false 0001403752 0001403752 2020-03-16 2020-03-16

 

 

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): March 16, 2020

 

Zymeworks Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Columbia, Canada

 

001-38068

 

47-2569713

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Suite 540, 1385 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

V6H 3V9

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(604) 678-1388

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Shares, no par value per share

 

ZYME

 

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company 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 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

On March 16, 2020, Zymeworks Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Agreement”) with Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. and 667, L.P. (collectively, the “Baker Funds”), pursuant to which the Baker Funds are entitled to certain resale registration rights with respect to common shares of the Company held by the Baker Funds (“Registrable Securities”).

Under the Agreement, at any time subsequent to April 22, 2020, following a request by the Baker Funds, the Company is obligated to file a resale registration statement on Form S-3, or other appropriate form, covering Registrable Securities held by the Baker Funds (the “Resale Registration Shelf”), and to keep the Resale Registration Shelf effective until the earlier of such time that (i) all Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Registration Statement have been sold or may be sold freely without limitations or restrictions as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144”), or (ii) all Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Registration Statement otherwise cease to be considered Registrable Securities pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Baker Funds have the right to one underwritten public offering per calendar year, but no more than three underwritten public offerings in total, to effect the sale or distribution of their Registrable Securities, subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations. The Agreement requires the Company to bear certain expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to the Agreement, including expenses incurred by the Company and certain expenses for counsel for the Baker Funds per underwritten public offering, and also includes customary indemnification obligations in connection with registrations conducted pursuant to the Agreement. The rights of the Baker Funds under the Agreement terminate automatically upon the earlier to occur of the following events: (i) all Registrable Securities covered by the Agreement have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement; (ii) all Registrable Securities covered by the Agreement have been sold pursuant to Rule 144, or other similar rule; (iii) at any time after the Baker Funds become an affiliate of the Company, all Registrable Securities covered by the Agreement may be resold by the Baker Funds without limitations as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144; or (iv) ten (10) years after the date of the Agreement.

The foregoing is only a brief description of the terms of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement that is filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto.

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

(d) On March 16, 2020, Dr. Kelvin Neu was appointed to the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company.

Under the Company’s current staggered Board provisions, Dr. Neu will have an initial term of one year, expiring at the Company’s 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders. The Company’s articles provide for a staggered Board consisting of three groups of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The Board has not yet determined which committees of the Board Dr. Neu will be named to.

As a non-designated director, Dr. Neu qualifies for the Company’s Board compensation program (the “Program”), which includes cash and equity compensation for all non-designated directors of the Board. Pursuant to the Program, upon appointment to the Board, Dr. Neu received an initial appointment equity award of 18,000 options to purchase the Company’s common shares that will vest monthly over a three-year period, with 1/36 vesting on each monthly anniversary of the grant date. Future compensation under the Program is subject to Dr. Neu’s continued service on the Board.

Dr. Neu has entered into the Company’s standard form indemnification agreement.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Neu and the Company or any other persons, pursuant to which Dr. Neu was appointed a director of the Company. Dr. Neu is an employee of Baker Bros. Advisors LP, which is the largest beneficial owner of the Company’s common shares and the investment adviser to the Baker Funds. Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker are managing partners of Baker Bros. Advisors LP. In June 2019, the Company issued and sold 7,013,892 common shares and, in lieu of common shares, 4,166,690 pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares in a registered public offering, at prices to the public of $18.00 per common share and $17.9999 per pre-funded warrant, respectively (the “June 2019 Public Offering”). The Baker Funds purchased 4,166,690 pre-funded warrants at the price to the public in the June 2019 Public Offering. In January 2020, the Company issued and sold 5,824,729 common shares and, in lieu of common shares, 1,075,271 pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares in a registered public offering, at prices to the public of $46.50 per common share and $46.4999 per pre-funded warrant, respectively (the “January 2020 Public Offering”). The Baker Funds purchased 1,075,271 pe-funded warrants at the price to the public in the January 2020 Public Offering.

The disclosure provided in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

On March 16, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing Dr. Neu’s appointment to the Board. On March 16, 2020, this press release was filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities in Canada on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

The information provided under this Item (including Exhibit 99.1, attached hereto) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

On March 16, 2020, the Company also filed a material change report with Canadian securities regulators regarding Dr. Neu’s appointment to the Board. A copy of this material change report is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit
No.

   

Description

         
 

  4.1

   

Registration Rights Agreement dated March 16, 2020, by and among Zymeworks Inc., Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. and 667, L.P.

         
 

99.1

   

Press Release dated March 16, 2020.

         
 

99.2

   

Material Change Report dated March 16, 2020.

         
 

104

   

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded as Inline XBRL document).

2


SIGNATURES

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

 

 

ZYMEWORKS INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

             

Date: March 16, 2020

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Neil Klompas

 

 

Name:

 

Neil Klompas

 

 

Title:

 

Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.1

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of March 16, 2020 by and among Zymeworks Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), and the persons listed on the attached Schedule A who are signatories to this Agreement (collectively, the “Investors”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the respective meanings ascribed to them in Section 1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Investors wish to provide for certain arrangements with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities (as defined below) by the Company under the Securities Act (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein, and other consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1.

Definitions

1.1.    Certain Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

(a)    “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b)    “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

(c)    “Common Shares” shall mean the common shares of the Company, no par value.

(d)    “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

(e)    “Other Securities” shall mean securities of the Company, other than Registrable Securities (as defined below).

(f)    “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, entity or division, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

(g)    “Registrable Securities” shall mean the Common Shares and any Common Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any other securities (whether equity, debt or otherwise) of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired by any of the Investors. Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) such Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to an effective


Registration Statement; (ii) such Registrable Securities have been sold by the Investors pursuant to Rule 144 (or other similar rule), (iii) at any time after any of the Investors become an affiliate of the Company, such Registrable Securities may be resold by the Investor holding such Registrable Securities without limitations as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144; or (iv) ten (10) years after the date of this Agreement. For purposes of this definition, in order to determine whether an Investor is an “affiliate” (as such term is defined and used in Rule 144, and including for determining whether volume or manner of sale limitations of Rule 144 apply) the parties will assume that all convertible securities (whether equity, debt or otherwise) have been converted into Common Shares.

(h)    The terms “register,” “registered” and “registration” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and such Registration Statement becoming effective under the Securities Act.

(i)    “Registration Expenses” shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, qualification, and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, up to $50,000 of reasonable legal expenses of one special counsel for Investors (if different from the Company’s counsel and if such counsel is reasonably approved by the Company) in connection with the preparation and filing of the Resale Registration Shelf (as defined below), and up to $50,000 of reasonable legal expenses of one special counsel for Investors (if different from the Company’s counsel and if such counsel is reasonably approved by the Company) per underwritten public offering, blue sky fees and expenses, and expenses of any regular or special audits incident to or required by any such registration, but shall not include Selling Expenses.

(j)    “Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the Securities Act, including the related prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with applicable securities laws other than a registration statement (and related prospectus) filed on Form S-4, Form F-4, Form F-10 (if such form is used in connection with a business combination transaction (as defined in Rule 165 of the Securities Act)) or Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto.

(k)    “Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.

(l)    “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

(m)    “Selling Expenses” shall mean all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, the fees and expenses of any legal counsel (except as provided in the definition of “Registration Expenses”) and any other advisors any of the Investors engage and all similar fees and commissions relating to the Investors’ disposition of the Registrable Securities.

 

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Section 2.

Resale Registration Rights

2.1.    Resale Registration Rights.

(a)    At any time subsequent to April 22, 2020, following demand by any Investor the Company shall file with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3, F-3 or F-10 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, F-3 or F-10, in which case such registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance with the Securities Act) covering the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investors (the “Resale Registration Shelf”), and the Company shall file such Resale Registration Shelf as promptly as reasonably practicable following such demand, and in any event within sixty (60) days of such demand. Such Resale Registration Shelf shall include a “final” prospectus, including the information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the Securities Act, as provided by the Investors in accordance with Section 2.7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, before filing the Resale Registration Shelf, the Company shall furnish to the Investors a copy of the Resale Registration Shelf and afford the Investors a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Resale Registration Shelf. The Company’s obligation pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) is conditioned upon the Investors providing the information contemplated in Section 2.7 in a timely manner.

(b)    The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Resale Registration Shelf and related prospectuses to become effective as promptly as practicable after filing. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to remain effective under the Securities Act until the earlier of the date (i) all Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Registration Shelf have been sold or may be sold freely without limitations or restrictions as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144 or (ii) all Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Registration Shelf otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to the definition of Registrable Securities. The Company shall promptly, and in any event within two (2) business days after the Company confirms effectiveness of the Resale Registration Shelf with the Commission, notify the Investors of the effectiveness of the Resale Registration Shelf.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, a registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a):

(i)    if the Company has and maintains an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR or Form F-3ASR that provides for the resale of an unlimited number of securities by selling shareholders (a “Company Registration Shelf”);

(ii)    during the period forty-five (45) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of a Company Registration Shelf; or

(iii)    if the Company has caused a Registration Statement to become effective pursuant to this Section 2.1 during the prior twelve (12) month period.

 

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(d)    If the Company has a Company Registration Shelf in place at any time in which the Investors make a demand pursuant to Section 2.1(a), the Company shall file with the Commission, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within fifteen (15) business days after such demand, a “final” prospectus supplement to its Company Registration Shelf covering the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investors (the “Prospectus”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file more than one Prospectus pursuant to this Section 2.1(d) in any six month period to add additional Registrable Securities to the Company Registration Shelf that were acquired by the Investors other than directly from the Company or in an underwritten public offering by the Company. The Prospectus shall include the information required under Item 507 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, which information shall be provided by the Investors in accordance with Section 2.7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, before filing the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Investors a copy of the Prospectus and afford the Investors a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Prospectus.

(e)    Deferral and Suspension. At any time after being obligated to file a Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus, or after any Resale Registration Shelf has become effective or a Prospectus filed with the Commission, the Company may defer the filing of or suspend the use of any such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus, upon giving written notice of such action to the Investors with a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board, the filing or use of any such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus covering the Registrable Securities would be seriously detrimental to the Company or its shareholders at such time and that the Board concludes, as a result, that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to defer the filing or suspend the use of such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus at such time. The Company shall have the right to defer the filing of or suspend the use of such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days from the date the Company notifies the Investors of such deferral or suspension; provided that the Company shall not exercise the right contained in this Section 2.1(e) more than once in any twelve month period. In the case of the suspension of use of any effective Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus, the Investors, immediately upon receipt of notice thereof from the Company, shall discontinue any offers or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus until advised in writing by the Company that the use of such Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus may be resumed. In the case of a deferred Prospectus or Resale Registration Shelf filing, the Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Investors of (i) the Company’s decision to file or seek effectiveness of the Prospectus or Resale Registration Shelf, as the case may be, following such deferral and (ii) in the case of a Resale Registration Shelf, the effectiveness of such Resale Registration Shelf. In the case of either a suspension of use of, or deferred filing of, any Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus, the Company shall not, during the pendency of such suspension or deferral, be required to take any action hereunder (including any action pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof) with respect to the registration or sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to any such Resale Registration Shelf, Company Registration Shelf or Prospectus.

(f)    Other Securities. Subject to Section 2.2(e) below, any Resale Registration Shelf or Prospectus may include Other Securities, and may include securities of the Company being sold for the account of the Company; provided such Other Securities are excluded first from such Registration Statement in order to comply with any applicable laws or request from any

 

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government entity, the New York Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange or any applicable listing agency. For the avoidance of doubt, no Other Securities may be included in an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2 without the consent of the Investors.

2.2.    Sales and Underwritten Offerings of the Registrable Securities.

(a)    Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, at any time subsequent to April 22, 2020, the Investors, collectively, shall and subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 2.2, be permitted one underwritten public offering per calendar year, but no more than three underwritten public offerings in total, to effect the sale or distribution of Registrable Securities.

(b)    If the Investors intend to effect an underwritten public offering pursuant to a Resale Registration Shelf or Company Registration Shelf to sell or otherwise distribute Registrable Securities, they shall so advise the Company and provide as much notice to the Company as reasonably practicable (and in any event not less than fifteen (15) business days prior to the Investors’ request that the Company file a prospectus supplement to a Resale Registration Shelf or Company Registration Shelf).

(c)    In connection with any offering initiated by the Investors pursuant to this Section 2.2 involving an underwriting of shares of Registrable Securities, the Investors shall be entitled to select the underwriter or underwriters for such offering, subject to the consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(d)    In connection with any offering initiated by the Investors pursuant to this Section 2.2 involving an underwriting of shares of Registrable Securities, the Company shall not be required to include any of the Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the Investors (i) enter into an underwriting agreement, in customary form, with the underwriter or underwriters, (ii) accept customary terms in such underwriting agreement with regard to representations and warranties relating to ownership of the Registrable Securities and authority and power to enter into such underwriting agreement and (iii) complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody agreements, indemnities and other documents as may be requested by such underwriter or underwriters. Further, the Company shall not be required to include any of the Registrable Securities in such underwriting if (Y) the underwriting agreement proposed by the underwriter or underwriters contains representations, warranties or conditions that are not reasonable in light of the Company’s then-current business or (Z) the underwriter, underwriters or the Investors require the Company to participate in any marketing, road show or comparable activity that may be required to complete the orderly sale of shares by the underwriter or underwriters.

(e)    If the total amount of securities to be sold in any offering initiated by the Investors pursuant to this Section 2.2 involving an underwriting of shares of Registrable Securities exceeds the amount that the underwriters determine in their sole discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities (subject in each case to the cutback provisions set forth in this Section 2.2(e)), that the underwriters and the Company determine in their sole discretion shall not jeopardize the success of the offering. If the underwritten public offering has

 

5


been requested pursuant to Section 2.2(a) hereof, the number of shares that are entitled to be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated in the following manner: (a) first, shares of Company equity securities that the Company desires to include in such registration shall be excluded and (b) second, Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Investors shall be excluded. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round down the number of shares allocated to any of the Investors to the nearest 100 shares.

2.3.    Fees and Expenses. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Investors shall be borne by the Investors.

2.4.    Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration of Registrable Securities effected by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall keep the Investors advised as to the initiation of each such registration and as to the status thereof. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, within the limits set forth in this Section 2.4, to:

(a)    prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectuses used in connection with such Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and current and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement;

(b)    furnish to the Investors such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including preliminary prospectuses, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as the Investors may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities;

(c)    use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as shall be reasonably requested by the Investors, if required by such laws, provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions;

(d)    in the event of any underwritten public offering, and subject to Section 2.2(d), enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering and take such other usual and customary action as the Investors may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(e)    notify the Investors at any time when a prospectus relating to a Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made). The Company shall use its

 

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reasonable best efforts to amend or supplement such prospectus in order to cause such prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made);

(f)    provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such Registration Statement and, if required, a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;

(g)    if requested by an Investor, use reasonable best efforts to cause the Company’s transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend from any Registrable Securities, within two business days following such request;

(h)    cause to be furnished, at the request of the Investors, on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered to underwriters for sale in connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to this Section 2.2, (i) an opinion, dated such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, and (ii) a letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters; and

(i)    cause all such Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or other securities trading markets on which Common Shares are then listed.

2.5.    The Investors Obligations.

(a)    Discontinuance of Distribution. The Investors agree that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company described in Section 2.4(e) hereof, the Investors shall immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until the Investors’ receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.4(e) hereof or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required and that the Investors’ disposition of the Registrable Securities may be resumed. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this Section 2.5(a).

(b)    Compliance with Prospectus Delivery Requirements. The Investors covenant and agree that they shall comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to them or an exemption therefrom in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

(c)    Notification of Sale of Registrable Securities. The Investors covenant and agree that they shall notify the Company following the sale of Registrable Securities to a third party as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days, following the sale of such Registrable Securities.

 

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2.6.    Indemnification.

(a)    To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify the Investors, and, as applicable, their officers, directors, and constituent partners, legal counsel for each Investor and each Person controlling the Investors, with respect to which registration, related qualification, or related compliance of Registrable Securities has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, and each underwriter, if any, and each Person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act against all claims, losses, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) to the extent such claims, losses, damages, or liabilities arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus or other document (including any related Registration Statement) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, or (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made), or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification, or compliance; and the Company shall pay as incurred to the Investors, each such underwriter, and each Person who controls the Investors or underwriter, any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action if settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld); and provided, further, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or expense arises out of or is based upon any violation by such Investor of the obligations set forth in Section 2.5 hereof or any untrue statement or omission contained in such prospectus or other document based upon written information furnished to the Company by the Investors, such underwriter, or such controlling Person and stated to be for use therein.

(b)    To the extent permitted by law, each Investor (severally and not jointly) shall, if Registrable Securities held by such Investor are included for sale in the registration and related qualification and compliance effected pursuant to this Agreement, indemnify the Company, each of its directors, each officer of the Company who signs the applicable Registration Statement, each legal counsel and each underwriter of the Company’s securities covered by such a Registration Statement, each Person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act against all claims, losses, damages, and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, or related document, or (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made), or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by such Investor of Section 2.5 hereof, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law applicable to such Investor and relating to action or inaction required of such Investor in connection with any such registration and related qualification and compliance, and shall pay as

 

8


incurred to such persons, any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action, in each case only to the extent that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in (and such violation pertains to) such Registration Statement or related document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, however, that the indemnity contained in this Section 2.6(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action if settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld); provided, further, that such Investor’s liability under this Section 2.6(b) (when combined with any amounts such Investor is liable for under Section 2.6(d)) shall not exceed such Investor’s net proceeds from the offering of securities made in connection with such registration.

(c)    Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 2.6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof and generally summarize such action. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in and to assume the defense of such claim; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall be entitled to select counsel for the defense of such claim with the approval of any parties entitled to indemnification, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further, however, that if either party reasonably determines that there may be a conflict between the position of the Company and the Investors in conducting the defense of such action, suit, or proceeding by reason of recognized claims for indemnity under this Section 2.6, then counsel for such party shall be entitled to conduct the defense to the extent reasonably determined by such counsel to be necessary to protect the interest of such party. The failure to notify an indemnifying party promptly of the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to the ability of the indemnifying party to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party, to the extent so prejudiced, of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 2.6, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve such party of any liability that such party may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.6.

(d)    If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. In no event, however, shall (i) any amount due for contribution hereunder be in excess of the amount that would otherwise be due under Section 2.6(a) or Section 2.6(b), as applicable, based on the

 

9


limitations of such provisions and (ii) a Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of the Securities Act) be entitled to contribution from a Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with an underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control; provided, however, that the failure of the underwriting agreement to provide for or address a matter provided for or addressed by the foregoing provisions shall not be a conflict between the underwriting agreement and the foregoing provisions.

(f)    The obligations of the Company and the Investors under this Section 2.6 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement under this Agreement or otherwise.

2.7.    Information. The Investors shall furnish to the Company such information regarding the Investors and the distribution proposed by the Investors as the Company may reasonably request and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration referred to in this Agreement. The Investors agree to, as promptly as practicable (and in any event prior to any sales made pursuant to a prospectus), furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by the Investors not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made). The Investors agree to keep confidential the receipt of any notice received pursuant to Section 2.4(e) and the contents thereof, except as required pursuant to applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall be under no obligation to name the Investors in any Registration Statement, or to include any Investors’ Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement, if the Investors have not provided the information required by this Section 2.7 with respect to the Investors as a selling securityholder in such Registration Statement or any related prospectus.

2.8.    Rule 144 Requirements. With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit the Investors to sell Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to:

(a)    make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act at all times after the date hereof;

(b)    file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

(c)    furnish to any Investor, so long as the Investor owns any Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested by an Investor in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission which permits an Investor to sell any such securities without registration.

 

10


2.9.    Termination of Status as Registrable Securities. RESERVED.

Section 3.

Miscellaneous

3.1.    Amendment. No amendment, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by each of the Company and the Investors.

3.2.    Injunctive Relief. It is hereby agreed and acknowledged that it shall be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the parties fail to comply with any of the obligations herein imposed on them and that in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved Person shall be irreparably damaged and shall not have an adequate remedy at law. Any such Person shall, therefore, be entitled (in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled in law or in equity) to injunctive relief, including, without limitation, specific performance, to enforce such obligations, and if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.

3.3.    Notices. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and sent to the address or email address identified below. Notices must be given: (a) by personal delivery, with receipt acknowledged; (b) by email followed by hard copy delivered by the methods under clause (c) or (d); (c) by prepaid certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (d) by prepaid reputable overnight delivery service. Notices shall be effective upon receipt. Either party may change its notice address by providing the other party written notice of such change. Notices shall be delivered as follows:

 

If to the Investors:    At such Investor’s address as set forth on Schedule A hereto
If to the Company:   

Zymeworks Inc.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Suite 540 – 1385 West 8th Avenue

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3V9

with a copy to:   

Zymeworks Inc.

Attention: Legal Department

Suite 540 – 1385 West 8th Avenue

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3V9

Email: legal-notifications@zymeworks.com

with a copy to:   

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Attention: Ryan Dzierniejko

One Manhattan West

New York, New York 10001-8602

 

11


3.4.    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Jury Trial.

(a)    This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

(b)    Each of the Company and the Investors irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the Company and the Investors irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the Company and the Investors hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(c)    Each of the Company and the Investors irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein in any court referred to in Section 3.4(b) hereof. Each of the Company and the Investors hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d)    EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTORS (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTORS HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

3.5.    Successors, Assigns and Transferees. Any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the Investors shall be entitled to transfer Registrable Securities to one or more of their affiliates and, solely in connection therewith, may assign their rights hereunder in respect of such transferred Registrable Securities to one or more of their affiliates, in each case, so long as such Investor is not relieved

 

12


of any liability or obligations hereunder, without the prior consent of the Company. Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in the first sentence of this Section 3.5 shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto. The Company shall not consummate any recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization or other similar transaction whereby shareholders of the Company receive (either directly, through an exchange, via dividend from the Company or otherwise) equity (the “Other Equity”) in any other entity (the “Other Entity”) with respect to Registrable Securities hereunder, unless prior to the consummation thereof, the Other Entity assumes, by written instrument, the obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Other Equity as if such Other Equity were Registrable Securities hereunder provided, that such Other Entity shall not be required to assume such obligations if, upon consummation of such transaction, the Investors would be able to resell the Other Equity without limitations as to volume or manner of sales pursuant to Rule 144.

3.6.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any exhibits hereto, constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and all previous agreements or arrangements between the parties, written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof are superseded.

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

3.8.    Severability. If any part of this Agreement is declared invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not affect the remainder of the Agreement and the invalidated provision shall be revised in a manner that shall render such provision valid while preserving the parties’ original intent to the maximum extent possible.

3.9.    Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to sections, paragraphs and exhibits shall, unless otherwise provided, refer to sections and paragraphs hereof and exhibits attached hereto.

3.10.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic means), and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

3.11.    Term and Termination. The Investors’ rights to demand the registration of the Registrable Securities under this Agreement, as well as the Company’s obligations hereunder other than pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof, shall terminate automatically once all Registrable Securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Registration Rights Agreement effective as of the day, month and year first above written.

 

ZYMEWORKS INC.
By:  

/s/ Neil. Klompas

Name:   Neil A. Klompas
Title:   Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Registration Rights Agreement effective as of the day, month and year first above written.

 

667, L.P.
By:   BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP, management company and investment adviser to 667, L.P., pursuant to authority granted to it by Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., general partner to 667, L.P., and not as the general partner
By:  

/s/ Scott L. Lessing

  Scott L. Lessing
  President
BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P.
By:   BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP, management company and investment adviser to BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P., pursuant to authority granted to it by Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P., general partner to BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P., and not as the general partner
By:  

/s/ Scott L. Lessing

  Scott L. Lessing
  President

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Schedule A

The Investors

667, L.P.

BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P.

To the above Investors:

Baker Brothers Investments

860 Washington Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10014

With a copy to:

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Attn: Jeffrey Kochian

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036-6745

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Zymeworks Appoints Dr. Kelvin Neu to the Board of Directors

Vancouver, Canada (March 16, 2020) – Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional biotherapeutics, today announced the appointment of Kelvin Neu, M.D., to its Board of Directors.

“For over 16 years, Kelvin has been dedicated to financing and building life science companies around the world,” said Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., President and CEO of Zymeworks. “His clinical knowledge and partnering expertise are a valuable complement to our Board of Directors as we advance our lead product candidates towards commercialization.”

Dr. Neu is a Partner at Baker Bros. Advisors LP, a long term life-sciences investment firm. Kelvin earned his M.D. from the Harvard Medical School-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program after spending three years in the Immunology Ph.D. program at Stanford University as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. Dr. Neu holds an A.B. (summa cum laude) from Princeton University, where he was awarded the Khoury Prize for graduating first in his department of Molecular Biology. He also serves as Director of Prelude Therapeutics, Inc. and IGM Biosciences, Inc.

About Zymeworks Inc.

Zymeworks is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of next-generation multifunctional biotherapeutics. Zymeworks’ suite of therapeutic platforms and its fully integrated drug development engine enable precise engineering of highly differentiated product candidates. Zymeworks’ lead clinical candidate, ZW25, is a novel Azymetric bispecific antibody currently in Phase 2 clinical development. Zymeworks’ second clinical candidate, ZW49, is a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate currently in Phase 1 clinical development and combines the unique design and antibody framework of ZW25 with Zymeworks’ proprietary ZymeLink cytotoxic payload. Zymeworks is also advancing a deep preclinical pipeline in oncology (including immuno-oncology agents) and other therapeutic areas. In addition, its therapeutic platforms are being leveraged through strategic partnerships with nine biopharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.zymeworks.com.

Contacts:

Investor Inquiries:

Ryan Dercho, Ph.D.

(604) 678-1388

ir@zymeworks.com

Tiffany Tolmie

(604) 678-1388

ir@zymeworks.com

Media Inquiries:

Kavita Shah, Ph.D.

(604) 678-1388

media@zymeworks.com

Exhibit 99.2

FORM 51-102F3

MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT

 

Item 1:

Name and Address of Company

Zymeworks Inc. (“Zymeworks” or the “Company”)

1385 West 8th Avenue, Suite 540

Vancouver, BC, Canada

V6H 3V9

 

Item 2:

Date of Material Change

March 16, 2020

 

Item 3:

News Release

A news release announcing the material change was disseminated through the facilities of Business Wire on March 16, 2020 and a copy was filed on the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Item 4:

Summary of Material Change

On March 16, 2020, Zymeworks announced the appointment of Kelvin Neu, M.D., to its Board of Directors.

 

Item 5:

Full Description of Material Change

5.1 Full Description of Material Change

On March 16, 2020, Zymeworks announced the appointment of Kelvin Neu, M.D., to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Neu is a Partner at Baker Bros. Advisors LP, a long term life-sciences investment firm. Kelvin earned his M.D. from the Harvard Medical School-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program after spending three years in the Immunology Ph.D. program at Stanford University as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. Dr. Neu holds an A.B. (summa cum laude) from Princeton University, where he was awarded the Khoury Prize for graduating first in his department of Molecular Biology. He also serves as Director of Prelude Therapeutics, Inc. and IGM Biosciences, Inc.

5.2 Disclosure of Restructuring Transactions

Not applicable.

 

Item 6:

Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) of National Instrument 51-102

Not applicable.


Item 7:

Omitted Information

Not applicable.

 

Item 8:

Executive Officer

For further information, please contact Neil Klompas, Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer of the Company at (604) 678-1388.

 

Item 9:

Date of Report

March 16, 2020