimburse Illumina for the reasonable expenses of the examination. Illumina shall invoice Company for any amount due resulting from such an audit and Company shall pay such invoice no later than 30 days after its receipt.

Article VIII.

Ordering, Delivery and Payment

8.01 Components. Company shall purchase all Components used in or with the IVD Test Kit exclusively from Illumina, an Illumina Affiliate, or an authorized Illumina distributor/reseller under the terms and conditions specified in this Agreement. As long as Illumina is in compliance with its supply obligations, including timely delivery of Components in compliance with Specifications, Company shall not purchase products or materials from a third party (other than an Illumina Affiliate or authorized Illumina distributor/reseller) that would replace or be a substitute for the Components.

8.02 Development Supply. During the development of an IVD Test Kit, the Parties will mutually agree on the quantities of Components and the delivery dates for such Components.

8.03 Ordering and Forecast.

(a) Ordering; Acceptance; Cancellation . Subject to Section 8.02, Company shall order Components using written purchase orders submitted under and in accordance with this Agreement. Purchase orders shall state, at a minimum, the Illumina part number, the Illumina provided quote number (or other reference provided by Illumina), the quantity ordered, price, requested delivery date, and address for delivery, and shall reference this Agreement. All purchase orders shall be sent to the attention of Illumina Customer Solutions or to any other person or department designated in advance by Illumina in writing. Acceptance of a purchase order occurs when Illumina provides Company a sales purchase order confirmation. Purchase orders submitted in accordance with this Agreement will not be unreasonably rejected by Illumina. All purchase orders accepted by Illumina are non-cancelable by Company and may not be modified without the prior written consent of Illumina, which may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(b) Agreement Controls Purchase Terms . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control the order, supply and purchase of Components under this Agreement and expressly supersede any and all terms and conditions in, referenced by or otherwise associated with a purchase order, sales purchase order confirmation, purchase order acceptance or the like (collectively, “ POTCs ”) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such POTCs.

 

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(c) Component Lead Time; Initial Ship Date. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, if a purchase order for Components is timely submitted by the first business day of the calendar month, the first shipment of Components on the Purchase Order will be no earlier than 90 days from the date the purchase order is accepted by Illumina.

(d) Ship Date Changes . The latest ship date allowed for any Component under a purchase order is the date that is 12 months after the date the purchase order was received by Illumina. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Illumina will use reasonable efforts, but makes no guarantee and does not undertake that it will be able, to accommodate Company requests to bring forward the ship dates for Components on a purchase order.

(e) Forecast . Company shall, no later than the 1 st day of each calendar month, provide a written non-binding forecast detailing the quantity of Components that Company anticipates requiring during the following 12 months.

(f) Ship Schedule . Each Purchase Order for Components must include a ship schedule, to be agreed to between Illumina and Company, that details the quantity of and type of Components that Company requires in each calendar month that is covered by the Purchase Order.

8.04 Shipping; Title, Risk of Loss . Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, all shipments are made EXW (Incoterms 2010) at Illumina’s location of applicable finished goods manufacture and Company is responsible for freight and insurance which will be added to the invoice and paid by Company. In all cases, title and risk of loss transfers to Company when Components are made available at such address.

8.05 Invoice and Payment . All invoices shall be sent to Company’s accounts payable department, or any other address designated by Company in writing.

(a) Shipments . Illumina will invoice Company upon shipment of Components.

(b) Development/Regulatory Support Services . All invoices for development/regulatory support provided in a calendar quarter will be sent to Company for payment after the close of the calendar quarter in which such support occurred.

8.06 Payments . Company agrees to pay for Components supplied, for development and regulatory support provided, earned Revenue Share hereunder, milestone payments, and any amounts payable as a result of an audit, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. All earned Revenue Share payments shall be payable when Revenue is invoiced and due by the date the applicable royalty report is due. All milestone payments (Section 2.07) shall be payable when the milestone is achieved and due within 30 days of achieving such milestone. All payments for Components and development/regulatory support are due within 30 days of the date on

 

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the invoice. Without limiting any remedies available to Illumina, any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will accrue interest at the rate of […***…]% per annum, or the maximum amount allowed by Law, if lower. In the event of nonpayment, Illumina shall have the right, after written notice to Company and a 7 business day cure period, to take any action allowed in Law in addition to any rights or remedies under this Agreement, including without limitation, revoke the rights conferred and/or licenses granted hereunder and suspend performance until all payments are made current. Company shall pay for all costs (including reasonable attorneys’ and other legal fees and fees of collection agencies) incurred by Illumina in connection with the collection of late payments. Each purchase order is a separate, independent transaction under this Agreement, and all amounts due under any other purchase orders or other transactions with Illumina shall be paid by the Company in full without any set-off, counterclaim, deduction or withholding.

8.07 Taxes. All prices and other amounts payable to Illumina pursuant to this Article VIII are exclusive of and are payable without withholding or deduction for taxes, GST, VAT, customs duties, tariffs, charges or otherwise as required by Law from time to time upon the sale of the Components or provision of services, all of which will be added to the purchase price or subsequently invoiced to the Company to recover any payment in respect of which withholding or deduction is required to be made by Illumina.

8.08 Product Warranties and Representations .

(a) Standards and Specifications . Illumina represents and warrants that it shall use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts and resources to manufacture and deliver the Components and IVD Hardware (each, a “ Product ”) in accordance with the applicable Specifications and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Illumina represents and warrants that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, it has, and shall maintain, the manufacturing skills and capacity to meet Company’s requirements for the Products when ordered in compliance with this Agreement.

(b) Product Warranty . Illumina warrants, except as expressly stated otherwise in this Agreement, that Components will conform to their Specifications until the later of (i) 6 months from the date of shipment from Illumina, (ii) any expiration date or the end of the shelf-life provided on or in the labeling of such Component by Illumina, or (iii) as set forth in Illumina’s standard terms and conditions of sale for such Component. Illumina will repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of a Component for which a valid warranty claim is made in its sole discretion. Illumina warrants that repaired or replaced Components will conform to their Specifications for the longer of 90 days after delivery of the repaired or replaced Component or any expiration date or the end of the shelf-life provided on or in the labeling of such Component. With respect to replaced Components, Illumina will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to provide replacement Components in Company’s next scheduled shipment. The foregoing warranty does not apply to the extent such warranty claim is due to Company’s or its end-user customer’s abuse, misuse, neglect, negligence, accident, improper storage, handling

 

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or use contrary to the Specifications. The warranty and any warranty remedies associated with any IVD Hardware will be in accordance with Illumina’s standard terms and conditions of sale in effect when such IVD Hardware is purchased.

(c) Patent Infringement by Components . Illumina represents that, as of the Effective Date, it has no actual knowledge or information indicating that the Components infringe or may infringe upon patents or other proprietary rights owned by a third party in a manner that would prevent or materially inhibit its ability to perform under this Agreement.

(d) Survival of Warranties . The warranties contained in this Section shall survive, in accordance with their terms, any delivery, inspection, acceptance, payment, or termination of this Agreement, and shall run to Company, its customers, successors and assigns.

8.09 Inspections .

(a) Inspection and Acceptance . All Components purchased hereunder will be subject to Company’s right of inspection and rejection. Company shall inspect delivered goods and report claims for defects, damages or shortages in writing within thirty (30) days of Company’s receipt of the Component. If Components are determined to be defective, damaged or short, at Illumina’s option, Illumina shall, at its sole expense, repair or replace the Products to bring them into conformity with the Specifications within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice from Company that the Components have been rejected.

Article IX.

Intellectual Property

9.01 Development Right. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation payment of Revenue Share, Illumina grants to Company a limited, nonexclusive, non-transferable (except as otherwise provided in Section 14.04), non-sublicensable (except to Affiliates, agents or contractors of Company identified in a Development Plan to perform under such Development Plan) license under the Illumina Intellectual Property Rights solely to develop, make and use each of two IVD Test Kits selected as set forth in Section 2.01 solely for use with the IVD Hardware strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Development Plan, provided that the license expressly excludes the Excluded Activities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the license granted in this Section 9.01 includes the right to incorporate and reference the Documentation and any Regulatory Approvals for the IVD Hardware or Components, or any portion thereof in any filing with a Regulatory Authority seeking Regulatory Approval for the IVD Test Kits.

9.02 Commercialization Right . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation payment of Revenue Share, Company’s purchase of Components under this Agreement during the Term confers upon Company

 

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the non-exclusive, non-transferable (except as otherwise provided in Section 14.04), non-sublicenseable (except as otherwise provided in this Section) right under the Illumina Intellectual Property Rights to:

(a) incorporate the Components into IVD Test Kits selected and developed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,

(b) make, have made, market, distribute and have distributed, sell and have sold, offer for sale and have offered for sale, import and have imported the IVD Test Kits described in (a) in the Territory strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation, the requirement that the IVD Test Kits be labeled for use with the IVD Hardware,

(c) sublicense to Company’s customers to whom the IVD Test Kits described in (a) are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed the right to use in compliance with its intended use, labeling, and all other restrictions on use in this Agreement, those IVD Test Kits as an end-user,

(d) reproduce, incorporate, distribute, and supplement the Documentation or any portion thereof to the extent required for Regulatory Approval for the IVD Test Kits in any labeling, packaging or package inserts for IVD Test Kits,

provided that the rights granted in this Section 9.02 expressly exclude any and all rights to (i) manufacture or have manufactured Components, (ii) use, have used, sell, have sold, offer for sale, and/or have offered for sale the Components in any form that is not part of a complete IVD Test Kit described in (a), except to the extent those activities may be done in connection with replacements or repairs of elements of the IVD Test Kit, or (iii) perform any Excluded Activity.

The preceding sentence is designed to and does alter the effect of the exhaustion of patent rights that would otherwise result if the sale of Components was made without restriction.

9.03 Improvements . Except as otherwise set forth in this section, Company hereby grants to Illumina a nonexclusive, irrevocable, non-transferable (except as provided in Section 14.04), sublicensable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty free, fully paid up license in and to any and all Company owned or controlled Intellectual Property Rights that both (a) were created by or on behalf of Company during the performance of a Development Plan and (b) are directed to any improvement, enhancement, alteration, or modification of a Component; such license to develop and commercialize products (including software) and services. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.03, Illumina shall have no license (whether express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise ) or any other right, title or interest in any Intellectual Property Rights owned or controlled by Company that (i) existed or were conceived, in whole or in part, on or before the Effective Date, including, without limitation, any Intellectual Property Rights related in any way to nuclease-protection-based library preparation for targeted nucleic acid sequencing, (ii) is or was conceived or developed outside the scope of a

 

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Development Plan or this Agreement, (iii) is an improvement, enhancement, alteration, or modification of (i), or (iv) is an improvement, enhancement, alteration, or modification of (ii) except to the extent created by or on behalf of Company during the performance of a Development Plan and directed to a Component.

9.04 All Rights Reserved.

(a) The rights conferred upon Company under Illumina Intellectual Property Rights are limited to those rights expressly stated in Section 9.01 and 9.02 or elsewhere in this Agreement; no sublicense or other right or license under any Intellectual Property Rights of Illumina or its Affiliates is or are granted, expressly, by implication, by estoppel or otherwise, under this Agreement. Illumina, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (and their respective successors and assigns), retains all and does not waive the right to enforce their Intellectual Property Rights, including without limitation, the Illumina Intellectual Property Rights, and bring suit or proceedings against any person, including Company (and its Affiliates, and their respective successors, and assigns) that practices within such Intellectual Property Rights without authorization.

(b) The rights conferred upon Illumina under Company’s Intellectual Property Rights are limited to those rights expressly stated in Section 9.01; no other right, title or interest under any Intellectual Property Rights of Company or its Affiliates is or are granted, expressly, by implication, by estoppel or otherwise, under this Agreement. Company, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (and their respective successors and assigns), retains all right, title and interest in and does not waive the right to enforce their Intellectual Property Rights, including without limitation, the Company Intellectual Property Rights, and/or bring suit or proceedings against any person, including Illumina (and its Affiliates, and their respective successors, and assigns) that practices within such Intellectual Property Rights without authorization.

(c) Company understands that, from and after the Effective Date, (i) actual knowledge by Illumina, Illumina’s Affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents that Company is using Components in any manner or for any purpose outside the scope of the Illumina Intellectual Property Rights and Selected Fields in accordance with Section 9.01 and 9.02 or outside of the scope of use permitted under this Agreement, does not (1) waive or otherwise limit any rights that Illumina, Illumina’s Affiliates or their respective successors and assigns, may have as a result of such unauthorized use of the Components, including without limitation, any rights or remedies available under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or available at Law, (2) grant Company a license or other right to any Intellectual Property Rights of Illumina or Illumina’s Affiliates, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise with respect to such unauthorized use of the Components, and (ii) any trade usage, and any course of performance or course of dealing between Illumina and Company, will not be used to interpret the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation, the scope of the rights granted or conferred under this Agreement.

 

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(d) Company agrees that (i) it may require Other IP to develop and commercialize IVD Test Kits without infringing the Intellectual Property Rights of third parties and (ii) Illumina has no obligation to identify any Other IP that Company may require to develop and commercialize IVD Test Kits. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Company assumes all risk associated with not obtaining any required rights to Other IP.

Article X.

Indemnification; Limitation of Liability; Insurance

10.01 Indemnification Obligations.

(a) Illumina shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Company, and its officers, directors, representatives, employees and successors and assigns (each a “ Company Indemnitee ”), against any and all liabilities, damages, fines, penalties, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) and losses of any and every kind (“ Losses ”) to the extent that the Losses relate to or arise out of:

 

  (i) claims, actions, complaints, demands, suits, proceedings, and causes of action of every kind brought by a third party (“ Claims ”) alleging that the Components purchased under this Agreement or uses thereof as set forth in Illumina’s product labeling infringe the Intellectual Property Rights of a third party (“ Illumina Infringement Claim ”);

 

  (ii) any breach of, or inaccuracy in, any representation or warranty made by Illumina in this Agreement, but only to the extent not caused by Illumina’s reasonable reliance on any representation or warranty made by Company;

 

  (iii) the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of Illumina in performing or failing to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

 

  (iv) Illumina’s development of or commercialization of the IVD Hardware or Components;

provided that, Illumina will not defend, indemnify, or hold harmless Company from or against any Claims that relate to or arise out of (A) use of the IVD Hardware or Components in a manner not permitted under this Agreement, (B) combination of the IVD Hardware or Components with other items or materials not supplied by Illumina wherein such Claim would not have been made but for the combination with other items or materials not supplied by Illumina, and (C) physical or chemical modification of the IVD Hardware or Components,

If the Components or any part thereof, becomes, or in Illumina’s counsel’s reasoned legal opinion may become, the subject of an Illumina Infringement Claim, Illumina shall have the right, at its option and expense, to (A) procure for Company the right to continue using the Components, (B) modify or replace the Components with a substantially

 

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equivalent non-infringing substitute that meets the Specifications to Company’s reasonable satisfaction, or (C) require the return of the Components then in Company’s possession and terminate the rights, license, and any other permissions provided to Company with respect the returned Components and refund or repay to Company (1) the price paid by Company for the returned Components at the time of such return, provided that, no refund will be given for used Components or Components that have expired through no delay caused by Illumina, (2) the Initial Fee and (3) any payments made by Company pursuant to Section 2.07 (Additional Payments). This Section states the entire liability of Illumina for any infringement of third party intellectual property rights as well as, unless expressly stated elsewhere, Illumina’s entire obligation under this Agreement to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Company and other Company Indemnitees.

(b) Company Indemnity . Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Illumina, its Affiliates, their collaborators and development partners that contributed to the development of the Components, and their respective officers, directors, representatives, employees, successors and assigns (“ Illumina Indemnitee(s) ”), against any and all Losses to the extent the Losses relate to or arise out of:

 

  (i) personal injury or death proximally caused by the IVD Test Kit, but only to the extent not caused by the Component or IVD Hardware;

 

  (ii) Company’s sale in a jurisdiction of IVD Test Kit(s) without proper Regulatory Approval in such jurisdiction,

 

  (iii) any breach of, or inaccuracy in, any representation or warranty made by Company in this Agreement, but only to the extent not caused by Company’s reasonable reliance on any representation or warranty made by Illumina;

 

  (iv) the gross negligence, or intentional misconduct of Company in performing or failing to perform its obligations under this Agreement,

 

  (v) use, promotion, or commercialization by Company of the Components in a manner not permitted under this Agreement, or

 

  (vi) Claims alleging that Company’s development of or commercialization of the IVD Test Kit (including Company’s provision of the IVD Test Kit within Company or its Affiliates) infringe the Intellectual Property Rights of a third party, except to the extent such Claim is an Illumina Infringement Claim or would not have arisen but for the inclusion of Components in or the use of Components or IVD Hardware for the IVD Test Kit.

 

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Unless expressly stated elsewhere, this Section states Company’s entire obligation under this Agreement to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Illumina and other Illumina Indemnitees.

10.02 Indemnity Procedure . The Parties’ indemnification obligations under this Article X are subject to the Party seeking indemnification (i) notifying the other, indemnifying Party promptly in writing of the claim, (ii) giving indemnifying Party exclusive control and authority over the defense of such claim, (iii) not admitting infringement of any Intellectual Property Right without prior written consent of the indemnifying Party, (iv) not entering into any settlement or compromise of any such action without the indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, and (v) providing all reasonable assistance to the indemnifying Party that the indemnifying Party requests and ensuring that its officers, directors, representatives and employees and other indemnitees likewise provide assistance (provided that indemnifying Party reimburses the indemnified Party(ies) for its/their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing such assistance). An indemnifying Party will not enter into or otherwise consent to an adverse judgment or order, or make any admission as to liability or fault that would adversely affect the indemnified party, or settle a dispute without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, which consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

10.03 Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ILLUMINA MAKES NO (AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL) WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT, OR ARISING FROM COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ILLUMINA MAKES NO CLAIM, REPRESENTATION, OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AS TO THE UTILITY OF THE COMPONENTS FOR COMPANY’S INTENDED USES.

10.04 Company Liability Cap. EXCEPT FOR ITS INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OR ITS WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, WHICH SHALL HAVE NO LIMIT, AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COMPANY’S TOTAL AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO ILLUMINA FOR ANY CLAIM BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, MISREPRESENTATION, BREACH OF STATUTORY DUTY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED ONE MILLION ($1,000,000) DOLLARS LESS ANY AMOUNTS ACTUALLY PAID TO

 

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ILLUMINA PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AS OF THE DATE THE LIABILITY IS SETTLED.

10.05 Illumina Liability Cap. EXCEPT FOR ITS INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OR ITS WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, WHICH SHALL HAVE NO LIMIT, AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ILLUMINA’S TOTAL AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO COMPANY FOR ANY CLAIM BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, MISREPRESENTATION, BREACH OF STATUTORY DUTY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED CUMULATIVE AMOUNTS RECEIVED BY ILLUMINA FROM COMPANY PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AS OF THE DATE THE LIABILITY IS SETTLED.

10.06 Limited Liability. EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF ARTICLE XII, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING, LOST PROFITS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS SECTION 10.06 SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT EITHER PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS.

10.07 Insurance. Each Party shall obtain and maintain insurance coverage as follows: (i) a policy for liability (including professional and errors & omissions) in the amount of no less than US$[…***…] per occurrence, and (ii) separately a policy for commercial general liability and public liability insurance in the amount of no less than US$[…***…], in the case of each of (i) and (ii) to protect the Other Party’s Indemnitees under the indemnification provided hereunder. Upon request, each Party shall provide the other Party appropriate certificates of insurance. Such policies shall provide a waiver of subrogation against Illumina as an additional insured and contain no cross-liability exclusion. For those Losses that a Party has an obligation to defend under Section 10.01 above, that Party’s insurance coverage will be primary over any other potentially applicable insurance. Each Party shall maintain such insurance at all times during the Term and for a period of 3 years thereafter.

Article XI.

Term and Termination

11.01 Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date, and unless this Agreement is earlier terminated as provided under Section 11.04 below, this Agreement will expire upon the earlier of the date 5 years after the Effective Date or the date on which the latest running of the Development Plans is completed and Company’s payment of any amounts due under Sections 2.06 and 2.07 (“Term”). Notwithstanding

 

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the expiration or any earlier termination of this Agreement, with regard to any and all Components and IVD Hardware supplied under this Agreement, the licenses granted to Company pursuant to Section 9.02 shall continue through the date on which the last of the Components purchased by Company hereunder is sold and, with respect to the sublicense granted under Section 9.02(c), until the IVD Test Kit containing such Component is used by the end user in compliance with the IVD Test Kit’s intended use, labeling, and all other restrictions on use in this Agreement.

11.02 Supply Agreement and License . Prior to the expiration of the Term, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith an agreement (the “ Supplemental Agreement ”) whereby Illumina shall continue to supply Components for IVD Test Kits to Company on terms at least as favorable as provided in this Agreement and grant to Company such license(s) solely as are needed to continue to make, have made, use, sell, have sold, import and have imported IVD Test Kits developed under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if Illumina, after the Effective Date and during the Term, discontinues the IVD Hardware or Components currently provided under this Agreement and commercializes new instruments or consumables that are suitable for use with an IVD Test Kit, the Parties will negotiate in good faith regarding whether the applicable IVD Test Kits should be reconfigured to incorporate such newly commercialized instruments and/or consumables and the terms and conditions associated with such potential reconfiguration, including, without limitation, the length of time Illumina will continue to offer the discontinued IVD Hardware and/or Components under this Agreement and the timeline for Company to reconfigure the IVD Test Kit.

11.03 Termination of a Development Plan . Company reserves the right to terminate an individual Development Plan at any time by providing Illumina with thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice to that effect. In such event, during such thirty (30) day period, the Parties will agree upon and conduct an orderly wind down of any ongoing activities being performed under the relevant Development Plan. The termination of an individual Development Plan without concomitant termination of the Agreement shall not affect the Parties’ rights and obligations with respect to any other Development Plan (and corresponding IVD Test Kit) that is then pending or that later may be developed pursuant to Article II and this Agreement will otherwise remain in effect excepting the terminated Development Plan.

11.04 Early Termination. Without limiting any other rights of termination expressly provided in this Agreement or under Law, this Agreement may be terminated early as follows:

(a) Breach of Provision . If a Party materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days after receiving written notice of the breach from the other Party, or if a breach is not curable, then the non-breaching Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement or, as applicable, the Development Plan under which the material breach as occurred, with immediate effect by providing written notice of termination to the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting any

 

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other right or remedy of Illumina, breach by Company of any term in Article IX under this Agreement, including without limitation, Company’s use of Components outside of the rights in Selected Fields expressly granted to Company under this Agreement, gives Illumina the right to seek injunctive relief and/or to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect upon written notice. If this Agreement is terminated for Illumina’s uncured material breach, as upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction (including the exhaustion of all timely appeals), in addition to any other right or remedy available to Company under this Agreement or at Law or equity, Illumina must refund, on or before the date thirty days after the effective date of termination, the Initial Fee and any payments made by Company pursuant to Section 2.07 (Additional Payments).

(b) Bankruptcy and Insolvency. A Party may terminate this Agreement, effective immediately upon written notice, if the other Party becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy, for winding up of that Party, or any proceeding relating to insolvency, receivership, administrative receivership, administration liquidation or company voluntary arrangement or scheme of arrangement with its creditors that is not dismissed or set aside within 60 days. In the event of any insolvency proceeding commenced by or against Company, Illumina shall be entitled to cancel any Purchase Order then outstanding and not accept any further Purchase Order until bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is resolved.

(c) Termination for Change in Control.

(i) Company shall promptly notify Illumina in writing if it undergoes any Change in Control and shall provide Illumina, subject to Article XII, with the name of any parties to the transaction. Illumina shall have 30 days after receipt of notice of the consummation of the Change in Control, to deliver written notice to Company or its successor in interest terminating the Agreement due to the subject Change of Control. Failure of Illumina to timely deliver notice of termination shall be deemed a waiver of Illumina’s right to terminate the Agreement with regard to the subject Change of Control. Illumina agrees that it will not exercise of its right of termination unless (A) the Change of Control adversely affects litigation or enforcement of Illumina Intellectual Property Rights, or (B) the other party to the Change in Control transaction is a competitor of Illumina or its Affiliates in the […***…] market.

(ii) Termination pursuant to this Section 11.04(c) shall become effective on the date that is 30 days after written notice of termination by Illumina.

(iii) “Change in Control” means a change of: (A) more than fifty percent of the outstanding voting securities of Company or of all the equity holders of Company that, alone or with other equity holders, owns, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent of the equity interest of that equity holder; (B) the power or right to designate a majority of the directors of Company or of the equity holders of

 

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Company that, alone or with other equity holders, have the power to designate, directly or indirectly, a majority of the directors of Company; (C) the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of Company or of any entity that, alone or with others, has the power directly or indirectly, to direct or to cause the direction of the management or policies of Company, or (D) any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries in any single transaction or a series of related transactions. For purposes of applying the preceding sentence, the change will be measured from the Effective Date.

(d) Termination for Convenience . Company may terminate this Agreement for its convenience with 90 days prior written notice to Illumina.

11.05 Right to Cease Delivery. In addition to any other remedies available to Illumina under this Agreement or at Law, Illumina reserves the right to cease shipping Components to Company immediately if (1) Company uses the Components outside the scope of license granted in Section 9.01 and 9.02 or as otherwise conferred to Company in accordance with this Agreement, (2) materially breaches any Company representation, warranty, covenant, or payment obligation made hereunder and fails to timely cure that material breach under Section 11.04(a), or (3) any Regulatory Authority prevents Illumina from manufacturing or supplying the Components; or prevents the sale of IVD Test Kits.

11.06 Survival of Provisions. All purchase commitments under open Purchase Orders under Section 8.03, all payment obligations, Articles I, VII (for the periods specified therein), X, XII, XIII and XIV, Sections , 5.01 (last sentence only), 6.03 (to the extent amounts are due for prior sales and to the extent that any IVD Test Kits are sold after termination or expiration), 8.07, 8.08, 9.02 (only to the extent set forth in Section 11.01), 9.03, and 9.04 and any other provisions that by their nature should survive expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement shall so survive. Termination or expiration of this Agreement shall not relieve the Parties of any liability or obligation which accrued hereunder prior to the effective date of such termination or expiration nor preclude either Party from pursuing all rights and remedies it may have hereunder or at Law or in equity with respect to any breach of this Agreement, nor prejudice either Party’s right to obtain performance of any obligation.

Article XII.

Protection of Confidential Information

12.01 Confidentiality. The Parties acknowledge that a Party (the “Recipient Party” ) may have access to Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party” ) in connection with this Agreement. In order to be protected as Confidential Information, information must be disclosed with a confidential or other similar proprietary legend and in the case of orally or visually disclosed information, the Disclosing Party shall notify the Recipient Party of its confidential nature at the time of

 

24


disclosure and provide a written summary that is marked with a confidential or other similar proprietary legend to the Recipient Party within 30 days (email acceptable). During the Term and for a period of 5 years after the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, (i) the Recipient Party shall hold the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information in confidence using at least the degree of care that is used by the Recipient Party with respect to its own Confidential Information, but no less than reasonable care; provided that, the Recipient Party may disclose the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party in furtherance of or in exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement to its employees, contractors, officers, directors, representatives, and those of its Affiliates, under written confidentiality and restricted use terms or undertakings consistent with this Agreement; and (ii) the Recipient Party shall not use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement. The Confidential Information shall at all times remain the property of the Disclosing Party. The Recipient Party shall, upon written request of the Disclosing Party, return to the Disclosing Party or destroy the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Recipient Party may maintain one copy of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to be retained by the Recipient Party’s Legal Department for archival purposes only.

12.02 Exceptions. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, neither Party shall be required to maintain in confidence or be restricted in its use of any of the following: (a) information that, at the time of disclosure to the Recipient Party, is in the public domain through no breach of this Agreement or breach of another obligation of confidentiality owed to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates by the Receiving Party; (b) information that, after disclosure hereunder, becomes part of the public domain by publication or otherwise, except by breach of this Agreement or breach of another obligation of confidentiality owed to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliate by the Receiving Party; (c) information that was in the Recipient Party’s or its Affiliate’s possession at the time of disclosure hereunder by the Disclosing Party unless subject to an obligation of confidentiality or restricted use owed to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliate; (d) information that is independently developed by or for the Recipient Party or its Affiliates without use of or reliance on Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) information that the Recipient Party receives from a third party where such third party was under no obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliate with respect to such information. The occurrence of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above shall not be deemed to grant to either Party any license or other right, express or implied, to any portion of the information or other proprietary rights of the other Party relating thereto. Notwithstanding the exceptions of this Section 12.02, any compilation of otherwise public information in a form not publicly known shall be considered Confidential Information.

12.03 Disclosures Required by Law. The Recipient Party may disclose Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party as required by court order, operation of law, or government regulation, including in connection with submissions to regulatory

 

25


authorities with respect to the Components, IVD Hardware or the IVD Test Kits; provided that, the Recipient Party promptly notifies the Disclosing Party of the specifics of such requirement prior to the actual disclosure, or promptly thereafter if prior disclosure is impractical under the circumstances, uses diligent and reasonable efforts to limit the scope of such disclosure or obtain confidential treatment of the Confidential Information if available, and allows the Disclosing Party to participate in the process undertaken to protect the confidentiality of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information including, without limitation, cooperating with the Disclosing Party in its efforts to permit the Receiving Party to comply with the requirements of such order, law, or regulation in a manner that discloses the least amount necessary, if any, of the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party.

12.04 Injunctive Relief. Each Party acknowledges that any use or disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information other than in accordance with this Agreement may cause irreparable damage to the other Party. Therefore, in the event of any such use or disclosure or threatened use or threatened disclosure of the Confidential Information of either Party hereto, the non-breaching Party shall be entitled, in addition to all other rights and remedies available at Law, to seek injunctive relief against the breach or threatened breach of any obligations under this Article XII.

12.05 Disclosure of Agreement. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, neither Party may disclose this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including any financial terms thereof, and the subject matter of this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Company acknowledges and agrees that Illumina and its Affiliates, as healthcare companies, may, if required by applicable Law, disclose this Agreement, its terms, its subject matter, including financial terms (including without limitation, Illumina’s compliance with Sunshine Act).

Article XIII.

Notices

13.01 Notices. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing, in English, and shall be deemed received only when (a) delivered personally; (b) 5 business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (or 10 business days for international mail); or (c) 1 business day after deposit with a commercial express courier specifying next day delivery or, for international courier packages, 2 business days after deposit with a commercial express courier specifying 2-day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All notices shall be sent to the following or any other address designated by a Party using the procedures set forth in Section 13.02:

 

If to Illumina:   If to Company:
Illumina, Inc.   Company Molecular, Inc.

 

26


5200 Illumina Way

San Diego, CA 92122 Attn: Senior Vice President,

Corporate and Venture Development

 

3430 E Global Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

With a copy to:

 

Illumina, Inc.

5200 Illumina Way

San Diego, CA 92122

Attn: General Counsel

 

13.02 Either Party may give written notice of a change of address and, after notice of such change has been received, any notice or request shall thereafter be given to such Party at such changed address.

Article XIV.

Miscellaneous

14.01 Mutual Representation and Warranties. Each Party represents, warrants, and covenants that (a) it has the right and authority to enter into this Agreement without violating the terms of any other agreement; and (b) the person(s) signing this Agreement on its behalf has the right and authority to bind Company to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its employees involved in its performance under this Agreement has ever been debarred by a Regulatory Authority, including the FDA pursuant to Section 21 USC 335a. Each Party covenants that if, during the Term, it or any of its employees becomes so debarred or subject to a proceeding that could subject that Party or that employee to such debarment, that Party will promptly notify the other Party in writing thereof.

14.02 Publicity; Use of Names or Trademarks . Each Party shall obtain the prior written consent of the other Party on all press releases or other public announcements relating to this Agreement, including its existence or its terms, provided that a Party is not required to obtain prior written consent of the other Party for press releases or public disclosures that repeat information that has been previously publicly disclosed. Company and Illumina intend to announce their supply relationship in a press release and each agrees it will undertake good faith efforts to reach mutual agreement on the text for release within 30 days after the Effective Date. Neither Party shall use the name or trademarks of the other Party without the express prior written consent of the other Party.

14.03 Non-Exclusive Relationship. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that during the Term or thereafter nothing in this Agreement (except the obligation of Company to exclusively purchase Components and IVD Hardware from Illumina or its authorized distributors or resellers as set forth in Article VI) shall create any form of exclusive relationship between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this

 

27


Agreement, or prevent either Party from: (i) entering into competing business relationships with one or more third parties for the research, development and/or commercialization of any other product or service that might compete with any IVD Test Kit in any respect and/or (ii) conducting research, development and/or commercialization with respect to any product in any manner whatsoever outside the scope of this Agreement, including product that might compete with any IVD Test Kit, but in either case neither Party shall have the right to use the other Party’s Confidential Information and/or Intellectual Property in such activities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Company is free to independently develop, use, or commercialize nucleic acid detection assays (including nuclease-protection-based, nucleic acid sequencing assays) involving any or all of the targets in an IVD Test Kit and/or in a Selected Field or otherwise for any purpose (whether alone or in combination with any other product or service) and in collaboration with any third party (“Independent Development”); provided that, such Independent Development is expressly excluded from all rights and/or licenses granted to Company by this Agreement and all obligations of Illumina under this Agreement.

14.04 Assignment. Neither Party shall assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations under this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the non-assigning Party; provided that, subject to Illumina’s right to terminate the Agreement set forth in Section 11.04(c), Company may assign or transfer this Agreement in connection with a Change of Control without Illumina’s consent, and Illumina may assign or transfer this Agreement without Company’s consent pursuant to a transfer of all or substantially all of its business or assets, whether by merger, sale of assets, sale of stock or share capital, or otherwise. Any assignment or transfer of this Agreement made in contravention of the terms hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties’ respective successors and permitted assigns.

14.05 Legal Compliance. Nothing in this Agreement is intended, or should be interpreted, to prevent either Party from complying with, or to require a Party to violate, any and all applicable Laws. Should competent legal counsel advising either Party reasonably conclude that any portion of this Agreement is or may be in violation of a change in a Law made after the Effective Date, or if any such change or proposed change would materially alter the amount or method of compensating Illumina for Components purchased by, or services performed for, Company, or would materially increase the cost of either Party’s performance hereunder, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith written modifications to this Agreement as may be necessary to establish compliance with such changes and/or to reflect applicable changes in compensation necessitated by such legal changes, with any mutually agreed upon modifications added to this Agreement by written amendment in accordance with Section 14.10 of this Agreement.

14.06 Independent Parties. Each Party hereby acknowledges that the Parties shall be independent contractors. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to constitute Company or Illumina as a partner, joint venturer, agent or other representative

 

28


of the other. Each is an independent entity retaining complete control over and complete responsibility for its own operations and employees. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to grant either Party any right or authority to assume or create any obligation on behalf of or in the name of the other; or to accept summons or legal process for the other; or to bind the other in any manner whatsoever.

14.07 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., without regard to provisions on the conflicts of laws. The Parties agree that the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of goods shall not apply to this Agreement, including any terms in Documentation.

14.08 Severability. The terms and conditions stated herein are declared to be severable. If any paragraph, provision, or clause in this Agreement shall be found or be held to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction in which this Agreement is being performed, the remainder of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable and the Parties shall use good faith to negotiate a substitute, valid and enforceable provision which most nearly effects the Parties’ intent in entering into this Agreement.

14.09 No Waiver; Rights and Remedies. The failure or delay of either Party to exercise any right or remedy provided herein or to require any performance of any term of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided herein, or the waiver by either Party of any breach of this Agreement shall not prevent a subsequent exercise or enforcement of, or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of, the same or any other term of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and remedies of each Party under this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.

14.10 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement, together with its Exhibits and Development Plans, represents the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions, communications, agreements, and understandings of any kind and nature between the Parties. The Parties acknowledge and agree that by entering into this Agreement, they do not rely on any statement, representation, assurance or warranty of any person or entity other than as expressly set out in the Agreement. Each Party agrees that it shall have no right or remedy (other than for breach of contract) in respect of any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether made negligently or innocently) other than as expressly set out in this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 14.10 shall exclude or limit liability for fraud. No amendment to this Agreement (including its Exhibits and Development Plan(s)) will be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties. No waiver of any right, condition, or breach of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and signed by the Party who has the right to waive the right, condition or breach and delivered to the other Party.

 

29


14.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when duly executed by each Party hereto. Electronically transmitted signatures shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Agreement.

14.12 Illumina Affiliates; Third Party Beneficiaries. Company agrees that Illumina may delegate or subcontract any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more of its Affiliates; provided that Illumina shall be solely responsible to Company for the performance and actions of its delegates or subcontracors. Illumina invoices and other documentation may come from an Illumina Affiliate and Company shall honor those just as if they came directly from Illumina. There are no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement.

14.13 Cooperation. Illumina and Company agree to execute any instruments reasonably believed by the other Party to be necessary to implement the provisions of this Agreement.

14.14 Costs. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

14.15 Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be in breach of this Agreement nor liable for any failure or omission to perform or delay in the performance of this Agreement if: (a) the failure or omission arises from any cause beyond the control of the party in question; and (b) steps that could be taken to mitigate or eliminate the cause of the failure or omission were not reasonably foreseeable or were not reasonably available or commercially practicable, and the failure or omission is not caused or exacerbated by the negligence of the non-performing Party. Causes falling within clause (a) above include acts of God, fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, hurricane, lightning, any action taken by government or a regulatory authority, actual or threatened acts of war, terrorism, civil disturbance or insurrection, sabotage, labor disputes, or supply shortages (each an event of “Force Majeure” ). In the event of any such delay the delivery date for performance shall be deferred for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay.

14.16 Headings and Certain Rules of Construction. Sections, titles and headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not intended to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof. This Agreement has been negotiated in the English language and only the English language version shall control. Any translation of this Agreement into a non-English language is for convenience only. Whenever required by the context, the singular term shall include the plural, the plural term shall include the singular, and the gender of any pronoun shall include all genders. As used in this Agreement except as the context may otherwise require, the words “include”, “includes”, “including”, and “such as” are deemed to be followed by “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import, and “will” and “shall” are used synonymously. The terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” and derivative

 

30


or similar to refer to this entire Agreement. Except as expressly stated, any reference to “days” shall be to calendar days, and “business day” shall mean all days other than Saturdays, Sundays or a national or local holiday recognized in the United States, and any reference to “calendar month” shall be to the month and not a 30 day period, and any reference to “calendar quarter” shall mean the first 3 calendar months of the year, the 4-6th calendar months of the year, the 7-9th calendar months of the year, and the last 3 calendar months of the year. Whenever the last day for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge of any duty hereunder shall fall on, or any notice is deemed to be given on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, the Party having such privilege or duty shall have until 5:00 pm PST on the next succeeding business day to exercise such privilege or to discharge such duty or the Party giving notice shall be deemed to have given notice on the next succeeding business day. It is further agreed that no usage of trade or other regular practice between the Parties hereto shall be used to alter the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Ambiguities, if any, in this Agreement shall not be construed against any particular Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have authored the ambiguous provision.

14.17 Export. Company agrees that the Components, or any related technology provided under this Agreement, may be subject to restrictions and controls imposed by the United States Export Administration Act and the regulations thereunder (or the regulations and laws of another country). Company agrees not to export or re-export the Components, or any related technology into any country in violation of such controls or any other laws, rules or regulations of any country, state or jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, effective as of the Effective Date, each of the Parties have executed this Agreement in duplicate originals by their duly authorized officers or representatives.

 

I LLUMINA , I NC .     HTG M OLECULAR D IAGNOSTICS , I NC .
By:   /s/ Nicholas Naclerio     By:   /s/ Timothy B. Johnson
Name:   Nicholas Naclerio     Name:   Timothy B. Johnson
Title:  

SVP, Corporate Development and

GM of Enterprise Informatics

    Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Date:  

10/14/2014

    Date:  

10/15/2014

 

31


Exhibit A

COMPONENTS AND PRICING

Not for resale with IVD Test Kit that has received Regulatory Approval:

 

  1. Current Illumina Advantage (TG) reagent kits (prices below reflect a […***…]% discount off current Illumina list prices)
  a. TG MiSeq ® Reagent Kit v3 (150 cycle): $[…***…] each; or
  b. TG MiSeq ® Reagent Kit v3 (600 cycle): $[…***…] each
  2. Candidate […***…] reagent kit (proposed technically identical to kits listed above) as they become available during development ([…***…]% off Illumina’s then-current list price)

For resale with IVD Test Kit that has received Regulatory Approval:

 

  1. IVD-cleared MiSeqDx reagent kit (as used during development): […***…]% discount off Illumina’s then-current list price.

 

  32   ***Confidential Treatment Requested


EXHIBIT B

IVD HARDWARE AND PRICING

 

Catalog #

 

  

Description

 

  

Base Price

 

    
     

SY-410-1003

 

  

MiSeq

 

  

$99,000

 

  
     

DX-410-100x

 

  

MiSeqDx

 

  

$125,000

 

  
        
     

SV-420-1002

 

  

Service Contract MiSeq Basic

 

  

$13,400

 

  
     

SV-420-1003

 

  

Service Contract MiSeq Comprehensive

 

  

$15,500

 

  
     

SV-420-1007

 

  

Service Contract MiSeq Advantage

 

  

$25,300

 

  
     

SV-421-1001

 

  

Service Contract MiSeqDx

 

  

$23,700

 

  

Service contracts are per year (first year of Basic service is included in instrument sale)

 

         

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  
         

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  
         

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  
         

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

[...***...]

 

  

 

  33   ***Confidential Treatment Requested

Exhibit 16.1

December 30, 2014

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read the section under the heading “Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure” on pages 71-72 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated December 30, 2014, of HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. and are in agreement with the statements contained in the first, third and fourth paragraphs therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.

Tucson, Arizona

We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated September 23, 2014, relating to the financial statements of HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., which is contained in that Prospectus.

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

December 30, 2014