UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
October 9, 2020
(Commission File No. 001-38475)
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(REG. NO. 289175)
(Translation of registrants name into English)
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
83 CLEMENCEAU AVENUE
#12-03 UE SQUARE
SINGAPORE 239920
(Address of registrants principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (1):
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (7):
Yes ☐ No ☒
Financial Statements for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
A copy of the financial statements of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
On September 4, 2020, the Company adopted its Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the Ninth Restated Articles). The Ninth Restated Articles, among other things, redenominated the Companys authorized share capital to $165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares or a nominal or par value of $0.33, and updated and amended various requirements and rights of the Companys directors and shareholders in connection with the Companys delisting from the Taiwan Exchange (TPEx). Conditional upon an order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, the Company will subsequently reduce the nominal or par value of each ordinary share from $0.33 per share to $0.01 (the Capital Reduction). In connection with the Capital Reduction the Company will replace the Ninth Restated Articles in their entirety with the Tenth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the Tenth Restated Articles), which will be identical to the Ninth Restated Articles, except that the authorized share capital set out therein will reflect the Capital Reduction. An updated description of the Companys share capital is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The descriptions of the Ninth Restated Articles and Tenth Restated Articles do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Ninth Restated Articles and Tenth Restated Articles, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.
Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement
On September 8, 2020, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (the Restated Deposit Agreement) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as depositary. The Restated Deposit Agreement, among other things, reflects the redenominated share capital of the Company, as well as updated and amended various requirements and rights of the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of the Companys American Depositary Shares (ADSs) in connection with the Companys delisting from the TPEx. An updated description of the Companys ADSs is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The description of the Restated Deposit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Deposit Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Risk Factor Updates
The Company is filing certain information for the purpose of updating the Companys risk factors related to the Companys ADSs contained in the Companys other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). A copy of the updated disclosure is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ATM Sales Agreement
On October 9, 2020, the Company entered into an Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the Sale Agreement) with Jefferies LLC to issue and sell ADSs, with each ADS representing five ordinary shares of the Company, from time to time, through an at-the-market offering under which Jefferies LLC will act as sales agent and/or principal (the Agent).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sale Agreement, the Agent has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal sales and trading practices to place the ADSs with respect to which the Agent has agreed to act as sales agent, subject to, and in accordance with the information specified in a written notice from the Company, unless the sale of the ADSs described therein has been suspended, cancelled or otherwise terminated. The sales, if any, under the Sale Agreement will be made (i) in negotiated transactions with the consent of the Company or (ii) by any other method permitted by law deemed to be an at the market offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), including block transactions, sales made directly on The Nasdaq Global Market or any other existing trading market of the ADSs. The Sale Agreement provides that the commission payable to the Agent for sales of ADSs with respect to which the Agent acts as sales agent shall be equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of ADSs sold pursuant to the Sale Agreement, or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Agent.
The Sale Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions under which the Company and the Agent have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Agent and the Company have the right, by giving written notice as specified in the Sales Agreement, to terminate the Sales Agreement.
The offering has been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Companys shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-234405), as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement dated October 9, 2020 relating to the sale of the ADSs.
A copy of the Sale Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.5 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Sale Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
A copy of the opinion of Walkers (Singapore) Limited Liability Partnership relating to the validity of the securities to be issued in accordance with the Sale Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1.
Exhibits
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, thereto duly authorized.
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED (Registrant) |
||
By: |
/s/ Kiran Kumar Asarpota |
|
Name: | Kiran Kumar Asarpota | |
Title: | Chief Operating Officer |
Date: October 9, 2020
Exhibit 1.1
THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
NINTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED ON 04 SEPTEMBER 2020)
1. |
The name of the company is ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company). |
2. |
The registered office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited at Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands or at such other location as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
3. |
The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the Companies Law). |
4. |
The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by Section 27(2) of the Companies Law. |
5. |
The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands. |
6. |
The liability of the shareholders of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. |
7. |
The capital of the Company is US$ 165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$ 0.33 each provided always that subject to the Law and the Articles of Association the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to sub-divide or consolidate the said shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided. |
8. |
The Company may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction. |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE | PAGE | |||
TABLE A |
1 | |||
INTERPRETATION |
1 | |||
PRELIMINARY |
4 | |||
SHARES |
5 | |||
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS |
6 | |||
CERTIFICATES |
6 | |||
FRACTIONAL SHARES |
7 | |||
LIEN |
7 | |||
CALLS ON SHARES |
8 | |||
FORFEITURE OF SHARES |
8 | |||
TRANSFER OF SHARES |
9 | |||
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES |
10 | |||
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL |
10 | |||
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES |
11 | |||
TREASURY SHARES |
11 | |||
GENERAL MEETINGS |
12 | |||
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS |
13 | |||
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS |
13 | |||
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS |
14 | |||
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS |
15 |
i
DIRECTORS |
16 | |||
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR |
16 | |||
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS |
17 | |||
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS |
18 | |||
THE SEAL |
18 | |||
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS |
19 | |||
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS |
19 | |||
DIVIDENDS |
21 | |||
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION |
22 | |||
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES |
23 | |||
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT |
24 | |||
NOTICES |
24 | |||
INDEMNITY |
25 | |||
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS |
26 | |||
WINDING UP |
27 | |||
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
27 | |||
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE |
27 | |||
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION |
28 | |||
MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATION |
28 | |||
DISCLOSURE |
28 |
ii
THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
NINTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED ON 04 SEPTEMBER 2020)
TABLE A
The Regulations contained or incorporated in Table A in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company) and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
INTERPRETATION
1. |
In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context: |
ADS means an American Depositary Share, each representing five (5) ordinary shares.
Articles means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
Branch Register means any branch Register of such category or categories of Members as the Company may from time to time determine.
Class or Classes means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
clearing house means a clearing house recognised by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the shares of the Company are listed or quoted on a stock exchange in such jurisdiction.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act.
Companies Law means the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands.
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Directors means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof.
Independent Director means a Director who is an independent director as defined in the Nasdaq Rules as amended from time to time.
Memorandum of Association means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
Nasdaq means the Nasdaq Stock Market in the United States.
Nasdaq Rules means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued quotation of any shares or ADSs on Nasdaq, including without limitation, the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.
Office means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law.
Officers means the officers for the time being and from time to time of the Company.
Ordinary Resolution means a resolution:
(a) |
passed by a simple majority of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
(b) |
approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
paid up means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up.
Person means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires, other than in respect of a Director or Officer in which circumstances Person shall mean any person or entity permitted to act as such in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Principal Register, where the Company has established one or more Branch Registers pursuant to the Companies Law and these Articles, means the Register maintained by the Company pursuant to the Companies Law and these Articles that is not designated by the Directors as a Branch Register.
2
Register means the register of Members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Companies Law and includes any Branch Register(s) established by the Company in accordance with the Companies Law.
Seal means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof.
Secretary means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
Share means a share in the capital of the Company. All references to Shares herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression Share shall include a fraction of a Share.
Shareholder or Member means a Person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register and includes each subscriber to the Memorandum of Association pending entry in the Register of such subscriber.
Share Premium Account means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law.
signed means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means.
Special Resolution means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Law, being a resolution:
(a) |
passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
(b) |
approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
Treasury Shares means Shares that were previously issued but were purchased, redeemed, surrendered or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled.
3
2. |
In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise: |
(a) |
words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) |
words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require; |
(c) |
the word may shall be construed as permissive and the word shall shall be construed as imperative; |
(d) |
reference to a dollar or dollars or USD (or $) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America; |
(e) |
reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force; |
(f) |
reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case; and |
(g) |
reference to in writing shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing or partly one and partly another. |
3. |
Subject to the preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Law shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles. |
PRELIMINARY
4. |
The business of the Company may be commenced at any time after incorporation. |
5. |
The Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
6. |
The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine. |
7. |
The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place or (subject to compliance with the Companies Law and these Articles) places as the Directors may from time to time determine. In the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Office. The Directors may keep, or cause to be kept, one or more Branch Registers as well as the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Law, provided always that a duplicate of such Branch Register(s) shall be maintained with the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Law. |
4
SHARES
8. |
Subject to these Articles, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may: |
(a) |
issue, allot and dispose of the same to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine; and |
(b) |
grant options with respect to such Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto; |
and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued.
9. |
The Directors, or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution, may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and sub-classes and the different Classes and sub-classes shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution. |
10. |
The Company may issue Shares with rights which are preferential to those of ordinary Shares issued by the Company (preferred Shares) with the approval of the Directors and with the approval of a Special Resolution. Prior to the issuance of any preferred Shares approved pursuant to this Article 10, these Articles shall be amended to set forth the rights and obligations of the preferred Shares, including but not limited to the following terms, and the same shall apply to any variation of rights of preferred Shares: |
(a) |
order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of dividends and other distributions on preferred Shares; |
(b) |
order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of the assets available for distribution on a liquidation of the Company; |
(c) |
order of or restriction on the voting rights (including declaring no voting rights whatsoever) of preferred Shareholders; |
(d) |
other matters concerning rights and obligations incidental to preferred Shares; and |
(e) |
the method by which the Company is authorized or compelled to redeem the preferred Shares, or a statement that redemption rights shall not apply. |
5
11. |
The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares. |
12. |
The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason. |
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
13. |
Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes (and as otherwise determined by the Directors) the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued Shares of the relevant Class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of such Class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes. The Directors may vary the rights attaching to any Class without the consent or approval of Shareholders provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the Directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action. |
14. |
The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied or abrogated by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company. |
CERTIFICATES
15. |
No Person shall be entitled to a certificate for any or all of his Shares, unless the Directors shall determine otherwise. |
16. |
Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act. |
6
FRACTIONAL SHARES
17. |
The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated. |
LIEN
18. |
The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Companys lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it. |
19. |
The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors may determine, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy. |
20. |
For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
21. |
The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale. |
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CALLS ON SHARES
22. |
The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. |
23. |
The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof. |
24. |
If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part. |
25. |
The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
26. |
The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment. |
27. |
The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. |
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
28. |
If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of any Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued. |
29. |
The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
30. |
If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect. |
31. |
A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. |
8
32. |
A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited. |
33. |
A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director, and that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. |
34. |
The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale. |
35. |
The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES
36. |
The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may determine and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares. |
37. |
Subject to the terms of issue thereof, the Directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of Shares without assigning any reason therefor. |
38. |
The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
39. |
All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company, but any instrument of transfer that the Directors decline to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be returned to the Person depositing the same. |
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TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
40. |
The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased holder of the Share, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. |
41. |
Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy. |
42. |
A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company. |
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
43. |
The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe. |
44. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) |
consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares; |
(b) |
convert all or any of its paid up Shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up Shares of any denomination; |
(c) |
subdivide its existing Shares, or any of them into Shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and |
(d) |
cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled. |
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45. |
The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law. |
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES
46. |
Subject to the Companies Law, the Company may: |
(a) |
issue Shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the Shareholder on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine; |
(b) |
purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine and agree with the Shareholder; |
(c) |
make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner authorised by the Companies Law, including out of its capital; and |
(d) |
accept the surrender for no consideration of any paid up Share (including any redeemable Share) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine. |
47. |
Any Share in respect of which notice of redemption has been given shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the notice of redemption. |
48. |
The redemption, purchase or surrender of any Share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption, purchase or surrender of any other Share. |
49. |
The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of Shares, if authorised by the terms of issue of the Shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such Shares, make such payment either in cash or in specie including, without limitation, interests in a special purpose vehicle holding assets of the Company or holding entitlement to the proceeds of assets held by the Company or in a liquidating structure. |
TREASURY SHARES
50. |
Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or acquires (by way of surrender or otherwise) may, at the option of the Company, be cancelled immediately or held as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Companies Law. In the event that the Directors do not specify that the relevant Shares are to be held as Treasury Shares, such Shares shall be cancelled. |
51. |
No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of the Companys assets (including any distribution of assets to members on a winding up) may be declared or paid in respect of a Treasury Share. |
11
52. |
The Company shall be entered in the Register as the holder of the Treasury Shares provided that: |
(a) |
the Company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in respect of the Treasury Shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void; |
(b) |
a Treasury Share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the Company and shall not be counted in determining the total number of issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of these Articles or the Companies Law, save that an allotment of Shares as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a Treasury Share is permitted and Shares allotted as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a treasury share shall be treated as Treasury Shares. |
53. |
Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions as determined by the Directors. |
GENERAL MEETINGS
54. |
The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting of the Company. |
55. |
The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason at any time prior to the time for holding such meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. The Directors shall give Shareholders notice in writing of any cancellation or postponement. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine. |
56. |
General meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any Shareholder or Shareholders entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company deposited at the Office specifying the objects of the meeting by notice given no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition signed by the requisitionists, and if the Directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 45 days after the date of such deposit, the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by the Company. |
57. |
If at any time there are no Directors, any two Shareholders (or if there is only one Shareholder then that Shareholder) entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company may convene a general meeting in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors. |
12
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
58. |
At least seven days notice in writing counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in these Articles specifying the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business, shall be given in the manner hereinafter provided or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution to such Persons as are, under these Articles, entitled to receive such notices from the Company, but with the consent of all the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of some particular meeting and attend and vote thereat, that meeting may be convened by such shorter notice or without notice and in such manner as those Shareholders may think fit. |
59. |
The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
60. |
All business carried out at a general meeting shall be deemed special with the exception of sanctioning a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, any report of the Directors or of the Companys auditors, and the fixing of the remuneration of the Companys auditors. No special business shall be transacted at any general meeting without the consent of all Shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such special business has been given in the notice convening that meeting. |
61. |
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as otherwise provided by these Articles, one or more Shareholders holding at least a majority of the paid up voting share capital of the Company present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at that meeting shall form a quorum. |
62. |
If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Shareholder or Shareholders present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum. |
63. |
If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
64. |
The chairman, if any, of the Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company. |
65. |
If there is no such chairman, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting. |
13
66. |
The chairman may adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place either: |
(a) |
with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting); or |
(b) |
without the consent of such meeting if, in his sole opinion, he considers it necessary to do so to: |
(i) |
secure the orderly conduct or proceedings of the meeting; or |
(ii) |
give all persons present in person or by proxy and having the right to speak and / or vote at such meeting, the ability to do so, |
but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner provided for the original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
67. |
At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman or one or more Shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution. |
68. |
If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
69. |
In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
70. |
A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs. |
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
71. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall, at a general meeting of the Company, each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall have one vote for each Share of which he or the Person represented by proxy is the holder. |
14
72. |
In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register. |
73. |
A Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person, may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy. |
74. |
No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid. |
75. |
On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy. |
76. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an Officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder. |
77. |
An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve. |
78. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting no later than the time for holding the meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. |
79. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll. |
80. |
A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS
81. |
Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director. |
15
82. |
If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorise such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that, if more than one person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorised. Each person so authorised under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorised without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house (or its nominee(s)). |
DIRECTORS
83. |
For so long as shares or ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, the Directors shall include such number of Independent Directors as applicable law, rules or regulations or the Nasdaq Rules require for a foreign private issuer under the United States securities laws, so long as the Company is a foreign private issuer. |
84. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any Person to be a Director. |
85. |
Subject to these Articles, a Director shall hold office until such time as he is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution. |
86. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of Directors to be appointed but unless such numbers are fixed as aforesaid the minimum number of Directors shall be one and the maximum number of Directors shall be unlimited. |
87. |
The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution. |
88. |
There shall be no shareholding qualification for Directors unless determined otherwise by Ordinary Resolution. |
89. |
The Directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any Person to be a Director, either as a result of a casual vacancy or as an additional Director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by Ordinary Resolution. |
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR
90. |
Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be authorised to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing Director, and to act in such Directors place at any meeting of the Directors. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as the alternate of the Director appointing him and where he is a Director to have a separate vote in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall not be an Officer solely as a result of his appointment as an alternate other than in respect of such times as the alternate acts as a Director. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them. |
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POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
91. |
Subject to the Companies Law, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed. |
92. |
The Directors may from time to time appoint any Person, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, the office of president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any Person so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director or chief executive officer upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director or chief executive officer ceases from any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated. |
93. |
The Directors may appoint any Person to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution. |
94. |
The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. |
95. |
The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an Attorney or Authorised Signatory, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him. |
17
96. |
The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article. |
97. |
The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any Person to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such Person. |
98. |
The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any Person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby. |
99. |
Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them. |
100. |
The Directors may agree with a Shareholder to waive or modify the terms applicable to such Shareholders subscription for Shares without obtaining the consent of any other Shareholder; provided that such waiver or modification does not amount to a variation or abrogation of the rights attaching to the Shares of such other Shareholders. |
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS
101. |
The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, or to otherwise provide for a security interest to be taken in such undertaking, property or uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
THE SEAL
102. |
The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence. |
18
103. |
The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose. |
104. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company. |
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
105. |
The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director: |
(a) |
becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; |
(b) |
dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; |
(c) |
resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; |
(d) |
is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution; |
(e) |
is removed from office by notice addressed to him at his last known address and signed by all of his co-Directors (not being less than two in number); or |
(f) |
is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles. |
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
106. |
The Directors may meet together (either within or outside the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors. |
107. |
A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
19
108. |
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, if there be two or more Directors the quorum shall be two, and if there be one Director the quorum shall be one. A Director represented by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present. |
109. |
A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration. |
110. |
A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement. |
111. |
Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company. |
112. |
The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose of recording: |
(a) |
all appointments of Officers made by the Directors; |
(b) |
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and |
(c) |
all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors. |
20
113. |
When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings. |
114. |
A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate. |
115. |
The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
116. |
The Directors may elect a chairman of their meetings and determine the period for which he is to hold office but if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
117. |
Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
118. |
A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
119. |
All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director. |
DIVIDENDS
120. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, or as otherwise provided for in the Companies Law and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. |
21
121. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. |
122. |
The Directors may determine, before recommending or declaring any dividend, to set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and pending such application may, at the determination of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Directors may from time to time think fit. |
123. |
Any dividend may be paid in any manner as the Directors may determine. If paid by cheque it will be sent through the post to the registered address of the Shareholder or Person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such Person and such address as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the Person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other Person as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. |
124. |
The Directors when paying dividends to the Shareholders in accordance with the foregoing provisions of these Articles may make such payment either in cash or in specie and may determine the extent to which amounts may be withheld therefrom (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees, expenses or other liabilities for which a Shareholder (or the Company, as a result of any action or inaction of the Shareholder) is liable). |
125. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. |
126. |
If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share. |
127. |
No dividend shall bear interest against the Company. |
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION
128. |
The books of account relating to the Companys affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors. |
129. |
The books of account shall be kept at the Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors. |
22
130. |
The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution. |
131. |
The accounts relating to the Companys affairs shall only be audited if the Directors so determine, in which case the accounting principles will be determined by the Directors. The financial year of the Company shall end on 31 December of each year or such other date as the Directors may determine. |
132. |
The Directors in each year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Law and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. |
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES
133. |
Subject to the Companies Law and these Articles, the Directors may: |
(a) |
resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution; |
(b) |
appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards: |
(i) |
paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or |
(ii) |
paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum, |
and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;
(c) |
make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit; |
23
(d) |
authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either: |
(i) |
the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or |
(ii) |
the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares, |
and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
(e) |
generally do all acts and things required to give effect to any of the actions contemplated by this Article. |
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT
134. |
The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Law establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share. |
135. |
There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the determination of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Law, out of capital. |
NOTICES
136. |
Any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it airmail or air courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders. |
137. |
Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened. |
138. |
Any notice or other document, if served by: |
(a) |
post, shall be deemed to have been served five clear days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted; |
24
(b) |
facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient; |
(c) |
recognised courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or |
(d) |
electronic mail, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission by electronic mail. |
In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.
139. |
Any notice or document delivered or sent in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share. |
140. |
Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to: |
(a) |
all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and |
(b) |
every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting. |
No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
INDEMNITY
141. |
Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other Officer (but not including the Companys auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an Indemnified Person) shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and funds of the Company against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of the Companys business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. |
25
142. |
No Indemnified Person shall be liable: |
(a) |
for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or Officer or agent of the Company; or |
(b) |
for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or |
(c) |
on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or |
(d) |
for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or |
(e) |
for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Persons part; or |
(f) |
for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Persons office or in relation thereto; |
unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
143. |
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of the Director or the officers of the Company against any liability incurred by him/her in his/her capacity as a Director or officer, as applicable, in order to minimise the relevant indemnity liabilities incurred or sustained by the Company and the Shareholders. |
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS
144. |
Subject to the proviso hereto, no Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Law requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to recognise any such interests as shall be determined by the Directors. |
26
WINDING UP
145. |
If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in such manner and order as he thinks fit in satisfaction of creditors claims. |
146. |
If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution divide amongst the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different Classes. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Shareholders as the liquidator, with the like sanction shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets whereon there is any liability. |
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
147. |
Subject to the Companies Law and the rights attaching to the various Classes, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part. |
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE
148. |
For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case 40 days. If the Register shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders the Register shall be so closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register. |
149. |
In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination. |
150. |
If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
27
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
151. |
The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company. |
MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATION
152. |
The Company may merge or consolidate in accordance with the Companies Law. |
153. |
To the extent required by the Companies Law, the Company may by Special Resolution resolve to merge or consolidate the Company. |
DISCLOSURE
154. |
The Directors, or any authorised service providers (including the Officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company), shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority, or to any stock exchange on which the Shares may from time to time be listed, any information regarding the affairs of the Company including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and books of the Company. |
28
Exhibit 1.2
THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
TENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED ON 04 SEPTEMBER 2020)
1. |
The name of the company is ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company). |
2. |
The registered office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited at Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands or at such other location as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
3. |
The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the Companies Law). |
4. |
The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by Section 27(2) of the Companies Law. |
5. |
The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands. |
6. |
The liability of the shareholders of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. |
7. |
The capital of the Company is US$ 5,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$ 0.01 each provided always that subject to the Law and the Articles of Association the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to sub-divide or consolidate the said shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided. |
8. |
The Company may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction. |
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE | PAGE | |||
TABLE A |
1 | |||
INTERPRETATION |
1 | |||
PRELIMINARY |
4 | |||
SHARES |
5 | |||
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS |
6 | |||
CERTIFICATES |
6 | |||
FRACTIONAL SHARES |
7 | |||
LIEN |
7 | |||
CALLS ON SHARES |
7 | |||
FORFEITURE OF SHARES |
8 | |||
TRANSFER OF SHARES |
9 | |||
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES |
10 | |||
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL |
10 | |||
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES |
11 | |||
TREASURY SHARES |
11 | |||
GENERAL MEETINGS |
12 | |||
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS |
12 | |||
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS |
13 | |||
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS |
14 | |||
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS |
15 |
i
DIRECTORS |
16 | |||
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR |
16 | |||
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS |
17 | |||
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS |
18 | |||
THE SEAL |
18 | |||
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS |
19 | |||
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS |
19 | |||
DIVIDENDS |
21 | |||
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION |
22 | |||
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES |
23 | |||
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT |
24 | |||
NOTICES |
24 | |||
INDEMNITY |
25 | |||
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS |
26 | |||
WINDING UP |
26 | |||
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
27 | |||
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE |
27 | |||
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION |
28 | |||
MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATION |
28 | |||
DISCLOSURE |
28 |
ii
THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
TENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED ON 04 SEPTEMBER 2020)
TABLE A
The Regulations contained or incorporated in Table A in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company) and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
INTERPRETATION
1. |
In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context: |
ADS means an American Depositary Share, each representing five (5) ordinary shares.
Articles means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
Branch Register means any branch Register of such category or categories of Members as the Company may from time to time determine.
Class or Classes means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
clearing house means a clearing house recognised by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the shares of the Company are listed or quoted on a stock exchange in such jurisdiction.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act.
Companies Law means the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands.
1
Directors means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof.
Independent Director means a Director who is an independent director as defined in the Nasdaq Rules as amended from time to time.
Memorandum of Association means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
Nasdaq means the Nasdaq Stock Market in the United States.
Nasdaq Rules means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued quotation of any shares or ADSs on Nasdaq, including without limitation, the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.
Office means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law.
Officers means the officers for the time being and from time to time of the Company.
Ordinary Resolution means a resolution:
(a) |
passed by a simple majority of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
(b) |
approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
paid up means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up.
Person means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires, other than in respect of a Director or Officer in which circumstances Person shall mean any person or entity permitted to act as such in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Principal Register, where the Company has established one or more Branch Registers pursuant to the Companies Law and these Articles, means the Register maintained by the Company pursuant to the Companies Law and these Articles that is not designated by the Directors as a Branch Register.
2
Register means the register of Members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Companies Law and includes any Branch Register(s) established by the Company in accordance with the Companies Law.
Seal means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof.
Secretary means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
Share means a share in the capital of the Company. All references to Shares herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression Share shall include a fraction of a Share.
Shareholder or Member means a Person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register and includes each subscriber to the Memorandum of Association pending entry in the Register of such subscriber.
Share Premium Account means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law.
signed means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means.
Special Resolution means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Law, being a resolution:
(a) |
passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
(b) |
approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
Treasury Shares means Shares that were previously issued but were purchased, redeemed, surrendered or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled.
3
2. |
In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise: |
(a) |
words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) |
words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require; |
(c) |
the word may shall be construed as permissive and the word shall shall be construed as imperative; |
(d) |
reference to a dollar or dollars or USD (or $) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America; |
(e) |
reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force; |
(f) |
reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case; and |
(g) |
reference to in writing shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing or partly one and partly another. |
3. |
Subject to the preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Law shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles. |
PRELIMINARY
4. |
The business of the Company may be commenced at any time after incorporation. |
5. |
The Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
6. |
The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine. |
7. |
The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place or (subject to compliance with the Companies Law and these Articles) places as the Directors may from time to time determine. In the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Office. The Directors may keep, or cause to be kept, one or more Branch Registers as well as the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Law, provided always that a duplicate of such Branch Register(s) shall be maintained with the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Law. |
4
SHARES
8. |
Subject to these Articles, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may: |
(a) |
issue, allot and dispose of the same to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine; and |
(b) |
grant options with respect to such Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto; |
and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued.
9. |
The Directors, or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution, may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and sub-classes and the different Classes and sub-classes shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution. |
10. |
The Company may issue Shares with rights which are preferential to those of ordinary Shares issued by the Company (preferred Shares) with the approval of the Directors and with the approval of a Special Resolution. Prior to the issuance of any preferred Shares approved pursuant to this Article 10, these Articles shall be amended to set forth the rights and obligations of the preferred Shares, including but not limited to the following terms, and the same shall apply to any variation of rights of preferred Shares: |
(a) |
order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of dividends and other distributions on preferred Shares; |
(b) |
order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of the assets available for distribution on a liquidation of the Company; |
(c) |
order of or restriction on the voting rights (including declaring no voting rights whatsoever) of preferred Shareholders; |
(d) |
other matters concerning rights and obligations incidental to preferred Shares; and |
(e) |
the method by which the Company is authorized or compelled to redeem the preferred Shares, or a statement that redemption rights shall not apply. |
5
11. |
The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares. |
12. |
The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason. |
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
13. |
Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes (and as otherwise determined by the Directors) the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued Shares of the relevant Class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of such Class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes. The Directors may vary the rights attaching to any Class without the consent or approval of Shareholders provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the Directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action. |
14. |
The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied or abrogated by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company. |
CERTIFICATES
15. |
No Person shall be entitled to a certificate for any or all of his Shares, unless the Directors shall determine otherwise. |
16. |
Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act. |
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FRACTIONAL SHARES
17. |
The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated. |
LIEN
18. |
The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Companys lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it. |
19. |
The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors may determine, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy. |
20. |
For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
21. |
The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale. |
CALLS ON SHARES
22. |
The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. |
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23. |
The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof. |
24. |
If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part. |
25. |
The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
26. |
The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment. |
27. |
The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. |
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
28. |
If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of any Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued. |
29. |
The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
30. |
If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect. |
31. |
A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. |
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32. |
A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited. |
33. |
A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director, and that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. |
34. |
The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale. |
35. |
The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES
36. |
The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may determine and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares. |
37. |
Subject to the terms of issue thereof, the Directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of Shares without assigning any reason therefor. |
38. |
The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
39. |
All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company, but any instrument of transfer that the Directors decline to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be returned to the Person depositing the same. |
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TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
40. |
The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased holder of the Share, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. |
41. |
Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy. |
42. |
A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company. |
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
43. |
The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe. |
44. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) |
consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares; |
(b) |
convert all or any of its paid up Shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up Shares of any denomination; |
(c) |
subdivide its existing Shares, or any of them into Shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and |
(d) |
cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled. |
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45. |
The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law. |
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES
46. |
Subject to the Companies Law, the Company may: |
(a) |
issue Shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the Shareholder on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine; |
(b) |
purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine and agree with the Shareholder; |
(c) |
make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner authorised by the Companies Law, including out of its capital; and |
(d) |
accept the surrender for no consideration of any paid up Share (including any redeemable Share) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine. |
47. |
Any Share in respect of which notice of redemption has been given shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the notice of redemption. |
48. |
The redemption, purchase or surrender of any Share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption, purchase or surrender of any other Share. |
49. |
The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of Shares, if authorised by the terms of issue of the Shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such Shares, make such payment either in cash or in specie including, without limitation, interests in a special purpose vehicle holding assets of the Company or holding entitlement to the proceeds of assets held by the Company or in a liquidating structure. |
TREASURY SHARES
50. |
Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or acquires (by way of surrender or otherwise) may, at the option of the Company, be cancelled immediately or held as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Companies Law. In the event that the Directors do not specify that the relevant Shares are to be held as Treasury Shares, such Shares shall be cancelled. |
51. |
No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of the Companys assets (including any distribution of assets to members on a winding up) may be declared or paid in respect of a Treasury Share. |
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52. |
The Company shall be entered in the Register as the holder of the Treasury Shares provided that: |
(a) |
the Company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in respect of the Treasury Shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void; |
(b) |
a Treasury Share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the Company and shall not be counted in determining the total number of issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of these Articles or the Companies Law, save that an allotment of Shares as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a Treasury Share is permitted and Shares allotted as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a treasury share shall be treated as Treasury Shares. |
53. |
Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions as determined by the Directors. |
GENERAL MEETINGS
54. |
The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting of the Company. |
55. |
The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason at any time prior to the time for holding such meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. The Directors shall give Shareholders notice in writing of any cancellation or postponement. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine. |
56. |
General meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any Shareholder or Shareholders entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company deposited at the Office specifying the objects of the meeting by notice given no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition signed by the requisitionists, and if the Directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 45 days after the date of such deposit, the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by the Company. |
57. |
If at any time there are no Directors, any two Shareholders (or if there is only one Shareholder then that Shareholder) entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company may convene a general meeting in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors. |
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NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
58. |
At least seven days notice in writing counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in these Articles specifying the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business, shall be given in the manner hereinafter provided or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution to such Persons as are, under these Articles, entitled to receive such notices from the Company, but with the consent of all the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of some particular meeting and attend and vote thereat, that meeting may be convened by such shorter notice or without notice and in such manner as those Shareholders may think fit. |
59. |
The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
60. |
All business carried out at a general meeting shall be deemed special with the exception of sanctioning a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, any report of the Directors or of the Companys auditors, and the fixing of the remuneration of the Companys auditors. No special business shall be transacted at any general meeting without the consent of all Shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such special business has been given in the notice convening that meeting. |
61. |
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as otherwise provided by these Articles, one or more Shareholders holding at least a majority of the paid up voting share capital of the Company present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at that meeting shall form a quorum. |
62. |
If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Shareholder or Shareholders present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum. |
63. |
If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
64. |
The chairman, if any, of the Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company. |
65. |
If there is no such chairman, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting. |
13
66. |
The chairman may adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place either: |
(a) |
with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting); or |
(b) |
without the consent of such meeting if, in his sole opinion, he considers it necessary to do so to: |
(i) |
secure the orderly conduct or proceedings of the meeting; or |
(ii) |
give all persons present in person or by proxy and having the right to speak and / or vote at such meeting, the ability to do so, |
but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner provided for the original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
67. |
At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman or one or more Shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution. |
68. |
If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
69. |
In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
70. |
A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs. |
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
71. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall, at a general meeting of the Company, each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall have one vote for each Share of which he or the Person represented by proxy is the holder. |
14
72. |
In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register. |
73. |
A Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person, may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy. |
74. |
No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid. |
75. |
On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy. |
76. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an Officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder. |
77. |
An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve. |
78. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting no later than the time for holding the meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. |
79. |
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll. |
80. |
A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS
81. |
Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director. |
15
82. |
If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorise such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that, if more than one person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorised. Each person so authorised under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorised without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house (or its nominee(s)). |
DIRECTORS
83. |
For so long as shares or ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, the Directors shall include such number of Independent Directors as applicable law, rules or regulations or the Nasdaq Rules require for a foreign private issuer under the United States securities laws, so long as the Company is a foreign private issuer. |
84. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any Person to be a Director. |
85. |
Subject to these Articles, a Director shall hold office until such time as he is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution. |
86. |
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of Directors to be appointed but unless such numbers are fixed as aforesaid the minimum number of Directors shall be one and the maximum number of Directors shall be unlimited. |
87. |
The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution. |
88. |
There shall be no shareholding qualification for Directors unless determined otherwise by Ordinary Resolution. |
89. |
The Directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any Person to be a Director, either as a result of a casual vacancy or as an additional Director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by Ordinary Resolution. |
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR
90. |
Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be authorised to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing Director, and to act in such Directors place at any meeting of the Directors. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as the alternate of the Director appointing him and where he is a Director to have a separate vote in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall not be an Officer solely as a result of his appointment as an alternate other than in respect of such times as the alternate acts as a Director. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them. |
16
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
91. |
Subject to the Companies Law, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed. |
92. |
The Directors may from time to time appoint any Person, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, the office of president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any Person so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director or chief executive officer upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director or chief executive officer ceases from any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated. |
93. |
The Directors may appoint any Person to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution. |
94. |
The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. |
95. |
The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an Attorney or Authorised Signatory, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him. |
17
96. |
The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article. |
97. |
The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any Person to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such Person. |
98. |
The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any Person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby. |
99. |
Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them. |
100. |
The Directors may agree with a Shareholder to waive or modify the terms applicable to such Shareholders subscription for Shares without obtaining the consent of any other Shareholder; provided that such waiver or modification does not amount to a variation or abrogation of the rights attaching to the Shares of such other Shareholders. |
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS
101. |
The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, or to otherwise provide for a security interest to be taken in such undertaking, property or uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
THE SEAL
102. |
The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence. |
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103. |
The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose. |
104. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company. |
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
105. |
The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director: |
(a) |
becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; |
(b) |
dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; |
(c) |
resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; |
(d) |
is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution; |
(e) |
is removed from office by notice addressed to him at his last known address and signed by all of his co-Directors (not being less than two in number); or |
(f) |
is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles. |
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
106. |
The Directors may meet together (either within or outside the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors. |
107. |
A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
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108. |
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, if there be two or more Directors the quorum shall be two, and if there be one Director the quorum shall be one. A Director represented by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present. |
109. |
A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration. |
110. |
A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement. |
111. |
Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company. |
112. |
The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose of recording: |
(a) |
all appointments of Officers made by the Directors; |
(b) |
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and |
(c) |
all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors. |
20
113. |
When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings. |
114. |
A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate. |
115. |
The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
116. |
The Directors may elect a chairman of their meetings and determine the period for which he is to hold office but if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
117. |
Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
118. |
A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
119. |
All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director. |
DIVIDENDS
120. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, or as otherwise provided for in the Companies Law and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. |
21
121. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. |
122. |
The Directors may determine, before recommending or declaring any dividend, to set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and pending such application may, at the determination of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Directors may from time to time think fit. |
123. |
Any dividend may be paid in any manner as the Directors may determine. If paid by cheque it will be sent through the post to the registered address of the Shareholder or Person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such Person and such address as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the Person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other Person as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. |
124. |
The Directors when paying dividends to the Shareholders in accordance with the foregoing provisions of these Articles may make such payment either in cash or in specie and may determine the extent to which amounts may be withheld therefrom (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees, expenses or other liabilities for which a Shareholder (or the Company, as a result of any action or inaction of the Shareholder) is liable). |
125. |
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. |
126. |
If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share. |
127. |
No dividend shall bear interest against the Company. |
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION
128. |
The books of account relating to the Companys affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors. |
129. |
The books of account shall be kept at the Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors. |
22
130. |
The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution. |
131. |
The accounts relating to the Companys affairs shall only be audited if the Directors so determine, in which case the accounting principles will be determined by the Directors. The financial year of the Company shall end on 31 December of each year or such other date as the Directors may determine. |
132. |
The Directors in each year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Law and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. |
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES
133. |
Subject to the Companies Law and these Articles, the Directors may: |
(a) |
resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution; |
(b) |
appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards: |
(i) |
paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or |
(ii) |
paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum, |
and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;
(c) |
make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit; |
23
(d) |
authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either: |
(i) |
the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or |
(ii) |
the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares, |
and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
(e) |
generally do all acts and things required to give effect to any of the actions contemplated by this Article. |
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT
134. |
The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Law establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share. |
135. |
There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the determination of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Law, out of capital. |
NOTICES
136. |
Any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it airmail or air courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders. |
137. |
Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened. |
138. |
Any notice or other document, if served by: |
(a) |
post, shall be deemed to have been served five clear days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted; |
24
(b) |
facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient; |
(c) |
recognised courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or |
(d) |
electronic mail, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission by electronic mail. |
In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.
139. |
Any notice or document delivered or sent in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share. |
140. |
Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to: |
(a) |
all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and |
(b) |
every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting. |
No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
INDEMNITY
141. |
Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other Officer (but not including the Companys auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an Indemnified Person) shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and funds of the Company against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of the Companys business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. |
25
142. |
No Indemnified Person shall be liable: |
(a) |
for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or Officer or agent of the Company; or |
(b) |
for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or |
(c) |
on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or |
(d) |
for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or |
(e) |
for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Persons part; or |
(f) |
for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Persons office or in relation thereto; |
unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
143. |
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of the Director or the officers of the Company against any liability incurred by him/her in his/her capacity as a Director or officer, as applicable, in order to minimise the relevant indemnity liabilities incurred or sustained by the Company and the Shareholders. |
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS
144. |
Subject to the proviso hereto, no Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Law requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to recognise any such interests as shall be determined by the Directors. |
WINDING UP
145. |
If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in such manner and order as he thinks fit in satisfaction of creditors claims. |
26
146. |
If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution divide amongst the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different Classes. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Shareholders as the liquidator, with the like sanction shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets whereon there is any liability. |
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
147. |
Subject to the Companies Law and the rights attaching to the various Classes, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part. |
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE
148. |
For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case 40 days. If the Register shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders the Register shall be so closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register. |
149. |
In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination. |
150. |
If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
27
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
151. |
The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company. |
MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATION
152. |
The Company may merge or consolidate in accordance with the Companies Law. |
153. |
To the extent required by the Companies Law, the Company may by Special Resolution resolve to merge or consolidate the Company. |
DISCLOSURE
154. |
The Directors, or any authorised service providers (including the Officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company), shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority, or to any stock exchange on which the Shares may from time to time be listed, any information regarding the affairs of the Company including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and books of the Company. |
28
Exhibit 5.1
9 October 2020 | Our Ref: JT/MK/A6231-S11020 |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited
Walkers Corporate Limited
Cayman Corporate Centre
27 Hospital Road
George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-9008
Cayman Islands
Dear Sirs
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited
We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company) in connection with the offering by the Company of up to $7,500,000 of the Companys American Depositary Shares (the ADSs), each representing five ordinary shares (the Ordinary Shares), through Jefferies LLC (the Agent), pursuant to the Open Market Sale AgreementSM, dated 9 October 2020 (the Sale Agreement, and such ADSs, the Offered ADSs), by and between the Company and the Agent. The Offered ADSs will be issued pursuant to the Companys registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-234405) (the Registration Statement) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the prospectus contained therein, and the prospectus supplement dated 9 October 2020 , forming a part of such prospectus (the Prospectus Supplement), filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. We are furnishing this opinion as exhibit 5.1 to the Companys Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 9 October 2020 (the Current Report).
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the originals, copies or translations of the documents listed in Schedule 1.
In giving this opinion we have relied upon the assumptions set out in Schedule 2, which we have not independently verified.
We are Cayman Islands Attorneys at Law and express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands in force and as interpreted at the date of this opinion. We have not, for the purposes of this opinion, made any investigation of the laws, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction. Except as explicitly stated herein, we express no opinion in relation to any representation or warranty contained in any of the documents cited in this opinion nor upon matters of fact or the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion.
Walkers (Singapore) Limited Liability Partnership
UEN/Reg. No. T09LL0833E
3 Church Street, 16-02 Samsung Hub, Singapore 049483
T +65 6595 4670 F +65 6595 4671 www.walkersglobal.com
Bermuda | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Dubai | Dublin | Guernsey | Hong Kong | Jersey | London | Singapore
WALKERS | Page 2 |
We have also assumed that (i) prior to the issuance of any Offered ADSs under the Sale Agreement, the price, number of Offered ADSs, and certain other terms of issuance with respect to any specific issuance notice delivered under the Sale Agreement (an Issuance Notice) will be authorized and approved by the Companys board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Corporate Proceedings) and (ii) upon the issuance of any Offered ADSs, the total number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Based upon the examinations and assumptions stated herein and upon such searches as we have conducted and having regard to legal considerations which we consider relevant, and subject to the qualifications set out in Schedule 3, and under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we give the following opinions in relation to the matters set out below.
1. |
The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated with limited liability, validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and is in good standing with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. |
2. |
The authorised share capital of the Company is currently US$165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.33 each. |
3. |
Assuming the completion of the Corporate Proceedings in connection with the delivery of a specific Issuance Notice, the issue and allotment of the Ordinary Shares underlying the Offered ADSs to be offered and sold under the Sale Agreement has been duly authorised. When allotted, issued and fully paid for as contemplated in the Sale Agreement, and when appropriate entries have been made in the Register of Members of the Company, the Ordinary Shares to be issued by the Company will be validly issued, allotted, fully paid and non-assessable, and there will be no further obligation on the holder of any of the Ordinary Shares to make any further payment to the Company in respect of such Ordinary Shares. |
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof, as an exhibit to the Current Report and to the reference to our firm under the headings Enforcement of Civil Liabilities, Legal Matters and elsewhere in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
This opinion is limited to the matters referred to herein and shall not be construed as extending to any other matter or document not referred to herein.
This opinion shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Yours faithfully
/s/ WALKERS (SINGAPORE) LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
WALKERS (SINGAPORE) LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
WALKERS | Page 3 |
SCHEDULE 1
LIST OF DOCUMENTS EXAMINED
1. |
The Certificate of Incorporation dated 23 June 2014, the Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as adopted on 16 September 2020 (the Memorandum and Articles), Register of Members and Register of Directors, in each case, of the Company, copies of which have been provided to us by its registered office in the Cayman Islands and/or the Companys advisers (together the Company Records). |
2. |
A copy of a Certificate of Good Standing dated 8 October 2020 in respect of the Company issued by the Registrar (the Certificate of Good Standing). |
3. |
Copies of executed minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company dated, respectively, 10 September 2018, 7 November 2018, 6 January 2019, 26 April 2019, 13 May 2019, 30 September 2019, 4 October 2019, 17 July 2020 and 7 September 2020 setting out the resolutions adopted at each such meeting and a copy of executed written resolutions of the ATM Committee of the Board of the Company dated 9 October 2020. |
4. |
A certificate from a director of the Company dated 9 October 2020 (the Directors Certificate). |
5. |
The Registration Statement. |
6. |
The Prospectus Supplement. |
WALKERS | Page 4 |
SCHEDULE 2
ASSUMPTIONS
1. |
The originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic. All documents purporting to be sealed have been so sealed. All copies are complete and conform to their originals. |
2. |
The Company Records are complete and accurate and all matters required by law and the Memorandum and Articles to be recorded therein are completely and accurately so recorded. |
3. |
The Directors Certificate is true and correct as of the date hereof. |
4. |
The conversion of any shares in the capital of the Company will be effected via legally available means under Cayman law. |
WALKERS | Page 5 |
SCHEDULE 3
QUALIFICATIONS
1. |
Our opinion as to good standing is based solely upon receipt of the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar. The Company shall be deemed to be in good standing under section 200A of the Companies Law on the date of issue of the certificate if all fees and penalties under the Companies Law have been paid and the Registrar has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Companies Law. |
Exhibit 99.1
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. Dollars)
(Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-1
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In U.S. Dollars)
(Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-2
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In U.S. Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Equity Attributable to Shareholders of the Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Shares (Note 16) | Capital Surplus (Note 16) |
Unrealized
Valuation Loss on Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income (Note 16) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount |
Ordinary
Shares |
Share Options
Reserve |
Other | Total |
Accumulated
Deficits |
Non-controlling
Interests (Note 16) |
Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2019 |
160,248,940 | $ | 51,627,219 | $ | 105,143,362 | $ | 6,316,310 | $ | | $ | 111,459,672 | ($ | 132,468,858 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | 30,618,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Recognition of employee share options by the Company (Note 21) |
| | | 76,648 | | 76,648 | | | | 76,648 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 |
| | | | | | (12,275,009 | ) | | | (12,275,009 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 |
| | | | | | (12,275,009 | ) | | | (12,275,009 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2019 |
160,248,940 | $ | 51,627,219 | $ | 105,143,362 | $ | 6,392,958 | $ | | $ | 111,536,320 | ($ | 144,743,867 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | 18,419,672 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2020 |
189,954,970 | $ | 61,366,844 | $ | 108,800,191 | $ | 6,274,591 | $ | 1,420,928 | $ | 116,495,710 | ($ | 179,484,825 | ) | ($ | 55,084 | ) | $ | 1,074,081 | ($ | 603,274 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 |
| | | | | | (7,005,889 | ) | | (315,695 | ) | (7,321,584 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020, net of income tax |
| | | | | | | (74,331 | ) | | (74,331 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 |
| | | | | | (7,005,889 | ) | (74,331 | ) | (315,695 | ) | (7,395,915 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2020 |
189,954,970 | $ | 61,366,844 | $ | 108,800,191 | $ | 6,274,591 | $ | 1,420,928 | $ | 116,495,710 | ($ | 186,490,714 | ) | ($ | 129,415 | ) | $ | 758,386 | ($ | 7,999,189 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-3
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. Dollars)
(Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-4
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2020
(In U.S. Dollars, Unless Stated Otherwise)
(Unaudited)
1. |
GENERAL INFORMATION |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASLAN Cayman) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands in June 2014 as the listing vehicle for the initial public offering and listing on both the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) in Taiwan and the Nasdaq Global Market in the United States. ASLAN Cayman and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company) are principally engaged in the development of novel drugs for Asia prevalent cancers.
The main businesses and intragroup relationships of the Company were as follows as of June 30, 2020:
Name |
Place of Incorporation |
Date of Incorporation |
Main Business |
|||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited | Cayman Islands | June 2014 | Investment holding | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | April 2010 | New drug research and development | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Taiwan Limited | Taiwan | November 2013 | New drug research and development | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia | July 2014 | New drug research and development | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong | July 2015 | New drug research and development | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China | May 2016 | New drug research and development | |||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. | United States of America | October 2018 | New drug research and development | |||
Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | August 2019 | New drug research and development |
F-5
ASLAN Caymans shares have been listed on the TPEx since June 1, 2017. In addition, ASLAN Cayman also increased capital through a new share issuance by a depositary institution in order to sponsor its issuance of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), which have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, on May 4, 2018.
On August 25, 2020, ASLAN Caymans shares ceased trading on TPEx, resulting in the Nasdaq Global Market being the primary listing of the Companys securities. Refer to Note 25 for details.
The Company has financed its operations to date primarily through the issuance of common shares. The Company has incurred net losses since inception and please refer to Notes 22 and 23 for details of the Companys current fund raising plan.
In addition to its main product candidates, the Company has other earlier stage products candidates in development. On October 15, 2019, the Company established a joint venture with Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a leading research and development focused Korean pharmaceutical company, to develop antagonists of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The joint venture company, in which the Company currently owns a controlling stake, is called Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd.
Both the reporting and functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar.
2. |
APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were reviewed and approved by the Companys Audit Committee on September 22, 2020.
3. |
APPLICATION OF NEW, AMENDED AND REVISED STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS |
a. |
Amendments to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) mandatorily effective for the current year. |
The Company has applied the amendments to IFRSs included in Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a Business, Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform and Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 Definition of Material for the annual period that began on or after January 1, 2020 and Amendment to IFRS 16 Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions for the period that began on or after June 1, 2020. The application of these amendments has had no impact on the disclosures or amounts recognized in the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements.
b. |
New and revised IFRSs issued but not yet effective |
Of the new, amended and revised standards and interpretations (collectively the New IFRSs) that have been issued but are not yet effective, the Company has not applied the following.
New IFRSs |
Effective Date Announced by IASB (Note 1) |
|
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 20182020 |
January 1, 2022 (Note 2) | |
Amendments to IFRS 3 Reference to the Conceptual Framework | January 1, 2022 (Note 3) | |
Amendments to IFRS 4 Extension of the Temporary Exemption from
|
Effective immediately upon
|
|
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform - Phase 2 |
January 1, 2021 | |
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Sale or Contribution of Assets between An Investor and Its Associate or Joint Venture |
To be determined by IASB | |
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts |
January 1, 2023 | |
Amendments to IFRS 17 |
January 1, 2023 | |
Amendments to IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current |
January 1, 2023 | |
Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment - Proceeds before Intended Use |
January 1, 2022 (Note 4) | |
Amendments to IAS 37 Onerous ContractsCost of Fulfilling a Contract |
January 1, 2022 (Note 5) |
F-6
Note 1: |
Unless stated otherwise, the above New IFRSs are effective for annual reporting
periods beginning on or after their respective effective dates. |
|
Note 2: |
The amendments to IFRS 9 are applied prospectively to modifications and exchanges of financial liabilities that occur on or after the annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The amendments to IAS 41 Agriculture are applied prospectively to the fair value measurements on or after the annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoptions of IFRSs are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. | |
Note 3: |
The amendments are applicable to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2022. | |
Note 4: |
The amendments are applicable to property, plant and equipment that are brought to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management on or after January 1, 2021. |
|
Note 5: |
The amendments are applicable to contracts for which the entity has not yet fulfilled all its obligations on January 1, 2022. |
As of the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue, the Company is continuously assessing the possible impact that the application of other standards and interpretations will have on the Companys financial position and financial performance and will disclose the relevant impact when the assessment is completed.
4. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
a. |
Statement of compliance |
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The condensed consolidated financial statements are not subject to qualification relating to the application of IFRSs as issued by IASB.
b. |
Basis of preparation |
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for financial instruments and other payable arising from cash-settled share-based payment arrangements which are measured at fair value.
c. |
Basis of consolidation |
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the ASLAN Cayman and its subsidiaries. When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by the Company.
All intragroup transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full upon consolidation.
F-7
d. |
Other significant accounting policies |
Refer to the summary of significant accounting policies for the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, unless otherwise stated below.
Taxation
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. Interim period income taxes are assessed on an annual basis and calculated by applying to an interim periods pre-tax income the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.
5. |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY |
In the application of the Companys accounting policies, management is required to make judgments, estimations, and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The inputs into our judgments and estimates consider the economic implications of COVID-19 on our critical and significant accounting estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised if the revisions affect only that period or in the period of the revisions and future periods if the revisions affect both current and future periods.
For the critical accounting judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty and assumption applied in the condensed consolidated financial statements, refer to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
6. |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Cash on hand |
$ | 1,723 | $ | 1,688 | ||||
Deposits in banks |
22,201,308 | 13,825,756 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 22,203,031 | $ | 13,827,444 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Deposits in banks consisted of highly liquid time deposits that were readily convertible to known amounts of cash and were subject to an insignificant risk or changes in value.
F-8
7. |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS |
December 31,
2019 |
June 30,
2020 |
|||||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) - Non-current |
||||||||
Financial assets mandatorily classified as at FVTPL |
||||||||
Derivative financial assets - warrants (a) |
$ | 13,019 | $ | 3,765 | ||||
Derivative financial assets - pre-redemption right (b) |
55,237 | 55,237 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 68,256 | $ | 59,002 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) - Non-current |
||||||||
Financial liabilities at FVTPL |
||||||||
Derivative financial liabilities - conversion right (c) |
$ | 262,350 | $ | 262,350 | ||||
|
|
|
|
a. |
In July 2018, the Company acquired warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares of DotBio Pte. Ltd., as detailed in Note 17 (under the heading of Nanyang Technological University). |
b. |
On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into a loan facility agreement with warrants and was entitled to repay at any time prior to expiry of the term, as detailed in Note 14 (under the heading of October/November 2019 Loan Facility). |
c. |
On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into a convertible loan facility, as detailed in Note 14 (under the heading of Convertible Loan Facility). |
As there was no material difference to the inputs of the valuation techniques and assumptions, the Company determined that the fair value of Derivative financial assets - pre-redemption right and Derivative financial liabilities - conversion right as of June 30, 2020 approximated to their fair values as of December 31, 2019.
8. |
FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Non-current |
||||||||
Investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI |
||||||||
Foreign unlisted ordinary shares |
$ | 132,160 | $ | 57,829 | ||||
|
|
|
|
In July 2018, the Company acquired ordinary shares of DotBio Pte. Ltd., as detailed in Note 17 (under the heading of Nanyang Technological University), which were not held for trading. The management believes that to recognize short-term fluctuations in the investments fair value in profit or loss would not be consistent with the Companys purpose of holding the investments. As a result, the Company elected to designate the investments in equity instruments as at FVTOCI.
9. |
DETAILS OF SUBSIDIARIES THAT HAVE MATERIAL NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS |
There is no material change related to non-controlling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2020. For related information, please refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
F-9
10. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
The carrying amounts of each class of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
December 31,
2019 |
June 30,
2020 |
|||||||
Office equipment |
$ | 31,105 | $ | 18,557 | ||||
Other equipment |
1,938 | 623 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
5,290 | 3,023 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 38,333 | $ | 22,203 | |||||
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, 2019
Office
Equipment |
Other
Equipment |
Leasehold
Improvements |
Total | |||||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2019 |
$ | 276,935 | $ | 36,180 | $ | 488,106 | $ | 801,221 | ||||||||
Additions |
2,992 | | | 2,992 | ||||||||||||
Disposals |
(51,067 | ) | (889 | ) | (219,733 | ) | (271,689 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2019 |
$ | 228,860 | $ | 35,291 | $ | 268,373 | $ | 532,524 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2019 |
$ | 178,115 | $ | 25,128 | $ | 309,560 | $ | 512,803 | ||||||||
Depreciation expenses |
32,143 | 5,027 | 81,351 | 118,521 | ||||||||||||
Disposals |
(38,999 | ) | (517 | ) | (158,403 | ) | (197,919 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2019 |
$ | 171,259 | $ | 29,638 | $ | 232,508 | $ | 433,405 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Carrying amounts at January 1, 2019 |
$ | 98,820 | $ | 11,052 | $ | 178,546 | $ | 288,418 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Carrying amounts at June 30, 2019 |
$ | 57,601 | $ | 5,653 | $ | 35,865 | $ | 99,119 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, 2020
Office
Equipment |
Other
Equipment |
Leasehold
Improvements |
Total | |||||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2020 |
$ | 211,315 | $ | 35,291 | $ | 268,373 | $ | 514,979 | ||||||||
Disposals |
(2,806 | ) | | | (2,806 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 |
$ | 208,509 | $ | 35,291 | $ | 268,373 | $ | 512,173 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2020 |
$ | 180,210 | $ | 33,353 | $ | 263,083 | $ | 476,646 | ||||||||
Depreciation expenses |
12,548 | 1,315 | 2,267 | 16,130 | ||||||||||||
Disposals |
(2,806 | ) | | | (2,806 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 |
$ | 189,952 | $ | 34,668 | $ | 265,350 | $ | 489,970 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Carrying amounts at January 1, 2020 |
$ | 31,105 | $ | 1,938 | $ | 5,290 | $ | 38,333 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Carrying amounts at June 30, 2020 |
$ | 18,557 | $ | 623 | $ | 3,023 | $ | 22,203 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-10
The above items of property, plant and equipment used by the Company are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 years.
11. |
LEASE ARRANGEMENTS |
a. |
Right-of-use assets |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Carrying amounts |
||||||||
Buildings |
$ | 727,866 | $ | 594,953 | ||||
|
|
|
|
For the six
months ended June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Depreciation charge for right-of-use assets |
||||||||
Buildings |
$ | 135,247 | $ | 132,913 | ||||
|
|
|
|
b. |
Lease liabilities |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Carrying amounts |
||||||||
Current |
$ | 264,543 | $ | 274,077 | ||||
Non-current |
490,835 | 351,935 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 755,378 | $ | 626,012 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Discount rate for lease liabilities was as follows:
December 31,
2019 |
June 30,
2020 |
|||||||
Buildings |
6 | % | 6 | % |
F-11
c. |
Material lease-in activities and terms |
The Company leases office buildings with lease terms of 3 years. These arrangements do not contain purchase options at the end of the lease terms.
Certain of the office buildings leases across the Company contain extension options. These terms are used to maximize operational flexibility in terms of managing contracts. In cases in which the Company is not reasonably certain to use an optional extended lease term, payments associated with the optional period are not included within lease liabilities. If the payments associated with the optional period are included within lease liabilities, there will be an increase in lease liabilities of $711,189 as of June 30, 2020.
d. |
Other lease information |
For the six months
ended June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Expenses relating to short-term leases |
$ | 180,413 | $ | 69,761 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Expenses relating to low-value asset leases |
$ | 619 | $ | 1,765 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total cash outflow for leases |
$ | 327,441 | $ | 221,016 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The Company leases certain office buildings which qualify as short-term leases and certain office equipment which qualifies as low-value asset leases. The Company has elected to apply the recognition exemption and, thus, did not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for these leases.
All lease commitments with lease terms commencing after the balance sheet dates are as follows:
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Lease commitments |
$ | 67,935 | $ | 68,554 | ||||
|
|
|
|
12. |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
The carrying amounts of each class of intangible assets were as follows:
December 31,
2019 |
June 30,
2020 |
|||||||
Licenses |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Computer software |
2,845 | 888 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 2,845 | $ | 888 | |||||
|
|
|
|
F-12
For the six months ended June 30, 2019
Licenses |
Computer
Software |
Total | ||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 43,070 | $ | 23,116,470 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Accumulated amortization |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | 35,878 | $ | 35,878 | ||||||
Amortization expenses |
| 2,390 | 2,390 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at June 30, 2019 |
$ | | $ | 38,268 | $ | 38,268 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Carrying amounts at January 1, 2019 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 7,192 | $ | 23,080,592 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Carrying amounts at June 30, 2019 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 4,802 | $ | 23,078,202 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, 2019
Licenses |
Computer
Software |
Total | ||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 43,070 | $ | 23,116,470 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Accumulated amortization and impairment |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2020 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 40,225 | $ | 23,113,625 | ||||||
Amortization expenses |
| 1,957 | 1,957 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 |
$ | 23,073,400 | $ | 42,182 | $ | 23,115,582 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Carrying amounts at January 1, 2020 |
$ | | $ | 2,845 | $ | 2,845 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Carrying amounts at June 30, 2020 |
$ | | $ | 888 | $ | 888 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The intangible assets, namely licenses, include the acquisitions in August 2016 of ASLAN005 from Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd. (ETPL) and in January 2018 of exclusive and worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize varlitinib from Array Biopharma Inc., respectively. The information related to these license agreements is further disclosed in Note 17.
On July 5, 2019, the Company decided not to engage in further development of the licensed intellectual property for ASLAN005 from ETPL. The agreement relating to the research collaboration with ETPLs P53 Laboratory was terminated with effective September 3, 2019. As a result, the Company carried out a review of the recoverable amount of ASLAN005 and determined that the carrying amount of $73,400 was fully impaired for the year ended December 31, 2019.
On November 11, 2019, the Company announced that the global pivotal clinical trial testing varlitinib in biliary tract cancer did not meet its primary endpoints. As a result, the Company decided to stop investing in the further development of varlitinib at this time and the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the drug decreased. The Company carried out a review of the recoverable amount of varlitinib and determined that the carrying amount of $23 million was not recoverable. The review led to the recognition of an impairment loss of $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
F-13
Though the Company may decide to conduct exploratory research in the future, no resources have been allocated for its development and there is no guarantee that resources will be allocated in the future.
Computer software is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 years.
13. |
OTHER PAYABLES |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Payables for cash-settled share-based payment transactions (Note 21) |
$ | 755,787 | $ | 885,343 | ||||
Payables for salaries and bonuses |
1,037,213 | 651,423 | ||||||
Interest payables |
392,970 | 564,240 | ||||||
Payables for professional fees |
923,726 | 476,789 | ||||||
Others |
137,146 | 106,817 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 3,246,842 | $ | 2,684,612 | |||||
|
|
|
|
14. |
LONG-TERM BORROWINGS |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Unsecured borrowings |
||||||||
Loans from government |
$ | 7,361,124 | $ | 7,089,521 | ||||
Other long-term borrowings |
4,813,176 | 4,864,562 | ||||||
Interest payables |
3,183,507 | 3,460,204 | ||||||
Loans from shareholders |
1,707,498 | 1,705,724 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 17,065,305 | $ | 17,120,011 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unsecured borrowings from related parties |
||||||||
Loans from related parties |
$ | 552,426 | $ | 551,852 | ||||
Interest payables |
13,750 | 55,807 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 566,176 | $ | 607,659 | |||||
|
|
|
|
a. |
Loans from government |
On April 27, 2011, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) awarded the Company a repayable grant (the Grant) not exceeding SGD10 million to support the Companys drug development activities over a five-year qualifying period commencing February 24, 2011 (the Project). The Project was successfully implemented, resulting in substantially the full amount of the Grant being disbursed to the Company.
In the event any of the Companys clinical product candidates achieve commercial approval after Phase 3 clinical trials, the Company will be required to repay the funds disbursed to the Company under the Grant plus interest of 6%. Until the Company has fulfilled its repayment obligations under the Grant, the Company has ongoing update and reporting obligations to the EDB. In the event the Company breaches any of its ongoing obligations under the Grant, EDB can revoke the Grant and demand that the Company repay the funds disbursed to the Company under the Grant.
F-14
As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the amounts of funds disbursed to the Company plus accrued interest were $10,485,464 and $10,309,092, respectively.
b. |
Other long-term borrowings |
CSL Finance Pty Ltd.
On May 12, 2014, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. obtained a loan facility of $4.5 million from CSL Finance Pty Ltd. The amount was based on 75% of research and development costs approved by CSL Finance Pty Ltd. at each drawdown period. The loan is repayable within 10 years from the date of the facility agreement. Interest on the loan is computed at 6% plus LIBOR and is payable on a quarterly basis.
Mandatory prepayment of the loan is required upon a successful product launch occurring before maturity of the loan.
As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the aggregate carrying amount including principal and accrued interest outstanding under CSL Loan Facility were $4,453,327 and $4,624,597, respectively.
Convertible Loan Facility
On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into a loan facility with Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for an amount of $1.0 million (the September 2019 Loan Facility). The September 2019 Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date the Company draws down on such facility. The Company has the option to repay the amounts owed at any time, subject to certain conditions.
The lender will have the right to convert, at their option, any outstanding principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest under the loan into that number of the Companys newly issued ADSs calculated by dividing (a) such outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest under the loan by (b) 90% of the volume-weighted average price of the Companys ADSs on the date of the conversion notice. Each ADS represents five ordinary shares of the Company. The ability to convert is subject to certain conditions, including that the Companys ordinary shares having been delisted from the TPEx, and the expiry of the term of the loan.
In October 2019, the Company drew down on $1.0 million under the September 2019 Loan Facility. Till date the lender has not exercised their right to convert their loan into ADS.
October/November 2019 Loan Facility
On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into a loan facility with certain existing stockholders/directors, or affiliates thereof, and on November 11, 2019 the Company entered into a related loan facility with the affiliate of another existing stockholder, for an aggregate amount of $2.25 million (collectively, the October/November 2019 Loan Facility). The October/November 2019 Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date the Company draws down the facility, which must be drawn down in full. The Company has the option to repay not less than $1.0 million of the amounts owed under the October/November 2019 Loan Facilities at any time, subject to certain conditions. In the event that the Company in a single re-financing transaction raises more than ten times the aggregate loan amount prior to expiry of the term, the Company will be obligated to repay any unpaid portion of the principal amount and accrued interest thereunder within 30 days of the receipt of the proceeds from such re-financing transaction.
F-15
The October/November 2019 Loan Facility provides that, during the time that any amount is outstanding thereunder, the Company will not (i) incur any finance debt which is secured by a security interest or conferring repayment rights which rank in priority over those of the lenders, or (ii) carry out or implement any merger, consolidation, reorganization (other than the solvent reorganization of the Company), recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend or other changes in the capital structure of the Company which may have a material adverse effect on the rights of the lenders, in each case except with the prior written consent of the lenders. In addition, upon an event of default (as defined in the October/November 2019 Loan Facility), the lenders may declare the principal amounts then outstanding and all interest thereon accrued and unpaid to be immediately due and payable to the lenders.
In October 2019, the Company drew down on $1.95 million under the loan facilities. In connection with this initial draw down, the Company issued warrants (collectively referred to as the Warrants) to purchase 483,448 ADSs (representing 2,417,240 ordinary shares) to certain of the lenders, at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS. In November 2019, the Company drew down on the remaining $0.3 million under the loan facilities. In connection with the second draw down, the Company has committed to issue warrants to purchase 74,377 ADSs (representing 371,885 ordinary shares) to the lender at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS.
The Warrants are exercisable only after the Companys ordinary shares have been delisted from TPEx, and will expire on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of such TPEx delisting or (ii) expiry of the term of the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. If, by expiry of the term of the October/November 2019 Loan Facility, (i) the Companys shares have not been delisted from TPEx and (ii) the Warrants have not been exercised, the lenders shall be entitled to receive a further sum equal to 5% of the principal amount per annum, by way of additional interest, payable by the Companys upon expiry of the loan term. Till date none of the warrant holders have exercised their rights to purchase any ADS.
As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the aggregate carrying amount including principal and accrued interest outstanding under the Convertible Loan Facility and the October/November 2019 Loan Facility were $3,085,660 and $3,358,221, respectively.
15. |
RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS |
Defined Contribution Plans
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. adopted a defined contribution plan, which is a post-employment benefit plan, under which ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. pays fixed contributions into the Singapore Central Provident Fund on a mandatory basis. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognized as employee compensation expenses when they are due.
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Taiwan Limited adopted a pension plan under the Labor Pension Act (LPA) of the ROC, which is a state-managed defined contribution plan. Under the LPA, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Taiwan Limited makes monthly contributions to its Taiwan-based employees individual pension accounts at 6% of monthly salaries and wages.
For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, the total expense for such employee benefits in the amount of $203,330 and $123,693 were recognized, respectively.
F-16
16. |
EQUITY |
a. |
Ordinary shares |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Number of shares authorized |
500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Amount of shares authorized (NT$ thousand) |
$ | 5,000,000 | $ | 5,000,000 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Number of shares issued and fully paid |
189,954,970 | 189,954,970 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Amount of shares issued and fully paid |
$ | 61,366,844 | $ | 61,366,844 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The issued ordinary shares with a par value of NT$10 entitle holders with the rights to vote and receive dividends.
On January 22, 2018, ASLAN Cayman received the official letter No. 1060049975 from the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan (FSC) of approval of the issuance of ordinary shares for the purpose of sponsoring the issuance of American Depository Receipts. On March 27, 2018, ASLAN Cayman filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the initial public offering in the United States of its ADSs representing ordinary shares. The registration statement for listing its ADSs in the Nasdaq Global Market was declared effective by the SEC, and ASLAN Cayman held the initial public offering of its ADSs on May 4, 2018.
The actual units of ADSs for this offering were 6,000,000, and each ADS represents five of ASLAN Caymans ordinary shares, which in total represents 30,000,000 ordinary shares. The offering price per ADS was $7.03, equivalent to a price per ordinary share of NT$41.72. The payment of this fundraising was fully collected as of May 8, 2018, and the record date for this capital increase was May 8, 2018.
On September 10, 2018, ASLAN Caymans board of directors resolved to increase authorized shares to $5 million, which were approved in the interim shareholders meeting on October 30, 2018.
On November 7, 2018, the board of directors resolved to issue ordinary shares ranging from 15,000,000 to 40,000,000 shares for cash sponsoring the issuance of American Depository Receipts. On December 5, 2018, ASLAN Cayman received the approval letter No.1070344286 from the FSC for issuing ordinary shares for sponsoring the issuance of American Depository Receipts.
On November 5, 2019, ASLAN Cayman received the official letter No. 1080334435 from the FSC of approval of the issuance of ordinary shares for the purpose of sponsoring the issuance of American Depository Receipts. On November 8, 2019, the Company filed a registration statement on Form F-3 with the SEC for the follow-on offering in the United States of its ADSs representing ordinary shares. The registration statement for listing its ADSs in the Nasdaq Global Market was declared effective by the SEC on November 8, 2019, and the Company held the follow-on offering of its ADSs on December 3, 2019.
The actual units of ADSs for this offering were 5,893,206, and each ADS represents five of ASLAN Caymans ordinary shares, which in total represents 29,466,030 ordinary shares. The offering price per ADS was $2.5, equivalent to a price per ordinary share of NT$15.24. The payment of this fundraising was fully collected as of December 6, 2019, and the record date for this capital increase was December 6, 2019.
F-17
b. |
Capital surplus |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
|||||||
Arising from issuance of new share capital |
$ | 108,800,191 | $ | 108,800,191 | ||||
Arising from employee share options |
6,274,591 | 6,274,591 | ||||||
Changes in percentage of ownership interests in subsidiary |
1,376,349 | 1,376,349 | ||||||
Equity component of long-term debt (Note 14) |
44,579 | 44,579 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 116,495,710 | $ | 116,495,710 | |||||
|
|
|
|
c. |
Retained earnings and dividends policy |
Under ASLAN Caymans Articles of Incorporation, ASLAN Cayman may declare dividends by ordinary resolution of ASLAN Caymans board of directors, but no dividends shall exceed the amount recommended by the directors of ASLAN Cayman.
ASLAN Cayman may set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution, for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied, either employed in the business of ASLAN Cayman or invested in such investments as the directors of ASLAN Cayman may from time to time think fit.
The accumulated deficits for 2018 and 2019 approved by the shareholders meetings on June 21, 2019 and June 29, 2020, respectively, were as follows:
For the year ended December 31 | ||||||||
2018 | 2019 | |||||||
Accumulated deficits at the beginning of the year |
$ | (90,283,261 | ) | $ | (132,468,858 | ) | ||
Net loss for the year |
(42,185,597 | ) | (47,015,967 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Accumulated deficits at the end of the year |
$ | (132,468,858 | ) | $ | (179,484,825 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
d. |
Other reserves items |
Unrealized loss on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income:
For the six months ended June 30 | ||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Balance at January 1 |
$ | | $ | (55,084 | ) | |||
Unrealized loss |
||||||||
Equity instruments |
| (74,331 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at June 30 |
$ | | $ | (129,415 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
F-18
e. |
Non-controlling interests |
For the six months ended June 30 | ||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Balance at January 1 |
$ | | $ | 1,074,081 | ||||
Share in profit for the year |
| (315,695 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at June 30 |
$ | | $ | 758,386 | ||||
|
|
|
|
17. |
LICENSE AGREEMENTS |
Array Biopharma
On January 3, 2018, the Company entered into a new license agreement with Array pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize Arrays pan-HER inhibitor, ARRY-543 (which the Company refers to as ASLAN001 or varlitinib) varlitinib for all human and animal therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic uses. This new license agreement replaces and supersedes the previous collaboration and license agreement with Array dated July 12, 2011.
Under the new license agreement, the Company agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain approval by the U.S. FDA or the applicable health regulatory authority and commercialize varlitinib.
In consideration of the rights granted under the agreement, the Company made an initial upfront payment to Array of $12 million in January 2018 and an additional payment $11 million in June 2018, respectively, that were capitalized as a separately acquired intangible asset. In addition, the Company will be required to pay up to $30 million if certain development milestones are achieved, $20 million if certain regulatory milestones are achieved, and up to $55 million if certain commercial milestones are achieved. The Company is also required to pay Array tiered royalties in the low tens on net sales of varlitinib. The royalty obligations will continue on a country-by-country basis through the later of the expiration of the last valid patent claim for varlitinib or ten years after the first commercial sale of varlitinib in a given country. As of June 30, 2020, the Company did not accrue for the above contingent payments since the milestones are not achieved.
If the Company undergoes a change in control during a defined period following execution of the new license agreement, Array will also be entitled to receive a low to mid single-digit percentage of the proceeds resulting from the change in control. Unless earlier terminated, the agreement will continue on a country-by-country basis until the expiration of the respective royalty obligations in such country. Upon such expiration in such country, Array will grant to the Company a perpetual, royalty-free, non-terminable, non-revocable, non-exclusive license to exploit certain know-how in connection with the development, manufacturing and/or commercialization of varlitinib for all human and animal therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic uses in such country. Either party may terminate the agreement (i) in the event of the other partys material breach of the agreement that remains uncured for a specified period of time or (ii) the insolvency of the other party. In addition, if there is a change in control, the Company may also terminate the agreement without cause at any time upon 180 days advance notice to Array.
On November 11, 2019, the Company announced that the global pivotal clinical trial testing varlitinib in biliary tract cancer did not meet its primary endpoints. As a result, the Company decided to stop investing in the further development of varlitinib at this time and the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the drug decreased. The Company carried out a review of the recoverable amount of varlitinib and determined that the carrying amount $23 million was not recoverable. See Note 12.
F-19
Bristol-Myers Squibb
The Company entered into a license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2011, and the Company received exclusive rights to develop and commercialize BMS-777607 (which the Company refers to as ASLAN002) in China, Australia, Korea, Taiwan and other selected Asian countries, without upfront payments. Bristol-Myers Squibb retains the exclusive rights in the rest of the world. Under the license agreement, the Company would fund and develop ASLAN002 through proof of concept under a development plan that would initially target gastric cancer and lung cancer.
After the Company completed the phase 1 clinical trial, Bristol-Myers Squibb licensed the exclusive rights from the Company to further the development and commercialization of ASLAN002 worldwide. Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company has received an upfront payment of $10 million in 2016. The Company is eligible to receive additional payments upon Bristol-Myers Squibbs achievement of development and regulatory milestones in the future. Furthermore, the Company is eligible to receive royalty payments on future worldwide sales generated by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb also purchased the related research materials, supplies, research documentation and clinical trial results that are used for further developing ASLAN002 from the Company in the amount of $1,294,034 which was delivered in 2016. As Bristol-Myers Squibb assumes the responsibility for all development and commercialization activities and expenses, and the Company currently has no further obligations under the license agreement. Accordingly, the Company recognized the upfront payment from out-licensing and other payment from the sale of research materials, supplies, research documentation and clinical trial results, totaling $11,294,034, in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Almirall
In 2012, the Company originally entered into a global licensing agreement with Almirall to develop DHODH inhibitor, LAS186323, which the Company refers to as ASLAN003, for rheumatoid arthritis (excluding any topical formulation), without upfront payments. Under the license agreement, the Company agreed to fund and develop ASLAN003 to the end of Phase 2 through a development program conducted in the Asia-Pacific region.
The original license agreement was replaced by a new agreement, executed in December 2015 and amended in March 2018, granting an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize ASLAN003 products for all human diseases with primary focus on oncology diseases, excluding topically-administered products embodying the compound for keratinocyte hyperproliferative disorders, and the non-melanoma skin cancers basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas and Gorlin Syndrome. Under the license agreement, Almirall is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties based on the sales generated by the Company and/or sublicensees.
CSL
The Company entered into a global license agreement with CSL Limited (CSL), in May 2014, to develop the anti-IL13 receptor monoclonal antibody, CSL334 (which the Company refers to as ASLAN004) and antigen binding fragments thereof, for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of diseases or conditions in humans, without upfront payments. This license agreement was amended in May 31, 2019, pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to certain intellectual property owned or licensed by CSL, including patents and know-how, to develop, manufacture for clinical trials and commercialize ASLAN004 for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of diseases or conditions in humans. The Companys development under such agreement is currently focused on the treatment of respiratory and inflammatory conditions, and in particular, atopic dermatitis.
F-20
Under the amended agreement, the Company is generally obligated to use diligent efforts to develop ASLAN004 products in accordance with the development plan, to obtain marketing approvals for ASLAN004 products worldwide and to commercialize ASLAN004 products, either by itself or through sublicensees.
In consideration of the rights granted to the Company under the amended agreement, the Company will make a first payment of $30 million to CSL upon commencement of a Phase 3 clinical trial of ASLAN004. The Company will also be required to pay up to an aggregate of $95 million to CSL if certain regulatory milestones are achieved and as of June 30, 2020, milestone has not been met, up to an aggregate of $655 million if certain sales milestones are achieved and tiered royalties on net sales of ASLAN004 products ranging between a mid-single digit percentage and 10%. As of June 30, 2020, the aforementioned milestones have not been met.
Hyundai Pharm Co., Ltd.
In October 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement with Hyundai Pharm Co., Ltd. (Hyundai). Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company granted Hyundai options to acquire the rights to use its intellectual property to develop and commercialize varlitinib for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (i.e., CCA) in South Korea, and the Company has received an option payment of $250,000 from Hyundai in 2016. As there was no performance obligation required for the Company, the payment was recognized as revenue, and the related cost of revenue in the amount of $125,000 paid to one of the third parties with whom the Company has a licensing agreement as part of the payment for the proceeds from out-licensing was recognized as cost of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company was eligible for additional regulatory and commercial milestones payments as well as royalties on product sales.
In February 2019, the Company made a payment of $325,000 to Hyundai in order to buy back the rights to commercialize varlitinib in CCA.
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd. (ETPL)/P53 Laboratory
The Company entered into a licensing agreement with ETPL, in August 2016, to license Intellectual Property (IP) arising from a research collaboration with ETPLs P53 Laboratory. The IP focuses on generation of novel immuno-oncology antibodies targeting recepteur dorigine nantais (RON) and such antibodies are referred to by the Company collectively as ASLAN005. The license fee of SG$100,000 (or $73,400) was capitalized as a separately acquired intangible asset. Under the license agreement, the Company has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ASLAN005 worldwide. ETPL is eligible to receive up to an aggregate of SG$12 million (or $8,978,951) in milestone payments if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved, as well as royalties calculated based on any sales generated by the Company.
In August 2016, the Company and ETPLs P53 Laboratory entered into a three-year research collaboration agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will be responsible for the design of innovative clinical development programs, in collaboration with P53 Laboratory, which will continue to be responsible for the preclinical development of the antibody assets.
On July 5, 2019, the Company decided not to engage in further development of the licensed intellectual property for ASLAN005 from ETPL. The agreement relating to the research collaboration with ETPLs P53 Laboratory was terminated effective September 3, 2019. As a result, the Company carried out a review of the recoverable amount of ASLAN005 and determined that the carrying amount $73,400 was fully impaired. See Note 12.
F-21
Nanyang Technological University
The Company entered into a licensing and research collaboration agreement with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in October 2016, for the development of modybodies against three targets of the Companys choice. The agreement expired in April 2018, but the Company retained continuing rights: a half share ownership in the resulting IP, together with an exclusive option to obtain global rights to develop and commercialize the modybodies, with such option exercisable until October 2018. In July 2018, the technology for modybodies was separated from NTU and licensed to a new company, DotBio Pte. Ltd. In exchange for the Companys giving up its residual rights and options in respect to the technology, the Company received 599,445 shares of DotBio Pte. Ltd. equivalent to SG$255,000 ($187,244) (see Note 8), together with 599,445 units of warrant to subscribe for the same number of shares at a subscription price of $0.32 which was the same value per share as applied to other new investors in this round (see Note 7); in addition, the Company also retained a right of first refusal to take an exclusive license for any modybodies produced by DotBio Pte. Ltd. that are based on the work generated from the collaborative agreement between NTU and the Company. However, as the right of first refusal did not limit DotBio Pte. Ltd.s ability to direct the use of the asset, or to obtain substantially all the remaining benefits from the asset, this would not prevent DotBio Pte. Ltd. from obtaining control of the asset. Accordingly, the Company recognized the non-cash gain arising from the derecognition and recorded it as other income of $187,244 for the year ended December 31, 2018, because it was not a good or service that was an output of the Companys ordinary activities.
BioGenetics Co. Ltd.
In February 2019, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with BioGenetics to grant exclusive rights to commercialize varlitinib in South Korea in exchange for an upfront payment of $2 million and up to $11 million in sales and development milestone payments. The Company is also eligible to receive tiered double digit royalties on net sales up to the mid-twenties. The Company has no other performance obligation in addition to the license, and BioGenetics will be responsible for obtaining initial and all subsequent regulatory approvals of varlitinib in South Korea. Since the Company has no other performance obligation in addition to the license, the Company recognized the upfront payment as revenue in February 2019.
In March 2019, the Company entered into another licensing agreement with BioGenetics to grant exclusive rights to commercialize ASLAN003 in South Korea in exchange for an upfront payment of $1 million and up to $8 million in sales and development milestone payments. The Company is also eligible to receive tiered double digit royalties on net sales from the high-teens to the mid-twenties range. The Company has no other performance obligation in addition to the license, and BioGenetics will be responsible for obtaining initial and all subsequent regulatory approvals of ASLAN003 in South Korea. Since the Company has no other performance obligation in addition to the license, the Company recognized the upfront payment as revenue in March 2019. Under the in-license agreement to develop ASLAN003 with Almirall, Almirall is eligible to receive a payment of 10% (ten per cent) of the proceeds from the out-licensing of ASLAN003. The related cost of revenue in the amount of $82,259 payment to Almirall was recognized as operating costs accordingly in March 2019.
18. |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX |
a. |
Other gains and losses |
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Net foreign exchange (losses) gains |
$ | (110,880 | ) | $ | 303,350 | |||
(Loss) Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
(70,490 | ) | 359 | |||||
Net loss on fair value changes of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| (9,254 | ) | |||||
Loss on lease modification |
(64,287 | ) | | |||||
Others |
8,313 | 96,980 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | (237,344 | ) | $ | 391,435 | ||||
|
|
|
|
F-22
b. |
Finance costs |
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Other interest expenses |
$ | 171,270 | $ | 274,124 | ||||
Interest on government loans |
218,725 | 213,681 | ||||||
Interest on loans from shareholders |
| 169,707 | ||||||
Interest on lease liabilities |
11,911 | 20,125 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 401,906 | $ | 677,637 | |||||
|
|
|
|
c. |
Depreciation and amortization |
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Right-of-use assets |
$ | 135,247 | $ | 132,913 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment |
118,521 | 16,130 | ||||||
Computer software |
2,390 | 1,957 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 256,158 | $ | 151,000 | |||||
|
|
|
|
All depreciation and amortization expenses are recorded as general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020.
d. |
Employee benefits expense |
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Short-term benefits |
$ | 2,767,625 | $ | 2,042,348 | ||||
Post-employment benefits (Note 15) |
203,330 | 123,693 | ||||||
Share-based payments (Note 21) |
||||||||
Equity-settled |
76,648 | | ||||||
Cash-settled |
78,776 | 166,992 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total employee benefits expense |
$ | 3,126,379 | $ | 2,333,033 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Employee benefits expense by function |
||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
$ | 2,243,140 | $ | 2,015,024 | ||||
Research and development expenses |
883,239 | 318,009 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 3,126,379 | $ | 2,333,033 | |||||
|
|
|
|
F-23
e. |
Employees compensation and remuneration of directors |
Under the ASLAN Caymans Articles of Incorporation, ASLAN Cayman shall accrue employees compensation and remuneration of directors at the rates of no less than 0.1% and no higher than 1%, respectively, of profit before income tax, net of employees compensation and remuneration of directors.
ASLAN Cayman had accumulated deficits for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020; therefore, no compensation for employees and remuneration of directors was accrued.
19. |
INCOME TAXES |
Income Tax Recognized in Profit or Loss
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Current tax |
||||||||
In respect of the current period |
$ | 475,000 | $ | | ||||
|
|
|
|
a. |
Cayman Islands |
ASLAN Cayman is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.
b. |
Singapore |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. and Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd., incorporated in Singapore, are subject to the statutory corporate income tax rate of 17%. In connection with the licensing agreements with BioGenetics in February and March 2019, the Company collected upfront payments totaled $3,000,000 from BioGenetics in total, which was subject to withholding taxes of 15% in compliance with local regulations in South Korea. The Company therefore recognized income tax expense at an amount of $450,000. Except for the above, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. and Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd. have no taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and therefore, no other provision for income tax is required.
c. |
Taiwan |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Taiwan Limited, incorporated in Taiwan, is subject to the statutory corporate income tax rate of 20% and the corporate surtax rate of 5%.
The income tax returns through 2018 have been assessed by the tax authorities.
d. |
Australia |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd., incorporated in Australia, is subject to the statutory corporate income tax of 30%. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd. has no taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and therefore, no provision for income tax is required.
F-24
e. |
Hong Kong |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Hong Kong Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong, is subject to the statutory corporate income tax of 16.5%. Under the Hong Kong tax law, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Hong Kong Limited is exempted from income tax on its foreign derived income and there are no withholding taxes in Hong Kong on the remittance of dividends. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Hong Kong Limited has no taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and therefore, no provision for income tax is required.
f. |
China |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., incorporated in China, is subject to the statutory corporate income tax rate of 25%. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has no taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and therefore, no provision for income tax is required.
g. |
United States of America |
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., incorporated in Delaware, USA in October 2018, is subject to the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% and state income tax rate of 8.7%. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. has no taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and therefore, no provision for income tax is required.
20. |
LOSS PER SHARE |
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Basic and diluted loss per share |
$ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
The loss and weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in the computation of loss per share are as follows:
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Loss used in the computation of basic and diluted loss per share |
$ | (12,275,009 | ) | $ | ( 7,005,889 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares in the computation of basic loss per share |
160,248,940 | 189,954,970 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
If the outstanding employee share options issued by ASLAN Cayman are converted to ordinary shares, they are anti-dilutive and excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. Potential ordinary shares arising from the aforementioned anti-dilutive outstanding employee share options are 2,370,640 and 8,179,975 shares for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
21. |
SHARE-BASED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS |
Employee Share Option Plan
Under the Companys employee share option plan, qualified employees of the Company and its subsidiaries were granted 661,000 options in July 2010, 910,000 options in July 2011, 669,750 options in July 2012, 619,250 options in July 2013, 680,625 options in July 2014, 2,477,336 options in July 2015, 1,032,250 options in July 2016 and 825,833 options in September 2017. Each option entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary share of the Company. The options granted are valid for 10 years and exercisable at certain percentages once they have vested. No performance conditions were attached to the plan. The Company has no legal constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash.
F-25
The board of directors of the Company, as of July 26, 2016, resolved to double the number of shares underlying each outstanding award granted previously to reflect the subdivision ratio of the share split made in connection with the corporate restructuring of May 27, 2016. The exercise price for each award previously granted was correspondingly adjusted by a decrease of 50%. The modification did not cause any incremental adjustments to the fair value of the granted awards.
As of June 30, 2020, there are 13,841,879 ordinary shares issuable on the exercise of share options outstanding under the Companys equity incentive plans. Currently each ADS represents five of the Companys ordinary shares measured under employee share option plan.
Information on employee share options granted from July 2010 to 2016 is as follows:
For the six months ended June 30 | ||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Number of
Options |
Weighted-
average Exercise Price |
Number of
Options |
Weighted-
average Exercise Price |
|||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 |
6,822,523 | $ | 1.41 | 6,670,356 | $ | 1.43 | ||||||||||
Options forfeited |
(32,167 | ) | 2.26 | | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance at June 30 |
6,790,356 | 1.41 | 6,670,356 | 1.43 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Options exercisable, end of period |
6,595,294 | 1.38 | 6,670,356 | 1.43 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted-average fair value of options granted |
$ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Information on employee share options granted in September 2017 is as follows:
For the six months ended June 30 | ||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Number of
Options |
Weighted-
average Exercise Price |
Number of
Options |
Weighted-
average Exercise Price |
|||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 |
698,167 | $ | 1.28 | 501,167 | $ | 1.28 | ||||||||||
Options forfeited |
(67,000 | ) | 1.28 | | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance at June 30 |
631,167 | 1.28 | 501,167 | 1.28 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Options exercisable, end of period |
| | 501,167 | 1.28 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted-average fair value of options granted |
$ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
F-26
Information on outstanding options as of June 30, 2020 is as follows:
July 2010 |
July 2011 | July 2012 | July 2013 | July 2014 | July 2015 | July 2016 | September 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Range of
|
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range of
Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range
of Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range of
Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range
of Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range of
Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range
of Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Range
of Exercise Price |
Weighted-
average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
|||||||||||||||
$0.20-$0.80 |
0 | $0.20-$0.80 | 1 | $0.80 | 2 | $0.80-$1.36 | 3 | $1.36 | 4 | $1.36-$1.88 | 5 | $2.26 | 6 | $1.28 | 7.2 |
Options granted in July of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and September 2017 were priced using the binomial option pricing model, and the inputs to the model were as follows:
July 2010 | July 2011 | July 2012 | July 2013 | July 2014 | July 2015 | July 2016 | September 2017 | |||||||||
Grant-date share price |
$0.80 | $0.80 | $1.25 | $1.36 | $1.36 | $1.88 | $2.26 | $1.28 | ||||||||
Exercise price |
$0.20-$0.80 | $0.20-$0.80 | $0.80 | $0.80-$1.36 | $1.36 | $1.36-$1.88 | $2.26 | $1.28 | ||||||||
Expected volatility |
59.16% | 54.26%-54.44% | 52.25% | 50.58% | 50.86% | 36.37% | 39.34% | 38.33% | ||||||||
Expected life (years) |
10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||
Expected dividend yield |
| | | | | | | | ||||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.954% | 2.96%-3.22% | 1.61% | 2.5% | 2.58% | 2.43% | 1.46% | 1.10% |
Expected volatility was based on the average annualized historical share price volatility of comparable companies before the grant date.
Compensation costs recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020 were $76,648 and nil, respectively.
Long Term Incentive Plan
On August 23, 2017 , July 30, 2018 and July 26, 2019, the Companys board of directors approved the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Senior Management Team (SMT) Long Term Incentive Plans (the 2017 LTIP, 2018 LTIP and 2019 LTIP, and collectively, the LTIPs), respectively, which outlines awards that may be granted to qualified employees of the Company. These plans are applicable to the SMT of the Company and are used for long-term retention of key management. The LTIPs are each valid for ten years, and grantees of the bonus entitlement units can exercise their rights once they have vested. The Company shall pay the intrinsic value of the units awarded to the employees at the date of exercise of their awards, if redeemed by an employee.
As of June 30, 2020, there are 1,566,000 bonus entitlement units which have been granted under the 2017 LTIP by the Company. For the 1,462,000 units under the 2017 LTIP which were granted in 2017, they will vest in thirds each year after the first, second, and third anniversary of the award, and for the 104,000 units under the 2017 LTIP which were granted in 2018, they will vest in halves each year after the second and third anniversary of the award.
The value of the 2017 LTIP, which was originally measured based on the quoted share price, will be changed retrospectively at a 5:1 conversion ratio of the Taiwan share price to the ADS price due to the modification of the 2017 LTIP approved by the board of directors on July 30, 2018. As this shall be a modification of a cash-settled award that remains a cash-settled award after the modification, any increase or decrease in the value of the liability shall be recognized immediately in profit or loss.
The Companys 2017 LTIP is described as follows:
For the six months Ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Balance at January 1 |
1,479,334 | 1,160,001 | ||||||
Awards forfeited |
(164,667 | ) | (253,000 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at June 30 |
1,314,667 | 907,001 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance exercisable, end of period |
487,333 | 867,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
F-27
As of June 30, 2020, there are 241,142 bonus entitlement units which have been granted under the 2018 LTIP by the Company. For the 241,142 units under the 2018 LTIP, they will vest in thirds each year after the first, second, and third anniversary of the award. The value of the 2018 LTIP will be linked to the ADS price. All of the 2018 LTIP granted bonus entitlement units remained outstanding as of June 30, 2020.
The Companys 2018 LTIP is described as follows:
For the six months Ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Balance at January 1 |
241,142 | 168,089 | ||||||
Awards forfeited |
(38,141 | ) | (38,466 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at June 30 |
203,001 | 129,623 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance exercisable, end of period |
| 56,030 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2020, there are 491,020 bonus entitlement units which have been granted under the 2019 LTIP by the Company. For the 491,020 units under the 2019 LTIP, they will vest in thirds each year after the first, second, and third anniversary of the award. The value of the 2019 LTIP will be linked to the ADS price. All of the 2019 LTIP granted bonus entitlement units remained outstanding as of June 30, 2020.
The Companys 2019 LTIP is described as follows:
For the six months Ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Balance at January 1 |
| 491,020 | ||||||
Awards forfeited |
| (104,070 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at June 30 |
| 386,950 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance exercisable, end of period |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Each bonus entitlement unit grants the holders of the LTIPs a conditional right to receive an amount of cash equal to the per-unit fair market value of the Companys ordinary shares and ADSs, respectively, on the settlement date. The LTIPs qualify as cash-settled share-based payment transactions. The Company recognizes the liabilities in respect of its obligations under the LTIPs, which are measured based on the Companys quoted market price of its ADSs at the reporting date, and takes into account the extent to which the services have been rendered to date.
Regarding the Companys 2017, 2018 and 2019 LTIPs, the respective quoted fair value of the awards on the grant date was NT$33.45 (or $1.10) , $7.90 and $2.92, based on the Taiwan share price on August 23, 2017 , the closing price per ADS on July 30, 2018 and the closing price per ADS on July 30, 2019, respectively. The quoted fair value on the reporting date is based on the closing price per ADS of $2.03 and $2 as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
F-28
The Company recognized total expenses of $78,776 and $166,992 in respect of the LTIPs for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the Company recognized compensation liabilities of $755,787 and $885,343 as current (classified as other payables) ,respectively, and $184,870 and $ 253,596 as non-current, respectively.
22. |
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT |
The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Company will be able to safeguard cash as well as maintain financial liquidity and flexibility to support the development of its product candidates and programs as a going concern through the optimization of the debt and equity balance.
The Companys financial strategy is designed to maintain a flexible capital structure consistent with the objectives stated above and to respond to business growth opportunities and changes in economic conditions. The capital structure of the Company mainly consists of borrowings and equity of the Company. Key management personnel of the Company review the capital structure periodically. In order to maintain or balance the overall capital structure, the Company may adjust the amounts of long-term borrowings, or the issuance of new shares capital or other equity instruments.
As of June 30, 2020, there was no changes in the Companys capital management policy, and the Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
23. |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
a. |
Fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value |
The Company believes that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value approximate their fair values.
b. |
Fair value of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis |
1) |
Fair value hierarchy |
December 31, 2019
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial assets |
$ | | $ | | $ | 68,256 | $ | 68,256 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Investments in equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Unlisted shares |
$ | | $ | | $ | 132,160 | $ | 132,160 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial liabilities |
$ | | $ | | $ | 262,350 | $ | 262,350 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-29
June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial assets |
$ | | $ | | $ | 59,002 | $ | 59,002 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Investments in equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Unlisted shares |
$ | | $ | | $ | 57,829 | $ | 57,829 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial liabilities |
$ | | $ | | $ | 262,350 | $ | 262,350 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 in the current and prior periods.
2) |
Valuation techniques and inputs applied for Level 3 fair value measurement |
a) |
The fair values of warrants are determined using option pricing models where the significant unobservable input is historical volatility. An increase in the historical volatility used in isolation would result in an increase in the fair value. At December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively, the historical volatility used were 41.87% and 84.63%. |
b) |
The fair values of non-listed domestic and foreign equity investments were Level 3 fair value assets, and determined using the market approach by reference the Price-to-Book ratios (P/B ratios) of peer companies that traded in active market or using assets approach. At June 30, 2020, the Company used significant unobservable inputs, including discount for lack of marketability of 10%, and discounts for lack of control of 10%. At June 30, 2020, assuming all other inputs remain equal, if discount for lack of marketability increases by 1%, the fair value would decrease by $723; if discount for lack of control increases by 1%, the fair value would decrease by $723. |
c) |
The fair value of derivative financial instrument with warrants and convertibility right are determined using binomial evaluation method with discount rate 13.19% to 14.12% assessing by market bond yield curve and risk-free rate premium. As of June 30, 2020, the historical volatility used was 92.6% during the past 1 year. |
F-30
c. |
Categories of financial instruments |
December 31,
2019 |
June 30, 2020 | |||||||
Financial assets |
||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||
Derivative financial assets |
$ | 68,256 | $ | 59,002 | ||||
Financial assets at amortized cost (1) |
22,311,107 | 13,935,520 | ||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||||||||
Equity instruments |
132,160 | 57,829 | ||||||
Financial liabilities |
||||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
||||||||
Derivative financial liabilities |
262,350 | 262,350 | ||||||
Financial liabilities at amortized cost (2) |
21,963,089 | 20,937,485 |
1) |
The balances include financial assets at amortized cost, which comprise of cash and cash equivalents and refundable deposits. |
2) |
The balances include financial liabilities at amortized cost, which comprise of trade payables, partial other payables and long-term borrowings. |
d. |
Financial risk management objectives and policies |
The Companys financial risk management objective is to monitor and manage the financial risks relating to the operations of the Company. These risks include market risk (including foreign currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. In order to minimize the effect of financial risks, the Company devoted time and resources to identify and evaluate the uncertainty of the market to mitigate risk exposures.
1) |
Market risk |
The Companys activities exposed it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (see (a) below) and interest rates (see (b) below).
a) |
Foreign currency risk |
The Company had foreign currency transactions, which exposed the Company to foreign currency risk.
The Companys significant financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies were as follows:
December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Foreign
Currencies |
Exchange
Rate |
Carrying
Amount |
||||||||||
Financial assets |
||||||||||||
Monetary items |
||||||||||||
SGD |
$ | 2,538,168 | 0.7431 | $ | 1,886,160 | |||||||
GBP |
999,471 | 1.3187 | 1,318,000 | |||||||||
Financial liabilities |
||||||||||||
Monetary items |
||||||||||||
SGD |
15,126,578 | 0.7431 | 11,240,843 |
F-31
June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Foreign
Currencies |
Exchange
Rate |
Carrying
Amount |
||||||||||
Financial assets |
||||||||||||
Monetary items |
||||||||||||
SGD |
$ | 1,497,039 | 0.7170 | $ | 1,073,377 | |||||||
GBP |
689,889 | 1.2327 | 850,455 | |||||||||
Financial liabilities |
||||||||||||
Monetary items |
||||||||||||
SGD |
15,495,421 | 0.7170 | 11,110,218 |
Sensitivity analysis
The Company is mainly exposed to the Singapore Dollar and British Pound.
The following table details the Companys sensitivity to a 5% increase and decrease in the U.S. dollar against the relevant foreign currency. The rate of 5% is the sensitivity rate used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents managements assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items. A positive number below indicates a decrease in pre-tax loss where the U.S. dollar strengthens 5% against the relevant currency. For a 5% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the relevant currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on pre-tax loss, and the balances below would be negative.
For the six months ended
June 30 |
||||||||
2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Profit or loss* |
||||||||
SGD |
$ | (504,330 | ) | $ | (501,842 | ) | ||
GBP |
| 42,523 |
* |
This is mainly attributable to the exposure to outstanding deposits in banks and loans in foreign currency at the end of the reporting period. |
b) |
Interest rate risk |
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk because entities in the Company borrowed funds at fixed interest rates.
F-32
The sensitivity analysis below is determined based on the Companys exposure to interest rates for fixed rate borrowings at the end of the reporting period, and is prepared assuming that the amounts of liabilities outstanding at the end of the reporting period are outstanding for the whole year. A 100-basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents managements assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates.
If interest rates had been 100 basis points higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the Companys pre-tax loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020 would have decreased/increased by $76,812 and $ 74,189, respectively.
2) |
Credit risk |
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in a financial loss to the Company. The Company adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and financial institutions, where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.
3) |
Liquidity risk |
The Company manages liquidity risk by monitoring and maintaining a level of cash and cash equivalents that are deemed adequate to finance the Companys operations and mitigate the effects of fluctuations in cash flows. In addition, management monitors the utilization of long-term borrowings and ensures compliance with repayment conditions.
As the Company is in the research and development phase, the Company will be seeking future funding based on the requirements of its business operations. The Company is able to exercise discretion and flexibility to deploy its capital resources in the process of the research and development activities according to the schedule of fund raising. The Company intends to explore various means of fundraising to meet its funding requirements to carry out the business operations, such as the issuance of its ordinary shares sponsoring ADSs, domestic follow-on offering of ordinary shares offering, venture debt and shareholder loans. The Company may also use other means of financing such as out licensing to generate revenue and cash. Management believes that it currently has plans and opportunities in place which will allow to fund and meet its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements and meet its obligations for at least the next twelve months from June 30, 2020. However, the future viability of the Company depends on its ability to raise additional capital to finance its operations.
24. |
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES |
Balances and transactions between the companies which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Besides information disclosed elsewhere in the other notes, details of transactions between the Company and other related parties are disclosed as follows.
a. |
Related party name and category |
Related Party Name |
Related Party Category |
|
JANK Howden Pty Ltd |
Related party in substance |
|
Others |
Key Management Personnel |
F-33
b. |
Loans from related parties |
Related Party Category/Name |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
||||||
Related party in substance / JANK Howden Pty Ltd |
$ | 502,205 | $ | 501,684 | ||||
Key Management Personnel / Others |
50,221 | 50,168 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 552,426 | $ | 551,852 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Interest Payable
Related Party Category/Name |
December 31,
2019 |
June
30,
2020 |
||||||
Related party in substance / JANK Howden Pty Ltd |
$ | 12,500 | $ | 50,734 | ||||
Key Management Personnel / Others |
1,250 | 5,073 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 13,750 | $ | 55,807 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
For the six months Ended
June 30 |
||||||||
Related Party Category/Name | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||
Related party in substance / JANK Howden Pty Ltd |
$ | | $ | 37,713 | ||||
Key Management Personnel / Others |
| 3,771 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | | $ | 41,484 | |||||
|
|
|
|
The loans from the related parties are unsecured.
c. |
Compensation of Key Management Personnel |
For the six months Ended
June 30 |
||||||||
Related Party Category/Name | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||
Short-term employee benefits |
$ | 1,131,718 | $ | 927,751 | ||||
Post-employment benefits |
57,289 | 43,254 | ||||||
Share-based payments recognized |
106,526 | 166,992 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 1,295,533 | $ | 1,137,997 | |||||
|
|
|
|
The remuneration of directors and key executives was determined by the remuneration committee based on the performance of individuals and market trends.
F-34
25. |
OTHER ITEMS |
a. |
The Company paused recruitment of new patients for its multiple ascending dose clinical trial of ASLAN004 on April 13, 2020 in line with government restrictions enforced in Singapore to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Patients are now being recruited into the second of three dose cohorts at all screening sites in Singapore. To accelerate recruitment, the Company is in the process of opening additional study sites in Australia and the United States. The Company expects to report interim, unblinded data from all three dose cohorts for ASLAN004 in the fourth quarter of 2020. |
b. |
On July 16, 2020, TPEx notified the Company that the Company showed a negative net worth and lack of operating revenue for the six months ending June 30, 2020, resulting in the Companys failure to meet TPExs listing standards provided in subparagraph 4, paragraph 1, Article 12-2 of the Taipei Exchange Rules Governing Securities Trading on the TPEx. Thus, on August 25, 2020 the Companys ordinary shares ceased trading on TPEx, resulting in the Nasdaq Global Market being the primary listing of the Companys securities. |
On July 17, 2020, the Companys Board of Directors approved a comprehensive conversion plan of the Companys ordinary shares to Nasdaq-listed ADSs and Frequently Asked Questions (the Conversion Plan). Holders of the Companys ordinary shares will have the option to convert their ordinary shares into ADSs pursuant to the Conversion Plan.
On September 4, 2020, the shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting approved the Cessation of the Companys public company status in Taiwan, following termination of trading of the Companys ordinary shares on the TPEx, Redenominating Share Capital to U.S. dollars conditional on Cessation of Public Company Status and Reducing Share Capital to a nominal or par value of US$0.01 each conditional upon the receipt of an order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands approving the Capital Reduction.
On September 17, 2020 the Company received the approval from Financial Supervisory Commission by an official letter of the Cessation of the Companys public company status.
26. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Companys chief operating decision maker, the chief executive officer, reviews the Companys consolidated results when making decisions about the allocation of resources and when assessing performance of the Company as a whole, and therefore, the Company has only one reportable segment. The Company does not distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. The basis of information reported to the chief operating decision maker is the same as the Companys consolidated financial statements. As the Companys long-lived assets are substantially located in and derived from Asia, no geographical segments are presented.
The following is an analysis of the Companys revenue from its major products and services.
For the six months ended
June 30 |
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2019 | 2020 | |||||||
Out-licensing |
$ | 3,000,000 | $ | | ||||
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|
|
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For the six months ended June 30, 2019, there was revenue generated from out-licensing of commercialization rights in South Korea to Biogenetics for varlitinib and ASLAN003 in the amount of $3 million. See Note 17 for details.
F-35
Exhibit 99.2
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
General
We are an exempted company incorporated in June 2014 with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by:
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Our Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (Articles); |
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the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (Companies Law); and |
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the common law of the Cayman Islands. |
As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital is $165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of $0.33 per ordinary share. As of June 30, 2020, there were 189,954,970 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
On August 25, 2020, our ordinary shares ceased trading on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) and on September 4, 2020, our shareholders approved the cessation of the Companys public company status in Taiwan. On September 17, 2020, we received confirmation from the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan (FSC), confirming the removal of the Companys public company status in Taiwan. As a result, we are no longer bound by the rules and regulations of the FSC or TPEx.
As part of the delisting, we also redenominated our authorized share capital from NT$5,000,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of NT$10.00 to $165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares or a nominal or par value of $0.33 each by redenominating each ordinary share of a nominal or par value of NT$10.00 each into an ordinary share of a nominal or par value of $0.33 each. It is proposed that, conditional upon an order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, we will subsequently reduce the nominal or par value of each ordinary share from $0.33 per share to $0.01 (Capital Reduction). In connection with the Capital Reduction it is also proposed that the we will replace the Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the material provisions of which are described below) in their entirety by the adoption of the Tenth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association by our shareholders, which will be identical to the Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, except that the authorized share capital set out therein will reflect the Capital Reduction having taken place.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our Articles and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our share capital.
Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Subject to other provisions in our Articles, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution increase our authorized share capital or by special resolution reduce the share capital and may also by special resolution amend our Articles.
Ordinary Shares. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. No certificates representing the ordinary shares have been issued. Our shareholders who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. In addition, our shareholders may declare dividends by ordinary resolution, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our Articles provide that the directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or the credit standing in our companys share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business immediately following the date on which the distribution or dividend is paid.
Voting Rights. Holders of our ordinary shares shall be entitled to one vote per ordinary share. Voting at any shareholders meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands). A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy at the meeting.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our Articles. Holders of the ordinary shares may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.
General Meetings of Shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law or our Articles to call shareholders annual general meetings.
Shareholders general meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance written notice of at least seven calendar days (counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in our Articles) is required for the convening of any general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing at least a majority of our paid up voting share capital.
The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a companys articles of association. Our Articles provide general meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any Shareholder or Shareholders entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company deposited at the Office specifying the objects of the meeting by notice given no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of shares for any reason.
Liquidation. On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. We may also repurchase any of our shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors and agreed with the relevant shareholder. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares. If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes (and as otherwise determined by our board of directors) the rights attached to any such class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of the relevant class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of such class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. The board of directors may vary the rights attaching to any class without the consent or approval of shareholders provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the board of directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action.
Issuance of Additional Shares. Our Articles authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our Articles also authorize our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares with the approval of the board of directors and with the approval of a special resolution and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the:
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order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of dividends and other distributions on preferred shares; |
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order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of the assets available for distribution on a liquidation of the Company; |
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order of or restriction on the voting rights (including declaring no voting rights whatsoever) of preferred shareholders; |
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other matters concerning rights and obligations incidental to preferred shares; and |
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method by which the Company is authorized or compelled to redeem the preferred shares, or a statement that redemption rights shall not apply. |
Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares, the Articles shall be amended to set forth the rights and obligations of the preferred shares. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our corporate records (except for the memorandum and articles of association of our company, any special resolutions passed by our company and the register of mortgages and charges of our company). However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our Articles may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
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authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares; and |
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limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders. |
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Articles for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:
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does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; |
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is not required to open its register of members for inspection; |
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does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
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may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par value; |
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may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
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may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
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may register as a limited duration company; and |
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may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
Limited liability means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Convertible Loan and Warrants
In September, October and November 2019, we entered into a series of loan facilities with certain of our directors, existing stockholders or affiliates thereof, and others, for an aggregate loan amount of $3.25 million. The two types of loan facility are described below:
Convertible Loan Facility
On September 30, 2019, we entered into a loan facility with Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for an amount of $1.0 million, which we refer to as the Convertible Loan Facility. The Convertible Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date we draw down on such facility. We have the option to repay the amounts owed under the Convertible Loan Facility at any time, subject to certain conditions.
The lender has the right to convert, at its option, any outstanding principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest under the loan into that number of our newly issued American Depositary Shares (ADSs) which is calculated by dividing (a) such outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest by (b) 90% of the volume-weighted average price of our ADSs on the date of the conversion notice. Each ADS represents five of our ordinary shares. The ability to convert is subject to certain conditions, and expires at the expiry of the term of the loan.
In October 2019, we drew down on $1.0 million under the Convertible Loan Facility. To date, the lender has not exercised its right to convert the loan into ADSs.
October/November 2019 Loan Facility
On October 25 2019, we entered into a loan facility with certain existing stockholders/directors, or affiliates thereof, and on November 11 2019, we entered into a related loan facility with the affiliate of another existing stockholder, for an aggregate amount of $2.25 million, which we refer to as the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. The October/November 2019 Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date we draw down the facility, which must be drawn down in full. We have the option to repay not less than $1.0 million of the amounts owed under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility at any time, subject to certain conditions. In the event that we raise net proceeds of more than ten times the aggregate loan amount in a single financing transaction during the loan term, we will be obligated to repay any unpaid portion of the principal amount and accrued interest thereunder within 30 days of the receipt of the proceeds from such re-financing transaction.
The October/November 2019 Loan Facility provides that, during the time that any amount is outstanding thereunder, we will not (i) incur any finance debt which is secured by a security interest or conferring repayment rights which rank in priority over those of the lenders, or (ii) carry out or implement any merger, consolidation, reorganization (other than our solvent reorganization), recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend or other changes in our capital structure which may have a material adverse effect on the rights of the lenders, in each case except with the prior written consent of the lenders. In addition, upon an event of default (as defined in the October/November 2019 Loan Facility), the lenders may declare the principal amounts then outstanding and all interest thereon accrued and unpaid to be immediately due and payable to the lenders.
In October 2019, we drew down on an initial $1.95 million under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. In connection with this initial draw down, we issued warrants to purchase 483,448 ADSs (representing 2,417,240 ordinary shares) to certain of the lenders, at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS. In November 2019, we drew down on the remaining $0.3 million under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. In connection with the second draw down, we issued warrants to purchase 74,377 ADSs (representing 371,885 ordinary shares) to the lenders at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS.
The warrants will expire on the earlier of (i) August 24, 2021 (the first anniversary of the delisting of our ordinary shares on TPEx) or (ii) expiry of the term of the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. To date, none of the warrant holders have exercised their rights to purchase any ADSs.
Preference Shares
Pursuant to our Articles, we may issue shares with rights which are preferential to those of ordinary shares issued by us with the approval of our board of directors and with the approval of a special resolution. Our Articles must be amended by special resolution to provide for such preference shares.
Material Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Law is modeled after the corporate legislation of the United Kingdom but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders.
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Title of Organizational Documents |
Certificate of Incorporation Bylaws |
Memorandum of Association Articles of Association |
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Duties of Directors |
Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of a corporation are managed by or under the direction of its board of directors. In exercising their powers, directors are charged with a fiduciary duty of care to protect the interests of the corporation and a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act in the best interests of its shareholders. The duty of care requires that directors act in an informed and deliberative manner and inform themselves, prior to making a business decision, of all material information reasonably available to them. The duty of care also requires that directors exercise care in overseeing and investigating the conduct of the corporations employees. The duty of loyalty may be summarized as the duty to act in good faith, not out of self-interest, and in a manner which the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the shareholders. |
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, directors of Cayman Islands companies owe fiduciary duties to their respective companies to, amongst other things, act in good faith in their dealings with or on behalf of the company and exercise their powers and fulfill the duties of their office honestly. Five core duties are:
a duty to act in good faith in what the directors bona fide consider to be the best interests of the company (and in this regard, it should be noted that the duty is owed to the company and not to associate companies, subsidiaries or holding companies);
a duty not to personally profit from opportunities that arise from the office of director;
a duty of trusteeship of the companys assets;
a duty to avoid conflicts of interest; and
a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were conferred.
A director of a Cayman Islands company also owes the company a duty to act with skill, care and diligence. A director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. |
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Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors |
Subject to the limitations described below, a certificate of incorporation may provide for the elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Such provision cannot limit liability for breach of loyalty, bad faith, intentional misconduct, unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful share purchase or redemption. In addition, the certificate of incorporation cannot limit liability for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective. |
The Companies Law has no equivalent provision to Delaware law regarding the limitation of directors liability. However, as a matter of public policy, Cayman Islands law will not allow the limitation of a directors liability to the extent that the liability is a consequence of the director committing a crime or of the directors own fraud, dishonesty or willful default. | ||
Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Agents, and Others |
A corporation has the power to indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party who acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and if with respect to a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct would be unlawful, against amounts actually and reasonably incurred. | Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys articles of association may provide for indemnification of directors and officers, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against the consequences of committing a crime, or against the indemnified persons own fraud or dishonesty. | ||
Interested Directors | Under Delaware law, a transaction in which a director who has an interest is not void or voidable solely because such interested director is present at or participates in the meeting that authorizes the transaction if: (i) the material facts as to such interested directors relationship or interests are disclosed or are known to the board of directors and the board in good faith authorizes the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum, (ii) such material facts are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote on such transaction and the transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the shareholders, or (iii) the transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified. Under Delaware law, a director could be held liable for any transaction in which such director derived an improper personal benefit. | Our Articles contain a provision that provides that a director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Voting Requirements |
The certificate of incorporation may include a provision requiring supermajority approval by the directors or shareholders for any corporate action. In addition, under Delaware law, certain business combinations involving interested shareholders require approval by a supermajority of the non-interested shareholders. |
For the protection of shareholders, certain matters must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders as a matter of Cayman Islands law, including alteration of the memorandum or articles of association, appointment of inspectors to examine company affairs, reduction of share capital (subject, in relevant circumstances, to court approval), change of name, authorization of a plan of merger or transfer by way of continuation to another jurisdiction or consolidation or voluntary winding up of the company.
The Companies Law requires that a special resolution be passed by a super majority of at least two-thirds or such higher percentage as set forth in the articles of association, of shareholders being entitled to vote and do vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting, or by unanimous written consent of shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting. Our Articles provide that a resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Voting for Directors |
Under Delaware law, unless otherwise specified in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. |
The Companies Law defines special resolutions only. A companys articles of association can therefore tailor the definition of ordinary resolutions as a whole, or with respect to specific provisions.
Our Articles provide that: (i) the shareholders may by ordinary resolution appoint any person to be a directors and from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of Directors to be appointed; and (ii) the board of the directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a director, either as a result of a casual vacancy or as an additional director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by Ordinary Resolution. |
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Cumulative Voting |
No cumulative voting for the election of directors unless so provided in the certificate of incorporation. | No cumulative voting for the election of directors unless so provided in the articles of association. Our Articles do not expressly provide for cumulative voting on the election of directors. | ||
Directors Powers Regarding Bylaws |
The certificate of incorporation may grant the directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws. | The memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders. | ||
Nomination and Removal of Directors and Filling Vacancies on Board |
Shareholders may generally nominate directors if they comply with advance notice provisions and other procedural requirements in company bylaws. Holders of a majority of the shares may remove a director with or without cause, except in certain cases involving a classified board or if the company uses cumulative voting. Unless otherwise provided for in the certificate of incorporation, directorship vacancies are filled by a majority of the directors elected or then in office. | Nomination and removal of directors and filling of board vacancies are governed by the terms of our Articles as described above. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Mergers and Similar Arrangements | Under Delaware law, with certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation, exchange or sale of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Under Delaware law, a shareholder of a corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which such shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration such shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction. Delaware law also provides that a parent corporation, by resolution of its board of directors, may merge with any subsidiary, of which it owns at least 90% of each class of capital stock without a vote by shareholders of such subsidiary. Upon any such merger, dissenting shareholders of the subsidiary would have appraisal rights. |
The Companies Law provides for the merger or consolidation of two or more companies into a single entity. The legislation makes a distinction between a consolidation and a merger. In a consolidation, a new entity is formed from the combination of each participating company, and the separate consolidating parties, as a consequence, cease to exist and are each stricken by the Registrar of Companies. In a merger, one company remains as the surviving entity, having in effect absorbed the other merging party that then ceases to exist.
Two or more Cayman Islands companies may merge or consolidate. Cayman Islands companies may also merge or consolidate with foreign companies provided that the laws of the foreign jurisdiction permit such merger or consolidation.
Under the Companies Law, a plan of merger or consolidation shall be authorized by each constituent company by way of (i) a special resolution of the members of each such constituent company; and (ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent companys articles of association.
Shareholder approval is not required where a parent company registered in the Cayman Islands seeks to merge with one or more of its subsidiaries registered in the Cayman Islands and a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise.
Secured creditors must consent to the merger although application can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for such requirement to be waived if such secured creditor does not grant its consent to the merger. Where a foreign company wishes to merge with a Cayman company, consent or approval to the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the resulting Cayman entity in the transaction is required, unless otherwise released or waived by the secured party. If the merger plan is approved, it is then filed with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies along with a declaration by a director of each company. The Registrar of Companies will then issue a certificate of merger which shall be prima facie evidence of compliance with all requirements of the Companies Law in respect of the merger or consolidation. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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The surviving or consolidated entity remains or becomes active while the other company or companies are automatically dissolved. Unless the shares of such shareholder are publicly listed or quoted, dissenting shareholders in a merger or consolidation of this type are entitled to payment of the fair value of their shares if such shareholder provides a written objection before the vote on such merger or consolidation. With respect to shares that are listed or quoted, a shareholder shall have similar rights only if it is required by the terms of the merger or consolidation to accept for such shares property other than (i) shares (or depositary receipts in respect thereof) in the surviving or consolidated company; (ii) listed or quoted shares (or depositary receipts in respect thereof) of another company; (iii) cash in lieu of any fractions of shares or depositary receipts described at (i) and (ii); or (iv) any combination of shares, depositary receipts or cash described in (i)(iii).
Cayman companies may also be restructured or amalgamated under supervision of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement. A scheme of arrangement is one of several transactional mechanisms available in the Cayman Islands for achieving a restructuring. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Others include share capital exchange, merger (as described above), asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business. A scheme of arrangement must not be beyond the powers of the company, as stated in the constitutional documents of the company and also requires the approval of a majority, in number, of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the Court its view that the transaction ought not be approved, the Court can be expected to approve the scheme of arrangement if it is satisfied that:
the classes which are required to approve the scheme of arrangement have been properly constituted, so that the members of such classes are properly represented;
the meetings held by the company in relation to the approval of the scheme of arrangement by such classes have been convened and held in accordance with any directions given by the Court;
the scheme of arrangement has been properly explained to the shareholders or creditors so that they have been able to exercise an informed vote in respect of the scheme; the scheme of arrangement is one which an intelligent and honest man, who is a member of the relevant class and properly acting might approve. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection may be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion. If the arrangement and reconstruction are thus approved, any dissenting shareholders would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Our Articles provide that we may merge or consolidate with one or more other companies in accordance with the Companies Law with the approval of a Special Resolution. |
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Shareholder Suits | Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to shareholders under Delaware law for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court generally has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys fees incurred in connection with such action. | The rights of shareholders under Cayman Islands law are not as extensive as those under Delaware law. Class actions are generally not available to shareholders under Cayman Islands laws; historically, there have not been any reported instances of such class actions having been successfully brought before the Cayman Islands courts. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may be brought by a minority shareholder in only limited circumstances. In this regard, the Cayman Islands courts would ordinarily be expected to follow English case law precedent, which would permit a shareholder to commence an action in the companys name to remedy a wrong done to the company where the act complained of cannot be ratified by the shareholders and where control of the company by the wrongdoer results in the company not pursuing a remedy itself. The case law shows that derivative actions have been permitted in respect of acts that are beyond the companys corporate power, illegal, where the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed and acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud on the minority. The winning party in such an action generally would be able to recover a portion of attorneys fees incurred in connection with such action. |
Delaware |
Cayman Islands |
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Inspection of Corporate Records | Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware corporation have the right during normal business hours to inspect for any proper purpose, and to obtain copies of list(s) of shareholders and other books and records of the corporation and its subsidiaries, if any, to the extent the books and records of such subsidiaries are available to the corporation. | Shareholders of a Cayman Islands exempted company have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of a list of shareholders or other corporate records (other than the register of mortgages or charges) of the company. However, these rights may be provided in the companys articles of association. | ||
Shareholder Proposals | Unless provided in the corporations certificate of incorporation or bylaws, Delaware law does not include a provision restricting the manner in which shareholders may bring business before a meeting. | The Companies Law does not provide shareholders any right to bring business before a meeting or requisition a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in the companys articles of association. Our Articles do provide for these rights. | ||
Approval of Corporate Matters by Written Consent |
Delaware law permits shareholders to take action by written consent signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of shareholders. |
The Companies Law allows a special resolution to be passed in writing if signed by all the voting shareholders (if authorized by the articles of association). Our Articles do authorize special resolutions and ordinary resolutions to be passed by in writing if signed by all shareholders entitled to vote. |
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Calling of Special Shareholders Meetings |
Delaware law permits the board of directors or any person who is authorized under a corporations certificate of incorporation or bylaws to call a special meeting of shareholders. |
The Companies Law does not have provisions governing the proceedings of shareholders meetings which are usually provided in the articles of association.
Our Articles allow for shareholders meetings to be convened on the requisition in writing of any shareholder or shareholders holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company Our Articles also provide that, in the event that our board of directors does not or cannot convene a general meeting upon the duly delivered requisition of any shareholder or shareholders (as described above), the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by the Company. |
Listing
Our ADSs are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ASLN.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our ADSs is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Our principal share register is currently maintained by Walkers Corporate Limited and a branch share register is currently maintained by Capital Securities Co., Ltd. The principal share register and the branch share register reflect only record owners of our ordinary shares. Holders of our ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and their names will therefore not be entered in our principal share register or our branch share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs.
Exhibit 99.3
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Receipts
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan) as depositary will issue the American Depositary Shares (ADSs) in connection with an offering. Each ADS will represent an ownership interest in a designated number of our ordinary shares which we will deposit with the depositary or the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and yourself as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which have not distributed directly to you. Unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by you, all ADSs will be issued on the books of our depositary in book-entry form and periodic statements will be mailed to you which reflect your ownership interest in such ADSs. In our description, references to ADRs shall include the statements you will receive which reflect your ownership of ADSs.
The depositarys office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY, 10179.
You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADR holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
As an ADR holder, we will not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you will not have any direct shareholder rights. Because the depositary or its nominee will be the shareholder of record for the ordinary shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement to be entered into among us, the depositary and all holders from time to time of ADRs issued under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee will actually be the registered owner of the ordinary shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law. However, our obligations to the holders of ordinary shares will continue to be governed by the Cayman Islands, which may be different from the laws of the United States. Under the deposit agreement, as an ADR holder, you agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.
The following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may also obtain a copy of the deposit agreement at the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) Public Reference Room which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also find the registration statement and the attached deposit agreement on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
How will I receive dividends and other distributions on the ordinary shares underlying my ADSs? We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will distribute to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases, making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent.
Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
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Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositarys and/or its agents fees and expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution. |
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Shares. In the case of a dividend or free distribution in ordinary shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such ordinary shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any ordinary shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto. |
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Rights to receive additional ordinary shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional ordinary shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing such rights. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may: |
(i) |
sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or |
(ii) |
if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse. |
Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without liability for interest thereon or investment thereof, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
Any U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices.
The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the depositary shall be solely responsible for.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How does the depositary issue ADSs? Subject to any restrictions on deposit provided for under the laws of the Cayman Islands and the deposit agreement, the depositary will issue ADSs against the deposit of: (i) ordinary shares in registered form, validly issued and outstanding; (ii) rights to receive ordinary shares from us or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording share ownership or transactions, subject in each case to payment of the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance. In the case of the ADSs to be issued under this prospectus, we will arrange with the underwriters named herein to deposit such ordinary shares.
Ordinary shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain documents, including Share certificates, and a certified share extract, reflecting the registration of the shares in the name of JPMorgan, as depositary for the benefit of holders of ADRs or in such other name as the depositary shall direct, a delivery order directing the depositary to issue ADSs to, or upon the written order of, the person designated in such order, instruments assigning to the custodian, the depositary or the nominee of either of them any distribution on the ordinary shares so deposited or indemnity therefor, and proxies entitling the custodian to vote the deposited ordinary shares.
The custodian will hold all deposited ordinary shares (including those being deposited by or on our behalf in connection with the offering to which this prospectus relates) for the account and to the order of the depositary for the benefit of holders of ADRs. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the ordinary shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited ordinary shares. The deposited ordinary shares and any such additional items are referred to as deposited securities.
Upon each deposit of ordinary shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositarys direct registration system, and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holders name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositarys direct registration system and that a certificated ADR be issued.
How do ADR holders cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities? In accordance with the deposit agreement and subject to the requirements of the laws of the Cayman Islands, an ADR holder may request the depositary to withdraw from the depositary receipt facility created by the deposit agreement the ordinary shares represented by such holders ADRs and transfer such ordinary shares to such holder or, upon the written order of any person designated in such ADR holders written order, upon surrender of (a) a certificated ADR in a form satisfactory to the depositary or (b) proper instructions and documentation in the case of an ADR issued through the depositarys direct registration system, as the case may be, then an ADR holder hereof is entitled to delivery at, or to the extent in dematerialized form from, the custodians office of the deposited securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the holder hereof, the depositary may deliver such deposited securities at such other place as may have been requested by the holder.
The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
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temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends; |
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the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or |
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compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities. |
Record Dates
The depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated, as the case may be):
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to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities, |
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to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights, |
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to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses as provided for in the deposit agreement, or |
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to receive any notice or to act or be obligated in respect of other matters, |
all subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Voting Rights
How do I vote? If you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs. As soon as practicable after receipt from us of notice of any meeting at which the holders of shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. The depositary shall, if we request in writing in a timely manner at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting and at our expense and provided no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders a notice stating final information particular to the voting materials received by the depositary and describing how you may instruct, or, subject to the next paragraph, will be deemed to instruct, the depositary to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Each ADR holder shall be solely responsible for the forwarding of voting notices to the beneficial owners of ADSs registered in such holders name. In accordance with our memorandum and articles of association, a shareholder may not exercise its own vote or by proxy on behalf of another shareholder of the company in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement if such shareholder may be interested therein. Accordingly, no ADR holder shall instruct the depositary to vote on its behalf on any matter to be considered at the relevant meeting in respect of which such holder is interested.
To the extent we have provided the depositary with at least 35 days notice of a proposed meeting, the notice will be received by all ADR holders and beneficial owners no less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and/or the cut-off date for the solicitation of consents, and the depositary does not receive instructions on a particular agenda item from a ADR holder (including, without limitation, any entity or entities acting on behalf of the nominee for The Depository Trust Company) in a timely manner, such holder shall be deemed, and in the deposit agreement the depositary is instructed to deem such holder, to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy for such agenda item(s) to a person designated by us to vote the shares represented by their ADSs for which actual instructions were not so given by all such ADR holders on such agenda item(s), provided that no such instruction shall be deemed given and no discretionary proxy shall be given unless (1) we inform the depositary in writing that (a) we wish such proxy to be given with respect to such agenda item(s), (b) there is no substantial opposition existing with respect to such agenda item(s) and (c) such agenda item(s), if approved, would not materially or adversely affect the rights of holders of shares and (2) we have provided the depositary with an opinion of our counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the depositary, confirming that (a) the granting of such discretionary proxy does not subject the depositary to any reporting obligations in the Cayman Islands, (b) the granting of such proxy will not result in a violation of Cayman Island laws, rules, regulations or permits, (c) the voting arrangement and deemed instruction as contemplated herein will be given effect under Cayman Islands laws, rules and regulations, and (d) the granting of such discretionary proxy will not under any circumstances result in the ADSs being treated as assets of the depositary under Cayman Island laws, rules or regulations.
Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. For instructions to be valid, the ADR department of the depositary that is responsible for proxies and voting must receive them in the manner and on or before the time specified, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion. Furthermore, neither the depositary nor its agents are responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instructions, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).
There is no guarantee that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.
We have advised the depositary that under the Cayman Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association, voting at any meeting of our shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the results of the show of hands) demanded. In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association, the depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the depositary from holders shall lapse. The depositary will not demand a poll or join in demanding a poll, whether or not requested to do so by holders of ADSs.
Reports and Other Communications
Will ADR holders be able to view our reports? The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian, or upon request made to the depositary (which request may be refused by the depositary at its discretion), the deposit agreement, the provisions of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.
Additionally, if we make any written communications generally available to holders of our ordinary shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.
Fees and Expenses
What fees and expenses will I be responsible for paying? The depositary may charge each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of ordinary shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or deposited securities, and each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADRs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, as the case may be. The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of a share distribution, rights and/or other distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge.
The following additional charges shall be incurred by the ADR holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADSs), whichever is applicable:
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a fee of up to $0.05 per ADS upon which any cash distribution made pursuant to the deposit agreement; |
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an aggregate fee of $0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against holders of ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision); |
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a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of ADR holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositarys or its custodians compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against ADR holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such ADR holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions); |
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a fee for the distribution of securities (or the sale of securities in connection with a distribution), such fee being in an amount equal to the $0.05 per ADS issuance fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were ordinary shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those ADR holders entitled thereto; |
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stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges; |
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SWIFT, cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at your request in connection with the deposit or delivery of shares, ADRs or deposited securities; |
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transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities; |
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fees of any division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan utilized to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. |
Foreign Exchange Related Matters. To facilitate the administration of various depositary receipt transactions, including disbursement of dividends or other cash distributions and other corporate actions, the depositary may engage the foreign exchange desk within JPMorgan and/or its affiliates in order to enter into spot foreign exchange transactions to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars (FX Transactions). For certain currencies, FX Transactions are entered into with JPMorgan or an affiliate, as the case may be, acting in a principal capacity. For other currencies, FX Transactions are routed directly to and managed by an unaffiliated local custodian (or other third party local liquidity provider), and neither the JPMorgan nor any of its affiliates is a party to such FX Transactions.
The foreign exchange rate applied to an FX Transaction will be either (a) a published benchmark rate, or (b) a rate determined by a third party local liquidity provider, in each case plus or minus a spread, as applicable. The depositary will disclose which foreign exchange rate and spread, if any, apply to such currency on the Disclosure page (or successor page) of www.adr.com. Such applicable foreign exchange rate and spread may (and neither the depositary, JPMorgan nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to ensure that such rate does not) differ from rates and spreads at which comparable transactions are entered into with other customers or the range of foreign exchange rates and spreads at which JPMorgan or any of its affiliates enters into foreign exchange transactions in the relevant currency pair on the date of the FX Transaction. Additionally, the timing of execution of an FX Transaction varies according to local market dynamics, which may include regulatory requirements, market hours and liquidity in the foreign exchange market or other factors. Furthermore, JPMorgan and its affiliates may manage the associated risks of their position in the market in a manner they deem appropriate without regard to the impact of such activities on us, the depositary, holders or beneficial owners. The spread applied does not reflect any gains or losses that may be earned or incurred by JPMorgan and its affiliates as a result of risk management or other hedging related activity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent we provide U.S. dollars to the depositary, neither JPMorgan nor any of its affiliates will execute an FX Transaction as set forth herein. In such case, the depositary will distribute the U.S. dollars received from us.
We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary. The charges described above may be amended from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. The right of the depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the deposit agreement.
The depositary anticipates reimbursing us for certain expenses incurred by us that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions, or by directly billing investors, or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary will generally set off the amounts owing from distributions made to holders of ADSs. If, however, no distribution exists and payment owing is not timely received by the depositary, the depositary may refuse to provide any further services to holders that have not paid those fees and expenses owing until such fees and expenses have been paid. At the discretion of the depositary, all fees and charges owing under the deposit agreement are due in advance and/or when declared owing by the depositary.
Payment of Taxes
If any taxes or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the custodian or the depositary with respect to any ADR, any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the ADR holders to the depositary and by holding or having held an ADR or any ADSs evidenced thereby, the holder and all beneficial owners thereof and all prior holders and beneficial owners holders thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the depositary and its agents in respect of such tax or other governmental charge. Each Holder of this ADR and beneficial owner of the ADSs evidenced thereby, and each prior holder and beneficial owner and thereof (collectively, Tax Indemnitors), by holding or having held an ADR or an interest in ADSs, acknowledges and agrees that the depositary shall have the right to seek payment of amounts owing with respect to this ADR from any one or more Tax Indemnitor(s) as determined by the depositary in its sole discretion, without any obligation to seek payment from any other Tax Indemnitor(s). If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may (i) deduct the amount thereof from any distributions, or (ii) sell deposited securities (by public or private sale) and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale. In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. If any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or withdrawal of deposited securities until such payment is made. If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any cash distribution, the depositary may deduct the amount required to be withheld from any cash distribution or, in the case of a non-cash distribution, sell the distributed property or securities (by public or private sale) in such amounts and in such manner as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and shall distribute any remaining net proceeds or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the ADR holders entitled thereto.
Notwithstanding the above, we will pay all stamp duties and other similar duties or taxes payable in the Cayman Islands, Singapore, the Republic of China, the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, on or in connection with the constitution and issue of the ADSs and the execution or other event concerning the deposit agreement. If any legal proceedings are taken to enforce our obligations under the deposit agreement or the ADSs and for the purpose of such proceedings any of them are required to be taken into or enforced in any jurisdiction and stamp duties or other similar duties or taxes become payable in connection with such proceedings in such jurisdiction, the ADR holders will pay (or reimburse the person making a valid payment of) all such stamp duties and other similar duties and taxes, including any penalties and interest, unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction in such proceedings. The depositary may sell any deposited securities and cancel ADSs with respect thereof in order to pay any such stamp duties or other similar duties or taxes owed under the deposit agreement by ADR holders without the depositary being required to request payment thereof from the ADR holders.
Each holder and beneficial owner agrees to indemnify us, the depositary, its custodian and any of our or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained, and such obligations of the holders and beneficial owners shall survive the transfer of ADSs, any surrender of ADSs and withdrawal of deposited securities and any termination of the deposit agreement.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (i) any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (ii) any distributions of ordinary shares or other property not made to holders of ADRs or (iii) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to, and shall if reasonably requested by us:
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amend the form of ADR; |
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distribute additional or amended ADRs; |
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distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions; |
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sell by public or private sale any securities or property received; or |
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none of the above. |
If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders or beneficial owners must be given at least 30 days notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders or beneficial owners. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder is deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by us and the depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by ADR holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of ADR holders or beneficial owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment, however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination the registered holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement on the 60th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the deposit agreement without notice to us, the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement without notice to us, but subject to giving 30 days notice to the ADR holders, if: (i) we become bankrupt or insolvent, (ii) we effect (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the deposited securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the deposited securities, or (iii) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of deposited securities.
After termination, the depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible so that neither DTC nor any of its nominees shall thereafter be a holder. At such time as the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible and/or neither DTC nor any of its nominees is a holder, the depositary shall (a) instruct its custodian to deliver all deposited securities to us along with a general stock power that refers to the names set forth on the ADR Register and (b) provide us with a copy of the ADR Register. Upon receipt of such deposited securities and the ADR Register, we shall use our best efforts to issue to each holder a share certificate representing the shares represented by the ADSs reflected on the ADR Register in such holders name and to deliver such share certificate to the holder at the address set forth on the ADR Register. After providing such instruction to the custodian and delivering a copy of the ADR Register to us, the depositary and its agents shall have no further obligations.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR holders
Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or withdrawal of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:
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payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of ordinary shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement; |
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the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and |
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compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement. |
The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of ordinary shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw shares may only be limited under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes, and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, provided, however, that no disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any of the limitations of liabilities provisions of the deposit agreement. In the deposit agreement it provides that neither we nor the depositary nor any such other party will be liable to holders or beneficial owners if:
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any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Cayman Islands, Singapore, the Republic of China or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositarys or any such other partys direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or such other party (including, without limitation, voting); |
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by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused in the performance of any act or things which by the terms of the deposit agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed or it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable; |
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it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct and the depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to holders or beneficial owners; or |
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it takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information, or in the case of the depositary only, from us. |
We and the depositary and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
Neither we, the depositary nor our respective agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that any holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.
The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or other holders of an interest in any ADSs about the requirements of the laws, rules or regulations of any country or jurisdiction or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, or any changes therein or thereto.
Additionally, none of us, the depositary or the custodian shall be liable for the failure by any registered holder or beneficial owner of ADRs to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such holders or beneficial owners income tax liability. Neither we nor the depositary shall incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that may be incurred by registered holders or beneficial owners on account of their ownership of ADRs or ADSs.
Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary.
Neither we, the depositary nor any of our respective directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates, nor our companys supervisors, shall be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity (including, without limitation, holders and beneficial owners), whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.
In the deposit agreement each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner and/or holder of interests in ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory).
The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADRs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
To the extent that the provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of, or interests in, deposited securities, other ordinary shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, you agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions we may provide in respect thereof.
Each ADR holder agrees to comply with requests from us pursuant to the laws, rules and regulations of the Cayman Islands, Singapore and the Republic of China, as well as the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the ordinary shares may hereinafter be registered, traded or listed to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such ADR holder owns ADRs (and ordinary shares as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADRs and the nature of such interest.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositarys direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such register at the depositarys office at all reasonable times, but for the purpose of communicating with other ADR holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.
The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
Appointment
In the deposit agreement, each registered holder of ADRs and each beneficial owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs or ADRs (or any interest in any of them) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:
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be a party to and bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, |
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appoint the depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take such action as the depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof, and |
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acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing in the deposit agreement or any ADR shall give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties thereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among such parties, (ii) the depositary, its divisions, branches and affiliates, and their respective agents, may from time to time be in the possession of non-public information about us, holders, beneficial owners and/or their respective affiliates, (iii) the depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with us, holders, beneficial owners and/or the affiliates of any of them, (iv) the depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged in transactions in which parties adverse to us or the holders or beneficial owners may have interests, (v) nothing contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR(s) shall (A) preclude the depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (B) obligate the depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships, (vi) the depositary shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any information held by any branch, division or affiliate of the depositary and (vii) notice to a holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the deposit agreement, to constitute notice to any and all beneficial owners of the ADSs evidenced by such holders ADRs. |
Governing Law, Submission to Jurisdiction and Arbitration
The deposit agreement, the ADSs and the ADRs are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof. In the deposit agreement, we have submitted to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms described below, including the federal securities law carve-out set forth at the end of this sentence, (i) the depositary may refer any such suit, action or proceedings to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, and, upon such referral, any such suit, action or proceeding instituted by us shall be finally decided in such arbitration rather than in such court, (ii) the depositary may, in its sole discretion, elect to institute any dispute, suit, action, controversy, claim or proceeding directly or indirectly based on, arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, including without limitation any question regarding its or their existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination, against any other party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, against ADR holders and beneficial owners), by having the matter referred to and finally resolved by an arbitration conducted under the terms described below, and (iii) the depositary may in its sole discretion require that any dispute, suit, action, controversy, claim, or proceeding of the type described in clause (ii) above, brought against the depositary by any party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, by ADR holders and beneficial owners ), shall be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration conducted under the terms described below; provided however, that to the extent there are specific federal securities law violation aspects to any disputes against us and/or the depositary brought by any ADR holder or beneficial owner, the federal securities law violation aspects of such disputes brought by an ADR holder and/or beneficial owner against us and/or the depositary may, at the option of such holder, remain in state or federal court in New York, New York and all other aspects, claims, disputes, legal suits, actions and/or proceedings brought by such holder against us and/or the depositary, including those brought along with, or in addition to, federal securities law violation claims, would be referred to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Any such arbitration shall be conducted either in New York, New York in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or in Hong Kong following the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre serving as the appointing authority, and the language of any such arbitration shall be English.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any suit, action or proceeding based on the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted by the depositary in any competent court in the Cayman Islands, the Republic of China, Singapore and/or the United States.
By holding an ADS or an interest therein, registered holders of ADRs and beneficial owners each irrevocably agree that subject to the depositarys rights, (i) any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and each irrevocably waives any objection which it may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.
Exhibit 99.4
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our American Depositary Shares (ADSs) involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2020, before deciding whether to invest in our ADSs. The occurrence of any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects. In these circumstances, the market price of our ADSs could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations and price of our ADSs. You should consider all of the risk factors described when evaluating our business.
Risks Related to our ADSs
The price of our ADSs may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors beyond our control.
The trading market for publicly traded emerging biopharmaceutical and drug discovery and development companies has been highly volatile and is likely to remain highly volatile in the future. The stock market in general and the market for biopharmaceutical and drug discovery and development companies in particular, has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The recent outbreak of COVID-19, for example, has negatively affected the stock market and investor sentiment and has resulted in significant volatility. The market price of our ADSs may fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, including:
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Positive or negative results from, or delays in, testing and clinical trials by us, collaborators or competitors; |
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Technological innovations or commercial product introductions by us or competitors; |
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Changes in government regulations; |
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Changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems; |
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Developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents and litigation matters; |
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Public concern relating to the commercial value or safety of our product candidates; |
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Financing, collaborations or other corporate transactions; |
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Publication of research reports or comments by securities or industry analysts; |
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General market conditions in the pharmaceutical industry or in the economy as a whole; |
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The loss of any of our key scientific or senior management personnel; |
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The perceived values of our ADSs trading on The Nasdaq Global Market (Nasdaq) relative to one another; |
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Sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares by us, our senior management and board members or holders of our ADSs or our ordinary shares in the future; or |
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Other events and factors, many of which are beyond our control. |
These and other market and industry factors may cause the market price and demand for our ADSs to fluctuate substantially, regardless of our actual operating performance, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their ADSs and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our ADSs. In addition, the stock market in general, and biopharmaceutical companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. In the past, when the market price of a security has been volatile, holders of that security have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the issuer. If any of the holders of our ADSs were to bring such a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit and the attention of our senior management would be diverted from the operation of our business. Any adverse determination in litigation could also subject us to significant liabilities.
We have incurred and will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company in the United States, and our senior management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.
Our ADSs began trading on Nasdaq on May 4, 2018 under the trading symbol ASLN. As a U.S. public company, we have incurred significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur previously, and we will incur additional expenses after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on non-U.S. reporting public companies, including the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Our senior management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, we expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, which in turn could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified senior management personnel or members for our board of directors.
However, these rules and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 404), we will be required to furnish a report by our senior management on our internal control over financial reporting and an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. However, while we remain an emerging growth company (EGC) we will not be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, we will be engaged in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants, adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented, and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Despite our efforts, there is a risk that we will not be able to conclude, within the prescribed timeframe or at all, that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required by Section 404. If we identify one or more material weaknesses, it could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law, we conduct substantially all of our operations and all of our directors and executive officers reside outside of the United States.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (Articles), the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (Companies Law) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England and Wales, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. Similarly, the rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States, and some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies do not have standing to sue before the federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Although our shareholders are permitted by our Articles to request access to our books and records, our directors have discretion under our Articles to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Future sales, or the possibility of future sales, of a substantial number of our ADSs or ordinary shares could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Future sales of a substantial number of our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the perception that such sales will occur, could cause a decline in the market price of our ADSs. If any of our large shareholders or members of our management team sell substantial amounts of our securities in the public markets, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the market price of our ADSs and our ability to raise capital through an issue of equity securities in the future could be adversely affected.
We may sell additional equity or debt securities or enter into other financing arrangements to fund our operations, which may result in dilution to our shareholders and holders of our ADSs and impose restrictions on our business.
In order to raise additional funds to support our operations, we may sell additional equity or debt securities, which could adversely impact our existing shareholders and new investors, as well as our business. The sale of additional equity or debt securities, or a combination of both, would result in the issuance of additional shares capital and dilution to our shareholders and holders of our ADSs.
The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. In the event that we enter into collaborations or licensing arrangements to raise capital, we may be required to accept unfavorable terms, including relinquishing or licensing to a third party on unfavorable terms our rights to technologies or product candidates that we otherwise would seek to develop or commercialize ourselves or potentially reserve for future potential arrangements when we might be able to achieve more favorable terms.
Because we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ADSs or ordinary shares in the foreseeable future, capital appreciation, if any, will be your sole source of potential gains and you may never receive a return on your investment.
We have not paid cash dividends in the past on our ordinary shares. We intend to retain earnings, if any, for use in our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, on our ADSs or ordinary shares will be your sole source of potential gains for the foreseeable future, and you will suffer a loss on your investment if you are unable to sell your ADSs or the underlying ordinary shares at or above the price you pay for our ADSs or ordinary shares. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our ADSs.
Purchasers of our ADSs may not have the same voting rights as the holders of our ordinary shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise their right to vote.
As a holder of our ADSs, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you withdraw the shares. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. After we notify the depositary of the agenda for the shareholders meeting, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you once they are available. We have agreed to give the depositary at least 35 days prior notice of shareholder meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders meetings, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for our ADSs, to the extent we have provided the depositary with at least 35 days notice of a proposed meeting, if voting instructions are not timely received by the depositary from you, you shall be deemed to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote the shares represented by your ADSs as desired. However, no such instruction shall be deemed given and no discretionary proxy shall be given (a) if we inform the depositary in writing that (i) we do not wish such proxy to be given, (ii) substantial opposition exists with respect to any agenda item for which the proxy would be given or (iii) the agenda item in question, if approved, would materially or adversely affect the rights of holders of shares and (b) unless we have provided the depositary with an opinion of our counsel to the effect that (a) the granting of such discretionary proxy does not subject the depositary to any reporting obligations in the Cayman Islands, (b) the granting of such proxy will not result in a violation of Cayman Islands laws, rules, regulations or permits, (c) the voting arrangement and deemed instruction will be given effect under Cayman Islands laws, rules, regulations and permits and (d) the granting of such proxy will not under any circumstances result in the depositary being treated as the beneficial owner of ADSs under Cayman Islands laws, rules, regulations or permits.
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if you fail to give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders meeting, you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted at that meeting, absent the situations described above, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence our management. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
Purchasers of our ADSs may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to holders of ADSs.
The depositary for our ADSs has agreed to pay to purchasers of our ADSs the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses and certain taxes. Purchasers of our ADSs will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares their ADSs represent. However, in accordance with the limitations set forth in the deposit agreement, it may be unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of our ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This means that purchasers of our ADSs may not receive the distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value from them if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to ADS holders. These restrictions may have a negative impact on the market value of our ADSs.
Purchasers of our ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs.
ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement. The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically offered to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles and by the laws governing Cayman Islands corporations and companies engaging in drug development, marketing and sales businesses, as well as by the common law of the Cayman Islands. Certain rights and responsibilities of our shareholders, ADS holders and members of our board of directors under Cayman law are different from those that apply to a Delaware corporation. For example, Directors of Cayman Islands exempted companies are required to observe certain fiduciary duties. These duties are owed to the Cayman Islands company and include the duty to act in the best interests of the company and the shareholders as a whole. However, the fiduciary duties of a director of a Cayman Islands exempted company may not be the same as the fiduciary duty of a director of a U.S. corporation. In addition, controlling shareholders of U.S. corporations owe fiduciary duties to minority shareholders, while shareholders (including controlling shareholders) of Cayman Islands companies owe no fiduciary duties to either the company or to other shareholders.
Further, the rights of our shareholders to bring shareholders suits against us or our board of directors under Cayman Islands law are much more limited than those of shareholders of a U.S. corporation. For example, under Cayman Islands law, a shareholder who wishes to bring a claim against a director would generally need to obtain permission from the courts to bring a derivative action, in the name of the company, against the director. This is because the director of a Cayman Islands exempted company owes duties to the company and not to individual shareholders. As a result, our shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their rights in connection with actions taken by our directors than they would as shareholders of a U.S. corporation. In addition, minority shareholders in a Cayman Islands exempted company have more limited rights than minority shareholders in a U.S. corporation in relation to mergers and similar transactions that the company may carry out. For example, if a merger under the Companies Law involving a Cayman Islands exempted company is approved by the requisite majority of shareholders, a dissenting minority shareholder would have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Such dissenter rights differ substantially from the appraisal rights, which would ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations. Further, if a takeover offer is made to the shareholders of a Cayman Islands exempted company and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected, the offeror may require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion. A minority shareholder in this scenario would have no rights comparable to the appraisal rights which would generally be available to a dissenting shareholder of a U.S. corporation in similar circumstances. For a description of the principal differences between the provisions of Cayman law applicable to us and the U.S. Delaware General Corporate Law relating to shareholders rights and protections.
We qualify as a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are subject to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) reporting obligations that permit less detailed and less frequent reporting than that of a U.S. domestic public company.
We report under the Exchange Act as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including (i) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iii) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K upon the occurrence of specified significant events. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder. Therefore, our shareholders may not know on a timely basis when our officers, directors and principal shareholders purchase or sell our ordinary shares or ADSs. In addition, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until the date that is four months after the end of each fiscal year, while U.S. domestic issuers that are accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year. Foreign private issuers also are exempt from Regulation Fair Disclosure, aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information. As a result of the above, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are not foreign private issuers.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with corporate governance listing standards.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to take advantage of certain provisions in the Nasdaq listing rules that allow us to follow Cayman Islands law for certain governance matters. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands may differ significantly from corporate governance listing standards. We intend to continue to follow Cayman Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. Therefore, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would have under corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.
As discussed above, we are a foreign private issuer, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuers most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We would lose our foreign private issuer status if, for example, more than 50% of our ordinary shares are directly or indirectly held by residents of the United States and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status on this date, we will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the Nasdaq listing rules. As a U.S. listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer, and accounting, reporting and other expenses in order to maintain a listing on a U.S. securities exchange. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors and more expensive to procure director and officer liability insurance.
We are an EGC and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our ADSs less attractive to investors.
We are an EGC as defined in the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act). For as long as we continue to be an EGC, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an EGC. We could be an EGC until December 31, 2023, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the aggregate market value of our ADSs and ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of our second fiscal quarter before that time, in which case we would no longer be an EGC as of the following December 31st (the last day of our fiscal year). We cannot predict if investors will find our ADSs less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our ADSs less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ADSs and the price of our ADSs may be more volatile.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, shareholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our ADSs.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inadequate internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our ADSs.
Management is required to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls annually. However, for as long as we are an EGC under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our managements assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements requiring us to incur the expense of remediation and could also result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research, about our business, the price of our ADSs and our trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If no or too few securities or industry analysts provide coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our ADSs could decrease, which might cause the price of our ADSs and trading volume to decline.
Our U.S. ADS Holders may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company.
Generally, if for any taxable year (i) 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our assets are held for the production of, or produce, passive income, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that directly or indirectly owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and capital gains. Based on estimates of our gross income and gross assets (including tangible assets and intangible assets based on the market value of our ordinary shares), and the nature of our business, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2019; however, we have not yet performed an analysis for our current taxable year. There can be no assurance regarding our PFIC status for any taxable year. If we are characterized as a PFIC, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences, including having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares treated as ordinary income, rather than as capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares by individuals who are U.S. Holders (as defined in Material Income Tax Considerations-Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders), and having interest charges apply to distributions by us and the proceeds of share sales and having to comply with certain reporting requirements. Certain elections exist that may alleviate some of the adverse consequences of PFIC status and would result in an alternative treatment (such as mark-to-market treatment) of our ordinary shares; however, we do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. holders to make qualified electing fund elections if we are classified as a PFIC.
If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of our ordinary shares, such holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
If a United States person is treated as owning (directly, indirectly, or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of our ordinary shares (as a result of such persons ownership of ADSs), such person may be treated as a United States shareholder with respect to each controlled foreign corporation in our group. Because our group includes one or more U.S. subsidiaries, we expect that certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries will be treated as controlled foreign corporations (regardless of whether or not we are treated as a controlled foreign corporation). A United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation may be required to report annually and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of Subpart F income, global intangible low-taxed income, and investments in U.S. property by controlled foreign corporations, regardless of whether we make any distributions. An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporation generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations may subject a United States shareholder to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations with respect to such shareholders U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due from starting. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist investors in determining whether any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is treated as a controlled foreign corporation or whether any investor is treated as a United States shareholder with respect to any such controlled foreign corporation or furnish to any United States shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations. A United States investor should consult its advisors regarding the potential application of these rules to an investment in our ADSs.
Exhibit 99.5
OPEN MARKET SALE AGREEMENTSM
October 9, 2020
JEFFERIES LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands (the Company), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell from time to time through Jefferies LLC, as sales agent and/or principal (the Agent), American Depositary Shares (the ADSs) each representing five ordinary shares of the Company (the Ordinary Shares) on the terms set forth in this agreement (this Agreement) up to the Maximum Program Amount (as defined below). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth herein on the number and aggregate sales price of ADSs issued and sold under this Agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the Company and that the Agent shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance.
The underlying Ordinary Shares shall be deposited pursuant to the amended and restated deposit agreement, dated September 8, 2020, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as depositary (the Depositary), pursuant to which the Depositary shall deliver the ADSs to the Agent.
Section 1. DEFINITIONS
(a) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the following respective meanings:
Affiliate of a Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first- mentioned Person. The term control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agency Period means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and expiring on the earliest to occur of (x) the date on which the Agent shall have placed the Maximum Program Amount pursuant to this Agreement and (y) the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.
Commission means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
SM |
Open Market Sale Agreement is a service mark of Jefferies LLC |
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Floor Price means the minimum price set by the Company in the Issuance Notice below which the Agent shall not sell Shares during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice, which may be adjusted by the Company at any time during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice by delivering written notice of such change to the Agent and which in no event shall be less than $1.00 without the prior written consent of the Agent, which may be withheld in the Agents sole discretion.
Issuance Amount means the aggregate Sales Price of the Shares to be sold by the Agent pursuant to any Issuance Notice.
Issuance Notice means a written notice delivered to the Agent by the Company in accordance with this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that is executed by its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer or Principal Financial Officer.
Issuance Notice Date means any Trading Day during the Agency Period that an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).
Issuance Price means the Sales Price less the Selling Commission.
Maximum Program Amount means ADSs with an aggregate Sales Price of the lesser of (a) the number or dollar amount of Ordinary Shares in the form of ADSs registered under the effective Registration Statement (defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) the number of authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares (less Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding securities of the Company or otherwise reserved from the Companys authorized share capital), (c) the number or dollar amount of Ordinary Shares permitted to be sold under Form F-3 (including General Instruction I.B.5 thereof, if applicable) or (d) the number or dollar amount of ADSs for which the Company has filed a Prospectus (defined below).
Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental authority or other entity of any kind.
Principal Market means The Nasdaq Global Market or such other national securities exchange on which the ADSs are then listed.
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement means any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with the offer and sale of Shares.
Sales Price means the actual sale execution price of each Share placed by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
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Selling Commission means three percent (3%) of the gross proceeds of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Agent with respect to any Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement.
Settlement Date means the second business day following each Trading Day during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice on which Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement, when the Company shall deliver to the Agent the amount of Shares sold on such Trading Day and the Agent shall deliver to the Company the Issuance Price received on such sales.
Shares shall mean the Companys ADSs and underlying Ordinary Shares issued or issuable pursuant to this Agreement.
Trading Day means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading.
Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Agent that as of (1) the date of this Agreement, (2) each Issuance Notice Date, (3) each Settlement Date, (4) each Triggering Event Date and (5) as of each Time of Sale (each of the times referenced above is referred to herein as a Representation Date), except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto) on or before a Representation Date:
(a) Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-234405) that contains a base prospectus (the Base Prospectus). Such registration statement registers the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares under the Securities Act. The Company may file one or more additional registration statements from time to time that will contain a base prospectus and related prospectus or prospectus supplement, if applicable, with respect to the Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement(s), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, including all financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 6 of Form F-3 under the Securities Act as from time to time amended or supplemented, is herein referred to as the Registration Statement, and the prospectus constituting a part of such registration statement(s), together with any prospectus supplement filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act relating to a particular issuance of the Shares, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 6 of Form F-3 under the Securities Act, in each case, as from time to time amended or supplemented, is referred to herein as the Prospectus, except that if any revised prospectus is provided to the Agent by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Shares that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the term Prospectus shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Agent for such use. The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is herein called the Original Registration Statement. As used in this Agreement, the terms amendment or supplement when applied to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing by the Company with the Commission of any document under the Exchange Act after the date hereof that is or is deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. The registration statements on Form F-6 (File Nos. 333- 224273 and 333-248632) relating to the ADSs have been filed with the Commission and have become effective (such registration statements on Form F-6, including all exhibits thereto, as amended at the time such registration statements became effective, being hereinafter referred to as the ADS Registration Statements).
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All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is contained, included or stated in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under the Exchange Act which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date. The Companys obligations under this Agreement to furnish, provide, deliver or make available (and all other references of like import) copies of any report or statement will be satisfied if the same is filed with the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR).
At the time the Original Registration Statement was or will be declared effective and at the time the Companys most recent annual report on Form 20-F was filed with the Commission, if later, the Company met the then-applicable requirements for use of Form F-3 under the Securities Act. During the Agency Period, each time the Company files an annual report on Form 20-F the Company will meet the then-applicable requirements for use of Form F-3 under the Securities Act.
(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied to the Commissions satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
The Prospectus when filed complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed with the Commission through EDGAR (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the Agent for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at each Representation Date, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain 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. As of the date of this Agreement, the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) considered together (collectively, the Representation Date Information) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and at each Representation Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information described in Section 6 below. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been described or filed as required. The Registration Statement and the offer and sale of the Shares as contemplated hereby meet the requirements of Rule 415 under the Securities Act and comply in all material respects with said rule.
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(c) Ineligible Issuer Status. The Company is not an ineligible issuer in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act. Each Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending, and each such Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at each Time of Sale through the completion of the issuance and sale of the Shares did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts with or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein. Except for the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, and electronic road shows, if any, furnished to the Agent before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without the Agents prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus.
(d) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements and the Prospectus, at the time they were filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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(e) Exchange Act Compliance. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, and any Free Writing Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements and any amendments thereto become effective and at each Time of Sale (as defined below), as the case may be, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(f) Emerging Growth Company Status. From the time of the initial filing of the Companys initial registration statement with the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act.
(g) Foreign Private Issuer. The Company is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
(h) Statistical and Market-Related Data. All statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.
(i) Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Deficiencies in or Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act), which (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Companys principal executive and its principal financial officer, by others within those entities, within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms; (ii) have been evaluated by management of the Company for effectiveness as of the end of the Companys most recent fiscal quarter; and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. Since the end of the Companys most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting. The Company is not aware of any change in its internal control over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
(j) This Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
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(k) Authorization and Description of the Shares. The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company that have not been waived with respect to the offering of the Shares. The Shares conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same.
(l) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered for sale pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered for sale or sold by the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, other than those rights that have been disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and have been waived.
(m) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that could be expected to result in a material adverse change, in (A) the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, properties, operations, operating results, assets, liabilities or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity or (B) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or perform its obligations hereunder (any such change being referred to herein as a Material Adverse Change); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, including without limitation any losses or interference with their business from fire, explosion, flood, earthquakes, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, and have not entered into any material transactions not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or any material increase in any short-term or long-term indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries and there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, by any of the Companys subsidiaries on any class of capital stock, or any repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.
(n) Independent Accountants. Deloitte & Touche, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, is (i) an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.
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(o) Financial Statements. The financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, comply as to form in all material respects with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined below) at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS), as the case may be, applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with IFRS the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus under the Securities Act.
(p) Companys Accounting System. The Company and each of its subsidiaries make and keep accurate books and records and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commissions rules and guidelines applicable thereto in all material respects.
(q) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as an exempted company in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is recognized) in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
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(r) Subsidiaries. Each of the Companys subsidiaries (for purposes of this Agreement, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, has corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such subsidiary. The only subsidiaries are the entities listed on Exhibit 8.1 to the Companys latest Annual Report on Form 20-F and Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiarys capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiarys property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.
(s) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding shares in the capital of the Company are as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in the column entitled Actual under the heading Capitalization (except for subsequent issuances, if any, (A) pursuant to this Agreement, (B) pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or (C) pursuant to the conversion of convertible securities or exercise of options referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus). The issued shares in the capital of the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. None of the issued shares in the capital of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.
(t) Stock Options. Except as described in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus, there are no options, warrants, agreements, contracts or other rights in existence to purchase or acquire from the Company or any subsidiary of the Company any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company. The description of the Companys stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements (the Company Stock Plans), and the options (the Options) or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights. Each grant of an Option (A) was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Option was by its terms to be effective by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto and (B) was made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Stock Plan, and all applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including all applicable federal securities laws.
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(u) Stock Exchange Listing. The ADSs are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and are listed on the Principal Market, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the ADSs under the Exchange Act or delisting the ADSs from the Principal Market, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the Principal Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing. To the Companys knowledge, it is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable listing requirements of the Principal Market.
(v) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, or is in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (Default) under any indenture, loan, credit agreement, note, lease, license agreement, contract, franchise or other instrument (including, without limitation, any pledge agreement, security agreement, mortgage or other instrument or agreement evidencing, guaranteeing, securing or relating to indebtedness) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of their respective properties or assets are subject (each, an Existing Instrument), except for such Defaults as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Companys execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and the issuance and sale of the Shares (including the use of proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the caption Use of Proceeds) (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, of the Company or any subsidiary (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Companys execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under the Securities Act and such as may be required under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or FINRA (as defined below). As used herein, a Debt Repayment Triggering Event means any event or condition which gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holders behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
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(w) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation brought by or before any legal or governmental entity (including, without limitation, any action, suit proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) or comparable foreign regulatory agencies (together with the FDA, the Regulatory Authorities) now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or with the employees of any principal supplier, manufacturer, customer or contractor of the Company, exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent.
(x) Intellectual Property. To the knowledge of the Company and except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and each of its subsidiaries owns or has valid, binding and enforceable licenses or other rights under the patents, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (including all goodwill associated with, and all registrations and applications for registration of, the foregoing) (collectively, the Intellectual Property) necessary to carry on the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted and as proposed in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; to the knowledge of the Company and except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, all Intellectual Property owned or licensed by the Company and its subsidiaries is valid, enforceable, and subsisting; and other than as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (A) the Company is not obligated to pay a material royalty, grant a license to, or provide other material consideration to any third party in connection with the Intellectual Property, (B) the Company has not received any notice of any claim of infringement, misappropriation or conflict with any asserted rights of others with respect to any of the Companys product candidates processes or Intellectual Property, (C) to the knowledge of the Company, neither the sale nor use of any of the discoveries, inventions, product candidates or processes of the Company referred to in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus do or will, to the knowledge of the Company, infringe, misappropriate or violate any right or valid patent claim of any third party, (D) the founders, current and former employees, contractors, consultants and other parties involved in the development of Intellectual Property for the Company have assigned such Intellectual Property to the Company, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no third party has any ownership right in or to any Intellectual Property that is owned by the Company and there is no material infringement by third parties of any Intellectual Property, and (E) there is no pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened, action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any Intellectual Property. The product candidates described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as under development by the Company or any subsidiary fall within the scope of the claims of one or more patents or patent applications owned by, or exclusively licensed to, the Company or any subsidiary.
(y) Patents and Patent Applications. All patents and patent applications owned by or licensed to the Company or under which the Company has rights have, to the knowledge of the Company, been duly and properly filed and maintained in all material respects; to the knowledge of the Company, the parties prosecuting such patent applications have complied with their duty of candor and disclosure to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) in connection with such applications; and the Company is not aware of any facts required to be disclosed to the USPTO that were not disclosed to the USPTO and which would preclude the grant of a patent in connection with any such application or would reasonably be expected to form the basis of a finding of invalidity with respect to any patents that have been issued with respect to such applications.
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(z) Regulatory Compliance. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or as would not, singly or in the aggregate result in a Material Adverse Change, the Company: (A) is and at all times has been in compliance with all statutes, rules or regulations of the Regulatory Authorities applicable to the ownership, testing, development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, marketing, labeling, promotion, sale, offer for sale, storage, import, export or disposal of any product under development, manufactured or distributed by the Company (Applicable Laws); (B) has not received any FDA Form 483, notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from any Regulatory Authority alleging or asserting noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, exemptions, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (Authorizations); (C) possesses all Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and the Company is not in violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (D) has not received written notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Regulatory Authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that any Regulatory Authority or third party is threatening to initiate any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) has not received written notice that any Regulatory Authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and has no knowledge that any Regulatory Authority is threatening to initiate such action; and (F) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations or that are described or referred to in the Prospectus and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission), and except as described in the Prospectus, no deficiencies regarding compliance with Applicable Laws have been asserted by any applicable Regulatory Authority with respect to any such filings, reports or submissions.
(aa) Tests, Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies. The studies, tests and preclinical and clinical trials that are described in, or the results of which are referred to in, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus were and, if still pending, are being conducted, to the Companys knowledge, in all material respects in accordance with experimental protocols, procedures and controls pursuant to, where applicable, accepted professional scientific standards and all Authorizations and Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, FFDCA) and Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice requirements, to the extent applicable; the descriptions of the results of such studies, tests and trials contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are, to the Companys knowledge, accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the data derived from such studies, tests and trials; except to the extent disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any studies, tests or trials, the results of which the Company believes reasonably call into question the study, test, or trial results described or referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus when viewed in the context in which such results are described and the clinical state of development; and, except to the extent disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company has not received any notices or correspondence from the FDA or any Governmental Entity requiring the termination or suspension of any studies, tests or preclinical or clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company.
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(bb) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, Governmental Licenses) issued by the appropriate Governmental Entities necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(cc) Title to Properties. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real and personal property owned by them (and good title to all other properties owned by them), in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or (B) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or its subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.
(dd) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable national, provincial, local, non-U.S. tax law and U.S. law, except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a Material Adverse Change, and has paid all taxes due and payable pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been established by the Company. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
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(ee) Company Not an Investment Company. The Company is not, and will not be, either after receipt of payment for the Shares or after the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under Use of Proceeds in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act).
(ff) Insurance. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, each of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured by recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are reasonably deemed adequate and customary for their businesses including, but not limited to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and earthquakes and policies covering the Company and its subsidiaries for product liability claims and clinical trial liability claims. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied.
(gg) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation; Compliance with Regulation M. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or of any reference security (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act (Regulation M)), whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and has taken no action which would directly or indirectly violate Regulation M.
(hh) Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which have not been described as required.
(ii) FINRA Matters. All of the information provided to the Agent or to counsel for the Agent by the Company, its counsel, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with the offering of the Shares is true, complete, correct and compliant with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.s (FINRA) rules and any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules or NASD Conduct Rules is true, complete and correct.
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(jj) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Companys knowledge, any employee or agent thereof, which acting on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state or foreign office in violation of any applicable law or of the character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(kk) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (A) neither the Company nor any subsidiary is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, Hazardous Materials) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, Environmental Laws), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company threatened, administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any subsidiary and (D) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or Governmental Entity, against or affecting the Company or any subsidiary relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.
(ll) ERISA Compliance. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries and any employee benefit plan (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, ERISA)) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the Code) of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No reportable event (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any employee benefit plan established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No employee benefit plan established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such employee benefit plan were terminated, would have any amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined under ERISA), for which notice has not been waived. Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any employee benefit plan or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each employee benefit plan established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.
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(mm) Brokers. Except pursuant to this Agreement or as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finders fee or other fee or commission as a result of any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(nn) No Outstanding Loans or Other Extensions of Credit. The Company does not have any outstanding extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) of the Company except for such extensions of credit as are expressly permitted by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
(oo) Compliance with Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, except where failure to be so in compliance would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(pp) Dividend Restrictions. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying dividends to the Company, or from making any other distribution with respect to such subsidiarys equity securities or from repaying to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company any amounts that may from time to time become due under any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any property or assets to the Company or to any other subsidiary.
(qq) Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken any act in furtherance of an offer, promise, or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or public international organization, or any political party, party official, or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA), the UK Bribery Act 2010, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, authorized, requested, or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Companys affiliates have conducted their respective businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
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(rr) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are, and have been conducted at all times, in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(ss) Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, or employees, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, after reasonable inquiry, any agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC) or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury of the United Kingdom, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions); nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, or any joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such financing, is the subject or the target of Sanctions or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of applicable Sanctions. For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(tt) Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(uu) Duties, Transfer Taxes, Etc. No stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income, withholding or other taxes are payable by the Agent in the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company or the sale and delivery by the Company of the Shares.
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(vv) Cybersecurity. The Company and its subsidiaries information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, IT Systems and Data) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, and to the knowledge of the Company, are free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data, including Personal Data, used in connection with their businesses. Personal Data means (i) a natural persons name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, drivers license number, passport number, credit card number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as personally identifying information under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (ii) personal data as defined by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU 2016/679); (iii) any information which would qualify as protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (collectively, HIPAA); and (iv) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified persons health or sexual orientation. To the knowledge of the Company, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same. The Company and its subsidiaries have been and are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data, including Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.
(ww) Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are, and at all times prior were, in material compliance with all applicable state and federal data privacy and security laws and regulations, including without limitation HIPAA, and the Company and its subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to prepare to comply with, and since May 25, 2018, have been and currently are in material compliance with, GDPR (collectively, the Privacy Laws). The Company and its subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take commercially reasonable steps designed to comply in all material respects with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling, and analysis of Personal Data (the Policies). The Company and its subsidiaries have at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have, to the knowledge of the Company, been materially inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Company further certifies that neither it nor any subsidiary: (i) has received written notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree or settlement agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.
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(xx) Other Underwriting Agreements. The Company is not a party to any agreement with an agent or underwriter for any other active at the market or continuous equity transaction.
(yy) Compliance with Health Care Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are, and at all times have been, in material compliance with all Health Care Laws. For purposes of this Agreement, Health Care Laws means, to the extent applicable to the Company,: (i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Section 301 et seq.), the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), and the regulations promulgated thereunder; (ii) all applicable federal, state, local and foreign health care fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(b)), the Civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Section 3729 et seq.), the criminal false statements law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(a)), 18 U.S.C. Sections 286 and 287, the health care fraud criminal provisions under the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.), the Stark Law (42 U.S.C. Section 1395nn), the civil monetary penalties law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7a), the exclusion law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7), the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1320-7h), and applicable laws governing government funded or sponsored healthcare programs; (iii) HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (42 U.S.C. Section 17921 et seq.); (iv) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010; (v) licensure, quality, safety and accreditation requirements under applicable federal, state, local or foreign laws or regulatory bodies; and (vi) all other local, state, federal, national, supranational and foreign health care laws, relating to the regulation of the Company or its subsidiaries, and (vii) the regulations promulgated pursuant to such statutes and any state or non-U.S. counterpart thereof. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Health Care Laws nor, to the Companys knowledge, is any such claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action currently threatened. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments to the extent required by any Health Care Laws, and all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and accurate in all material respects on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission). Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any corporate integrity agreements, monitoring agreements, consent decrees, settlement orders, or similar agreements with or imposed by any governmental or regulatory authority. Additionally, neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries nor any of their respective employees, officers, directors, or agents has been excluded, suspended or debarred from participation in any U.S. federal health care program or human clinical research or, to the knowledge of the Company, is subject to a governmental inquiry, investigation, proceeding, or other similar action that could reasonably be expected to result in debarment, suspension, or exclusion.
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Any certificate signed by any officer or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to the Agent or counsel for the Agent in connection with an issuance of Shares shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Agent as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.
The Company acknowledges that the Agent and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Agent, will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.
Section 3. ISSUANCE AND SALE OF ADSs
(a) Sale of Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and the Agent agree that the Company may from time to time seek to sell Shares through the Agent, acting as sales agent, or directly to the Agent, acting as principal, as follows, with an aggregate Sales Price of up to the Maximum Program Amount, based on and in accordance with Issuance Notices as the Company may deliver, during the Agency Period.
(b) Mechanics of Issuances.
(i) Issuance Notice. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, on any Trading Day during the Agency Period on which the conditions set forth in Section 5(a) and Section 5(b) shall have been satisfied, the Company may exercise its right to request an issuance of Shares by delivering to the Agent an Issuance Notice; provided, however, that (A) in no event may the Company deliver an Issuance Notice to the extent that the sum of (x) the aggregate Sales Price of the requested Issuance Amount, plus (y) the aggregate Sales Price of all Shares issued under all previous Issuance Notices effected pursuant to this Agreement, would exceed the Maximum Program Amount; and (B) prior to delivery of any Issuance Notice, the selling period set forth for any previous Issuance Notice shall have expired or been terminated. An Issuance Notice shall be considered delivered, on the Trading Day that it is received by e-mail, to the persons set forth in Schedule A hereto and confirmed by the Company by telephone (including a voicemail message to the persons so identified), with the understanding that, with adequate prior written notice, the Agent may modify the list of such persons from time to time.
(ii) Agent Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, upon the receipt of an Issuance Notice, the Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal sales and trading practices to place the Shares with respect to which the Agent has agreed to act as sales agent, subject to, and in accordance with the information specified in, the Issuance Notice, unless the sale of the Shares described therein has been suspended, cancelled or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement may modify an Issuance Notice at any time provided they both agree in writing to any such modification.
(iii) Method of Offer and Sale. The Shares may be offered and sold (A) in privately negotiated transactions with the consent of the Company; (B) as block transactions; or (C) by any other method permitted by law deemed to be an at the market offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Principal Market or sales made into any other existing trading market of the ADSs. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require either party to agree to the method of offer and sale specified in the preceding sentence, and (except as specified in clauses (A) and (B) above) the method of placement of any Shares by the Agent shall be at the Agents discretion.
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(iv) Confirmation to the Company. If acting as sales agent hereunder, the Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which it has placed Shares hereunder setting forth the number of shares sold on such Trading Day, the corresponding Sales Price and the Issuance Price payable to the Company in respect thereof.
(v) Settlement. Each issuance of Shares will be settled on the applicable Settlement Date for such issuance of Shares and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, on or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Shares being sold by crediting the Agent or its designees account at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) System, or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and, upon receipt of such Shares, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form, the Agent will deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the related Issuance Price in same day funds delivered to an account designated by the Company prior to the Settlement Date. The Company may sell Shares to the Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at each relevant time Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement (each, a Time of Sale).
(vi) Suspension or Termination of Sales. Consistent with standard market settlement practices, the Company or the Agent may, upon notice to the other party hereto in writing or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable email), suspend any sale of Shares, and the period set forth in an Issuance Notice shall immediately terminate; provided, however, that (A) such suspension and termination shall not affect or impair either partys obligations with respect to any Shares placed or sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice; (B) if the Company suspends or terminates any sale of Shares after the Agent confirms such sale to the Company, the Company shall still be obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to such Shares; and (C) if the Company defaults in its obligation to deliver Shares on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that it will hold the Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, in performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Agent may borrow ADSs from stock lenders in the event that the Company has not delivered Shares to settle sales as required by subsection (v) above, and may use the Shares to settle or close out such borrowings. The Company agrees that no such notice shall be effective against the Agent unless it is made to the persons identified in writing by the Agent pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).
(vii) No Guarantee of Placement, Etc. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in placing Shares; (B) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person if it does not sell Shares; and (C) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Agent and the Company.
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(viii) Material Non-Public Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Agent agree that the Company shall not deliver any Issuance Notice to the Agent, and the Agent shall not be obligated to place any Shares, during any period in which the Company is in possession of material non-public information.
(c) Fees. As compensation for services rendered, the Company shall pay to the Agent, on the applicable Settlement Date, the Selling Commission for the applicable Issuance Amount (including with respect to any suspended or terminated sale pursuant to Section 3(b)(vi)) by the Agent deducting the Selling Commission from the applicable Issuance Amount.
(d) Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Shares (including all printing and engraving costs); (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares; (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares; (iv) all fees and expenses of the Companys counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement; (vi) all filing fees, attorneys fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Agent in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Agent, preparing and printing a Blue Sky Survey or memorandum and a Canadian wrapper, and any supplements thereto, advising the Agent of such qualifications, registrations, determinations and exemptions; (vii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Agents counsel, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent in connection with, FINRA review, if any, and approval of the Agents participation in the offering and distribution of the Shares; (viii) the filing fees incident to FINRA review, if any; (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any road show undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives, employees and officers of the Company and of the Agent and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; and (x) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares on the Principal Market. The fees and disbursements of Agents counsel pursuant to subsections (vi) and (vii) above shall not exceed (A) $50,000 in connection with the execution of this Agreement and (B) $15,000 in connection with each Triggering Event Date (as defined below) on which the Company is required to provide a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o).
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Section 4. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
The Company covenants and agrees with the Agent as follows, in addition to any other covenants and agreements made elsewhere in this Agreement:
(a) Exchange Act Compliance. During the Agency Period, the Company shall (i) file, on a timely basis, with the Commission all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act; and (ii) either (A) include in its annual reports on Form 20-F, a summary detailing, for the relevant reporting period, (1) the number of Shares sold through the Agent pursuant to this Agreement and (2) the net proceeds received by the Company from such sales or (B) prepare a prospectus supplement containing, or include in such other filing permitted by the Securities Act or Exchange Act (each an Interim Prospectus Supplement), such summary information and, at least once a quarter and subject to this Section 4, file such Interim Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (and within the time periods required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B under the Securities Act)).
(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Agent in writing (i) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission; (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus; (iii) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective; and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or any post-effective amendment thereto, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the ADSs from any securities exchange upon which they are listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rule 424(b) and Rule 433, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission.
(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus so that the Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Agent or counsel for the Agent it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, including the Securities Act, the Company agrees (subject to Section 4(d) and 4(f)) to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Agent, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law including the Securities Act. Neither the Agents consent to, or delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the Companys obligations under Sections 4(d) and 4(f). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file such amendment or supplement if there is no pending Issuance Notice and the Company believes that it is in its best interest not to file such amendment or supplement.
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(d) Agents Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements. Prior to filing an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement (including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act), the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement through incorporation of any report filed under the Exchange Act) relating to the Shares, the Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement without the Agents prior consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.
(e) Use of Free Writing Prospectus. Neither the Company nor the Agent has prepared, used, referred to or distributed, or will prepare, use, refer to or distribute, without the other partys prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), any written communication that constitutes a free writing prospectus as such terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement (any such free writing prospectus being referred to herein as a Free Writing Prospectus).
(f) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto without the Agents consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company shall furnish to the Agent, without charge, as many copies of any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used by the Company, as the Agent may reasonably request. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares (but in any event if at any time through and including the date of this Agreement) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the ADS Registration Statements or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly amend or supplement such free writing prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict or so that the statements in such free writing prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such subsequent time, not misleading, as the case may be; provided, however, that prior to amending or supplementing any such free writing prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of such proposed amended or supplemented free writing prospectus and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any such amended or supplemented free writing prospectus without the Agents consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
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(g) Filing of Agent Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall not take any action that would result in the Agent or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Agent that the Agent otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.
(h) Copies of Registration Statement and Prospectus. After the date of this Agreement through the last time that a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares, the Company agrees to furnish the Agent with copies (which may be electronic copies) of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, and with copies of the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, both in such quantities as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required under the Securities Act or under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction at any time on or prior to the applicable Settlement Date for any period set forth in an Issuance Notice in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event has occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it is necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Agent and to request that the Agent suspend offers to sell Shares (and, if so notified, the Agent shall cease such offers as soon as practicable); and if the Company decides to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, to advise the Agent promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to prepare and cause to be filed promptly with the Commission an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statements or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that if during such same period the Agent is required to deliver a prospectus in respect of transactions in the Shares, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such an amendment or supplement.
(i) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Agent and counsel for the Agent to qualify or register the Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Agent, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Shares. The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Agent promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof as soon as practicable.
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(j) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Agent an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.
(k) Listing; Reservation of Shares. (a) The Company will maintain the listing of the Shares on the Principal Market; and (b) the Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.
(l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Shares.
(m) Due Diligence. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will reasonably cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Agent in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior corporate officers, during normal business hours and at the Companys principal offices, as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time.
(n) Representations and Warranties. The Company acknowledges that each delivery of an Issuance Notice and each delivery of Shares on a Settlement Date shall be deemed to be (i) an affirmation to the Agent that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such Issuance Notice or of such Settlement Date, as the case may be, as though made at and as of each such date, except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto); and (ii) an undertaking that the Company will advise the Agent if any of such representations and warranties will not be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such Issuance Notice, as though made at and as of each such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).
(o) Deliverables at Triggering Event Dates; Certificates. The Company agrees that on or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and, during the term of this Agreement after the date of the first Issuance Notice, upon:
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(A) the filing of the Prospectus or the amendment or supplement of any Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Shares or a prospectus filed pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii)(B)), by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker or supplement, but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus;
(B) the filing with the Commission of an annual report on Form 20-F (including any Form 20-F/A containing amended financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed annual report on Form 20-F), in each case, of the Company;
(C) the filing with the Commission of a Form 6-K containing half-year financial statements of the Company; or
(D) the filing with the Commission of a Form 6-K containing amended financial information that is material to the offering of securities of the Company in the Agents reasonable discretion;
(any such event, a Triggering Event Date), the Company shall furnish the Agent (but in the case of clause (D) above only if the Agent reasonably determines that the information contained in such Form 6-K of the Company is material) with a certificate as of the Triggering Event Date, in the form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (A) confirming that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct, (B) that the Company has performed all of its obligations hereunder to be performed on or prior to the date of such certificate and as to the matters set forth in Section 5(a)(iii) hereof, and (C) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 4(o) shall be waived for any Triggering Event Date occurring at a time when no Issuance Notice is pending or a suspension is in effect, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers instructions for the sale of Shares hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Triggering Event Date) and the next occurring Triggering Event Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Shares following a Triggering Event Date when a suspension was in effect and did not provide the Agent with a certificate under this Section 4(o), then before the Company delivers the instructions for the sale of Shares or the Agent sells any Shares pursuant to such instructions, the Company shall provide the Agent with a certificate in conformity with this Section 4(o) dated as of the date that the instructions for the sale of Shares are issued.
(p) Legal Opinions. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, a negative assurances letter and the written legal opinion of Cooley LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company, Walkers (Singapore) Limited Liability Partnership, Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, Sterling IP, intellectual property counsel to the Company, internal counsel to counsel to the Company and Ziegler, Ziegler & Associates LLP, counsel for the Depositary, each dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented. In lieu of such opinions for subsequent periodic filings, in the discretion of the Agent, the Company may furnish a reliance letter from such counsel to the Agent, permitting the Agent to rely on a previously delivered opinion letter, modified as appropriate for any passage of time or Triggering Event Date (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented as of such Triggering Event Date).
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(q) Comfort Letter. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause Deloitte & Touche, the independent registered public accounting firm who has audited the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, to furnish the Agent a comfort letter, dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel; provided, however, that any such comfort letter will only be required on the Triggering Event Date specified to the extent that it contains financial statements filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Prospectus. If requested by the Agent, the Company shall also cause a comfort letter to be furnished to the Agent within ten (10) Trading Days of the date of occurrence of any material transaction or event requiring the filing of a Form 6-K containing material amended financial information of the Company, including the restatement of the Companys financial statements. The Company shall be required to furnish no more than one comfort letter hereunder per annual report on Form 20-F and report on Form 6-K for half-year financial statements filed by the Company.
(r) Secretarys Certificate. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date, the Company shall furnish the Agent a certificate executed by the Secretary or General Counsel of the Company, signing in such capacity, dated the date of delivery (i) certifying that attached thereto are true and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement), which authorization shall be in full force and effect on and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) certifying and attesting to the office, incumbency, due authority and specimen signatures of each Person who executed this Agreement for or on behalf of the Company, and (iii) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request.
(s) Agents Own Account; Clients Account. The Company consents to the Agent trading, in compliance with applicable law, in the ADSs for the Agents own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement.
(t) Investment Limitation. The Company shall not invest, or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Shares in such a manner as would require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
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(u) Market Activities. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares or any other reference security, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and the Company will, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation M. If the limitations of Rule 102 of Regulation M (Rule 102) do not apply with respect to the Shares or any other reference security pursuant to any exception set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102, then promptly upon notice from the Agent (or, if later, at the time stated in the notice), the Company will, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, comply with Rule 102 as though such exception were not available but the other provisions of Rule 102 (as interpreted by the Commission) did apply. The Company shall promptly notify the Agent if it no longer meets the requirements set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102.
(v) Notice of Other Sale. Without the written consent of the Agent, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares or ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs (other than Shares hereunder), warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Ordinary Shares or ADSs, during the period beginning on the third Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which any Issuance Notice is delivered to the Agent hereunder and ending on the third Trading Day immediately following the Settlement Date with respect to Shares sold pursuant to such Issuance Notice; and will not directly or indirectly enter into any other at the market or continuous equity transaction offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares or ADSs (other than the Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Ordinary Shares or ADSs prior to the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that such restrictions will not be required in connection with the Companys (i) issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, options to purchase Ordinary Shares or ADSs or Ordinary Shares or ADSs issuable upon the exercise of options or other equity awards pursuant to any employee or director share option, incentive or benefit plan, share purchase or ownership plan, long-term incentive plan, dividend reinvestment plan, inducement award under Nasdaq rules or other compensation plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, (ii) issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs issuable upon exchange, conversion or redemption of securities or the exercise or vesting of warrants, options or other equity awards outstanding at the date of this Agreement, (iii) modification of any outstanding options, warrants of any rights to purchase or acquire Ordinary Shares or ADSs, (iv) issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs in connection with strategic transactions including joint ventures, manufacturing, marketing, sponsored research, collaboration, license or distribution arrangements which are not issued primarily for capital raising purposes and (v) issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs as consideration for mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations, joint ventures or strategic alliances occurring after the date of this Agreement which are not used for capital raising purposes, provided that the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs issued or sold pursuant to clauses (iv) and (v) shall not together exceed 5.0% of the total number of outstanding Ordinary Shares immediately following the issuance and sale of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs issued pursuant to clauses (iv) and (v).
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Section 5. CONDITIONS TO DELIVERY OF ISSUANCE NOTICES AND TO SETTLEMENT
(a) Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Issuance Notice and the Obligation of the Agent to Sell Shares. The right of the Company to deliver an Issuance Notice hereunder is subject to the satisfaction, on the date of delivery of such Issuance Notice, and the obligation of the Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice is subject to the satisfaction, on each Trading Day during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice, of each of the following conditions:
(i) |
Accuracy of the Companys Representations and Warranties; Performance by the Company. The Company shall have delivered the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 4(o). The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to such date, including, but not limited to, the covenants contained in Section 4(p), Section 4(q) and Section 4(r). |
(ii) |
No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby that prohibits or directly and materially adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have the effect of prohibiting or materially adversely affecting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(iii) |
Material Adverse Changes. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus and the Representation Date Information, (a) in the judgment of the Agent there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change; and (b) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act. |
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(iv) |
No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of ADSs; Other Events. The trading of the ADSs (including without limitation the Shares) shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Principal Market or FINRA and the ADSs (including without limitation the Shares) shall have been approved for listing or quotation on and shall not have been delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or any of their constituent markets. There shall not have occurred (and be continuing in the case of occurrences under clauses (i) and (ii) below) any of the following: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Companys securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Principal Market or trading in securities generally on either the Principal Market shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal or New York, authorities; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Agent is material and adverse and makes it impracticable to market the Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities. |
(b) Documents Required to be Delivered on each Issuance Notice Date. The Agents obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares hereunder shall additionally be conditioned upon the delivery to the Agent on or before the Issuance Notice Date of a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, executed by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer or Principal Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that all conditions to the delivery of such Issuance Notice shall have been satisfied as at the date of such certificate (which certificate shall not be required if the foregoing representations shall be set forth in the Issuance Notice).
(c) No Misstatement or Material Omission. Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Times of Sale Information, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the Agents reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in the Agents reasonable opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(d) Agent Counsel Legal Opinion. Agent shall have received from Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel for Agent, such opinion or opinions, on or before the date on which the delivery of the legal opinions are required pursuant to Section 4(p), with respect to such matters as Agent may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.
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Section 6. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
(a) Indemnification of the Agent. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Agent or such officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and to reimburse the Agent and each such officer, employee and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agent) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Agent or such officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information set forth in the first sentence of the ninth paragraph under the caption Plan of Distribution in the Prospectus. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. The Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; but, for each of (i) and (ii) above, only to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information set forth in the first sentence of the ninth paragraph under the caption Plan of Distribution in the Prospectus, and to reimburse the Company and each such director, officer and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the Company) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such officer, director or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Agent or the Company may otherwise have.
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(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6 or to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying partys election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), which counsel (together with any local counsel) for the indemnified parties shall be selected by the indemnified party (in the case of counsel for the indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) and (b) above), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party and shall be paid as they are incurred.
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(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 6 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 6(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request; and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total commissions received by the Agent. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Agent, on the other hand, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(c), any reasonable and documented legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 6(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 6(e); provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 6(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company and the Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(e), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the Selling Commission received by the Agent in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(e), each officer and employee of the Agent and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Agent, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
Section 7. TERMINATION & SURVIVAL
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, the term of this Agreement shall continue from the date of this Agreement until the end of the Agency Period, unless earlier terminated by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.
(b) Termination; Survival Following Termination.
(i) |
Either party may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Agency Period, by giving written notice as required by this Agreement, upon ten (10) days notice to the other party; provided that, (A) if the Company terminates this Agreement after the Agent confirms to the Company any sale of Shares, the Company shall remain obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to such Shares and (B) Section 2, Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive termination of this Agreement. If termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Shares, such sale shall nevertheless settle in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(ii) In addition to the survival provision of Section 7(b)(i), the respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the Agent set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
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Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Press Releases and Disclosure. The Company may issue a press release describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, and may file with the Commission a Form 6-K, with this Agreement attached as an exhibit thereto, describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall consult with the Agent prior to making such disclosures, and the parties hereto shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosures that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto. No party hereto shall issue thereafter any press release or like public statement (including, without limitation, any disclosure required in reports filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act) related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other party hereto, except as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the party seeking to make disclosure to comply with the requirements of applicable law or stock exchange rules. If any such press release or like public statement is so required, the party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making such disclosure, and the parties shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto.
(b) No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the determination of any fees, are arms-length commercial transactions between the Company and the Agent, (ii) when acting as a principal under this Agreement, the Agent is and has been acting solely as a principal is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) the Agent has not assumed nor will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Agent has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and the Agent does not have any obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Agent and its respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (v) the Agent has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
(c) Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Agents research analysts and research departments are required to and should be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and as such the Agents research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company understands that the Agent is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(d) Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
If to the Agent:
Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
601 Marshall St
Redwood City, CA 94063
Attention: Heidi E. Mayon
If to the Company:
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited
83 Clemenceau Avenue, #12-03 UE Square
Singapore 239920
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Cooley LLP
4401 Eastgate Mall
San Diego, CA 92101
Attention: Patrick Loofbourrow
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 8(d).
(e) Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 6, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term successors shall not include any purchaser of the Shares as such from the Agent merely by reason of such purchase.
(f) Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Article, Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
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(g) Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (Related Proceedings) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (collectively, the Specified Courts), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a Related Judgment), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such partys address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(h) General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument, and may be delivered by facsimile transmission or by electronic delivery of a portable document format (PDF) file. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Article and Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Immediately Follows]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms
Very truly yours, |
ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED |
By: |
/s/ Carl Firth |
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Name: |
Carl Firth |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Agent in New York, New York as of the date first above written.
JEFFERIES LLC |
By: |
/s/ Donald Lynaugh |
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Name: |
Donald Lynaugh |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO OPEN MARKET SALE AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
ISSUANCE NOTICE
[Date]
Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: [ ]
Reference is made to the Open Market Sale Agreement between ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the Company) and Jefferies LLC (the Agent) dated as of , 20 . The Company confirms that all conditions to the delivery of this Issuance Notice are satisfied as of the date hereof.
Date of Delivery of Issuance Notice (determined pursuant to Section 3(b)(i)):
Issuance Amount (equal to the total Sales Price for such Shares): $
Number of days in selling period: |
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First date of selling period: |
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Last date of selling period: |
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Settlement Date(s) if other than standard T+2 settlement: |
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Floor Price Limitation (in no event less than $1.00 without the prior written consent of the Agent, which consent may be withheld in the Agents sole discretion): $ per share
Comments: |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
A-1
SCHEDULE A
NOTICE PARTIES
The Company
Carl Firth
Kiran Asarpota
The Agent
Michael Magarro
Don Lynaugh
Jack Fabbri
Michael Brinkman