UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 5, 2021
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-40312 | 86-1691173 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
c/o Corvex Management LP | ||
667 Madison Avenue | ||
New York, New York | 10065 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 474-6745
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☑ | Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencements communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company þ
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On August 6, 2021, CM Life Sciences III Inc. (“CMLSIII” or the “Company”) announced that it executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EQRx”), and the other parties thereto (the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger (as defined below), the “Business Combination”). This Current Report on Form 8-K provides a summary of the Merger Agreement and the other agreements entered into and contemplated in connection with the Business Combination. The descriptions of these agreements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the terms and conditions of such agreements, copies of which are attached as Exhibits 2.1, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5,10.6 and 10.7 hereto.
Merger Agreement
On August 5, 2021, CMLSIII entered into the Merger Agreement with EQRx and Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”).
Business Combination
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, CMLSIII will acquire EQRx through the merger of Merger Sub with and into EQRx, with EQRx surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMLSIII (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, CMLSIII will be renamed.
The Business Combination was approved by the boards of directors of each of CMLSIII and EQRx.
The Business Combination is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, following the receipt of the required approval by EQRx’s and CMLSIII’s stockholders and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions.
Business Combination Consideration
At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of EQRx’s common stock and preferred stock (collectively, “EQRx Capital Sock“) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically deemed for all purposes to represent the right to receive a portion of the total consideration, with each EQRx’s stockholder (as applicable) being entitled to receive a number of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of CMLSIII (the “Class A Common Stock”) equal to: (x) such EQRx stockholder’s total shares of EQRx Capital Stock multiplied by (y) the number equal to the final quotient of: (i) $3,650,000,000 divided by (ii) 10 divided by (iii) the Aggregate Company Share Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
In addition, at the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase EQRx Capital Stock will be rolled over into options to purchase Class A Common Stock, as further set forth in and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement; and each outstanding EQRx restricted stock award will be cancelled and converted into restricted stock awards of Class A Common Stock calculated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.
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Earnout
In addition to the issuance of Class A Common Stock, the rollover of other EQRx equity awards and the conversion of EQRx restricted stock awards described above as of the Effective Time, (A) upon the occurrence of Triggering Event I, CMLSIII will issue or cause to be issued to each EQRx stockholder and certain employees or individual service providers of EQRx (the “Earn-Out Service Providers”), in accordance with the terms of their respective award agreements, 35,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements; and (B) upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II, CMLSIII will issue or cause to be issued to each EQRx stockholder and Earn-Out Service Provider an additional (one-time issuance) of 15,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Merger Agreement. Triggering Event I and Triggering Event II may be achieved at the same time or over the same overlapping trading days.
“Triggering Event I” shall occur if at any time during the period beginning on the 12-month anniversary of the Closing and ending on the date that is the 36-month anniversary of the Closing (inclusive of the first and last day of such period, the “Earn-Out Period”), the closing price of the Class A Common Stock for a period of at least 20 days out of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date of determination (the “Common Share Price of CMLSIII’s Class A Stock”) is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share.
“Triggering Event II” shall occur if at any time within the Earn-Out Period, the Common Share Price of CMLSIII’s Class A Common Stock is greater than $16.50 per share.
Governance
CMLSIII has agreed to take all action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that, effective immediately after the closing of the Business Combination, CMLSIII board of directors will consist of up to eleven directors, which will initially include: Alexis Borisy, Krishna Yeshwant, Paul Berns, Jorge Conde, Eli Casdin, Sandra Horning, Clive Meanwell and Melanie Nallicheri, each as designees of EQRx; Sam Merksamer and Amy Abernethy. The remaining director nominees, if any, will be mutually agreed upon between CMLSIII’s chief executive officer and EQRx’s chief executive office. The board of directors of CMLSIII will have a majority of “independent” directors for the purposes of Nasdaq rules, each of whom will serve in such capacity in accordance with the terms of CMLSIII’s Organizational Documents following the Effective Time.
Representations and Warranties
The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of the parties thereto that are customary for transactions of this type, with respect to, among other things, (a) entity organization, formation and authority, (b) capital structure, (c) authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement, (d) legal compliance and approvals, (e) financial statements and liabilities, (f) absence of changes, (g) litigation, (h) employee matters, (i) real property, (j) taxes, (k) intellectual property and privacy, (l) material contracts, (m) transactions with affiliates, (n) government grants and incentives and (o) in the case of CMLSIII only, (i) its public filings, (ii) the PIPE Investment (as defined below) and (iii) its trust account.
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Covenants
The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to the operation of their respective businesses prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and efforts to satisfy the conditions to consummation of the Business Combination.
The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, covenants providing for CMLSIII and EQRx to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and covenants providing for CMLSIII, Merger Sub and EQRx to cooperate in the preparation of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) required to be filed in connection with the Business Combination.
In addition, CMLSIII has agreed to adopt an equity incentive plan and an employee stock purchase plan, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement.
Non-Solicitation Restrictions
Except as expressly permitted by the Merger Agreement, from the date of the Merger Agreement to the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, CMLSIII, EQRx and Merger Sub have each agreed not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any information to, any Person (other than CMLSIII and its agents, representatives, advisors) concerning any merger, sale of ownership interests and/or assets of the EQRx, recapitalization or similar transaction (each, a “Company Business Combination”); (ii) enter into any agreement regarding, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way that would otherwise reasonably be expected to lead to a Company Business Combination; or (iii) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Company Business Combination.
CMLSIII Change in Recommendation
CMLSIII is required to include in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus the recommendation of CMLSIII’s board of directors to CMLSIII’s stockholders that they approve the transaction proposals (as such proposals are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement, collectively, the “CMLSIII Board Recommendation”). CMLSIII is permitted to change the CMLSIII Board Recommendation only as required by applicable legal requirements.
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Conditions to Closing
General Conditions
The consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, (a) receipt of CMLSIII’s stockholder approval, (b) CMLSIII having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets as described under the terms of the Merger Agreement, (c) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and (d) the absence of any governmental order, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Business Combination.
EQRx’s Conditions to Closing
The obligations of EQRx to consummate the Merger also are conditioned upon, among other things, (a) customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, CMLSIII’s delivery of certain agreements, (b) the aggregate cash proceeds from CMLSIII’s trust account, together with the proceeds from the PIPE Investment (as defined below), equaling no less than $1,000,000,000 (after deducting any amounts paid to CMLSIII stockholders that exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination, but prior to paying any unpaid transaction expenses incurred or subject to reimbursement by CMLSIII or EQRx), and (c) approval by Nasdaq of CMLSIII’s listing application in connection with the Business Combination.
CMLSIII Conditions to Closing
The obligations of CMLSIII to consummate the Merger are also conditioned upon, among other things, customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, EQRx’s delivery of certain agreements.
Termination
The Merger Agreement allows the parties to terminate the Merger Agreement if certain customary conditions described in the Merger Agreement are not satisfied, including, without limitation, each party’s right to terminate, subject to certain limited exceptions, if the Business Combination is not consummated by March 31, 2022 (the “Outside Date”).
If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated, none of the parties to the Merger Agreement will have any liability or any further obligation under the Merger Agreement other than customary confidentiality obligations, except in the case of a willful and intentional breach of the Merger Agreement or intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement.
A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement are also modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to stockholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. CMLSIII does not believe that these schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.
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Certain Related Agreements
Amendment to Letter Agreement
On August 5, 2021, CMLSIII entered into an amendment to the letter agreement, dated April 6, 2021 pursuant to which the Sponsor (as defined below) agreed to certain additional transfer restrictions with respect to 50% of its founder shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof).
The foregoing description of the Amendment to the Letter Agreement and related Sponsor Founder Shares Lock-up is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment to Letter Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Subscription Agreements and PIPE Investment (Private Placement)
On August 5, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, CMLSIII entered into subscription agreements (collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (collectively, the “PIPE Investors” which include certain existing equityholders of EQRx), pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, the PIPE Investors have collectively subscribed for 120,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price equal to $1.2 billion (the “PIPE Investment”). The PIPE Investment will be consummated immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination. The Subscription Agreements provide for certain customary registration rights for the PIPE Investors. The Subscription Agreements will terminate with no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of: (a) such date and time as the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms; (b) the mutual written agreement of the parties to such Subscription Agreement; (c) if on the Closing Date, any of the conditions to Closing set forth in the Subscription Agreement are not satisfied or waived, and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated in the Subscription Agreement are not consummated at the Closing or (d) the Outside Date.
The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements and the PIPE Investment is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Subscription Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Stockholder Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with signing, CMLSIII entered into Lock-Up Agreements (each, a “Lock Up Agreement”) with certain stockholders of EQRx, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, respectively, to, among other things, customary lock-up restrictions following the closing of the Business Combination.
The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreements is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Lock-Up Agreements, the form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Stockholder Voting and Support Agreements
In connection with signing, CMLSIII entered into Support Agreements (each, a “Stockholder Support Agreement”) with certain stockholders of EQRx, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, respectively, to execute written consents with respect to their shares of EQRx Capital Stock held of record or thereafter acquired in favor of the Merger and related matters, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Stockholder Support Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Stockholder Support Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Stockholder Support Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Sponsor Support Agreement
On August 5, 2021, CMLSIII entered into a Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with CMLS Holdings III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), and EQRx, whereby Sponsor has agreed to, among other things, (a) vote at any meeting of the stockholders of CMLSIII all of its shares of capital stock of CMLSIII held of record or thereafter acquired in favor of the Parent Stockholder Matters (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (b) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination and (c) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to such securities, prior to the closing of the Business Combination, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sponsor Support Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Sponsor Support Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sponsor Support Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.6 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement
On August 5, 2021, the Sponsor entered into a Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement (the “Forfeiture Agreement”) with EQRx and CMLSIII, whereby Sponsor has agreed, subject to certain limitations and in accordance with the terms of the Forfeiture Agreement, to forfeit up to 50% of its shares of class B common stock of CMLSIII, such actual amount tied to actual exercise of redemption rights of CMLSIII stockholders in connection with the Business Combination, as more fully described in the Forfeiture Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Forfeiture Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Forfeiture Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.6 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
At the closing of the Business Combination, EQRx, the Sponsor and certain stockholders of EQRx will enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, the parties thereto will be granted certain customary registration rights with respect to shares of Common Stock.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.7 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) under the heading “Subscription Agreements and PIPE Investment (Private Placement)” is incorporated by reference herein. The shares of common stock to be issued in connection with the Subscription Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and will be issued in reliance on the exemption from registration requirements thereof provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On August 6, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the Business Combination. A copy of the press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Furnished as Exhibit 99.2 hereto is an investor presentation, dated August 6, 2021, that will be used by the Company regarding the Business Combination. On August 6, 2021, CMLSIII and EQRx made a webcast available on https://dealroadshow.com (the “Webcast”). A copy of the transcript for the Webcast is furnished as Exhibit 99.3 hereto.
The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed Business Combination between EQRx and the Company, including express or implied statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, the anticipated timing of the Business Combination, the expected cash proceeds from the Business Combination, the expected continued listing on Nasdaq, EQRx’s ability to accelerate growth and expand access to innovative medicines, EQRx’s ability to obtain FDA and other approvals of any product candidates in its pipeline, and EQRx’s ability to expand its pipeline and execute on its business strategy with payers, as well as other statements regarding plans and market opportunities of EQRx. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, (ii) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by the Company, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the adoption of the merger agreement by the stockholders of the Company, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by the Company’s public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the transaction, (v) the inability to complete the PIPE investment in connection with the Business Combination, (vi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, (vii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Business Combination on EQRx’s business relationships, operating results and business generally, (viii) risks that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of EQRx and potential difficulties in EQRx employee retention as a result of the Business Combination, (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or EQRx related to the Merger Agreement or the Business Combination, (x) the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s securities on a national securities exchange, (xi) changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which EQRx operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting EQRx’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xii) risks associated with EQRx’s ability to implement its business plans, including risks associated with its growth strategy, obtaining regulatory approvals, and creating a global payer network, and other risks associating with its plans to create a new kind of pharmaceutical company, (xiii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries, (xiv) the size and growth of the markets in which EQRx operates and its ability to offer innovative medicines at reduced prices, and (xv) EQRx’s ability to operate as a public company. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-253475), the proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Business Combination and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and EQRx and the Company assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither EQRx nor CM Life Sciences III gives any assurance that either EQRx or the Company or the combined company will achieve its expectations.
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Additional Information and Where to Find It / Non-Solicitation
In connection with the proposed Business Combination, the Company intends to file a registration statement, which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC. The proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of the Company. The Company and EQRx also will file other documents regarding the proposed Business Combination with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of the Company are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Business Combination as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by the Company and EQRx through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The documents filed by the Company with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at the Company’s website at https://cmlifesciencesspac.com/ or upon written request to the Company, c/o Corvex Management, 667 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065.
Participants in Solicitation
The Company and EQRx and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination. Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of the Company’s securities is set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC. To the extent that holdings of the Company’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the business combination will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
No Offer or Solicitation
This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This Current Report on Form 8-K shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom.
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Item 9.01 Exhibits.
EXHIBIT INDEX
10
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CM Life Sciences III Inc. | ||
Date: August 6, 2021 | By: | /s/Brian Emes |
Name: | Brian Emes | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC.,
CLOVER III MERGER SUB INC.,
and
eqrx, inc.
DATED AS OF August 5, 2021
Table of Contents
Page | ||
Article I THE CLOSING TRANSACTIONS | 2 | |
Section 1.1 | Closing | 2 |
Section 1.2 | Parent Financing Certificate | 2 |
Section 1.3 | Closing Documents | 3 |
Section 1.4 | Closing Transactions | 3 |
Article II THE MERGER | 4 | |
Section 2.1 | Effective Time | 4 |
Section 2.2 | The Merger | 4 |
Section 2.3 | Effect of the Merger | 4 |
Section 2.4 | Governing Documents | 4 |
Section 2.5 | Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation | 4 |
Section 2.6 | Merger Consideration | 4 |
Section 2.7 | Effect of the Merger on the Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock | 5 |
Section 2.8 | Surrender of Company Certificates and Disbursement of Closing Consideration | 6 |
Section 2.9 | Withholding Taxes | 7 |
Section 2.10 | Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action | 7 |
Section 2.11 | Tax Treatment of the Merger | 7 |
Section 2.12 | Effect on Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards | 8 |
Section 2.13 | Dissenting Shares | 9 |
Article III EARN OUT | 9 | |
Section 3.1 | Issuance of Earn-Out Shares | 9 |
Section 3.2 | Acceleration Event | 10 |
Section 3.3 | Tax Treatment of Earn-Out Shares | 10 |
Section 3.4 | Earn-Out Service Providers | 10 |
Section 3.5 | Escrow of Earn-Out Shares | 11 |
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANY | 11 | |
Section 4.1 | Organization and Qualification | 11 |
Section 4.2 | Company Subsidiaries | 11 |
Section 4.3 | Capitalization | 12 |
Section 4.4 | Due Authorization | 13 |
Section 4.5 | No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings | 13 |
Section 4.6 | Legal Compliance; Approvals | 14 |
Section 4.7 | Government Contracts | 14 |
Section 4.8 | Financial Statements | 15 |
Section 4.9 | No Undisclosed Liabilities | 15 |
Section 4.10 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 15 |
Section 4.11 | Litigation | 16 |
Section 4.12 | Company Benefit Plans | 16 |
Section 4.13 | Labor Relations | 18 |
Section 4.14 | Real Property; Tangible Property | 20 |
Section 4.15 | Taxes | 21 |
Section 4.16 | Environmental Matters | 22 |
Section 4.17 | Brokers; Third Party Expenses | 23 |
Section 4.18 | Intellectual Property | 23 |
Section 4.19 | Privacy & Cybersecurity; HIPAA Compliance | 25 |
Section 4.20 | Agreements, Contracts and Commitments | 26 |
Section 4.21 | Insurance | 28 |
(i)
Section 4.22 | Affiliate Matters | 28 |
Section 4.23 | Certain Provided Information | 28 |
Section 4.24 | Absence of Certain Business Practices | 29 |
Section 4.25 | Government Grants and Incentives | 29 |
Section 4.26 | OIG | 29 |
Section 4.27 | Suppliers and Customers | 30 |
Section 4.28 | Disclaimer of Other Warranties | 30 |
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB | 31 | |
Section 5.1 | Organization and Qualification | 31 |
Section 5.2 | Parent Subsidiaries | 31 |
Section 5.3 | Capitalization | 31 |
Section 5.4 | Authority Relative to this Agreement | 33 |
Section 5.5 | No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents | 33 |
Section 5.6 | Compliance; Approvals | 34 |
Section 5.7 | Parent SEC Reports and Financial Statements | 34 |
Section 5.8 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 35 |
Section 5.9 | Litigation | 35 |
Section 5.10 | Business Activities; Liabilities | 35 |
Section 5.11 | Parent Material Contracts | 36 |
Section 5.12 | Parent Listing | 36 |
Section 5.13 | Equity Financing Amount | 36 |
Section 5.14 | Trust Account | 37 |
Section 5.15 | Taxes | 38 |
Section 5.16 | Information Supplied | 39 |
Section 5.17 | Employees; Benefit Plans | 39 |
Section 5.18 | Board Approval; Stockholder Vote | 39 |
Section 5.19 | Title to Assets | 40 |
Section 5.20 | Affiliate Transactions | 40 |
Section 5.21 | Brokers | 40 |
Section 5.22 | Disclaimer of Other Warranties | 40 |
Article VI CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE | 41 | |
Section 6.1 | Conduct of Business by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries | 41 |
Section 6.2 | Conduct of Business by Parent and Merger Sub | 44 |
Article VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 46 | |
Section 7.1 | Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement; Special Meeting | 46 |
Section 7.2 | Company Stockholder Approval | 48 |
Section 7.3 | Regulatory Approvals | 49 |
Section 7.4 | Other Filings; Press Release | 50 |
Section 7.5 | Confidentiality; Access to Information | 50 |
Section 7.6 | Reasonable Best Efforts | 51 |
Section 7.7 | No Parent Securities Transactions | 52 |
Section 7.8 | No Claim Against Trust Account | 53 |
Section 7.9 | Disclosure of Certain Matters | 53 |
Section 7.10 | Securities Listing; Parent Public Filings | 53 |
Section 7.11 | No Solicitation | 54 |
Section 7.12 | Trust Account | 55 |
Section 7.13 | Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance | 55 |
(ii)
Section 7.14 | Tax Matters | 56 |
Section 7.15 | Equity Financing Agreements | 57 |
Section 7.16 | Section 16 Matters | 57 |
Section 7.17 | Board of Directors | 58 |
Section 7.18 | LTIP and ESPP | 58 |
Section 7.19 | Release | 58 |
Article VIII CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTION | 59 | |
Section 8.1 | Conditions to Obligations of Each Party’s Obligations | 59 |
Section 8.2 | Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company | 59 |
Section 8.3 | Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub | 61 |
Article IX TERMINATION | 61 | |
Section 9.1 | Termination | 61 |
Section 9.2 | Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination | 62 |
Article X NO SURVIVAL | 63 | |
Section 10.1 | No Survival | 63 |
Article XI GENERAL PROVISIONS | 63 | |
Section 11.1 | Notices | 63 |
Section 11.2 | Interpretation | 64 |
Section 11.3 | Counterparts; Electronic Delivery | 64 |
Section 11.4 | Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries | 64 |
Section 11.5 | Severability | 65 |
Section 11.6 | Other Remedies; Specific Performance | 65 |
Section 11.7 | Governing Law | 65 |
Section 11.8 | Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 65 |
Section 11.9 | Rules of Construction | 66 |
Section 11.10 | Expenses | 66 |
Section 11.11 | Assignment | 66 |
Section 11.12 | Amendment | 66 |
Section 11.13 | Extension; Waiver | 67 |
Section 11.14 | No Recourse | 67 |
Section 11.15 | Legal Representation | 67 |
Section 11.16 | Disclosure Letters and Exhibits | 68 |
Schedules and Exhibits
Schedule A – Defined Terms
Exhibit A – Form of Stockholder Support Agreement
Exhibit B – Form of Stock Option and Incentive Plan
Exhibit C – Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Exhibit D – Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Parent
Exhibit E – Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
(iii)
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made and entered into as of August 5, 2021, by and among CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall individually be referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, the “Parties”. The term “Agreement” as used herein refers to this Agreement and Plan of Merger, as the same may be amended from time to time, and all schedules, exhibits and annexes hereto (including the Company Disclosure Letter and the Parent Disclosure Letter, as defined herein). Defined terms used in this Agreement are listed alphabetically in Schedule A, together with the section and, if applicable, subsection in which the definition of each such term is located.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Parent is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and other applicable Legal Requirements (collectively, as applicable based on context, the “Applicable Legal Requirements”), the Parties intend to enter into a business combination transaction by which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company being the surviving corporation of the Merger (the Company, in its capacity as the surviving corporation of the Merger, is sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”).
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and for purposes of any applicable state or local Tax Legal Requirements that follows the U.S. federal income tax treatment), each of the Parties intends that the Merger will constitute a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and any comparable provision of state or local Tax Legal Requirements (the “Intended Tax Treatment”), and that this Agreement be, and hereby is, adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for the purposes of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g).
WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has unanimously: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance with the DGCL; (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger in accordance with the DGCL, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement; and (c) adopted a resolution recommending the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement be adopted by the stockholders of the Company.
WHEREAS, following execution of this Agreement, the Company shall seek to obtain and deliver to Parent as promptly as practicable, and in any event no later than forty-eight (48) hours following execution of this Agreement (the “Company Stockholder Approval Deadline”): (a) a stockholder voting and support agreement (the “Stockholder Voting and Support Agreement”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A executed by the Company Stockholders set forth on Schedule 1.1-A of the Company Disclosure Letter and (b) a lock-up letter agreement (the “Lock-Up Letter”) executed by the Company Stockholders set forth on Schedule 1.1-B of the Company Disclosure Letter.
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent has: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and the stockholders of Parent, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance with the DGCL; (b) determined that the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least eighty percent (80%) of the amount held in the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) as of the date hereof; (c) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger in accordance with the DGCL, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement; and (d) adopted a resolution recommending the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement be adopted by the stockholders of Parent (the “Parent Recommendation”).
WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, Parent shall, in each case, subject to obtaining the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters: (a) adopt a Stock Option and Incentive Plan in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 7.18) (the “LTIP”), (b) adopt an employee stock purchase plan in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 7.18) (the “ESPP”), and (c) adopt the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Parent in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Parent A&R Charter”).
WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, Parent has obtained commitments from the Equity Financing Investors for equity financing pursuant to certain subscription agreements, with such equity financings to be consummated immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions.
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, Parent and the Company Stockholders will enter into an amended and restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Sponsor has executed and delivered to the Company the Sponsor Support Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to which the Sponsor has agreed to, among other things, vote to adopt and approve this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Article
I
THE CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
Section 1.1 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the consummation of the Transactions (the “Closing”), other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger (as defined below), shall take place by electronic exchange of documents and signatures at a time and date to be specified in writing by the Parties, which shall be no later than the second (2nd) Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), or at such other time, date and location as the Parties agree in writing (the date on which the Closing occurs, the “Closing Date”). The Parties agree that the Closing signatures may be transmitted by email pdf files.
Section 1.2 Parent Financing Certificate. Not more than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing, Parent shall deliver to the Company written notice (the “Parent Financing Certificate”) setting forth: (a) the aggregate amount of cash proceeds that will be required to satisfy any exercise of the Parent Stockholder Redemptions; (b) the amount of Parent Cash and Parent Transaction Costs as of the Closing; (c) confirmation that the aggregate amount of the equity financing equal to the Equity Financing Amount was committed to Parent by the Equity Financing Agreements; and (d) the number of shares of Parent Class A Stock to be outstanding as of the Closing after giving effect to the Parent Stockholder Redemptions, any forfeitures of shares of Parent Class A Stock by the Sponsor pursuant to that certain Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Parent and the Company (the “Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement”), and the issuance of shares of Parent Class A Stock pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreements.
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Section 1.3 Closing Documents.
(a) At the Closing, Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, shall deliver to the Company:
(i) a certified copy of the Parent A&R Charter;
(ii) a copy of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by Parent, Sponsor and the other existing parties thereto;
(iii) copies of resolutions and actions taken by Parent’s and Merger Sub’s board of directors and stockholders in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the Transactions;
(iv) written resignations in forms reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date and effective as of the Closing executed by the officers and directors of Merger Sub and the officers and directors of Parent who will not retain such positions upon the Closing, as mutually agreed by Parent and the Company or as otherwise stated herein;
(v) a duly executed counterpart of the Earn-Out Escrow Agreement from a representative of Parent designated prior to the Closing;
(vi) the Indemnification Agreements, duly executed by Parent; and
(vii) all other documents, instruments or certificates required to be delivered by Parent at or prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 8.2.
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Parent:
(i) a copy of the Certificate of Merger, duly executed by the Company;
(ii) a copy of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by parties mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company between the date hereof and the Closing;
(iii) a duly executed counterpart of the Earn-Out Escrow Agreement from a representative of the Company that will be an officer of Parent following the Closing;
(iv) copies of resolutions and actions taken by the Company’s board of directors and the Company Stockholders in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the Transactions;
(v) a schedule reflecting: (A) the calculation, as of the Closing, of the Aggregate Company Share Amount, Total Outstanding Company Shares, each Company Stockholder’s Total Stockholder Outstanding Shares and the Per Share Amount; (B) the portion of the Closing Number of Securities issuable to each Company Stockholder at Closing pursuant to Section 2.7(a); and (C) each Company Stockholder’s Earn-Out Pro Rata Share of the Earn-Out Shares to be issued upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events in accordance with Article III; and
(vi) all other documents, instruments or certificates required to be delivered by the Company at or prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 8.3.
Section 1.4 Closing Transactions. At the Closing and on the Closing Date, the Parties shall cause the consummation of the following transactions in the following order, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement:
(a) Parent shall make any payments in the aggregate amount of cash proceeds that will be required to satisfy any exercise of the Parent Stockholder Redemptions.
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(b) Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Parent Transaction Costs and Company Transaction Costs to the applicable payees, to the extent not paid prior to the Closing.
(c) The certificate of merger with respect to the Merger shall be prepared and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL (the “Certificate of Merger”) and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(d) Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent (or cause to be deposited therewith) the Closing Number of Securities.
(e) Parent shall deposit with the Continental (or cause to be deposited therewith) the Earn-Out Shares.
Article
II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 Effective Time. Subject to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date the Company and Merger Sub shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing, or such later time as may be agreed in writing by the Company and Parent and specified in the Certificate of Merger, being the “Effective Time”).
Section 2.2 The Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Merger Sub and the Company shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the Surviving Corporation after the Merger and as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent.
Section 2.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Corporation, which shall include the assumption by the Surviving Corporation of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Effective Time.
Section 2.4 Governing Documents. Subject to Section 7.13, at the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended to read the same as the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be “EQRx Sub, Inc.” (or such other name mutually agreed by the Parties).
Section 2.5 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. Immediately after the Effective Time, the board of directors and executive officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be the board of directors and executive officers of the Company as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Section 2.6 Merger Consideration.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the aggregate consideration to be paid to the Company Stockholders shall be: (i) the Closing Merger Consideration; and (ii) the contingent right to receive the Earn-Out Shares following the Closing in accordance with Article III (collectively, the “Total Consideration”).
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(b) The Closing Merger Consideration shall be issued in the form of the Closing Number of Securities.
Section 2.7 Effect of the Merger on the Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Company Stockholders or the holders of any of the securities of Parent, the following shall occur:
(a) Each share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically deemed for all purposes to represent the right to receive a portion of the Total Consideration, with each Company Stockholder (as applicable) being entitled to receive:
(i) a number of shares of Parent Class A Stock equal to the quotient of: (A) (1) the product of (x) such Company Stockholder’s Total Stockholder Outstanding Shares multiplied by (y) the Per Share Amount divided by (B) $10.00; and
(ii) its Earn-Out Pro Rata Share of any Earn-Out Shares in accordance with Article III, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2.7(e);
in each case, without interest, upon delivery of the documents required pursuant to Section 2.8. As of the Effective Time, each Company Stockholder shall cease to have any other rights in and to the Company or Surviving Corporation, and each Certificate relating to the ownership of shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock (other than Excluded Shares) shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the applicable portion of the Total Consideration.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no fraction of a share of Parent Class A Stock will be issued by virtue of the Merger. Any fractional shares that would otherwise be issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole share of Parent Class A Stock.
(c) Each issued and outstanding share of common stock of Merger Sub shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation, which shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, all certificates representing the common stock of Merger Sub shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation into which they were converted in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.
(d) Each share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock held in the Company’s treasury or owned by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time (each an “Excluded Share”), shall be cancelled and no consideration shall be paid or payable with respect thereto.
(e) The numbers of shares of Parent Class A Stock that the Company Stockholders are entitled to receive as a result of the Merger, and each other amount contained herein which is based upon the number of shares of Parent Class A Stock, and as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, split-up, reverse stock split, stock dividend or distribution (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Parent Class A Stock), extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Parent Class A Stock occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Closing.
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Section 2.8 Surrender of Company Certificates and Disbursement of Closing Consideration.
(a) Subject to this Section 2.8, at the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to each Company Stockholder portion of the Total Consideration to which such Company Stockholder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and Section 2.7(a)(ii) (collectively, the “Closing Consideration”).
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, Parent shall appoint a commercial bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Exchange Agent”) for the purpose of exchanging Certificates for each Company Stockholder’s portion of the Closing Consideration.
(c) At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent and make available the Closing Number of Securities. At the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Exchange Agent to deliver the Closing Consideration in the manner it is contemplated to be issued or paid pursuant to this Article II.
(d) Promptly after the Effective Time (and in any event within five (5) Business Days thereafter), the Exchange Agent shall mail to each Company Stockholder who has not already received the Surrender Documentation (other than holders of Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares): (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form with such other provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably agree; and (ii) instructions for submission of such letters or transmittal and other documentation reasonably required by the Exchange Agent (the “Surrender Documentation”); provided, however, that the Exchange Agent shall not be required to deliver the Surrender Documentation to any Company Stockholder that has delivered its Surrender Documentation with respect to such Company Stockholder’s Certificates to the Exchange Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. Upon submission of the Surrender Documentation, the Exchange Agent will deliver to the holder of such Certificate in exchange therefor such holder’s portion of the Closing Consideration in accordance with Section 2.8(a) hereof, with the Closing Number of Securities being delivered via book-entry issuance (or at the written election of any Company Stockholder, in certificated form), less any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 2.9; provided, however, that if the holder of such Certificate delivers to the Exchange Agent the Surrender Documentation with respect to such Company Stockholder’s Certificates at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the holder of such Certificate in exchange therefor such holder’s portion of the Closing Consideration covered by such Surrender Documentation in accordance with this sentence on the Closing Date or as promptly as practicable thereafter. The Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until so surrendered, each Certificate shall represent after the Effective Time for all purposes only the right to receive the applicable portion of the Total Consideration attributable to such Certificate. No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable upon due surrender of the Certificates. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, the applicable portion of the Total Consideration to be delivered upon due surrender of the Certificate may be issued to such transferee if the Certificate formerly representing such shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer Taxes have been paid or are not applicable.
(e) From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of the shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Certificate is presented to the Surviving Corporation, Parent or the Exchange Agent for transfer, it shall be cancelled and deemed exchanged for (without interest and after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 2.9) the portion of the Total Consideration represented by such Certificate.
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(f) Any portion of the Closing Consideration that remains unclaimed by the Company Stockholders for 180 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation upon the Surviving Corporation’s written request. Any Company Stockholder who has not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of their respective portion of the Total Consideration (after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 2.9) upon due submission of the Surrender Documentation, without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Surviving Corporation, Parent, the Exchange Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any former Company Stockholder for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Legal Requirements.
Section 2.9 Withholding Taxes. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation, the Exchange Agent and their Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement, any amount required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under Applicable Legal Requirements; provided, that if Parent, Merger Sub, any of their respective Affiliates, or any party acting on their behalf determines that any payment to the Company Stockholders hereunder is subject to deduction and/or withholding, then Parent shall provide notice to the Company (with respect to any withholding required on or before the Closing Date) or the applicable Company Stockholders (with respect to any withholding required after the Closing Date) as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination; provided, further, that the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any such deduction and/or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Any amounts so withheld shall be timely remitted to the applicable Governmental Entity.
Section 2.10 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation following the Merger with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub, the officers and directors or members, as applicable, (or their designees) of the Company and Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.
Section 2.11 Tax Treatment of the Merger. For U.S. federal income tax purposes (and for purposes of any applicable state or local Tax that follows the U.S. federal income tax treatment), the Parties will prepare and file all Tax Returns consistent with the treatment of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (or comparable provision of state and local Tax Legal Requirement) and will not take any inconsistent position on any Tax Return or during the course of any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes, except as otherwise required by a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code. Each Party shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. No Party shall take any action, or fail to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
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Section 2.12 Effect on Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards.
(a) Each Company Option that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be assumed by Parent and converted into an option to purchase shares of Parent Class A Stock upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, including with respect to vesting, exercisability and termination-related provisions (each, a “Parent Option”) except that (a) such Parent Option shall provide the right to purchase that whole number of shares of Parent Class A Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Equity Exchange Ratio and (b) the exercise price per share shall be equal to the exercise price per share of such Company Option in the effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (the exercise price per share, as so determined, being rounded up to the nearest full cent) divided by the Equity Exchange Ratio; provided, however, that the conversion of the Company Options will be made in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1, such that such conversion will not constitute a “modification” of such Company Options for purposes of Section 409A or Section 424 of the Code.
(b) Each Company Restricted Stock Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be cancelled and converted into a restricted stock award covering a number of shares of Parent Class A Stock (each a “Parent Restricted Stock Award”) equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying such Company Restricted Stock Award immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Equity Exchange Ratio, upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such Company Restricted Stock Award (including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions).
(c) The Company shall take all necessary actions to effect the treatment of Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) in accordance with the Company Incentive Plan and the applicable award agreements and to ensure that no Parent Option may be exercised prior to the effective date of an applicable Form S-8 (or other applicable form, including Form S-1 or Form S-3) of Parent. The board of directors of the Company shall take all necessary actions, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing, in order to (i) provide that the unallocated share reserve remaining under the Company Incentive Plan as of the Closing Date (including any shares subsequently returned to such share reserve as a result of the termination of awards issued under the Company’s applicable stock plan) shall be included in the share reserve under the LTIP, in accordance with the terms thereof, and (ii) provide that no new Company Options will be granted under the Company Incentive Plan following the Closing. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall deliver to each holder of a Company Option and unvested Company Restricted Stock Award, a notice, in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent, setting forth the effect of the Merger on such holder’s Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards and describing the treatment of such Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards in accordance with this Section 2.12.
(d) Parent shall take all actions that are necessary for the assumption and conversion of the Company Options and the cancellation and conversion of the Company Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to Section 2.12. If registration of the issuance of the Parent Options or Parent Restricted Stock Award is required under the Securities Act, Parent shall file, as promptly as practicable after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Form 8-K announcing the Closing is filed (or any such earlier date permitted by Applicable Legal Requirements), a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to such Parent Options or Parent Restricted Stock Awards and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as the applicable Parent Options or Parent Restricted Stock Awards remain outstanding and such registration of the sale of the shares of Parent Class A Common Stock issuable thereunder continues to be required.
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Section 2.13 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a Company Stockholder who has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing or by electronic transmissions and has properly demanded appraisal for such shares in accordance with, and who complies in all respects with, Section 262 of the DGCL (such shares, “Dissenting Shares”), shall not be converted into the right to receive the Closing Merger Consideration and shall instead represent the right to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with and to the extent provided by Section 262 of the DGCL. At the Effective Time, (i) all Dissenting Shares shall be cancelled, extinguished and cease to exist and (ii) the holders of Dissenting Shares shall be entitled to only such rights as may be granted to him, her or it under the DGCL. If any such Company Stockholder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws or loses such Company Stockholder’s right to appraisal under Section 262 of the DGCL or a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Section 262 of the DGCL, then the right of such holder to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shares under Section 262 of the DGCL shall cease and such Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to have been converted, as of the Effective Time, into and shall only represent the right to receive the Closing Merger Consideration upon the surrender of such shares in accordance with this Article II. The Company shall give Parent reasonably prompt notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company relating to rights to be paid the fair value of Dissenting Shares, and Parent shall have the right to participate in and direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), make any payment with respect to, or settle or compromise or offer to settle or compromise, any such demands or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or otherwise comply with the provisions under Section 262 of the DGCL, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Article
III
EARN OUT
Section 3.1 Issuance of Earn-Out Shares.
(a) Following the Closing, and as additional consideration for the Merger and the other Transactions, Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered from the Earn-Out Shares (including any Earn-Out Shares accumulated in the Forfeiture Pool as of the occurrence of Triggering Event I or Triggering Event II, as applicable) in accordance with the Earn-Out Escrow Agreement to each applicable Company Stockholder (other than holders of Dissenting Shares) and Earn-Out Service Provider (in accordance with its respective Earn-Out Pro Rata Share and, in the case of the Earn-Out Service Providers, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Earn-Out Award Agreement), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and, in the case of the Earn-Out Service Providers, subject to the additional requirements set forth in Section 3.4 and the applicable Earn-Out Award Agreement:
(i) upon the occurrence of Triggering Event I, a one-time issuance of 35,000,000 shares of Parent Class A Stock (the “Triggering Event I Earn-Out Shares”); and
(ii) upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II, an additional (one-time issuance) of 15,000,000 shares of Parent Class A Stock (the “Triggering Event II Earn-Out Shares”, together with the Triggering Event I Earn-Out Shares, the “Earn-Out Shares”).
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Earn-Out Shares shall be, in each case, equitably adjusted for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to Parent Class A Stock occurring on or after the Closing, (ii) Triggering Event I and Triggering Event II may be achieved at the same time or over the same overlapping Trading Days, (iii) Earn-Out Shares issued to Company Stockholders that received a Parent Restricted Stock Award at the Closing may be issued in the form of an additional Parent Restricted Stock Award with substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such Company Restricted Stock Award (including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions), and (iv) in no event shall the total number of Earn-Out Shares issuable to Company Stockholder and Earn-Out Service Providers exceed 50,000,000 shares of Parent Class A Stock.
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Section 3.2 Acceleration Event. If, prior to the expiration of the Earn-Out Period, there is a Change of Control that will result in the holders of Parent Class A Stock receiving a per share price equal to or in excess of the applicable Common Share Price required in connection with the Triggering Events (an “Acceleration Event”), then immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control (the “Accelerated Vesting Date”): (a) the Triggering Events that had not previously occurred shall be deemed to have occurred; and (b) Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered from the Earn-Out Shares (including any Earn-Out Shares accumulated in the Forfeiture Pool as of the Accelerated Vesting Date) in accordance with the Earn-Out Escrow Agreement to each applicable Company Stockholder and Earn-Out Service Providers (in accordance with its respective Earn-Out Pro Rata Share and, in the case of Earn-Out Service Providers, if and to the extent required in accordance with the applicable Earn-Out Award Agreement), and the recipients of such issued Earn-Out Shares shall be eligible to participate with respect thereto in such Change of Control. If there is a Change of Control following the Earn-Out Period, then immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, Parent shall issue the Earn-Out Shares then-accumulated in the Forfeiture Pool, if any, to the Company Stockholders and Earn-Out Service Providers (in accordance with their respective Earn-Out Pro Rata Share and, in the case of the Earn-Out Service Providers, if and to the extent required in accordance with the applicable Earn-Out Award Agreement), and the recipients of such issued Earn-Out Shares shall be eligible to participate with respect thereto in such Change of Control.
Section 3.3 Tax Treatment of Earn-Out Shares. Any issuance of Earn-Out Shares to Company Stockholders, including any delivery of Earn-Out Shares made upon the occurrence of an Acceleration Event pursuant to Section 3.2, shall be treated as an adjustment to the Total Consideration by the Parties for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Tax law, and such issuance is intended to comply with and shall be effected in accordance with Rev. Proc. 84-42, 1984-1 C.B. 521.
Section 3.4 Earn-Out Service Providers. Earn-Out Shares issuable upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event may be issued to Earn-Out Service Providers as described in this Section 3.4 rather than to Company Stockholders. The terms of the issuance of the Earn-Out Shares underlying an award of Earn-Out RSUs to the Earn-Out Service Providers shall be set forth in a written agreement between the Company and such Earn-Out Service Provider (each, an “Earn-Out Award Agreement”), in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent, which may provide that the Earn-Out Shares that would otherwise become issuable to an Earn-Out Service Provider pursuant to Section 3.1 shall remain subject to certain additional vesting conditions as set forth therein, and which may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a Change of Control. In the event that an Earn-Out Service Provider does not satisfy the vesting conditions set forth in his or her Earn-Out Award Agreement, such Earn-Out Service Provider shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her right to receive the applicable Earn-Out Shares for no consideration. Any such Earn-Out Shares that are so forfeited under the terms of an Earn-Out Award Agreement shall accumulate in the “Forfeiture Pool” and shall be issued in accordance with Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, as applicable; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, no Earn-Out Shares shall be issuable, including those accumulated in the Forfeiture Pool, unless and until the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, as applicable, have been met. The delivery of Earn-Out Shares underlying the Earn-Out RSUs shall be subject to the payment of any applicable Tax withholdings and compliance with any applicable requirements of the securities and other laws.
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Section 3.5 Escrow of Earn-Out Shares.
(a) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver electronically to Continental, the Earn-Out Shares.
(b) Upon receipt of the Earn-Out Shares, Continental will place the Earn-Out Shares in an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement, in a form mutually agreed by Parent, the Company and Continental (the “Earn-Out Escrow Agreement”).
(c) Promptly upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events, a representative designated prior to the Closing by Parent and Parent shall jointly prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, in a mutually agreeable written notice to Continental (a “Release Notice”), which Release Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the specific release instructions with respect to the Earn-Out Shares, including, without limitation, the number of Earn-Out Shares to be released and the identity of each Person to whom such Earn-Out Shares shall be released.
Article
IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the letter dated as of the date of this Agreement delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub prior to or in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Legal Requirements of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except as would not be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions or have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Complete and correct copies of the certificate of incorporation, certificate of designation, stockholders’ rights agreement and by-laws (and any other governing documents or instruments, collectively, the “Charter Documents”) of the Company as amended and currently in effect, have been made available to Parent or its representatives.
Section 4.2 Company Subsidiaries.
(a) The Company’s direct and indirect Subsidiaries, together with their jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, are listed on Schedule 4.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the “Company Subsidiaries”). Each Company Subsidiary has been duly formed or organized and is validly existing under the Legal Requirements of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so formed, organized or existing, or to have such power and authority, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. The Company has previously provided to Parent or its representatives true and complete copies of the Charter Documents of the Company Subsidiaries, as amended and currently in effect.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, each Company Subsidiary is duly licensed or qualified to do business and, where applicable, is in good standing as a foreign corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which it is conducting business, or the operation, ownership or leasing of its property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions or have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.3 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (i) 620,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”), of which 76,912,028 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement; (ii) 469,955,057 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 of the Company, of which (x) 262,070,014 shares have been designated Series A Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Company Series A Preferred Stock”), all of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and (y) 207,885,043 shares have been designated Series B Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Company Series B Preferred Stock”, together with the Company Series A Preferred Stock, the “Company Preferred Stock”), 207,394,482 of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Each share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock has been issued in compliance in all material respects with: (A) Applicable Legal Requirements; and (B) the Company’s Charter Documents.
(b) The Company has previously provided to Parent a list, dated as of August 3, 2021, that is true and correct as of such date, setting forth the name of (i) each Company Stockholder and the number and class or series of shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock held by each, and (ii) each holder of any Company Option and Company Restricted Stock Awards granted under the Company Incentive Plan, the number of Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Awards held by each holder, the class of shares underlying such Company Options or Company Restricted Stock Award and the applicable exercise price of the Company Options (the “Capitalization Ledger”). Other than the Company Options and the Company Restricted Stock Awards there are no stock appreciation, phantom stock, stock-based performance unit, profit participation, restricted stock, restricted stock unit or other equity-based compensation award or similar rights with respect to the Company. Each Company Option held by a U.S. taxpayer has been granted with an exercise price that is intended to be no less than the fair market value of the underlying Company Common Stock on the date of grant, as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code or Section 422 of the Code, if applicable. Each Company Option held by a U.S. taxpayer is intended to be exempt under Section 409A of the Code. Other than the Company Options, the Company has not granted any outstanding options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of the Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, or any other commitments or agreements providing for the issuance of additional shares, the sale of treasury shares, or for the repurchase or redemption of shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, and there are no agreements of any kind which may obligate the Company to issue, purchase, register for sale, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock. Except for this Agreement, there are no registration rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or other agreements or understandings with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock.
(c) The outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each of the Company Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and (if applicable) are fully paid and nonassessable (where such concepts are applicable) and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. The Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries own of record and beneficially all the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of such Company Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens other than (i) as may be set forth on Schedule 4.3(c); (ii) for any restrictions on sales of securities under applicable securities laws; and (iii) Permitted Liens. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of such Company Subsidiaries, any other commitments or agreements providing for the issuance of additional shares (or other equity interests), the sale of treasury shares, or for the repurchase or redemption of such Company Subsidiaries’ shares of capital stock (or other equity interests), or any agreements of any kind which may obligate any Company Subsidiary to issue, purchase, register for sale, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares of capital stock (or other equity interests). Except for the equity interests of the Company Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 4.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter and as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person or have any agreement or commitment to purchase any such interest, and has not agreed and is not obligated to make nor is bound by any written, oral or other Contract, binding understanding, option, warranty or undertaking of any nature, as of the date hereof or as may hereafter be in effect under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other entity.
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(d) Except as provided for in this Agreement, as a result of the consummation of the Transactions, no shares of capital stock, warrants, options or other securities of the Company are issuable and no rights in connection with any shares, warrants, options or other securities of the Company accelerate or otherwise become triggered (whether as to vesting, exercisability, convertibility or otherwise).
Section 4.4 Due Authorization. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to: (a) execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party; and (b) carry out the Company’s obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions (including the Merger), in each case, subject to the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements described in Section 4.5. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions (including the Merger) have been, or in the case of any Transaction Agreements to be executed at or in connection with the Closing, will be duly and validly authorized by all requisite action, including approval by the board of directors of the Company and, following receipt of the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the Company required to approve and adopt this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions under the Charter Documents and the DGCL, including, without limitation, the approval of the holders of the Company Preferred Stock and Company Common Stock, respectively, including the (x) approval of the majority of the holders of the Company Preferred Stock and the Company Common Stock voting as a single class (on an as converted basis) and (y) approval of fifty-five percent (55%) of the holders of the outstanding Company Preferred Stock (the Company Series A Preferred Stock and the Company Series B Preferred Stock voting together as a separate class from the Company Common Stock) (collectively, the “Company Stockholder Approval”), and no other corporate proceeding on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and (assuming this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub) constitute or will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (collectively, the “Remedies Exception”).
Section 4.5 No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 4.5(b), the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (including the consummation by the Company of the Transactions) and the other Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party by the Company do not and will not: (i) violate any provision of, or result in the breach of, any Applicable Legal Requirement to which any of the Group Companies is subject or by which any property or asset of any of the Group Companies is bound; (ii) conflict with or violate the Charter Documents of any of the Group Companies; (iii) violate any provision of or result in a breach, default or acceleration of, require a consent under, or create any right to payment under any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract, or terminate or result in the termination of any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract, or result in the creation of any Lien under any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Group Companies, or constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such violation, breach, default, acceleration, termination or creation of a Lien; or (iv) result in a violation or revocation of any required Approvals, except to the extent that the occurrence of any of the foregoing items set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions or have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of Parent contained in this Agreement, no consent, notice, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required on the part of the Company with respect to the Company’s execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or the consummation by the Company of the Transactions (including the Merger), except for: (i) applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”) or any similar foreign law; (ii) any consents, notices, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations or filings, the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the securities laws; (iv) as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.5(b); and (v) the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL.
Section 4.6 Legal Compliance; Approvals.
(a) Each of the Group Companies has, since the Company’s inception, complied with, and is not currently in violation of, any Applicable Legal Requirements with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except for failures to comply or violations which, individually or in the aggregate, have not been and are not reasonably likely to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. No written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of non-compliance with any Applicable Legal Requirements has been received since the Company’s inception by any of the Group Companies.
(b) Each Group Company is in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, consents, certificates, approvals and orders from Governmental Entities (“Approvals”) necessary to own, lease and operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such Approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
Section 4.7 Government Contracts. Schedule 4.7 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each Current Government Contract in existence as of the date hereof that involves aggregate payments to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries that are reasonably expected to be in excess of $250,000 (each, a “Material Current Government Contract”). Each Material Current Government Contract was legally awarded to the Company or a Company Subsidiary, as applicable. Each Material Current Government Contract: (i) is a legal, valid binding obligation of the Company or such Company Subsidiary, as applicable; and (ii) is in full force and effect and enforceable against the Company or such Company Subsidiary, as applicable, in accordance with its terms.
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Section 4.8 Financial Statements.
(a) The Company has previously provided to Parent: (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows of the Group Companies for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 together with the auditor’s reports thereon (the “Audited Financial Statements”); and (ii) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows of the Group Companies as of and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 (the “Interim Financial Statements” and, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Group Companies as of the dates and for the periods indicated in such Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP (except in the case of the Interim Financial Statements for the absence of footnotes and other presentation items and for normal year-end adjustments).
(b) The Company has established and maintained a system of internal controls. To the Knowledge of the Company, such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
(c) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by the Company to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of the Company.
Section 4.9 No Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no liability, debt or obligation (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of any of the Group Companies of a type required to be reflected or reserved for on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities, debts and obligations: (a) provided for in, or otherwise reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto; (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Financial Statements in the ordinary course of the operation of business of the Group Companies; (c) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (d) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.10 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2020 through the date of this Agreement, except as required to respond to Pandemic Measures, each of the Group Companies has conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not been: (a) any Company Material Adverse Effect; (b) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of any of the shares of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or any other securities of the Company or any options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other securities, other than pursuant to the terms of a Company Option, other than the repurchase of unvested shares of Company Common Stock from former Company employees, consultants or other service providers; (c) any split, combination or reclassification of any of the shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock; (d) any material change by the Company in its accounting methods, principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes in GAAP or Applicable Legal Requirements; (e) any change in the auditors of the Company; (f) except as set forth on Schedule 4.10(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, any issuance of shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, other than in connection with the exercise of a Company Option; (g) any revaluation by the Company of any of its assets, including any sale of assets of the Company other than with respect to sales in the ordinary course of business; or (h) any action taken or agreed upon by any of the Group Companies that would be prohibited by Section 6.1 (other than clauses (a), (c), (d), (i), (j) and, to the extent related to the foregoing clauses, (n) thereof) if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of Parent.
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Section 4.11 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter or as would not be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, as of the date hereof, there are: (a) no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, Legal Proceedings against any of the Group Companies or any of its properties or assets, or any of the directors or officers of any of the Group Companies with regard to their actions as such; (b) to the Knowledge of the Company, other than with respect to audits, examinations or investigations in the ordinary course of business conducted by a Governmental Entity pursuant to a Current Government Contract, no pending or threatened in writing, audits, examinations or investigations by any Governmental Entity against any of the Group Companies with regard to their actions as such; (c) no pending or threatened in writing Legal Proceedings by any of the Group Companies against any third party; (d) no settlements or similar agreements that imposes any material ongoing obligations or restrictions on any of the Group Companies; and (e) no Orders imposed or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be imposed upon any of the Group Companies or any of their respective properties or assets, or any of the directors or officers of any of the Group Companies with regard to their actions as such.
Section 4.12 Company Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list of each material Company Benefit Plan, including all employment contracts or offer letters unless any such arrangement is in a form substantially similar to a form of employment contract or offer letter identified on Schedule 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (which schedule includes a general description of groups of employees that has entered into agreements on such forms). “Company Benefit Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), and each other retirement, supplemental retirement, deferred compensation, employment, bonus, incentive compensation, stock purchase, employee stock ownership, equity-based, phantom-equity, profit-sharing, severance, termination protection, change of control, retention, employee loan, retiree medical or life insurance, educational, employee assistance, fringe benefit and all other employee benefit plan, policy, agreement, program or arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, whether formal or informal, oral or written, which any Group Company sponsors or maintains for the benefit of its current or former employees, individuals who provide services and are compensated as individual independent contractors or directors, or with respect to which any Group Company has any direct or indirect present or future liability, including, without limitation, any liability on account of the Group Company’s affiliation with an ERISA Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the case of any representation or warranty contained in this Section 4.12 concerning an employee benefit plan that is a Company Benefit Plan on account of the Company’s affiliation with an ERISA Affiliate, such representation and warranty is made to the Knowledge of the Company.
(b) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan on Schedule 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has made available to Parent or its representatives copies of, as applicable: (i) such Company Benefit Plan, or the applicable form listed on Schedule 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, and any trust agreement relating to such plan; (ii) the most recent summary plan description for such Company Benefit Plan for which such summary plan description is required; (iii) the most recent annual report on Form 5500 and all attachments thereto filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such Company Benefit Plan (if applicable); (iv) the most recent audited financial statements, and actuarial or other valuation reports; (v) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such Company Benefit Plan; and (vi) any material non-routine correspondence with any Governmental Entity regarding any Company Benefit Plan since the Company’s inception.
(c) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole:
(i) each Company Benefit Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and all Applicable Legal Requirements, including ERISA and the Code;
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(ii) all contributions required to be made with respect to any Company Benefit Plan on or before the date hereof have been made;
(iii) no non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Company Benefit Plan;
(iv) with respect to any Company Benefit Plan no actions, suits, claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course), audits, inquiries, proceedings or lawsuits are pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Company Benefit Plan, the assets of any of the trusts under such plans or the plan sponsor or administrator, or against any fiduciary of any Company Benefit Plan with respect to the operation thereof; and
(v) no event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that would, by reason of the Company’s affiliation with any of its ERISA Affiliates, subject any Group Company to any material tax, fine, lien, penalty or other liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or other Legal Requirements
(d) Each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code: (A) has received a favorable determination or opinion letter as to its qualification; or (B) has been established under a standardized master and prototype or volume submitter plan for which a current favorable Internal Revenue Service advisory letter or opinion letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the adopting employer, and to the Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred and no circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the qualification of such plan under Section 401(a) of the Code.
(e) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, (i) no Company Benefit Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA (a “Pension Plan”) has been terminated and no proceedings have been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any such plan; (ii) no Pension Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standard within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or obtained a waiver of any minimum funding standard or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 304 of ERISA; (iii) no Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, considered an at-risk plan within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA; (iv) neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any unsatisfied withdrawal liability to any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section (3)(37) of ERISA (“Multiemployer Plan”) and the aggregate liabilities of the Group Companies to all Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each Multiemployer Plan ended prior to the date hereof, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole and (v) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status under Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA. No Group Company nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has, within the past six years, sponsored, contributed to, been obligated to contribute to, or has any current or contingent liability in respect of a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA.
(f) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, with respect to the Company Benefit Plans or their administrators or fiduciaries: (i) no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened; and (ii) no facts or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such actions, suits or claims.
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(g) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liabilities to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, since December 31, 2020, (i) no Group Company has been party to any proceeding, order, dispute, or claim involving any joint employer or co-employer causes of action by any individual who was employed or engaged by a third party and providing services to any Group Company; and (ii) no Group Company has been deemed to be, or to the Knowledge of the Company alleged to be, in a joint-employment, co-employment, or similar relationship with any third party, with respect to any of the Group Company’s employees or individual independent contractors
(h) None of the Company Benefit Plans provides for, and the Group Companies have no liability in respect of, post-retiree or post-employment health, welfare or life insurance benefits or coverage for any participant or any beneficiary of a participant, except as may be required under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or similar state or other Legal Requirements and at the sole expense of such participant or the participant’s beneficiary.
(i) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions will, either alone or in connection with any other event(s) and in any material respect: (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Group Companies or under any Company Benefit Plan; (ii) increase any amount of compensation or benefits otherwise payable to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Group Companies or under any Company Benefit Plan; (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any benefits to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Group Companies or under any Company Benefit Plan; or (iv) result in any limit on the right to merge, amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan.
(j) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions shall, either alone or in connection with any other event(s), give rise to any “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code or any excise tax owing under Section 4999 of the Code.
(k) The Company maintains no obligations to gross-up or reimburse any individual for any tax or related interest or penalties incurred by such individual, including under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code or otherwise.
(l) Each Company Benefit Plan which is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code has been established, operated and maintained in compliance with Section 409A of the Code in all material respects.
Section 4.13 Labor Relations.
(a) The Company has made available to the Parent a complete list of all employees of the Group Companies as of the date of this Agreement and, as applicable, their classification as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employer, title and/or job description, job location (city and state) and base compensation and any bonuses paid with respect to the 2020 fiscal year; provided that such list may be anonymized in order to comply with Applicable Legal Requirements relating to the transfer or disclosure of personally identifiable information, data privacy, or otherwise. As of the date of this Agreement, all employees of the Group Companies are legally permitted to be employed by the Group Companies in the jurisdiction in which such employees are employed in their current job capacities.
(b) No Group Company is a party to or negotiating any collective bargaining agreement with respect to employees of any Group Company.
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(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liabilities to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, since the Company’s inception, there have been no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, lockouts, arbitrations, or material grievances or other labor disputes (including unfair labor practice charges, grievances, or complaints) pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving any Group Company. Since the Company’s inception, (i) no labor union or other labor organization, or group of employees of any Group Company, has made a written demand for recognition or certification with respect to any employees of any Group Company, and there are no representation or certification proceedings presently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any similar labor relations tribunal or authority, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there have been no pending or threatened union organizing activities with respect to employees of any Group Company, and (iii) there has been no actual or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, material unfair labor practice charges against any Group Company.
(d) As of the date hereof, there are no, and since the Company’s inception through the date hereof, there has been no, complaints, charges or claims against the Company pending or, to Knowledge of the Company, threatened before any Governmental Entity based on, arising out of, in connection with or otherwise relating to the employment, termination of employment or failure to employ by any Group Company, of any individual, except for those complaints, charges or claims which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
(e) The Group Companies are, and since the Company’s inception through the date hereof, have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Legal Requirements relating to the employment of labor, including all such Legal Requirements relating to wages (including minimum wage and overtime), hours or work, child labor, discrimination, civil rights, withholdings and deductions, classification and payment of employees, independent contractors, and consultants, employment equity, the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”) and any similar state or local “mass layoff” or “plant closing” Legal Requirement, collective bargaining, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and immigration, except for instances of noncompliance which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. There has been no “mass layoff” or “plant closing” (as defined by WARN) with respect to the Group Companies within the six months prior to the date of this Agreement and no such events are reasonably expected to occur prior to Closing.
(f) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liabilities to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, since the Company’s inception, (i) each of the Group Companies has withheld all amounts required by Legal Requirements or by agreement to be withheld from the wages, salaries and other payments that have become due and payable to employees; (ii) each of the Group Companies has paid in full to all employees and individual independent contractors all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses and other compensation due and payable to or on behalf of such employees and such individual independent contractors; (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, each individual who since the Company’s inception has provided or is providing services to any Group Company, and has been classified as (y) an independent contractor, consultant, leased employee, or other non-employee service provider, or (z) an exempt employee, has been properly classified as such under all Applicable Legal Requirements relating to wage and hour and Tax; and (iv) no Group Company has been liable for any arrears of wages, compensation or related Taxes, penalties, or other sums with respect to its employees.
(g) To the Knowledge of the Company, no senior executive has provided oral or written notice, and no key employee of the Group Companies has provided written notice, of any present intention to terminate his or her relationship with any Group Company within the first twelve (12) months following the Closing.
(h) Since the Company’s inception, there have been no material employment discrimination or employment harassment allegations made in writing raised, brought, or settled or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, relating to any appointed officer or director of any Group Company involving or relating to his or her services provided to the Group Companies that would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. The policies and practices of the Group Companies comply in all material respects with all federal, state, and local Legal Requirements concerning employment discrimination and employment harassment, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
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(i) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liabilities to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, since the Company’s inception, (i) no Group Company has been party to any proceeding, order, dispute, or claim involving any joint employer or co-employer causes of action by any individual who was employed or engaged by a third party and providing services to any Group Company; and (ii) no Group Company has been deemed to be, or to the Knowledge of the Company alleged to be, in a joint-employment, co-employment, or similar relationship with any third party, with respect to any of the Group Company’s employees or individual independent contractors.
(j) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and the performance of this Agreement and the Transactions do not require the Company to seek or obtain any consent, engage in consultation with, or issue any notice to any unions or labor organizations.
Section 4.14 Real Property; Tangible Property.
(a) The Group Companies do not own any real property.
(b) Schedule 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists, as of the date of this Agreement, all material real property leased by the Group Companies (the “Leased Real Property”). The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries has a valid, binding and enforceable leasehold estate in, and enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession of, all Leased Real Property and each of the leases, lease guarantees, agreements and documents related to any Leased Real Property, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof, is in full force and effect. The Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all material Leased Real Property. None of the Group Companies is in breach of or default under any Leased Real Property lease, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred and no circumstance exists which, if not remedied, and whether with or without notice or the passage of time or both, would result in such a breach or default, except for such breaches or defaults as would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. None of the Group Companies has received written notice from, or given any written notice to, any lessor of such Leased Real Property of, nor is there any default, event or circumstance that, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the party that is the lessee or lessor of such Leased Real Property. No party to any Leased Real Property lease has exercised any termination rights with respect thereto.
(c) The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries owns and has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, all of its material tangible assets or personal property (together with the Intellectual Property rights and contractual rights), free and clear of all Liens other than: (i) Permitted Liens; and (ii) the rights of lessors under any leases. The material tangible assets or personal property of the Group Companies: (A) constitute all of the assets, rights and properties that are necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Group Companies as they are now conducted, and taken together, are adequate and sufficient for the operation of the businesses of the Group Companies as currently conducted; and (B) have been maintained in all material respects in accordance with generally applicable accepted industry practice, are in good working order and condition, except for ordinary wear and tear and as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
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Section 4.15 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by (or with respect to) the Group Companies have been timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions), and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(b) The Group Companies have paid all material amounts of their Taxes which are due and payable. All material Taxes incurred but not yet due and payable (i) for periods covered by the Financial Statements have been accrued and adequately disclosed on the Financial Statements of the Group Companies in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) for periods not covered by the Financial Statements have been accrued on the books and records of the Group Companies.
(c) The Group Companies have complied in all material respects with all Applicable Legal Requirements relating to the withholding and remittance of all material amounts of Taxes and all material amounts of Taxes required by Applicable Legal Requirements to be withheld by the Group Companies have been withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity.
(d) No deficiency for any material amount of Taxes has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Entity in writing against any Group Company (nor to the Knowledge of the Company is there any), which deficiency has not been paid, resolved, or being contested in good faith in appropriate Legal Proceedings and for which sufficient reserves have been established on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. No material audit or other proceeding by any Governmental Entity is currently pending or threatened in writing against any Group Company with respect to any Taxes due from such entities (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such audit is pending or contemplated).
(e) There are no liens for material amounts of Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the assets of the Group Companies.
(f) There are no Tax indemnification agreements or Tax sharing agreements under which any Group Company could be liable after the Closing Date for the Tax liability of any Person other than one or more of the Group Companies, except for customary agreements or arrangements with customers, vendors, lessors, lenders and the like or other similar agreements, in each case, that do not relate primarily to Taxes.
(g) None of the Group Companies has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in the past two years.
(h) None of the Group Companies has entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).
(i) No Group Company: (i) has any liability for the Taxes of another Person (other than another Group Company) pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirement) or as a transferee or a successor; or (ii) has ever been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than a group the common parent of which was and is the Company (or another Group Company).
(j) No Group Company has consented to waive or extend the time in which any material Tax may be assessed or collected by any Governmental Entity (other than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business), which extension is still in effect, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.
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(k) No Group Company has a permanent establishment in any country other than the country of its organization or has been subject to income Tax in a jurisdiction outside the country of its organization, in each case, where it is required to file a material income Tax Return and does not file such Tax Return.
(l) No Group Company will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date or, in the case of any taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such period beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred on or prior to the Closing; (ii) any change in method of accounting on or prior to the Closing, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirements); (iii) other than in the ordinary course of business a prepaid amount received or deferred revenue recognized on or prior to the Closing; (iv) any intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in the Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state or local Tax Legal Requirements) that occurred or existed prior to the Closing; (v) any closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirements entered into prior to the Closing; or (vi) an inclusion under Section 965 of the Code.
(m) The Company is not, and has not been at any time during the five (5) year period ending on the Closing Date, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
(n) No claim has been made in writing (nor to the Knowledge of the Company is any such claim pending or contemplated) by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction in which any Group Company does not file Tax Returns that is or may be subject to taxation by, or required to file Tax Returns in, that jurisdiction.
(o) As of the date of this Agreement, the Company is not aware of any fact or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Section 4.16 Environmental Matters. Each of the Group Companies is in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for any such instance of non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies taken as a whole. The Group Companies have obtained, hold, are, and since the Company’s inception have been, in material compliance with all permits required under applicable Environmental Laws to permit the Group Companies to operate their assets in a manner in which they are now operated and maintained and to conduct the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted, except where the absence of, or failure to be in material compliance with, any such permit would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies taken as a whole. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no written claims or notices of violation pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against any of the Group Companies alleging violations of or liability under any Environmental Law, except for any such claim or notice that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies. Neither the Group Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person has disposed of or released any Hazardous Material at, on or under the any facility currently or formerly owned or operated by any of the Group Companies or any third-party site, in each case in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to a material liability of the Group Companies for investigation costs, cleanup costs, response costs, corrective action costs, personal injury, property damage, natural resources damages or attorney fees under any Environmental Laws. None of the Group Companies has agreed to indemnify any Person or assumed by Contract the liability of any third party arising under Environmental Law. The Group Companies have made available to Parent copies of all material written environmental reports, audits, assessments, liability analyses, memoranda and studies in the possession of, or conducted by, the Group Companies with respect to compliance or liabilities under Environmental Law.
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Section 4.17 Brokers; Third Party Expenses. Except as reflected on Schedule 4.17, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to, nor will be entitled to, either directly or indirectly, any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other similar commission, for which Parent or any of the Group Companies would be liable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transactions based upon arrangements made by any of the Group Companies or any of their Affiliates.
Section 4.18 Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedule 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as of the date of this Agreement, of each registered Patent and Patent application, registered Trademark and application for Trademark registration, registered Copyright, internet domain name, and material unregistered Trademark which any of the Group Companies has (or purports to have) an ownership interest or an exclusive license or similar exclusive right in any field or territory, whether in the United States or internationally (in each case setting forth the applicable jurisdiction, title, application and registration or serial number and date, and record owner and, if different, the legal owner and beneficial owner).
(b) The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries owns, or has the right to use pursuant to a valid license, sublicense, or other written agreement all Intellectual Property material to the conduct and operation of the business of the Group Companies, as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted immediately following the Closing. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
(c) Except in relation to the disputes disclosed on Schedule 4.18(c)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the conduct and operation of the business of the Group Companies as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted immediately following the Closing (including the creation, licensing, marketing, importation, offering for sale, sale, or use of the products and services of the business of the Group Companies), and the Owned Intellectual Property has not infringed, misappropriated (or constituted or resulted from a misappropriation of) or otherwise violated, and are not infringing, misappropriating (or constitute or result from the misappropriation of) or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of any Person. Except in relation to the disputes disclosed on Schedule 4.18(c)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Group Companies has received from any Person since the Company’s inception any written (or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral) notice, charge, complaint, claim or other assertion (i) of any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property of any Person or (ii) contesting the use, ownership, validity or enforceability of any of the Owned Intellectual Property. Except in relation to the disputes disclosed on Schedule 4.18(c)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other Person has infringed, misappropriated or violated, or is infringing, misappropriating or violating, any Intellectual Property of any of the Group Companies, and no such claims have been made in writing against any Person by any of the Group Companies since the Company’s inception. Except in relation to the disputes disclosed on Schedule 4.18(c)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Owned Intellectual Property is subject to any pending or outstanding Order, settlement, consent order or other disposition of dispute that adversely restricts the use, transfer or registration of, or adversely affects the validity or enforceability of, any Owned Intellectual Property.
(d) To the Knowledge of the Company, no past or present director, officer or employee of any of the Group Companies owns (or has any claim, or any right (whether or not currently exercisable) to any ownership interest, in or to) any material Owned Intellectual Property. Each of the present employees, consultants and independent contractors of the Group Companies who are engaged in creating or developing for or on behalf of such Group Company any material Owned Intellectual Property in the course of such Person’s employment or engagement has executed and delivered a written agreement, pursuant to which such Person has: (i) agreed to hold all confidential information of such Group Company in confidence both during and after such Person’s employment or retention, as applicable; and (ii) presently assigned to such Group Company all of such Person’s rights, title and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property created or developed for such Group Company in the course of such Person’s employment or retention thereby. To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no material uncured breach by any such Person with respect to material Owned Intellectual Property under any such agreement.
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(e) Each of the Group Companies, as applicable, has taken commercially reasonable steps to maintain the secrecy, value and confidentiality of all Trade Secrets constituting Owned Intellectual Property and that are material to the business of the Group Companies, and all Trade Secrets of any Person to whom any Group Company has a contractual confidentiality obligation with respect to such Trade Secrets. No Trade Secret that is material to the business of the Group Companies has been authorized to be disclosed, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, has been disclosed to any other Person, other than as subject to a written agreement restricting the disclosure and use of such Trade Secret. No source code constituting Owned Intellectual Property has been delivered, licensed or made available by any Group Company to, or accessed by, any escrow agent or other Person, other than employees or contractors of such Group Company subject to written agreements restricting the disclosure and use of such source code.
(f) No open source software is or has been included, incorporated or embedded in, linked to, combined, made available or distributed with, or used in the development, maintenance, operation, delivery or provision of any computer software that is part of the services or products currently offered by, utilized by or under development by, the Group Companies, in each case, in a manner that requires or obligates any Group Company to: (i) disclose, contribute, distribute, license or otherwise make available to any Person (including the open source community) any source code constituting Owned Intellectual Property; (ii) license any computer software constituting Owned Intellectual Property for making modifications or derivative works; (iii) disclose, contribute, distribute, license or otherwise make available to any Person any computer software constituting Owned Intellectual Property for no or nominal charge; or (iv) grant a license to, or refrain from asserting or enforcing any of, its Patents. Each Group Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all relevant licenses for open source software used in connection with services or products currently offered by, otherwise utilized by or under development by the Group Companies.
(g) No Governmental Entity has any: (i) ownership interest or exclusive license in or to any material Owned Intellectual Property; (ii) “unlimited rights” (as defined in 48 C.F.R. § 52.227-14 and in 48 C.F.R. § 252.227-7013(a)) in or to any of the software constituting Owned Intellectual Property; or (iii) “march in rights” (pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 203) in or to any Patents constituting material Owned Intellectual Property. No funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Entity were used, directly or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Owned Intellectual Property.
(h) The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries owns or has a valid right to access and use pursuant to a written agreement all Company IT Systems. The Company IT Systems: (i) are adequate in all material respects for the operation and conduct of the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted; and (ii) do not contain any viruses, worms, trojan horses, bugs, faults or other devices, errors, contaminants or effects that (A) materially disrupt or adversely affect the functionality of the Company IT Systems, except as disclosed in their documentation or (B) enable or assist any Person to access without authorization any Company IT Systems. Since the Company’s inception, there has been no unauthorized access to, breach or violation of, or security incidents impacting the integrity and availability of any Company IT Systems. Since the Company’s inception, there have been no failures, breakdowns, continued substandard performance, data loss, material outages, material unscheduled downtime or other adverse events affecting any such Company IT Systems that have caused or could reasonably be expected to result in the substantial disruption of or interruption in or to the use of such Company IT Systems or the conduct and operation of the business of the Group Companies.
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(i) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions (either alone or in combination with any other event) will result in the: (i) loss or impairment of, or any Lien on, any Owned Intellectual Property or material Licensed Intellectual Property; (ii) release, disclosure or delivery of any source code constituting Owned Intellectual Property to any Person; (iii) grant, assignment or transfer to any other Person of any license or other right or interest under, to or in any Owned Intellectual Property; or (iv) payment of any additional consideration to, or the reduction of any payments from, any Person with respect to any Owned Intellectual Property or material Licensed Intellectual Property.
Section 4.19 Privacy & Cybersecurity; HIPAA Compliance.
(a) The Group Companies and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Person acting for or on the Group Companies’ behalf has at all times since the Company’s inception (in the case of any such Person, during the time such Person was acting for or on behalf of any of the Group Companies) materially complied, as applicable to the Group Companies, with: (i) all applicable Privacy Laws; (ii) all of the Group Companies’ policies and notices regarding Personal Information (“Group Companies’ Privacy Notices”); and (iii) all of the Group Companies’ obligations regarding Personal Information under any Company Material Contract. Since the Company’s inception, none of the Group Companies has received any written notice of any claims (including written notice from third parties acting on its or their behalf), of or been charged with, the violation of, any Privacy Laws. None of the Group Companies’ Privacy Notices have contained any material omissions or been misleading or deceptive.
(b) Except as reflected on Schedule 4.19(b), each of the Group Companies has since the Company’s inception used reasonable efforts to: (i) implement and maintain in all material respects reasonable safeguards to protect Personal Information and other confidential data in its possession or under its control against loss, theft, misuse or unauthorized access, use, destruction, modification or disclosure; and (ii) require all third-party service providers, outsourcers, processors or other third parties who process, store or otherwise handle Personal Information for or on behalf of such Group Company that obligate such Persons to comply with applicable Privacy Laws in all material respects and to take reasonable steps to protect and secure Personal Information from loss, theft, misuse or unauthorized access, use, destruction modification or disclosure. Any third party who has provided Personal Information to such Group Company since the Company’s inception has done so in compliance with applicable Privacy Laws, including providing any notice and obtaining any consent required under such Privacy Laws.
(c) Since the Company’s inception, there have been no breaches, security incidents, misuse of or unauthorized access to or disclosure of any Personal Information and other confidential data in the possession or control of any of the Group Companies or collected, used or processed by or on behalf of the Group Companies and none of the Group Companies have provided or been legally or contractually required to provide any notices to any Person in connection with unauthorized access to or disclosure of Personal Information since the Company’s inception. Since the Company’s inception, the Group Companies have implemented reasonable disaster recovery and business continuity plans, and taken actions consistent with such plans, to the extent required, to safeguard the data and Personal Information in its possession or control. The Company has conducted commercially reasonable data security testing or audits at reasonable and appropriate intervals and has resolved or remediated any material data security issues or vulnerabilities identified. None of the Group Companies nor any third party acting at the direction or authorization of such Group Companies has paid: (i) any perpetrator of any data breach incident or cyber-attack; or (ii) any third party with actual or alleged information about a data breach incident or cyber-attack, pursuant to a request for payment from or on behalf of such perpetrator or other third party.
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(d) The Group Companies have been in compliance with all applicable Contracts that involve the use, disclosure, or access to individually identifiable health information, including, compliance with the applicable provisions of HIPAA.
Section 4.20 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Schedule 4.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each Company Material Contract (as defined below) that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Material Contract” of the Group Companies shall mean each of the following Contracts to which any of the Group Companies is a party:
(i) Each Contract continuing over a period of more than twelve (12) months from the date thereof and not terminable by the Company upon sixty (60) days’ or less notice without liability or penalty (other than (A) agreements for the provision of Company’s products or services and (B) purchase orders with suppliers or customers, in each case (A) and (B), entered into in the ordinary course of business) that the Company reasonably anticipates will involve annual payments or consideration furnished by or to any of the Group Companies of more than $2,500,000;
(ii) Each note, debenture, other evidence of indebtedness, guarantee, loan, credit or financing agreement or instrument or other contract for money borrowed by any of the Group Companies from a third party, in each case, having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $2,500,000, but excluding guarantees of performance under Government Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) Each Contract for the acquisition of any Person or any business division thereof or the disposition of any material assets of any of the Group Companies (other than in the ordinary course of business), in each case, whether by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or otherwise (other than Contracts for the purchase or sale of inventory or supplies entered into in the ordinary course of business) occurring in the last five years and/or relating to the pending or future acquisitions or dispositions;
(iv) Each obligation to make payments, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the prior acquisition of the business, assets or stock of other Persons;
(v) Each collective bargaining agreement with any labor union;
(vi) Each employment or consulting (with respect to an individual independent contractor) Contract providing for annual base salary or annual commitment consulting fee payments in excess of $350,000, excluding any such employment, consulting, or management Contract that either: (A) is terminable by the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary at will; or (B) provides for severance, notice and/or garden leave obligations of 90 days or less or such longer period as is required by Applicable Legal Requirements;
(vii) Each lease, rental agreement, installment and conditional sale agreement, or other Contract that, in each case, (A) provides for the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in any personal property; and (B) involves annual payments in excess of $2,500,000;
(viii) Each joint venture Contract, partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement with a third party (in each case, other than with respect to wholly owned Company Subsidiaries);
(ix) Each Contract, other than teaming agreements entered into in connection with the pursuit of a specific Government Contract or subcontract thereto or customary non-disclosure agreements, that purports to limit or contains covenants expressly limiting in any material respect the freedom of any of the Group Companies to: (A) compete with any Person in a product line or line of business, (B) otherwise develop, market, sell, distribute or otherwise exploit any service or products; or (C) operate in any geographic area;
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(x) Each Contract (other than those made in the ordinary course of business): (A) providing for the grant of any preferential rights to purchase or lease any material asset (other than any services or products) of the Group Companies; or (B) providing for any right (exclusive or non-exclusive) to sell or distribute any material product or service of any of the Group Companies;
(xi) Each Contract pursuant to which any of the Group Companies licenses material Intellectual Property from a third party, other than click-wrap, shrink-wrap and off-the-shelf software licenses, and any other software licenses that are available on standard terms to the public generally with license, maintenance, support and other fees less than $50,000 per year;
(xii) Each Contract containing an assignment or license to any third party of any material Owned Intellectual Property, or any covenant not to assert or enforce, any material Owned Intellectual Property against any third party, in each case, except non-exclusive licenses or covenants not to assert or enforce any such Intellectual Property granted by any Group Company to any third parties (including customers, suppliers, consultants, and independent contractors) in the ordinary course of business;
(xiii) Each Contract containing a license to any Group Company under any Licensed Intellectual Property;
(xiv) Each Contract pursuant to which any material Owned Intellectual Property is or was developed by any third party for any Group Company (in each case excluding (i) non-exclusive licenses to “off the shelf” third party computer software that is licensed on generally available, standard commercial terms and (ii) licenses for open-source software);
(xv) Each Contract that contains a most-favored nations clause, non-competition covenant, non-solicitation of employees, customers or clients covenant or any other covenant that restricts, precludes or limits any of the Group Companies (or purports to bind any Affiliate thereof) from operating or freely engaging in any line of business or in any geographic location or with any Person or during any period of time, or from developing, marketing, selling, distributing or otherwise exploiting any service or products;
(xvi) All Contracts that grant to any counterparty to such Contract a right of first refusal, first offer or first negotiation, or similar right with respect to any material assets, rights, or properties of the Group Companies;
(xvii) All Contracts that contain indemnification provisions, an earn-out or the payment of a deferred purchase price other than in the ordinary course of business;
(xviii) All Contracts that are settlement, conciliation, or similar agreements, other than releases entered into with former employees or independent contractors in the ordinary course of business;
(xix) All Contracts involving transactions with an Affiliate of the Company;
(xx) each Leased Real Property lease; and
(xxi) Each obligation to register any Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company with any Governmental Entity.
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(b) All Company Material Contracts are: (i) in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exception; and (ii) represent the valid and binding obligations of the Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, represent the valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto. True, correct and complete copies of all Company Material Contracts have been made available to Parent. None of the Group Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any of the Company Material Contracts, and no party to any Company Material Contract has given any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral, claim or notice of any such breach, default or event, which individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
Section 4.21 Insurance. Schedule 4.21 of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a list of all material policies of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers’ compensation, and other forms of insurance held by, or for the benefit of, the Group Companies as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”), which policies are in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement. True and complete copies of the Insurance Policies (or, to the extent such policies are not available, policy binders) have been made available to Parent or its representatives. As of the date of this Agreement, none of the Group Companies has received any written notice from any insurer under any of the Insurance Policies, canceling, terminating or materially adversely amending any such policy or denying renewal of coverage thereunder and all premiums on such insurance policies due and payable as of the date of this Agreement have been paid. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no pending material claim by any Group Company against any insurance carrier for which coverage has been denied or disputed by the applicable insurance carrier (other than a customary reservation of rights notice).
Section 4.22 Affiliate Matters. Except: (a) the Company Benefit Plans; (b) Contracts relating to labor and employment matters set forth on Schedule 4.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter; (c) for Contracts pertaining to securities of the Company listed in the Capitalization Ledger; and (d) Contracts between or among the Group Companies, none of the Group Companies is party to any Contract with any: (i) present or former officer, director, employee or Company Stockholder or a member of his or her immediate family of any of the Group Companies; or (ii) Affiliate of the Company (other than commercial contracts on arms-length terms). To the Knowledge of the Company, no present or former officer, director, employee, Company Stockholder or holder of derivative securities of the Company (each, an “Insider”) or any member of an Insider’s immediate family is, directly or indirectly, interested in any Contract with any of the Group Companies (other than such Contracts as relate to any such Person’s ownership of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company or such Person’s employment or consulting arrangements with the Group Companies or commercial contracts on arms-length terms).
Section 4.23 Certain Provided Information. The information relating to the Group Companies supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus 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 contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading at (a) the time that such information is filed with the SEC (provided, if such information is revised by any subsequently filed amendment to the Registration Statement prior to the time that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, this clause (a) shall solely refer to the time of such subsequent revision); (b) at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; (c) the time that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is first mailed to the holders of Parent Class A Stock; or (d) at the time of the Special Meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any Parent SEC Reports or Additional Parent SEC Reports.
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Section 4.24 Absence of Certain Business Practices.
(a) Since the Company’s Inception: (i) the Group Companies and their respective directors and officers (in their capacities as such) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, their respective employees or agents (in their capacities as such) have been in material compliance with all applicable Specified Business Conduct Laws; and (ii) none of the Group Companies has: (A) received written notice, inquiry or internal or external allegation of or made a voluntary, mandatory or directed disclosure to any Governmental Entity relating to any actual or potential violation of any Specified Business Conduct Law; or (B) been a party to or the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing Legal Proceeding or, to the Knowledge of the Company, investigation by or before any Governmental Entity related to any actual or potential violation of any Specified Business Conduct Law.
(b) None of the Group Companies, nor any of their respective directors or officers, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective employees or agents is the subject or target of any sanctions or the target of restrictive export controls administered by the U.S. government, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or the European Union.
(c) None of the Group Companies, their respective directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, their respective employees or agents is a person who is, or is owned or controlled by a person who is, the subject or target of any economic or financial sanctions or is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority, including currently, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria. None of the Group Companies’ products are identified or described on the Commerce Control List of the EAR or otherwise controlled for export.
(d) None of the Group Companies, their respective directors or officers (in their capacities as such), or, to the Knowledge of the Company, their respective employees or agents (in their capacities as such) is subject to any pending Legal Proceeding by any Governmental Entity, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Legal Proceeding is threatened in writing, alleging that any of the Group Companies or such Person has offered, made or received on behalf of any of the Group Companies any illegal payment of any kind, directly or indirectly, including payments, gifts or gratuities, to any Person, including any United States federal, state, local or foreign government officeholder, official, employee or agent or any candidate therefor.
Section 4.25 Government Grants and Incentives. Schedule 4.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter provides a complete list of all pending and outstanding grants, incentives, benefits, qualifications and subsidies from any Governmental Entity granted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, “Government Grants”). The Group Companies do not have any obligation whatsoever with respect to royalties or other payments relating to, arising out of or in connection with the Government Grants identified or required to be identified in Schedule 4.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter. The Group Companies are in material compliance with all of the terms, conditions and requirements of their respective Government Grants and have duly fulfilled all the undertakings relating thereto. None of the Group Companies or their agents, contractors, vendors, or licensors has developed any material Owned Intellectual Property through the application of any financing made available by any Government Grants, and no material Owned Intellectual Property is subject to any assignment, grant-back, license or other right of any Governmental Entity as a result of any Government Grants.
Section 4.26 OIG. To the Group Companies’ Knowledge, none of the employees of the Group Companies are included on the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities maintained by the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
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Section 4.27 Suppliers and Customers.
(a) The Group Companies have no customers.
(b) Schedule 4.27(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists the 20 largest suppliers (by committed amounts paid/payable to such suppliers) of the Group Companies, during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2021 (each, a “Top Supplier”). Since the commencement of such 12-month period until the date of this Agreement, (i) no such Top Supplier has terminated, or otherwise materially and adversely modified, its relationship with the Group Companies and (ii) none of the Group Companies has received written notice from any such Top Supplier notifying any of the Group Companies that such Top Supplier intends to terminate, or otherwise materially and adversely modify, its relationship with the Group Companies.
Section 4.28 Disclaimer of Other Warranties. THE COMPANY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ARTICLE V, NONE OF PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE COMPANY, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON, WITH RESPECT TO PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES, ASSETS OR PROPERTIES OF THE FOREGOING, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FUTURE RESULTS, PROPOSED BUSINESSES OR FUTURE PLANS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY: (a) NONE OF PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO THE COMPANY, COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY MADE BY PARENT AND MERGER SUB TO THE COMPANY IN ARTICLE V; AND (b) NONE OF PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES, HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO THE COMPANY, COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO: (i) THE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM BY OR ON BEHALF OF PARENT OR MERGER SUB IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS; (ii) ANY MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENT; OR (iii) ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTION, FORECAST, ESTIMATE, BUDGET OR SIMILAR ITEM RELATING TO PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OF THEIR BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING. THE COMPANY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NOT RELIED ON ANY PROMISE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE V OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS CONDUCTED, TO ITS SATISFACTION, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION OF PARENT, MERGER SUB, AND THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING AND, IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION THE COMPANY HAS RELIED ON THE RESULTS OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION, IN ADDITION TO THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE V OF THIS AGREEMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS SECTION 4.28, CLAIMS AGAINST PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL NOT BE LIMITED IN ANY RESPECT IN THE EVENT OF INTENTIONAL FRAUD IN THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN ARTICLE V BY SUCH PERSON.
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Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Except: (a) as set forth in the letter dated as of the date of this Agreement and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub to the Company on or prior to the date of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”); and (b) as disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is readily apparent from the content of such Parent SEC Reports) excluding disclosures referred to in “Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factors” and any other disclosures therein to the extent they are of a predictive or cautionary nature or related to forward-looking statements, Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows:
Section 5.1 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and as of immediately prior to the Closing, will be a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate or limited liability power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except as would not be material to Parent and Merger Sub, taken as a whole.
(c) None of Parent or Merger Sub are in violation of any of the provisions of their respective Charter Documents.
(d) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Each jurisdiction in which Parent and Merger Sub are so qualified or licensed is listed on Schedule 5.1(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter.
Section 5.2 Parent Subsidiaries. Parent has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries or participations in joint ventures or other entities, and does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity interests or other interests or investments (whether equity or debt) in any Person, whether incorporated or unincorporated, other than Merger Sub. Merger Sub has no assets or properties of any kind, does not now conduct and has never conducted any business, and has and will have at the Closing no obligations or liabilities of any nature whatsoever, except for such obligations as are imposed under this Agreement. Merger Sub is an entity that has been formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions.
Section 5.3 Capitalization.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement: (i) 380,000,000 Class A common shares of Parent, par value $0.0001 per share, which shares of Class A Common Stock shall be reclassified immediately prior to the Closing into common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of Parent (such shares, prior to and following such reclassification, referred to herein as “Parent Class A Stock”), are authorized and 55,200,000 shares of Parent Class A Stock are issued and outstanding; (ii) 20,000,000 Class B common shares of Parent, par value $0.0001 per share (“Parent Class B Stock” and, together with the Parent Class A Stock, the “Parent Shares”), are authorized and 13,800,000 shares of Parent Class B Stock are issued and outstanding; (iii) upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements, Parent has committed to issue up to 120,000,000 shares of Parent Class A Stock to the Equity Financing Investors; (iv) 8,693,333 warrants to purchase one share of Parent Class A Stock (the “Private Placement Warrants”) are outstanding; and (v) 11,040,000 warrants to purchase one share of Parent Class A Stock (the “Public Warrants”, collectively with the Private Placement Warrants, the “Parent Warrants”) are outstanding. All outstanding Parent Class A Stock, Parent Class B Stock, Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights.
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(b) The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 100 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Merger Sub Common Stock”). As of the date hereof, 100 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights, and are held by Parent.
(c) Except for the Parent Warrants and the Equity Financing Agreements, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities, “phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, restricted stock units, commitments or Contracts of any kind to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating Parent or Merger Sub to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional Parent Shares, Merger Sub Common Stock or any other shares of capital stock or membership interests other interest or participation in, or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into Parent Shares, Merger Sub Common Stock or any other shares of capital stock or membership interests or other interest or participation in Parent or Merger Sub.
(d) Each Parent Share, share of Merger Sub Common Stock and Parent Warrant: (i) has been issued in compliance in all material respects with: (A) Applicable Legal Requirements; and (B) the Charter Documents of Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable; and (ii) was not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any Applicable Legal Requirements, the Charter Documents of Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable or any Contract to which any of Parent or Merger Sub is a party or otherwise bound by.
(e) All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries of Parent are owned by Parent, or a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
(f) Subject to approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters, the shares of Parent Class A Stock to be issued by Parent in connection with the Transactions, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will not be subject to any preemptive rights of any other stockholder of Parent and will be capable of effectively vesting in the Company Stockholders title to all such securities, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens arising pursuant to applicable securities Legal Requirements).
(g) Each holder of any of Parent Shares initially issued to the Sponsor in connection with Parent’s initial public offering: (i) is obligated to vote all of such Parent Shares in favor of approving the Transactions; and (ii) is not entitled to elect to redeem any of such Parent pursuant to the Parent Organizational Documents.
(h) Except as set forth in the Parent Organizational Documents and in connection with the Transactions, there are no registration rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or other agreements or understandings to which Parent is a party or by which Parent is bound with respect to any ownership interests of Parent.
(i) The holders of the Parent Class B Stock have irrevocably waived any adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio (as defined in the Parent Charter).
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Section 5.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement.
(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite power and authority to: (a) execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, and each ancillary document that it has executed or delivered or is to execute or deliver pursuant to this Agreement; and (b) carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder and, to consummate the Transactions (including the Merger). The execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which each of them is a party, and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions (including the Merger) have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action on the part of each of Parent and Merger Sub, and no other proceedings on the part of Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements to which each of them is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, other than approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which each of them is a party have been, or in the case of any Transaction Agreements to be executed at or in connection with the Closing, will be duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other Parties, constitute or will constitute the legal and binding obligations of Parent and Merger Sub (as applicable), enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub (as applicable) in accordance with their terms, subject to the Remedies Exception.
(b) The affirmative vote of (i) a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders of Parent present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting shall be required to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters (other than the Parent A&R Charter) and (ii) solely with respect to the Parent A&R Charter, the holders representing a majority of the outstanding capital stock of Parent entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting shall be required to approve the Parent A&R Charter ((i) and (ii), such approval by the stockholders of Parent, the “Parent Stockholder Approval”). The Parent Stockholder Approval is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Parent required to approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Transactions.
(c) At a meeting duly called and held, the board of directors of Parent has: (i) determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and the stockholders of Parent, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance with the DGCL; (ii) determined that the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least 80% of the amount held in the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) as of the date hereof; (iii) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger in accordance with the DGCL, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement; and (iv) adopted a resolution recommending the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement be adopted by the stockholders of Parent.
Section 5.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) Neither the execution, delivery nor performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements to which each of them is a party, nor (assuming approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters is obtained) the consummation of the Transactions shall: (i) conflict with or violate their respective Charter Documents; (ii) assuming that the consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, filings or permits referred to in Section 5.5(b) are duly and timely obtained or made, conflict with or violate any Applicable Legal Requirements; or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or materially impair their respective rights or alter the rights or obligations of any third party under, or give to others any rights of consent, termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien (other than any Permitted Lien) on any of the properties or assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Parent Material Contracts, except, with respect to clause (iii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) The execution and delivery by each of Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, does not, and the performance of its obligations hereunder and thereunder will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except: (i) for the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL; (ii) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, blue sky laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which Parent is qualified to do business; (iii) for the filing of any notifications required under the HSR Act and the expiration of the required waiting period thereunder; and (iv) where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, or prevent the consummation of the Merger.
Section 5.6 Compliance; Approvals. Since its incorporation or organization, as applicable, each of Parent and Merger Sub has complied in all material respects with and has not been in violation of any Applicable Legal Requirements with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business. Since the date of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, to the Knowledge of Parent, no investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has been pending or threatened. No written, or to the Knowledge of Parent, oral notice of non-compliance with any Applicable Legal Requirements has been received by Parent or Merger Sub. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is in possession of all Approvals necessary to own, lease and operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such Approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to Parent and Merger Sub, taken as a whole.
Section 5.7 Parent SEC Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) Parent has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by Parent with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since the initial registration of Parent Class A Stock to the date of this Agreement, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date of this Agreement, the “Parent SEC Reports”), and will have filed all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date (the “Additional Parent SEC Reports”). All Parent SEC Reports, Additional Parent SEC Reports, any correspondence from or to the SEC or Nasdaq (other than such correspondence in connection with the initial public offering of Parent) and all certifications and statements required by: (i) Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act; or (ii) 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Certifications”) are available on the SEC’s Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) in full without redaction. Parent has heretofore furnished to the Company true and correct copies of all amendments and modifications that have not been filed by Parent with the SEC to all agreements, documents and other instruments that previously had been filed by Parent with the SEC and are currently in effect. The Parent SEC Reports were, and the Additional Parent SEC Reports will be, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Parent SEC Reports did not, and the Additional Parent SEC Reports will not, at the time they were or are filed, as the case may be, with the SEC contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Certifications are each true and correct. Parent maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Each director and executive officer of Parent has filed with the SEC on a timely basis all statements required with respect to Parent by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. As used in this Section 5.7, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC or Nasdaq. None of Parent (including any employee thereof), Merger Sub or Parent’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of (A) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by Parent other than the material weakness identified in connection with the Warrant Accounting Issue disclosed in Parent’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on May 26, 2021 (the “Parent Q1 2021 Quarterly Report”), (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves Parent’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by Parent or (C) any claim or allegation regarding either (A) or (B). To resolve the Warrant Accounting Issue, the Parent Q1 2021 Quarterly Report classified the Parent Warrants as derivative liabilities measured at fair value in the financial statements and notes contained therein.
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(b) The financial statements and notes contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Reports fairly present, and the financial statements and notes to be contained in or to be incorporated by reference in the Additional Parent SEC Reports will fairly present, the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Parent as at the respective dates of, and for the periods referred to, in such financial statements, all in accordance with: (i) GAAP; and (ii) Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material) and the omission of notes to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable. Parent has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are not disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports. No financial statements other than those of Parent are required by GAAP to be included in the consolidated financial statements of Parent.
Section 5.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, and except as contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2020, there has not been: (a) any Parent Material Adverse Effect; (b) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend on, or other distribution in respect of, any of Parent’s capital stock, or any purchase, redemption or other acquisition by Parent of any of Parent’s capital stock or any other securities of Parent or any options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other securities; (c) any split, combination or reclassification of any of Parent’s capital stock; (d) any material change by Parent in its accounting methods, principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or Applicable Legal Requirements (including with respect to the Warrant Accounting Issue); (e) any change in the auditors of Parent; (f) any revaluation by Parent of any of its assets, including, without limitation, any sale of assets of Parent other than in the ordinary course of business; or (g) any action taken or agreed upon by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that would be prohibited by Section 6.1 if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of the Company.
Section 5.9 Litigation. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing against or otherwise relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, before any Governmental Entity: (a) challenging or seeking to enjoining, alter or materially delay the Transactions; or (b) that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to Parent.
Section 5.10 Business Activities; Liabilities.
(a) Since their respective incorporation, neither Parent, nor Merger Sub has conducted any business activities other than activities: (i) in connection with its organization; or (ii) directed toward the accomplishment of a business combination. Except as set forth in the Parent Organizational Documents, there is no Contract or Order binding upon Parent or Merger Sub or to which any of them is a party which has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of it, any acquisition of property by it or the conduct of business by it as currently conducted or as currently contemplated to be conducted (including, in each case, following the Closing). Other than under the Transaction Agreements or pursuant to the performance of its obligations thereunder, neither Parent nor Merger Sub has any material liabilities, debts or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise).
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(b) Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and has no, and at all times prior to the Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements and the other documents and transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation.
(c) Except for this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements, the Transactions and the Parent Material Contracts, Parent has no material interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Parent Material Contract (as defined below) or party to any transaction which is, or would reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a Parent Business Combination. Except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements, or the Trust Agreement, Merger Sub does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity.
Section 5.11 Parent Material Contracts. Schedule 5.11 of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each “material contract” (as such term is defined in Regulation S-K of the SEC) to which Parent or Merger Sub is party (the “Parent Material Contracts”), other than any such Parent Material Contract that is listed as an exhibit to Parent’s Form S-1 Registration Statement, initially filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021.
Section 5.12 Parent Listing. The issued and outstanding Parent Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “CMLTU”. The issued and outstanding shares of Parent Class A Stock are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “CMLT”. The issued and outstanding Public Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “CMLTW”. Parent is a member in good standing with Nasdaq. There is no action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing against Parent by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Parent Units, the shares of Parent Class A Stock or Public Warrants or terminate the listing of Parent on Nasdaq. None of Parent or any of its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Parent Units, the Parent Class A Stock or Public Warrants under the Exchange Act.
Section 5.13 Equity Financing Amount. Parent has delivered to the Company each of the subscription agreements (the “Equity Financing Agreements”) entered into by Parent with the applicable investors named therein (collectively, the “Equity Financing Investors”), pursuant to which the Equity Financing Investors have committed to provide equity financing to Parent in the aggregate amount of $1,200,000,000 (the “Equity Financing Amount”). The Equity Financing Amount, together with the amount in the Trust Account at the Closing, are in the aggregate sufficient to enable Parent to: (a) pay all cash amounts required to be paid by Parent or its Subsidiaries under or in connection with this Agreement; and (b) pay any and all fees and expenses of or payable by Parent with respect to the Transactions. To Parent’s Knowledge with respect, as of the date hereof, the Equity Financing Agreements are in full force and effect and have not been withdrawn or terminated, or otherwise amended or modified, in any respect, and no withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated by Parent. Each Equity Financing Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and, to Parent’s Knowledge, each Equity Financing Investor. As of the date hereof, Parent does not know of any facts or circumstances that may reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in any Equity Financing Agreement not being satisfied, or the Equity Financing Amount not being available to Parent, on the Closing Date. No event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach on the part of Parent under any material term or condition of any Equity Financing Agreement and, as of the date hereof, Parent has no reason to believe that it will be unable to satisfy in all material respects on a timely basis any term or condition of closing to be satisfied by it contained in any Equity Financing Agreement. The Equity Financing Agreements contain all of the conditions precedent (other than the conditions contained in the other Transaction Agreements) to the obligations of the Equity Financing Investor to contribute to Parent the applicable portion of the Equity Financing Amount set forth in the applicable Equity Financing Agreement on the terms therein.
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Section 5.14 Trust Account.
(a) As of the date hereof, Parent has not less than $552,000,000 in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), maintained and invested pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) effective as of April 6, 2021, by and between Parent and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (“Continental”), for the benefit of its public stockholders, with such funds invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting all of the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. Other than pursuant to the Trust Agreement and the Equity Financing Agreements, the obligations of Parent under this Agreement are not subject to any conditions regarding Parent’s, its Affiliates’, or any other Person’s ability to obtain financing for the consummation of the Transactions.
(b) The Trust Agreement has not been amended or modified and is valid and in full force and effect and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except insofar as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by principles governing the availability of equitable remedies. Parent has complied in all material respects with the terms of the Trust Agreement and is not in breach thereof or default thereunder and there does not exist under the Trust Agreement any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default by Parent or, to the Knowledge of Parent, Continental. There are no separate Contracts, side letters or other understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied): (i) between Parent and Continental that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Parent SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect; or (ii) that would entitle any Person (other than stockholders of Parent holding Parent Class A Stock sold in Parent’s initial public offering who shall have elected to redeem their shares of Parent Class A Stock pursuant to Parent’s Charter Documents) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except: (A) to pay income and franchise taxes from any interest income earned in the Trust Account; and (B) to redeem Parent Class A Stock in accordance with the provisions of Parent’s Charter Documents. There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing with respect to the Trust Account. Parent has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Parent to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to Parent’s Charter Documents shall terminate, and as of the Effective Time, Parent shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to Parent’s Charter Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Parent by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. To the Knowledge of Parent, following the Effective Time, no stockholder of Parent shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such stockholder of Parent validly elects to redeem their shares of Parent Class A Stock. As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder, neither Parent nor Merger Sub have any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to Parent and Merger Sub on the Closing Date.
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Section 5.15 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by Parent have been timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions) and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(b) Parent has paid all material amounts of its Taxes which are due and payable. All material Taxes incurred but not yet due and have been accrued on the books and records of Parent.
(c) Parent has complied in all material respects with all Applicable Legal Requirements relating to withholding and remittance of all material amounts of Taxes and all material amounts of Taxes required by Applicable Legal Requirements to be withheld by Parent have been withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity.
(d) No deficiency for any material amount of Taxes has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Entity in writing against Parent (nor to the Knowledge of Parent is there any), which deficiency has not been paid or resolved. No material audit or other proceeding by any Governmental Entity is currently pending or threatened in writing against Parent with respect to any Taxes due from Parent (and, to the Knowledge of Parent, no such audit is pending or contemplated).
(e) There are no Tax indemnification agreements or Tax sharing agreements under which Parent could be liable after the Closing Date for the Tax liability of any Person other than Parent or Merger Sub, except for customary agreements or arrangements with customers, vendors, lessors, lenders and the like or other similar agreements, in each case, that do not relate primarily to Taxes.
(f) Parent has not consented to extend the time in which any material Tax may be assessed or collected by any Governmental Entity (other than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business), which extension is still in effect and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.
(g) Parent will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date or, in the case of any taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such period beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred on or prior to the Closing; (ii) any change in method of accounting on or prior to the Closing, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirements); (iii) other than in the ordinary course of business a prepaid amount received or deferred revenue recognized on or prior to the Closing; (iv) any intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in the Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state or local Tax Legal Requirements) that occurred or existed prior to the Closing; (v) any closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirements entered into prior to the Closing; or (vi) an inclusion under Section 965 of the Code.
(h) There are no liens for material amounts of Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of Parent’s assets.
(i) Parent has not entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).
(j) Parent: (i) does not have any liability for the Taxes of another Person (other than Parent or Merger Sub) pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Legal Requirement) or as a transferee or a successor; and (ii) has never been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than a group the common parent of which was and is Parent.
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(k) Parent does not have a permanent establishment in any country other than the country of its organization or has been subject to income Tax in a jurisdiction outside the country of its organization, in each case, where it is required to file a material income Tax Return and does not file such Tax Return.
(l) No claim has been made in writing (nor to the Knowledge of Parent is any such claim pending or contemplated) by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction in which Parent does not file Tax Returns that is or may be subject to taxation by, or required to file Tax Returns in that jurisdiction.
(m) Parent is not, and has not been at any time during the five (5) year period ending on the Closing Date, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
(n) As of the date of this Agreement, Parent is not aware of any fact or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Section 5.16 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Parent for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading at (a) the time that such information is filed with the SEC (provided, if such information is revised by any subsequently filed amendment to the Registration Statement prior to the time that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, this clause (a) shall solely refer to the time of such subsequent revision); (b) at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; (c) the time that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is first mailed to the holders of Parent Class A Stock; or (d) at the time of the Special Meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to: (a) statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; or (b) any projections or forecasts included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Section 5.17 Employees; Benefit Plans. Other than any former officers or as described in the Parent SEC Reports, Parent has never had any employees. Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Parent’s officers and directors in connection with activities on Parent’s behalf in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of cash held by Parent outside of the Trust Account, Parent has no unsatisfied material liability with respect to any employee. Parent does not currently maintain or have any direct liability under any benefit plan, and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements nor the consummation of the Transactions will, either alone or in connection with any other event: (a) result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any director, officer, employee of, or any other individual service provider to Parent; (b) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits; or (c) give rise to any “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code or any excise tax owing under Section 4999 of the Code.
Section 5.18 Board Approval; Stockholder Vote. The board of directors of Parent and Merger Sub (including any required committee or subgroup of the board of directors of Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable), as of the date of this Agreement: (a) approved and declared the advisability of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions; and (b) determined that the consummation of the Transactions is in the best interest of, as applicable, the stockholders of Parent or Merger Sub (as applicable). Other than the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters, no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent are necessary to approve the consummation of the Transactions.
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Section 5.19 Title to Assets. Subject to the restrictions on use of the Trust Account set forth in the Trust Agreement, Parent owns good and marketable title to, or holds a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use, all of the assets used by Parent in the operation of its business and which are material to Parent, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
Section 5.20 Affiliate Transactions. Except as described in the Parent SEC Reports, no Contract between Parent, on the one hand, and any of the present or former directors, officers, employees, stockholders or warrant holders or Affiliates of Parent (or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing), on the other hand, will continue in effect following the Closing, other than any such Contract that is not material to Parent.
Section 5.21 Brokers. Other than fees or commissions for which Parent will be solely responsible, none of Parent, Merger Sub, or any of their respective Affiliates, including Sponsor, has any liability or obligation to pay, or is entitled to receive, any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the Transactions.
Section 5.22 Disclaimer of Other Warranties. PARENT AND MERGER SUB HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ARTICLE IV, NONE OF THE COMPANY, ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO PARENT, MERGER SUB, ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON, WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (OR ANY HOLDER OF DERIVATIVE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY), ANY OF THE GROUP COMPANIES OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, BUSINESSES, ASSETS OR PROPERTIES OF THE FOREGOING, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FUTURE RESULTS, PROPOSED BUSINESSES OR FUTURE PLANS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY: (a) NONE OF THE COMPANY, ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY MADE BY THE COMPANY TO PARENT AND MERGER SUB IN ARTICLE IV; AND (b) NONE OF THE COMPANY NOR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES, HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO PARENT, MERGER SUB, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO: (i) THE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO PARENT OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS; (ii) ANY MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENT; OR (iii) ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTION, FORECAST, ESTIMATE, BUDGET OR SIMILAR ITEM RELATING TO THE COMPANY, ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND/OR THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING. EACH OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NOT RELIED ON ANY PROMISE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV, OF THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS CONDUCTED, TO ITS SATISFACTION, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING AND, IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION TO PROCEED WITH THE TRANSACTIONS, EACH OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB HAS RELIED ON THE RESULTS OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION, IN ADDITION TO THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV, OF THIS AGREEMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS SECTION 5.22, CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL NOT BE LIMITED IN ANY RESPECT IN THE EVENT OF INTENTIONAL FRAUD IN THE MAKING THE OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN ARTICLE IV, BY SUCH PERSON.
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Article
VI
CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to carry on its business in the ordinary course, except: (a) to the extent that Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); (b) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Company Disclosure Letter or (c) as may be required by Applicable Legal Requirements (including Pandemic Measures). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as required or expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement, as set forth on Schedule 6.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, or as required by Applicable Legal Requirements (including Pandemic Measures), without the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; and Parent consent or denial of consent to be provided within 48 hours of receipt (the “Consent Timeframe”) of Company consent request, and if no such response is received by the Company within the Consent Timeframe, then Parent consent shall be deemed received by the Company), during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall not, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries not to, do any of the following:
(a) except as otherwise required by any existing Company Benefit Plan, this Agreement or Applicable Legal Requirements: (i) grant or pay any severance or change of control pay or benefits to, or otherwise increase the severance or change of control pay or benefits of, any current or former employee, director or independent contractor; (ii) enter into, amend (other than immaterial amendments) or terminate any Company Benefit Plan or any employee benefit plan, policy, program, agreement, trust or arrangement that would have constituted an Company Benefit Plan if it had been in effect on the date of this Agreement (other than annual renewal of welfare plans in the ordinary course of business that does not result in a material increase in cost to the Group Companies); (iii) take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment of, or otherwise fund or secure the payment of, any compensation or benefits under any Company Benefit Plan; or (iv) enter into, amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union, works council or similar organization respecting employees of the Group Companies;
(b) (i) transfer, sell, assign, license, sublicense, encumber, impair, abandon, fail to diligently maintain, transfer or otherwise dispose of any right, title or interest of the Company in any Owned Intellectual Property or Licensed Intellectual Property, in each case, that is material to any of the businesses of the Group Companies (other than in connection with Permitted Transactions); (ii) extend, amend, waive, cancel or modify any material rights in or to any Owned Intellectual Property or Licensed Intellectual Property, in each case, where such extension, amendment, waiver, cancellation or modification would be material to any business of the Group Companies; (iii) fail to diligently prosecute the Patent applications owned by and material to the Company other than applications the Company, in the exercise of its good faith business judgment, has determined to abandon; or (iv) divulge, furnish to or make accessible any Trade Secrets constituting material Owned Intellectual Property or any Trade Secrets of any Person to whom any Group Company has a confidentiality obligation to any third party who is not subject to an enforceable written agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such Trade Secrets, other than, in each of (i) through (iv), in the ordinary course of business; provided, that in no event shall the Company license on an exclusive basis or sell any material Owned Intellectual Property;
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(c) except for transactions solely among the Group Companies: (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities or property) in respect of any capital stock or split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock; (ii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any membership interests, capital stock or any other equity interests, as applicable, in any Group Company, other than pursuant to the terms of a Company Option or Company Restricted Stock Award; (iii) grant, issue, sell or otherwise dispose, or authorize to issue, sell, or otherwise dispose any membership interests, capital stock or any other equity interests (such as stock options, stock units, restricted stock or other Contracts for the purchase or acquisition of such capital stock, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement), as applicable, in any Subsidiary; (iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution; or (v) issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the foregoing with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or ownership interests or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities or ownership interests, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or ownership interests or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities or other ownership interests, or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares, equity securities or other ownership interests or convertible or exchangeable securities, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(d) amend its Charter Documents, or form or establish any Subsidiary;
(e) (i) merge, consolidate or combine with any Person; or (ii) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, purchasing any equity interest (other than equity at fair market value as consideration for payment of an in-license transaction for a third party’s Intellectual Party rights) in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof;
(f) sell, lease, license, sublicense, abandon, divest, transfer, cancel, abandon or permit to lapse or expire, dedicate to the public, or otherwise dispose of, any material assets (other than Intellectual Property) or material properties, other than any sale, lease or disposition in the ordinary course of business or as set forth on Schedule 6.1(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter;
(g) (i) issue or sell any debt securities or rights to acquire any debt securities of any of the Group Companies or guarantee any debt securities of another Person; (ii) make, incur, create or assume any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, or guarantee any Indebtedness of, any Person other than any of the Group Companies except for (A) loans, advances or capital contributions pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of agreements or legal obligations existing as of the date of this Agreement, in each case set forth on Schedule 6.1(g) of the Company Disclosure Letter; provided, that any such amounts do not exceed $250,000 in the aggregate and remain with the Company for general working capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business and (B) equipment financing arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business; (iii) except in the ordinary course of business, create any material Liens on any material property or assets of any of the Group Companies in connection with any Indebtedness thereof (other than Permitted Liens); or (iv) cancel or forgive any Indebtedness owed to any of the Group Companies;
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(h) release, assign, compromise, settle or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole;
(i) except in the ordinary course of business, waive, delay the exercise of, release or assign any material rights or claims under any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract;
(j) except in the ordinary course of business, modify, amend or terminate in a manner that is materially adverse to the applicable Group Companies, taken as a whole, any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract (other than pursuant to (i) offers, bids or proposals made by any Group Company on or prior to the date hereof that, if accepted, would result in a Government Contract or (ii) requirements from any Governmental Entity to modify the scope of work under any Government Contract);
(k) except as required by U.S. GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or Applicable Legal Requirements, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices (regardless whether for general financial or tax purposes or any change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates adopted therein);
(l) (i) make or rescind any material Tax election; (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim; (iii) change (or request to change) any method of accounting for Tax purposes; (iv) file any amendment to any material Tax Return; (v) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of material Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); (vi) knowingly surrender any claim for a material refund of Taxes; (vii) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Legal Requirement) with any Governmental Entity; (viii) incur any material liability for Taxes other than in the ordinary course of business; (ix) incur any liability for Taxes other than in the ordinary course of business; (x) take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impair or impede the Intended Tax Treatment; or (xi) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, restructuring, recapitalization, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(m) subject to clause (c) above, enter into or amend any agreement with, or pay, distribute or advance any assets or property to, any of its officers, directors, employees, partners, stockholders or other Affiliates, other than payments or distributions relating to obligations in respect of arms-length commercial transactions pursuant to the agreements set forth on Schedule 6.1(m) of the Company Disclosure Letter as existing on the date of this Agreement;
(n) engage in any material new line of business; or
(o) agree in writing or otherwise agree, commit or resolve to take any of the actions described in Section 6.1(a) through (n) above.
The Company also hereby agrees to provide Parent with notice prior to taking any of the following actions: (i) enter into any Contract that would have been a Company Material Contract (including a Company Material Contract memorializing a Permitted Transaction) or Material Current Government Contract (other than pursuant to offers, bids or proposals made by any Group Company on or prior to the date hereof that, if accepted, would result in a Government Contract) had it been entered into prior to the date of this Agreement; (ii) materially amend any Company Material Contract or Material Current Government Contract, (iii) incur or enter into a Contract requiring the Company to make any capital expenditures in excess of $400,000 in any 12-month period, in each of (i) through (iii), outside the ordinary course of business.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company may, in connection with COVID-19, take such actions in good faith as are reasonably necessary (x) to protect the health and safety of the Company’s employees and other individuals having business dealings with the Company or (y) to respond to third-party supply or service disruptions caused by COVID-19, including, but not limited to Pandemic Measures, and any such actions taken (or not taken) as a result of, in response to, or otherwise related to COVID-19 shall be deemed to be taken in the “ordinary course of business” for all purposes of this Section 6.1 and not be considered a breach of this Section 6.1; provided that, to the extent that the Company took any actions pursuant to the immediately preceding clause that caused deviations from its business being conducted in the ordinary course of business, the Company shall resume conducting its business in the ordinary course of business in all material respects as soon as reasonably practicable.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, any right to control or direct the operations of the Group Companies prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, each of the Company and Parent shall exercise, consistent with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over their respective businesses.
Section 6.2 Conduct of Business by Parent and Merger Sub. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to carry on its business in the ordinary course, except to the extent that the Company shall otherwise consent in writing or as contemplated by this Agreement (including as contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or as required by Applicable Legal Requirements (including Pandemic Measures and the Warrant Accounting Issue, respectively), without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, Parent shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, do any of the following:
(a) declare, set aside or pay dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities or property) in respect of any capital stock (or warrant) or split, combine or reclassify any capital stock (or warrant), effect a recapitalization or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock or warrant, or effect any like change in capitalization;
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) other than in connection with the Equity Financing Agreements, grant, issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the foregoing with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities, or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares of capital stock or equity securities or convertible or exchangeable securities;
(d) amend its Charter Documents or form or establish any Subsidiary;
(e) (i) merge, consolidate or combine with any Person; or (ii) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity interest in or a portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets, or enter into any joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances;
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(f) incur any Indebtedness or guarantee any such Indebtedness of another Person or Persons, issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Parent, as applicable, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, in each case, except in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that Parent shall be permitted to incur Indebtedness (which shall constitute Parent Transaction Costs) from its Affiliates and stockholders in order to meet its reasonable capital requirements, with any such loans to be made only as reasonably required by the operation of Parent in due course on a non-interest basis and otherwise on arm’s-length terms and conditions and repayable at Closing;
(g) except as required by GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or Applicable Legal Requirements, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;
(h) (i) make or rescind any material Tax election (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim; (iii) change (or request to change) any method of accounting for Tax purposes; (iv) file any amendment to any material Tax Return; (v) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of material Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); (vi) knowingly surrender any claim for a refund of Taxes; or (vii) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Legal Requirement) with any Governmental Entity; (viii) create any material Liens on any material property or assets of Parent or Merger Sub; (ix) incur any liability for Taxes other than in the ordinary course of business; or (x) take any action or fail to take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impair or impede the Intended Tax Treatment;
(i) liquidate, dissolve, reorganize or otherwise wind up the business or operations of Parent or Merger Sub;
(j) commence, settle or compromise any Legal Proceeding;
(k) engage in any material new line of business;
(l) amend the Trust Agreement or any other agreement related to the Trust Account;
(m) (i) adopt or amend any employee benefit plan, or enter into any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement other than the LTIP or the ESPP, or (ii) hire any employee or any other individual to provide services to Parent or its Subsidiaries;
(n) (i) enter into any Parent Material Contract or other Contract that will not be terminable for convenience on or before Closing without requiring the payment of any amount or any post-Closing liability or obligation, (ii) modify, amend or terminate any Parent Material Contract or (iii) waive, delay the exercise of, release or assign any material rights or claims under any Parent Material Contract;
(o) make any expenditures utilizing funds in the Trust Account; or
(p) agree in writing or otherwise agree, commit or resolve to take any of the actions described in Sections 6.2(a) through (o) above.
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Article VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 7.1 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement; Special Meeting.
(a) As promptly as practicable and with the parties hereto using commercially reasonable efforts to file after the execution of this Agreement and the delivery of the PCAOB Financial Statements, (i) Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall jointly prepare, and upon the prior approval of both Parent and the Company, Parent shall file with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), containing a proxy statement/prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), in preliminary form, to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Special Meeting for the purpose of, among other things: (A) providing Parent’s stockholders with the opportunity to redeem shares of Parent Class A Stock (the “Parent Stockholder Redemption”); (B) soliciting proxies from holders of Parent Class A Stock to vote at the Special Meeting in favor of: (1) the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Transactions; (2) the issuance of shares of Parent Class A Stock in connection with Section 2.6 and the issuance of shares of Parent Class A in connection with the Equity Financing Agreements; (3) the adoption of the Parent A&R Charter; (4) adoption of the LTIP and ESPP; and (5) any other proposals the Parties deem reasonably necessary or desirable to consummate the Transactions (collectively, the “Parent Stockholder Matters”); and (C) the registration under the Securities Act of the issuance of the Closing Number of Securities and the Earn-Out Shares. Each of Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and to obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company agrees to furnish to the other party all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, stockholders, and other equityholders and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested in connection with the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, a current report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the transactions, or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company or their respective Subsidiaries to any regulatory authority (including Nasdaq) in connection with the Transactions (the “Solicitation Documents”). Parent shall file an amendment to the Registration Statement containing a definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the SEC and, as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act (the “Registration Statement Effective Date”), cause the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to its stockholders of record, as of the record date to be established by the board of directors of Parent.
(b) If, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, the SEC requests or requires that a tax opinion be prepared and submitted in connection with such, Parent and the Company shall deliver to White & Case LLP and Goodwin Procter LLP (or, in each case, other nationally recognized tax counsel described in this Section 7.1(b)), respectively, customary Tax representation letters satisfactory to its tax counsel, dated and executed as of the date the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and such other date(s) as determined reasonably necessary by such tax counsel in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement. If required by the SEC in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, Parent shall cause White & Case LLP (or such other nationally recognized tax counsel to Parent reasonably satisfactory to the Company) to furnish an opinion, subject to customary assumptions and limitations, regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Intended Tax Treatment) applicable to Parent stockholders and holders of Parent options. If required by the SEC in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, the Company shall cause Goodwin Procter LLP (or such other nationally recognized tax counsel to the Company reasonably satisfactory to Parent) to furnish an opinion, subject to customary assumptions and limitations, to the effect that the Intended Tax Treatment should apply to the Company Stockholders in connection with the Merger.
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(c) Each of Parent and the Company will advise the other party reasonably promptly after such party receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the shares of capital stock of Parent for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement or for additional information. Each of Parent and the Company and their counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any Solicitation Document each time before any such document is filed with the SEC by Parent or the Company, and each shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by the other parties and their counsel. Each of Parent and the Company shall provide the other parties and their counsel with (i) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that such party or its counsel may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Solicitation Documents promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (ii) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of such party to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given), including by participating with the other parties or their counsel in any discussions or meetings with the SEC. Parent shall promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Solicitation Documents and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable. Each of Parent and the Company shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed in response thereto.
(d) If, at any time prior to the Closing, Parent or the Company discovers or becomes aware of any information that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus so that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, such party shall inform the other parties, and Parent shall prepare (and the Company shall cooperate in preparing, to the extent necessary) and promptly file (with the Company’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus containing such information and, to the extent required by Legal Requirements, transmit to Parent’s stockholders such amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus containing such information.
(e) As soon as reasonably practicable and using commercially reasonable efforts, the Company shall deliver to Parent (A) audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ deficit and cash flows of the Group Companies for the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 together with the auditor’s reports thereon, which comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act applicable to a registrant (collectively, the “PCAOB Financial Statements”); provided, that, upon delivery of such PCAOB Financial Statements, such financial statements shall be deemed “Audited Financial Statements” for all the purposes of this Agreement and the representation and warranties set forth in Section 4.8 shall be deemed to apply to such Audited Financial Statements with the same force and effect as if made as of the date of this Agreement; (B) all other audited and unaudited financial statements of the Group Companies and any company or business units acquired by it, as applicable, required under the Applicable Legal Requirements of the SEC to be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and/or the Closing Form 8-K (including pro forma financial information); (C) all selected financial data of the Group Companies required by Item 301 of Regulation S-K, as necessary for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Closing Form 8-K; and (D) management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the SEC with respect to the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, as necessary for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Closing Form 8-K (including pro forma financial information).
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(f) Parent shall, as promptly as practicable following the Registration Statement Effective Date, establish a record date (which date shall be mutually agreed with the Company) for, duly call and give notice of, the Special Meeting. Parent shall convene and hold, no later than 30 days (which may be extended to 45 days if Parent determines it is desirable to do so, after consultation with the Company) after the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed, a meeting of Parent’s stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters. Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters at the Special Meeting, including by soliciting proxies as promptly as practicable in accordance with Applicable Legal Requirements for the purpose of seeking the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters. Subject to the proviso in the following sentence, Parent shall include the Parent Recommendation in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Legal Requirements, the board of directors of Parent shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Parent Recommendation (a “Change in Recommendation”). Parent agrees that its obligation to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Special Meeting for the purpose of seeking approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters shall not be affected by any Change in Recommendation, and Parent agrees to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Special Meeting and submit for the approval of its stockholders the matters contemplated by the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as contemplated by this Section 7.1(f), regardless of whether or not there shall have occurred any Change in Recommendation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Parent shall be entitled to postpone or adjourn the Special Meeting: (i) to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that the board of directors of Parent has determined in good faith is required by Applicable Legal Requirements is disclosed to Parent’s stockholders and for such supplement or amendment to be promptly disseminated to Parent’s stockholders prior to the Special Meeting; (ii) if, as of the time for which the Special Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus), there are insufficient shares of Parent Class A Stock represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business to be conducted at the Special Meeting; (iii) in order to solicit additional proxies from stockholders for purposes of obtaining approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters; or (iv) if the holders of Parent Class A Stock have elected to redeem a number of Parent Class A Stock as of such time that would reasonably be expected to result in Parent not satisfying the Company’s Required Funds; provided, that in the event of a postponement or adjournment pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Special Meeting shall be reconvened as promptly as practicable following such time as the matters described in such clauses have been resolved.
Section 7.2 Company Stockholder Approval.
(a) The Company shall take all action necessary to solicit the Company Stockholder Approval via written consent as soon as practicable after the Registration Statement Effective Date. The Company will provide Parent with copies of all written consents it receives within one (1) Business Day of receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval. If the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, then promptly following the receipt of the required written consents, the Company will prepare and deliver to its stockholders who have not consented the notice required by Section 228(e) and 262 of the DGCL.
(b) To the extent the Company Stockholder Approval is not delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(a) within one (1) day following the Registration Statement Effective Date, then the Company shall take all action necessary to duly call, given notice, convene and hold the Company Stockholders Meeting as soon as practicable, and, in connection therewith, the Company shall (a) mail a stockholder information statement and proxy solicitation which shall include, without limitation, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and a notice of dissent and appraisal rights as required under applicable Delaware law to the holders of Company Common Stock in advance of such meeting for the purpose of soliciting from the holders of Company Common Stock proxies to vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Merger; and (b) take all other actions necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of the Company Stockholders required by applicable Legal Requirements to obtain such approval. The Company shall keep Parent and the Merger Sub updated with respect to proxy solicitation results as requested by Parent or the Merger Sub. Once the Company Stockholders Meeting has been called and noticed, the Company shall not postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders Meeting without the consent of Parent (other than: (i) in order to obtain a quorum of its stockholders; or (ii) as reasonably determined by the Company to comply with applicable Legal Requirements). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with Parent to hold the Company Stockholders Meeting on the same day and at the same time as the Special Meeting as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and to set the same record date for each such meeting.
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(c) Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company’s obligation to solicit written consents from the Company Stockholders to give the Company Stockholder Approval in accordance with this Section 7.2 shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the making, commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any other acquisition proposal.
Section 7.3 Regulatory Approvals. As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall each prepare and file the notification required of it under the HSR Act within 10 Business Days after the date hereof in connection with the Transactions and shall promptly and in good faith respond to all information requested of it by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Justice or any other Governmental Entity in connection with such notification and otherwise cooperate in good faith with each other and such Governmental Entities. Each Party will promptly furnish to the other such information and assistance as the other may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of any filing or submission that is necessary under the HSR Act and will use reasonable best efforts to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods as soon as practicable. Each Party will promptly furnish to the other such information and assistance as the other may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of any filing or submission that is necessary under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws and will use reasonable best efforts to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods or obtain the applicable approvals as soon as practicable. Each Party will promptly provide the other with copies of all substantive written communications (and memoranda setting forth the substance of all substantive oral communications) between each of them, any of their Affiliates and their respective agents, representatives and advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions. Without limiting the foregoing, Parent and the Company shall: (i) promptly inform the other of any communication to or from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice or any other Governmental Entity regarding the Transactions; (ii) permit each other to review in advance any proposed substantive written communication to any such Governmental Entity and incorporate reasonable comments thereto; (iii) give the other prompt written notice of the commencement of any Legal Proceeding with respect to such transactions; (iv) not agree to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion with any such Governmental Entity in respect of any filing, investigation or inquiry concerning this Agreement or the Transactions unless, to the extent reasonably practicable, it consults with the other Party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, gives the other Party the opportunity to attend; (v) keep the other reasonably informed as to the status of any such Legal Proceeding; and (vi) promptly furnish each other with copies of all correspondence, filings (except for filings made under the HSR Act) and written communications between such Party and their Affiliates and their respective agents, representatives and advisors, on one hand, and any such Governmental Entity, on the other hand, in each case, with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions. Each of the Company Transaction Costs and Parent Transaction Costs shall include fifty percent (50%) of any filing fees required by Governmental Entities, including with respect to any registrations, declarations and filings required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the obligations hereunder and the consummation of the Transactions, including filing fees in connection with filings under the HSR Act.
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Section 7.4 Other Filings; Press Release.
(a) As promptly as practicable after execution of this Agreement, Parent will prepare and file a current report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act to report the execution of this Agreement, the form and substance of which shall be approved in advance in writing by the Company.
(b) Promptly after the execution of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall also issue a joint press release announcing the execution of this Agreement.
(c) The Parties shall prepare a draft current report on Form 8-K announcing the Closing, together with, or incorporating by reference, the financial statements prepared by the Company and its accountant, and such other information that may be required to be disclosed with respect to the Transactions in any report or form to be filed with the SEC (“Closing Form 8-K”). Prior to Closing, Parent and the Company shall prepare a joint press release announcing the consummation of the Transactions hereunder (“Closing Press Release”). Concurrently with the Closing, Parent shall issue the Closing Press Release. Concurrently with the Closing, or as soon as practicable thereafter, Parent shall file the Closing Form 8-K with the SEC.
Section 7.5 Confidentiality; Access to Information.
(a) The Company and Parent each acknowledge that it is a party to the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and the Company and Parent each agree to be bound by the Confidentiality Agreement. Following Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall be superseded in its entirety by the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that if for any reason this Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall nonetheless continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. Beginning on the date hereof and ending on the fifth anniversary of this Agreement (but perpetually with respect to any trade secrets), each Party agrees to maintain in confidence any non-public information received from the other Parties, and to use such non-public information only for purposes of consummating the Transactions. Such confidentiality obligations will not apply to: (i) information which was known to one Party or its agents or representatives prior to receipt from the Company or the Company Stockholders, on the one hand, or Parent or Merger Sub, on the other hand, as applicable; (ii) information which is or becomes generally known to the public without breach of this Agreement or an existing obligation of confidentiality; (iii) information acquired by a Party or their respective agents or representatives from a third party who was not bound to an obligation of confidentiality; (iv) information developed by such Party independently without any reliance on the non-public information received from any other Party; (v) disclosure required by Applicable Legal Requirement or stock exchange rule; or (vi) disclosure consented to in writing by Parent or Merger Sub (in the case of the Company Stockholders and, prior to the Closing, the Company) or the Company (in the case of Parent or Merger Sub).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Parties will make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement, any other Transaction Agreement or the Transactions or any matter related to the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Company, in the case of a public announcement by Parent, or Parent, in the case of a public announcement by the Company Stockholders or the Company (such consents, in either case, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except: (i) if such announcement or other communication is required by Applicable Legal Requirements, in which case the disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Legal Requirements, first allow such other Parties to review such announcement or communication and have the opportunity to comment thereon and the disclosing Party shall consider such comments in good faith; (ii) in the case of the Company or the Company Stockholders, Parent and their respective Affiliates, if such announcement or other communication is made in connection with fundraising or other investment related activities and is made to such Person’s direct and indirect investors or potential investors or financing sources subject to an obligation of confidentiality; (iii) announcements and communications regarding this Agreement and the Transactions to the Group Companies’ stockholders, Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, managers and advisors, in each case subject to an obligation of confidentiality; (iv) to the extent such announcements or other communications contain only information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved in accordance with Section 7.4 or this Section 7.5(b); (v) announcements and communications to Governmental Entities in connection with registrations, declarations and filings relating to the Transactions required to be made under this Agreement; and (vi) communications to customers and suppliers of the Group Companies for purposes of seeking any consents and approvals required in connection with the Transactions.
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(c) The Company will afford Parent and its financial advisors, accountants, counsel and other representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the properties, books, records and personnel of the Company during the period prior to the Closing to obtain all information concerning the business, including the status of business development efforts, properties, results of operations and personnel of the Company, as Parent may reasonably request in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; provided, however, that (i) any such access shall be conducted in a manner not to interfere with the businesses or operations of the Company, (ii) the Company shall not be required to provide access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would (x) contravene any Applicable Legal Requirement, Order or Contract of any Group Companies or, if determined by the Company in good faith after consulting with counsel, reasonably be expected to result in antitrust risk for the Company, (y) reasonably be expected to violate or result in a loss or impairment of any attorney client, legal or work product privilege or (z) expose the Company to risk of liability for disclosure of sensitive or Personal Information, and (iii) the Company shall not be required to provide such access if the Company in good faith determines, in light of any Pandemic Measures, that such access would reasonably be expected to jeopardize the health and safety of any Group Company personnel or representatives.
(d) Parent will afford the Company and its financial advisors, underwriters, accountants, counsel and other representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the properties, books, records and personnel of Parent during the period prior to the Closing to obtain all information concerning the business, including properties, results of operations and personnel of Parent, as the Company may reasonably request in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; provided, however, that any such access shall be conducted in a manner not to interfere with the businesses or operations of Parent.
Section 7.6 Reasonable Best Efforts.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other Transactions, including using reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the taking of commercially reasonable acts necessary to cause the conditions precedent set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied; (ii) the obtaining of all necessary actions, waivers, consents, approvals, orders and authorizations from Governmental Entities and the making of all necessary registrations, declarations and filings (including registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental Entities, if any); (iii) the taking of commercially reasonable acts necessary to obtain all consents, approvals or waivers from third parties required as a result of the Transactions, including any other consents, approvals or waivers from third parties referred to on Schedule 7.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, and, in the case of Parent, to terminate any Contracts to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party that are not required for the operation of the Surviving Corporation following Closing, if and to the extent reasonably requested by the Company; (iv) the defending of any suits, claims, actions, investigations or proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed; and (v) the execution or delivery of any additional instruments reasonably necessary to consummate, and to fully carry out the purposes of, the Transactions. This obligation shall include, on the part of Parent, sending a termination letter to Continental substantially in the applicable form attached to the Trust Agreement (the “Trust Termination Letter”).
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(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.6 shall be deemed to require Parent or the Company to agree to any divestiture by itself or any of its Affiliates of shares of capital stock or of any business, assets or property, the imposition of any limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their business or to own or exercise control of their respective assets, properties and capital stock, or the incurrence of any liability or expense.
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing and the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms, Parent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall each notify the other in writing promptly after learning of any stockholder demands, inquiries or other stockholder Legal Proceedings (including derivative claims) relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Agreement or any matters relating thereto other than any appraisal claims contemplated by Section 2.13 (collectively, the “Transaction Litigation”) commenced against, in the case of Parent or Merger Sub, any of Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives (in their capacity as a representative of Parent or Merger Sub) or, in the case of the Company, any Group Company or any of their respective Representatives (in their capacity as a representative of a Group Company). Parent and the Company shall each (i) keep the other reasonably informed regarding any Transaction Litigation, (ii) give the other the opportunity to, at its own cost and expense, participate in the defense, settlement and compromise of any such Transaction Litigation and reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with the defense, settlement and compromise of any such Transaction Litigation and (iii) consider in good faith the other’s advice with respect to any such Transaction Litigation; provided, however, that in no event shall Parent or Merger Sub, on one hand, or the Company, any other Group Company, on the other hand, or, in any case, any of their respective Representatives settle or compromise any Transaction Litigation without the prior written consent of the Company or Parent, as the case may be.
(d) From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain Lock-Up Letters from all Company Stockholders holding in excess of 1% of the Company’s outstanding capital stock.
Section 7.7 No Parent Securities Transactions. Neither the Company nor any of its controlled Affiliates, directly or indirectly, shall engage in any transactions involving the securities of Parent prior to the time of the making of a public announcement regarding all of the material terms of the business and operations of the Company and the Transactions. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to require each of its officers, directors and employees to comply with the foregoing requirement.
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Section 7.8 No Claim Against Trust Account. For and in consideration of Parent entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates agrees that:
(a) neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates do now or at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account or distributions therefrom, and shall not make any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom), in each case, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, this Agreement or the Transactions or any proposed or actual business relationship between Parent or its Representatives, on the one hand, and the Company or its Representatives, on the other hand, or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims against the Trust Account are collectively referred to hereafter as the “Released Claims”);
(b) the Company, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, hereby irrevocably waives any Released Claims that the Company or any of its Affiliates may have against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) now or in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, Contracts or agreements with Parent or its Representatives, including this Agreement or the Transactions, and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) in connection therewith (including for an alleged breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with Parent or its Affiliates);
(c) the irrevocable waiver set forth in the immediately preceding clause (b) is material to this Agreement and specifically relied upon by Parent and its Affiliates to induce Parent to enter in this Agreement, and the Company further intends and understands such waiver to be valid, binding and enforceable against the Company and each of its Affiliates under Applicable Legal Requirements; and
(d) to the extent the Company or any of its Affiliates commences any action or proceeding based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to Parent or its Representatives, including this Agreement or the Transactions, which proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, monetary relief against Parent or Representatives, the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s and its Affiliates’ sole remedy shall be against funds held outside of the Trust Account and such claim shall not permit the Company or its Affiliates (or any Person claiming on any of their behalves or in lieu of any of them) to have any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) or any amounts contained therein.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt, (i) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue a claim against Parent pursuant to this Agreement for legal relief against monies or other assets of Parent held outside the Trust Account or for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the Transactions or for intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties in Article V; and (ii) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Company may have in the future pursuant to this Agreement against Parent’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account.
Section 7.9 Disclosure of Certain Matters. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company will promptly provide the other Parties with prompt written notice of any event, development or condition of which they have Knowledge that: (a) is reasonably likely to cause any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII not to be satisfied; or (b) would require any amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Section 7.10 Securities Listing; Parent Public Filings.
(a) Parent will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Parent Class A Stock issued in connection with the Transactions to be approved for listing on Nasdaq at Closing. During the period from the date hereof until the Closing, Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure Parent remains listed as a public company on Nasdaq or other national securities exchange and keep the Parent Class A Stock and Parent Warrants listed for trading on Nasdaq or other national securities exchange. After the Closing, Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (a) continue the listing for trading of the Parent Class A Stock and Parent Warrants on Nasdaq or other national securities exchange and (b) in the event any Earn-Out Shares become issuable pursuant to Article III, cause such Earn-Out Shares to be approved for listing on Nasdaq or other national securities exchange.
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(b) From the date hereof through the Closing, Parent will keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable securities laws.
Section 7.11 No Solicitation.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall direct its stockholders, employees, agents, officers, directors, representatives and advisors (collectively, in each case in their capacity as such, “Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any information to, any Person (other than Parent and its agents, representatives, advisors) concerning any merger, sale of ownership interests and/or assets of the Company, recapitalization or similar transaction (each, a “Company Business Combination”); (ii) enter into any agreement regarding, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way that would otherwise reasonably be expected to lead to a Company Business Combination; or (iii) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Company Business Combination. In addition, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and the Company Stockholders to, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Company Business Combination.
(b) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and shall direct their respective Representatives not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, enter into or continue discussions or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any information to, any Person (other than the Company, the Company Stockholders and their respective Representatives) concerning any merger, purchase of ownership interests or assets of Parent, recapitalization or similar business combination transaction (each, a “Parent Business Combination”); (ii) enter into any agreement regarding, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way that would otherwise reasonably be expected to lead to a Parent Business Combination; or (iii) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Parent Business Combination. Parent and Merger Sub shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Parent Business Combination.
(c) Each Party shall promptly (and in no event later than 24 hours after becoming aware of such inquiry, proposal, offer or submission) notify the other Parties (and in the case of Parent’s receipt of a Parent Business Combination proposal, Parent shall also provide notice to the Company) if it or, to its Knowledge, any of its or its Representatives receives any inquiry, proposal, offer or submission with respect to a Company Business Combination or Parent Business Combination, as applicable (including the identity of the Person making such inquiry or submitting such proposal, offer or submission), after the execution and delivery of this Agreement. If either Party or its Representatives receives an inquiry, proposal, offer or submission with respect to a Company Business Combination or Parent Business Combination, as applicable, such Party shall provide the other Parties with a copy of such inquiry, proposal, offer or submission (and in the case of Parent’s receipt, Parent shall also provide copies to the Company).
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Section 7.12 Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be used or released except for the withdrawal of interest to pay any tax obligation owed by Parent as a result of assets owned by Parent, including franchise taxes. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII and provision of notice thereof to Continental (which notice Parent shall provide to Continental in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement): (a) in accordance with and pursuant to the Trust Agreement, at the Closing, Parent: (i) shall cause the documents, opinions and notices required to be delivered to Continental pursuant to the Trust Agreement to be so delivered, including providing Continental with the Trust Termination Letter; and (ii) shall use best efforts to cause Continental to, and Continental shall thereupon be obligated to, distribute the Trust Account as directed in the Trust Termination Letter, including all amounts payable to: (A) to stockholders who elect to have their Parent Class A Stock converted to cash in accordance with the provisions of Parent’s Charter Documents in respect of Parent Stockholder Redemptions; (B) for income tax or other tax obligations of Parent prior to Closing; (C) for any Parent Transaction Costs and any Company Transaction Costs; and (D) as repayment of loans and reimbursement of expenses to directors, officers and stockholders of Parent; and (b) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.
Section 7.13 Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance.
(a) Parent agrees that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses now existing in favor of the current or former directors or officers, as the case may be, of any Group Company (each, together with such person’s heirs, executors or administrators, a “D&O Indemnified Party”), as provided in their respective Charter Documents or in any indemnification agreement with respect to any Group Company set forth on Schedule 7.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect. For a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Group Companies to maintain in effect the exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of such Group Company’s Charter Documents or in any indemnification agreements of each Group Company as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date with any D&O Indemnified Party, and Parent shall, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Group Companies to, not amend, repeal or otherwise modify any such provisions in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any D&O Indemnified Party; provided, however, that all rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses in respect of any Legal Proceedings pending or asserted or any claim made within such six (6)-year period shall continue until the disposition of such Legal Proceeding or resolution of such claim.
(b) Prior to the Closing, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to purchase a “tail” or “runoff” directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (the “D&O Tail”) in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time covering each such Person that is a director or officer of a Group Company currently covered by a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy of one or more Group Companies on terms with respect to coverage, deductibles and amounts no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date of this Agreement and covering claims for the six-year period following the Closing. Parent shall, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Surviving Corporation to, maintain the D&O Tail in full force and effect for its full term and cause all obligations thereunder to be honored by the Group Companies, as applicable, and no other party shall have any further obligation to purchase or pay for such insurance pursuant to this Section 7.13(b).
(c) The rights of each D&O Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such person may have under the Charter Documents of any Group Company, any other indemnification arrangement, any Legal Requirement or otherwise. The obligations of Parent and the Group Companies under this Section 7.13 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party without the consent of such D&O Indemnified Party. The provisions of this Section 7.13 shall survive the Closing and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 7.13.
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(d) If Parent or, after the Closing, any Group Company, or any of their respective successors or assigns: (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such case, Parent shall, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Group Companies to, make reasonable efforts to ensure that proper provision is made to have the successors and assigns of Parent or such Group Company, as applicable, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.13.
(e) On or before the Closing, Parent shall obtain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy on terms satisfactory to the Company, which policy shall provide coverage for the directors and officers of Parent as of immediately following the Closing (and the Company and Parent shall reasonably cooperate with respect thereto).
Section 7.14 Tax Matters.
(a) Parent covenants that it will file a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return with the applicable Group Companies for the period starting on the day following the Closing Date and, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the applicable Group Companies will become members of the affiliated group of corporations of which Parent is the common parent or of which Parent is a member on the day following the Closing Date.
(b) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, excise, recording, registration value added and other such similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) that become payable in connection with or by reason of the execution of this Agreement and the Transactions shall be borne and paid by the Parent. Parent shall timely file any Tax Return or other document with respect to such Taxes or fees (and the Company and Parent shall reasonably cooperate with respect thereto as necessary).
(c) On the Closing Date, the Company shall provide Parent with a certificate on behalf of the Company, prepared in a manner consistent and in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.897-2(g), (h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3), certifying that no interest in the Company is, or has been during the relevant period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “U.S. real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code, and a form of notice to the Internal Revenue Service prepared in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2); provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Parent’s sole remedy in the event the Company fails to deliver such certificate shall be to make a proper withholding of Tax to the extent required by applicable Tax law.
(d) All Tax sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to or involving any Group Company (other than any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and not primarily concerning Taxes or any agreement the only parties to which are Group Companies) shall be terminated prior to the Closing Date and, after the Closing Date, none of the Group Companies shall be bound thereby or have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods ending on or before the Closing Date, and there shall be no continuing obligation after the Closing Date to make any payments under any such agreements or arrangements.
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Section 7.15 Equity Financing Agreements.
(a) Parent shall not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy under, or any replacements of, the Equity Financing Agreements, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed in respect of any such amendment, modification, waiver or replacement that is not and would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Company or the Company Stockholders). Parent shall take, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements on the terms and conditions described therein, including maintaining in effect the Equity Financing Agreements and using its reasonable best efforts to: (i) satisfy in all material respects on a timely basis all conditions and covenants applicable to Parent in the Equity Financing Agreements and otherwise comply with its obligations thereunder; (ii) in the event that all conditions in the Equity Financing Agreements (other than conditions that Parent or any of its Affiliates control the satisfaction of and other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied, consummate transactions contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements at or prior to Closing; and (iii) enforce its rights under the Equity Financing Agreements in the event that all conditions in the Equity Financing Agreements (other than conditions that Parent or any of its Affiliates control the satisfaction of and other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied, to cause the applicable Equity Financing Investor to contribute to Parent the applicable portion of the Equity Financing Amount set forth in the applicable Equity Financing Agreement at or prior to the Closing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent shall give the Company prompt (and, in any event within three (3) Business Days) written notice: (A) of any breach or default (or any event or circumstance that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, could give rise to any breach or default) by any party to any Equity Financing Agreement known to Parent; (B) of the receipt of any written notice or other written communication from any party to any Equity Financing Agreement with respect to any actual, potential or claimed expiration, lapse, withdrawal, breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to any Equity Financing Agreement or any provisions of any Equity Financing Agreement; and (C) if Parent does not expect to receive all or any portion of the Equity Financing Amount on the terms, in the manner or from the sources contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements. The Equity Financing Agreements contain all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the Equity Financing Investors to contribute to Parent the applicable portion of the Equity Financing Amount set forth in the applicable Equity Financing Agreement on the terms therein.
(b) Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Equity Financing Investors to contribute the Equity Financing Amount at or prior to the Closing if all conditions set forth in the applicable Equity Financing Agreement have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing and other than conditions that Parent or any of its Affiliates control the satisfaction of). Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions required to obtain the Equity Financing Amount contemplated by the Equity Financing Agreements, including enforcing the rights of Parent under the Equity Financing Agreements.
Section 7.16 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall take all reasonable steps as may be required or permitted to cause any acquisition or disposition of the Parent Class A Stock that occurs or is deemed to occur by reason of or pursuant to the Transactions by each individual who is or will be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Parent to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, including by taking steps in accordance with the No-Action Letter, dated January 12, 1999, issued by the SEC regarding such matters.
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Section 7.17 Board of Directors.
(a) Subject to the terms of the Parent’s Charter Documents, Parent shall take all such action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that immediately following the Effective Time:
(i) the board of directors of Parent shall consist of up to eleven (11) directors, which shall initially include: (A) Alexis Borisy, Krishna Yeshwant, Paul Berns, Jorge Conde, Eli Casdin, Sandra Horning, Clive Meanwell and Melanie Nallicheri, as designees of the Company; (B) Sam Merksamer, as a designee of Softbank, or in the case of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), if any such individual is unavailable to serve, then an alternative individual may be designated in writing by the Company or Softbank, as applicable, and subject to the approval of the board of directors of the Company (which such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); and (C) the remaining director nominees, if any, shall be mutually agreed upon between the chief executive officer of Parent and the chief executive officer of the Company; and
(ii) the board of directors of Parent shall have a majority of “independent” directors for the purposes of Nasdaq rules, each of whom shall serve in such capacity in accordance with the terms of the Parent’s Organizational Documents following the Effective Time.
(b) On the Closing Date, Parent shall enter into customary indemnification agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Company with each individual to be appointed to, or serving on, the board of directors of Parent upon the Closing, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective following the Closing (the “Indemnification Agreements”).
Section 7.18 LTIP and ESPP. Effective as of (and contingent on) the Closing, Parent shall adopt (a) the LTIP, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (as such form may be modified in accordance with this Section 7.18) and (b) the ESPP, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (as such form may be modified in accordance with this Section 7.18). The Company may propose further edits to the LTIP and the ESPP based on recommendations from the Company’s compensation consultant and the board of directors of the Company, which, after consideration and approval by Parent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, shall be incorporated into the LTIP and the ESPP in advance of the Special Meeting.
Section 7.19 Release.
(a) Effective upon and following the Closing, Parent, on its own behalf and on behalf of its respective Affiliates and Representatives, generally, irrevocably, unconditionally and completely releases and forever discharges the Company, each Company Stockholder, its Affiliates, and its and their respective Related Parties, (collectively, the “Company Stockholder Released Parties”) from all disputes, claims, losses, controversies, demands, rights, liabilities, actions and causes of action of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, arising from any matter concerning any Group Company occurring prior to the Closing Date (other than as contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements), including for controlling equityholder liability or breach of any fiduciary duty relating to any pre-Closing actions or failures to act by the Company Stockholder Released Parties; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7.19(a) shall release any Company Stockholder Released Parties from (i) their obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements; (ii) as applicable, any disputes, claims, losses, controversies, demands, rights, liabilities, breaches of fiduciary duty, actions and causes of action arising out of such Company Stockholder Released Party’s employment by any Group Company; (iii) any commercial Contract between the Company and a Company Stockholder Released Party that is in force as of the Closing Date or (iv) from any claim of fraud on the part of any Company Stockholder Released Party.
(b) Effective upon and following the Closing, each Company Stockholder (solely in its capacity as a stockholder of the Company), on its own behalf and on behalf of each of its Affiliates and Representatives (collectively, the “Company Stockholder Releasing Parties”), generally, irrevocably, unconditionally and completely releases and forever discharges each of Parent and each Group Company, their respective Affiliates, and its and their respective Related Parties (collectively, the “Parent Released Parties”) from all disputes, claims, losses, controversies, demands, rights, liabilities, actions and causes of action of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, arising from (i) the Company Stockholder Releasing Party’s ownership or purported ownership of (or right to acquire) shares of capital stock, warrants, options or other securities of or interests in the Company or relating to the governance of the Company, including any and all claims that the Company Stockholder Releasing Party may have against any of the Parent Released Parties with respect thereto whether pursuant to any contract or agreement with respect thereto, breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty or otherwise and (ii) the negotiation or execution of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreement, or the consummation of any of the Transactions; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 7.19(b) shall release the Parent Released Parties from their obligations or otherwise modify, waive, replace, supersede, or impair in any way any rights of any Company Stockholder Releasing Party (A) under this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, including the right to receive its respective portion of the Total Consideration, (B) with respect to any salary, bonuses, vacation pay or employee benefits accrued pursuant to a Company Benefit Plan in effect as of the date of this Agreement or any expense reimbursement pursuant to a policy of the Group Companies in effect as of the date of this Agreement accrued in the ordinary course of business; or (C) under any Contract between the Company Stockholder and a Parent Released Party to the extent that such Contract does not specifically pertain to such Company Stockholder’s ownership or purported ownership of (or right to acquire) shares of capital stock, warrants, options or other securities of or interests in the Company or specifically relate to the governance of the Company; (D) with respect to any rights to indemnification, exculpation or expense reimbursement to the extent provided for in the Company Organizational Documents or in any indemnification agreement with a Group Company; or (E) from any claim of fraud on the part of any Parent Released Party.
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Article VIII
CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTION
Section 8.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party’s Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to this Agreement to effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
(a) Each Parent Stockholder Matter shall have been duly adopted by the stockholders of Parent.
(b) Parent shall have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(i) of the Exchange Act) following the exercise by the holders of Parent Class A Stock issued in Parent’s initial public offering of securities and outstanding immediately before the Closing of their right to convert their Parent Class A Stock held by them into a pro rata share of the Trust Account in accordance with Parent’s Organizational Documents.
(c) All applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act will have expired or otherwise been terminated, and the Parties will have received or have been deemed to have received all other necessary pre-closing authorizations, consents, clearances, waivers and approvals of all Governmental Entities in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Transactions set forth on Schedule 8.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter.
(d) No provision of any Applicable Legal Requirement prohibiting, enjoining or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions shall be in effect and no temporary, preliminary or permanent restraining Order prohibiting, enjoining or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions will be in effect.
Section 8.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate and effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by the Company:
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(a) The Fundamental Representations of Parent, other than Section 5.3, shall be true and correct in all material respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contain herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); the representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Section 5.3 shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any de minimis inaccuracies; and all other representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Article V hereof shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contained herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties of Parent to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and is not reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case in all material respects.
(c) Parent shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, signed by an executive officer of Parent and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 8.2(a) and Section 8.2(b).
(d) Parent shall have delivered or shall stand ready to deliver all of the certificates, instruments, Contracts and other documents specified to be delivered by it hereunder, including copies of the documents to be delivered by Parent pursuant to Section 1.2 and Section 1.3(a), duly executed by Parent and Merger Sub, as applicable.
(e) Parent shall have made appropriate arrangements to have the Trust Account, less amounts paid and to be paid pursuant to Section 7.12, available to Parent for payment of the Company Transaction Costs and the Parent Transaction Costs at the Closing.
(f) The shares of Parent Class A Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq.
(g) No Parent Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement and be continuing.
(h) The funds (i) contained in the Trust Account, plus (ii) the Equity Financing Amount to be received substantially concurrently with the Closing, minus (iii) payment of the aggregate amount of cash proceeds required to satisfy any exercise of the Parent Stockholder Redemptions (for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the foregoing clauses, prior to giving effect to the payment of any Parent Transaction Costs and any Company Transaction Costs), shall equal or exceed the Company’s Required Funds.
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Section 8.3 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate and effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by Parent:
(a) The Fundamental Representations of the Company, other than Section 4.3, shall be true and correct in all material respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contain herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.3 shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any de minimis inaccuracies; and all other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contained herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties of the Company to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and is not reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company shall have performed or complied with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing Date, in each case in all material respects.
(c) The Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate, signed by an executive officer of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b).
(d) The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.
(e) No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement and be continuing.
(f) The Company shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, or shall stand ready to deliver all of the certificates, instruments, Contracts and other documents specified to be delivered by it hereunder, including copies of the documents to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 1.3(b), duly executed by the applicable signatory or signatories specified in Section 1.3(b), if any.
Article
IX
TERMINATION
Section 9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:
(a) by mutual written agreement of Parent and the Company at any time;
(b) by either Parent or the Company if the Transactions shall not have been consummated by March 31, 2022 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b) shall not be available to any Party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Transactions to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
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(c) by either Parent or the Company if a Governmental Entity shall have issued an Order or taken any other action, in any case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions, including the Merger, which Order or other action is final and nonappealable;
(d) by the Company, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on the part of Parent or Merger Sub, or if any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Article VIII would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue; provided, that if such breach by Parent or Merger Sub is curable by Parent or Merger Sub prior to the Closing, then the Company must first provide written notice of such breach and may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(d) until the earlier of: (i) 30 days after delivery of written notice from the Company to Parent of such breach; and (ii) the Outside Date; provided, further, that each of Parent and Merger Sub continues to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that the Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d) if: (A) it shall have materially breached this Agreement and such breach has not been cured; or (B) if such breach by Parent or Merger Sub is cured during such 30-day period);
(e) by Parent, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on the part of the Company or if any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Article VIII would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue; provided, that if such breach is curable by the Company prior to the Closing, then Parent must first provide written notice of such breach and may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(e) until the earlier of: (i) 30 days after delivery of written notice from Parent to the Company of such breach; and (ii) the Outside Date; provided, further, that the Company continues to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that Parent may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(e) if: (A) it shall have materially breached this Agreement and such breach has not been cured; or (B) if such breach by the Company is cured during such 30-day period);
(f) by either Parent or the Company, if, at the Special Meeting (including any adjournments thereof), the Parent Stockholder Matters are not duly adopted by the stockholders of Parent by the requisite vote under the DGCL and the Parent Organizational Documents;
(g) by either Parent or the Company, if the Parent Stockholder Redemption results in the condition set forth in Section 8.2(h) becoming incapable of being satisfied at the Closing; or
(h) by Parent within twenty-four hours of the Company Stockholder Approval Deadline if the executed Stockholder Voting and Support Agreements shall not have been delivered by the Company Stockholder Approval Deadline.
Section 9.2 Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination.
(a) Any termination of this Agreement under Section 9.1 above will be effective immediately upon the delivery of written notice of the terminating Party to the other Parties.
(b) In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect and the Transactions shall be abandoned, except for and subject to the following: (i) Section 7.5, Section 7.8, this Section 9.2, Article XI and the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement; and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any Party from liability for any willful and intentional breach of this Agreement or intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties in this Agreement.
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Article X
NO SURVIVAL
Section 10.1 No Survival. None of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and all rights, claims and causes of action (whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, or whether at law or in equity) with respect thereto shall terminate at the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither this Section 10.1 nor anything else in this Agreement to the contrary shall limit: (a) the survival of any covenant or agreement of the Parties which by its terms is required to be performed or complied with in whole or in part after the Closing, which covenants and agreements shall survive the Closing in accordance with their respective terms; or (b) any claim against the Company with respect to intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties by the Company in Article IV or any claim against Parent with respect to intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties by Parent in Article V, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, “fraud” does not include any claim for equitable fraud, promissory fraud or any torts (including a claim for fraud or alleged fraud) based on negligence.
Article
XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 11.1 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) on the date established by the sender as having been delivered personally; (b) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; (c) on the date delivered, if delivered by email, with confirmation of transmission; or (d) on the fifth Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows:
if to Parent or Merger Sub, to:
CM Life Sciences III Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Attention: Keith Meister
E-mail: kmeister@corvexcap.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
White & Case LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1095
Attention: Matthew Kautz; Joel Rubinstein
Email: mkautz@whitecase.com; joel.rubinstein@whitecase.com
if to the Company, prior to the Closing, to:
EQRx, Inc.
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Attention: Jami Rubin
Email: jrubin@eqrx.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Attention: William Collins
Email: wcollins@goodwinlaw.com
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or to such other address or to the attention of such Person or Persons as the recipient Party has specified by prior written notice to the sending Party (or in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel may hereafter maintain). If more than one method for sending notice as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth above shall control.
Section 11.2 Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereunder,” and “hereto” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or subsection of this Agreement and reference to a particular section of this Agreement will include all subsections thereof, unless, in each case, the context otherwise requires. The definitions of the terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context shall require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections or subsections, such reference shall be to a Section or subsection of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “made available” mean that the subject documents or other materials were included in and available at the “Project Clover” online datasite hosted by “Datasite” prior to the date of this Agreement. The words “ordinary course” shall be deemed to include “consistent with past practice”. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When reference is made herein to “the business of” an entity, such reference shall be deemed to include the business of all direct and indirect subsidiaries of such entity. Reference to the subsidiaries of an entity shall be deemed to include all direct and indirect subsidiaries of such entity. The word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded and if the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day. References to a particular statute or regulation including all rules and regulations thereunder and any predecessor or successor statute, rule, or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time. All references to currency amounts in this Agreement shall mean United States dollars.
Section 11.3 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement, the Transaction Agreements and each other document executed in connection with the Transactions, and the consummation thereof, may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same document and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery by electronic transmission to counsel for the other Parties of a counterpart executed by a Party shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the previous sentence.
Section 11.4 Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and any other documents and instruments and agreements among the Parties as contemplated by or referred to herein, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto: (a) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; and (b) other than the rights, at and after the Effective Time, of Persons pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.4(b), Section 7.13 and Section 11.14 (which will be for the benefit of the Persons set forth therein), are not intended to confer upon any other Person other than the Parties any rights or remedies.
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Section 11.5 Severability. In the event that any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Legal Requirement: (a) such provision will be fully severable; (b) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof; (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom; and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.
Section 11.6 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, prior to the Closing, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each Party shall be entitled to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction and immediate injunctive relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement, without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy and without bond or other security being required, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties hereby acknowledges and agrees that it may be difficult to prove damages with reasonable certainty, that it may be difficult to procure suitable substitute performance, and that injunctive relief and/or specific performance will not cause an undue hardship to the Parties. Each of the Parties hereby further acknowledges that the existence of any other remedy contemplated by this Agreement does not diminish the availability of specific performance of the obligations hereunder or any other injunctive relief. Each Party hereby further agrees that in the event of any action by any other party for specific performance or injunctive relief, it will not assert that a remedy at law or other remedy would be adequate or that specific performance or injunctive relief in respect of such breach or violation should not be available on the grounds that money damages are adequate or any other grounds.
Section 11.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and the consummation the Transactions, and any action, suit, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the State of Delaware regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof.
Section 11.8 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Any proceeding based upon or arising out of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware). Each of the Parties irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware for such Person and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection which they might otherwise have to such manner of service of process. Each Party and any Person asserting rights as a third-party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any legal dispute, that: (i) such Person is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason; (ii) such Legal Proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court; (iii) such Person’s property is exempt or immune from execution; (iv) such Legal Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum; or (v) the venue of such Legal Proceeding is improper. Each Party and any Person asserting rights as a third-party beneficiary hereby agrees not to commence or prosecute any such action, claim, cause of action or suit other than before one of the above-named courts, nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such action, claim, cause of action or suit to any court other than one of the above-named courts, whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each Party hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Delaware law, and further consents to service of process by nationally recognized overnight courier service guaranteeing overnight delivery, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 11.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 11.8, any Party may commence any action, claim, cause of action or suit in a court other than the above-named courts solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the above-named courts.
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(b) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH OF THE PARTIES AND ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY MAY DO SO ONLY IF HE, SHE OR IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS, AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.
Section 11.9 Rules of Construction. Each of the Parties agrees that it has been represented by independent counsel of its choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and each Party hereto and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or document.
Section 11.10 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whether or not the Transactions are consummated, each Party will pay its own costs and expenses incurred in anticipation of, relating to and in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions.
Section 11.11 Assignment. No Party may assign, directly or indirectly, including by operation of law, either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 11.11, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 11.12 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the Parties at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties; provided that, following the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, there shall be no amendment to this Agreement (or any of the provisions hereof) which under the DGCL or other Applicable Legal Requirements would require further approval by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the Company Organizational Documents without such approval.
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Section 11.13 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing, Parent (on behalf of itself and Merger Sub), on the one hand, and the Company (on behalf of itself and the Company Stockholders), on the other hand, may, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Legal Requirements: (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party; (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to the other Party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto; and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such Party contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party. Delay in exercising any right under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right. In the event any provision of any of the other Transaction Agreement in any way conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement (except where a provision therein expressly provides that it is intended to take precedence over this Agreement), this Agreement shall control.
Section 11.14 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any Legal Proceeding for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the entities that are expressly identified herein as Parties to this Agreement, and no Related Party of a Party shall have any liability for any liabilities or obligations of the Parties for any Legal Proceeding (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Agreement or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith. No Party shall have any right of recovery in respect hereof against any Related Party of a Party and no personal liability shall attach to any Related Party of a Party through such Party, whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, by the enforcement of any judgment, fine or penalty or by virtue of any Legal Requirement or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties will not, and will not cause or permit any other Person to, hold or attempt to hold any Related Party liable for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished by the Company or any Related Party, or their respective agents or other Representatives, concerning a Group Company, this Agreement or the Transactions. The provisions of this Section 11.14 are intended to be for the benefit of, and enforceable by the Related Parties of the Parties and each such Person shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section 11.14. This Section 11.14 shall be binding on all successors and assigns of Parties.
Section 11.15 Legal Representation.
(a) Parent hereby agrees on behalf of its directors, members, partners, officers, employees and Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company), and each of their respective successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Parent Waiving Parties”), that Goodwin Procter LLP (or any successor) may represent the Company Stockholders or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Company) (collectively, the “Stockholder Group”), in each case, in connection with any Legal Proceeding or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Agreement or the Transactions, notwithstanding its representation (or any continued representation) of the Group Companies or other Parent Waiving Parties, and each of Parent and the Company on behalf of itself and the Parent Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest, breach of duty or any other objection arising therefrom or relating thereto. Parent and the Company acknowledge that the foregoing provision applies whether or not Goodwin Procter LLP provides legal services to any Group Companies after the Closing Date. Each of Parent and the Company, for itself and the Parent Waiving Parties, hereby further irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications, written or oral, between any Group Company or any member of the Stockholder Group and its counsel, including Goodwin Procter LLP, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Transaction Agreements or the Transactions, or any matter relating to any of the foregoing, are privileged communications that do not pass to the Company notwithstanding the Merger, and instead survive, remain with and are controlled by the Stockholder Group (the “Stockholder Privileged Communications”), without any waiver thereof. Parent and the Company, together with any of their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors or assigns, agree that no Person may use or rely on any of the Stockholder Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge or the officers and employees of the Company), in any Legal Proceeding against or involving any of the Parties after the Closing, and Parent and the Company agree not to assert that any privilege has been waived as to the Stockholder Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge of the officers and employees of the Company).
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(b) The Company hereby agrees on behalf of its directors, members, partners, officers, employees and Affiliates and the Company Stockholders, and each of their respective successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Company Waiving Parties”), that White & Case LLP (or any successor) may represent the Sponsor, Parent or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Company) (collectively, the “Parent Group”), in each case, in connection with any Legal Proceeding or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Agreement or the Transactions, notwithstanding its representation (or any continued representation) of the Parent Group, and the Company on behalf of itself and Company Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest, breach of duty or any other objection arising therefrom or relating thereto. The Company acknowledges that the foregoing provision applies whether or not White & Case LLP provides legal services to the Sponsor or Parent after the Closing Date. The Company, for itself and the Company Waiving Parties, hereby further irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications, written or oral, between any of the Parent Group and its counsel, including White & Case LLP, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Transaction Agreements or the Transactions, or any matter relating to any of the foregoing, are privileged communications that do not pass to the Company notwithstanding the Merger, and instead survive, remain with and are controlled by the Sponsor and Parent (the “Parent Privileged Communications”), without any waiver thereof. Sponsor and Parent, together with any of their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors or assigns, agree that no Person may use or rely on any of the Stockholder Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge or the officers and employees of the Company), in any Legal Proceeding against or involving any of the Parties after the Closing, and the Company Waiving Parties agree not to assert that any privilege has been waived as to the Parent Privileged Communications.
Section 11.16 Disclosure Letters and Exhibits. The Company Disclosure Letter and Parent Disclosure Letter shall each be arranged in separate parts corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections in this Agreement, and the information disclosed in any numbered or lettered part shall be deemed to relate to and to qualify only the particular provision set forth in the corresponding numbered or lettered Section or subsection of this Agreement, except to the extent that: (a) such information is cross-referenced in another part of the Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter, as applicable; or (b) it is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure (without any independent knowledge on the part of the reader regarding the matter disclosed) that such information qualifies another provision in this Agreement. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or the inclusion of any specific item in the Company Disclosure Letter and Parent Disclosure Letter is not intended to imply that such amounts (or higher or lower amounts) are or are not material, and no Party shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the fact of the inclusion of any such item in the Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter in any dispute or controversy between the Parties as to whether any obligation, item, or matter not described herein or included in Company Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement. The inclusion of any item in the Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter shall not be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment by the Company or Parent, as applicable, that the matter is required to be disclosed by the terms of this Agreement, nor shall such disclosure be deemed (a) an admission of any breach or violation of any Contract or Legal Requirement, (b) an admission of any liability or obligation to any third party, or (c) to establish a standard of materiality. The disclosure of any items or information that is not required by this Agreement to be so included is solely for informational purposes and the convenience of Parent and Merger Sub or the Company, as applicable. In addition, under no circumstances shall the disclosure of any matter in this Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter, where a representation or warranty of the Company or Parent, as applicable, is limited or qualified by the materiality of the matters to which the representation or warranty is given or by Company Material Adverse Effect, imply that any other undisclosed matter having a greater value or other significance is material or would have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor Parent shall be prejudiced in any manner whatsoever, and no presumptions shall be created, by virtue of the disclosure of any matter in the Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter, as applicable, which otherwise is not required to be disclosed by this Agreement.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC. | ||
By: | /s/Brian Emes | |
Name: | Brian Emes | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
CLOVER III MERGER SUB INC. | ||
By: | /s/Brian Emes | |
Name: | Brian Emes | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
EQRX, INC. | ||
By: | /s/Melanie Nallicheri | |
Name: | Melanie Nallicheri | |
Title: | President and Chief Operating Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
Schedule A
Defined Terms
Section 1.1. Defined Terms. Terms defined in this Agreement are organized alphabetically as follows, together with the Section and, where applicable, paragraph, number in which definition of each such term is located:
SCHEDULE A-1
“Company Waiving Parties” | Section 11.15(b) |
“Confidentiality Agreement” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Continental” | Section 5.14(a) |
“Contract” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Copyright” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Current Government Contract” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“D&O Indemnified Party” | Section 7.13(a) |
“D&O Tail” | Section 7.13(b) |
“DGCL” | Recitals |
“Dissenting Shares” | Section 2.12(d) |
“EAR” | Definition of Specified Business Conduct Laws |
“Earn-Out Award Agreement” | Section 3.4 |
“Earn-Out Escrow Agreement” | Section 3.5(b) |
“Earn-Out Period” | Schedule A |
“Earn-Out Pro Rata Share” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Earn-Out Shares” | Section 3.1 |
“Effective Time” | Section 2.1 |
“Environmental Law” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“ERISA” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“ERISA Affiliate” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Equity Financing Agreement” | Section 5.13 |
“Equity Financing Amount” | Section 5.13 |
“Equity Financing Investors” | Section 5.13 |
“Equity Exchange Ratio” | Schedule A |
“ESPP” | Recitals |
“Exchange Act” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Exchange Agent” | Section 2.8(b) |
“Excluded Share” | Section 2.7(d) |
“Financial Statements” “Forfeiture Pool” |
Section 4.8(a) Section 3.4 |
“Fundamental Representations” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“GAAP” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Governmental Entity” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Government Grants” | Section 4.25 |
“Group Companies” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Group Companies’ Privacy Notices” | Section 4.19(a) |
“Hazardous Material” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“HSR Act” | Section 4.5(b) |
“Indebtedness” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Indemnification Agreement” | Section 7.17(b) |
“Insider” | Section 4.22 |
“Insurance Policies” | Section 4.21 |
“Intended Tax Treatment” | Recitals |
“Intellectual Property” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Interim Financial Statements” | Section 4.8(a) |
“Knowledge” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Leased Real Property” | Section 4.14(b) |
“Legal Proceeding” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Legal Requirements” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Lien” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Lock-Up Letter” | Recitals |
“LTIP” | Recitals |
“Material Current Government Contract” | Section 4.7 |
“Merger” | Recitals |
“Merger Sub” | Preamble |
“Merger Sub Common Stock” | Section 5.3(b) |
“Multiemployer Plan” | Section 4.12(e) |
“Nasdaq” | Section 5.12 |
“OFAC” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Order” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Outside Date” | Section 9.1(b) |
“Parent” | Preamble |
“Parent A&R Charter” | Recitals |
“Parent Business Combination” | Section 7.11(b) |
“Parent Cash” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Charter” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Class A Stock” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Parent Class B Stock” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Parent Disclosure Letter” | Article V |
“Parent Financing Certificate” | Section 1.2 |
“Parent Group” | Section 11.15(b) |
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Material Contracts” | Section 5.11 |
“Parent Option” | Section 2.12(a) |
“Parent Organizational Documents” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Privileged Communications” | Section 11.15(b) |
“Parent Q1 2021 Quarterly Report” | Section 5.7(a) |
“Parent Recommendation” | Recitals |
“Parent Released Parties” | Section 7.19(b) |
“Parent Restricted Stock Award” | Section 2.12(b) |
“Parent SEC Reports” | Section 5.7(a) |
“Parent Shares” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Parent Stockholder Approval” | Section 5.4(b) |
“Parent Stockholder Matters” | Section 7.1(a) |
“Parent Stockholder Redemption” | Section 7.1(a) |
“Parent Transaction Costs” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Units” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Parent Waiving Parties” | Section 11.15(a) |
“Parent Warrants” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Parties” | Preamble |
“Patent” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“PCAOB Financial Statements” | Section 7.1(e) |
“Pension Plan” | Section 4.12(e) |
“Permitted Lien” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Person” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Private Placement Warrants” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Proxy Statement/Prospectus” | Section 7.1(a) |
“Public Warrants” | Section 5.3(a) |
“Registration Statement Effective Date” | Section 7.1(a) |
“Related Parties” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Release Notice” | Section 3.5(c) |
“Released Claims” | Section 7.8(a) |
“Remedies Exception” | Section 4.4 |
“Representatives” | Section 7.11(a) |
“SEC” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Securities Act” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Softbank” | Schedule A |
“Solicitation Documents” | Section 7.1(a) |
“Special Meeting” | Section 7.1(f) |
“Specified Business Conduct Laws” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Sponsor” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement” | Section 1.2 |
“Stockholder Group” | Section 11.15(a) |
“Stockholder Privileged Communications” | Section 11.15(a) |
“Stockholder Voting and Support Agreement” | Recitals |
“Subsidiary” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Surrender Documentation” | Section 2.8(d) |
“Surviving Corporation” | Recitals |
“Tax Return” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Tax/Taxes” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Top Supplier” | Section 4.27(b) |
“Total Consideration” | Section 2.6(a) |
“Transaction Agreements” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Transaction Litigation” | Section 7.6(c) |
“Transactions” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Trademarks” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Trade Secrets” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Treasury Regulations” | Schedule A, Section 1.2 |
“Triggering Event I” | Schedule A |
“Triggering Event II” | Schedule A |
“Triggering Events” | Schedule A |
“Triggering Event I Earn-Out Shares” | Section 3.1 |
“Triggering Event II Earn-Out Shares” | Section 3.1 |
“Trust Account” | Section 5.14(a) |
“Trust Agreement” | Section 5.14(a) |
“Trust Termination Letter” | Section 7.6 |
“WARN” | Section 4.13(e) |
“Warrant Accounting Issue” | Schedule A |
Section 1.2. Additional Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Company Share Amount” shall mean the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, (b) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Company Options or other direct or indirect rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, (c) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are underlying Company Restricted Stock Awards issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (d) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be issuable upon the conversion all shares of Company Preferred Stock into shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Organizational Documents, in each case calculated on a treasury stock basis.
“Antitrust Laws” shall mean the HSR Act and any federal, state or foreign law, regulation or decree designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions for the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or the significant impediment of effective competition, including merger control procedures.
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Legal Requirements to close.
“Change of Control” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions the result of which is: (a) the acquisition by any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) of Persons of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of Parent; (b) a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, however effected, resulting in any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) acquiring at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of Parent or the surviving Person outstanding immediately after such combination; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent.
“Closing Merger Consideration” shall mean an amount equal to $3,650,000,000.
“Closing Number of Securities” shall mean the number of shares of Parent Class A Stock equal to the quotient of (a) the Closing Merger Consideration divided by (b) $10.00.
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Share Price” shall mean the share price equal to the closing sale price of one share of Parent Class A Stock as reported on Nasdaq (or the exchange on which the shares of Parent Class A Stock are then listed) for a period of at least twenty (20) days out of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination (as adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Parent Class A Stock), extraordinary cash dividend (which adjustment shall be subject to the reasonable mutual agreement of Parent and the Company), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to Parent Class A Stock).
“Company Incentive Plan” shall mean that certain 2019 Stock Option and Grant Plan of the Company.
“Company IT Systems” shall mean all computer systems, software, firmware, hardware, networks, interfaces, platforms, related systems, databases, websites and equipment owned, outsourced or licensed by any Group Company to process, store, maintain, backup or operate data, information and functions that are used in connection with the business of the Group Companies, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any computer systems, software, firmware, hardware, networks, interfaces, platforms, related systems, databases, websites and equipment owned, outsourced or licensed by customers of any Group Company.
“Company Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, event, or occurrence, that, individually or when aggregated with other changes, events, or occurrences has had a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Group Companies, taken as a whole; provided, however, that no change, event, occurrence or effect arising out of or related to any of the following, alone or in combination, shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (i) acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest or terrorism, or changes in global, national, regional, state or local political or social conditions; (ii) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, pandemics (including COVID-19), epidemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies (as declared by the World Health Organization or the Health and Human Services Secretary of the United States) or other natural or man-made disasters, or any worsening thereof; (iii) changes attributable to the public announcement or pendency of the Transactions (including the impact thereof on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees or Governmental Entities); (iv) changes or proposed changes in Applicable Legal Requirements, regulations or interpretations thereof or decisions by courts or any Governmental Entity after the date of this Agreement (including Pandemic Measures); (v) changes or proposed changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; (vi) any downturn in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial, capital or reinsurance markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets), in each case, in the United States or anywhere else in the world; (vii) events or conditions generally affecting the industries and markets in which the Company operates; (viii) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, guidance, estimates, milestones, budgets or financial or operating predictions of revenue, earnings, cash flow or cash position, provided that this clause (viii) shall not prevent a determination that any change, event, or occurrence underlying such failure has resulted in a Company Material Adverse Effect; or (ix) any actions required to be taken, or required not to be taken, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that if a change or effect related to clauses (iv) through (vii) disproportionately adversely affects the Group Companies, taken as a whole, compared to other Persons operating in the same industry as the Group Companies, then such disproportionate impact may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred.
“Company Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock granted under the Company Incentive Plan or otherwise.
“Company Organizational Documents” shall mean that certain (i) Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, by and among the Company and the investors listed on Schedule A thereto, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended by an Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2020, (ii) Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, by and among the Company and the investors listed on Schedule A and the key holders listed on Schedule B thereto, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended by an Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2020, (iii) Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, by and among the investors listed on Schedule A and the key holders listed on Schedule B thereto, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended as amended by an Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2020, and (iv) Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of Stated on November 18, 2020, as amended on January 28, 2021.
“Company Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Company Common Stock that are subject to vesting and/or a right of repurchase.
“Company Stockholder” shall mean a holder of a share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Company Stockholders Meeting” means the special meeting of the Company Stockholders to be held to consider the adoption of this Agreement.
“Company Transaction Costs” shall mean all fees, costs and expenses of the Group Companies, in each case, incurred prior to and through the Closing Date in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions, including: (a) all change of control bonus payments, retention or similar payments payable solely as a result of the consummation of the Transactions pursuant to arrangements (whether written or oral) entered into prior to the Closing Date whether payable before (to the extent unpaid), on or following the Closing Date (excluding any “double-trigger” payments), and the employer portion of payroll Taxes payable as a result of the foregoing amounts; (b) all severance payments, retirement payments or similar payments or success fees payable pursuant to arrangements (whether written or oral) entered into prior to the Closing Date and which are payable in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable before (to the extent unpaid), on or following the Closing Date (excluding any “double-trigger payments”), and the employer portion of payroll Taxes payable as a result of the foregoing amounts; (c) all transaction, deal, brokerage, financial advisory or any similar fees payable in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; and (d) all costs, fees and expenses related to the D&O Tail; but excluding (i) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of the Proxy Statement (and any registration statement filed with the SEC in connection therewith) and the review and/or approval thereof by the SEC, (ii) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing on Nasdaq of the shares of Parent Class A Stock issued in connection with the Transactions, (iii) any transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, excise, recording, registration value added and other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties or interest) payable in connection with the Transactions, and (iv) any other amounts payable by Parent hereunder.
“Company’s Required Funds” shall mean an amount equal to $1,000,000,000.
“Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2021, by and between the Company and Parent, as amended from time to time.
“Contract” shall mean any contract, subcontract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan or credit agreement, instrument, installment obligation, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, license, sublicense, commitment, power of attorney, guaranty or other legally binding commitment, arrangement, understanding or obligation, whether written or oral, in each case, as amended and supplemented from time to time and including all schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto.
“COVID-19” shall mean the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 or any mutation of the same, including any resulting epidemics, pandemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies.
“Current Government Contract” shall mean any Government Contract the period of performance of which has not yet expired or been terminated.
“Earn-Out Period” shall mean the time period beginning on the date that is the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing and ending on the date that is the thirty-six (36)-month anniversary of the Closing (inclusive of the first and last day of such period).
“Earn-Out Pro Rata Share” shall mean for each Company Stockholder, such amount determined in accordance with the following formula and as applied by Board of Directors of Parent in good faith: (The total number of Earn-Out Shares minus the number of Earn-Out Shares underlying any Earn-Out RSUs then outstanding) multiplied by (such Company Stockholder’s pro rata portion of the Closing Number of Securities then outstanding divided by the total Closing Number of Securities then outstanding).
“Earn-Out RSU” shall mean the award of restricted stock units in respect of the Earn-Out Shares granted to the Earn-Out Service Providers pursuant to the Earn-Out Award Agreement.
“Earn-Out Service Provider” shall mean each employee or individual service provider of the Company, in each case whom the board of directors of the Company designates as an Earn-Out Service Provider prior to the Closing and who enters into an Earn-Out Award Agreement.
“Environmental Law” shall mean any and all applicable Legal Requirements relating to pollution, Hazardous Materials, or the protection of the environment, natural resources, or human health and safety.
“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“Equity Exchange Ratio” shall mean the quotient, of: (a) the Per Share Amount divided by (b) $10.00.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fundamental Representations” shall mean: (a) in the case of the Company, the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1 (Organization and Qualification); Section 4.2 (Company Subsidiaries); Section 4.3 (Capitalization); Section 4.4 (Due Authorization); and Section 4.17 (Brokers; Third Party Expenses); and (b) in the case of Parent, the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.1 (Organization and Qualification); Section 5.2 (Parent Subsidiaries); Section 5.3 (Capitalization); Section 5.4 (Authority Relative to this Agreement); and Section 5.10 (Business Activities; Liabilities).
“GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
“Government Contract” shall mean any prime contract, subcontract, purchase order, task order, delivery order, basic ordering agreement, pricing agreement, letter contract or other similar written arrangement of any kind, including all amendments, modifications and options thereunder or relating thereto between the Company or a Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and: (a) any Governmental Entity; (b) any prime contractor of a Governmental Entity in its capacity as a prime contractor; or (c) any subcontractor at any tier performing work that is directly charged to any contract of a type described in clauses (a) or (b) above, on the other hand. A purchase, task or delivery order, or any other ordering agreement, under a Government Contract shall not constitute a separate Government Contract, for purposes of this definition, but shall be part of the Government Contract to which it relates.
“Governmental Entity” shall mean any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, court or tribunal.
“Group Companies” shall mean the Company and all of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries.
“Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance, material or waste that is listed, classified, defined, characterized or otherwise regulated by a Governmental Entity as a “toxic substance,” “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material” or words of similar meaning or effect, including any radioactive materials.
“HIPAA” shall mean the United State Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1320d through 1329d-8), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (Pub. L. No. 111-5), and all applicable implementing regulations, including its implementing regulations codified at 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164.
“Indebtedness” shall mean any of the following: (a) any indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) any obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (c) any obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable and other current liabilities; (d) any obligations as lessee under capitalized leases; (e) any obligations, contingent or otherwise, under acceptance, letters of credit or similar facilities to the extent drawn; (f) any guaranty of any of the foregoing; (g) any accrued interest, fees and charges in respect of any of the foregoing; and (h) any prepayment premiums and penalties actually due and payable, and any other fees, expenses, indemnities and other amounts actually payable as a result of the prepayment or discharge of any of the foregoing.
“Intellectual Property” shall mean all worldwide rights, title and interest in or relating to intellectual property, whether protected, created or arising under the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction, including: (a) all patents and patent applications, including provisional patent applications and similar filings and any and all substitutions, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions, reissues, renewals, extensions, reexaminations, patents of addition, supplementary protection certificates, utility models, inventors’ certificates, or the like and any foreign equivalents of the foregoing (including certificates of invention and any applications therefor) (collectively, “Patents”); (b) all trademarks, business marks, service marks, brand names, trade dress rights, logos, corporate names, and trade names, and other source or business identifiers and general intangibles of a like nature, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, along with all applications, registrations, intent-to-use registrations or similar reservations of marks, renewals and extensions thereof (collectively, “Trademarks”); (c) all registered and unregistered copyrights and applications for registration of copyright (collectively, “Copyrights”); (d) all internet domain names; (e) trade secrets, know-how, technology, discoveries and improvements, know-how, proprietary rights, formulae, confidential and proprietary information, technical information, techniques, inventions (including conceptions and/or reductions to practice), designs, drawings, procedures, processes, models, formulations, manuals and systems, whether or not patentable or copyrightable (collectively “Trade Secrets”); (f) databases; and (g) all other intellectual property, intellectual property rights, proprietary information and proprietary rights.
“Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge or awareness as to a specified fact or event of: (a) with respect to the Company, the individuals listed on Schedule 1.2-A of the Company Disclosure Letter; and (b) with respect to Parent or Merger Sub, the individuals listed on Schedule 1.2-B of the Parent Disclosure Letter.
“Legal Proceeding” shall mean any action, suit, hearing, claim, charge, audit, lawsuit, litigation, investigation (formal or informal), inquiry, arbitration or proceeding (in each case, whether civil, criminal or administrative or at law or in equity) by or before a Governmental Entity.
“Legal Requirements” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, treaty, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling, injunction, judgment, order, assessment, writ or other legal requirement, administrative policy, or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over a given matter.
“Licensed Intellectual Property” shall mean all Intellectual Property exclusively licensed to any of the Group Companies.
“Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, restriction or charge of any kind (including, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any agreement to give any security interest and any restriction relating to use, quiet enjoyment, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership).
“OFAC” shall mean the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control.
“Order” shall mean any award, injunction, judgment, regulatory or supervisory mandate, order, writ, decree or ruling entered, issued, made, or rendered by any Governmental Entity that possesses competent jurisdiction.
“Owned Intellectual Property” shall mean all Intellectual Property which any of the Group Companies has (or purports to have) an ownership interest.
“Pandemic Measures” shall mean any quarantine, isolation, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Legal Requirement, by any Governmental Entity or industry group in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), or any other pandemic, epidemic, public health emergency or disease outbreak.
“Parent Cash” shall mean, as of the date of determination: (a) all amounts in the Trust Account; plus (b) the Equity Financing Amount.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, event, or occurrence, that, individually or when aggregated with other changes, events, or occurrences has had a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Parent and Merger Sub, taken as a whole; provided, however, that no change or effect related to any of the following, alone or in combination, shall be taken into account in determining whether a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (i) changes or proposed changes in Applicable Legal Requirements, regulations or interpretations thereof or decisions by courts or any Governmental Entity after the date of this Agreement; (ii) changes or proposed changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; or (iii) any downturn in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial, capital or reinsurance markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets), in each case, in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
“Parent Organizational Documents” shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Parent, dated as of April 6, 2021 (the “Parent Charter”) and the Bylaws of Parent or any other similar organization documents of Parent, as each may be amended, modified or supplemented.
“Parent Transaction Costs” shall mean: (a) all fees, costs and expenses of Parent incurred prior to and through the Closing Date in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions, whether paid or unpaid prior to the Closing, including any and all professional or transaction related costs, fees and expenses of legal, accounting and financial advisors, consultants, auditors, accountants and brokers, including any deferred underwriting commissions being held in the Trust Account; and (b) any Indebtedness of Parent or its Subsidiaries owed to its Affiliates or stockholders; provided, however, the legal fees paid to Parent’s counsel (excluding fees paid in connection with any litigation or similar proceedings, if any, in connection with the Transaction), deferred underwriter, private placement and printer fees and costs of parties retained by Parent in connection with merger and acquisition advice, in each case for services rendered through the Closing shall not exceed $35,000,000, without the Company’s prior written consent.
“Parent Units” shall mean equity securities of Parent each consisting of one share of Parent Class A Stock and one-third of one Public Warrant.
“Permitted Lien” shall mean: (a) Liens for current period Taxes not yet delinquent or for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in each case that are sufficiently reserved for on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP; (b) statutory and contractual Liens of landlords with respect to Leased Real Property; (c) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and repairmen incurred in the ordinary course and: (i) not yet delinquent; or (ii) that are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings; (d) in the case of Leased Real Property, zoning, building, or other restrictions, variances, covenants, rights of way, encumbrances, easements and other irregularities in title, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the present use of or occupancy of the affected parcel by any of the Group Companies; (e) Liens securing the Indebtedness of any of the Group Companies; (f) in the case of Intellectual Property, non-exclusive licenses granted to third parties in the ordinary course; (g) Liens incurred in connection with capital lease obligations of any of the Group Companies; and (h) all exceptions, restrictions, easements, imperfections of title (including gaps in the chain of title evident from the records of the relevant Governmental Entity maintaining such records), charges, rights-of-way and other Liens of record that do not materially interfere with the present use of the assets of the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
“Per Share Amount” shall mean the quotient, rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a cent, obtained by dividing (a) the Closing Merger Consideration by (b) the Aggregate Company Share Amount.
“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization, entity or Governmental Entity.
“Permitted Transaction” shall mean any of the following transactions with third parties: (i) strategic drug creation, development, and commercialization collaborations using a third party’s artificial intelligence (AI) or machine-learning platforms for drug discovery, (ii) non-US and European distribution or commercialization arrangements, (iii) supply and manufacturing agreements, and (iv) research and license collaborations for combination drug or therapy studies and research.
“Personal Information” shall mean, in addition to any definition for any similar term (e.g., “personally identifiable information” or “PII”) provided by Applicable Legal Requirement, all information that identifies, could be used to identify or is otherwise associated with an individual person or device, whether or not such information is associated with an identifiable individual. Personal Information may relate to any individual, including a current, prospective, or former customer, end user or employee of any Person. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes “personal data” as defined in the GDPR and the UK GDPR.
“Privacy Laws” shall mean any and all Applicable Legal Requirements (including of any applicable foreign jurisdiction) relating to the receipt, collection, compilation, use, storage, transmission, transfer (including cross-border transfers), processing, privacy, sharing, safeguarding, security (both technical and physical), disposal, destruction, disclosure or transfer (including cross-border) of Personal Information, including, but not limited to, HIPAA; the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA); Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”); Regulation (EU) 2016/679, as it forms part of the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by virtue of the Data Protection Act 2018 (the “DPA 2018”) as amended by the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the “UK GDPR”); and any and all Applicable Legal Requirements relating to breach notification in connection with Personal Information.
“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to a Person, such Person’s former, current and future direct or indirect equityholders, controlling Persons, stockholders, optionholders, members, general or limited partners, Affiliates, Representatives, and each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns.
“SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Softbank” shall mean SB Northstar LP or its affiliates.
“Specified Business Conduct Laws” shall mean: (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act, and other Applicable Legal Requirements relating to bribery or corruption; (b) all Legal Requirements imposing trade sanctions on any Person, including, all Legal Requirements administered by OFAC, all sanctions laws or embargos imposed or administered by the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury or the European Union and all anti-boycott or anti-embargo laws; (c) all Legal Requirements relating to the import, export, re-export, transfer of information, data, goods, and technology, including the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of State; and (d) the Money Laundering Control Act, the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, and other Applicable Legal Requirements relating to money laundering.
“Sponsor” shall mean CMLS Holdings III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Sponsor Support Agreement” shall mean that certain Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Sponsor, Parent and the Company, as amended or modified from time to time.
“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity of which: (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; (b) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (c) in any case, such Person controls the management thereof.
“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean: (a) any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including, without limitation, gross receipts, income, profits, license, sales, use, estimated, occupation, value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture, net worth, employment, escheat and unclaimed property obligations, excise and property taxes, assessments, stamp, environmental, registration, governmental charges, duties, levies and other similar charges, in each case, imposed by a Governmental Entity, (whether disputed or not) together with all interest, penalties and additions imposed by a Governmental Entity with respect to any such amounts; and (b) any liability in respect of any items described in clause (a) payable by reason of Contract transferee liability, operation of law or Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof of any analogous or similar provision under law) or otherwise.
“Tax Return” shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes that is filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Entity, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.
“Total Outstanding Company Shares” shall mean the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (b) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be issuable upon the conversion all shares of Company Preferred Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time into shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Organizational Documents.
“Total Stockholder Outstanding Shares” shall mean, with respect to a Company Stockholder, the sum of (a) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock held by such Company Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (b) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be issuable upon the conversion all shares of Company Preferred Stock held by such Company Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time into shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Organizational Documents.
“Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Parent Class A Stock are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which shares of Parent Class A Stock are then traded.
“Transaction Agreements” shall mean this Agreement, the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, the Equity Financing Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement, the Earn-Out Escrow Agreement, the Parent A&R Charter, and all the agreements documents, instruments and certificates entered into in connection herewith or therewith and any and all exhibits and schedules thereto.
“Transactions” shall mean the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement, including the Merger.
“Treasury Regulations” shall mean the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.
“Triggering Event I” shall occur if, within the Earn-Out Period, the Common Share Price of Parent Class A Stock is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share.
“Triggering Event II” shall occur if, within the Earn-Out Period, the Common Share Price of Parent Class A Stock is greater than or equal to $16.50 per share.
“Triggering Events” shall mean Triggering Event I and Triggering Event II.
“Warrant Accounting Issue” shall mean the fact that, pursuant to Applicable Legal Requirements or requirements of the SEC in effect or announced as of the date of this Agreement, Parent may have improperly accounted for its outstanding warrants as equity instruments and may be required to restate its previously filed financial statements to reflect the classification of its outstanding warrants as liabilities for accounting purposes (together with any deficiencies in disclosure (including, without limitation, with respect to internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures)) arising from the treatment of such warrants of Parent as equity rather than liabilities.
Exhibit A
Form of Stockholder Voting and Support Agreement
Exhibit B
Form of LTIP
Exhibit C
Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Exhibit D
Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Parent
Exhibit E
Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit 10.1
AMENDMENT TO SPONSOR LETTER
This Amendment (this “Amendment and Agreement”), dated as of August 5, 2021, to (a) that certain letter agreement (the “Original Sponsor Letter”), dated April 6, 2021, by and among CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), CMLS Holdings III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and each of the undersigned parties listed on the signature page thereto (each, an “Original Insider” and collectively, the “Original Insiders”), and (b) that certain letter agreement (the “Additional Sponsor Letter” and, together with the Original Sponsor Letter, the “Sponsor Letters”), dated as of August 1, 2021, by and between the Company and the undersigned party listed on the signature page thereto (collectively with the Original Insiders, the “Insiders” and together with the Sponsor and the company, the “Parties”), is made and entered into by and among the Company, the Sponsor and the Insiders. Certain terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Original Sponsor Letter.
WHEREAS, on August 5, 2021, the Company, EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Target”), and Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”).
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Company, the Target and the Insiders to enter into the Merger Agreement, the Parties wish to amend the Original Sponsor Letter on the terms set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, which shall constitute a part of this Amendment, and the mutual promises contained in this Amendment and Agreement, and intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
1. | Amendment to the Original Sponsor Letter. Effective as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Sponsor Letters are amended as follows: |
(a) | Section 7(a) of the Original Sponsor Letter and Section 5(a) of the Additional Sponsor Letter are hereby replaced in its entirety with the following: |
a. | The Sponsor agrees that: |
i. | with respect to 50% of its Founder Shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof), it, he or she shall not Transfer (as defined below) any such Founder Shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s Initial Business Combination (the “Closing Date”) and (B) after the Business Combination, (x) the first date that the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period”); and |
ii. | with respect to any of its Founder Shares not subject to the Initial Sponsor Shares Lockup-up Period, it shall not Transfer any such Founder Shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) until the expiration of the period ending on the second anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period” and, together with the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the “Sponsor Shares Lock-up Periods”). |
Each Insider agrees that it, he, or she shall not Transfer any Founder Shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof), until the earlier of (A) one year after the Closing Date and (B) after the Business Combination, (x) the first date that the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Founder Shares Lock-up Period”).
(b) | The reference to the term “Founder Shares Lock-up Period” in Section 7(b) of the Original Sponsor Letter and Section 5(a) of the Additional Sponsor Letter is replaced with “Founder Shares Lock-up Period and the Sponsor Shares Lock-up Periods”. |
2. | Effect of Amendment. The provisions of the Sponsor Letters, as amended by this Amendment and Agreement, remain in full force and effect. From and after the date hereof, references to “this Letter Agreement” in the Sponsor Letters shall be deemed references to the Sponsor Letters, as amended by this Amendment and Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and for the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article IX thereof for any reason, this Amendment and Agreement shall automatically terminate and cease to be of further force and effect. |
3. | Entire Agreement. This Amendment and Agreement and the Original Sponsor Letter, as amended pursuant to this Amendment and Agreement, and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. |
4. | Miscellaneous. Sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Original Sponsor Letter and Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Additional Sponsor Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference and shall apply mutatis mutandis as if set forth at length herein. Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Amendment and Agreement. |
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Amendment to the sponsor letter to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
CMLS HOLDINGS III LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Keith Meister | |
Name: Keith Meister | ||
Title: Manager | ||
/s/ Eli Casdin | ||
Name: Eli Casdin | ||
/s/ Keith Meister | ||
Name: Keith Meister | ||
/s/ Brian Emes | ||
Name: Brian Emes | ||
/s/ Shaun Rodriguez | ||
Name: Shaun Rodriguez | ||
/s/ Christian Henry | ||
Name: Christian Henry | ||
/s/ Kwame Owusu-Kesse | ||
Name: Kwame Owusu-Kesse | ||
/s/ Chad Robins | ||
Name: Chad Robins | ||
/s/ Harlan Robins | ||
Name: Harlan Robins | ||
/s/ Amy Abernethy | ||
Name: Amy Abernethy | ||
[Signature Page to Amendment to Sponsor Letters]
Acknowledged and Agreed:
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Brian Emes | |
Name: Brian Emes | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
[Signature Page to Amendment to Sponsor Letters]
Exhibit 10.2
FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Subscription Agreement”) is entered into on August 5, 2021, by and between CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and the subscriber party set forth on the signature page hereto (“Subscriber”).
WHEREAS, the Issuer is concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof entering into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 5, 2021 (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “Business Combination Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Business Combination Agreement), by and among the Issuer, Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer, and EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, “Target”), in substantially the same form provided to Subscriber prior to the date hereof, pursuant to which, among other transactions, Merger Sub is to merge with and into Target, with Target continuing on as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Issuer, on the terms and conditions set forth therein (the “Transactions”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions and contingent on the closing of the Transactions pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber desires to subscribe for and purchase from the Issuer that number of shares of the Issuer’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Shares”), as set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Acquired Shares”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share (the “Per Share Price”) and an aggregate purchase price set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Purchase Price”), and the Issuer desires to issue and sell to Subscriber the Acquired Shares in consideration of the payment of the Purchase Price by or on behalf of Subscriber to the Issuer on or prior to the Closing (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Issuer and Subscriber are executing and delivering this Subscription Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions, certain other “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or institutional “accredited investors” (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) that are “Institutional Accounts” as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c) (each an “Other Subscriber”) have (severally and not jointly) entered into separate subscription agreements with the Issuer (the “Other Subscription Agreements”), substantially similar to this Agreement, pursuant to which such investors have agreed to purchase Class A Shares on the Closing Date (as defined below) at the Per Share Price (the “Other Acquired Shares”);
WHEREAS, the aggregate amount of Class A Shares to be sold by Issuer pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements as of the date hereof equals 100,000,000 Class A Shares; and
WHEREAS, the aggregate amount of proceeds to the Issuer in connection with the purchase and sale of the Acquired Shares and the Other Acquired Shares as of the date hereof equals $1,000,000,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants, and subject to the conditions, herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. | Subscription. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Subscriber hereby agrees to subscribe for and purchase, and the Issuer hereby agrees to issue and sell to Subscriber, upon the payment of the Purchase Price, the Acquired Shares (such subscription and issuance, the “Subscription”). |
2. | Closing. |
(a) | The closing of the Subscription contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) is contingent upon the substantially concurrent consummation of the Transactions and shall occur immediately prior thereto. Not less than five business days prior to the scheduled closing date of the Transactions (the “Closing Date”), the Issuer shall provide written notice to Subscriber (the “Closing Notice”) (i) of such Closing Date, (ii) that the Issuer reasonably expects all conditions to the closing of the Transactions to be satisfied or waived on or prior to the Closing Date and (iii) containing wire instructions for the payment of the Purchase Price. Subscriber shall deliver to the Issuer no later than two business days before the Closing Date (as specified in the Closing Notice) or such other date as otherwise agreed to by the Issuer and Subscriber (such date, the “Purchase Price Payment Date”) the Purchase Price for the Acquired Shares by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds (i) to the account specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice, to be held in a third-party escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) designated by the Issuer prior to the Closing Date for the benefit of Subscriber until the Closing Date, or (ii) in the case of a Subscriber that is an “investment company” registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to an account specified by the Issuer and subject to such procedures otherwise mutually agreed by Subscriber and the Issuer (“Alternative Settlement Procedures”). For the avoidance of doubt, mutually agreeable Alternative Settlement Procedures shall include, without limitation, Subscriber delivering to the Issuer on the Closing Date the Purchase Price for the Acquired Shares by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice against delivery to the undersigned of the Acquired Shares in book entry form as set forth in the following sentence. On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall deliver to Subscriber (1) the Acquired Shares in book entry form (or, if requested by Subscriber in writing in advance of the Closing, in certificated form, duly executed on behalf of the Issuer and countersigned by the Issuer’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”)), free and clear of any liens or other restrictions whatsoever (other than those arising under state or federal securities laws), in the name of Subscriber (or its nominee in accordance with its delivery instructions) or to a custodian designated by Subscriber, as applicable, and (2) a copy of the records of the Transfer Agent showing Subscriber as the owner of the Acquired Shares on and as of the Closing Date (the “Subscriber’s Deliveries”). Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Alternative Settlement Procedures, upon the transfer of Subscriber’s Deliveries by the Issuer to Subscriber (or its nominee in accordance with its delivery instructions), the Issuer shall, or shall cause the escrow agent for the Escrow Account to, on the Closing Date, release the Purchase Price from the Escrow Account to the Issuer. In the event the closing of the Transactions does not occur within two business days of the Closing Date specified in the Closing Notice, unless otherwise agreed by the Issuer and Subscriber, the Issuer shall, or shall cause the escrow agent for the Escrow Account to, promptly (but not later than two business days thereafter) return the Purchase Price to Subscriber by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by Subscriber, and any book entries or share certificates shall be deemed cancelled. Notwithstanding such return or cancellation, unless and until this Subscription Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 6 hereof, Subscriber shall remain obligated to redeliver funds to the Issuer following the Issuer’s delivery to Subscriber of a new Closing Notice and, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 2(b), to consummate the Closing immediately prior to or substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks in New York, New York, are open for the general transaction of business. |
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(b) | The Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction, or written waiver by each of the parties hereto, of the conditions that, on the Closing Date: |
(i) | solely with respect to Subscriber, the representations and warranties made by the Issuer (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(b), Section 3(c) and Section 3(h)) in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (other than those representations and warranties expressly made as of an earlier date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date, and other than those representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as defined below), which shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date), and the representations and warranties made by the Issuer set forth in Section 3(b), Section 3(c) and Section 3(h) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date (other than those representations and warranties expressly made as of an earlier date, which shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date), in each case without giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, except as expressly set forth herein; |
(ii) | solely with respect to the Issuer, the representations and warranties made by Subscriber in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (other than those representations and warranties expressly made as of an earlier date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date, and other than those representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date), in each case without giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions; |
(iii) | solely with respect to the Issuer, Subscriber shall have delivered the Purchase Price in compliance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement; |
(iv) | no governmental authority having applicable jurisdiction or court of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any judgment, order, law, rule or regulation (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect, or threatened in writing to do so, that has the effect of restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement; |
(v) | no suspension of the qualification of the Class A Shares for offering or sale or trading in any applicable jurisdiction, no suspension or removal from listing of the Class A Shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and no initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or delisting, shall have occurred; |
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(vi) | the Issuer’s stockholders shall have approved the issuance of the Acquired Shares and Other Acquired Shares as and if required by Nasdaq rules; |
(vii) | solely with respect to Subscriber, the Issuer shall have made such filings with Nasdaq as are necessary for the listing of the Acquired Shares and Other Acquired Shares and such Acquired Shares and Other Acquired Shares shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq, subject to notice of issuance thereof; |
(viii) | all conditions precedent to the closing of the Transactions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement shall have been satisfied or, subject to the other terms of this Subscription Agreement, waived (as determined by the Business Combination Agreement and related documentation) (other than those conditions that may only be satisfied at the closing of the Transactions, but subject to satisfaction or waiver by such party of such conditions as of the closing of the Transactions), and the closing of the Transactions shall occur substantially concurrently with or immediately following the Closing; |
(ix) | solely with respect to Subscriber, there shall have been no amendment, waiver or modification to the Other Subscription Agreements (including via a side letter or other agreement) that materially benefits (economically or otherwise) any such Other Subscriber thereunder (other than terms particular to the legal or regulatory requirements of such Other Subscriber or its affiliates or related persons) unless Subscriber has been offered substantially the same benefits; |
(x) | solely with respect to Subscriber, the Issuer shall have performed, satisfied and complied with the covenants and agreements required by this Subscription Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Issuer at or prior to the Closing, except where the failure of such performance or compliance would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay, or materially impair the ability of the Issuer or Subscriber to consummate the Closing; and |
(xi) | solely with respect to the Subscriber, except to the extent consented to in writing by Subscriber, the Business Combination Agreement (as filed with the Commission (as defined below) on or shortly after the date hereof) shall not have been amended, modified, supplemented or waived in a manner that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect Subscriber, including with respect to the economic benefits that Subscriber would reasonably expect to receive under this Subscription Agreement. |
(c) | Prior to or at the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber and the Issuer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to reasonably assist and cooperate with the other party hereto in providing such other information as is reasonably requested by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Acquired Shares to Subscriber. |
3. | Issuer Representations and Warranties. The Issuer represents and warrants that: |
(a) | The Issuer has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement. |
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(b) | As of the Closing Date, the Acquired Shares will be duly authorized by the Issuer and, when issued and delivered to Subscriber against full payment for the Acquired Shares in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement, the Acquired Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens or other restrictions (except as otherwise stated herein) and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights created under the Issuer’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws (each, as amended concurrently with the Closing), under the laws of the State of Delaware, under any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound, or otherwise. |
(c) | This Subscription Agreement, the Business Combination Agreement, the Other Subscription Agreements and any other agreements related to or executed in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and, assuming that the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other parties thereto, are valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, and are enforceable against it in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or in equity. |
(d) | The execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including the issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares and the consummation of the Transactions and other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Issuer is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of the Issuer; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency, taxing authority or regulatory body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties, that, in the case of clause (i) or (iii), would, individually or in the aggregate,reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, a “Material Adverse Effect” means an event, change, development, occurrence, condition or effect with respect to the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken together as a whole (on a consolidated basis), treating the Transactions as having been consummated, that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations, financial condition, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Issuer or Target or their respective subsidiaries individually or taken as a whole and including the combined company after giving effect to the Transactions, or materially affect, impede, or prevent the Issuer’s ability to consummate the (i) transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares or (ii) the Transactions. |
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(e) | There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which the Issuer is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of (i) the Acquired Shares, (ii) the Other Acquired Shares or (iii) the shares to be issued pursuant to the Transactions, in each case, that have not been or will not be validly waived on or prior to the Closing Date, including such terms of the Issuer’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Shares”), pursuant to the terms of the Issuer’s certificate of incorporation. |
(f) | The Issuer is not in default or violation (and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or violation) of any term, condition or provision of (i) the organizational documents of the Issuer, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, guarantee, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, permit, franchise or license to which, as of the date of this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer’s properties or assets are bound or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency, taxing authority or regulatory body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for defaults or violations that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. |
(g) | The Issuer is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or other person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Issuer of this Subscription Agreement or the Transactions (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Acquired Shares), other than (i) the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of the Registration Statement (as defined below), (ii) filings required by applicable state securities laws, (iii) the filing of notification under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable; (iv) those required by Nasdaq, including with respect to obtaining approval of the Issuer’s stockholders; (v) those that will be obtained on or prior to the Closing (including those required to consummate the Transaction as provided under the Business Combination Agreement); and (vi) any filing, the failure of which to obtain would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. |
(h) | As of the date of this Subscription Agreement and as of immediately prior to the amendment and restatement of the Issuer’s certificate of incorporation contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement on the Closing Date, the authorized capital stock of the Issuer consists of (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”) and (ii) 400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), including (1) 380,000,000 Class A Shares and (2) 20,000,000 Class B Shares. As of the date of this Subscription Agreement, (i) no shares of Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, (ii) 55,200,000 Class A Shares are issued and outstanding, (iii) 13,800,000 Class B Shares are issued and outstanding and (iv) 11,040,000 redeemable warrants (the “Public Warrants”) and 8,693,333 private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”, and together with the Public Warrants, the “Warrants”) are outstanding, none of which are exercisable on or prior to the Closing. All (i) issued and outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights and (ii) outstanding Warrants have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Except as set forth above and pursuant to the Other Subscription Agreements and the Business Combination Agreement, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for, purchase or acquire from the Issuer any shares of Common Stock or other equity interests in the Issuer, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such equity interests. As of the date hereof, other than Merger Sub, the Issuer has no subsidiaries and does not own, directly or indirectly, interests or investments (whether equity or debt) in any person, whether incorporated or unincorporated. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound relating to the voting of any securities of the Issuer, other than (i) as set forth in the SEC Reports (as defined below) and (ii) as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, as of the date hereof, the Issuer had no outstanding indebtedness and will not have any outstanding long-term indebtedness as of the Closing Date. |
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(i) | The Issuer is in compliance with all applicable laws and has not received any written communication from a governmental entity that alleges that the Issuer is not in compliance with or is in default or violation of any applicable law, except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
(j) | The issued and outstanding Class A Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “CMLT” (it being understood that the trading symbol will be changed in connection with the Transaction). There is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against the Issuer by Nasdaq or the Commission with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Class A Shares or prohibit or terminate the listing of the Class A Shares on Nasdaq, excluding, for the purposes of clarity, the customary ongoing review by Nasdaq of the Issuer’s continued listing application in connection with the Transactions. The Issuer has taken no action that is designed to terminate or is reasonably expected to result in the termination of the registration of the Class A Shares under the Exchange Act or the listing of the Class A Shares on Nasdaq and is in compliance in all material respects with the listing requirements of Nasdaq. |
(k) | Assuming the accuracy of Subscriber’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of this Subscription Agreement and each of the Other Subscribers under their respective Other Subscription Agreement, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares or the Other Acquired Shares by the Issuer to Subscriber and to the Other Subscribers, as applicable, in the manner contemplated by this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements. The Acquired Shares and the Other Acquired Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws. |
(l) | As of their respective filing dates, or if amended prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement, as of the date of such amendment, all reports, statements and forms (including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) filed by the Issuer with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 14(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or filed pursuant to the Securities Act (the “SEC Reports”) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. None of the SEC Reports when filed, or if amended, as of the date of such amendment (except to the extent that information contained in any SEC Report has been superseded by a later SEC Report), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the case of any SEC Report that is a registration statement, or included, when filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in the case of all other SEC Reports; provided, that with respect to the proxy statement/prospectus to be filed by the Issuer with respect to the Transactions or any other information relating to the Transactions or to Target or any of its affiliates included in any SEC Report or filed as an exhibit thereto, the representation and warranty in this sentence is made to the Issuer’s knowledge. There are no material outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters from the Commission staff with respect to any of the SEC Reports. In addition, the Issuer has made available to Subscriber (including via the Commission’s EDGAR system) a copy of the SEC Reports filed with the Commission prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement. Each of the financial statements (including, in each case, any notes thereto) of the Issuer contained in the SEC Reports was prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Commission), each complied in all material respects with the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing and each fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Issuer as at the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods indicated therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties in this Section 3(l) shall not apply to any information or statement in the SEC Reports that relates to the accounting treatment of Issuer’s issued and outstanding Warrants, or as to any deficiencies in disclosure (including, without limitation, with respect to internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures) arising from the treatment of such Warrants as equity rather than liabilities in the Issuer’s financial statements, in light of the Commission’s “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies” issued on April 12, 2021. |
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(m) | Except for such matters as have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, there is no (i) investigation, action, suit, claim or other proceeding, in each case by or before any governmental authority pending, or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against the Issuer or Target or (ii) judgment, decree, injunction, ruling or order of any governmental entity outstanding against the Issuer or Target. |
(n) | Except for placement fees payable to the Placement Agents (as defined below), the Issuer has not paid, and is not obligated to pay, any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with its issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any fee or commission payable to any stockholder or affiliate of the Issuer and such relationships shall not have any liability on Subscriber. The Issuer is solely responsible for the payment of any fees, costs, expenses and commissions of the Placement Agents. |
(o) | Except as provided in this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements, none of the Issuer, its subsidiaries or any of its or their affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Acquired Shares under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings pursuant to Rule 502(a) of the Securities Act or otherwise. |
(p) | Neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any steps to seek protection pursuant to any law or statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation, administration or winding up or failed to pay its debts when due, nor does the Issuer or any subsidiary have any knowledge or reason to believe that any of their respective creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or seek to commence an administration. |
(q) | The Issuer has not entered into any side letter or similar agreement or understanding (written or oral) with any Other Subscriber or any other investor relating to such Other Subscriber’s or other investor’s direct or indirect investment in the Issuer, other than the Business Combination Agreement, the Other Subscription Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) to the extent that an Other Subscriber is party thereto, or any side letter or similar agreement unrelated to such Other Acquired Shares or whose terms and conditions are not materially more advantageous to such Other Subscriber than the terms and conditions hereunder are to Subscriber (other than terms particular to the legal or regulatory requirements of such Other Subscriber or its affiliates or related persons). The Other Subscription Agreements reflect the same Per Share Price and other material terms and conditions with respect to the purchase of the Other Acquired Shares that are no more favorable to such Other Subscriber thereunder than the terms and conditions of this Subscription Agreement (other than terms particular to the legal or regulatory requirements of such Other Subscriber or its affiliates or related persons). The Other Subscription Agreements have not been amended in any material respect following the date of this Subscription Agreement. |
(r) | The Issuer is not, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Acquired Shares and the Other Acquired Shares, and consummation of the Transactions, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
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(s) | There has been no action taken by the Issuer, or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, any officer, director, equityholder, manager, employee, agent or representative of the Issuer, in each case, acting on behalf of the Issuer, in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws (as herein defined). The Issuer has not (i) been convicted of violating any Anti-Corruption Laws or subjected to any investigation by a governmental authority for violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any governmental authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Laws or (iii) received any written notice or citation from a governmental authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws. As used herein, “Anti-Corruption Laws” means any applicable laws relating to corruption and bribery, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (as amended), the UK Bribery Act 2010, and any similar law that prohibits bribery or corruption. |
(t) | The Class A Shares are eligible for clearing through The Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”), through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) system, and the Issuer is eligible and participating in the Direct Registration System (DRS) of DTC with respect to the Class A Shares. The Transfer Agent is a participant in DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program. |
(u) | The Issuer acknowledges that there have been no, and in issuing the Acquired Shares the Issuer is not relying on any, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made to the Issuer by Subscriber, any of its officers, directors or representatives or any other person or entity, expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements expressly stated in this Subscription Agreement. |
(v) | Upon the Closing, the Acquired Shares will not be subject to any Transfer Restriction. The term “Transfer Restriction” means any condition to or restriction on the ability of Subscriber to pledge, sell, assign or otherwise transfer the Acquired Shares under any organizational document or agreement of the Issuer, which for the avoidance of doubt excludes the restrictions on transfer described in Section 4(f) hereof with respect to the status of the Acquired Shares as “restricted securities” pending their resale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. |
(w) | Neither the Issuer nor Target engages in (i) the design, fabrication, development, testing, production or manufacture of one or more “critical technologies” within the meaning of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, including all implementing regulations thereof (the “DPA”) or (ii) the ownership, operation, maintenance, supply, manufacture, or servicing of “covered investment critical infrastructure” within the meaning of the DPA (where such activities are covered by column 2 of Appendix A to 31 C.F.R. Part 800). Neither the Issuer nor Target has any current intention of engaging in such activities in the future. |
(x) | Neither the Issuer, nor any person acting on its behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any Issuer security or solicited any offers to buy any security under circumstances that would adversely affect reliance by the Issuer on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act for the exemption from registration for the transactions contemplated hereby or would require registration of the issuance of the Acquired Shares under the Securities Act. |
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(y) | Issuer represents and warrants that neither the Issuer nor any of its directors is (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, the Executive Order 13599 List, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders List, or the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List, each of which is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) (collectively, “OFAC Lists”), (ii) owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person, that is named on an OFAC List; (iii) organized, incorporated, established, located, resident or born in, a country or territory that is the target of country-wide or territory-wide economic or trade sanctions (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea region of Ukraine), (iv) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. Issuer agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that Issuer is permitted to do so under applicable law. The Issuer also represents that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with OFAC-administered sanctions programs. |
4. | Subscriber Representations and Warranties. Subscriber represents and warrants that: |
(a) | Subscriber is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, with power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement. |
(b) | This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Subscriber and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer, this Subscription Agreement is the valid and binding obligation of Subscriber, enforceable against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or in equity. |
(c) | The execution, delivery and performance by Subscriber of this Subscription Agreement, including the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action. Subscriber acknowledges that Subscriber shall be responsible for any of Subscriber’s tax liabilities that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement, and that none of the Issuer, the Target or the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates, have provided any tax advice or any other representation or guarantee, whether written or oral, regarding the tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement. |
(d) | The execution, delivery and performance by Subscriber of this Subscription Agreement, including the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is subject; (ii) Subscriber’s organizational documents; and (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, that, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the legal authority or ability of Subscriber to perform in any material respects its obligations hereunder. |
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(e) | Subscriber (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) that is an “Institutional Account” as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c), satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Schedule A, (ii) is acquiring the Acquired Shares only for its own account for investment purposes only and not for the account of others, or if Subscriber is a “qualified institutional buyer” and is subscribing for the Acquired Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each owner of such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” and Subscriber has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring the Acquired Shares with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any other securities laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction (and shall provide the requested information on Schedule A following the signature page hereto). Subscriber is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Acquired Shares, unless such newly formed entity is an entity in which all of the equity owners are “accredited investors” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act). |
(f) | Subscriber understands that the Acquired Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Acquired Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other securities laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction. Subscriber understands that the Acquired Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by Subscriber absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except (i) to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof, (ii) pursuant to offers and sales that occur in an “offshore transaction” within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), provided that all of the applicable conditions thereof (including those set out in Rule 144(i) which are applicable to the Issuer) have been met, or (iv) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including pursuant to a private sale effected under Section 4(a)(7) of the Securities Act or applicable formal or informal Commission interpretation or guidance, such as a so-called “4(a)(1) and a half” sale, and that any certificates or book-entry records representing the Acquired Shares shall contain a legend to such effect, which legend shall be subject to removal as set forth herein or in the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated the date hereof, by and among the Issuer and other parties thereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) (but only to the extent that Subscriber is party to the Registration Rights Agreement, in which case, notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, Section 5 and 8(c) hereof shall not apply and not be effective with respect to such Subscriber). Subscriber understands and agrees that the Acquired Shares will be subject to the foregoing restrictions and, as a result, Subscriber may not be able to resell readily the Acquired Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Acquired Shares for an indefinite period of time. Subscriber understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge, or transfer of any of the Acquired Shares. By making the representations herein, Subscriber does not agree to hold any of the Acquired Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Acquired Shares at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. |
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(g) | Subscriber understands and agrees that Subscriber is purchasing the Acquired Shares directly from the Issuer. Subscriber further acknowledges that there have been no, and in purchasing the Acquired Shares, Subscriber is not relying on any, representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made to Subscriber by Jefferies LLC, Cowen and Company, LLC, or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (together, the “Placement Agents”), the Issuer, the Target, or any of their respective affiliates or any of their respective control persons, officers, directors, partners, agents or representatives, or any other person or entity, expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements expressly stated by the Issuer in this Subscription Agreement. |
(h) | To the extent applicable to it, Subscriber represents and warrants that its acquisition and holding of the Acquired Shares will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any applicable similar law. |
(i) | In making its decision to purchase the Acquired Shares, Subscriber represents that it has conducted and completed its own independent due diligence and has independently made its own analysis and decision with respect to the Subscription. Subscriber further represents that, except for (i) the SEC Reports and (ii) the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by Issuer herein, it is relying exclusively on its own sources of information, investment analysis and due diligence (including professional advice Subscriber deems appropriate) with respect to the Subscription, the Acquired Shares and the business, condition (financial and otherwise), management, operations, properties and prospects of the Issuer, including but not limited to all business, legal, regulatory, accounting, credit and tax matters. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that it has received and had an opportunity to review the offering materials made available to it in connection with the Subscription and such other information as Subscriber deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Shares, including with respect to the Issuer, Target and the Transactions, in each case, made available prior to the date hereof. Subscriber represents and agrees that Subscriber and Subscriber’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such information from the Issuer directly as Subscriber and such Subscriber’s professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Shares. However, neither any such inquiries, nor any due diligence investigation conducted by Subscriber or any of Subscriber’s professional advisors nor anything else contained herein, shall modify, limit or otherwise affect Subscriber’s right to rely on the Issuer’s representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon any materials, presentations, statement, representation or warranty made or provided by any person, firm or corporation (including, without limitation, the Issuer, Target, the Placement Agents, any of their respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), other than (i) the SEC Reports and (ii) the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer contained in this Subscription Agreement, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Issuer. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agents, nor any of their respective affiliates or any of their respective control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives has provided Subscriber with any information or advice with respect to the Acquired Shares nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Neither the Placement Agents nor any of their respective affiliates nor any of their respective control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives has made or makes any representation as to the Issuer, Target or the quality or value of the Acquired Shares. Further, the Placement Agents and any of their respective affiliates or any of their respective control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Issuer or Target, which Subscriber agrees need not be provided to it. On behalf of itself and its affiliates participating in the Transactions, Subscriber acknowledges that none of the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates or any of their respective control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives shall have any liability or any obligation to Subscriber or its affiliates in respect of this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby including, but not limited to, any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with Subscriber’s purchase of the Acquired Shares. |
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(j) | Subscriber became aware of this offering of the Acquired Shares solely by means of direct contact between Subscriber and the Issuer and Target or by means of contact from one or more of the Placement Agents, and the Acquired Shares were offered to Subscriber solely by direct contact between Subscriber and the Issuer or by contact between Subscriber and one or more Placement Agents. Subscriber did not become aware of this offering of the Acquired Shares, nor were the Acquired Shares offered to Subscriber, by any other means, including, without limitation, any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of the Securities Act. |
(k) | Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agents, and their respective affiliates, are acting solely as placement agents in connection with the Subscription and are not acting as underwriters or in any other capacity and, except as set forth in the immediately following sentence, are not and shall not be construed as a financial advisor or fiduciary for Subscriber, the Issuer or any other person or entity in connection with the Subscription. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is also separately acting as a financial advisor to the Target in relation to the Transactions and Jefferies LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as capital markets advisors to the Issuer in relation to the Transactions. |
(l) | Subscriber acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Acquired Shares, including those set forth in the SEC Reports. Subscriber has such knowledge and experience in financial, business and private equity matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment, both in general and with regard to transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities, including Subscriber’s investment in the Acquired Shares, and Subscriber has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as Subscriber has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision. |
(m) | Subscriber represents and acknowledges that, alone, or together with any professional advisor(s), Subscriber has analyzed and considered the risks of an investment in the Acquired Shares and determined that the Acquired Shares are a suitable investment for Subscriber and that Subscriber is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of Subscriber’s investment in the Issuer. Subscriber acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists. |
(n) | Subscriber understands and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Acquired Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment. |
(o) | Subscriber represents and warrants that Subscriber is not (i) a person or entity named on the OFAC Lists, (ii) owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person, that is named on an OFAC List; (iii) organized, incorporated, established, located, resident or born in, a country or territory that is the target of country-wide or territory-wide economic or trade sanctions (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea region of Ukraine), (iv) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. Subscriber agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that Subscriber is permitted to do so under applicable law. Subscriber represents that if it is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. section 5311 et seq.) (the “BSA”), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”), Subscriber maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. Subscriber also represents that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with OFAC-administered sanctions programs, including for the screening of its investors against the OFAC Lists. Subscriber further represents and warrants that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by Subscriber and used to purchase the Acquired Shares were legally derived. |
(p) | If Subscriber is an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), a plan, an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to section 4975 of the Code or an employee benefit plan that is a governmental plan (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), a church plan (as defined in section 3(33) of ERISA), a non-U.S. plan (as described in section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plan that is not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code, or an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”) subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code, then Subscriber represents and warrants that neither the Issuer, nor any of its affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”) has acted as the Plan’s fiduciary, or has been relied on for advice, with respect to its decision to acquire and hold the Acquired Shares, and none of the Transaction Parties shall at any time be relied upon as the Plan’s fiduciary with respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Acquired Shares. |
(q) | At the Purchase Price Payment Date, Subscriber will have sufficient funds to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2(a). |
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5. | Registration Rights. |
(a) | The Issuer agrees that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 30 calendar days after the Closing Date (the “Filing Date”), the Issuer will file with the Commission (at the Issuer’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Acquired Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 90th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Issuer that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following the Closing and (ii) the fifth business day after the date the Issuer is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (the “Effectiveness Date”); provided, however, that if the Commission is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Effectiveness Date shall be extended by the same amount of days that the Commission remains closed for operations, provided, further, that the Issuer’s obligations to include the Acquired Shares in the Registration Statement are contingent upon Subscriber furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding Subscriber, the securities of the Issuer held by Subscriber, the intended method of disposition of the Acquired Shares (which shall exclude underwritten public offerings) and such other information as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of the Acquired Shares, and Subscriber shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling stockholder in similar situations, including providing that the Issuer shall be entitled to postpone and suspend the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement during any customary blackout or similar period or as permitted hereunder; provided, further, that under no circumstances shall Subscriber be required to sign any type of lock-up or similar agreement or otherwise be subject to any contractual restriction on the ability to transfer the Acquired Shares. Any failure by the Issuer to file the Registration Statement by the Filing Date or to cause the effectiveness of such Registration Statement by the Effectiveness Date shall not otherwise relieve the Issuer of its obligations to file or cause the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as set forth above in this Section 5. The Issuer will provide a draft of the Registration Statement to Subscriber for review at least two business days in advance of filing the Registration Statement, and will promptly advise Subscriber when the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Issuer be required to delay or postpone the filing of such Registration Statement as a result of or in connection with Subscriber’s review. The Registration Statement shall include a “plan of distribution” that permits all lawful means of disposition of the Acquired Shares by the Subscriber, including block sales, agented transactions, sales directly into the market and other customary provisions (but excluding for the avoidance of doubt, underwritten offerings). In no event shall Subscriber be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless requested by the Commission; provided, that, if the Commission requests that Subscriber be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement, Subscriber will have an opportunity to withdraw its Acquired Shares from the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Commission prevents the Issuer from including any or all of the shares proposed to be registered under the Registration Statement due to limitations on the use of Rule 415 of the Securities Act for the resale of the Acquired Shares by Subscriber, any Other Acquired Shares by any Other Subscribers or Class A Shares by any other selling stockholder named in the Registration Statement, the Issuer will promptly notify Subscriber of such event, and such Registration Statement shall register for resale such number of Class A Shares which is equal to the maximum number of Acquired Shares as is permitted by the Commission. In such event, the number of Class A Shares to be registered for Subscriber, such Other Subscriber or other selling stockholder named in the Registration Statement shall be reduced pro rata among all such selling stockholders and as promptly as practicable after being permitted to register additional Acquired Shares under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, the Issuer shall amend the Registration Statement or file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by the Commission, one or more registration statements to register the resale of those Registrable Securities (as defined below) that were not registered on the initial Registration Statement, as so amended and to cause such amendment or Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as practicable. The Issuer will, at its own expense, use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Registration Statement until all such securities cease to be Registrable Securities. The Issuer will provide all customary and commercially reasonable cooperation necessary to (i) enable Subscriber to resell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or Rule 144, as applicable, (ii) qualify the Registrable Securities for listing on the primary stock exchange on which the Class A Shares are then listed, (iii) update or amend the Registration Statement as necessary to include Registrable Securities and (iv) provide customary notice to holders of Registrable Securities. “Registrable Securities” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Acquired Shares and any other equity security of the Issuer issued or issuable with respect to the Acquired Shares by way of share split, dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event or otherwise. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities at the earliest of: (A) when Subscriber ceases to hold any Registrable Securities; (B) the date all Registrable Securities held by Subscriber may be sold without restriction under Rule 144, including without limitation, any volume and manner of sale restrictions which may be applicable to affiliates under Rule 144, and without the requirement for the Issuer to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144, (C) when such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding or (D) four years from the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement. |
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(b) | In the case of the registration, qualification, exemption or compliance effected by the Issuer pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer shall, upon reasonable request, inform Subscriber as to the status of such registration, qualification, exemption and compliance. At its expense, the Issuer shall: |
(i) | except for such times as the Issuer is permitted hereunder to suspend the use of the prospectus forming part of a Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such registration, and any qualification, exemption or compliance under state securities laws which the Issuer determines to obtain, continuously effective with respect to Subscriber, and to keep the applicable Registration Statement or any subsequent shelf registration statement free of any material misstatements or omissions, for as long as Subscriber continues to hold Registrable Securities; |
(ii) | advise Subscriber, as promptly as practicable but in any event, within two business days: |
(1) | when a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective; |
(2) | of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or prospectus included therein or for additional information; |
(3) | of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for such purpose; |
(4) | of the receipt by the Issuer of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Acquired Shares included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and |
(5) | subject to the provisions in this Subscription Agreement, of the occurrence of any event that requires the making of any changes in any Registration Statement or prospectus included therein so that, as of such date, the statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (and in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Issuer shall not, when so advising Subscriber of such events, provide Subscriber with any material, non-public information regarding the Issuer other than to the extent that providing notice to Subscriber of the occurrence of the events listed in (1) through (5) above may constitute material, non-public information regarding the Issuer;
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(iii) | use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement as soon as reasonably practicable; |
(iv) | upon the occurrence of any event contemplated in Section 5(b)(ii)(5), except for such times as the Issuer is permitted hereunder to suspend, and has suspended, the use of a prospectus forming part of a Registration Statement, the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as soon as reasonably practicable prepare a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Acquired Shares included therein, such prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; |
(v) | use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Acquired Shares to be listed on the primary securities exchange or market, if any, on which the Class A Shares issued by the Issuer have been listed; |
(vi) | allow Subscriber to review and consent to disclosure specifically regarding Subscriber in the Registration Statement on reasonable advance notice (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and |
(vii) | use its commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Acquired Shares. |
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(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer shall be entitled to delay the filing or postpone the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require Subscriber not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Issuer or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event, the Issuer’s board of directors reasonably believes, upon the advice of legal counsel, would require additional disclosure by the Issuer in the Registration Statement of material information that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose or legal obligations for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement would be expected, in the reasonable determination of the Issuer’s board of directors, upon the advice of legal counsel, to cause the Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that the Issuer (x) may not delay or suspend the Registration Statement on more than two occasions or for more than 45 consecutive calendar days, or more than 60 total calendar days, in each case during any 12-month period and (y) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make such Registration Statement available for the sale by the undersigned of such securities as soon as practicable thereafter. Upon receipt of any written notice from the Issuer of the happening of any Suspension Event (which notice shall not contain material non-public information) during the period that the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the prospectus) not misleading, Subscriber agrees that (i) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Acquired Shares under the Registration Statement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, sales conducted pursuant to Rule 144) until Subscriber receives copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus (which the Issuer agrees to promptly prepare) that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Issuer that it may resume such offers and sales, and (ii) it will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in such written notice delivered by the Issuer unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. If so directed by the Issuer, Subscriber will deliver to the Issuer or, in Subscriber’s sole discretion destroy, all copies of the prospectus covering the Acquired Shares in Subscriber’s possession; provided, however, that this obligation to deliver or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Acquired Shares shall not apply (1) to the extent Subscriber is required to retain a copy of such prospectus (a) in order to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or (b) in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (2) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up. For purposes of this Section 5, “Acquired Shares” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Acquired Shares purchased hereby and any other equity security issued or issuable with respect to the Acquired Shares by way of share split, dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event, including any equity securities received with respect to the Acquired Shares pursuant to the Transactions. |
(d) | Subscriber may deliver written notice (an “Opt-Out Notice”) to the Issuer requesting that Subscriber not receive notices from the Issuer otherwise required by this Section 5; provided, however, that Subscriber may later revoke any such Opt-Out Notice in writing. Following receipt of an Opt-Out Notice from Subscriber (unless subsequently revoked), (i) the Issuer shall not deliver any such notices to Subscriber and Subscriber shall no longer be entitled to the rights associated with any such notice and (ii) each time prior to Subscriber’s intended use of an effective Registration Statement, Subscriber will notify the Issuer in writing at least two business days in advance of such intended use, and if a notice of a Suspension Event was previously delivered (or would have been delivered but for the provisions of this Section 5(d)) and the related suspension period remains in effect, the Issuer will so notify Subscriber, within one business day of Subscriber’s notification to the Issuer, by delivering to Subscriber a copy of such previous notice of Suspension Event, and thereafter will provide Subscriber with the related notice of the conclusion of such Suspension Event promptly following its availability. |
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(e) | Indemnification. |
(i) | The Issuer shall, notwithstanding the termination of this Subscription Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Subscriber, its directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, partners, members, managers, stockholders, affiliates, investment advisors and sub-advisors, and each person who controls Subscriber (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and each of their directors, members, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) (collectively, “Losses”) that arise out of or are caused by (A) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or incorporated by reference therein), prospectus included in any Registration Statement (“Prospectus”) or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein or any omission or alleged omission of 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, except insofar as, and to the extent, but only to the extent that,the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Issuer by or on behalf of such Subscriber expressly for use therein, or (B) any violation or alleged violation by the Issuer of the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Section 5. The Issuer shall notify Subscriber promptly of the institution, threat or assertion (to the Issuer’s knowledge) of any proceeding arising from or in connection with the Transactions; provided, however, that the indemnification contained in this Section 5(e)(i) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Issuer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), nor shall the Issuer be liable for any Losses to the extent they arise out of or are based upon a violation which occurs (A) in connection with any failure of such person to deliver or cause to be delivered a Prospectus made available by the Issuer in a timely manner or (B) in connection with any offers or sales effected by or on behalf of Subscriber in violation of this Agreement. |
(ii) | In connection with any Registration Statement in which Subscriber is participating, Subscriber agrees, severally and not jointly with any Other Subscriber or other investor that is a party to the Other Subscription Agreements, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Issuer, its directors and officers and agents and employees and each person or entity who controls the Issuer (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act) against any Losses, resulting from or arising out of any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of 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, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained (or not contained in the case of an omission) in and is based on any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of Subscriber expressly for use therein; provided, however, that in no event shall the liability of Subscriber be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber from the sale of Acquired Shares pursuant to such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation. |
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(iii) | Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (1) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (2) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent. An indemnifying party who elects not to assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of legal counsel to any indemnified party a conflict of interest exists between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. |
(iv) | The indemnification provided under this Subscription Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Acquired Shares. |
(v) | If the indemnification provided under this Section 5(e) from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any Losses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall the liability of Subscriber be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber from the sale of Acquired Shares pursuant to such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by, in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the Losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 5(e)(i), 5(e)(ii), 5(e)(iii), any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 5(e)(v) from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. |
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(f) | In the event Subscriber is a party to the Registration Rights Agreement, this Section 5 shall not apply and not be effective with respect to such Subscriber. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer acknowledges and agrees that Subscriber is not party to the Registration Rights Agreement. |
6. | Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect (except for those provisions expressly contemplated to survive termination of this Subscription Agreement in accordance with Section 9(d)), and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof (except with respect to those provisions expressly contemplated to survive termination of this Subscription Agreement in accordance with Section 9(d)), upon the earlier to occur of (a) such date and time as the Business Combination Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, (b) the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto to terminate this Subscription Agreement, (c) if on the Closing Date, any of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 2 of this Subscription Agreement are not satisfied or waived, and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement are not consummated at the Closing or (d) the Outside Date (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement as filed with the Commission on or shortly after the date hereof); provided, that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of termination, and each party will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover Losses, liabilities or damages arising from such breach. The Issuer shall promptly notify Subscriber in writing (with email being sufficient) of the termination of the Business Combination Agreement. Upon the termination hereof, any monies paid by Subscriber to the Issuer in connection herewith shall promptly (and in any event within one business day) be returned in full to Subscriber by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by Subscriber, without any deduction for or on account of any tax withholding, charges or set-off, whether or not the Transactions shall have been consummated. |
7. | Additional Agreements and Waivers of Subscriber. |
(a) Trust Account Waiver. Subscriber acknowledges that the Issuer is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Issuer and one or more businesses or assets. Subscriber further acknowledges that, as described in the Issuer’s prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated April 6, 2021 (the “April 6, 2021 Prospectus”), available at sec.gov, substantially all of the Issuer’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Issuer’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of its public stockholders and the underwriters of its initial public offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account that may be released to the Issuer to pay its tax obligations, if any, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only for the purposes set forth in the April 6, 2021 Prospectus. For and in consideration of the Issuer entering into this Subscription Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Subscriber hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind it has or may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, and agrees not to seek recourse or make or bring any action, suit, claim or other proceeding against the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Acquired Shares, regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability; provided however, that nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to limit any Subscriber’s right, title, interest or claim to the Trust Account by virtue of such Subscriber’s (x) record or beneficial ownership of Class A Shares acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or (y) redemption rights in connection with the Transactions with respect to any Class A Shares of the Issuer owned by such Subscriber. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that it shall not have any redemption rights with respect to the Acquired Shares pursuant to the Issuer’s certificate of incorporation in connection with the Transactions or any other business combination, any subsequent liquidation of the Trust Account or the Issuer or otherwise. In the event Subscriber has any claim against the Issuer as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Acquired Shares, it shall pursue such claim solely against the Issuer and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account. This paragraph shall survive any termination of this Subscription Agreement.
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(b) No Hedging. Subscriber hereby agrees that neither it, nor any person or entity acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it, shall execute any short sales (as such term is defined in Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, 17 CFR 242.200) or engage in other hedging transactions of any kind directly with respect to the Acquired Shares during the period from the date of this Subscription Agreement through the Closing (or such earlier termination of this Subscription Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) nothing in this Section 7(b) shall prohibit any entities under common management or that share an investment adviser with Subscriber that have no knowledge of this Subscription Agreement or of Subscriber’s participation in this transaction (including Subscriber’s controlled affiliates and/or affiliates) from entering into any short sales or engaging in other hedging transactions; and in the case of a Subscriber that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Subscriber’s assets and the portfolio managers have no knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Subscriber’s assets, this Section 7(b) shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Acquired Shares covered by this Subscription Agreement. The Issuer acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Acquired Shares may be pledged by Subscriber in connection with a bona fide margin agreement, provided that such pledge shall be (i) pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to, and in accordance with, a registration statement that is effective under the Securities Act at the time of such pledge, and Subscriber effecting a pledge of the Acquired Shares shall not be required to provide the Issuer with any notice thereof; provided, however, that neither the Issuer nor its counsel shall be required to take any action (or refrain from taking any action) in connection with any such pledge, other than providing any such lender of such margin agreement with an acknowledgment that the Acquired Shares are not subject to any contractual lock up or prohibition on pledging, the form of such acknowledgment to be subject to review and comment by the Issuer in all respects.
8. | Issuer’s Covenants. |
(a) | Except as contemplated herein, the Issuer, its subsidiaries and their respective controlled affiliates shall not, and shall cause any person acting on behalf of any of the foregoing to not, take any action or steps that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Acquired Shares under the Securities Act. |
(b) | With a view to making available to Subscriber the benefits of Rule 144 or any other similar rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit Subscriber to sell securities of the Issuer to the public without registration, the Issuer agrees, for so long as Subscriber holds Acquired Shares, to: |
(i) | make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144; |
(ii) | file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Issuer under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Issuer remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and |
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(iii) | furnish to Subscriber, promptly upon request, (x) a written statement by the Issuer, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (y) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Issuer and such other reports and documents so filed by the Issuer (public availability on the Commission’s EDGAR system (or successor system) being sufficient) and (z) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit Subscriber to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration. |
(c) | Upon request of Subscriber, the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly cause the removal of the legend described in Section 4(f) and to issue a certificate or a book entry record without such legend to the holder of the Acquired Shares upon which it is stamped or issue to such holder by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at DTC, if (i) such Acquired Shares are registered for resale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, upon the sale thereof; provided that Subscriber agrees to only sell such Acquired Shares during such time that such registration statement is effective and not withdrawn or suspended, and only as permitted by such registration statement, (ii) the Acquired Shares are sold pursuant to Rule 144, or (iii) the Acquired Shares can be sold, assigned or transferred without restriction or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, including without limitation, any volume and manner of sale restrictions which may be applicable to affiliates under Rule 144 and any requirement for the Issuer to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c) or Rule 144(i), as applicable, and in each case, the holder provides the Issuer with an undertaking to effect any sales or other transfers in accordance with the Securities Act. With respect to a sale pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the removal of such legend within two business days of receipt of Subscriber’s request, provided that Subscriber has provided such customary representations and other documentation in connection therewith. The Issuer shall be responsible for the fees of the Transfer Agent, counsel to the Issuer, and all DTC fees associated with such issuance and Subscriber shall be responsible for all other fees and expenses (including, without limitation, any applicable broker fees, fees and disbursements of their legal counsel and any applicable transfer taxes). The Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts at its own expense to cause its legal counsel to deliver an opinion, if necessary, to DTC or the Transfer Agent in connection with the instruction under in this Section 8(c) to the effect that the removal of such restrictive legends in such circumstances may be effected under the Securities Act, in each case upon the receipt of customary representations and other documentation, if any, from Subscriber as reasonably requested by the Issuer, its counsel, DTC or Transfer Agent, establishing that restrictive legends are no longer required. |
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9. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) | Each party hereto acknowledges that the other party hereto and each of the Placement Agents will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement. Prior to the Closing, each party hereto agrees to promptly notify the other party hereto and the Placement Agents if any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties set forth herein with respect to it are no longer accurate in all material respects. Subscriber and the Issuer further acknowledge and agree that each of the Placement Agents is a third-party beneficiary with the right to enforce Section 3, Section 4 and Section 9 of this Subscription Agreement on its own behalf and not, for the avoidance of doubt, on behalf of the Issuer. |
(b) | Each of the Issuer, Subscriber and, with respect to Section 3, Section 4, and Section 9, the Placement Agents is entitled to rely upon this Subscription Agreement and is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. |
(c) | This Subscription Agreement may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Subscription Agreement and any of Subscriber’s rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned to one or more affiliates of Subscriber or to any fund or account managed by the same investment manager or investment advisor as Subscriber or by an affiliate of such investment manager or investor advisor, without the prior consent of the Issuer, provided that such assignee(s) agrees in writing to be bound by the terms hereof. Upon such assignment by a Subscriber, the assignee(s) shall become Subscriber hereunder and have the rights and obligations provided for herein to the extent of such assignment; provided further that, no assignment shall relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder, including any assignment to any fund or account managed by the same investment manager or investment advisor as Subscriber or by an affiliate of such investment manager or investment advisor, unless consented to in writing by the Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably conditioned, delayed or withheld). Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to the Issuer hereunder or any of the Issuer’s obligations may be transferred or assigned other than pursuant to the Transactions. |
(d) | All of the representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing. All of the covenants and agreements made by each party in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing until the applicable statute of limitations or in accordance with their respective terms. |
(e) | The Issuer may request from Subscriber such additional information as the Issuer may deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the eligibility of Subscriber to acquire the Acquired Shares, and Subscriber shall provide such information as may be reasonably requested, to the extent readily available and to the extent consistent with its internal policies and procedures; provided, that, the Issuer agrees to keep any such information provided by Subscriber confidential; provided, further, that upon receipt of such additional information, the Issuer shall be allowed to convey such information to each Placement Agent but shall cause such Placement Agent to keep the information confidential, except as may (x) be required by applicable law, rule, regulation, (y) requested by governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body, or (z) required in connection with any legal proceeding. |
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(f) | This Subscription Agreement may not be amended, modified, waived or terminated (other than pursuant to the terms of Section 6 hereto) except by an instrument in writing, signed by each of the parties hereto. This Subscription Agreement may not be waived except by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. |
(g) | This Subscription Agreement and, if applicable, the Registration Rights Agreement (including the schedules hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. |
(h) | Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. |
(i) | If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. |
(j) | This Subscription Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts (including by electronic means), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. |
(k) | Except as otherwise provided in this Subscription Agreement, each party shall pay all of its own expenses in connection with this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement. |
(l) | The Issuer shall be solely responsible for the fees of the Placement Agents, Transfer Agent, the escrow agent, stamp taxes and all of DTC’s fees associated with the issuance of the Acquired Shares. |
(m) | Subscriber understands and agrees that (i) no disclosure or offering document has been prepared by the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates in connection with the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares; (ii) none of the Placement Agents, nor any of their respective affiliates, nor any control persons, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing has made any independent investigation with respect to the Issuer, Target, or their subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, the Transactions or the Acquired Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information supplied to Subscriber by the Issuer; and (iii) in connection with the issue and purchase of the Acquired Shares, the Placement Agents have not acted as Subscriber’s financial advisor, tax advisor or fiduciary. |
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(n) | Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered personally, emailed or telecopied, sent by overnight mail via a reputable overnight carrier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to be given and received (i) when so delivered personally, (ii) upon receipt of an appropriate electronic answerback or confirmation when so delivered by telecopy (to such number specified below or another number or numbers as such person may subsequently designate by notice given hereunder), (iii) when sent, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, if sent by email, or (iv) five business days after the date of mailing to the address below or to such other address or addresses as such person may hereafter designate by notice given hereunder: |
if to Subscriber, to such address or addresses set forth on the signature page hereto;
if to the Issuer, to:
CM Life Sciences III Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Attention: Keith Meister
Email: kmeister@corvexcap.com
with a required copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):
White & Case LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York NY 10020
Attention: Joel Rubinstein, Matthew Kautz, Andrew J. Ericksen
Email: joel.rubinstein@whitecase.com; matthew.kautz@whitecase.com; aj.ericksen@whitecase.com
and a required copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):
EQRx, Inc.
50 Hampshire St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Attention: Jami Rubin
Email: jrubin@eqrx.com
Goodwin Procter LLP
100 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
Attention: William D. Collins and Marianne C. Sarrazin
Email: WCollins@goodwinlaw.com; MSarrazin@goodwinlaw.com
(o) | The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise. |
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(p) | This Subscription Agreement, and any claim or cause of action hereunder based upon, arising out of or related to this Subscription Agreement (whether based on law, in equity, in contract, in tort or any other theory) or the negotiation, execution, performance or enforcement of this Subscription Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving regard to the principles of conflicts of laws that would otherwise require the application of the law of any other state. |
THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (OR TO THE EXTENT SUCH COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE), OR THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE SOLELY IN RESPECT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY WAIVE, AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING FOR INTERPRETATION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN SAID COURTS OR THAT VENUE THEREOF MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE OR THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE ENFORCED IN OR BY SUCH COURTS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED BY SUCH A DELAWARE STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT TO AND GRANT ANY SUCH COURT JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSON OF SUCH PARTIES AND OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF SUCH DISPUTE AND AGREE THAT MAILING OF PROCESS OR OTHER PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 9(n) OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY LAW SHALL BE VALID AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE THEREOF.
EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, PLACEMENT AGENTS OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (II) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (III) SUCH PARTY MAKES THE FOREGOING WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9(p).
(q) | If any change in the Class A Shares shall occur between the date hereof and immediately prior to the Closing by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including reverse stock split) or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend, the number of Acquired Shares issued to Subscriber and the Per Share Price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such change. |
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(r) | The Issuer shall, by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day immediately following the date of this Subscription Agreement, file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Other Subscription Agreements, the Transactions and any other material, non-public information regarding the Issuer, the Transactions or the Target that the Issuer has provided to Subscriber any time prior to the filing of the Disclosure Document. Upon the issuance of the Disclosure Document, to the Issuer’s knowledge, Subscriber shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information received from the Issuer or any of its officers, directors or employees or agents (including the Placement Agents) and Subscriber shall no longer be subject to any confidentiality or similar obligations under any current agreement relating to the Transactions, whether written or oral, with the Issuer, the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer (i) shall not, and shall cause the Placement Agents and the Target not to, disclose the name or identity of Subscriber or any of its affiliates or its investment adviser, or include the name of Subscriber or any of its affiliates or its investment adviser, without the prior written consent of Subscriber, in any press release or marketing materials and (ii) shall not disclose the name or identity of Subscriber or any of its affiliates or its investment adviser, or include the name of Subscriber or any of its affiliates or its investment adviser, without the prior written consent of Subscriber, in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or trading market, except with respect to this clause (ii) as required by state or federal securities law, any governmental authority or stock exchange rule, in which case the Issuer shall provide Subscriber with prior written notice of such disclosure permitted under hereunder. |
(s) | The obligations of Subscriber under this Subscription Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any Other Subscriber or any other investor under the Other Subscription Agreements, and Subscriber shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any Other Subscriber under any Other Subscription Agreement or other investor under the Other Subscription Agreements. The decision of Subscriber to purchase the Acquired Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement has been made by Subscriber independently of any Other Subscriber or any other investor and independently of any information, materials, statements or opinions as to the business, affairs, operations, assets, properties, liabilities, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Issuer, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries which may have been made or given by any Other Subscriber or investor or by any agent or employee of any Other Subscriber or investor, and neither Subscriber nor any of its agents or employees shall have any liability to any Other Subscriber or investor (or any other person) relating to or arising from any such information, materials, statements or opinions. The decision of each Other Subscriber to purchase Other Acquired Shares pursuant to an Other Subscription Agreement has been made by such Other Subscriber independently of Subscriber and independently of any information, materials, statements or opinions as to the business, affairs, operations, assets, properties, liabilities, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Issuer, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries which may have been made or given by Subscriber. Nothing contained herein or in any Other Subscription Agreement, and no action taken by Subscriber or investor pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Subscriber and any Other Subscribers or other investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that Subscriber and any Other Subscribers or other investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements. Subscriber acknowledges that no Other Subscriber has acted as agent for Subscriber in connection with making its investment hereunder and no Other Subscriber will be acting as agent of Subscriber in connection with monitoring its investment in the Acquired Shares or enforcing its rights under this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Subscription Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any Other Subscriber or investor to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. |
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(t) | The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Subscription Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. The language used in this Subscription Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. Unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references to Sections, Schedules or Exhibits are to Sections, Schedules or Exhibits contained in or attached to this Subscription Agreement, (ii) each accounting term not otherwise defined in this Subscription Agreement has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP, (iii) words in the singular or plural include the singular and plural and pronouns stated in either the masculine, the feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, (iv) the use of the word “including” in this Subscription Agreement shall be by way of example rather than limitation, and (v) the word “or” shall not be exclusive. For ease of administration, this single Subscription Agreement may be executed so as to enable each Subscriber identified on the signature page to enter into a Subscription Agreement, severally, but not jointly. The parties agree that no Subscriber listed on the signature page shall have any liability under the Subscription Agreement for the obligations of any other Subscriber so listed. |
(u) | If Subscriber is a Massachusetts Business Trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of Subscriber or any affiliate thereof is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that the Subscription Agreement is executed on behalf of the trustees of Subscriber or any affiliate thereof as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of the Subscription Agreement are not binding on any of the trustees or stockholders of Subscriber or any affiliate thereof individually but are binding only upon Subscriber or any affiliate thereof and its assets and property. |
[Signature pages follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Issuer and Subscriber has executed or caused this Subscription Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date set forth above.
CM Life Sciences III Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature Page to
Subscription Agreement
SUBSCRIBER: | ||
Signature of Subscriber: | Signature of Joint Subscriber, if applicable: | |
By: ___________________________________ Name: Title: |
By: ___________________________________ Name: Title: |
Date: _________________________, 2021
Name of Subscriber: | Name of Joint Subscriber, if applicable: | |
___________________________________ (Please print. Please indicate name and capacity of person signing above) |
___________________________________ (Please print. Please indicate name and capacity of person signing above) |
|
___________________________________ Name in which securities are to be registered (if different) |
||
Email Address: | ||
If there are joint investors, please check one: | ||
☐ Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship | ||
☐ Tenants-in-Common | ||
☐ Community Property | ||
Subscriber’s EIN: _______________ |
Joint Subscriber’s EIN: ________________________________ |
|
Business Address-Street: | Mailing Address-Street (if different): | |
___________________________________ | ___________________________________ | |
___________________________________ City, State, Zip: |
___________________________________ City, State, Zip: |
|
Attn: | Attn: | |
Telephone No.: ___________________ | Telephone No.: ___________________ | |
Facsimile No.: ____________________ | Facsimile No.: ____________________ | |
Aggregate Number of Acquired Shares subscribed for: | ||
_________________ | ||
Aggregate Purchase Price: $_______________ |
You must pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice.
Number of Acquired Shares subscribed for and aggregate Purchase Price accepted and agreed to as of this ____ day of ________, 2021, by:
CM Life Sciences III Inc.
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature Page to
Subscription Agreement
SCHEDULE A
ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF SUBSCRIBER
A. |
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS
(Please check the applicable subparagraphs): |
|
1. | ☐ We are a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”)). | |
2. | ☐ We are subscribing for the Acquired Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, and each owner of such account is a QIB. |
*** OR ***
B. |
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS
(Please check each of the following subparagraphs): |
|
1. | ☐ We are an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) or an entity in which all of the equity holders are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and have marked and initialed the appropriate box on the following page indicating the provision under which we qualify as an “accredited investor”. | |
2. | ☐ We are not a natural person. |
*** AND ***
C. |
AFFILIATE STATUS
(Please check the applicable box) |
|
SUBSCRIBER: | ||
☐ | is: | |
☐ | is not: |
an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer or acting on behalf of an affiliate of the Issuer.
FINRA Rule 4512(c) states that an “institutional account” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below listed categories. Subscriber has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below which apply to Subscriber and under which Subscriber accordingly qualifies as an “institutional account.”
☐ a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment company;
☐ an investment adviser registered either with the Commission under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act or with a state securities commission (or any agency or office performing like functions); or
☐ any other person (whether a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) with total assets of at least $50 million.
This page should be completed by Subscriber
and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement
Rule 501(a), in relevant part, states that an “accredited investor” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below listed categories, or who the Issuer reasonably believes comes within any of the below listed categories, at the time of the sale of the securities to that person. Subscriber has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below that apply to Subscriber and under which Subscriber accordingly qualifies as an “accredited investor.”
☐ Any bank as defined in section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity;
☐ Any broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Exchange Act;
☐ An investment adviser registered pursuant to section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state;
☐ An investment adviser relying on the exemption from registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
☐ Any insurance company as defined in section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act;
☐ Any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of the Securities Act;
☐ Any Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
☐ A Rural Business Investment Company as defined in section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act;
☐ Any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
☐ Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such Act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors;
☐ Any private business development company as defined in section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
☐ Any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, partnership or limited liability company, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000; ☐ Any trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) of the Securities Act;
This page should be completed by Subscriber
and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement
☐ An entity, of a type not listed in any of the foregoing paragraphs, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000;
☐ A “family office,” as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (17 CFR 275.202(a)(11)(G)-1): (i) with assets under management in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) that is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, and (iii) whose prospective investment is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment;
☐ A “family client,” as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (17 CFR 275.202(a)(11)(G)-1), of a family office meeting the requirements in the foregoing paragraph and whose prospective investment in the issuer is directed by such family office pursuant to clause (iii) in the foregoing paragraph; or
☐ Any entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors meeting one or more of the above tests.
This page should be completed by Subscriber
and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement
Exhibit 10.3
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
August 5, 2021
CM
Life Sciences III Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) relates to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into as of August 5, 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, among other Transactions, Merger Sub is to merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing on as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, on the terms and conditions set forth therein. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Merger Agreement and shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
1. In order to induce all parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees that, from the Closing Date until the earliest of: (a) the date that is 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, and (b) the date following the Closing Date on which Parent completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of Parent’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Parent capital stock for cash, securities or other property (the period between the Closing Date and the earliest of clauses (a) and (b), the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not: (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to shares of Parent Class A Stock issued to the undersigned pursuant to the Merger Agreement (such shares of Parent Class A Stock, the “Lock-Up Shares”); (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-Up Shares, in cash or otherwise; or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii).
2. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall apply to: (a) any shares of Parent Class A Stock purchased by the undersigned in the open market or in any public or private capital raising transaction of Parent or otherwise, including, without limitation, any shares of Parent Class A Stock issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreements or otherwise to any shares of Parent Class A Stock (or other securities of Parent) other than the Lock-Up Shares; (b) the inclusion of any Lock-Up Shares (but not the subsequent sale or transfer of such Lock-Up Shares) as part of any resale shelf registration statement filed pursuant to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement; or (c) establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of Lock-Up Shares; provided, that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period. For the avoidance of any doubt, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the undersigned shall retain all of its rights as a stockholder of Parent during the Lock-Up Period, including, without limitation, the right to vote, and to receive any dividends and distributions in respect of, the Lock-Up Shares.
3. The undersigned hereby authorizes Parent during the Lock-Up Period to cause its transfer agent for the Lock-Up Shares to decline to transfer, and to note stop transfer restrictions on the stock register and other records relating to, the Lock-Up Shares for which the undersigned is the record holder and, in the case of Lock-Up Shares for which the undersigned is the beneficial holder but not the record holder, agrees during the Lock-Up Period to cause the record holder to cause the relevant transfer agent to decline to transfer, and to note stop transfer restrictions on the stock register and other records relating to, such Lock-Up Shares, if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Agreement.
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may sell or otherwise transfer Lock-Up Shares during the undersigned’s lifetime or on death (or, if the undersigned is not a natural person, during its existence) (a) if the undersigned is not a natural person, to its current or former managers, partners, members or other direct or indirect equity holders or to any of its other current or former Affiliates or any subsidiary, employee, officer, director, investment fund controlled or managed by the undersigned or its Affiliates, or commonly controlled or managed investment fund, and, if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (b) to the immediate family members (including spouses, significant others, lineal descendants, brothers and sisters) of the undersigned, (c) to a family trust, foundation or partnership established for the exclusive benefit of the undersigned, its equity holders or any of their respective immediate family members, (d) to a charitable foundation controlled by the undersigned, its Affiliates, partners, members or other direct or indirect equityholders or any of their respective immediate family members, (e) by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of undersigned or by will, testamentary document or the laws of intestate succession, (f) by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement, (g) by virtue of applicable law or the undersigned’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of the undersigned, or (h) transfers to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, or local income tax obligations of the undersigned (or its direct or indirect owners) arising from a change in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”) after the date on which the Merger Agreement was executed by the parties, and such change prevents the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368 of the Code (and the Merger does not qualify for similar tax-free treatment pursuant to any successor or other provision of the Code or Regulations taking into account such changes), in each case solely and to the extent necessary to cover any tax liability as a direct result of the transaction; provided, however, that in the case of (a)-(g), any such sale or transfer shall be conditioned upon entry by such transferees into a written agreement, addressed to Parent, agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement; and provided, further, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing contained herein shall limit or restrict the admission of new managers, partners, members or other direct or indirect equityholders in, or the increase or decrease in the ownership interests of any managers, partners, members or other direct or indirect equity holders of, any entity holding any of the Lock-Up Shares.
5. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Upon request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents reasonably necessary in connection with the enforcement of the terms herein. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned from and after the Closing Date.
6. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto. Parent and the Company hereby represent, warrant, covenant and agree that (i) if any lock-up agreement signed by the Sponsor or a stockholder of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby is amended, modified or waived in a manner favorable to the Sponsor or such stockholder and that would be favorable to the undersigned, this Agreement shall be contemporaneously amended in the same manner and Parent shall provide prompt notice thereof to the undersigned, and (ii) if the Sponsor, any director or officer of the Company or any other party subject to a lock-up agreement is released from any or all of the lock-up restrictions under its lock-up agreement, the undersigned will be similarly and contemporaneously released from the lock-up restrictions hereunder (which, for the avoidance, of doubt will include a release of the same percentage of undersigned’s Lock-Up Shares) and Parent shall provide prompt notice thereof to the undersigned.
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7. No party hereto may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Agreement shall be binding on the undersigned and its successors and assigns.
8. This Agreement is to be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its rules of conflict of laws.
9. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES, AND AGREES TO CAUSE EACH OF HIS, HER OR ITS AFFILIATES TO WAIVE, AND COVENANTS THAT NEITHER IT NOR ANY OF HIS, HER OR ITS AFFILIATES WILL ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES THAT THIS PARAGRAPH 9 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THE PARTIES ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO OR CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. ANY PARTY MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH 9 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES TO THE WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
10. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision will be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
11. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will constitute but one instrument. This Agreement is effective upon delivery of one executed counterpart from each party to the other party. The signatures of all of the parties need not appear on the same counterpart. The delivery of signed counterparts by email which includes a copy of the sending party’s signature(s) (including by “.pdf” format) or by electronic transmission is as effective as signing and delivering the counterpart in person.
12. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested) or email transmission to the address or email address (as applicable) set forth below such party’s name on the signature page hereto. Each such notice, consent or request will be effective if given by (a) email, when sent, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, or (b) any other means specified this paragraph 12, then upon delivery or refusal of delivery at the address specified in this paragraph 12.
13. This Agreement shall become effective on the Closing Date. This Agreement and the obligations of each party hereunder shall automatically terminate upon any valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms therein.
[Signature on the following page]
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Very truly yours, | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]
Accepted and Agreed:
PARENT | ||
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC. | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]
Accepted and Agreed:
COMPANY | ||
EQRX, INC. | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]
Exhibit 10.4
August 5, 2021
EQRx, Inc.
50 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Re: Stockholder Voting and Support Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Support Agreement”) is being delivered by each of the stockholders (each such stockholders, the “Stockholder”), of EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) listed on the signature pages attached hereto to the Company and CM Life Sciences III Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), in accordance with that Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, Parent and Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (“Merger Sub”) (the “Merger Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement. As used herein, the term “Section” shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to the specified Section of this Support Agreement.
The Stockholder is currently the record owner of the shares of Company Preferred Stock and Company Common Stock (the “Stockholder Shares”) set forth on such Stockholder’s signature page hereto, and together with the Stockholder Shares held by the other Stockholders party to this Support Agreement, such shares represent the voting power of the Company’s security holders necessary to approve the Transactions.
In order to induce the Parent to enter into the Merger Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Stockholder hereby agrees with the Parent and the Company as follows:
1. | Voting Agreements. The Stockholder, in its capacity as a stockholder of the Company, covenants and agrees that, at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders related to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”), whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting, and however called, and in connection with any written consent of the Company’s stockholders related to the Transactions (all such meetings or consents collectively referred to herein as the “Meeting”), the Stockholder shall: |
a. | when the Meeting is held, appear at the Meeting or otherwise cause the Stockholder Shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum; |
b. | vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at the Meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all of the Stockholder Shares in favor of each of the proposals relating to the Transactions, the Merger, the payment of the Closing Merger Consideration in accordance with the Merger Agreement, the payment of the Earn-Out Shares in accordance with the Agreement, and any other matters necessary or reasonably requested by the Company for consummation of the Merger and the Transactions; |
c. | authorize and approve the Merger to the extent the approval of any of the Company’s stockholders is required or applicable pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “Company Charter”); |
d. | vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at the Meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all of the Stockholder Shares against any action that would reasonably be expected to (x) impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the Merger or any of the Transactions, (y) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement, or (z) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Stockholder contained in this Support Agreement; and |
e. | in any other circumstances upon which a consent or other approval is required under the Company’s Organizational Documents or the Company Financing Agreements (as defined below) or otherwise sought with respect to the Merger Agreement or the Transactions, to vote, consent or approve (or cause to be voted, consented or approved) all of such Stockholder’s Stockholder Shares held at such time in favor thereof. |
2. | No Challenge. The Stockholder agrees not to commence, join in, facilitate, assist or encourage, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against the Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective successors or directors (a) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or (b) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of any person in connection with the evaluation, negotiation or entry into the Merger Agreement. |
3. | Section 144 of DGCL. The Stockholder agrees that it has (i) been made aware of all material facts with respect Eli Casdin’s interest in the Transactions as a director in each of the Company and Parent and (ii) will acknowledge the forgoing in connection with its performance of its obligations under Section 1 hereof, in accordance with Section 144 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
4. | Closing Date Deliverables. The Stockholder will deliver, substantially simultaneously with the Effective Time, a duly-executed copy of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to the Merger Agreement. |
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5. | Waiver. The Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any rights of appraisal, dissenter’s rights and any similar rights relating to the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the parties of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, that such Stockholder may have under applicable law (including Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or otherwise). |
6. | Termination of Company Financing Agreements, Related Agreements. The Stockholder, by this Agreement with respect to its Stockholder Shares, severally and not jointly, hereby agrees to terminate, subject to the Closing and effective as of the Effective Time, (a) all Affiliate agreements to which such Stockholder is party that are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, if applicable to such Stockholder (the “Company Financing Agreements”); (b) any management rights or side letters between the Company and such Stockholder, including (but not limited to) those letter agreements set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto; and (c) any rights under any letter or agreement providing for redemption rights, put rights, purchase rights or other similar rights not generally available to stockholders of the Company (clauses (a) through (c), collectively, the “Terminating Rights”) between such Stockholder and the Company, but excluding, (i) for the avoidance of doubt, any rights such Stockholder may have that relate to any commercial or employment agreements or arrangements between such Stockholder and the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, which shall survive the Closing in accordance with their terms, and (ii) any indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation rights of any Stockholder or any of its Affiliates set forth in the foregoing documents, which shall survive the Closing in accordance with their terms; provided that all Terminating Rights between the Company and any other holder of Company Capital Stock shall also terminate at such time. |
7. | Stop Transfers; Certificates. The Stockholder agrees it shall not request that the Company register the transfer (book entry or otherwise) of any of the Stockholder Shares if such transfer is not permitted by this Support Agreement. |
8. | Damages; Remedies. The Stockholder hereby agrees and acknowledges that (i) Parent and Company shall each would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement, (ii) monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy for such breach, and (iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach or threatened breach, without the need to post a bond or other collateral security. |
9. | Transfer Restrictions. Hereafter unto the earlier to occur of (i) the Effective Time, and (ii) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with Section 9.1 thereof, the Stockholder agrees that it shall not sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of the Stockholder Shares except in accordance with the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit a transfer to (i) an Affiliate of the Stockholder, (ii) if the undersigned is not a natural person, to its managers, partners, members or other or direct or indirect equity holders or to any of its other Affiliates or any subsidiary, employee, officer, director, investment fund controlled or managed by the undersigned or its Affiliates, or commonly controlled or managed investment fund, (iii) to the immediate family members (including spouses, significant others, lineal descendants, brothers and sisters) of the undersigned, (iv) to a family trust, foundation or partnership established for the exclusive benefit of the undersigned, its equity holders or any of their respective immediate family members, or (v) to a charitable foundation controlled by the undersigned, its Affiliates, partners, members or other direct or indirect equityholders or any of their respective immediate family; provided, further, that any transfer shall be permitted only if, as a precondition to such transfer, the transferee agrees to execute a joinder to this Support Agreement in connection with such transfer. |
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10. | During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier to occur of (i) the Effective Time, and (ii) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with Section 9.1 thereof, in the event that, (a) any shares of Company Capital Stock or other equity securities of Company are issued to the Stockholder after the date of this Support Agreement pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Company securities owned by the Stockholder, (b) the Stockholder purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Company Capital Stock or other equity securities of Company after the date of this Support Agreement, or (c) the Stockholder acquires the right to vote or share in the voting of any Company Capital Stock or other equity securities of Company after the date of this Support Agreement (such Company Capital Stock or other equity securities of Parent, collectively the “New Securities”), then such New Securities acquired or purchased by the Stockholder shall be subject to the terms of this Support Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Stockholder Shares as of the date hereof. |
11. | Consent to Disclosure. The Stockholder hereby consents to the publication and disclosure in the Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement (and, as and to the extent otherwise required by applicable securities Laws or the SEC or any other securities authorities, any other documents or communications provided by the Parent or the Company to any Governmental Authority or to securityholders of the Parent) of such Stockholder’s identity and beneficial ownership of Stockholder Shares and the nature of such Stockholder’s commitments, arrangements and understandings under and relating to this Agreement and, if deemed appropriate by the Parent or the Company, a copy of this Agreement. The Stockholder will promptly provide any information reasonably requested by the Parent or the Company for any regulatory application or filing made or approval sought in connection with the Transactions (including filings with the SEC). |
12. | Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Support Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Support Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto. |
13. | Assignment. No party hereto may, except as set forth herein, assign either this Support Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Support Agreement shall be binding on the Stockholder and its successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees. |
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14. | Counterparts. This Support Agreement may be executed in any number of original, electronic or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. |
15. | Severability. This Support Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Support Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Support Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable. |
16. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver. This Support Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Support Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction. Any Proceeding based upon, arising out of or related to this Support Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in of the State of Delaware in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division), and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Proceeding, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Support Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 15. The prevailing party in any such Proceeding (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred with respect to such Proceeding. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPORT AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. |
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17. | Notice. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Support Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent or given in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement to the applicable party, with respect to the Parent, at the address set forth in Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement, and, with respect to Stockholder, at the address set forth on Stockholder’s signature page. |
18. | Termination. This Support Agreement and the obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earliest of: (i) the Effective Time; (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with Section 9.1 thereof; and (iii) the mutual agreement of the Company and the Stockholder. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, such termination or expiration shall not relieve any party from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement occurring prior to its termination. |
19. | Stockholder Representations: The Stockholder represents and warrants to Parent and Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, that: |
a. | it has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked; |
b. | it has full right and power, without violating any agreement to which it is bound (including, without limitation, any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or former employer), to enter into this Support Agreement; |
c. | it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Support Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Stockholder’s corporate, partnership, or limited liability company powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, or limited liability company actions on the part of the Stockholder; |
d. | this Support Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Stockholder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Support Agreement, this Support Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder, enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies); |
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e. | the execution and delivery of this Support Agreement by the Stockholder does not, and the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Stockholder, or (ii) require the Stockholder to obtain any consent or approval from any third party that has not been given, in each case, to the extent that the failure to obtain such consent or approval would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement; |
f. | there are no Proceedings pending against the Stockholder or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against the Stockholder, before (or, in the case of threatened Proceedings, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement; |
g. | the Stockholder has had the opportunity to read the Merger Agreement and this Support Agreement and has had the opportunity to consult with tax and legal advisors of its own choosing; |
h. | the Stockholder has not entered into, and shall not enter into, any agreement that would prevent the Stockholder from performing any of its obligations hereunder; |
i. | the Stockholder has good title to the Stockholder Shares, free and clear of any Liens, and the Stockholder has the sole power to vote or cause to be voted such Stockholder Shares; and |
j. | the Stockholder Shares identified on the signature page of this Support Agreement are the only voting securities of the Company owned of record or beneficially owned by the Stockholder as of the date hereof, and none of such Stockholder Shares are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of such Stockholder Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Support Agreement. |
20. | No Solicitation. During the period from the date hereof and continuing until the earlier of the termination of the Merger Agreement and the Closing, the Stockholder shall not, and shall not cause or direct any of its controlled Affiliates or controlled representatives to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, seek, or take any other action to facilitate or knowingly encourage the making of, submission or announcement of any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a Competing Proposal (as defined below), (ii) enter into, maintain, continue or participate in, any discussions or negotiations with any Person or entity in furtherance of, or furnish to any Person any information or otherwise cooperate in any way with respect to, a Competing Proposal, (iii) agree to, approve, endorse, recommend or consummate any Competing Proposal, (iv) enter into, or propose to enter into, any competing Transaction Agreement, or (v) resolve, propose or agree, or authorize or permit any representative to do any of the foregoing. The Stockholder shall, and shall direct its controlled representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted prior to or on the date hereof with respect to any Competing Proposal, request the prompt return or destruction of all confidential information previously furnished and terminate access to any physical or electronic data rooms relating to a Competing Proposal previously granted to such person. |
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For purposes of this Section 19, “Competing Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer from any Person (other than Parent or its Affiliates) relating to, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, in one transaction or a series of related transactions (other than the Transactions), (i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to which any Person or the equityholders of any Person would own fifty percent (50%) or more of any class of equity securities of the Company or of any resulting parent company of the Company; (ii) any sale, lease, license, exchange, transfer or other disposition of, or joint venture involving, assets or businesses that constitute or represent more than fifty percent (50%) of the total revenue, operating income, EBITDA or fair market value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than sales of inventory and dispositions of non-material assets or licenses, in each case, in the ordinary course of the Company’s business); (iii) any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of more than fifty percent (50%) of any class of equity securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities, of the Company; (iv) any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person becoming the beneficial owner of more than fifty percent (50%) of any class of equity securities of the Company; or (v) any combination of the foregoing.
21. | [Reserved]. |
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22. | Adjustment for Stock Split. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Company or the Stockholder Shares by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means, equitable adjustment shall be made to the provisions of this Support Agreement as may be required so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Stockholder, the Company, and the Stockholder Shares as so changed. |
23. | Further Actions. Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute and deliver hereafter any further document, agreement or instrument of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof and as may be reasonably requested in writing by another party hereto. |
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If the above correctly reflects our understanding and agreement with respect to the foregoing matters, please so confirm by signing in the space below and returning this letter agreement to us.
Sincerely,
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address for notice: | ||
STOCKHOLDER SHARES | |
Shares
of Company Common
|
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Shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock:__________________________ | |
Shares of Company Series B Preferred Stock:__________________________ |
Signature Page to
Company Stockholder Support Agreement
Accepted and Agreed:
EQRX, INC. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
CM LIFE SCIENCES III INC. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
Signature Page to
Company Stockholder Support Agreement
EXHIBIT A
Company Financing Agreements and Affiliate Agreement
1. | The Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended on November 18, 2020, by and between the Company and the investors listed on Schedule A thereto. |
2. | The Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended on November 18, 2020, by and between the Company and the individuals and entities listed on Schedule A and Schedule B thereto. |
3. | The Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2020, as amended on November 18, 2020, by and between the Company and the individuals and entities listed on Schedule A and Schedule B thereto. |
4. | Management Rights Letter, dated October 2, 2019, by and between Company and AH Bio Fund II, L.P. |
5. | Management Rights Letter, dated October 2, 2019, by and between Company and Section 32 Fund 2, LP. |
6. | Publicity Letter, dated October 2, 2019, by and between Company and Section 32 Fund 2, LP. |
7. | Letter Agreement, dated October 2, 2019, by and between Company and GV 2019, L.P. |
8. | Management Rights Letter, dated January 10, 2020, by and between Company and AH Bio Fund II, L.P. |
9. | Management Rights Letter, dated September 15, 2020, by and between Company and AH Bio Fund III, L.P. |
10. | Management Rights Letter, dated January 10, 2020, by and between Company and ARCH Venture Fund X, L.P. and ARCH Venture Fund X Overage, L.P. |
11. | Management Rights Letter, dated January 10, 2020, by and between Company and Intermountain Ventures Fund, LLC. |
12. | Letter Agreement, dated June 18, 2020, by and between Company and UnitedHealth Group Ventures, LLC. |
13. | Letter Agreement, dated January 10, 2020, by and between Company and Harvard Management Private Equity Corporation. |
14. | Side Letter Agreement, dated January 28, 2021, by and between Company and Multistate Investment Services, Inc., an affiliate of Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., (dba Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey). |
15. | Side Letter Agreement, dated February 2, 2021, by and between Company and Lake Holdings RSC Limited. |
16. | Side Letter Agreement, dated December 17, 2020, by and between Company and Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund II, L.P. and BCIP Life Sciences Associates, LP. |
17. | Side Letter Agreement, dated December 17, 2020, by and between Company and Ziff Capital Healthcare Ventures-EQ, LLC. |
18. | Management Rights Letter, dated December 1, 2020, by and between Company and Hasham Traders. |
19. | Letter Agreement, dated November 18, 2020, by and between Company and the Fidelity Purchasers (as defined in the Letter Agreement). |
20. | Management Rights Letter, dated November 2, 2020, by and between Company and Series 32 Fund 3, LP. |
21. | Publicity Letter, dated November 2, 2020, by and between Company and Series 32 Fund 3, LP. |
22. | Investment Letter, dated November 2, 2020, by and between Company and Emerson Collective Investments, LLC. |
23. | Letter Agreement, dated November 2, 2020, by and between Company and Harvard Management Private Equity Corporation. |
24. | Management Rights Letter, dated November 2, 2020, by and between Company and Andreessen Horowitz LSV Fund I, L.P., for itself and as nominee for Andreessen Horowitz LSV Fund I-B, L.P. and Andreessen Horowitz LSV Fund I-Q, L.P. |
25. | Side Letter, dated January 11, 2021, by and between Company and Exor Seeds, L.P. |
Exhibit 10.5
SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This Sponsor Support Agreement (this “Sponsor Agreement”) is dated as of August 5, 2021, by and among CMLS Holdings III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Sponsor is the holder of record and the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 6,800,000 shares of Parent Class B Stock and 4,346,669 Private Placement Warrants (collectively, the “Subject Securities”);
WHEREAS, Parent and the Sponsor entered into that certain letter agreement, dated as of April 6, 2021, by and among certain current and former officers and directors of Parent (the “Insider Letter” and each party thereto a “Founder Holder”);
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Sponsor Agreement, Parent, Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and the Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 5, 2021, pursuant to which, among other transactions, Merger Sub is to merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing on as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, on the terms and conditions set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Parent and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated therein, the parties hereto desire to agree to certain matters as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT; COVENANTS
Section 1.1 Binding Effect of Merger Agreement. Sponsor hereby acknowledges that it has read the Merger Agreement and this Sponsor Agreement and has had the opportunity to consult with its tax and legal advisors. The following sections of the Merger Agreement shall be incorporated into this Sponsor Agreement, mutatis mutanis: Sections 7.11 (No Solicitation) and 7.4(b) (Other Filings; Press Release) (including any relevant definitions contained in any such Sections), and Sponsor hereby agrees to be bound by and comply with such sections as though Sponsor was an original signatory to the Merger Agreement with respect to such sections.
Section 1.2 No Transfer. During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earliest of: (a) the Effective Time; (b) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with Section 9.1 (Termination) thereof (the earlier of (a) and (b), the “Expiration Time”); and (c) the liquidation of Parent, Sponsor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the SEC (other than the Proxy Statement or the registration statement of the Parent) or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to any Sponsor’s Subject Securities (unless the transferee agrees to be bound by this Sponsor Agreement), (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Sponsor’s Subject Securities (unless the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by this Sponsor Agreement) or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii).
Section 1.3 New Shares. In the event that (a) any Parent Shares, Parent Warrants or other equity securities of Parent are issued to Sponsor after the date of this Sponsor Agreement pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Parent Shares or Parent Warrants of, on or affecting Parent Shares or Parent Warrants owned by Sponsor or otherwise, (b) a Sponsor purchases or otherwise acquires “beneficial ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of any Parent Shares, Parent Warrants or other equity securities of Parent after the date of this Sponsor Agreement, or (c) a Sponsor acquires the right to vote or share in the voting of any Parent Shares, Parent Warrants or other equity securities of Parent after the date of this Sponsor Agreement (such Parent Shares, Parent Warrants or other equity securities of Parent, collectively the “New Securities”), then such New Securities acquired or purchased by Sponsor shall be subject to the terms of this Sponsor Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Sponsor’s Subject Securities as of the date hereof.
Section 1.4 Closing Date Deliverables. At or prior to the Closing, Sponsor shall deliver to Parent and the Company a duly executed copy of that certain A&R Registration Rights Agreement, by and among, Parent, the Company and the Company Stockholders or their respective affiliates, as applicable, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E to the Merger Agreement.
Section 1.5 Sponsor Agreements.
(a) At any meeting of the shareholders of Parent, however called, or at any adjournment thereof, or in any other circumstance in which the vote, consent or other approval of the shareholders of Parent is sought, Sponsor shall (i) appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause all of Sponsor’s Subject Securities to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum and (ii) vote (or cause to be voted), or execute and deliver a written consent (or cause a written consent to be executed and delivered) covering, all of the Sponsor’s Subject Securities:
(i) in favor of each of the Parent Stockholder Matters and any other matters reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by Parent, in each case, for consummation of the Merger and the Transactions;
(ii) against any business combination, merger agreement or merger (other than the Merger Agreement, the Merger and proposed Transactions), consolidation, combination, sale of substantial assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of or by Parent, including any proposal for any of the foregoing (other than the Parent Stockholder Matters), regardless of whether there has been a Change in Recommendation;
(iii) against any proposal that would result in a change in the business, management or Board of Directors of Parent (other than in connection with the Parent Stockholder Matters as contemplated by the Merger Agreement); and
(iv) against any proposal, action or agreement that would (A) impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify any provision of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or Merger, (B) result in a breach in any respect of any covenant, representation, warranty or any other obligation or agreement of Parent or the Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement, (C) result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII of the Merger Agreement not being fulfilled, (D) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Sponsor contained in this Sponsor Agreement, or (E) change in any manner the dividend policy or capitalization of, including the voting rights of any class of capital stock of, Parent.
Sponsor hereby agrees that it shall not commit or agree to take any action inconsistent with the foregoing.
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(b) Sponsor shall comply with, and fully perform all of its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in, the Insider Letter (as defined below).
Section 1.6 Further Assurances. Sponsor shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable Laws to consummate the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein and herein.
Section 1.7 No Inconsistent Agreement. Sponsor hereby represents and covenants that it has not entered into, and shall not enter into, any agreement that would restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of its obligations hereunder.
Section 1.8 Amendment to the Insider Letter. In connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Sponsor and Parent shall (and shall cause the Founder Holders to) amend and restate the Insider Letter in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 1.9 Waiver. Sponsor does hereby, and shall cause each Founder Holder to, irrevocably and unconditionally waive (the “Waiver”), on behalf of itself and each other Founder Holder, any and all rights, title and interest Sponsor or such Founder Holder has or will have under Article 4.3(b) or any other provision of the Parent Charter to receive excess shares upon conversion of the shares of Parent Class A Stock in connection with the Merger or the Transactions.
ARTICLE
II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 2.1 Representations and Warranties of Sponsor. Sponsor represents and warrants as of the date hereof to Parent and the Company as follows:
(a) Organization; Due Authorization. Sponsor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, formed, organized or constituted, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Sponsor Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within its corporate limited liability company or organizational powers and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or organizational actions on the part of Sponsor. This Sponsor Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Sponsor and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Sponsor Agreement, this Sponsor Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of Sponsor, enforceable against Sponsor in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies). If this Sponsor Agreement is being executed in a representative or fiduciary capacity, the Person signing this Sponsor Agreement has full power and authority to enter into this Sponsor Agreement on behalf of Sponsor.
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(b) Ownership. Sponsor is the record and “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of, and has good title to, Sponsor’s Subject Securities, and there exist no Liens or any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such Subject Securities (other than transfer restrictions under the Securities Act)) affecting any such Subject Securities, other than Liens or any other limitation or restriction pursuant to (i) this Sponsor Agreement, (ii) the Parent Organizational Documents, (iii) the Merger Agreement, (iv) the Insider Letter, (v) any applicable securities laws. Sponsor’s Subject Securities are the only equity securities in Parent owned of record or beneficially by Sponsor on the date of this Sponsor Agreement, and none of Sponsor’s Subject Securities are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of such Subject Securities, except as provided hereunder and under the Insider Letter, Merger Agreement and organizational documents of Sponsor. Other than the warrants of Parent held by Sponsor, Sponsor does not hold or own any rights to acquire (directly or indirectly) any equity securities of Parent or any equity securities convertible into, or which can be exchanged for, equity securities of Parent.
(c) No Conflicts. The execution and delivery of this Sponsor Agreement by Sponsor does not, and the performance by Sponsor of his, her or its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of Sponsor or (ii) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any Person (including under any Contract binding upon Sponsor or Sponsor’s Subject Securities), in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Sponsor Agreement.
(d) Litigation. There are no Legal Proceedings pending against Sponsor, or to the knowledge of Sponsor threatened against Sponsor, before (or, in the case of threatened Legal Proceedings, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Entity, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Sponsor Agreement.
(e) Brokerage Fees. Except as described on Section 5.21 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement based upon arrangements made by Sponsor, for which Parent or any of its Affiliates may become liable.
(f) Affiliate Arrangements. Except as set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto, or as otherwise disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date of this Sponsor Agreement, neither Sponsor nor any of the present or former directors, officers, employees, stockholders or Affiliates of Sponsor (or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing) is party to, or has any rights with respect to or arising from, any Contract with Parent.
(g) Acknowledgment. Sponsor understands and acknowledges that each of Parent and the Company is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Sponsor’s execution and delivery of this Sponsor Agreement.
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ARTICLE
III
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.1 Termination. This Sponsor Agreement and all of its provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the earliest of: (a) the Expiration Time, (b) the liquidation of Parent and (c) the written agreement of the Sponsor, Parent, and the Company. Upon such termination of this Sponsor Agreement, all obligations of the parties under this Sponsor Agreement will terminate, without any liability or other obligation on the part of any party hereto to any Person in respect hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no party hereto shall have any claim against another (and no person shall have any rights against such party), whether under contract, tort or otherwise, with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the termination of this Sponsor Agreement shall not relieve any party hereto from liability arising in respect of any breach of this Sponsor Agreement prior to such termination. This Article III shall survive the termination of this Sponsor Agreement.
Section 3.2 No Responsibility for Parent Related Parties. Notwithstanding anything in this Sponsor Agreement to the contrary, (i) Sponsor shall not be responsible for the actions of Parent, the Board of Directors of Parent (or any committee thereof), or any officers, directors, employees or professional advisors of Parent, in each case acting in their capacity as such (collectively, the “Parent Related Parties”) and (ii) Sponsor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the actions of any of the Parent Related Parties.
Section 3.3 Miscellaneous. Sections 7.8 (No Claim Against Trust Account), 11.2 (Interpretation), 11.3 (Counterparts; Electronic Delivery), 11.5 (Severability), 11.6 (Other Remedies; Specific Performance), 11.7 (Governing Law), 11.8 (Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial) and 11.9 (Rules of Construction) of the Merger Agreement are each hereby incorporated into this Sponsor Agreement (including any relevant definitions contained in any such Sections), mutatis mutandis.
Section 3.4 Assignment. This Sponsor Agreement and all of the provisions hereof will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Sponsor Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder will be assigned (including by operation of law) without the prior written consent of the parties hereto.
Section 3.5 Amendment. This Sponsor Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by Sponsor, Parent and the Company.
Section 3.6 Entire Agreement. This Sponsor Agreement and the agreements referenced herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.
Section 3.7 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) on the date established by the sender as having been delivered personally; (b) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; (c) on the date delivered, if delivered by email, with confirmation of transmission; or (d) on the fifth Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows:
if to Sponsor, Parent or Merger Sub, to:
CM Life Sciences III Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Attention: Keith Meister
E-mail: kmeister@corvexcap.com
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
White & Case LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1095
Attention: Matthew Kautz; Joel Rubinstein
Email: mkautz@whitecase.com; joel.rubinstein@whitecase.com
if to the Company, prior to the Closing, to:
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Attention: Jami Rubin, CFO
Email: jrubin@eqrx.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Attention: William Collins
Email: wcollins@goodwinlaw.com
or to such other address or to the attention of such Person or Persons as the recipient Party has specified by prior written notice to the sending Party (or in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel may hereafter maintain). If more than one method for sending notice as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth above shall control.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Sponsor, Parent, and the Company have each caused this Sponsor Support Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
SPONSOR: | |||
CMLS Holdings III LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Keith Meister | ||
Name: | Keith Meister | ||
Title: | Member |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Sponsor, Parent, and the Company have each caused this Sponsor Support Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
PARENT: | |||
CM Life Sciences III Inc. | |||
By: | /s/ Brian Emes | ||
Name: | Brian Emes | ||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Sponsor, Parent, and the Company have each caused this Sponsor Support Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | |||
EQRX, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Melanie Nallicheri | ||
Name: | Melanie Nallicheri | ||
Title: | President and Chief Operating Officer |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Support Agreement]
Schedule 1
Affiliate Transactions
None
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Insider Letter
See Attached.
Exhibit 10.6
SPONSOR FORFEITURE AGREEMENT
August 5, 2021
CMLS Holdings III LLC
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
CM Life Sciences III Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
EQRx, Inc.
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Re: Forfeiture of Certain Sponsor Class B Common Stock
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to:
(i) | that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 5, 2021, by and among CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation and publicly traded NASDAQ-listed acquisition company (“Parent”), Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, and EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”); and |
(ii) | that certain Securities Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”), dated February 3, 2021, by and between the CMLS Holdings III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and Parent, pursuant to which the Sponsor subscribed for shares of Class B common stock of Parent (the “Sponsor Class B Shares”), as more specifically set forth therein. |
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement or the Subscription Agreement, as applicable.
In order to induce Parent and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and to proceed with the transactions contemplated therein and thereby, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Parent, the Company and the Sponsor, hereby agree, pursuant to this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”), as follows:
1. | Effective immediately prior to (and contingent upon) the Closing, the Sponsor agrees to forfeit a certain number of the Sponsor Class B Shares, calculated as follows: |
(a) | In the event that Parent Stockholder Redemptions reduce the aggregate amount of funds held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor agrees to forfeit a number of the Sponsor Class B Shares equal to the product of |
(i) | one-half (1/2) of the Sponsor Class B Shares; multiplied by |
(ii) | a percentage equal to the quotient of the dollar amount of Parent Stockholder Redemptions divided by the dollar value of the aggregate amount of funds held in the Trust Account as of the date hereof (the “Forfeiture Percentage”). |
Such product, rounded down to the nearest whole number of Sponsor Class B Shares, the “Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares,” and the forfeiture thereof, the “Share Forfeiture.”
For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the number of Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares be less than zero or greater than one-half (1/2) of the Sponsor Class B Shares.
2. | To effect the Share Forfeiture immediately prior to (and contingent upon) the Closing: |
(a) | the Sponsor shall surrender the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares to Parent for cancellation and in exchange for no consideration; |
(b) | Parent shall immediately retire and cancel all of the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares (and shall direct Parent’s transfer agent (or such other intermediaries as appropriate) to take any and all such actions incident thereto); and |
(c) | the Sponsor and Parent each shall take such actions as are necessary to cause the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares to be retired and cancelled, after which the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares shall no longer be issued, outstanding, convertible, or exercisable, and the Sponsor shall provide the Company with evidence that such retirement and cancellation has occurred. |
3. | The Sponsor hereby represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, that the Sponsor owns, and holds of record, all of the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares, free and clear of all Liens and other obligations in respect of the Forfeited Sponsor Class B Shares. |
4. | No party hereto may assign either this Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Letter Agreement shall be binding on the Sponsor, the Company, and their respective successors and assigns. |
5. | All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) on the date established by the sender as having been delivered personally; (b) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; (c) on the date delivered, if delivered by email, with confirmation of transmission; or (d) on the fifth Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows: |
If to Sponsor:
CMLS Holdings III LLC
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Attention: Keith Meister
E-mail: kmeister@corvexcap.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
White & Case LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1095
Attention: Matthew Kautz; Joel Rubinstein
Email: mkautz@whitecase.com; joel.rubinstein@whitecase.com
2
If to the Company:
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Attention: Jami Rubin, CFO
Email: jrubin@eqrx.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Attention: William Collins
Email: wcollins@goodwinlaw.com
6. | This Letter Agreement shall immediately terminate, without any further action by the parties hereto, at such time, if at all, that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. |
7. | Sections 7.8 (No Claim Against Trust Account), 11.2 (Interpretation), 11.3 (Counterparts; Electronic Delivery), 11.5 (Severability), 11.6 (Other Remedies; Specific Performance), 11.7 (Governing Law), 11.8 (Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial) and 11.9 (Rules of Construction) of the Merger Agreement are each hereby incorporated into this Letter Agreement (including any relevant definitions contained in any such Sections), mutatis mutandis. |
8. | This Letter Agreement and all of the provisions hereof will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Letter Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder will be assigned (including by operation of law) without the prior written consent of the parties hereto. |
9. | This Letter Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by Sponsor, Parent and the Company. |
10. | This Letter Agreement and the agreements referenced herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof. |
[Signature pages to follow]
3
In Witness Whereof, this Letter Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Party as of the date first above written.
SPONSOR: | ||
CMLS Holdings III LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Keith Meister | |
Name: | Keith Meister | |
Title: | Member |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement]
In Witness Whereof, this Letter Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Party as of the date first above written.
PARENT: | |||
CM Life Sciences III Inc. | |||
By: | /s/ Brian Emes | ||
Name: | Brian Emes | ||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement]
In Witness Whereof, this Letter Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Party as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: | |||
EQRX, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Melanie Nallicheri | ||
Name: | Melanie Nallicheri | ||
Title: | President and Chief Operating Officer |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Forfeiture Agreement]
Exhibit 10.7
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, is made and entered into by and among CM Life Sciences III Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), CMLS Holdings III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), the undersigned parties listed on the signature page hereto under “Existing Holders” (the “Existing Holders”), the undersigned parties listed on the signature page hereto as “New Holders” (the “New Holders” and, together with the Existing Holders and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2021, the Company, the Existing Holders and the Sponsor entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “Existing Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted the Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company;
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2021, the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, directors and director nominees (the “Original Insiders”, and together with the Additional Insider, as defined below, the ‘Insiders”) entered into that certain insider letter, as amended on August 5, 2021, pursuant to which the Insiders and the Sponsor agreed to certain transfer and selling restrictions with respect to their Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class B Common Stock”) issued and outstanding as of the date hereof and all shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class A Common Stock”) issued upon conversion thereof;
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2021, the Company entered into that certain additional insider letter, by and between the Company and the undersigned party listed on the signature page thereto (the “Additional Insider”) and that certain joinder agreement to the Existing Registration Rights Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 5, 2021, by and among the Company, EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Clover III Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;
WHEREAS, upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Existing Holders and New Holders will hold shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company is conducting a private placement of its Class A Common Stock (the “PIPE Investment”) pursuant to the terms of one or more Subscription Agreements, and certain Holders may purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant thereto (the “PIPE Shares”);
WHEREAS, certain New Holders may receive additional shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”) pursuant to certain provisions in the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the holders of a majority-in-interest of the “Registrable Securities” (as such term is defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) at the time in question; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Sponsor desire to amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement in its entirety in order to provide the Existing Holders and the New Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Article
I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information the disclosure of which, in the good-faith determination of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any Misstatement, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) which the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making public.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common control with, such Person, and, in the case of an individual, also includes any member of such individual’s Immediate Family; provided that the Company and its subsidiaries will not be deemed to be Affiliates of any holder of Registrable Securities. As used in this definition, “control,” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreed Disclosure Process” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.5.4.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Block Trade” means an offering or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) effected pursuant to a Registration Statement without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” shall mean a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks in New York City are authorized or requested by law to close.
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“Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Class B Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Closing Date” shall mean the date of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Commission’s Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Company Shelf Takedown Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“Demanding Holders” shall mean, as applicable, (a) the Existing Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by the Existing Holders, (b) the New Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by the New Holders or (c) any Holder meeting the Minimum Amount.
“DTC” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.17.
“DWAC” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.17.
“Earnout Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Existing Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to the remaining 50% of the Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or its Permitted Transferees, the period ending on the second anniversary of the Closing Date.
“Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.
“Founder Shares” shall mean all shares of Class B Common Stock that are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof and all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof.
“Founder Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares held by the Existing Holders (other than the Sponsor) or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending on the earlier of (a) one year after the Closing Date, (b) the first date that the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date, and (c) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash securities or other property..
“Holders” shall mean the Sponsor, the Existing Holders and the New Holders and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2.
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“Immediate Family” shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and shall include adoptive relationships.
“Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to 50% of the Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or its Permitted Transferees, the period ending on the earlier of (a) one year after the Closing Date, (b) the first date that the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date, and (c) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.
“Initial Shelf” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Insider Letter” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.4.
“Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Minimum Amount” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, (in the case of any Prospectus in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
“MNPI Provisions” shall have meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Nasdaq” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.4.
“Necessary Disclosure” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.5.4.
“New Holder(s)” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) with respect to an Existing Holder or the Sponsor, any Person to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period or the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, as applicable, the Private Placement Lock-Up Period or any other lock-up period, as the case may be, under the Insider Letter, the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement, this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between such Existing Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter; and (b) with respect to a New Holder, (i) in the case of an individual, any Person to whom a Holder transfers Registrable Securities (1) by gift to a member of the individual’s Immediate Family, to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s Immediate Family or an Affiliate of such Person, or to a charitable organization, (2) by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual and (3) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; or (ii) in the case of an entity, any Person to whom a Holder transfers Registrable Securities (1) by distribution to such entity’s members, partners, stockholders or equityholders, (2) to any of such entity’s Affiliates or to any fund or other entity controlled or managed by such entity or any of its Affiliates, or to investment manager or investment advisor of such entity or an Affiliate of any such investment manager or investment advisor, and (3) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clause (b) of this definition, provided that such transferee to which a transfer is being made pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, if not a Holder, enters into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the restrictions, including restrictions specific to certain holders, herein.
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“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated association or other legal entity or business organization.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.1.
“PIPE Investment” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“PIPE Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Private Placement Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Warrants that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the Private Placement Warrants and shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the Private Placement Warrants, and that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the Closing Date.
“Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock purchased by the Sponsor pursuant to the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement.
“Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the Sponsor, dated as of April 6, 2021.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.4.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus and free writing prospectus, in each case, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares and the shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Warrants (including any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), (c) any issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any equity securities (including the shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $1,500,000 made to the Company by a Holder into private-placement equivalent warrants (the “Working Capital Warrants”) and shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Warrants, (e) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or any other equity security of the Company held by a New Holder issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including any Earnout Shares), (f) any PIPE Shares, (g) any other equity securities (including shares of Class A Common Stock) of the Company held by a New Holder at the Closing Date and (h) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Class A Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (iii) such securities have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iv) with respect to a Holder, all such securities held by such Holder could be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) without restriction on volume or manner of sale in any three-month period and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the public information required under Rule 144; or (v) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person holds such Registrable Securities of record or in “street name” or has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right and, in the case of Registrable Securities issuable upon exercise of warrants, assuming the exercise thereof for cash), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder; provided a holder of Registrable Securities may only request that Registrable Securities in the form of Class A Common Stock be registered pursuant to this Agreement.
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“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) all registration, qualification and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed;
(b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(c) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(d) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(e) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(f) reasonable and documented fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the Demanding Holders, not to exceed $50,000.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Registration Trigger Date” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.7.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“SEC Guidance” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereafter, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“Shelf Take Down Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Shelf Underwritten Offering” shall mean an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to a shelf registration statement, including a Block Trade.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Sponsor Shares Lock-up Periods” shall mean the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period and the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period.
“Subscription Agreements” shall means those certain subscription agreements dated August 5, 2021 by and between the Company and certain subscribers to shares of Class A Common Stock.
“Suspension Event” shall have the meaning given in Section 3.4.
“Suspension Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 3.4.
“Trading Day” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.7.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Unrestricted Conditions” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.5.2.
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Article
II
REGISTRATIONS
Section 2.1 Shelf Registration.
2.1.1 The Company shall, as soon as practicable, but in any event within 30 days after the Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act (the “Initial Shelf”) to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) on the terms and conditions specified in this subsection 2.1.1 and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Initial Shelf to be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) 60 days following the Filing Deadline and (ii) five Business Days after the Commission notifies the Company that it will not review the Initial Shelf, if applicable (the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided that the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to 90 days after the Filing Deadline if the Initial Shelf is reviewed by, and receives comments from, the Commission. Without limiting the foregoing, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than three Business Days, following the resolution or clearance of all Commission comments or, if applicable, following notification by the Commission that the Initial Shelf or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review, the Company shall file a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Initial Shelf (to the extent required, by declaration or ordering of effectiveness, of such Initial Shelf or amendment thereto by the Commission) to a time and date not later than two Business Days after the submission of such request. The Initial Shelf filed with the Commission pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 shall be on Form S-1 or such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of the Registrable Securities, provided, that the Company shall file, within 30 days of such time as Form S-3 is available for the Initial Shelf, a post-effective amendment to the Initial Shelf then in effect, or otherwise file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, registering the Registrable Securities for resale on Form S-3 (provided that the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment) on Form S-3 covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the Commission). The Initial Shelf shall cover all Registrable Securities, and shall contain a Prospectus in such form as permits any Holder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) at any time beginning on the effective date for such Initial Shelf and the Company shall file with the Commission the final form of such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 (or successor thereto) under the Securities Act no later than the second Business Day after the Initial Shelf becomes effective. The Initial Shelf shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders and shall include a customary “plan of distribution” permitting all lawful means of disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, including block sales, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, distributions to affiliates, partners or equityholders and other customary provisions. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that the Initial Shelf is available or, if not available, that another Registration Statement is available at all times, for the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities. As soon as practicable following the effective date of the Initial Shelf, but in any event within three Business Days of such date, the Company shall notify the Holders of the effectiveness of such the Initial Shelf.
2.1.2 Form of Registration. If the Company files the Initial Shelf on Form S-3 (a “Form S-3 Shelf”) and thereafter the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3 for secondary sales, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file the Initial Shelf on Form S-1 as promptly as practicable to replace the shelf registration statement that is on Form S-3 and have the Initial Shelf declared effective as promptly as practicable and to cause such Initial Shelf to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Initial Shelf is available or, if not available, that another Registration Statement is available, for the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.
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2.1.3 Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. At any time and from time to time following the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf, any Holder may request to sell all or a portion of their Registrable Securities in a Shelf Underwritten Offering; provided that such Holder(s) reasonably expects to sell Registrable Securities yielding aggregate gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000 from such Shelf Underwritten Offering (such amount of Registrable Securities, the “Minimum Amount”). All requests for a Shelf Underwritten Offering shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “Shelf Take Down Notice”). Each Shelf Take Down Notice shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Shelf Underwritten Offering and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Shelf Underwritten Offering. Except with respect to any Registrable Securities distributed by the Sponsor to its members following the expiration of the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as applicable, within five days after receipt of any Shelf Take Down Notice, the Company shall, subject to subsections 3.5.3 and 3.5.4 (collectively, the “MNPI Provisions”), give written notice of such requested Shelf Underwritten Offering to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (the “Company Shelf Takedown Notice”) and, subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2.4, shall include in such Shelf Underwritten Offering all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein, within five days after sending the Company Shelf Takedown Notice. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters selected by the Holders holding a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Underwritten Offering after consultation with, and approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) by, the Company and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. In connection with any Shelf Underwritten Offering contemplated by this subsection 2.1.3, subject to Section 3.3 and Article IV, the underwriting agreement into which each Holder and the Company shall enter shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations of the Company and the selling stockholders as are customary in underwritten offerings of securities by the Company. The New Holders, on the one hand, and the Existing Holders, on the other hand, may each demand not more than two Shelf Underwritten Offerings pursuant to this subsection 2.1.3 in any 12-month period.
2.1.4 At least 10 Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this Article II, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to notify each Holder in writing (which may be by email) of the information reasonably necessary about the Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent the Company has not received such information, and received any other reasonably requested agreements or certificates, on or prior to the third Business Day prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this Article II.
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2.1.5 Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in this Section 2, in the event that, despite the Company’s efforts to include all of the Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement filed pursuant to subsection 2.1.1, the Commission informs the Company (the “Commission’s Notice”) that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415 or otherwise, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single Registration Statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform each of the holders thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Initial Shelf as required by the Commission and (ii) as soon as practicable but in no event later than the 20th day following the first date on which such Registrable Securities may then be included in a Registration Statement, file an additional Registration Statement (a “New Registration Statement”), on Form S-3, or if Form S-3 is not then available to the Company for such Registration Statement, on such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Company shall be obligated to use its commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff (the “SEC Guidance”), including without limitation, the Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations D.29. The Holders shall have the right to participate or have their respective legal counsel participate in any meetings or discussions with the Commission regarding the Commission’s position and to comment or have their respective counsel comment on any written submission made to the Commission with respect thereto. No such written submission shall be made to the Commission to which any Holder’s counsel reasonably objects. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation of the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering, unless otherwise directed in writing by a holder as to its Registrable Securities directing the inclusion of less than such holder’s pro rata amount, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders. In the event the Company amends the Initial Shelf or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more Registration Statements on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Initial Shelf, as amended, or the New Registration Statement.
2.1.6 No Holder shall be named as an “underwriter” in any Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2 without the Holder’s prior written consent; provided that if the Commission requests that a Holder be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement, then such Holder will have the option, in its sole and absolute discretion, to either (i) have the opportunity to withdraw from the Registration Statement upon its prompt written request to the Company, in which case the Company’s obligation to register such Holder’s Registrable Securities shall be deemed satisfied or (ii) be included as such in the Registration Statement. Each Registration Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto) shall be provided to (and shall be subject to the approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, of) the Holders prior to its filing with, or other submission to, the Commission.
2.1.7 In the event that on any Trading Day (as defined below) (the “Registration Trigger Date”) the number of shares available under the Registration Statements filed pursuant to this Section 2 is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities (without giving effect to any limitations on the exercise or conversion of any securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Registrable Securities and, in the case of Registrable Securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants, assuming the exercise of such warrants for cash), the Company shall amend such Registration Statements, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover the total number of Registrable Securities so issued or issuable (without giving effect to any limitations on the exercise or conversion of any securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Registrable Securities and, in the case of Registrable Securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants, assuming the exercise of such warrants for cash) as of the Registration Trigger Date as soon as practicable, but in any event within 15 days after the Registration Trigger Date. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof, but in any event no later than 60 days of the Registration Trigger Date (or 90 days if the applicable Registration Statement or amendment is reviewed by, and comments are thereto provided from, the Commission) or as promptly as practicable in the event the Company is required to increase its authorized shares. “Trading Day” shall mean any day on which the Class A Common Stock is traded for any period on the principal securities exchange or market on which the Class A Common Stock is then being traded.
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Section 2.2 Demand Registration.
2.2.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 and Section 3.4 hereof, and provided that the Company does not have an effective Registration Statement pursuant to subsection 2.1.1, outstanding covering all of the Registrable Securities, following the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Private Placement Lock-up Period or any other applicable lock-up period, as the case may be, a Demanding Holder may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). Subject to the MNPI Provisions, the Company shall, within five days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, subject to subsection 2.2.4 below, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than 60 days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration by the Existing Holders and an aggregate of three Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration by the New Holders under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not be required to give effect to a Demand Registration from a Demanding Holder if the Company has registered Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration (which has become effective) from such Demanding Holder in the preceding 120 days, and (ii) the Company’s obligations with respect to any Demand Registration shall be deemed satisfied so long as the Registration Statement filed pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 includes all of such Demanding Holder’s Registrable Securities and is effective. The registration statement effecting such Demand Registration shall provide for the sale or resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders and shall include a customary “plan of distribution” permitting all lawful means of disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, including block sales, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, distribution to affiliates, partners or equityholders and other customary provisions.
2.2.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.2.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (a) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and, (b) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency, the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five days thereafter, of such election. The Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration by the same Demanding Holder becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.
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2.2.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2.4 and Section 3.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.3, subject to Section 3.3 and Article IV, shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Company and the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration after consultation with, and approval by, the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
2.2.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If a Demand Registration is to be an Underwritten Offering and the managing Underwriter or Underwriters, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that, in its opinion, the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell for its own account and the Class A Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in such Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows:
(a) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities held by each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities held by each Holder) exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.3.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell for its own account, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and
(d) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
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2.2.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A Demanding Holder or a Requesting Holder shall have the right to withdraw all or a portion of its Registrable Securities included in a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 or a Shelf Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.3 for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of its intention to so withdraw (“Withdrawal Notice”) (a) in the case of a Demand Registration not involving an Underwritten Offering, one Business Day prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement or (b) in the case of any Demand Registration involving an Underwritten Offering or any Shelf Underwritten Offering, prior to the pricing of such Underwritten Offering or Shelf Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that upon withdrawal by a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration (or in the case of a Shelf Underwritten Offering, withdrawal of an amount of Registrable Securities included by the Holders in such Shelf Underwritten Offering, in their capacity as Demanding Holders, being less than the Minimum Amount), the Company shall cease all efforts to secure effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement or complete the Underwritten Offering, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, any Demand Registration withdrawn pursuant to this subsection 2.2.5 shall be counted toward the aggregate number of Demand Registrations the Company is obligated to effect pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 unless (A)(1) the Demanding Holders reimburse the Company for all of its out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with any such withdrawn Demand Registration incurred through the date of such withdrawal and (2) such revocation or withdrawal shall have been made prior to the commencement of any marketing efforts or “road shows” by the Company or the underwriters in connection with such Demand Registration, or (B) such withdrawal or revocation occurs following the issuance by the Company of a Suspension Notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred by it in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration or a Shelf Underwritten Offering prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.5.
Section 2.3 Piggyback Registration.
2.3.1 Piggyback Rights. If the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (a) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (b) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (c) for an offering solely of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (d) for a dividend reinvestment plan, (e) for any issuances of securities in connection with a transaction involving a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange, issuance, transfer, reorganization or other extraordinary transaction between the Company or any of its Affiliates and any third party, or (f) filed pursuant to subsection 2.1.1, then, subject to the MNPI Provisions, the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities (excluding the Sponsor with respect to any Registrable Securities distributed by the Sponsor to its members following the expiration of the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as applicable) as soon as practicable but not less than 20 days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (i) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution (including whether such registration will be pursuant to a shelf registration statement), and the proposed price and name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, (ii) describe such Holders’ rights under this Section 2.3, and (iii) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration, a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities identified in a Holder’s response noticed described in the foregoing sentence to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering, if any, to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.3.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company or Company stockholder(s) for whose account the Registration Statement is to be filed included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The registration statement effecting such Piggyback Registration shall provide for the sale or resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders and shall include a customary “plan of distribution” permitting all lawful means of disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, including block sales, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, distribution to affiliates, partners or equityholders and other customary provisions. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.3.1, subject to Section 3.3 and Article IV, shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
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2.3.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that, in its opinion, the dollar amount or number of the Class A Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (a) the Class A Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (b) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, and (c) the Class A Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
2.3.2.1 if the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (a) first, the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.3.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), the Class A Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and
2.3.2.2 if the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (a) first, the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.3.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell for its own account, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (d) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), the Class A Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
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2.3.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw such Registrable Securities from such Piggyback Registration (a) in the case of a Piggyback Registration not involving an Underwritten Offering or Shelf Underwritten Offering, one Business Day prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement or (b) in the case of any Piggyback Registration involving an Underwritten Offering or any Shelf Underwritten Offering, two Business Days prior to the pricing of such Underwritten Offering or Shelf Underwritten Offering. The Company (whether on its own good-faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.
2.3.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.2 hereof or a Shelf Underwritten Offering effected under subsection 2.1.3.
Section 2.4 Reserved.
Section 2.5 Block Trades.
2.5.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 3.4, if a Demanding Holder desires to effect a Block Trade with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, either (x) the Minimum Amount or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then notwithstanding the time periods provided for in subsection 2.1.4, such Demanding Holder shall notify the Company of the Block Trade at least five Business Days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade; provided that the Demanding Holders wishing to engage in the Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters or placement agents or sales agents prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade.
2.5.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade, any Demanding Holders shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters or placement agents or sales agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade.
Section 2.6 Market Stand-Off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade), each Holder participating in the Underwritten Offering pursuant to the terms of this Agreement agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the 90-day period beginning on the date of pricing of such offering or such shorter period during which the Company agrees not to conduct an underwritten primary offering of Class A Common Stock, except in the event the Underwriters managing the offering otherwise agree by written consent. Each Holder participating in the Underwritten Offering agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).
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Article
III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
Section 3.1 General Procedures. If the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof. When effective, the Registration Statements filed pursuant to this Agreement (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain a Misstatement. In connection with effecting a Registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and, except as otherwise set forth herein, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by a majority in interest of the applicable Holders of Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders, and no document shall be filed with the Commission to which any Holder or its counsel reasonably objects in good faith;
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, but in any case no later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (a) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect, and (b) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities or securities exchanges, including the applicable Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company or otherwise and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable, in each case, to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
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3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of (i) subject to the MNPI Provisions, any request by the Commission that the Company amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or (ii) the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued, as applicable;
3.1.8 at least five Business Days (or, in the case of a Block Trade, at least one day) prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel, including, without limitation, providing, upon request of a Holder, copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;
3.1.9 notify the Holders promptly at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then correct such Misstatement or include such information as is necessary to comply with law, in each case as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10 permit a representative of a majority-in-interest of the New Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of any Registration Statement and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that, if requested by the Company, such representatives or Underwriters shall be required to enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter (including a bring-down letter dated as of the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration) from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering that the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders and any Underwriter;
3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders and any Underwriter;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;
3.1.14 otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and to make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
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3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders or the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering;
3.1.16 if applicable, promptly effect a filing with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 (or successor thereto) with respect to the public offering contemplated by resales of securities under the Initial Shelf (an “Issuer Filing”), pay the filing fee required by such Issuer Filing and use its commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Issuer Filing until FINRA issues a letter confirming that it does not object to the terms of the offering contemplated by the Initial Shelf.
3.1.17 cooperate with each Holder that holds Registrable Securities being offered and the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering with respect to an applicable Registration Statement, if any, to facilitate the timely (i) preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Registrable Securities that have been offered and sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, and enable such certificates to be registered in such names and in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, or (ii) crediting of the Registrable Securities that have been offered and sold pursuant to a Registration Statement to the applicable account (or accounts) with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (“DWAC”) system, in any such case as such Holder or Underwriter, if any, may reasonably request;
3.1.18 for so long as this Agreement remains effective, use reasonable best effects to (a) cause the Class A Common Stock to be eligible for clearing through DTC, through its DWAC system; (b) be eligible and participating in the Direct Registration System (DRS) of DTC with respect to the Class A Common Stock; and (c) ensure that the transfer agent for the Class A Common Stock is a participant in, and that the Class A Common Stock is eligible for transfer pursuant to, DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (or successor thereto); and
3.1.19 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders in connection with such Registration.
Section 3.2 Registration Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders except as otherwise provided herein.
Section 3.3 Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No Person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
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Section 3.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights; Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. If (a) during the period starting with the date 60 days prior to the Company’s good-faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date 120 days after the effective date of, a Registration Statement in respect of a Company initiated underwritten Registration the Company receives a Demand Registration, and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Company-initiated Registration Statement to become effective, (b) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of the underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer, or (c) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case, the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good-faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for a Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than 60 days. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing ability to defer the filing of a Registration Statement shall not apply to the Company’s obligation to file the Initial Shelf pursuant to subsection 2.1.1. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with law, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement or including the information counsel for the Company instructs is necessary to comply with law (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice such that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, as applicable, will not include a Misstatement and complies with law), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control (a “Suspension Event”), the Company may, subject to the MNPI Provisions, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (a “Suspension Notice”), no later than three Business Days from the date of such Suspension Event, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time required to resolve such issue, but in no event more than 45 consecutive days, determined in good faith by the Board to be necessary for such purpose; provided that the Company shall not defer its obligations pursuant to this Section 3.4 more than twice during any 12-month period; provided further, that in no event shall the Company be entitled to delay or defer the filing or effectiveness of the Initial Shelf pursuant to this Section 3.4. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the Suspension Notice, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the foregoing shall not restrict or otherwise affect the consummation of any sale pursuant to a contract entered into, or order placed, by any Holder prior to delivery of the Suspension Notice. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4. The Holders agree that, except as required by applicable law, the Holders shall treat as confidential the receipt of a Suspension Notice from the Company under this Section 3.4 (provided that in no event shall such notice disclose the basis for suspension or contain any material nonpublic information) and shall not disclose the information contained in such written notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes public, other than as a result of disclosure by a holder of Registrable Securities in breach of the terms of this Agreement.
Section 3.5 Covenants of the Company.
3.5.1 The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144. Without limiting the foregoing, as long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities (without taking into account the exclusion of the definition of such term contained in clause (iv) thereof), the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings to the extent such reports are not available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Class A Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions.
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3.5.2 Other than with respect to any contractual restriction applicable to any Holder, the stock certificates evidencing the Registrable Securities (without taking into account the exclusion of the definition of such term contained in clause (iv) thereof) (and/or book entries representing the Registrable Securities) held by each Holder shall not contain or be subject to any legend restricting the transfer thereof (and the Registrable Securities shall not be subject to any stop transfer or similar instructions or notations): (A) while a Registration Statement covering the sale or resale of such securities is effective under the Securities Act, if such Holder provides paperwork to the effect that it will sell, distribute or transfer such securities pursuant to such Registration Statement and the plan of distribution set forth therein or Rule 144, or (B) if such Holder provides customary paperwork to the effect that it has sold such shares pursuant to Rule 144, or (C) if such Registrable Securities are eligible for sale under Rule 144 (including Rule 144(i)) as set forth in customary non-affiliate paperwork provided by such Holder and such non-affiliate Holder agrees to sell or transfer such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to a Registration Statement and the plan of distribution set forth therein or (D) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) as determined in good faith by counsel to the Company or set forth in a legal opinion delivered by nationally recognized counsel to the Holder (collectively, the “Unrestricted Conditions”). The Company agrees that at such time as any of the Unrestricted Conditions is met or such legend is otherwise no longer required it will, no later than two Business Days following the delivery by a Holder to the Company or the Company’s transfer agent of a certificate representing any Registrable Securities, issued with a restrictive legend, (or, in the case of Registrable Securities represented by book entries, delivery by a Holder to the Company or the Company’s transfer agent of a legend removal request) deliver or cause to be delivered to such Holder a certificate or, at the request of such Holder, deliver or cause to be delivered such Registrable Securities to such Holder by crediting the account of such Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (DWAC) system, in each case, free from all restrictive and other legends and stop transfer or similar instructions or notations. If any of the Unrestricted Conditions is met at the time of issuance of any Registrable Securities (e.g., upon exercise of warrants), then such securities shall be issued free of all legends.
3.5.3 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will not provide any material, nonpublic information to any Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder, and in the event that the Company believes that a notice or communication required by this Agreement to be delivered to any Holder contains material, nonpublic information relating to the Company, its securities, any of its Affiliates or any other Person, the Company shall so indicate to such Holder prior to delivery of such notice or communication, and such indication shall provide such Holder the means to refuse to receive such notice or communication. No Holder nor any of its Affiliates or representatives shall have any duty of trust or confidence with respect to, or obligation not to trade in any securities while aware of, any material, nonpublic information provided to such Holder, Affiliate or representative in violation of this subsection 3.5.3.
3.5.4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company reasonably and in good faith determines that it is necessary to disclose material non-public information to a Holder in order to comply with its obligations hereunder (a “Necessary Disclosure”), the Company shall inform counsel to such Holder to the extent such counsel has been identified in writing to the Company in advance of such determination without disclosing the applicable material non-public information, and the Company and such counsel on behalf of the applicable Holder shall endeavor to agree upon a process for making such Necessary Disclosure to the applicable Holder or its representatives that is mutually acceptable to such Holder and the Company (an “Agreed Disclosure Process”). Thereafter, the Company shall be permitted to make such Necessary Disclosure (only) in accordance with the Agreed Disclosure Process.
Section 3.6 Information. The Holders shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the Registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Article II and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.
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Article
IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
Section 4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and each Holder’s and control Person’s officers, directors, members, partners, and managers against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any Misstatement or alleged Misstatement, except insofar as the same are contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement or Prospectus. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and agents and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information relating to such Holder as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any Misstatement or alleged Misstatement, but only to the extent that such Misstatement or alleged Misstatement is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities in such offering giving rise to such liability. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3 Any Person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party in defending such claim) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation or includes any admission as to fault or culpability or failure to act on the part of an indemnified party.
4.1.4 The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, manager, or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
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4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any Misstatement or alleged Misstatement, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action and the benefits received by the such indemnifying party or indemnified party; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 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 subsection 4.1.5. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
Article
V
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third Business Day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail (provided no “bounce back” or notice of non-delivery is received) or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (except in the case of electronic mail, with the delivery receipt) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: 50 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
Section 5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company and the Holders hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company or the Holders, as the case may be, in whole or in part.
5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, no Existing Holder who is subject to the Founder Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period may assign or delegate such Existing Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee, to an Affiliate or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the Private Placement Lock-up Period or other lock-up period, as applicable.
5.2.3 Prior to the expiration of the Initial Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period and the Final Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Sponsor may not assign or delegate its rights and duties or obligation under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by the Sponsor to a Permitted Transferee, to an Affiliate, or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of the relevant Sponsor Shares Lock-up Period, the Private Placement Lock-up Period or other lock-up period as applicable.
5.2.4 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the applicable Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
5.2.5 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any Persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.
5.2.6 No assignment (including to a Permitted Transferee) by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (a) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
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Section 5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile, PDF counterparts or other electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
Section 5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects either the Existing Holders as a group or the New Holders as a group, respectively, in a manner that is materially adversely different from the Existing Holders or New Holders, as applicable, shall require the consent of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities held by such Existing Holders or New Holders, as applicable, at the time in question; provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment to Section 2.6 that affects a party hereto shall require the written consent of such party. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
Section 5.6 Other Registration Rights. Other than pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements in connection with the PIPE Investment, the Company represents and warrants that no Person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other Person. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions among the parties thereto, and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. To the extent the Company grants any Person(s) the right to request the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, the Company shall grant piggyback registration rights to the New Holders in connection therewith.
Section 5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement, (b) the date as of which all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (c) with respect to a particular Holder, the date as of which all Registrable Securities held by such Holder have been sold (x) pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (y) under Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
Section 5.8 Rules of Construction. Any provision of this Agreement that refers to the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” References to numbered or letter articles, sections and subsections refer to articles, sections and subsections, respectively, of this Agreement unless expressly stated otherwise. All references to this Agreement include, whether or not expressly referenced, the exhibits and schedules attached hereto. References to a Section, paragraph, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section or paragraph of, or Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “or” when used in this Agreement is not exclusive. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument, law or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument, or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and includes references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein unless otherwise indicated. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. In the event that any claim is made by any Person relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular Person or its counsel.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
[NEW HOLDERS]
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Exhibit 99.1
EQRx to Accelerate Growth with $1.8 Billion Raise through Proposed Combination with CM Life Sciences III
- | Anticipated proceeds expand balance sheet to ~$2.0 billion and will be used to accelerate “new pharma” platform to develop and deliver innovative medicines at radically lower prices through unique partnerships with leading payers and healthcare providers |
- | Financing includes a fully committed and upsized PIPE of $1.2 billion led by SB Management Limited, a 100% subsidiary of SoftBank Group, Casdin Capital and Corvex Management, alongside leading institutional, life science, growth and strategic investors that include Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Franklin Templeton, Invus, Rock Springs Capital, Bain Capital Life Sciences, BVF Partners L.P., Boxer Capital, LLC, Avidity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Mubadala Investment Company and its asset management subsidiary, Mubadala Capital, Verily and strategic partners spanning the healthcare ecosystem of integrated delivery networks, health insurers, health systems and therapeutic developers |
- | Combined company to be led by chief executive officer Melanie Nallicheri; Alexis Borisy to become executive chairman of the board of directors |
- | New directors to include Dr. Amy Abernethy, president of Verily's clinical research platforms, and most recently principal deputy commissioner of FDA |
- | Business combination expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021 |
Cambridge, MA & New York, NY – August 6, 2021 – EQRx, Inc., a new type of pharmaceutical company committed to developing and delivering important new medicines to patients at radically lower prices, and CM Life Sciences III, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLTU), a life science-focused special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, sponsored by affiliates of Casdin Capital, LLC and Corvex Management LP, today announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. The transaction is expected to provide up to $1.8 billion in cash proceeds to EQRx, expanding the cash on its balance sheet to approximately $2.0 billion at closing.
“EQRx is new pharma, leading the way in how we develop and price innovative medicines,” said Alexis Borisy, chairman and chief executive officer of EQRx. “We are excited to partner with a world-class group of investors who recognize the opportunity for change in our industry.”
Upon closing of the business combination, CM Life Sciences III will be renamed “EQRx, Inc.” and its common stock and warrants are expected to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under ticker symbols “EQRX” and “EQRXW,” respectively.
“This transaction propels us into the next phase of growth, and I am excited to lead EQRx as we work to make sustainable and affordable drug pricing a reality for patients, payers and health systems,” added Melanie Nallicheri, president and chief operating officer of EQRx. “We are moving rapidly toward the potential commercialization of our lead oncology programs while continuing to grow our pipeline to address the high-cost disease areas of today and in the future.”
EQRx Overview
EQRx is purpose-built, at scale, to develop and deliver innovative medicines to patients at radically lower prices through a late-stage and growing product pipeline across high-cost therapeutic categories and emerging partnerships with leading payers and healthcare providers.
EQRx is building a pipeline of innovative new drug candidates to address diseases like cancer and inflammatory conditions that are the top categories of drug spend today and in the future. By leveraging proven druggable targets and a focus on efficiency, together with building deep strategic partnerships with health systems and payers, EQRx anticipates a higher probability of regulatory success, a lower risk-adjusted cost of drug development and a more streamlined access model.
“The life science industry is undergoing a remarkable technology-driven revolution that has transformed drug development from historically low-probability science experiments into efficient engineering programs,” said Eli Casdin, founder and CIO of Casdin Capital and CEO of CM Life Sciences III. “EQRx is leveraging that innovation in a new and disruptive business model to change the delivery and pricing of therapies and we could not be more excited to partner with them.”
EQRx’s growing pipeline of 10+ programs includes two pre-registrational oncology assets that have shown promising Phase 3 data (aumolertinib and sugemalimab), and multiple other clinical-stage programs. In addition, EQRx is further expanding its portfolio through drug engineering collaborations with leading drug discovery companies including Exscientia and AbCellera Biologics Inc.
“EQRx leaders have done an exceptional job of building the company to date,” said Keith Meister, chairman of the board of CM Life Sciences III. “This significant infusion of capital is going to set EQRx on its path to become a highly profitable, purpose-built disruptor at scale.”
Transaction Overview
On August 5, 2021, CM Life Sciences III entered into a definitive agreement to combine with EQRx. The transaction is expected to provide up to $1.8 billion in cash proceeds to EQRx (assuming no redemptions). Upon completion of the transaction, EQRx expects to have up to $2.0 billion in cash available from the transaction ($1.8 billion from the transaction, plus existing cash on its balance sheet anticipated at closing, assuming no redemptions) to fund operations and support business initiatives.
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The financing includes approximately $552 million of cash held in CM Life Sciences III’s trust account (assuming no redemptions), and a fully committed private placement of common stock (PIPE) of $1.2 billion at $10.00 per share from top-tier healthcare investors, led by SB Northstar LP, a fund managed by SB Management Limited, a 100% subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. and including funds advised by Casdin Capital and Corvex Management. Participants in the PIPE include leading institutional life science, growth and strategic investors that include Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Franklin Templeton, Invus, Rock Springs Capital, Bain Capital Life Sciences, BVF Partners L.P., Boxer Capital, LLC, Avidity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Mubadala Investment Company and its asset management subsidiary, Mubadala Capital, Verily and strategic partners spanning the healthcare ecosystem of integrated delivery networks, health insurers, health systems and therapeutic developers.
As part of the transaction, EQRx stockholders will receive common stock of CM Life Sciences III in exchange for shares of EQRx.
The transaction values EQRx at a pre-transaction enterprise value of $3.65 billion with an additional $500 million potential performance based earnout. The business combination has been approved by each of CM Life Sciences III’s and EQRx’s board of directors and the number of EQRx’s largest stockholders necessary to approve the combination have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval of the CM Life Sciences III shareholders and the satisfaction of other customary conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the Merger Agreement and an investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov.
Proceeds from the transaction will provide EQRx with significant additional capital to continue building a modern clinical development organization with a focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness, accelerate the business toward commercialization of its late-stage drug candidates, and continue to amass a robust pipeline of innovative medicines to address areas of high-cost burden. In addition, EQRx will be focused on the pursuit of strategic partnerships within the healthcare ecosystem to deliver high-quality medicines to patients and health systems around the world.
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EQRx Leadership and Governance
Melanie Nallicheri will assume the role of chief executive officer of EQRx and join EQRx’s board of directors, effective September 1, 2021. Alexis Borisy will become executive chairman of EQRx’s board of directors.
At closing of the transaction, the EQRx board of directors will include:
● | Amy Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D., president of clinical research platforms, Verily; |
● | Alexis Borisy, current chairman and current chief executive officer, EQRx; |
● | Paul Berns, managing director, ARCH Venture Partners; |
● | Eli Casdin, chief investment officer and founder, Casdin Capital; |
● | Jorge Conde, general partner, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z); |
● | Sandra Horning, M.D., EQRx co-founder and former executive vice president, chief medical officer and global head of product development, Genentech Roche; |
● | Clive Meanwell, M.D., Ph.D., executive chairman and founder, Population Health Partners; |
● | Melanie Nallicheri, current president and chief operating officer, EQRx; and |
● | Krishna Yeshwant, M.D., MBA, managing partner, GV. |
EQRx also recently announced the formation of its mission advisory board, which includes world leaders in pharmaceutical R&D, scientific research, healthcare economics and patient advocacy.
Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC is acting as the lead financial advisor, with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC also acting as a financial advisor. PJT Partners LP is also acting as a financial advisor and Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as the legal advisor to EQRx.
Jefferies LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as joint capital markets advisors and White & Case LLP is serving as legal advisor to CM Life Sciences III. Jefferies LLC, Cowen and Company, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as joint placement agents.
Webcast Details
A webcast of the conference call and associated presentation materials is available on Deal Roadshow:
URL: https://dealroadshow.com
Entry Code: EQRXREVIEW
Direct Link: https://dealroadshow.com/e/EQRXREVIEW
About CM Life Sciences III
CM Life Sciences III was founded to take advantage of a dynamic life science sector buoyed by innovation yet fragmented, where many companies are under-resourced and under-scaled. Significant and under-appreciated opportunities for consolidation are ready for engagement by a team versed in the trends and themes, and who can bring together the strongest of the new companies and management teams to capitalize on near- and far-term opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://iii.cmlifesciencesspac.com/.
About EQRx
EQRx is a new type of pharmaceutical company committed to developing and delivering innovative medicines to patients at radically lower prices. Launched in January 2020, EQRx is purpose-built, at scale with a growing catalog of medicines in development in high-cost drug categories and emerging partnerships with leading payers and providers. Leveraging cutting-edge science and technology and strategic partnerships with stakeholders from across the healthcare system, EQRx aims to provide innovative, patent-protected medicines more efficiently and cost-effectively than ever before. To learn more, visit www.eqrx.com and follow us on social media: Twitter: @EQRxInc, LinkedIn, Instagram: @eqrxinc.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between EQRx and CM Life Sciences III, including express or implied statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the expected cash proceeds from the transaction, the expected continued listing on Nasdaq, EQRx’s ability to accelerate growth and expand access to innovative medicines, EQRx’s ability to obtain FDA and other approvals of any product candidates in its pipeline, ability to expand its pipeline, and execute on its business strategy with payers, as well as other statements regarding plans and market opportunities of EQRx. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by CM Life Sciences III’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by CM Life Sciences III, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the merger agreement by the stockholders of CM Life Sciences III, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by CM Life Sciences III’ public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third-party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the transaction, (v) the inability to complete the PIPE investment in connection with the transaction, (vi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (vii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on EQRx’s business relationships, operating results and business generally, (viii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of EQRx and potential difficulties in EQRx employee retention as a result of the transaction, (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against CM Life Sciences III or EQRx related to the merger agreement or the transaction, (x) the ability to maintain the listing of CM Life Sciences III’s securities on a national securities exchange, (xi) changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which EQRx operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting EQRx’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xii) risks associated with EQRX’s ability to implement its business plans, including risks associated with its growth strategy, obtaining regulatory approvals, and creating a global payer network, and other risks associating with its plans to create a new kind of pharmaceutical company, (xiii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries, (xiv) the size and growth of the markets in which EQRx operates and its ability to offer innovative medicines at reduced prices, and (xv) EQRx’s ability to operate as a public company. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of CM Life Sciences III’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-253475), the proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction and other documents filed by CM Life Sciences III from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and EQRx and CM Life Sciences III assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither EQRx nor CM Life Sciences III gives any assurance that either EQRx or CM Life Sciences III or the combined company will achieve its expectations.
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Additional Information and Where to Find It / Non-Solicitation
In connection with the proposed transaction, CM Life Sciences III intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of CM Life Sciences III. CM Life Sciences III and EQRx also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of CM Life Sciences III are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus, and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by CM Life Sciences III and EQRx through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
The documents filed by CM Life Sciences III with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at CM Life Sciences III’s website at https://iii.cmlifesciencesspac.com/ or upon written request to CM Life Sciences III, c/o Corvex Management, 667 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065.
Participants in Solicitation
CM Life Sciences III and EQRx and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CM Life Sciences III’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about CM Life Sciences III’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of CM Life Sciences III’s securities is set forth in CM Life Sciences III’s filings with the SEC. To the extent that holdings of CM Life Sciences III’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in CM Life Sciences III’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the business combination will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom.
CM Life Sciences III Media Contact:
Alexandria Fisk
afisk@casdincapital.com
EQRx Media Contacts:
Meggan Buckwell
media@EQRx.com
Dan Budwick
dan@1abmedia.com
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Exhibit 99.2
CONFIDENTIAL: DO NOT DISTRIBUTE NEW PHARMA
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Disclaimer This confidential presentation (“Presentation”) is for informational purposes only and is being provided to interested partie s s olely in their capacities as potential investors and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing interested parties to mak e t heir own evaluation with respect to a potential private offering of securities and potential business combination between CM Life Sciences III In c. (“CMLS”) and EQRx , Inc. (“ EQRx ”) (the “Proposed Transaction”) and a potential investment in connection therewith (the “Purpose”). By accepting this Presentation, you acknowledge and agree that all of the information contained herein is confidential, that you will dist rib ute, disclose, and use such information only for such Purpose and that you shall not distribute, disclose or use such informa tio n in any way detrimental to EQRx or CMLS. Any reproduction or distribution of this Presentation, in whole or in part, or the disclosure of its contents, witho ut the prior consent of CMLS or EQRx , is prohibited. You agree to return or destroy all copies of this Presentation or portions thereof in your possession following the request for the return or destruction of such copies. The information contained here in does not purport to be complete or comprehensive and none of CMLS, EQRx nor any of their respective affiliates nor any of its or their control persons, officers, directors, employees or representatives makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to th e a ccuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained in this Presentation. You should consult your own counsel a nd tax and financial advisors as to legal and related matters concerning the matters described herein and the Purpose, and, by accepting this Pres ent ation, you confirm that you are not relying upon the information contained herein to make any decision. Private Placement. This Presentation and any oral statements made in connection with this Presentation shall neither constitu te an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of any proxy, vote, consent or a ppr oval in any jurisdiction in connection with the proposed business combination, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any suc h jurisdictions. This communication is restricted by law; it is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person in, any jurisdiction where s uch distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. ANY SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED IN ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURI TIE S ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAW. ANY SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED IN ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND E XCH ANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”), ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER UNITED STATES OR FOREIGN REGULATORY AUTHORITY, NOR HAVE ANY OF THESE AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PRESE NTA TION IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED WILL BE OFFERED AND SOLD SOLELY IN RELIANCE ON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER (INCLU DIN G REGULATION D OR REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT). THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, OR FORM A PART OF, AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY IN ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO W HOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH STATE OR JURISDICTION. Forward - Looking Statements. Certain statements in this Presentation may be considered forward - looking statements within the mean ing of the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward - looking statements generally relate to po tential future events or CMLS’s or EQRx’s potential future financial or operating performance. For example, statements concerning the following include forward - looking s tatements: EQRx’s ability to execute its business model and generate revenue; EQRx’s ability to identify, develop and commercialize drug candidates at drastically lower prices than other companies; EQRx’s strategy regarding establishing relationships with private and public payer organizations; the initiation, cost, timing, prog re ss and results of research and development activities, preclinical and/or clinical trials with respect to EQRx’s current and future drug candidates; estimates of EQRx’s total addressable market, future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and its needs for additional financing; EQRx’s ability to advance its current and future drug candidates into, and successfully complete, preclinical studies and clinical trials; the relationship of EQRx with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and other regulators, including with respect to such regulators’ acceptanc e of clinical data generated by third parties; and the potential effects of the Proposed Transaction on CMLS and EQRx and related capital raising activities. In some cases, you can identify forward - looking statements by terminology such as (but not limited to) “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “could”, “project”, “budget”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “plan” o r “ continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward - looking statements are sub ject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by suc h f orward - looking statements. These forward - looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reas onable by CMLS and its management, and EQRx and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, a nd it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, various factors beyond CMLS’s and EQRx’s control, including general economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled “ Ri sk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward - Looking Statements” in CMLS’s Form S - 1 relating to its initial public offering, dated April 6, 2021 (File No. 333 - 255078), and other filings with the SEC, including those risks and uncertainties included in the Form S - 4 relating to the bu siness combination expected to be filed with the SEC, as well as factors associated with companies, such as EQRx , that operate in the biopharma industry, including uncertainty in the timing or results of preclinical studies and clinical tri als, product acceptance and/or receipt of regulatory approvals for product candidates, including any delays and other impacts from the COVID - 19 pandemic, as well as those factors se t forth in this Presentation under the caption “Risk Factors.” Nothing in this Presentation should be regarded as a represent ati on by any person that the forward - looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward - lo oking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward - looking statements in this Presentation, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Neither CMLS nor EQRx undertakes or accepts any duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward - looking statements to reflect any ch ange in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. This Presentation doe s n ot purport to summarize all of the conditions, risks and other attributes of an investment in CMLS or EQRx . Information contained herein will be superseded by, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, any other information that is made available to you in co nne ction with the Purpose, including your investigation of CMLS and EQRx . Industry and Market Data. Certain information contained in this Presentation relates to or is based on studies, publications, su rveys and EQRx’s own internal estimates and research. In this Presentation, CMLS and EQRx rely on and refer to publicly available information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which EQRx competes and other industry data. Any comparison of EQRx to any other entity assumes the reliability of the information available to EQRx . EQRx obtained this information and statistics from third - party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. In addition, all of the market data included in this Pr esentation involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and there can be no guarantee as to the accuracy or reliability o f s uch assumptions. Finally, while EQRx believes its internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source and neither CMLS no r EQRx has independently verified the information.
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Disclaimer This Presentation and any information communicated at any meetings related to your evaluation of the Proposed Transaction are st rictly confidential and should not be discussed outside your organization. No Representations or Warranties. This Presentation is for informational purposes only and does not purport to contain all of th e information that may be required with respect to the Purpose or the Proposed Transaction. You agree and acknowledge that th is Presentation is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision by you and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by CMLS or EQRx or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this Presentation or any o the r written, oral or other communications transmitted or otherwise made available to any party in the course of such party’s ev alu ation of the Proposed Transaction and no responsibility or liability whatsoever is accepted for the accuracy or sufficiency thereof or for an y errors, omissions or misstatements, negligent or otherwise, relating thereto. You also acknowledge and agree that the infor mat ion contained in this Presentation is preliminary in nature and is subject to change, and any such changes may be material. CMLS and EQRx disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this Presentation. Use of Projections. This Presentation contains projected financial information with respect to EQRx , including financial forecasts and projected revenue. Such projected financial information constitutes forward - looking informat ion and is for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as necessarily being indicative of future results. The assumptions and estimates underlying such fi nan cial forecast information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, compe tit ive and other risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by the financial forecast information c ont ained in this Presentation, and the inclusion of such information in this Presentation should not be regarded as a representa tio n by any person that the results reflected in such forecasts will be achieved. Neither CMLS’s nor EQRx’s independent auditors have studied, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the pur po se of their inclusion in this Presentation, and accordingly, neither of them expressed an opinion or provided any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpos e o f this Presentation. These projections are inherently uncertain due to a number of factors outside of CMLS’s or EQRx’s control. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, CMLS and EQRx believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the furt he r out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the prospective results are indicative of future performance of the combined company or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented in the prospective financial info rm ation. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this Presentation should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the res ults contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved. Trademarks. This Presentation may contain trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are th e property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrig hts referred to in this Presentation may be listed without the TM, SM © or ® symbols, but CMLS and EQRx will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the rights of the applicable owners, if any, to these trademarks, se rv ice marks, trade names and copyrights. Additional Information. In connection with the proposed business combination, CMLS intends to file with the SEC a registratio n s tatement on Form S - 4 containing a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of CMLS, and after the registration statement is declar ed effective, CMLS will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination to its shareholders. Thi s P resentation does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transaction and is not int end ed to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transaction. CMLS’s shareholders and other int erested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and the amendments thereto an d t he definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed in connection with the Proposed Transaction, as these materia ls will contain important information about EQRx , CMLS and the Proposed Transaction. When available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials for the proposed business combination will be mailed to shareholders of CML S a s of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtai n c opies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC, wit hou t charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , or by directing a request to: CM Life Sciences III Inc., 667 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Participants in the Solicitation. CMLS and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitatio n o f proxies from CMLS’s shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in CMLS is contained in CMLS’s Form S - 1 relating to its initial public offering, dated Apri l 6, 2021 (File No. 333 - 255078), which was filed with the SEC and is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov , or by directing a request to CM Life Sciences Inc., 667 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Additional information regarding the interests of suc h participants will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed Business Combination when available.
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Risk factors All references to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the business of EQRx prior to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction . The risks described below make up a non - exhaustive list of the key risks related to EQRx’s business and the factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projections, intentions and assumptions described in this Presentation . This list has been prepared solely for potential private placement investors in the Proposed Transaction and not for any other purpose . You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties, as well as factors set forth in the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward - Looking Statements” in CMLS’s Form S - 1 relating to its initial public offering, dated April 6 , 2021 (File No . 333 - 255078 ), carry out your own due diligence and consult with your own financial and legal advisors concerning the risks and suitability of an investment in this private placement transaction before making an investment decision . The list below is qualified in its entirety by disclosures contained in future documents filed or furnished in respect of the proposed business combination with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) . The risks presented in such filings will include risks associated with the post - business combination operation of EQRx’s business and the risks associated with the Proposed Transaction, and these risks may differ significantly from, and will be more extensive than, those risks presented below . EQRx may be subject to the following factors, many of which are outside of CMLS’s and EQRx’s control : • Our business and pricing model is untested and may never be successful or generate sufficient revenue to lead to profitabilit y. • Our limited operating history and our evolving business make it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and the risks and cha llenges we may encounter. • Our business model will require us to scale through the development or acquisition of many additional drug candidates, which we may be unable to achieve or maintain. • We may be unable to continue to attract, acquire and retain third - party business collaborators, including payers, or may fail to do so in an effective manner. • Failure to manage our growth effectively could cause our business to suffer and have an adverse effect on our ability to exec ute our business strategy, as well as operating results and financial condition. • We do not have any products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue to date, and so may never become pro fitable. • We may be unsuccessful in achieving broad market education or changing prescribing or purchasing habits of healthcare system par ticipants. • We operate in an intensely competitive market that includes companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resourc es than us. • We may need to raise substantial additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we wo uld be forced to delay, scale back or discontinue some of our product candidate development programs or future commercializat ion efforts. • We have incurred significant operating losses in recent periods and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the fo res eeable future. • Our financial projections are subject to significant risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially. These estimates and assumptions include estimates of the total addressable market for our products, assump ti ons regarding consumer demand and performance under existing customer agreements and assumptions regarding our ability to meet increased de man d. These estimates and assumptions are subject to various factors beyond our control, including, for example, changes in consumer demand, increased costs in the supply chain, increased labor costs, changes in the regulatory environment, the impac t o f global health crises and changes in our executive team. • As our costs increase, we may experience fluctuations in our operating results, which could make our future operating results di fficult to predict or cause our operating results to fall below analysts’ and investors’ expectations. • If we fail to establish and maintain effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements and ot her disclosures on a timely basis could be impaired. • We have international operations and plans to continue expanding abroad where we have more limited operating experience, whic h m ay subject us to additional cost and economic risks that could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial co ndition. • We are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with international operations, which may harm our business.
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Risk factors • Our success depends in part on broad market acceptance by payers and prescribers of our products if approved, which we may ne ver achieve. • Our success depends on our ability to respond and adapt to changes in the drug development industry and consumer behavior. • Our programs are still in clinical development and pre - clinical phases. If we are unable to advance them into and through clinic al development for safety or efficacy or other reasons, or commercialize our product candidates once approved or experience sig nificant delays in doing so, our business will be materially harmed. • Our current or future product candidates may cause adverse or other undesirable side effects that could delay or prevent thei r r egulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label or result in significant negative consequences followin g m arketing approval, if any. • Our drug development efforts may be inefficient or ineffective, which may impair our ability to attract customers or otherwis e s uccessfully commercialize our candidate products. • If regulators do not accept data from our license partners generated in other jurisdictions as a basis for regulatory approva ls in our target markets, or we experience delays in obtaining data from our license partners, or if we experience delays or dif fic ulties in the initiation or enrollment of our clinical trials, our receipt of necessary regulatory approvals could be delayed or prevented. • Even if we receive regulatory approval for any of our current or future product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing obl iga tions and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense. • We are subject to laws, regulations and industry requirements related to consumer protection and drug development across diff ere nt markets where we conduct our business. Such laws, regulations and industry requirements are constantly evolving and changi ng and are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations co uld have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial operations. • If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent and other intellectual property protection for our technology and product cand ida tes or if the scope of the intellectual property protection obtained is not sufficiently broad or we are delayed in bringing pro duct candidates to market such that those products have a shorter period of patent exclusivity than we expect, our competitors cou ld develop and commercialize technology and drugs similar or identical to ours, and our ability to successfully commercialize ou r t echnology and drugs may be impaired. • We may be subject to intellectual property rights claims by third parties, which are costly to defend, could require us to pa y s ignificant damages and could limit our ability to use technology or intellectual property. • If the non - proprietary technology, products and services we use are unavailable, have future terms we cannot agree to or do not perform as we expect, our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed. • Unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about the healthcare industry and perceived failure to comply with laws and industry self - regulation could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Commitments to self - re gulation in the healthcare industry may subject us to investigation by government or self - regulatory bodies, government or private litigatio n, and harm our reputation, brand, business, operating results and financial condition. • Our corporate culture has contributed to our success, and if we cannot maintain our corporate culture as the business grows, our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed. • Our success depends on our ability to retain key members of our management team and on our ability to hire, train, retain and mo tivate new employees. • The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract our management, which could make it difficul t t o manage our business. • The conditions to complete the business combination may not be satisfied, such as CMLS’s or EQRx’s stockholders failing to adopt a business combination agreement. • The announcement or pendency of the business combination may impact our business relationships, performance and operations ge ner ally. • The business combination may disrupt our current business plans and operations and may cause difficulties in retaining our em plo yees. • The shares acquired in the proposed private placement transaction will be subject to registration with the SEC, and upon regi str ation, the share price may be volatile due to a variety of factors, such as changes in the competitive environment in which w e o perate, the regulatory framework of the industry in which we will operate, developments in our business and operations and changes in our ca pital structure.
EQRx Mission To improve health for all with great, innovative, affordable medicines Such that all can be better – patients can access and afford innovative medicines and health systems can become more financially sustainable 6 ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE EQRx at a glance today – a starting point Founded in January 2020, EQRx is purpose - built, at scale, with a growing catalog of medicines in development in high - cost categories (oncology, immunology, etc.) and emerging partnerships with leading payers and providers , to bring drugs to market at dramatically lower prices Aumolertinib a 3 rd gen EGFR inhibitor for NSCLC Sugemalimab a PD - L1 inhibitor for Stage III and IV NSCLC and multiple additional indications • Series A investors GV, ARCH, A16z, Casdin Capital, PLUS • Preeminent life science and generalist funds • Market leading health systems and payers Won more than 20 industry and employer awards 7 • Ongoing & upcoming discussions with payers who cover the next 50% of US lives and multiple OECD countries Growing portfolio of medicines in development Raised Built a passionate team of Existing collaborations with payers covering Our current portfolio addresses • Expected to rapidly grow to $200B+ as portfolio expands Global drug spend reflects 2026 estimated net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2021 EGFR = epidermal growth factor receptor; NSCLC = non - small cell lung cancer; PD - L1 = programmed death - ligand 1; OECD = Organization for Economic Co - operation and Development >$100B 10+ 20+ ~20% $800M 200 including 2 pre - registrational assets in global Rx spend of US lives from the highest quality investors changemakers
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE In the century of biology, thanks to advances in science and technology, it is possible to engineer innovative medicines around almost any target… Programs commercially available and in development. Source: EvaluatePharma active R&D & commercial programs July 2021 Evidenced by the expanding supply of innovative but overlapping drug assets… …and the proliferation of cutting - edge, efficient drug discovery and engineering platform companies + 8 PD(L)1 162 programs BTK 50 programs KRAS 13 programs GLP1 114 programs IL23 18 programs JAK1 17 programs Oncology Immunology & Beyond
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Cost 90’s Today $1T Global Drug Spend* PRICE OF RX Efficiency gains & lower cost base …yet the prices of drugs have skyrocketed *2021 global net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2020 9 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Time for something new - time for the business model to catch up with the medical advances Trusted strategic partnerships Innovative, patented drugs at lower prices with a simple, transparent, “no surprises” pricing model Seamless prescribing, true access for patients, and a better customer experience for all TRUE ACCESS FOR ALL What EQRx is doing BETTER OPTIONS Via in - licensing and discovery alliances, assembling a CATALOG OF VALIDATED MEDICINES AT SCALE in high - cost categories (oncology, immunology, etc.) BETTER VALUE Establishing THE GLOBAL BUYERS’ CLUB via STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS with U S and OECD healthcare payers and providers 10
A simple yet powerful equation to create New Pharma Better access to medicines Reduced systemic spend on healthcare Profitable business Fewer program failures Efficient, modern drug development Streamlined, lower cost of commercialization 11 ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Illustrative unit economics: profitable business at radically lower prices made possible through lower operating costs Model scales through pipeline growth, multiplying these unit economics across a growing pipeline • Significantly reduced price - 50 - 70% lower as an illustration • Anticipated lower commercial spend due to partnership model • Expected comparable profit margins at steady state based on significantly reduced expenses • Fewer expected program failures • Streamlined modern development engine and evidence generation to adoption focus • Anticipated EQRx spend of $200 - 300M per program, well below traditional pharma R&D spend Profit Profit G&A G&A S&M S&M R&D R&D COGS COGS Traditional Pharma EQRx List Price 12 List Price Key Assumptions
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE And we’re just getting started 10+ programs in pipeline today including 2 pre - registrational assets, expected to rapidly scale to 20+ programs by 2022 and expa nd global payer partnerships Value Two Pre - Registrational Assets Today Positive Phase 3 data for two assets addressing ~$40B global sales Rapidly Growing Portfolio Current portfolio in development addresses >$100B in global drug spend Relationships with Payers Representing Large, Covered - Life Installed Base Collaboration agreements in place with payers who today cover ~20% of US lives Patient - Focused Culture >200 employees mission aligned, as reflected by breadth and number of industry and culture awards we’ve won to date Global drug spend reflects 2026 estimated net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2021 13 Expect 20+ Programs to Cover >$200B Massive opportunity to reduce spend in the market
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE To build our Global Buyers’ Club, we have Health Tech Assessors To build our portfolio, we have Drug Hunters and Drug Developers and Regulatory Experts and Payer & PBM Leaders Christoph Lengauer Partner @ Third Rock Ventures, Fmr CSO @ Blueprint Alan Huang CSO @ Tango Therapeutics, Fmr Head of Onc Research @ Novartis Vince Miller, MD Fmr CMO @ FMI, Physician @ MSKCC Eric Hedrick, MD Fmr Chief Advisor @ BeiGene, Fmr Medical Director @ Genentech Christian Antoni, MD, PhD Fmr SVP Development @ LEO Pharma, Sanofi, Novartis Peter Bach, MD Fmr Director Health Policy & Outcomes @ MSKCC Kent Rogers Fmr SVP @ OptumRx Sir Andrew Dillon Fmr CEO @ NICE David Joyner Fmr EVP @ CVS Health & Caremark Finn Boerlum Kristensen Fmr CEO @ EUnetHTA Brian O’Rourke Fmr CEO @ CADTH and Population Health Expert Clive Meanwell Founder & Fmr CEO @ The Medicines Company, Chairman @ Population Health Partners Carlos Garcia - Echeverria Fmr COO of Research @ Sanofi, Fmr Exec Dir Oncology Drug Discovery Head @ Novartis Mike Doherty Fmr Head Regulatory @ FMI & Roche Dan Hoey Fmr SVP Supply Chain @ Teva & Merck = Advisor = Founder 13 Robert Forrester Fmr CEO @ Verastem Oncology, CFO/COO @ Forma, Coley, & CombinatoRx Rona Anhalt Fmr VP HR @ Celgene & Novartis Rebel Rebuilders that bridge both worlds To bring it all together, we have Industry Experts Melanie Nallicheri Fmr CBO @ FMI, SVP Strategy @ McKesson Jami Rubin Fmr Equity Analyst & Banker @ Goldman Sachs & PJT Partners Alexis Borisy Founder & Fmr CEO @ FMI, Blueprint, Relay Fmr Partner @ Third Rock Ventures
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE …and a Mission Advisory Board made up of world - renowned luminaries 15 Otis Webb Brawley, MD Professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and 39th Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Former CMO and CSO of the American Cancer Society Elias A. Zerhouni, MD Former director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and president of global R&D at Sanofi Ellen V. Sigal, PhD Founder and chairperson of Friends of Cancer Research Gail R. Wilensky, PhD Economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE, Board of Directors of UnitedHealth Group, Board of Directors of Geisinger Richard L. Schilsky, MD, FACP, FSCT, FASCO Former chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Sandra J. Horning, MD EQRx co - founder and Chair of the Mission Advisory Board Former chief medical officer and global head of product development of Roche, Inc., and emerita professor, Stanford University Mace Rothenberg, MD Former chief medical officer of Pfizer And more to come…
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE World - class drug hunters and drug developers • Among the best in the industry with decades of experience Building a pipeline and company at scale • We expect 20+ programs by 2022, and 50+ programs by the latter half of the decade, enabled by our funding and purpose - built organization to handle this scale Innovative structure and scale of commercial relationships with payers and providers • Building the Global Buyers’ Club by developing deep, trusted relationships Purpose - built, low cost structure • Driven by lower expected failure rates and a modern vision for efficient drug development 16 EQRx’s competitive advantage: boldness of vision and access to capital
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Trusted strategic partnerships Seamless prescribing, true access for patients, and a better customer experience for all TRUE ACCESS FOR ALL BETTER VALUE Establishing THE GLOBAL BUYERS’ CLUB via STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS with U S and OECD healthcare payers and providers Building the pipeline 17 Via in - licensing and discovery alliances, assembling a CATALOG OF VALIDATED MEDICINES AT SCALE in high - cost categories (oncology, immunology, etc.) BETTER OPTIONS Innovative, patented drugs at lower prices with a simple, transparent, “no surprises” pricing model
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Current pipeline Five disclosed clinical stage programs, plus several undisclosed pre - clinical and drug engineering programs 18 Pre - registrational programs Other late - stage programs Clinical Pre - clinical Drug engineering Aumolertinib (EGFR) Sugemalimab (PD - L1) Lerociclib (CDK4/6) EQ176 (PD - 1) EQ121 (JAK1) Multiple undisclosed programs … Multiple undisclosed programs …
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Pre - registrational programs Other late - stage programs Clinical Pre - clinical Drug engineering Multiple undisclosed programs … Multiple undisclosed programs … • 3 rd gen EGFR inhibitor (NSCLC), approved in the 2L setting in China (March 2020) • In - licensed from Hansoh Pharmaceuticals in July 2020 • May 2021 announced positive Ph3 data on 400+ patients in 1L advanced NSCLC • Aumolertinib significantly increased progression - free survival to 19.3 months vs. 9.9 months for gefitinib, and reduced side effects • Market size of ~$10B* • Estimated total investment to launch of less than $200M 19 *Global drug spend reflects 2026 estimated net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2021 Aumolertinib (EGFR) Sugemalimab (PD - L1) Lerociclib (CDK4/6) EQ176 (PD - 1) EQ121 (JAK1) Current pipeline Five disclosed clinical stage programs, plus several undisclosed pre - clinical and drug engineering programs
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Pre - registrational programs Other late - stage programs Clinical Pre - clinical Drug engineering … • Anti - PD - L1 monoclonal antibody, being investigated in Ph3 registrational studies in NSCLC (Stage III & IV), Gastric, Esophageal, plus has received BTD for ENKTL • In - licensed from C - Stone Pharmaceuticals in October 2020 • May 2021 met primary endpoint in Stage III NSCLC, and had announced positive Stage IV NSCLC results in 2020 • Specific study data will be presented at upcoming medical conference • Market size of ~$30B* (NSCLC, gastric, esophageal) • Estimated total investment to launch of approximately $200M 20 Multiple undisclosed programs Multiple undisclosed programs Sugemalimab (PD - L1) Lerociclib (CDK4/6) EQ176 (PD - 1) EQ121 (JAK1) Aumolertinib (EGFR) … Current pipeline Five disclosed clinical stage programs, plus several undisclosed pre - clinical and drug engineering programs *Global drug spend reflects 2026 estimated net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2021 and Cowen PD(L)1 Market Model Update Dec 2019
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Pre - registrational programs Other late - stage programs Clinical Pre - clinical Drug engineering … • In - licensed from G1 Therapeutics in 2020 • Completed Ph2 study with favorable neutropenia and GI side effect profile compared to competitors • Pivotal studies in metastatic breast cancer ongoing 21 Multiple undisclosed programs Multiple undisclosed programs Aumolertinib (EGFR) Lerociclib (CDK4/6) EQ176 (PD - 1) EQ121 (JAK1) Sugemalimab (PD - L1) … Current pipeline Five disclosed clinical stage programs, plus several undisclosed pre - clinical and drug engineering programs
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Pre - registrational programs Other late - stage programs Clinical Pre - clinical Drug engineering Multiple undisclosed programs … Multiple undisclosed programs • First disclosed collaboration with Exscientia • Multiple other collaborations in discussions 22 Aumolertinib (EGFR) Lerociclib (CDK4/6) EQ176 (PD - 1) EQ121 (JAK1) Sugemalimab (PD - L1) … Current pipeline Five disclosed clinical stage programs, plus several undisclosed pre - clinical and drug engineering programs
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Targeting blockbusters pressuring healthcare budgets today and into the future NOW Today’s highest spend categories NEXT Projected blockbusters of the next 5 - 10 years \ FUTURE Streamlined access to excellent medicines throughout the innovation ecosystem Patent - protected, innovative drugs e.g., PDx1s, IL4R α e.g., CD47, TYK2 Ideal attributes of an EQRx drug. Not all drugs will have all attributes. 23 Clinical evidence proving equally good or better safety and efficacy Known, clear and causal Mechanism of Action Sufficient patent runway in the class High cost - burden to society and patients Opportunity to capture significant share of market
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE ONCOLOGY What our catalog of affordable medicines could look like INFLAMMATION & IMMUNOLOGY PD - L1 BTK CDK4/6 PD - 1 CD38 HER2 EGFR AR Degrader PARP1/2 BCL2 KRASG12C BRAF ALK ROS1 EGFR - MET cMET CD47 SERD BCMA - CD3 TIGIT LAG - 3 EGFR ex20 ER - degrader PARP1 selective CD20 IL23 p19 Mab IL - 4 / IL - 13 JAK1 IL - 17 IL - 12/23 Mab Anti - TNF α PDE4 IL - 5 IL - 6 PCSK9 TYK2 S1P 1 & 5 BTK α 4 β 7 (oral) FcRn IL17A/F OX40/OX40L SIGLEC - 8 TSLP IRAK4 Degrader PD - 1 Agonist NLRP3 Inflammasome IL - 23R (oral) 24 ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE $200B+ Current Portfolio + Next Year Targets 20+ assets $100B+ Current Portfolio 10+ assets Onc I&I Others In - license Drug engineer. Combos Onc I&I Others In - license Drug engineer. Combos Onc I&I Others In - license Drug engineer. Combos Global drug spend reflects 2026 estimated net prescription drug sales, source: EvaluatePharma July 2021 and IQVIA April 2021 $200B + Goal: grow our portfolio to address in global drug spend in the near term In - licensing Drug engineering collaborations Potential for combinations Acquire late - stage assets to quickly build scale Access computational and wet - lab expertise to create new drug candidates against specific targets Become the combination partner of choice for biopharma Future Next Year Current Next Year Current $650B Targeted Total Specialty Market 50+ assets Current 25
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Trusted strategic partnerships TRUE ACCESS FOR ALL BETTER VALUE Building the Global Buyers’ Club 26 Via in - licensing and discovery alliances, assembling a CATALOG OF VALIDATED MEDICINES AT SCALE in high - cost categories (oncology, immunology, etc.) BETTER OPTIONS Innovative, patented drugs at lower prices with a simple, transparent, “no surprises” pricing model Seamless prescribing, true access for patients, and a better customer experience for all Establishing THE GLOBAL BUYERS’ CLUB via STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS with U S and OECD healthcare payers and providers
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE The New Deal Incumbent EQRx Partner Our “give”… Price per year …and our “ask” Make it easy for doctors to prescribe through reducing administrative hassles Eliminate or reduce patient out - of - pocket costs Drive adoption of EQRx medicines through a pull model 27
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Progress in assembling the Global Buyers’ Club in the US and internationally 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% In Negotiations Collaboration Agreement In Negotiations Next up Early Discussions In Negotiations Early Discussions Next up In Negotiations Next up Early Discussions U.S. Payer % of Population Covered U.S. PBM OECD Middle East*, Turkey & Africa • Ongoing and planned discussions with 25+ payers representing ~200M lives • Series B participation from payers and health systems covering ~20% of insured lives in the US • Top 3 PBMs cover >80% of US volume • Prioritized 8 countries representing ~ 290 M lives • Expected next wave of large and mid - sized markets represent an additional 200M lives • In negotiations with potential exclusive commercial and distribution partner to navigate country - specific dynamics in region (~20 countries targeted to date) 28 *Representative of the region but does not include all countries
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE OECD and more… UK Canada Denmark Germany Sweden Norway Italy Spain Japan Turkey NZ OTHER REGIONS* MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA Example of what our Global Buyers’ Club could look like COMMERCIAL PAYERS Insurer1 Insurer2 Insurer3 Insurer5 Insurer4 Insurer6 and more… PBMs / MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS PBM1 PBM2 PBM3 INTEGRATED DELIVERY NETWORKS / HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IDN1 IDN2 IDN3 IDN4 and more… EMPLOYER GROUPS Group 1 Group 2 and more… 29 *Market access may be facilitated through the use of third parties such as regional distributors
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Invest in pipeline assets to build a catalog of validated medicines at scale TRUE ACCESS FOR ALL Goal for other innovators to place their medicines into our marketplace Truly modern, efficient drug development Drive adoption of EQRx medicines to generate revenue + savings for payers, health systems, and patients Creating the EQRx flywheel Like a flywheel, our vision of New Pharma gets better the more we put into it Share improved economics with patients and our Global Buyers’ Club BETTER VALUE BETTER OPTIONS 30
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE In our early years, the majority of our projected revenue is expected to come from our four lead programs, primarily in oncology 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Projected Annual Revenue by Program Type Drug creation efforts and expansion into other therapeutic categories expected to begin to fuel revenue growth by the end of the decade Anticipated Break - even Significant revenue build expected to start in the next couple of years and into the next decade …through a rapidly scaling portfolio of in - licensed and discovery programs 31 Projected Cash Need $2.0B By the second half of the decade, our revenue growth is expected to be driven by additional in - licensed assets, including in inflammation and immunology Current assets Other in - licensed programs Drug engineering programs (internal & collaborations) Annual Revenue of $2 – 4B Anticipated 1st Launches
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Key value inflection points Near - term projected value anchored by two late - stage pre - registrational assets addressing large markets Intrinsic value Pre - registrational programs anchoring value Two pre - registrational assets 10+ pipeline programs Creating the Global Buyers’ Club Launch first drugs Enter into multiple pre - commercial agreements with payers globally Growing pipeline of in - licensed programs and discovery assets New Pharma delivers Commercial proof Marketplace established and in demand by payers and drug developers Deep catalog of programs Expansive Global Buyers’ Club Marketplace established Flywheel in motion 32
©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE With additional capital, EQRx can achieve its bold vision The larger the scale, the faster and better the business model works Value 33 NEW PHARMA TRUE ACCESS FOR ALL • Goal is to raise $1.5B through CMLS III + PIPE • Build the pipeline & Global Buyers’ Club to scale Series A & B EQRx + CMLS III + PIPE Investors • $800M raised • Built pipeline to 10+ assets • Initiated development of the Global Buyers’ Club • Built out organizational functional capabilities
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CONFIDENTIAL ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE Synergistic combination of Eli Casdin’s investment platform and Keith Meister’s capital markets and board expertise 35 Overview of CM Life Sciences III Casdin Capital's Deep Sector Expertise → Founded in 2012, Casdin Capital has a proven track - record as investor - partners identifying and appreciating category - defining platforms including lllumina , Adaptive, Foundation Medicine, Flatiron Health, lnvitae , Clover Health, Gingko Bioworks , and SomaLogic → On - the - ground research, close relationships with scientists and management teams and an investment focus on the long - term have supported and fueled a variety of successful financial transactions, strategic partnerships, and establishment of co - investment / accelerator models in synthetic biology and bioproduction → Their industry connections now include hundreds of critical business builders, specialists, and innovators, which is expected to allow CM Life Sciences III to push forward into new opportunities while also capturing value overlooked, or left behind Keith Meister's Corporate Engagement → Mr. Meister has served as a director of 14 public companies and helped those companies structure and execute over $80bn in tr ans actions including spin - offs, asset sales, mergers, acquisitions and various forms of capital market transactions → Has served as founder and CIO of Corvex Management, a leading fundamental - based public market investment firm since March 2011. Previously he served as CEO of Icahn Enterprises CM Life Sciences III Capital Alignment → CM Life Sciences III was founded to take advantage of a dynamic life science sector buoyed by innovation yet fragmented, wher e m any companies are under - resourced and under - scaled → Will provide the expertise, influence, and capital to help management and the company accelerate the execution of their visio n a head of competitors Fundamental Engagement Long term capital secular growth CM Life Sciences III CM Life Sciences III Board of Industry Leaders Christian Henry Chairman of the Board of Pacific Biosciences of California and WAVE Life Sciences Kwame Owusu - Kesse CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone Chad Robins CEO and Co - Founder of Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. Harlan Robins Chief Scientific Officer and Co - Founder of Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.
CONFIDENTIAL ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE 36 Transaction rationale and summary EQRx opportunity enables investors to participate in the future of pharma, creating value for all stakeholders → Building a “new pharma” led by a world class team of pharma and healthcare professionals → Funding to catalyze market - disruptor model of developing high - quality, patent - protected medicines at affordable prices → Driving a collaborative model enabling improved patient impact across the world – achieving ESG objectives → Strategic alignment for synergistic partnerships with other industry leading companies including payer and health system part ner s Transaction highlights Transaction overview → CM Life Sciences III (NASDAQ: CMLT) is a Life Sciences focused publicly traded Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) wit h $ 552mm in cash to be deployed → CMLT expects to enter into an agreement to combine with EQRx → Expected PIPE size is $1.0bn • Anchored by up to $600mm commitment from Softbank and $150mm forward purchase agreement from Casdin Capital and Corvex Management Valuation / pro forma ownership → Implies a $3.5bn post - merger enterprise value → 68% EQRx rollover shareholders, 10% SPAC public shareholders, 3% SPAC management shares, and 19% PIPE and FPA shareholders Sources and uses of funds → The combination of SPAC trust account proceeds (assuming no redemptions) and the PIPE investment in the 100% primary transact ion is expected to provide EQRx with gross proceeds of $1.6bn ($1.8bn pro forma cash) to enable growth on a multi - year timeline and explore organic and inorganic growth opportunities Note: Analysis assumes no redemptions from CM Life Sciences III public shareholders and excludes the impact from the $500mm E QRx equity earnout subject to price vesting
CONFIDENTIAL ©EQRx 2021 REMAKING MEDICINE 37 Transaction overview Sources and uses ($mm) Note: Analysis assumes no redemptions by CM Life Sciences III public shareholders and excludes the impact from the $500mm EQR x e quity earnout subject to price vesting; values shown assuming $10 per CM Life Sciences III share; does not include public and sponsor warrants Pro forma valuation Share price $10.00 Pro - forma shares outstanding 534 Post - transaction equity value $5,340 ( - ) Cash (1,802) Pro - forma enterprise value $3,538 Sources EQRx equity rollover $3,650 CMLS III cash in trust 552 Cash proceeds from PIPE + FPA 1,000 Cash on EQRx balance sheet 300 Total sources $5,502 Uses Equity consideration to EQRx $3,650 Cash to balance sheet 1,802 Transaction expenses 50 Total uses $5,502 $mm, except per share data Illustrative pro forma ownership Assumes $10.00 share price 68% 10% 3% 19% EQRx shareholders SPAC shareholders SPAC management shares PIPE + FPA shareholders Additional transaction details → Pro forma enterprise value of $3.54 billion → $1.0bn PIPE + FPA → Transaction expected to close in Q4 of 2021
Aumolertinib - 3rd - generation EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) in Adjuvant and 1L EGFR+ NSCLC Aumolertinib - 3rd - generation EGFR inhibitor Mechanism of Action and Key Characteristics Clinical Experience Mechanism of Action Covalent, small - molecule inhibitor that selectively inhibits Exon19del, L858R, and T790M resistance mutations Dose Oral dosage Patent Protection Strong patent protection beyond 2035 Global Rights • EQRx has exclusive development and commercialization rights globally, outside of Greater China Clinical Experience → Clinical trials have treated 700+ patients: • Positive Phase 3 data announced at ASCO: head - to - head vs gefitinib (429 patients) • Completed: Phase 2b single - arm (244 patients) • Completed: Phase 1a (26 patients) and 1b (94 patients) • Planned to start in 2021: adjuvant and first - line payer - oriented trials → Clinical data shows comparable efficacy and favorable safety profile • Phase 2b: minimal - to - no Grade 3+ Rash, Diarrhea → Commercial in China for 2L metastatic EGFR+ NSCLC and currently under review by CDE for 1L AENEAS: Ph3 1L Aumolertinib vs Gefitinib PFS (med) 19.3 (vs. 9.9) mo PFS (HR) 0.46 Rash* 23% (0%) vs. 41% (0%) Diarrhea * 16% (1%) vs. 36% (1%)
→ 1,600 patients treated across 6 Phase 2 and 3 trials and in 10+ Phase 1a/b trial arms, which include: • Non - small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) • Relapsed / refractory extranodal NK/T - Cell Lymphoma (r/r ENKTL) • Gastric Cancer, Esophageal Cancer • Hodgkin Lymphoma, Bladder Cancer, and additional solid tumors → Positive Phase 3 results in Stage IV NSCLC presented at ESMO 2020 • Sugemalimab plus standard - of - care chemotherapy prolonged PFS and was well - tolerated compared to chemotherapy regardless of PD - L1 expression level or histology → Positive Phase 3 interim results in Stage III NSCLC • Met primary endpoint of prolonged PFS after either concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy → Received FDA Breakthrough Designation for r/r ENKTL and Orphan Drug Designation for T - cell Lymphoma Sugemalimab / CS1001 - Immune checkpoint inhibitor, antibody targeting Programmed death - ligand 1 (PD - L1) in Stage III/IV NSCLC and additional solid tumors Sugemalimab - Anti - PD - L1 antibody Mechanism of Action and Key Characteristics Clinical Experience Mechanism of Action Full - length, fully - humanized IgG4 anti - PD - L1 monoclonal antibody Dose IV infusion dosage Patent Protection Strong patent protection beyond 2035 Global Rights • EQRx has exclusive development and commercialization rights globally, outside of Greater China • CStone has partnered with Pfizer for China development and commercialization Highlights • Two positive Phase 3 studies in Stage III and IV NSCLC met the primary endpoint of PFS • Efficacy in Stage IV comparable to other checkpoint inhibitors on the market with a tolerable and consistent safety profile and no new safety signals
Exhibit 99.3
Project Clover / CM3 - Transcript |
Transcribed By:
FINSIGHT 530 7th Avenue New York, NY 10018
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DISCLAIMER:
FINSIGHT makes every effort to ensure an accurate transcription. Enclosed is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases, it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. This transcript is provided as an aid to understanding but should not be treated as an authoritative record. FINSIGHT makes no representations or warranties to the accuracy and completeness of this transcript. |
K.M: Good morning. My name is Keith Meister, and I am the Chairman of CM Life Sciences III. And I'm thrilled to be here today to introduce you to EQRx. And we're very excited to announce our business combination transaction with EQRx.
K.M: Joining me on today's call is Eli Casdin, Chief Executive Officer of CM Life Sciences III and a founding investor in EQRx and a board member, as well as a team of EQRx: Alexis Borisy, Melanie Nallicheri, and Jami Rubin.
K.M: With that, let me turn it over to Eli to make some introductory remarks about why we think EQRx is a perfect partner for CM Life Sciences III, and how we believe the $2B dollars of capital that this transaction is going to place on the balance sheet of EQRx is going to help accelerate its growth, make lots of money for our investors, and transform health outcomes for people across this country and the world. Eli?
E.C: Thank you for joining us this morning, we’re really excited to be supporting EQRx as our 3rd SPAC. This is the exact type of company that we set out to enable with a large amount of capital and strategic support. EQRx has an incredibly innovative business model where they’re matching and taking advantage of all the breakthroughs in drug development and drug engineering and applying it to a disruptive and empowering model for drug distribution, shifting the transitional push to a pull distribution and really enabling lower cost, innovative therapy for patients. It’s a fantastic company, one that we’re super excited to be a part of and I’ll hand it over to Alexis to kick it off.
A.B: Thank you, Eli, Thank you, Keith, and thank you, everyone, for tuning in here to hear us describe what we're trying to build at EQRx and how EQRx is New Pharma.
A.B: Our mission at EQRx, simply put, is to improve health for all, with great innovative medicines: equally as good or better brought to you by great drug hunters and drug developers. But where we are going to make them available at radically lower prices such that all can be better. Patients can avoid financial toxicity and access to medicines they need. Physicians can prescribe without the barriers and hurdles. And health systems can afford in a sustainable manner to make those medicines truly available to the populations that they serve. And we believe that we can do this while building a highly profitable business.
A.B: In a moment, I'm going to get into why now is the right time to build a company such as EQRx. But I want to start with where we are: The Company Today. We're a little bit under two years old, and it is a company that we are building at scale on purpose from the beginning to transform the industry in a business opportunity that we think can only be addressed at scale.
A.B: So I say we're building the company at scale. We are assembling a very significant catalog portfolio of programs in development, including multiple late-stage programs, including two that are pre-registrational. And we are going to be growing that catalog from 10 now to more than 20, we say “22 by the end of 22”, in the near term.
A.B: That current catalog today is addressing $100B pharmaceutical spend as projected 5 years from now. And as that catalog doubles here in the next year to $200B of spend, again, projected forward. And we see, continuing to scale that across the decade, 30, 40, 50 programs. While assembling this catalog of medicines at scale, we are also assembling strategic partnerships with payer entities. Both commercial payers representing employers, commercial payers representing governments and governments directly.
A.B: Currently, we have master collaboration agreements with entities that are responsible for 20% of U.S. lives. And we're in conversations with entities covering another 50% of U.S. lives and a similar number outside of the United States. In building the company at scale, we have capitalized it with $800M in a Series A and Series B so far to date with leading venture investors, both from the life sciences and technology. And then with long term oriented, preeminent life science investors, generalist funds and health systems and payers themselves.
A.B: Building this company at scale, we are at 200 people strong today. We have a tremendous focus on execution in making sure this big vision gets done right. Our culture is focused on “GSD, Get Stuff Done” and “Be you at EQ”. And although we're young, we're very proud to have won close to two dozen industry awards, including things such as best company culture, best company leadership team, because this is a big picture idea, but it only works if we actually deliver on the execution.
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A.B: Now, why is this the right moment in time to build a company such as EQRX? To build New Pharma? It has been said that the 21st century is the century of biology. I think that's a fair statement. We unfortunately do not understand all disease. But in many disease areas, the powerful tools and technologies of the 21st century, whether that be genome sequencing of cancer, of the baseline genetic code, of other OMED technologies, or good advanced molecular biology for multiple diseases, we are able to understand at the molecular mechanism level what this disease is, where to intervene, for what set of patients. This is a tremendous advancement compared to where things were in the 20th century. And it means that, yes, in the diseases we don't understand the historical pharmaceutical odds from going from a program that is late preclinical to getting an approved drug on the market historically was 1/10 or 1/20 by conventional numbers used by the industry. When one’s taking a precision medicine approach in a disease where we actually understand the target, the molecular mechanism of the disease and what drug for what patients, those odds are significantly higher.
A.B: And we will see, as that book is written by the industry, how high they go. But they're certainly not 1/10 or 1/20 anymore. Maybe they're one out of five. One out of three. One out of two. With that understanding: where we understand the target biology and the associated biophysics and biochemistry and pharmacology, you may say, in those areas that were moving from what has historically been called in our industry “drug discovery” to a world of “drug engineering.”
A.B: And you can see the evidence of that broadly. That when important targets, in those areas where we understand the biology, you now get an overlapping supply of drug assets where you might have a couple dozen entrants, four dozen entrants, ten dozen entrants. People coming up with drug candidates with their own intellectual property outside of others, intellectual property.
A.B: And if anything, this trend is accelerating as we now see a proliferation of cutting-edge platform drug engineering companies using the latest of what's possible in physics based computation, machine learning based computation and experimental technologies to make this drug engineering ever more efficient.
A.B: We're also seeing similar trends on the drug development side. Yet while these underpinnings of the industry are changing because of what science and technology enables, prices of drugs keep going up. In fact, in the United States, over the time that I've been involved in the industry, after taking in account inflation, so looking at constant dollars, the price of a new drug in cancer or in multiple sclerosis is up an order of magnitude over that time.
A.B: Yet, as we were just talking about, science and technology is enabling enormous efficiency gains and an ability to have a much lower cost base on a risk adjusted manner of what it takes to bring a new drug to market.
A.B: And if those underpinnings are changing what it takes to create a drug and what it takes to develop a drug, can we also imagine innovation on the business model of how you might sell the drug? Putting that all together opens up this gap between where prices are today and the underlying risk-adjusted cost of creating a drug, developing a drug and selling that drug. That difference is an enormous business opportunity at scale, and that is the EQRx business opportunity.
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A.B: Now, if you step back from it, we've seen this in other industries, this type of general trend, when science and technology disrupts the underpinnings of an industry. History will generally teach us that in those types of circumstances, it is rarely the legacy incumbents that adapt quickly to this fundamental changing in the underpinnings. Because the legacy players have their legacy cost structures and their legacy processes and are making money the way things are today.
A.B: Here in the pharmaceutical industry, we also are not going to see that from the individual small biotech companies that only have one asset or two drug programs because they are not at the scale necessary to make that transformative change.
A.B: So when you look at the spread, this EQRx business opportunity, it's not going to come from the legacy players most likely, and it is not going to come from an individual biotech with one or two programs. That means there is an enormous business opportunity for a company purpose built to that, and that is what EQRx is.
A.B: So it is time for something new. It is time for new pharma, time for the business model innovation to catch up with the scientific, technological and medical advances. So what is it explicitly, what are we doing at EQRx, in terms of our vision?
A.B: So we're assembling this catalog of medicines at significant scale, 10 programs today. 22 programs by the end of ‘22. Across the decade, 30, 40, 50 programs. We're doing this by both acquiring them in licensing programs that are more advanced, as well as building alliances with some of those cutting edge drug engineering platforms, such as we've announced with Exscientia and AbCellera and more to come to be able to do this in a sustainable way in the future. Having assembled this catalog of validated medicines, we then go to the payers of the world and we say we are new pharma and we have a new deal because we can bring equally as good, or better, these innovative, patented drugs. But we are willing to enter into deep strategic partnership with you, a trust-based partnership, and offer these drugs at much lower prices so that you can afford making access broadly available to the populations you serve in a sustainable manner.
A.B: What we ask for is if we're giving this value proposition of much lower prices, is in this partnership together that the payer entities in strategic partnership with us. Help us shift from the traditional push model of the pharmaceutical industry to a pull model in partnership with these payer systems such that these drugs can be made much more easily accessible, truly accessible, to patients without all the utilization hurdles that are usually put in place to slow down that access.
A.B: The net result of this is that patients have better options. Physicians have better options. And the payers are able to provide that access to the great medicines that they want to do for the patient populations that they serve, but to do it in a sustainable manner.
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A.B: So putting this all together, if you will, the simple yet powerful equation to create new pharma. Using what is possible today in science and technology and going after target biology, where we deeply understand it in fewer program failures. Doing what's possible today with efficient, truly modern drug development and in partnership with those health care systems of the world. And creating this pull, not push, giving a streamlined, lower cost of commercialization. This leads to: that triple net of better access to medicines for patients and physicians, reduced systematic spend on health care, making access to that innovation truly sustainable for the payer entities while building a profitable business at EQRx.
A.B: And if we pull on the thread on that last one, using a cartoon, illustrative unit economics, if you will, if you imagine the price that might be for a traditional drug, maybe that's $200,000 for a cancer therapy. The price for the EQRx drug would be much lower. Maybe it's $70,000, maybe it's $50,000, again, using a cartoon illustration. Our risk-adjusted R&D costs are much lower because of those fewer failures, because of that streamlined modern development.
A.B: And if you put those things together, you begin to approach an order of magnitude lower risk adjusted cost of bringing a new medicine to market. Likewise, our sales and marketing costs in this model, where it is a pull versus a push are much lower. And we have the intention to build EQRx as a company, as a whole, focused on efficiency from the get-go. Meaning that although we may charge much less for our individual products, we believe we can still build a very healthy operating margin. And of course, this is a business, as we said, that must be at scale both at the scale of the individual products, as well as at the scale of that catalog, 10 today, 20 by ‘22 to 30, 40, 50 such programs in the catalog as we build across the decade.
A.B: This is the vision of EQRx for the opportunity that we see. Let me hand it over now to my co-founder, Melanie Nallicheri, to talk about where we are in making this vision a reality.
M.N: Thank you, Alexis. I would like to start by anchoring us. In less than two years that we're old we have already made significant strides. We have already built a catalog of 10 medicines, two of which are pre-registrational assets today. And we have already established the first members in our Global Buyers Club.
M.N: So we are ahead of schedule. When we first got started, we said we were targeting to have our first drug on the market within five years. We are likely going to be able to exceed that goal. And so with that, we have great confidence that we can build rapidly, efficiently and at scale.
M.N: Now, what is needed to accomplish that? A team that brings together the best of multiple disciplines, disciplines that are often not assembled in the same way. What we have built in the EQRx team are some of the best drug hunters that are able to identify and create excellent molecules, some of the best drug developers that can devise the most efficient path to developing clinical evidence that is required for adoption, and some of the greatest expertise in how we're able to set up a new population health deal with payers.
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M.N: And in fact, a testament to what we have already built is our mission advisory board. These individuals represent some of the luminaries of our industry. Some of those individuals that represent hundreds of INDs, tens of drug approvals, deep scientific expertise and connectivity into the scientific community.
M.N: Now, why hasn't this been done before? What is EQRx’s, distinct competitive advantage? You cannot do what we're trying to do on a single molecule, a single asset. It is absolutely essential to do it at scale, to be able to build a pipeline at scale that can have real impact on the various stakeholders in our ecosystem. But in order to do that, it's essential to mobilize significant amounts of capital.
M.N: Now, with that, and the deep understanding and the trust that we have built in the payer community, we are able to earn a seat at the table and have earned the right to propose a different model and a different economic value proposition. That's the distinct competitive advantage.
M.N: Now, let me spend some time talking about how we have and how we will continue to assemble and expand the catalog of all validated medicines. We already have a catalog of 10 validated medicines. I want to give an example using our two free registrational assets. And just talk about what it actually means to have the quality of any EQRx medicine. Let's take Aumolertinib. Aumolertinib is a third generation EGFR inhibitor for lung cancer.
M.N: It is already approved in the second line setting in China. We have in-licensed Aumolertinib from Hansoh a year ago, and we have most recently, at the ASCO Oncology Conference, published and presented excellent data on the efficacy of Aumolertinib and a really compelling tolerability profile, which has the potential to have a meaningful impact on the quality of life of patients.
M.N: Now, when we think about Aumolertinib, we also think about the market opportunity. This is already a market that is trending towards a $5B market, and it is expected to double in the coming years. If we're able to capture only a 15% market share we are able to generate about $1.5B in revenues. And, just to use napkin math here, if we are pricing, let's say, at third of the price that would generate revenues of $500M over the coming years, we will have made an investment in Aumolertinib of less than $200M from the time that we in-licensed Aumolertinib to approval. This is a return profile that is very compelling, and this is a pattern that we're following with our assets.
M.N: If we're looking at an even greater category, if we're looking at Sugemalimab in the immunotherapy category, we are so excited because Sugemalimab can be applicable for patients with both stage three and stage four lung cancer, for patients with different backgrounds, and it can be used both in concurrent and sequential application of chemo-radiotherapy.
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M.N: That's a really compelling profile that can convey great ease of use to physicians who prescribe such a medicine should it be approved. We in-licensed Sugemalimab from CStone in October 2020. And it has already great data and met some endpoints, both in terms of efficacy and tolerability in this stage three and stage four lung cancer setting. Now, again, just to do a little bit of napkin math, this is a market that is poised to exceed $50B dollars in global spend, and lung cancer represents about half of this. At about one third of the price we would be able to capture roughly $1.5B in revenue. And so, between just our first two medicines, that means that we have the potential to generate a couple of billion in annual revenue and we're only getting started.
M.N: Our other medicines in our catalog follow a similar pattern. We have clinical stage assets, pre-clinical stage assets, and we have multiple collaborations in place right now to engineer assets and molecules against targets that we believe are important and can have impact on patients’ lives.
M.N: So what represents an EQRx medicine? It's the most impactful, innovative science that we have at our fingertips today in drug classes where the spend is the largest. We're talking about innovative patent protected medicines for which we already have medicines that are approved and currently available to patients and medicines that will be approved in the future and new drug classes that will be established.
M.N: And it could look something like this. So here's an illustrative version of what our catalog would look like. Today, our portfolio represents about $100B in global spend. We are going to double that by expanding our portfolio to more than 20 assets by ‘22, and those are expected to cover more than $200B in global spend. And then into the next decade we're going to expand further to 50 plus assets that will target a spend of more than $500B. All of those molecules are either generated through our drug engineering collaborations, through in-licensing, or in partnership in combination therapies.
M.N: Now, what does our Global Buyers’ Club look like? If we're thinking about our catalog as the total addressable market, how we're going to be able to reach and make those medicines accessible to patients is by strategic partnership with our Global Buyers’ Club.
M.N: The value proposition and what it looks like inside a partnership is really based on a deeply trusted partnership. Where we have the same goals. And those goals are to make it significantly easier for doctors to prescribe medicines by reducing all of the administrative hassles, making it as affordable for patients as possible, and in those geographies where that means reducing the patient out-of-pocket burden, do so. And lastly, as we have said, through much more of a pull model, rather than trying to push the medicine and spending lots of commercial dollars, getting an EQRx medicine, a docket. That is possible because we are pricing at a radically lower price than what is currently the practice.
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M.N: Now, where are we today in assembling our Global Buyers Club? We already have partnerships today that cover 20% of the three hundred million lives in the U.S.. We are in conversations with the next 50% of those U.S. lives. And so that could potentially bring us to partnerships covering close to 200M of U.S. lives. Many of the current partners are already investors who are investing into EQRx at this point. Outside of the United States, in the OECD countries, we are having conversations about strategic partnerships with eight countries and we're expanding from there.
M.N: And in a large number of what are called the MENAT countries, so in the Middle East and Turkey and in Africa, we're currently negotiating and are in the final stages of setting in place a distribution of commercial partnership. When everything is done, we imagine that this is a great illustration of what the Global Buyers’ Club is going to look like: it will represent insurance organizations, it will include health systems and integrated delivery networks, it will include public payers, including single payer systems from around the world.
M.N: Now, by doing this at scale, we're able to create a lot more options and have a significant impact on health systems around the world, really making their expenditure on innovative medicines sustainable. The more we add to our catalog, the more we can bring benefits to our partners, the more partners we can bring into our Global Buyers’ Club.
M.N: And the more we're able to do that, the more we create a true flywheel, which in turn creates access for all. So with this, I'm going to hand it over to Jami to talk about our financials.
J.R: Thank you, Melanie. So, I'm going to bring this all together from a financial perspective. We see significant revenue build starting in the 2023 to 2025 time period, driven by our first two pre-registrational assets and by middle to later in the decade, we expect to generate up to a range of $2-$4B in revenue from our four lead programs, primarily in oncology. Later in the decade and into early next, our revenue growth will come from our early stage in-licensed assets, including Immunology + Inflammation. And the gray bar shows that by the end of this decade and into the next, we expect to begin generating revenues from our discovery stage programs..
J.R: I would also point out that we expect to achieve break-even cash flow by 2026. But in order to do so, we need to raise an incremental $2B dollars in capital. This deal nearly gets us there. If you were to look at our stages of growth through value inflection points, today, we have two pre- registrational programs, and we believe that those two programs more than anchor the value of our company. In addition to which we've already built an extensive pipeline and we are creating a Global Buyers Club.
J.R: By the 2023-2028 time period, our next value inflection point, that's the period when we expect our new pharma model to really deliver. We expect to launch our first drugs on a global basis. We expect to enter into multiple commercial agreements with payers on a global basis. We expect to continue to build our pipeline of in-license program and discovery assets.
J.R: And then later in the decade, we expect that our marketplace will be fully established, and our flywheel will be fully in motion. We expect at this point to have a very deep pipeline, with over 50 programs, and we expect to expand our Global Buyers’ Club.
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J.R: This is also a period where we would expect other companies to launch their products through our alternative marketplace. Just to bring this all together, we could not be more delighted to be partnering with CM Lifesciences III. The opportunity to deliver $1.8B in capital does three things for us. Number One: It significantly de-risks our business model. Number Two: it reduces the risk of future financing. And Number Three: allows the management team to focus on execution.
J.R: Importantly, by the end of this year, with the cash that we already have on the balance sheet, we will have up with $2B in capital. And with that, I'll pass it on to Keith.
K. M: Thanks, Jami. I want to spend a second walking through the PIPE transaction we did today and the terms of the closing of the transaction we’re announcing and spend a second on the evaluation as well.
K. M: As Jami alluded to, our SPAC, CM Life Three, has $550M dollars of cash and trust. We originally intended on raising a $1B PIPE, but because of tremendous market demand and the desire to effectively, fully fund the EQR business plan, we upsized the pipe to $1.2B.
K. M: So when you take the $550M of cash and trust plus the $1.2B from the pipe, that's how Jamie gets to the $1.8B approximately of additional capital that will go on the EQRx balance sheet.
K. M: We anticipate the transaction closing in the fourth quarter of this year, at which time we also project EQRx to have approximately $300M of cash on balance sheet. So net of transaction expenses, we expect the company to have approximately $2B to invest in its business to accelerate growth.
K. M: The PIPE transaction today, as we announced in our press release, had tremendous support from SoftBank, a leading growth investor. Sam Merksamer from SoftBank will join the board of EQRx in conjunction with this transaction. But as well as support from other long only investors, leading life science investors, and a tremendous number of strategic partners that touch EQRx throughout their ecosystem. And we think it's great to see their partners putting their money behind this idea and the partnership and believe that that will help build even more connectivity with EQRx.
K. M: In addition, as part of this transaction, you may notice that yesterday CM Life Sciences III filed an 8-K announcing that Amy Abernathy joined its Board of Directors. It is anticipated and expected that Amy will also join the Board of EQRx in conjunction with the closing of this transaction.
K. M: Let me quickly jump to timing. We announced the transaction this morning. We expect to be prepared to file our transaction documents with the FCC to effect the merger in a real-time manner. And we expect it to take three-ish months to get through the FCC and anticipate a closing during the fourth quarter.
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Quickly, in terms of the balance sheet, pro forma and valuation, the transaction is being done at a pre-money valuation of $3.65B. In addition to that, there is a burnout of up to $500M subject to the company achieving future share prices of twelve-fifty and sixteen-fifty that effectively increase the transaction value to $4.1B.
K. M: We think the structure was a great way to provide an attractive entry point for investors, but also allow existing investors and the EQRx to get value for what they've created as they succeed in time and will allow existing holders to recognize that value as the shares perform. But allow an investment basis for the PIPE investors and the stock investors at a valuation that we hope has room to the upside and we expect has room to the upside.
K. M: Let me spend one second just to finish up on what Jami said about how we think of valuation. The pre-registrational assets that Melanie walked through the napkin math on, and Jami showed you in the lasagna chart, are anticipated to generate approximately $2B of revenue in the near future. Based on those revenue assumptions, and whether you look at a $3.65B valuation or a $4.1B valuation when the earn out has hit, the transaction value is approximately 1.7 or 1.5 times those revenues.
K. M: We believe that valuation is very favorable versus comparable companies. So there's a real, as Jami said, anchor to the valuation with the beautiful vision of the company, all of what Melanie talked about, about the Buyers’ Club, about the path from 10 molecules to 20 molecules and ultimately creating the flywheel. That whole vision that Alexis, Melanie and this world class management team have is upside to the transaction.
K. M: So in summary, part of why we're so excited about this transaction today is I think investors have the opportunity to invest behind an amazing management team in a great company with a wonderful ESG-driven mission and vision, with real fundamental asset value that anchors the valuation, with tremendous whitespace for upside as they execute on the plan and the flywheel begins to spin.
K. M: So with that, we thank you for your interest in CM Life Sciences III and our business combination transaction with EQRx. And I know the team looks forward to chatting with you often in the months, quarters, and years to come.
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