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):   May 2, 2016

StemCells, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 000-19871 94-3078125
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
7707 Gateway Blvd, Suite 140, Newark, California   94560
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   510.456.4000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

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

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


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

Effective May 2, 2016, the Board of Directors of StemCells, Inc. (the "Company") unanimously approved an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated By-laws to remove certain provisions concerning intra-partes disputes adopted by the Company in 2015. The full text of the Company's Amended and Restated By-laws, as revised, is attached hereto as Exhibit 3(ii).






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SIGNATURES

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

         
    StemCells, Inc.
          
May 2, 2016   By:   Kenneth Stratton
       
        Name: Kenneth Stratton
        Title: General Counsel


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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description

 
3.(ii)
  Amended and Restated By-laws of StemCells, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

OF

STEMCELLS, INC.

Section 1. LAW, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

1.1. These by-laws are subject to the certificate of incorporation of the corporation. In these by-laws, references to law, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws mean the law, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws as from time to time in effect.

Section 2. STOCKHOLDERS

2.1.   Annual Meeting .  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday in May in each year, unless that day be a legal holiday at the place where the meeting is to be held, in which case the meeting shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding day not a legal holiday, or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which the stockholders shall elect members of the board of directors and transact such other business as may be required by law or these by-laws or as may properly come before the meeting.

2.2.   Special Meetings .  A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, if any, the president or the board of directors. A special meeting of the stockholders shall be called by the secretary, or in the case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the secretary, by an assistant secretary or some other officer, upon application of a majority of the directors. Any such application shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Any such call shall state the place, date, hour, and purposes of the meeting.

2.3.   Place of Meeting .  All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the president, the board of directors or such other persons as may be authorized by the board of directors. Any adjourned session of any meeting of the stockholders shall be held at the place designated at the time of adjournment.

2.4.   Notice of Meetings .  Except as otherwise provided by law, a written notice of each meeting of stockholders stating the place, day and hour thereof and, in the case of a special meeting, the purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, and to each stockholder who, by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws, is entitled to notice, by leaving such notice with him or at his residence or usual place of business, or by depositing it in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to such stockholder at his address as it appears in the records of the corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be limited to the purpose or purposes thereof stated in the notice of such meeting. Such notice shall be given by the secretary, or by an officer or person designated by the board of directors, or in the case of a special meeting by the secretary or the officer calling the meeting. As to any adjourned session of any meeting of stockholders, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment was taken except that if the adjournment is for more than thirty days or if after the adjournment a new record date is set for the adjourned session, notice of any such adjourned session of the meeting shall be given in the manner heretofore described. No notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjourned session thereof need be given to a stockholder if a written waiver of notice, executed before or after the meeting or such adjourned session by such stockholder, is filed with the records of the meeting or if the stockholder attends such meeting without objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the stockholders or any adjourned session thereof need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

2.5.   Quorum of Stockholders .  At any meeting of the stockholders a quorum as to any matter shall consist of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except where a larger quorum is required by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present. If a quorum is present at an original meeting, a quorum need not be present at an adjourned session of that meeting. Shares of its own stock belonging to the corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of any corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

2.6.   Action by Vote .  When a quorum is present at any meeting, a plurality of the votes properly cast for election to any office shall elect to such office and a majority of the votes properly cast upon any question other than an election to an office shall decide the question, except when a larger vote is required by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a stockholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election.

2.7.   Action without Meetings .  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation and except as otherwise provided herein, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders for or in connection with any corporate action may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware by hand or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Each such written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents signed by a number of stockholders sufficient to take such action are delivered to the corporation in the manner specified in this paragraph within sixty days of the earliest dated consent so delivered.

If action is taken by consent of stockholders and in accordance with the foregoing, there shall be filed with the records of the meetings of stockholders the writing or writings comprising such consent.

If action is taken by less than unanimous consent of stockholders, prompt notice of the taking of such action without a meeting shall be given to those who have not consented in writing and a certificate signed and attested to by the secretary that such notice was given shall be filed with the records of the meetings of stockholders.

In the event that the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, if such action had been voted upon by the stockholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such provision shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such provision concerning a vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given under Section 228 of said General Corporation Law and that written notice has been given as provided in such Section 228.

2.8. No Action by Writing . Notwithstanding Section 2.7 of these by-laws, if at any time this corporation shall have a class of stock registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Securities Exchange Act”), and for so long as such class is so registered, any action which is required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or which may be taken at such a meeting may be taken only by vote at such a meeting, and not by a written consent or otherwise.

2.9.   Proxy Representation .  Every stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy in all matters in which a stockholder is entitled to participate, whether by waiving notice of any meeting, objecting to or voting or participating at a meeting, or expressing consent or dissent without a meeting. The delivery of a proxy on behalf of a stockholder consistent with telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to procedures of the corporation reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such stockholder shall constitute execution and delivery of the proxy by or on behalf of the stockholder. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and, if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally. The authorization of a proxy may be, but need not be, limited to specified action, provided, however, that if a proxy limits its authorization to a meeting or meetings of stockholders, unless otherwise specifically provided such proxy shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any adjourned session but shall not be valid after the final adjournment thereof.

2.10.   Inspectors .  The directors or the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors of election and any substitute inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. The inspectors may appoint and retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them.

2.11.   List of Stockholders .  The secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in his name. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are stockholders entitled to examine such list or to vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.

Section 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

3.1.   Number . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.1, the number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall not be less than three nor more than seven in number. Thereafter, within the foregoing limits, the stockholders at the annual meeting shall determine the number of directors and shall elect the number of directors as determined. Within the foregoing limits, the number of directors may be increased at any time or from time to time by the stockholders or by the directors by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The number of directors may be decreased to any number permitted by the foregoing at any time either by the stockholders or by the directors by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, but only to eliminate vacancies existing by reason of the death, resignation or removal of one or more directors. Directors need not be stockholders.

Nothwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time this corporation shall have a class of stock registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act, and for so long as such class is so registered, the following provisions shall govern the number and election of directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall not be less than three nor more than fifteen in number. Thereafter, within the foregoing limits, the number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. Within the foregoing limits, the number of directors may be increased at any time or from time to time by the directors by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The number of directors may be decreased to any number permitted by the foregoing at any time by the directors by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, but only to eliminate vacancies existing by reason of the death, resignation or removal of one or more directors. Directors need not be stockholders.

The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred stock voting separately by class or series, shall be classified, with respect to the duration of the term for which they severally hold office, into three classes, designated Class I, Class II, and Class III, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible and as provided by resolution of the board of directors. Each initial director in Class I shall hold office for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders; each initial director of Class II shall hold office for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders; and each initial director of Class III shall hold office for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders. The initial membership of each class shall be determined by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders shall elect the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification.

The board of directors shall increase or decrease the number of directors in one or more classes as may be appropriate whenever it increases or decreases the number of directors pursuant to this Section 3.1, in order to ensure that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number as possible.

3.2. Notification of Nominations . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock voting separately by class or series, nominations for the election of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors as specified in this Section 3.2. A stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors by giving timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary accompanied by a petition signed by at least 100 record holders of capital stock of the corporation which shows the class and number of shares held by each person and which represent in the aggregate 1% or more of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. To be timely, notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to the stockholders, to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be received at the principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth in writing (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (x) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of such stockholder and (y) the class and number of shares or the corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by the board of directors for election as a director shall furnish to the secretary the information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. In the event that a stockholder seeks to nominate one or more directors, the secretary shall appoint one or more inspectors to determine whether a stockholder has complied with this Section 3.2. If the inspectors shall determine that a stockholder has not complied with this Section 3.2, the inspectors shall direct the chairman of the meeting to declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the by-laws, and the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

3.3.   Powers .  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors who shall have and may exercise all the powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

3.4.   Vacancies .  Vacancies and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Stockholders shall have no power to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships. When one or more directors shall resign from the board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote or action by writing thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective. The directors shall have and may exercise all their powers notwithstanding the existence of one or more vacancies in their number, subject to any requirements of law or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws as to the number of directors required for a quorum or for any vote or other actions.

3.5.   Committees .  The board of directors may, by vote of a majority of the whole board, (a) designate, change the membership of or terminate the existence of any committee or committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors; (b) designate one or more directors as alternate members of any such committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee; and (c) determine the extent to which each such committee shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, including the power to authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which require it and the power and authority to declare dividends or to authorize the issuance of stock; excepting, however, such powers which by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws they are prohibited from so delegating. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee and his alternate, if any, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Except as the board of directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the board or such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as may be in the same manner as is provided by these by-laws for the conduct of business by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors upon request.

3.6.   Regular Meetings .  Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without call or notice at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the board may from time to time determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any such determination shall be given to absent directors. A regular meeting of the directors may be held without call or notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.

3.7.   Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the board of directors may be held at any time and at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated in the notice of the meeting, when called by the chairman of the board, if any, the president, or by one-third or more in number of the directors, reasonable notice thereof being given to each director by the secretary or by the chairman of the board, if any, the president or any one of the directors calling the meeting.

3.8.   Notice .  It shall be reasonable and sufficient notice to a director to send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by telegram at least twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to him at his usual or last known business or residence address or to give notice to him in person or by telephone, facsimile transmission or electronic transmission at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director if a written waiver of notice, executed by him before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any director who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the purposes of the meeting.

3.9.   Quorum .  Except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws, at any meeting of the directors a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum; a quorum shall not in any case be less than one-third of the total number of directors constituting the whole board. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.

3.10.   Action by Vote .  Except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws, when a quorum is present at any meeting the vote of a majority of the directors present shall be the act of the board of directors.

3.11.   Action Without a Meeting .  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the board or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the board or of such committee. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as the act of the board or of such committee, as the case may be.

3.12.   Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone .  Members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by such board, may participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other or by any other means permitted by law. Such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

3.13.   Compensation .  In the discretion of the board of directors, each director may be paid such fees for his services as director and be reimbursed for his reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his duties as director as the board of directors from time to time may determine. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation therefor.

3.14.   Interested Directors and Officers .

(a) No contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the corporation’s directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:

(1) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or

(2) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or

(3) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.

(b) Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 4. OFFICERS AND AGENTS

4.1.   Enumeration; Qualification .  The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a treasurer, a secretary and such other officers, if any, as the board of directors from time to time may in its discretion elect or appoint including without limitation a chairman of the board, one or more vice presidents and a controller. The corporation may also have such agents, if any, as the board of directors from time to time may in its discretion choose. Any officer may be but none need be a director or stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the board of directors to secure the faithful performance of his duties to the corporation by giving bond in such amount and with sureties or otherwise as the board of directors may determine.

4.2.   Powers .  Subject to law, to the certificate of incorporation and to the other provisions of these by-laws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to his office and such additional duties and powers as the board of directors may from time to time designate.

4.3.   Election .  The officers may be elected by the board of directors at their first meeting following the annual meeting of the stockholders or at any other time. At any time or from time to time the directors may delegate to any officer their power to elect or appoint any other officer or any agents.

4.4.   Tenure .  Each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the board of directors following the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until his respective successor is chosen and qualified unless a shorter period shall have been specified by the terms of his election or appointment, or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each agent shall retain his authority at the pleasure of the directors, or the officer by whom he was appointed or by the officer who then holds agent appointive power.

4.5.   Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Vice President .  The chairman of the board, if any, shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors. Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the chairman of the board, or if there is none the chief executive officer, shall preside, or designate the person who shall preside, at all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors.

Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the president shall be the chief executive officer and shall have direct charge of all business operations of the corporation and, subject to the control of the directors, shall have general charge and supervision of the business of the corporation.

Any vice presidents shall have such duties and powers as shall be set forth in these by-laws or as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors or by the president.

4.6.   Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers .  Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall be in charge of its funds and valuable papers, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or by the president. If no controller is elected, the treasurer shall, unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, also have the duties and powers of the controller.

Any assistant treasurers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the treasurer.

4.7.   Controller and Assistant Controllers .  If a controller is elected, he shall, unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, be the chief accounting officer of the corporation and be in charge of its books of account and accounting records, and of its accounting procedures. He shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the treasurer.

Any assistant controller shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president, the treasurer or the controller.

4.8.   Secretary and Assistant Secretaries .  The secretary shall record all proceedings of the stockholders, of the board of directors and of committees of the board of directors in a book or series of books to be kept therefor and shall file therein all actions by written consent of stockholders or directors. In the absence of the secretary from any meeting, an assistant secretary, or if there be none or he is absent, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting, shall record the proceedings thereof. Unless a transfer agent has been appointed the secretary shall keep or cause to be kept the stock and transfer records of the corporation, which shall contain the names and record addresses of all stockholders and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. He shall have such other duties and powers as may from time to time be designated by the board of directors or the president.

Any assistant secretaries shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the secretary.

4.9. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations . Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any officer of the corporation authorized by the Board of Directors shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders of, or with respect to any action of stockholders of, any other corporation in which this corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

Section 5. RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS

Any director or officer may resign at any time by delivering his resignation in writing to the chairman of the board, if any, the president, or the secretary or to a meeting of the board of directors. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time, and without in either case the necessity of its being accepted unless the resignation shall so state. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors under specified circumstances, any director or directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote, at any regular meeting or special meeting of the stockholders, of not less than 80% of the total number of votes of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, but only if notice of such proposal was contained in the notice of such meeting. Any vacancy in the board of directors resulting from any such removal shall be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any director or directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until their successors shall be elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. The board of directors may at any time remove any officer either with or without cause. The board of directors may at any time terminate or modify the authority of any agent. No director or officer resigning and (except where a right to receive compensation shall be expressly provided in a duly authorized written agreement with the corporation) no director or officer removed shall have any right to any compensation as such director or officer for any period following his resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether his compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise; unless, in the case of a resignation, the directors, or, in the case of removal, the body acting on the removal, shall in their or its discretion provide for compensation.

Section 6. VACANCIES

If the office of the president or the treasurer or the secretary becomes vacant, the directors may elect a successor by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. If the office of any other officer becomes vacant, any person or body empowered to elect or appoint that officer may choose a successor. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term, and in the case of the president, the treasurer and the secretary until his successor is chosen and qualified or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Any vacancy of a directorship shall be filled as specified in Section 3.4 of these by-laws.

Section 7. CAPITAL STOCK

7.1.   Stock Certificates .  Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate stating the number and the class and the designation of the series, if any, of the shares held by him, in such form as shall, in conformity to law, the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws, be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors. Such certificate shall be signed by the chairman or vice chairman of the board, if any, or the president or a vice president and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or by the secretary or an assistant secretary. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case an officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the time of its issue.

7.2.   Loss of Certificates .  In the case of the alleged theft, loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms, including receipt of a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim on account thereof, as the board of directors may prescribe.

Section 8. TRANSFER OF SHARES OF STOCK

8.1.   Transfer on Books .  Subject to the restrictions, if any, stated or noted on the stock certificate, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the corporation by the surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment and power of attorney properly executed, with necessary transfer stamps affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the board of directors or the transfer agent of the corporation may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws, the corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to receive notice and to vote or to give any consent with respect thereto and to be held liable for such calls and assessments, if any, as may lawfully be made thereon, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been properly transferred on the books of the corporation.

It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the corporation of his post office address.

8.2.   Record Date and Closing Transfer Books .  In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such payment, exercise or other action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 9. CORPORATE SEAL

9.1. Subject to alteration by the directors, the seal of the corporation shall consist of a flat-faced circular die with the word “Delaware” and the name of the corporation cut or engraved thereon, together with such other words, dates or images as may be approved from time to time by the directors.

Section 10. EXECUTION OF PAPERS

10.1. Authority to Sign . Except as the board of directors may generally or in particular cases authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, checks, drafts or other obligations made, accepted or endorsed by the corporation shall be signed by the chairman of the board, if any, the chief executive officer, president, a vice president, the corporate secretary, or the treasurer.

10.2. Electronic Records . Any records maintained by the corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any storage device or method, provided that records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time.

10.3. Electronic Signatures . In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile and/or electronic signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these by-laws, both facsimile and electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

10.4. Official Records . Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the corporation.

Section 11. INTRA-PARTY DISPUTES

11.1 Forum . Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, contractor, or affiliate of the corporation to the corporation or to the corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or pursuant to any other law applicable to the corporation, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine (any such action (i) – (iv), above, an “intra-partes action”), shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

11.2. Consent . Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, the provisions of these Amended and Restated By-laws.

12. FISCAL YEAR

12.1. The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on the 31st of December.

Section 13. AMENDMENTS

13.1. These by-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by vote of 80% of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Any by-law, whether adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders or directors, may be amended or reinstated by the stockholders or the directors.