UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 4, 2017

 

 

MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36030   20-5137161

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1540 Drew Avenue, Davis, CA   95618
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (530) 750-2800

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


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

On August 4, 2017, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (the “Company”) amended and restated the Company’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”), effective as of the same date. The amendment and restatement modified Section 3.1 of the Bylaws to provide that three-quarters ( 3 / 4 ) of the Board shall at all times consist of “independent directors,” as such term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) (or any successor rule thereof). The amendment and restatement also modified Section 3.1 to reflect that the current number of authorized directors is seven (7), as had previously been fixed by the Board and disclosed in connection with the Company’s 2016 annual meeting of stockholders.

The foregoing description of the amendment and restatement of the Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, attached as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics

On August 4, 2017, the Board also adopted amendments to the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics was updated to: (i) clarify that no Company personnel has any authority to engage in conduct inconsistent with or in violation of applicable U.S. laws and regulations, or to authorize, direct or condone such conduct by any other person; (ii) clarify that all company personnel are required to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (iii) clarify that if any company personnel is asked to improperly report revenue or falsify any other records related to compliance with the SEC’s rules, regulations or guidance, or if any Company personnel is aware of such unlawful conduct by any other person, such personnel must immediately report the event to the Company’s general counsel, corporate compliance officer or other relevant authority; and (iv) make additional technical, administrative and other non-substantive revisions. The updated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be made available on the Company’s website at www.marronebioinnovations.com on the “Corporate Governance” page in the “Investors” section as soon as practicable.

The foregoing description of the amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company, attached as Exhibit 14.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
14.1    Revised Code of Business Conduct and Ethics


SIGNATURES

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

 

    MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS, INC.
Dated: August 8, 2017     By:  

/s/ Linda V. Moore

      Linda V. Moore
      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit 3.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS, INC.,

a Delaware Corporation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1              OFFICES

     1  

Section 1.1

  Registered Office      1  

Section 1.2

  Other Offices      1  

ARTICLE 2              STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     1  

Section 2.1

  Place of Meetings      1  

Section 2.2

  Annual Meetings      1  

Section 2.3

  Special Meetings      1  

Section 2.4

  Notice of Meetings      2  

Section 2.5

  Quorum and Voting      3  

Section 2.6

  Voting Rights      3  

Section 2.7

  Voting Procedures and Inspectors of Elections      4  

Section 2.8

  List of Stockholders      5  

Section 2.9

  Stockholder Proposals at Annual Meetings      6  

Section 2.10

  Nominations of Persons for Election to the Board      8  

Section 2.11

  Action Without Meeting      9  

ARTICLE 3              DIRECTORS

     10  

Section 3.1

  Number and Term of Office      10  

Section 3.2

  Powers      11  

Section 3.3

  Vacancies      11  

Section 3.4

  Resignations and Removals      11  

Section 3.5

  Meetings      12  

Section 3.6

  Quorum and Voting      12  

Section 3.7

  Action Without Meeting      13  

Section 3.8

  Fees and Compensation      13  

Section 3.9

  Committees      13  

ARTICLE 4              OFFICERS

     14  

Section 4.1

  Officers Designated      14  

Section 4.2

  Tenure and Duties of Officers      14  

ARTICLE 5              EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS, AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE   CORPORATION

     16  

Section 5.1

  Execution of Corporate Instruments      16  

Section 5.2

  Voting of Securities Owned by Corporation      16  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE 6              SHARES OF STOCK

     16  

Section 6.1

   Form and Execution of Certificates      16  

Section 6.2

   Lost Certificates      17  

Section 6.3

   Transfers      17  

Section 6.4

   Fixing Record Dates      18  

Section 6.5

   Registered Stockholders      19  

ARTICLE 7              OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

     19  

ARTICLE 8              INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS

     19  

Section 8.1

   Right to Indemnification      19  

Section 8.2

   Authority to Advance Expenses      20  

Section 8.3

   Right of Claimant to Bring Suit      20  

Section 8.4

   Provisions Nonexclusive      21  

Section 8.5

   Authority to Insure      21  

Section 8.6

   Enforcement of Rights      21  

Section 8.7

   Survival of Rights      21  

Section 8.8

   Settlement of Claims      21  

Section 8.9

   Effect of Amendment      22  

Section 8.10

   Primacy of Indemnification      22  

Section 8.11

   Subrogation      22  

Section 8.12

   No Duplication of Payments      22  

Section 8.13

   Saving Clause      22  

ARTICLE 9              NOTICES

     23  

ARTICLE 10            AMENDMENTS

     24  

ARTICLE 11            FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS

     24  

 

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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

(the “Bylaws”)

OF

MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES

Section 1.1    Registered Office.

The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

Section 1.2    Other Offices.

The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, either within or 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 2

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 2.1    Place of Meetings.

Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in these Bylaws, or, if not so designated, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.2    Annual Meetings.

The annual meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully 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.

Section 2.3    Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Board of Directors at any time. Only such business shall be brought before a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been specified in the notice of such meeting.

 

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Section 2.4    Notice of Meetings.

(a)    Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, specifying the place, if any, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, directed to his address as it appears upon the books of the Corporation; except that where the matter to be acted on is a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to such meeting. If the Board of Directors fixes a date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of a meeting of stockholders, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.

(b)    If at any meeting action is proposed to be taken which, if taken, would entitle stockholders fulfilling the requirements of Section 262(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law to an appraisal of the fair value of their shares, the notice of such meeting shall contain a statement to that effect and shall be accompanied by a copy of that statutory section.

(c)    When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which event a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.

(d)    Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, either before or after such meeting, and, to the extent permitted by law, will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat, in person or by proxy.

(e)    Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent, and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an

 

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Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. Notice given pursuant to this subparagraph (e) shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of these Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Section 2.5    Quorum and Voting.

(a)    At all meetings of stockholders except where otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence, in person 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. Shares, the voting of which at said meeting have been enjoined, or which for any reason cannot be lawfully voted at such meeting, shall not be counted to determine a quorum at said meeting. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original 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.

(b)    Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, and except as otherwise required by the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, all action taken by the holders of a majority of the votes cast on a matter affirmatively or negatively shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation. For purposes of these Bylaws, a share present at a meeting, but for which there is an abstention or as to which a stockholder gives no authority or direction as to a particular proposal or director nominee, shall be counted as present for the purpose of establishing a quorum but shall not be counted as a vote cast.

Section 2.6    Voting Rights.

(a)    Except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares entitled to vote stand on the stock records of the Corporation on the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting shall be entitled to vote at such meeting. Shares

 

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standing in the names of two or more persons shall be voted or represented in accordance with the determination of the majority of such persons, or, if only one of such persons is present in person or represented by proxy, such person shall have the right to vote such shares and such shares shall be deemed to be represented for the purpose of determining a quorum.

(b)    Every person entitled to vote or to execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by a written proxy executed by such person or his duly authorized agent, which proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation at or before the meeting at which it is to be used. Said proxy so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted on after three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Unless and until voted, every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the person who executed it or of his legal representatives or assigns, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy permitted by statute has been given.

(c)    Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority:

(1)    A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or his authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

(2)    A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Such authorization can be established by the signature of the stockholder on the proxy, either in writing or by a signature stamp or facsimile signature, or by a number or symbol from which the identity of the stockholder can be determined, or by any other procedure deemed appropriate by the inspectors or other persons making the determination as to due authorization.

(d)    Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

Section 2.7    Voting Procedures and Inspectors of Elections.

(a)    The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If

 

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no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.

(b)    The inspectors shall (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (ii) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors.

(c)    The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations thereof or changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery shall determine otherwise upon application by a stockholder.

(d)    In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, any information provided in accordance with Sections 211(e) or 212(c)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or any information provided pursuant to Section 211(a)(2)(B)(i) or (iii) thereof, ballots and the regular books and records of the Corporation, except that the inspectors may consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspectors consider other reliable information for the limited purpose permitted herein, the inspectors at the time they make their certification pursuant to subsection (b)(v) of this section shall specify the precise information considered by them including the person or persons from whom they obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors’ belief that such information is accurate and reliable.

Section 2.8    List of Stockholders.

The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, (or, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote on the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation need not include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) 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 (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the

 

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Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.9    Stockholder Proposals at Annual Meetings.

At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business (other than business included in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) at an annual meeting of stockholders.

In addition to any other applicable requirements for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, whether or not the stockholder is seeking to have a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, in the case of a stockholder seeking to have a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not less than 45 days or more than 75 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials (or, in the absence of proxy materials, its notice of meeting) for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. However, if the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting the previous year, or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 45 th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10 th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. If the stockholder is not seeking inclusion of the proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement, timely notice consists of a stockholder’s notice delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 45 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Other than with respect to stockholder proposals relating to director nomination(s), which requirements are set forth in Section 2.10 below, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought

 

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before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business, (v) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any member of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household, whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, but not limited to, any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss or increase profit to or manage the risk or benefit of stock price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such Stockholder Associated Person or family member with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation (each, a “Relevant Hedge Transaction”), and (vi) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person or any member of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household, to the extent not set forth pursuant to the immediately preceding clause, (a) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or family member has direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (a “Derivative Instrument”), (b) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or family member that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (c) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or family member is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (d) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or family member is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice (which information shall be supplemented by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date).

For purposes of this Section 2.9 and Section 2.10, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling or controlled by, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Stockholder Associated Person.

Notwithstanding anything in the Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.9, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 2.9 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with said procedure.

 

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The chairman of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.9, and if he should so determine he shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

Nothing in this Section 2.9 shall affect the right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

Section 2.10    Nominations of Persons for Election to the Board of Directors.

In addition to any other applicable requirements, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or by any nominating committee or person appointed by the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10. The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations at a meeting of stockholders, whether or not the stockholder is seeking to have a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement under an applicable rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). A stockholder who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 is permitted to present the nomination at the meeting of stockholders but is not entitled to have a nominee included in the Corporation’s proxy statement in the absence of an applicable rule of the SEC requiring the Corporation to include a director nomination made by a stockholder in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement.

Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, in the case of a stockholder seeking to have a nomination included in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not less than 45 days or more than 75 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials (or, in the absence of proxy materials, its notice of meeting) for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. However, if the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting the previous year, or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 45 th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10 th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. If the stockholder is not seeking inclusion of the nomination in the Corporation’s proxy statement or information statement, timely notice consists of a stockholder’s notice delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 45 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as

 

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described above. The stockholder’s notice relating to director nomination(s) shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person, (iv) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice, (i) the name and record address of the stockholder, and (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined in Section 2.9), to the extent not set forth pursuant to the immediately preceding clause, whether and the extent to which any Relevant Hedge Transaction (as defined in Section 2.9) has been entered into, and (d) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person, (1) whether and the extent to which any Derivative Instrument (as defined in Section 2.9) is directly or indirectly beneficially owned, (2) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (3) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (4) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. The stockholder giving such notice shall indemnify the Corporation in respect of any loss arising as a result of any false or misleading information or statement submitted by the nominating stockholder in connection with the nomination, as provided by Section 112(5) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. These provisions shall not apply to nomination of any persons entitled to be separately elected by holders of preferred stock.

The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 2.11    Action Without Meeting.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders of the Corporation may not act by written consent.

 

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ARTICLE 3

DIRECTORS

Section  3.1     Number and Term of Office.

(a)    The number of directors of the Corporation shall not be less than two (2) nor more than eleven (11) until changed by amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation or by a Bylaw amending this Section 3.1 duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares or by the Board of Directors. The exact number of directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits specified in the Certificate of Incorporation or in this Section 3.1, by a bylaw, an amendment thereof or a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors. Subject to the foregoing provisions for changing the number of directors, the number of directors of the Corporation has been fixed at seven (7). Elected directors shall hold office until the next annual meeting for the year in which their terms expire and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders. If, for any cause, the Board of Directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws. In no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(b)     The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II, and Class III, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors permits. Upon the effectiveness of these bylaws, the initial Class I directors shall serve until the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders after the effectiveness of these bylaws, the initial Class II directors shall serve until the second regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders after the effectiveness of these bylaws and the initial Class III directors shall serve until the third regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders after the effectiveness of these bylaws. At each annual meeting of stockholders commencing with the first regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of these bylaws, each of the successors elected to replace the directors of a Class whose term shall have expired at such annual meeting shall be elected for three-year terms. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional directors of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the applicable terms of these Bylaws and any certificate of designation creating such class or series of Preferred Stock, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Section 3.1 unless expressly provided by such terms.

Any amendment, change or repeal of this Section 3.1(b), or any other amendment to these Bylaws that will have the effect of permitting circumvention of or modifying this Section 3.1(b), shall require the affirmative vote, at a stockholders’ meeting, of the holders of at least 80% of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote.

 

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(c)    Three-quarters ( 3 / 4 ) of the Board shall at all times consist of Independent Directors, as such term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) (or any successor rule thereof).

(d)    Except as provided in Section 3.3 of this Article 3, the directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the votes cast and entitled to vote on the election of directors at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present.

Section 3.2    Powers.

The powers of the Corporation shall be exercised, its business conducted and its property controlled by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.3    Vacancies.

Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacant and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this section in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director, or if the stockholders fail at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (including any meeting referred to in Section 3.4 below) to elect the number of directors then constituting the whole Board of Directors.

Section 3.4    Resignations and Removals.

(a)    Any director may resign at any time by delivering his resignation to the Secretary in writing or by electronic transmission, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

(b)    At a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose in the manner hereinabove provided, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office, for cause by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66  2 3 %) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in election of the directors, and a new director or directors may be elected by a vote of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in election of the directors.

 

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Section 3.5    Meetings.

(a)    The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after the annual stockholders’ meeting and at the place where such meeting is held or at the place announced by the chairman at such meeting. No notice of an annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary, and such meeting shall be held for the purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully come before it.

(b)    Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may also be held at any place, within or without the State of Delaware, which has been designated by resolutions of the Board of Directors or the written consent of all directors.

(c)    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 (i) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors; (ii) the Chairman of the Board; or (iii) the President of the Corporation.

(d)    Written notice of the time and place of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally to each director or sent by any form of electronic transmission at least 48 hours before the start of the meeting, or sent by first class mail at least 120 hours before the start of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat.

Section 3.6    Quorum and Voting.

(a)    A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time in accordance with Section 3.1 of Article 3 of these Bylaws, but not less than one; 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 a vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.

(c)    Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communication 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)    The transactions of any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had 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 shall sign a written waiver of notice, or a consent to holding such meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

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Section 3.7    Action Without Meeting.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 3.8    Fees and Compensation.

Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and such reimbursement for expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.9    Committees.

(a)     Executive Committee: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, appoint an Executive Committee of not less than one member, each of whom shall be a director. To the extent permitted by law, the Executive Committee shall have and may exercise when the Board of Directors is not in session all powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except such committee shall not have the power or authority to amend these Bylaws or to approve or recommend to the stockholders any action which must be submitted to stockholders for approval under the General Corporation Law.

(b)     Other Committees: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, from time to time appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committee, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.

(c)     Term: The terms of members of all committees of the Board of Directors shall expire on the date of the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors following their appointment; provided that they shall continue in office until their successors are appointed. Subject to the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 3.9, the Board of Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee; provided that no committee shall consist of less than one member. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation, but 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

 

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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 3.9 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 the principal executive office of the Corporation or at any place which has been designated from time to time by resolution of such committee or by written consent of all members thereof, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee upon written 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 written 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 at any time after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat. 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.

ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

Section 4.1    Officers Designated.

The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may (and as expressly authorized by the Board of Directors, the President may) also appoint a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice-Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it or he shall deem necessary. The order of the seniority of the Vice- Presidents shall be in the order of their nomination unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as they 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 4.2    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. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed as creating any kind of contractual right to employment with the Corporation.

 

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(b)     Duties of the Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Chairman of the Board of Directors (if there be such an officer appointed) when present shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall 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 be the chief executive officer of the Corporation unless otherwise determine by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, and 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 has been appointed and is present. The President shall 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, in the order of their seniority, may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of the President is vacant. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or 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 any committee thereof, and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the Corporation, which may be maintained in either paper or electronic form. The Secretary shall give notice, in conformity with these Bylaws, of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any Committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform 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 to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall 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 Treasurer: The Treasurer 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 Treasurer, 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 all other duties commonly incident to his office and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, and each Assistant Treasurer shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 5

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS, AND

VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

Section 5.1    Execution of Corporate Instruments.

(a)    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 any corporate instrument or document, or to sign the corporate name without limitation, except where otherwise provided by law, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Corporation.

(b)    Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, formal contracts of the Corporation, promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, and other corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, and certificates of shares of stock owned by the Corporation, shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed) or by the President; such documents may also be executed by any Vice-President and by the Secretary or Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring the corporate signature but not requiring the corporate seal may be executed as aforesaid or in such other manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors.

(c)    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.

(d)    Execution of any corporate instrument may be effected in such form, either manual, facsimile or electronic signature, as may be authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.2    Voting of Securities Owned by 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 (if there be such an officer appointed), or by the President, or by any Vice-President.

ARTICLE 6

SHARES OF STOCK

Section 6.1    Form and Execution of Certificates.

The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Certificates

 

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for the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. 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 Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed), or by 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 a 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 with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 6.2    Lost Certificates.

The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates (or uncertificated shares in lieu of a new certificate) to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates (or uncertificated shares in lieu of a new certificate), the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to indemnify the Corporation in such manner as it shall require and/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 or destroyed.

Section 6.3    Transfers.

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, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, and in the case of stock represented by a certificate, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed.

 

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Section 6.4    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 not be more than 60 nor less than 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 date on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled 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 consent to corporate action in writing or by electronic transmission without a meeting, 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 date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing or by electronic transmission without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent or electronic transmission setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded; provided that any such electronic transmission shall satisfy the requirements of Section 2.11(b) and, unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides by resolution, no such consent by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing or by electronic transmission without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

(c)    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 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 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.

 

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Section 6.5    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 7

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the Corporation, other than stock certificates, may be signed by the Chairman of the Board (if there be such an officer appointed), or 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 Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signature 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 has ceased to be an officer of the Corporation 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 8

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS

Section 8.1    Right to Indemnification.

Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (as a party, witness, or otherwise), in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he, or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the

 

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Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another Corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent (hereafter an “Agent”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted (but, in the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such amendment or interpretation permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than were permitted prior thereto) against all expenses, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, and any interest, assessments, or other charges imposed thereon, and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed on any Agent as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Article) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding (hereinafter “Expenses”); provided, however , that except as to actions to enforce indemnification rights pursuant to Section 8.3 of this Article, the Corporation shall indemnify any Agent seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Section 8.2    Authority to Advance Expenses.

Expenses incurred by an officer or director (acting in his capacity as such) in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding,, provided, however, that if required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, such Expenses shall be advanced only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized under this Article or otherwise. Expenses incurred by other Agents of the Corporation (or by the directors or officers not acting in their capacity as such, including service with respect to employee benefit plans) may be advanced on such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Any obligation to reimburse the Corporation for Expense advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

Section 8.3    Right of Claimant to Bring Suit.

If a claim under Section 8.1 or 8.2 of this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. The burden of proving such a defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its

 

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stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant had 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.

Section 8.4    Provisions Nonexclusive.

The rights conferred on any person by this Article shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. To the extent that any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, agreement, or vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors is inconsistent with these Bylaws, the provision, agreement, or vote shall take precedence. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article 8 with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

Section 8.5    Authority to Insure.

The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any Agent against any Expense, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify the Agent against such Expense under applicable law or the provisions of this Article.

Section 8.6    Enforcement of Rights

Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights provided under this Article 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 such Agent. Any rights granted by this Article to an Agent shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 8.7    Survival of Rights.

The rights provided by this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.

Section 8.8    Settlement of Claims.

The Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any Agent under this Article (a) for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without the Corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (b) for any judicial award if the Corporation was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action.

 

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Section 8.9    Effect of Amendment.

Any amendment, repeal, or modification of this Article that adversely affects any rights provided in this Article to an Agent shall only be effective upon the prior written consent of such Agent.

Section 8.10    Primacy of Indemnification.

Notwithstanding that an Agent may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by other persons (collectively, the “Other Indemnitors”), the Corporation: (i) shall be the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to an Agent are primary and any obligation of the Other Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Agent are secondary); and (ii) shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by an Agent and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, without regard to any rights such Agent may have against any of the Other Indemnitors. No advancement or payment by the Other Indemnitors on behalf of an Agent with respect to any claim for which such Agent has sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the immediately preceding sentence, and the Other Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Agent against the Corporation.

Section 8.11    Subrogation.

In the event of payment under this Article, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Agent (other than against the Other Indemnitors), who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Section 8.12    No Duplication of Payments.

Except as otherwise set forth in Section 8.10 above, the Corporation shall not be liable under this Article to make any payment in connection with any claim made against the Agent to the extent the Agent has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, agreement, vote, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

Section 8.13    Saving Clause.

If this Article or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Agent to the fullest extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE 9

NOTICES

Whenever, under any provisions of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, the same shall be given either (1) in writing, timely and duly deposited in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to his last known post office address as shown by the stock record of the Corporation or its transfer agent, or (2) by a means of electronic transmission that satisfies the requirements of Section 2.4(e) of these Bylaws, and has been consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by either of the methods hereinabove stated, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally, shall be sent to such address or (in the case of electronic communication) such e-mail address, facsimile telephone number or other form of electronic address as such director shall have filed in writing or by electronic communication with the Secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director. If no address of a stockholder or director be known, such notice may be sent to the principal executive office of the Corporation. 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, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall be conclusive evidence of the statements therein contained. All notices given by mail, as above provided, shall be deemed to have been given as at the time of mailing and all notices given by means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given as at the sending time recorded by the electronic transmission equipment operator transmitting the same. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all directors, 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. The period or limitation of time within which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any privilege or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any director may exercise any power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent him in the manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any manner by the failure of such a stockholder or such director to receive such notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation, or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, 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.

 

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ARTICLE 10

AMENDMENTS

Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b) or Section 8.9 above, these Bylaws may be repealed, altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted at any meeting of the stockholders, either annual or special, by the affirmative vote of sixty six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the stock entitled to vote at such meeting, unless a larger vote is required by these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b) or Section 8.9 above, the Board of Directors shall also have the authority to repeal, alter or amend these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws (including, without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaws setting forth the number of directors who shall constitute the whole Board of Directors) by unanimous written consent or at any annual, regular, or special meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of directors, subject to the power of the stockholders to change or repeal such Bylaws.

ARTICLE 11

FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS

Except for (a) actions in which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware concludes that an indispensable party is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware courts, and (b) actions in which a federal court has assumed exclusive jurisdiction of a proceeding, any derivative action brought by or on behalf of the Corporation, and any direct action brought by a stockholder against the Corporation or any of its directors or officers, alleging a violation of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or breach of fiduciary duties or other violation of Delaware decisional law relating to the internal affairs of the Corporation, shall be brought in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, which shall be the sole and exclusive forum for such proceedings; provided, however, that the Corporation may consent to an alternative forum for any such proceedings upon the approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

The undersigned, Secretary of Marrone Bio Innovations, a Delaware corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Bylaws of said corporation, with all amendments to date of this Certificate.

WITNESS the signature of the undersigned this 4th day of August, 2017.

 

/s/ Linda V. Moore

Linda V. Moore, Secretary

 

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Exhibit 14.1

MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

I. POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (the “Company”) to conduct its affairs in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the countries in which it does business. This Code of Business Conduct (this “Code”) applies to the Company’s employees, officers and directors (collectively, “Company Personnel”).    This Code also applies to certain independent contractors, consultants and advisors who work at the Company’s facilities or on the Company’s behalf, in which case those persons will be notified and provided a copy of this Code. Such persons will be deemed Company Personnel for purposes of this Code.

This Code is designed to promote:

 

    honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

    full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Company;

 

    compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

    protection of Company assets, including corporate opportunities and confidential information;

 

    fair dealing practices;

 

    the prompt internal reporting to the appropriate person of violations of this Code; and

 

    accountability for adherence to this Code.

The Company has established standards for behavior that affect the Company, and Company Personnel must comply with those standards. The Company promotes ethical behavior and encourages Company Personnel to talk to supervisors, managers, the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, or other appropriate personnel when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. Anyone aware of a situation that he or she believes may violate or lead to a violation of this Code should follow the guidelines under “Compliance and Reporting” below.

This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all Company Personnel. Specific policies and procedures of the Company provide details pertinent to many of the provisions of this Code. Company Personnel are expected to be aware of, and to act in accordance with, both this Code and the Company’s other policies and procedures at all times. In particular, this Code is in addition to the Company’s Employee Handbook, the Company’s Insider Trading Policy and the Company’s Whistleblower Policy, each of which may have further, greater or more specific restrictions on the behavior of Company Personnel than as set out in this Code. None of these policies and procedures are a part of this Code or incorporated

 

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herein. Although there can be no better course of action than to apply common sense and sound judgment, do not hesitate to use the resources available whenever it is necessary to seek clarification.

 

II. COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING

 

  A. Compliance

No Company Personnel has any authority to engage in conduct inconsistent with or in violation of applicable U.S. laws and regulations, or to authorize, direct, or condone such conduct by any other person. All Company Personnel are required to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and may not knowingly cause the Company to violate any such rules or regulation. Any Company Personnel who violate the provisions of this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or removal from office. Willful disregard of criminal statutes underlying this Code will be dealt with swiftly and may require the Company to refer such violation for criminal prosecution or civil action.

If you are asked to improperly report revenue or falsify any other records related to compliance with the SEC’s rules, regulations or guidance, or if you are aware of such unlawful conduct by any Company Personnel, you must immediately report the event to the Company’s General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer or other relevant authority.

 

  B. Reporting Procedures and Other Inquiries

Questions regarding the policies in this Code may be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer. Managers and supervisors provide timely advice and guidance to employees on ethics and compliance concerns and are expected to take a leadership role in promoting ethical business conduct. Any Company Personnel having knowledge of, or questions or concerns about, an actual or possible violation of the provisions of this Code has the responsibility to promptly report the matter to his or her immediate supervisor, to a member of management of the Company or to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Company’s Chief Compliance Officer may be reached as follows:

Linda V. Moore

Chief Compliance Officer

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

1540 Drew Avenue

Davis, CA 95618

(530) 750-2800

In addition, Company Personnel may submit reports of actual or possible violations of the provisions of this Code, and concerns and information regarding this Code, on an anonymous basis as follows:

By website: https://www.openboard.info/MBII/index.cfm

By email: MBII@openboard.info

By voicemail at: 866-860-7122

 

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When submitting a report, Company Personnel are asked to provide as much detailed information as possible. Providing detailed, rather than general, information will greatly assist the Company in effectively investigating complaints. This is particularly important where a person submits a complaint on an anonymous basis, as the Company will be unable to contact the reporting individual with requests for additional information or clarification.

The Company is providing the anonymous reporting procedures so that the Company’s employees may disclose genuine concerns without feeling threatened. The Company prohibits retaliation or retribution against any employee who in good faith submits a report under this Code. The Company will keep confidential to the extent permissible under applicable law and consistent with an effective investigation all communications with a reporting individual relating to the individual’s report.

All conversations, calls and reports made under this Code in good faith will be taken seriously. However, Company Personnel who file reports or provide evidence that they know to be false or without a reasonable belief in the truth and accuracy of such information will not be protected by this policy and may be subject to corrective action, up to and including immediate termination or removal from office.

 

IV. APPROVALS AND WAIVERS; AMENDMENTS; INTERPRETATION

Certain provisions of this Code require you to act, or refrain from acting, unless prior approval is received from the appropriate person. Employees requesting approval pursuant to this Code should request such approval in writing from the Chief Compliance Officer. Approvals relating to executive officers and directors must be obtained from the Company’s Board of Directors. All other approvals may be granted by the Chief Compliance Officer, or such officer’s designee.

Other provisions of this Code require you to act, or refrain from acting, in a particular manner and do not permit exceptions based on obtaining an approval. Waiver of those provisions relating to executive officers and directors may only be granted by the Company’s Board of Directors and waivers relating to executive officers and directors must be promptly disclosed to shareholders. All other waivers may be granted by the Chief Compliance Officer, or such officer’s designee.

Changes in this Code may only be made by the Board of Directors and must be promptly disclosed to shareholders. In some situations it may not be clear whether a provision of the Code is intended to apply to particular conduct. In such situations the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Governance Committee have full power and authority to interpret the Code in a manner that they believe reflects the intent of the Board, and no determination that the Code was not intended to apply to such conduct shall be deemed to be a waiver of the Code’s prohibitions.

 

V. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

A conflict of interest arises when your personal interests interfere with your ability to act in the best interests of the Company. Employees must discharge their responsibilities on the basis of what is in the best interest of the Company independent of personal consideration or relationships. Non-employee directors must discharge their fiduciary duties as directors of the Company.

 

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Employees should disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the Chief Compliance Officer or such officer’s designees, who can advise the employee as to whether or not the Company believes a conflict of interest exists. An employee should also disclose potential conflicts of interest involving the employee’s spouse, siblings, parents, in-laws, children and members of the employee’s household. Non-employee directors may discuss any concerns with the Chairman of the Board.

 

VI. BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

The Company seeks to outperform its competition fairly and honesty. The Company seeks competitive advantages through superior performance, not unethical or illegal business practices. Each employee must endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees and must not take advantage of them through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any unfair-dealing practice.

 

VII. FAIR COMPETITION

Fair competition laws, including the U.S. antitrust rules, limit what the Company can do with another company and what the Company can do on its own. Generally, the laws are designed to prohibit agreements or actions that reduce competition and harm consumers. You may not enter into agreements or discussions with competitors that have the effect of fixing or controlling prices, dividing and allocating markets or territories, or boycotting suppliers or customers. U.S. and foreign antitrust laws also apply to imports and exports.

 

VIII. GIFTS, GRATUITIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Use of Company funds or other Company property for illegal, unethical or otherwise improper purposes is prohibited. The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and a sound working relationship, not to gain personal advantage with customers or suppliers.

 

  A. Loans

Employees may not accept loans from any person or entities having or seeking business with the Company. Designated executive officers and directors may not receive loans from the Company, nor may the Company arrange for any loan.

 

  B. Bribes and Kickbacks

The use of Company funds, facilities or property for any illegal or unethical purpose is strictly prohibited; provided, that certain facilitating payments discussed in “ Doing Business Internationally ” are permitted.

 

    You are not permitted to offer, give or cause others to give, any payments or anything of value for the purpose of influencing the recipient’s business judgment or conduct in dealing with the Company other than facilitating payments.

 

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    You may not solicit or accept a kickback or bribe, in any form, for any reason.

 

IX. DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

The Company is committed to the highest business conduct standards wherever it operates. The Company observes these standards worldwide, even at the risk of losing business. While no one can anticipate all the situations that may present challenges to the Company employees doing business in the worldwide marketplace, the following guidelines always apply:

 

    Observe all laws and regulations, both U.S. and non-U.S., that apply to business abroad.

 

    Paying bribes to government officials is absolutely prohibited, even if those bribes are common practice, except for facilitating payments. You may not give, promise to give or authorize the giving to a foreign official, a foreign political party, or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office any money or offer, gift, promise to give or authorize the giving of anything of value to influence any act or decision, to induce such official, party or candidate to do or omit to do any act in violation of the lawful duty of such official, party or candidate, or to induce such official, party or candidate to use his or her influence with a foreign government or agency to affect or influence any act or decision of such foreign government or agency.

 

    Do not cooperate with illegal boycotts.

 

    Observe all licensing requirements and the requirements of applicable import and export control laws.

The laws governing the Company’s business in foreign countries are extensive and complex, and may be different from those in the United States.

 

  A. Facilitating Payments to Low-Level Non-U.S. Governmental Employees and Officials for Non-Discretionary Action

The Company is committed to complying with the laws of the countries where it operates. In some countries, a very limited category of small payments to facilitate or expedite routine nondiscretionary governmental actions may be permitted as exceptions to antibribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The requirements pertaining to such payments are complex. Employees engaged in international business activities must obtain prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer before making any such payment.

These “facilitating payments” to non-U.S. governmental officials are distinguished from payments made to influence a discretionary decision or to cause violation of, or an act in conflict with, the interests of an individual’s employer, which are strictly prohibited.

 

X. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOBBYING

No political contributions are to be made using the Company funds or assets to any political party, political campaign, political candidate or public official in the United States or any foreign country, unless the contribution is lawful and expressly authorized. In addition, you may

 

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not make a political contribution on behalf of the Company, or with the appearance that such contribution is being made on behalf of the Company, unless expressly authorized. A “contribution” is any direct or indirect payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money, services or anything of value in connection with an election or to an organization or group formed to support or defend a referendum or ballot issue.

Employees must obtain approval to hire outside counsel or a public affairs firm to contact government officials regarding legislation, regulatory policy, or rule making. This includes grassroots lobbying contacts.

 

XI. ACCURACY OF REPORTS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS

You are responsible for the accuracy of your records, time sheets and reports. Accurate information is essential to the Company’s ability to meet legal and regulatory obligations and to compete effectively. The records and books of account of the Company must meet the highest standards and accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record. Destruction of any records, books of account or other documents except in accordance with the Company’s document retention policy is strictly prohibited.

You must not create false or misleading documents or accounting, financial or electronic records for any purpose relating to the Company, and no one may direct an employee to do so. For example, expense reports must accurately document expenses actually incurred in accordance with the Company’s policies. You must not obtain or create “false” invoices or other misleading documentation or invent or use fictitious entities, sales, purchases, services, loans or other financial arrangements for any purpose relating to the Company. Employees are also responsible for accurately reporting time worked.

No undisclosed or unrecorded account or fund may be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries may be made in the Company’s books or records for any reason. No disbursement of corporate funds or other corporate property may be made without adequate supporting documentation or for any purpose other than as described in the documents. All employees must comply with generally accepted accounting principles and the Company’s internal controls at all times.

 

XII. GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS

You must promptly notify counsel of any government investigation or inquiries from government agencies concerning the Company. You may not destroy any record, books of account, or other documents relating to the Company except in accordance with the Company’s document retention policy. If you are aware of a government investigation or inquiry you may not destroy any record, books of account, or other documents relating to the Company unless advised by the Chief Compliance Officer or the officer’s designee, that you may continue to follow the Company’s normal document retention policy.

You must not obstruct the collection of information, data or records relating to the Company. The Company provides information to the government that it is entitled to during an inspection, investigation, or request for information. You must not lie to government investigators or making misleading statements in any investigation relating to the Company. You must not attempt to cause any employee to fail to provide accurate information to government investigators.

 

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XIII. INSIDER TRADING; COMMUNICATIONS WITH THIRD PARTIES

Employees, officers and directors who have access to the Company’s confidential information are not permitted to use for their personal benefit or the benefit of others, or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose, except when the use is primarily for the purpose of benefiting the Company in the conduct of its business.

 

  A. Insider Trading

Inside information is material information about a publicly traded company that is not known by the public. Information is deemed “material” if it could affect the market price of a security or if a reasonable investor would attach importance to the information in deciding whether to buy, sell or hold a security. Inside information typically relates to financial conditions, such as progress toward achieving revenue and earnings targets or projections of future earnings or losses of the Company. To the extent material and nonpublic, inside information also includes changes in strategy regarding a proposed merger, acquisition or tender offer, new products or services, contract awards and other similar information. Inside information is not limited to information about the Company. It also includes material non-public information about others, including the Company’s customers, suppliers, and competitors.

Insider trading is prohibited by law. It occurs when an individual with material, non-public information trades securities or communicates such information to others who trade. The person who trades or “tips” information violates the law if he or she has a duty or relationship of trust and confidence not to use the information.

Trading or helping others trade while aware of inside information has potential serious legal consequences, even if the Insider does not receive any personal financial benefit. Insiders may also have an obligation to take appropriate steps to prevent insider trading by others.

 

  B. Confidential Information

You must maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to you by the Company or its customers, suppliers, employees or other persons except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information, including information that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed.

This document is not an employment contract between the Company and its employees, nor does it modify their employment relationship with the Company.

This Code is intended to clarify each employee’s, officer’s and director’s existing obligation for proper conduct. The standards and the supporting policies and procedures may change from time to time in the Company’s discretion. Each employee, officer and director is responsible for knowing and complying with the current laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures that apply to the Company’s work. Company Personnel who have questions about whether particular circumstances may involve illegal conduct, or about specific laws that may apply to their activities, should contact the Chief Compliance Officer. To the extent that provisions of local law are more restrictive than this Code, Company Personnel are to follow the more restrictive provisions. To the extent any provision of this Code is expressly prohibited by the laws of a particular jurisdiction in which the Company does business, the laws of that jurisdiction will prevail within that jurisdiction. The most current version of this document can be found at http://investors.marronebio.com.    

 

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