UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10

 

GENERAL FORM OF REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida   65-0385686

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

2255 Glades Road, Suite 221A, Boca Raton, FL   33431
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (410) 654-3315

 

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

 

Title of each class to be so registered   Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered
None   None

 

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

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filed, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer  ☒ Smaller reporting company  ☒
  Emerging growth company  ☒

 

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

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1. Business.

 

NovelStem International Corp. (“NovelStem” or the “Company”) is a holding company whose principal assets are a 28.6% equity interest in NewStem Ltd, an Israeli biotech company (“NewStem”), and a 50% equity interest in a joint venture named NetCo Partners (“NetCo” or “NetCo Partners”). NovelStem was formed in January 1993 as Big Entertainment, Inc. which changed its name to Hollywood.Com Inc. and, subsequently in December 2000 to Hollywood.Com Inc. which subsequently changed its corporate name to Hollywood Media Corp. (“Hollywood Media”). We changed our name to NovelStem in September 2018 when we shifted our business focus from media to cutting edge biotech.

 

NewStem

 

NewStem is an Israeli biotech limited liability company focused on human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs) in general, and Haploid human Pluripotent Stem Cells (HhPSCs), in particular. These cells have the potential to change the face of medical research as they play a pivotal role in cancer research, regenerative medicine and disease therapy. NewStem established a discovery bio-platform based on haploid human embryonic stem cell technology for genome-wide screenings and is currently using this platform for the discovery and development of first in class precision oncology drugs based on synthetic lethal interaction and developing a personalized diagnostic for early detection of chemotherapy resistance. NewStem possesses pioneering intellectual property, reagents and experience related to the isolation and differentiation of HhPSCs and hPSCs, their genetic manipulation, immunogenicity, tumorigenicity and their unique capacity in disease modeling. We believe that NewStem is currently the only company worldwide to develop products based on this innovative proprietary technology.

 

NewStem’s technology solutions are derived from an exclusive, worldwide license from Yissum Research Development Company, Hebrew University’s technology transfer company (“Yissum”) and The New York Stem Cells Foundation, based on the findings and inventions of Prof. Nissim Benvenisty, Director of the Azrieli Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (the “License”). The License provides NewStem an exclusive worldwide license to make commercial use of the License and to develop, manufacture, market, distribute or sell a product in the field of therapeutics, diagnostics, screening, development and testing. In consideration for the grant of the License, NewStem is obligated to pay royalties of up to 3% of net sales and up to 12% of “Sublicense Consideration” (as defined in the License).

 

NovelStem was the original seed investor in NewStem providing $2 million in July 2018 and another $2 million over the next two and a half years. We currently own a 28.6% equity interest in NewStem. The remaining equity interests in NewStem are owned by Yissum and Professor Benvenisty, each of whom owns a 28.6% equity interest, Illumina Cambridge LTD, which owns a 5.0% equity interest, and management and a number of other shareholders who own collectively approximately 9%. Currently, our Chairman of the Board, Jan Loeb, is also the Chairman of the Board of NewStem. Professor Benvenisty and a representative of Yissum occupy the other two Board seats.

 

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Pursuant to NewStem’s Articles of Association, investors (including NovelStem) are granted certain rights and are subject to certain restrictions with respect to their equity interests in NewStem. NovelStem has preemptive rights to purchase additional shares issued by NewStem up to its pro-rata share of all outstanding shares of NewStem held by all shareholders of NewStem, until the consummation of either an initial public offering or a liquidation event. Such pro-rata share may be increased into an over-allotment if other shareholders decline to exercise their preemptive rights. The Board of Directors of NewStem may make capital calls on NovelStem and the other shareholders, in respect of any sum unpaid in respect of shares held by such shareholder. All shareholders holding at least 10% of the outstanding shares, including NovelStem, may exercise a right of first refusal on all sales of shares of NewStem other than transfers to certain permitted transferees. NovelStem and other shareholders have a co-sale right to sell their shares in place of those that would be issued and sold by NewStem’s founder. The shares of NewStem are subject to a drag-along right, compelling all shares to be sold in the event that a transaction meant to sell all shares of NewStem is approved by shareholders holding at least 65% of the vote of all shares of NewStem.

 

Competition

 

The technologies underlying NewStem’s products are subject to rapid and profound technological change. Competition intensifies as technical advances in each field are made and become more widely known. We can give no assurance that others will not develop services, products, or processes with significant advantages over the products, services, and processes that NewStem offers or is seeking to develop. Any such occurrence could have a material and adverse effect on NewStem’s and our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

NewStem plans to enhance and broaden its product offerings in response to changing customer demands and competitive pressure and technologies. The success of any new product offering or enhancement to an existing product will depend on numerous factors, including the ability to:

 

- Properly identify and anticipate physician and patient needs;
- Develop and introduce new products or product enhancements in a timely manner;
- Adequately protect intellectual property and avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties;
- Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of new products; and
- Obtain the necessary regulatory clearances or approvals for new products or product enhancements.

 

Government Regulation

 

In the United States, pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the Federal Food and Drug Administration and Cosmetic Act or the FDA. The FDA and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of pharmaceutical products. The FDA has very broad enforcement authority and failure to abide by applicable regulatory requirements can result in administrative or judicial sanctions being imposed on NewStem, including warning letters, refusals of government contracts, clinical holds, civil penalties, injunctions, restitution, disgorgement of profits, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, withdrawal of approval, refusal to approve pending applications, and criminal prosecution. To date, NewStem has filed an FDA Pre-Submission and received CE mark from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its in vitro diagnostic device (IVDD). NewStem will require FDA approval for the therapeutic drugs that are currently in the development stages.

 

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FDA Approval Process

 

NewStem’s therapeutic product candidates are expected to be regulated by the FDA as drugs. No manufacturer may market a new drug until it has submitted a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the FDA, and the FDA has approved it.

 

The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and NewStem’s product candidates may not be approved on a timely basis, if at all. The time and expense required to perform the clinical testing necessary to obtain FDA approval for regulated products can frequently exceed the time and expense of the research and development initially required to create the product. The results of preclinical studies and initial clinical trials of NewStem’s product candidates are not necessarily predictive of the results from large-scale clinical trials, and clinical trials may be subject to additional costs, delays or modifications due to a number of factors, including difficulty in obtaining enough patients, investigators or product candidate supply. Failure by NewStem to obtain, or any delay in obtaining, regulatory approvals or in complying with requirements could adversely affect the commercialization of product candidates and NewStem’s (and, therefore, the Company’s) ability to receive product or royalty revenues.

 

Other Regulatory Requirements

 

After approval, drug products are subject to extensive continuing regulation by the FDA, which include obligations to manufacture products in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP, maintain and provide to the FDA updated safety and efficacy information, report adverse experiences with the product, keep certain records and submit periodic reports, obtain FDA approval of certain manufacturing or labeling changes, and comply with FDA promotion and advertising requirements and restrictions. Failure by NewStem to meet these obligations can result in various adverse consequences, both voluntary and FDA-imposed, including product recalls, withdrawal of approval, restrictions on marketing, and the imposition of civil fines and criminal penalties against the NDA holder. In addition, later discovery of previously unknown safety or efficacy issues may result in restrictions on the product, manufacturer or NDA holder.

 

Outside the United States, NewStem’s ability to market a product is contingent upon receiving marketing authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities. The requirements governing marketing authorization, pricing and reimbursement vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. At present, foreign marketing authorizations are applied for at a national level, although within the European Union registration procedures are available to companies wishing to market a product in more than one European Union member state.

 

NewStem is also subject to various environmental, health and safety regulations including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials. From time to time, and in the future, NewStem’s operations may involve the use of hazardous materials.

 

NetCo Partners

 

In June 1995, we and C.P. Group Inc. (“C.P. Group”), entered into an agreement to form NetCo Partners. NetCo owns the entertainment property, “Net Force” by Tom Clancy, about a division of the FBI investigating crimes and adventures involving the internet and the digital world.

 

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NovelStem and C.P. Group each own 50% of the ownership interest in NetCo Partners. The Estate of Tom Clancy is a shareholder of C.P. Group. NetCo Partners owns all rights in all media to the Net Force property including film, television, and video games.

 

In 1997, NetCo Partners licensed to Putnam Berkley the rights to publish the first six Net Force books in North America, which books were written and published. This agreement was subsequently renewed in December 2001 for four more books that were created and published. There was also a series of books targeted to the young adult market, Net Force Explorer also published by Putnam Berkley. Net Force books have so far been published in mass market paperback format. The first book in the series was adapted as a four-hour mini-series on the ABC television network.

 

In 2019, NetCo Partners entered into a new publishing agreement with HarperCollins. Three novels and two Net Force novellas have been published under that agreement. Through its interest in NetCo Partners, NovelStem receives distributions of its 50% share of proceeds generated from the rights to Net Force.

 

Competition

 

Competition in the publishing and video game industries is intense. Many new products and services are regularly introduced in each major industry segment (console, mobile and PC), but only a relatively small number of “hit” titles account for a significant portion of total revenue in each segment. NetCo Partners’ competitors range from established interactive entertainment companies and diversified media companies to emerging start-ups, and we expect new competitors to continue to emerge throughout the world.

 

See Item 8 – Legal Proceedings for information concerning proceedings related to NetCo Partners.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Our business is subject to certain risks, including those described below. If any of the events described in the following risk factors actually occurs then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. More detailed information concerning these risks is contained in other sections of this registration statement, including “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Risks Relating to our Business

 

We are a holding company the principal assets of which are illiquid, non-controlling equity interests in NewStem and NetCo Partners.

 

We are a holding company whose primary assets are equity interests in NewStem and NetCo Partners. While we are entitled to certain rights as a shareholder in NewStem and as a partner in NetCo Partners, we do not exercise control over either such entity. Therefore, our ability to direct the management and affairs of both entities is significantly limited.

 

We conduct no other business and, as a result, we depend entirely upon earnings and cash flow from NewStem and NetCo Partners. If we decide in the future to pay dividends, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiaries.

 

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Our investments in NewStem and NetCo are illiquid.

 

Our shares in NewStem and our partnership interests in NetCo Partners are illiquid and have extremely limited liquidity rights. The transferability of these interests is restricted under federal and state securities laws and the governing documents of each of NewStem and NetCo Partners.

 

We depend on the executive officers and other key individuals of our Company and our portfolio companies, particularly NewStem, to continue the implementation of our long-term business strategy and could be harmed by the loss of their services and our inability to make up for such loss with qualified replacements.

 

We believe that our continued growth and future success will depend in large part on the skills of our management team and the management teams of NewStem and NetCo Partners and our ability to motivate and retain these individuals and other key individuals. The loss of any of their service could reduce our ability to successfully implement our long-term business strategy, our business could suffer and the value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected. Leadership changes will occur from time to time and we cannot predict whether significant resignations will occur or whether we will be able to recruit additional qualified personnel. We believe these management teams possess valuable knowledge about our respective industries and that their knowledge and relationships would be very difficult to replicate. The loss of key personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified and talented personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

We and NewStem have limited operating histories and have generated no revenue to date.

 

We and NewStem have a limited operating history and do not have a meaningful historical record of sales and revenues, nor do we or NewStem have an established business track record. While we believe that we have the opportunity to be successful, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in accomplishing our business initiatives, or that we will be able to achieve any significant levels of revenues or net income.

 

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.  If not remediated, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.

 

Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements.  We have re-evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that they were not effective as of March 31, 2022 and we concluded there was a material weakness in the design of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

NewStem may be unable to respond effectively to technological changes in its industry, which could reduce the demand for its products and services.

 

NewStem’s future business success will depend upon its ability to maintain and enhance its product portfolio with respect to advances in technological improvements for certain products that meet customer needs and market conditions in a cost-effective and timely manner. NewStem may not be successful in gaining access to new products that successfully compete or are able to anticipate customer needs and preferences, and customers may not accept one or more of its products. If NewStem fails to keep pace with evolving technological innovations or fails to modify its products and services in response to customers’ needs or preferences, then NewStem’s and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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Rapid technological change could cause products to become obsolete, and if NewStem does not enhance its product offerings through research and development efforts, it may be unable to effectively compete.

 

The technologies underlying NewStem’s products are subject to rapid and profound technological change. Competition intensifies as technical advances in each field are made and become more widely known. We can give no assurance that others will not develop services, products, or processes with significant advantages over the products, services, and processes that NewStem offers or is seeking to develop. Any such occurrence could have a material and adverse effect on NewStem’s and our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

NewStem plans to enhance and broaden its product offerings in response to changing customer demands and competitive pressure and technologies. The success of any new product offering or enhancement to an existing product will depend on numerous factors, including the ability to:

 

- Properly identify and anticipate physician and patient needs;
- Develop and introduce new products or product enhancements in a timely manner;
- Adequately protect intellectual property and avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties;
- Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of new products; and
- Obtain the necessary regulatory clearances or approvals for new products or product enhancements.

 

If NewStem does not develop and, when necessary, obtain regulatory clearance or approval for new products or product enhancements in time to meet market demand, or if there is insufficient demand for these products or enhancements, its results of operations will suffer. NewStem’s research and development efforts may require a substantial investment of time and resources before it is adequately able to determine the commercial viability of a new product, technology, material or other innovation. In addition, even if NewStem is able to successfully develop enhancements or new generations of its products, these enhancements or new generations of products may not produce sales in excess of the costs of development, and they may be quickly rendered obsolete by changing customer preferences or the introduction by competitors of products embodying new technologies or features.

 

Our ongoing viability as a company depends on NewStem’s ability to successfully develop and commercialize its licensed technology.

 

NewStem is principally focused on utilizing proprietary hPSCs and HhPSCs in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products in oncology . NewStem must develop diagnostics and therapeutics successfully test them for safety and efficacy in the targeted patient population, and manufacture the finished drugs on a commercial scale to meet regulatory standards and receive regulatory approvals. The development and commercialization process is both time-consuming and costly, and involves a high degree of business risk. The results of pre-clinical and clinical testing of product candidates are uncertain, and there can be no assurance that NewStem will be able to obtain regulatory approvals of its product candidates. If obtained, regulatory approval may take longer or be more expensive than anticipated. Furthermore, even if regulatory approvals are obtained, NewStem’s products may not perform as we expect and NewStem may not be able to successfully and profitably produce and market any products. Delays in any part of the process or our inability to obtain regulatory approval of such products could adversely affect NewStem’s and, therefore, NovelStem’s future operating results by restricting (or even prohibiting) the introduction and sale of such products.

 

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The value of our investment in NetCo Partners and our ability to receive distributions may be affected by disputes between the Company and C.P. Group, our partner in NetCo Partners.

 

The Company and C.P. Group each own a 50% partnership interest in NetCo Partners. The joint venture agreement governing NetCo Partners provides for mutual decision making among the Company and C.P. Group generally (subject to exceptions) and arbitration in the event any controversy or disagreement arises. The Company and C.P. Group are currently in arbitration as to ongoing scope and the operation of NetCo Partners. If we are unable to resolve such dispute in a manner favorable to the Company, our investment in NetCo Partners and our ability to continue to receive distributions as a partner in NetCo Partners could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

NetCo Partners’ business is intensely competitive and “hit” driven. NetCo Partners may not deliver “hit” products and services, or consumers may prefer a competitors’ products or services over NetCo Partners.

 

Competition in the publishing and video game industries is intense. Many new products and services are regularly introduced in each major industry segment (console, mobile and PC), but only a relatively small number of “hit” titles account for a significant portion of total revenue in each segment. NetCo Partners’ competitors range from established interactive entertainment companies and diversified media companies to emerging start-ups, and we expect new competitors to continue to emerge throughout the world. If NetCo Partner’s competitors develop and market more successful and engaging products or services, offer competitive products or services at lower price points, or if NetCo Partners does not develop high-quality, well-received and engaging products and services, NetCo Partners’ and our revenue, margins, and profitability will decline.

 

If NetCo Partners fails to develop relationships with new creative talent, its business could be adversely affected.

 

NetCo Partners’ business, in particular the trade publishing and media portions of the business, is highly dependent on maintaining strong relationships with the authors, illustrators and other creative talent who produce the products and services that are sold to its customers. Any overall weakening of these relationships, or the failure to develop successful new relationships, could have an adverse impact on NetCo Partners’ and the Company’s business and financial performance.

 

Risks relating to our common stock

 

Because our holding company structure creates restrictions on the payment of dividends, our ability to pay dividends is limited.

 

We are a holding company whose primary assets are our ownership of the equity interests in NewStem and NetCo Partner. We conduct no other business and, as a result, we depend entirely upon our NewStem’s and NetCo Partners’ earnings and cash flow. If we decide in the future to pay dividends, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies may be restricted in their ability to pay dividends, make distributions or otherwise transfer funds to us prior to the satisfaction of other obligations, including the payment of operating expenses or debt service, appropriation to reserves prescribed by laws and regulations, covering losses in previous years, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency, completion of relevant procedures with governmental authorities or banks and other regulatory restrictions. We do not presently have any intention to declare or pay dividends in the future. You should not purchase shares of our common stock in anticipation of receiving dividends in future periods.

 

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Because we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.

 

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Unless we pay dividends, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them. Shareholders may never be able to sell shares when desired. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware that there are various risks. You should consider carefully these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this annual report before you decide to purchase our securities. If any of the following risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

We are an emerging growth company and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.

 

We are an emerging growth company. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies including, without limitation, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation and golden parachute payments, exemption from the requirement of auditor attestation in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about our audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis). As a result of the foregoing, the information that we provide shareholders may be different than what is available with respect to other public companies.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We plan to elect to use the extended period for compliance and, as a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

Reporting requirement under the Exchange Act and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including establishing and maintaining acceptable internal controls over financial reporting, are costly and may increase substantially.

 

The rules and regulations of the SEC require a public company to prepare and file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which will require that the Company engage legal, accounting, auditing and other professional services. The engagement of such services is costly. Additionally, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) requires, among other things, that we design, implement and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures over financial reporting. The costs of complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the limited technically qualified personnel we have may make it difficult for us to design, implement and maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting. In the event that we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls or discover material weaknesses in our internal controls, we may not be able to produce reliable financial reports or report fraud, which may harm our overall financial condition and result in loss of investor confidence and a decline in our share price.

 

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As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, compliance with these rules and regulations will nonetheless increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and operating results.

 

We are working with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify those areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. These areas include corporate governance, corporate control, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We have made, and will continue to make, changes in these and other areas. However, we anticipate that the expenses that will be required in order to adequately prepare for being a public company could be material. We estimate that the aggregate cost of increased legal services; accounting and audit functions; personnel, such as a chief financial officer familiar with the obligations of public company reporting; consultants to design and implement internal controls; and financial printing alone will be a few hundred thousand dollars per year and could be several hundred thousand dollars per year. In addition, if and when we retain independent directors and/or additional members of senior management, we may incur additional expenses related to director compensation and/or premiums for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, the costs of which we cannot estimate at this time. We may also incur additional expenses associated with investor relations and similar functions, the cost of which we also cannot estimate at this time. However, these additional expenses individually, or in the aggregate, may also be material.

 

In addition, being a public company could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

 

The increased costs associated with operating as a public company may decrease our net income or increase our net loss and may cause us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services to offset the effect of such increased costs. Additionally, if these requirements divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

There is a very limited trading market for our common stock and investors are not assured of the opportunity to sell their stock, should they desire to do so.

 

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Pink Market. However, that stock has traded in very limited quantities in the past. We believe a significant factor in the limited market is our limited capitalization and liquidity, results of operation and the characterization of our stock as a “penny stock.” We hope to remedy our financial condition and results of operation in the future. This, in turn, may assist us in obtaining listing of our stock on other exchanges. However, there is no assurance that any of these objectives will be met or that the market will ever increase to a point where investors could sell their stock at a desirable price, should they desire to do so.

 

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The price of our common stock could be highly volatile.

 

Our shares of common stock are quoted on the OTC Pink Market. It is likely that our common stock will be subject to price volatility, low volumes of trades and large spreads in bid and ask prices quoted by market makers. Due to the low volume of shares traded on any trading day, persons buying or selling in relatively small quantities may easily influence prices of our common stock. This low volume of trades could also cause the price of our stock to fluctuate greatly, with large percentage changes in price occurring in any trading day session. Holders of our common stock may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. If high spreads between the bid and ask prices of our common stock exist at the time of a purchase, the stock would have to appreciate substantially on a relative percentage basis for an investor to recoup their investment. Broad market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions may also adversely affect the market price of our common stock. No assurance can be given that an active market in our common stock will be sustained. If an active market does not continue, holders of our common stock may be unable to readily sell the shares they hold or may not be able to sell their shares at all.

 

Item 2. Financial Information.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Results of Operations

 

Statements in the following discussion and throughout this registration statement that are not historical in nature are “forward-looking statements.” You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “believe,” and similar expressions. Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently subject to risk and we can give no assurances that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ from those described in this registration statement because of numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, without limitation, those described under Item 1A “Risk Factors” We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this registration statement or to reflect actual outcomes.

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10.

 

Overview

 

We are a development stage company and reported net losses of $481,000 and $510,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We had current assets of $37,000 and current liabilities of $193,00 as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, our current assets and current liabilities were $121,000 and $69,000, respectively. We have prepared our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 assuming that we will continue as a going concern. Our continuation as a going concern is dependent upon improving our profitability and the continuing financial support from our shareholders. Our sources of capital in the past have included the sale of equity securities, which include common stock sold in private transactions, large alternative minimum tax refunds, and short-term debt.

 

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Results of Operations.

 

Comparison of the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

The following table sets forth certain operational data for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020:

 

   Twelve Months Ended December 31,     
   2021   2020   Change 
Operating expenses:               
General and administrative expenses  $222,769   $150,708   $72,061 
Stock compensation expense   272,766    79,587    193,179 
Total operating expenses   495,535    230,295    265,240 
Loss from operations   (495,535)   (230,295)   265,240 
Interest (income) expense, net   6,825    (16,514)   23,339 
Net loss before equity in net loss of equity method investees   (502,360)   (213,781)   (288,579)
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees   21,290    (296,196)   317,486 
Net loss  $(481,070)  $(509,977)  $28,907 

 

Revenue.

 

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had no revenue, therefore no customers accounted for 10% or more of our total net revenues.

 

Cost of Revenue.

 

Cost of Revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0 and $0, respectively. We had no revenues during those periods.

 

Gross Profit.

 

Consequently, we achieved a gross profit of $0 and $0 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

General and Administrative and Stock Compensation Expenses (“G&A”).

 

We incurred G&A expenses of $496,000 and $230,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in G&A is primarily attributable to increased stock compensation and higher administrative costs.

 

Other Income, net.

 

We have generated other income of $0 and $17,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This other income generated during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 is comprised of interest earned related to alternative minimum tax refunds.

 

Income Tax Expense.

 

Our income tax expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

12
 

 

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021

 

The following table sets forth certain operational data for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,     
   2022   2021   Change 
Operating expenses:               
General and administrative expenses  $89,945   $43,578   $46,367 
Contra expenses - legal fees   (310,000)   -    (310,000)
Stock compensation expense   49,011    83,400    (34,389)
Total operating expenses   (171,044)   126,978    (298,022)
Income (loss) from operations   171,044    (126,978)   (298,022)
Interest expense   1,605    231    1,374 
Net income (loss) before equity in net income of equity method investees   169,439    (127,209)   296,648 
Equity in net income of equity method investees   -    9,290    (9,290)
Net loss  $169,439   $(117,919)  $287,358 

 

Revenue.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, the Company had no revenue, therefore no customers accounted for 10% or more of our total net revenues.

 

Revenue for the three months ended March 31. 2022 and March 31, 2021 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenue.

 

Cost of Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $0, respectively, as we had no Revenue

 

Gross Profit (Loss).

 

We achieved a gross profit of $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A”).

 

We incurred G&A expenses of $90,000 and $44,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in G&A is primarily attributable to the higher accounting and legal fees associated with the preparation of this Form 10.

 

Other Expenses, net.

 

We have incurred other expenses consisting of stock compensation expense of $49,000 and $83,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in stock compensation expense is due to a smaller number of options that were given out in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31,2021.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 we had a contra expense of $310,000 which is comprised of funds from a litigation funding agreement. This agreement was signed during the first quarter of 2022 with Omni Bridgeway to fund our arbitration against C.P. Group. As part of that funding arrangement Omni Bridgeway agreed to reimburse NovelStem for legal expenses that we had incurred previously. The funding of $310,000 was comprised of $140,000 for reimbursement of previously incurred legal expenses and $170,000 for working capital needs. There was no contra expense in the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2022 there was no equity in net income from equity method investees as we did not receive any royalty income from NetCo Partners. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 we did receive $9,000 in royalties and that is reflected in the equity in net income from equity method investees.

 

Income Tax Expense.

 

Our income tax expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

Net Income

 

Net Income for the three months ended March 31,2022 was $169,000 compared to a loss of $118,000 for the three months ended March 31,2021. The difference relates to the $310,000 in contra expenses and lower stock compensation expenses somewhat offset by higher general and administrative expenses.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have never paid dividends on our common stock. Our present policy is to apply cash to investments in product development, acquisitions or expansion; consequently, we do not expect to pay dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

We expect to incur significantly greater expenses in the near future as we expand our business or enter into strategic partnerships. We also expect our general and administrative expenses to increase as we expand our finance and administrative staff, add infrastructure, and incur additional costs related to being a reporting act company, including directors’ and officers’ insurance and increased professional fees.

 

The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include additional financing and fundraising until its equity investment in NewStem is profitable. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or that NewStem will become profitable.

 

In May 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Jan Loeb, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and Jerry Wolasky, a member of the Board, which was amended in July 2022, to borrow up to an aggregate of $600,000 for working capital needs. This agreement provides for funding through January 31, 2024, provides for interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures the earlier of January 31, 2024 or 20 months from the date of the first funded amount unless the lenders agree to extend the due date at that time. As of the date of this registration statement, the Company has drawn down $100,000 under the aforementioned agreement.

 

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Net Cash (Used In) Generated From Operating Activities.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $181,000, which consisted primarily of a net loss of $481,000, offset by stock-based compensation of $273,000 and an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of $24,000.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash generated from operating activities was $419,000, which consisted primarily of a net loss of $510,000, offset by a non-cash equity loss of NewStem Ltd. of $306,000 and a dividend from NetCo of $9,000, stock-based compensation of $80,000, a $509,000 decrease in current assets and an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of $35,000. The decrease in current assets related primarily to the collection of a refund receivable of a federal alternative minimum tax refund.

 

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, no net cash was used in investing activities. For the year ended December 31, 2020 $1,000,000 was used in investing activities as we paid milestone payments to NewStem Ltd.

 

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $100,00 consisting of short-term borrowings from a director.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $600,000 consisting of proceeds from the sale of stock.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We are not party to any off-balance sheet transactions. We have no guarantees or obligations other than those which arise out of normal business operations.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

As of December 31, 2021, we did not have contractual obligations and commercial commitments.

 

Item 3. Properties.

 

Our corporate office is located at 2255 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current operations.

 

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of August 1, 2022, for each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, each of our directors and all directors as a group. The Company has no executive officers. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the shareholders named in this table will have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by such shareholders.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

Name and Address of beneficial owner  Amount and nature of beneficial ownership   Percent of total common equity (1) 
Michael Sosnowik   2,770,270    5.9%
Stephen Gans   5,537,978    11.8%
Jan Loeb   7,570,673(2)(3)(4)   15.1%
Jerry Wolasky   10,122,973(3)(4)   21.5%
Tracy Clifford   1,100,000(4)   2.3%
Eric Richman   754,054(3)(4)   1.5%
Mitchell Rubenstein   2,958,108(4)(5)   6.1%
David Seltzer   4,028,378(3)(4)   8.6%
All directors and officers as a group (six persons)   26,484,186    49.4%

 

 

(1) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 46,881,475 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 1, 2022, together with securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock within 60 days of August 1, 2022. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock that a person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of upon the exercise or conversion of options, convertible stock, warrants or other securities that are currently exercisable or convertible or that will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of August 1, 2022, are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such securities for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and percentage of ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

(2) Includes 1,108,108 held in an IRA and 874,528 held as Trustee for the Steinberg Family Trust. Includes warrants to purchase 2.25 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.13 per share and options to purchase 1.10 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share.

 

(3) Includes options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share.

 

(4) Director.

 

(5) Includes options and warrants to purchase 1,850,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share.

 

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Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers.

 

Biographical and certain other information concerning the Company’s directors is set forth below. The Company has no executive officers. There are no familial relationships among any of our directors. Except as indicated below, none of our directors is a director in any other reporting companies. None of our directors has been affiliated with any company that has filed for bankruptcy within the last ten years except that Jan Loeb has previously been affiliated with Kid Brands, Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in June 2014. We are not aware of any proceedings to which any of our directors, or any associate of any such director is a party adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries.

 

Directors

 

  Jan Loeb – Chairman – 63 Mr. Loeb has more than 40 years of business, money management and investment banking experience. He has been the Managing Member of Leap Tide Capital Management LLC since 2007 and has served as President and CEO of Acorn Energy, Inc. since January 2016 and as a Director since August 2015. He has been a Director of Keweenaw Land Association, Ltd. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Loeb was President of Leap Tide’s predecessor, formerly known as AmTrust Capital Management Inc. He served as a Portfolio Manager of Chesapeake Partners from February 2004 to January 2005 and as Managing Director at Jefferies & Company, Inc. from 2002 to 2004. From 1994 to 2001, he served as Managing Director at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, Inc. (formerly Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc.). Mr. Loeb was a Lead Director of American Pacific Corporation from 2013 to 2014 and a Director from 1997 to 2014. He also served as an Independent Director of Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (formerly, Golf Trust of America, Inc.) from 2006 to 2011 and as a Director of TAT Technologies, Ltd. from 2009 to 2016.
   
  Mitchell Rubenstein – Director – 68 Mr. Rubenstein co-founded and served as Chairman of HMC from its inception to June 2018, during which period the company returned approximately $37 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases, including a tender offer. He founded Syfy Channel and numerous other media and digital businesses.
   
   Eric Richman – Director -61 Mr. Richman is a life science executive with significant leadership, operational and strategic experience from over 25 years in the field. He is currently The CEO of Gain Therapeutics and was a Venture Partner at Brace Pharma Capital and serves on the boards of LabConnect, F2G (board observer) and previously ADMA Biologics (NASDAQ: ADMA). Previously he served as President & CEO of PharmAthene and prior to that was part of the founding team at MedImmune, responsible for the U.S. launch of its first commercial product and an integral part of the global launch teams for other products. He began his career at HealthCare Ventures, a life-sciences focused VC firm and formerly was a Director of Lev Pharmaceuticals (sold to Viropharma) and American Bank (sold to Congressional Bancshares) and served as CEO of Tyrogenex (sold to Betta Pharma).

 

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  David Seltzer – Director – 62 Mr. Seltzer is the CEO and Founder of Reliable 1 Laboratories LLC, a distributor of OTC medications and nutritional supplements to independent pharmacies, longterm care pharmacies, hospitals and government organizations. He is also a minority owner and Director at Leading Pharma LLC, a generic manufacturer of prescription drugs, having previously served as President and CEO and later Chairman of Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc., which was acquired by Akorn, Inc. for $640 million in 2014.
   
  Jerry Wolasky – Director – 64 Mr. Wolasky has over 35 years’ experience in the wholesale Pharmaceutical business, most recently for the past 15 years in his current role as President of HealthSource Distributors LLC. He previously served in executive positions of increasing responsibility for AmerisourceBergen, and its predecessor company, Bergen Brunswig.
   
   Tracy Clifford – Director -53 Ms. Clifford has over twenty years of experience in accounting and finance, including mergers and acquisitions of public companies. Ms. Clifford is the CFO of Acorn Energy, Inc. and COO of its operating subsidiary Omnimetrix Inc. and since 2015 she has served as a contract CFO and COO for several clients, participated on advisory boards and worked on numerous project engagements. Ms. Clifford previously served as CFO, Principal Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller and Secretary for a publicly traded pharmaceutical company and a publicly-traded REIT from 1999 to 2015. Ms. Clifford’s prior experience included accounting leadership positions at United Healthcare, the North Broward Hospital District and the audit team of Deloitte & Touche.

 

Executive Officers

 

We have no executive officers.

 

Changes in control

 

There are no arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company

 

Item 6. Executive Compensation.

 

The Company does not have any executive officers, and therefore does not pay any compensation to executive officers.

 

The Company pays compensation to its directors pursuant to the NovelStem International Corp. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

 

The Plan provide for the grant to officers, directors, third party contractors and other future key employees of options to purchase shares of common stock. Under the Plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to 7,000,000 shares of common stock as equity awards under the Plan. Awards may be made in the form of options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock or restricted stock units, or stock bonus awards in respect of the Company’s common stock of the Company. Grants to any single participant or non-executive director during any calendar year may not exceed 1,000,000 shares.

 

The purchase price may be paid in cash or at the end of the option term, if the option is “in-the-money”, it is automatically exercised “net”. In a net exercise of an option, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise price of the option from the optionee but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the option by the smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the option shares covered by the option exercised. Each option is exercisable to one share of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Options awarded under the Plan shall be awarded at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock as of the grant date and shall vest and become exercisable after a period not to exceed seven (7) years. SARs awarded under the Plan shall have a strike price per share of common stock of not less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock, provided that, in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an option, the strike price shall not be less than the exercise price of the related option. A SAR granted in tandem with an option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding option, such date not to exceed seven (7) years of the grant date.

 

In the event of the termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service on the Board of the Company for any reason other than for cause, all of the Options which are then vested may be exercised within 18 months of such termination, provided that, in no event shall this extension period continue beyond the expiration of the term of the option(s). In addition, any such extension shall be applicable only to the extent that such option or options are vested and exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and any applicable option agreement. Any unvested options are immediately terminated on the effective date of the termination. In the event of termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service for cause, all options are forfeited and deemed cancelled and no longer exercisable as of the date of termination.

 

The Board of Directors has hired Ms. Christine Jenkins as a financial and accounting consultant. Ms. Jenkins is paid on an hourly basis.

 

Director Compensation

 

Name  Fees earned or paid in cash ($)   Stock Awards ($)   Option Awards ($) (1)   Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($)   Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($)   All other compensation ($)   Total ($) 
Jan Loeb   -    -    14,500    -    -    -    14,500 
Mitchell Rubenstein   -    -    14,500    -    -    -    14,500 
Eric Richman   -    -    14,500    -    -    -    14,500 
David Seltzer   -    -    14,500    -    -    -    14,500 
Jerry Wolasky   -    -    14,500    -    -    -    14,500 
Tracy Clifford        -         -    14,500             -          -               -    14,500 
Directors as a Group             87,000                   87,000 

 

  (1) Grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

We do not have a compensation committee or persons participating in deliberations concerning executive officer compensation, as there was no executive officer compensation paid.

 

Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

Jan Loeb, a director and the Chairman of the Board, is also the Chairman of the Board of NewStem.

 

On April 12, 2021, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) with Stephen Gans for $100,000. The Note accrues interest at 8% per annum and matured on April 12, 2022. The proceeds of this Note were used to pay operating expenses of the Company including directors and officer insurance premiums. Interest expense accrued related this this Note was $5,752 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Note and all accrued interest were paid in full on February 16, 2022

 

In May 2022, the Company entered into an agreement Jan Loeb, Chairman of the Board, and Jerry Wolasky, a member of the Board, which was amended in July 2022, to borrow up to an aggregate of $600,000 for working capital needs. This agreement provides for funding through January 31, 2024, provides for interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures the earlier of January 31, 2024 or 20 months from the date of the first funded amount unless the lenders agree to extend the due date at that time. As of the date of this registration statement, the Company has drawn down $100,000 under the aforementioned agreement.

 

Except as disclosed herein, no director, executive officer, shareholder holding at least 5% of shares of our common stock, or any family member thereof, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction, or proposed transaction since January 1, 2019, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at the year-end for the last two completed fiscal years.

 

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

The Board conducts an appropriate review of and oversees all related party transactions on a continuing basis and reviews potential conflict of interest situations where appropriate. The Board has adopted formal standards to apply when it reviews, approves or ratifies any related party transaction. In addition, the Board applies the following standards to such reviews: (i) all related party transactions must be fair and reasonable and on terms comparable to those reasonably expected to be agreed to with independent third parties for the same goods and/or services at the time they are authorized by the Board and (ii) all related party transactions should be authorized, approved or ratified by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors who have no interest, either directly or indirectly, in any such related party transaction.

 

Director Independence.

 

We have determined that, under the criteria established by NASDAQ and by our board of directors, Jan Loeb, Tracy Clifford, Eric Richman, Mitchell Rubenstein and David Seltzer are independent.

 

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Item 8. Legal Proceedings.

 

As noted above, Netco Partners owns all rights in all media to Tom Clancy’s NetForce property including film, television, and video games. Consistent with our contractual and statutory rights, NovelStem is intent on commercially exploiting the full array of media rights relating to Net Force.

 

We have initiated an arbitration proceeding against our 50% partner in Netco Partners, in an effort to maximize the total potential value to be derived from fully utilizing the Netco Partners intellectual property across publishing, entertainment, digital media, merchandising and other ancillary markets. Arbitration proceedings for the joint owners of NetCo Partners are scheduled for this summer.” To fund efforts to maximize the value of Netco Partners, NovelStem has secured non-recourse litigation funding.

 

Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters.

 

Market information

 

There is no established public trading market in our common stock, and a regular trading market may not develop, or if developed, may not be sustained. Our securities are currently quoted on the OTC Markets Pink under the symbol “NSTM”. The following reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

   High   Low 
Fiscal 2022          
Quarter ended September 30 (to date)  $0.28   $0.15 
Quarter ended 6/30/2022  $0.33   $0.18 
Quarter ended 3/31/2022  $0.30   $0.13 
           
Fiscal 2021          
Quarter ended 12/31/2021  $0.31   $0.20 
Quarter ended 9/30/2021  $0.35   $0.19 
Quarter ended 6/30/2021  $0.35   $0.23 
Quarter ended 3/31/2021  $0.30   $0.16 
           
Fiscal 2020          
Quarter ended 12/31/2020  $0.20   $0.05 
Quarter ended 9/30/2020  $0.09   $0.05 
Quarter ended 6/30/2020  $0.13   $0.07 
Quarter ended 3/31/2020  $0.13   $0.08 

 

Holders

 

As of August 1, 2022 there were 46,881,475 shares of common stock outstanding held by approximately 90 record holders.

 

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Dividends

 

We have never paid cash dividends on any of our capital stock and currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not expect to pay any dividends on any of our capital stock in the foreseeable future.

 

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan category  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights   Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights   Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) 
   (a)   (b)   (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders               
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   8,400,000   $0.13    1,600,000 
Total   8,400,000   $0.13    1,600,000 

 

Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

On December 11, 2019, we issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share to an existing shareholder.

 

In 2019 we issued options to purchase up to 300,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share to members of our Board pursuant to the Plan.

 

On June 29, 2018, we issued five-year warrants to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.10 per share. These warrants expire on June 28, 2023.

 

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On June 29, 2018, we issued five-year warrants to purchase up to 2,250,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.13 per share. These warrants expire on June 28, 2023.

 

On June 25, 2020, we issued 6,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share to three existing shareholders.

 

In 2020 we issued options to purchase up to 3,700,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share to members of our Board pursuant to the Plan.

 

On November 15, 2021, in a noncash transaction, the Company issued approximately 3,000,000 shares of common stock to existing holders of subscription agreements dated June 2020. These subscription agreements provided for the issuance of additional shares if certain contingent assets were not realized. It was determined during the year ended December 31, 2021 that the contingent asset would not be realized and the shares were issued.

 

In 2022 we issued options to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.29 per share to members of our Board pursuant to the Plan.

 

None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. We believe that the offers, sales, and issuances of the above securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, or in reliance on Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act because the transactions were pursuant to compensatory benefit plans or contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate information about us or had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us.

 

Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

 

The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock as of the date of this registration statement. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of our capital stock, you should refer to our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws, and to the provisions of applicable Florida law.

 

Common Stock

 

We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including the election of directors. There is no cumulative voting. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors. Shareholders have no preemptive, conversion or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions related to our common stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding.

 

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Preferred Stock

 

We are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01, in one or more classes or series. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix whether or not each class or series is to have voting rights and what the preferences and relative, participating or other special rights may be. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the dividend rate and the manner and timing pursuant to which dividends are paid. No preferred stock is currently outstanding.

 

Options

 

We are authorized to up to 7 million shares of common stock pursuant to the Plan. As of the date of this registration statement, we have issued options to purchase up to an aggregate of 5.4 million shares of common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.10 to $0.29. Of the foregoing, 4.3 million options have vested and 1.1 million options will vest on January 1, 2023. The options expire seven years after the grant date.

 

Warrants

 

0n June 29, 2018, we issued five year warrants to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.10 per share. These warrants expire on June 28, 2023.

 

On June 29, 2018, we issued five year warrants to purchase up to 2,250,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.13 per share. These warrants expire on June 28, 2023.

 

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

The Company has authority under Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”) to indemnify its directors and officers to the extent provided for in the FBCA against liability which a director or officer may incur in his or her capacity as such. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that the Company shall indemnify its officers and directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by law.

 

The Company has entered into agreements with each of its directors wherein it agreed to indemnify each of them to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Company may from time to time enter into other agreements with such persons regarding such indemnification.

 

The provisions of the FBCA that authorize indemnification do not eliminate the duty of care of a director, and in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Florida law. In addition, the FBCA does not permit indemnification of a director or officer under certain circumstances, including in the event that a judgment or other final adjudication establishes that his or her actions or omissions were material to the cause of action so adjudicated and constitute: (a) violations of criminal laws, unless the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, (b) deriving an improper personal benefit from a transaction, (c) in the case of a director, a circumstance under which the director has liability for voting for or assenting to an unlawful distribution, and (d) willful misconduct or conscious disregard for the best interests of the Company in a proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor or in a proceeding by or in the right of a shareholder.

 

24
 

 

The Company has obtained and currently intends to maintain in effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies providing customary coverage for its directors and officers against losses and liabilities incurred by them in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company.

 

The above discussion of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, indemnification agreements, and Florida laws, is only a general summary and is respectively qualified in its entirety by such documents and laws.

 

Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The information required by this item may be found beginning on page F-1 of this Form 10.

 

Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

25
 

 

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (a) Financial Statements.

 

The following financial statements are filed as part of this registration statement:

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Index to Audited Financial Statements

 

  Page
Audited Financial Statements  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Balance Sheets F-3
Statements of Operations F-4
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity F-5
Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

Index to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

  Page
Unaudited Financial Statements  
Condensed Balance Sheets F-18
Condensed Statements of Operations F-19
Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity F-20
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows F-21
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements F-22

 

NEWSTEM, LTD.

Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Index to Audited Financial Statements

 

  Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-31
   
Balance Sheets F-32
   
Statements of Operations F-33
   
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity F-34
   
Statements of Cash Flows F-35
   
Notes to the Financial Statements F-36

 

NEWSTEM, LTD

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

Index to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

  Page
   
Condensed Interim Balance Sheets F-47
   
Condensed Interim Statement of Operations F-48
   
Condensed Interim Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency) F-49
   
Condensed Interim Statement of Cash Flows F-50
   
Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements F-51

 

F-1
 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Novelstem International Corp.

Boca Raton, Florida

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of NovelStem International Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP
   
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
   
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
August 1, 2022  

 

F-2
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2020 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $8,666   $89,594 
Prepaid expenses   28,316    31,235 
Total current assets   36,982    120,829 
Investment in Netco Partners   137,011    137,011 
Investment in NewStem Ltd   3,335,175    3,335,175 
Total assets  $3,509,168   $3,593,015 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $49,777   $29,071 
Note payable   100,000    - 
Accrued expenses   43,425    39,674 
Total current liabilities   193,202    68,745 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)          
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 50,316,672 and 47,316,674 shares issued, respectively, and 46,881,475 and 43,881,477 shares outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020   468,815    438,815 
Additional paid-in capital   290,321,665    290,078,899 
Accumulated deficit   (287,274,760)   (286,793,690)
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,435,197 shares at December 31, 2021 and 2020   (199,754)   (199,754)
Total shareholders’ equity   3,315,966    3,524,270 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $3,509,168   $3,593,015 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-3
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   Year Ended 
   December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative expenses  $222,769   $150,708 
Stock compensation expense   272,766    79,587 
Total operating expenses   495,535    230,295 
Loss from operations   (495,535)   (230,295)
Interest (income) expense   6,825    (16,514)
Loss before income taxes   (502,360)   (213,781)
Provision for income tax   -    - 
Net loss before equity in net loss of equity method investees   (502,360)   (213,781)
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees   21,290    (296,196)
Net loss  $(481,070)  $(509,977)
           
Basic and diluted net loss per share:          
Net loss per share - basic and diluted  $(0.01)  $(0.01)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic   44,259,559    40,988,326 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted   44,259,559    40,988,326 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-4
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

                   Number         
           Additional       of       Total 
   Number of   Common   Paid-In   Accumulated   Treasury   Treasury   Shareholders’ 
   Shares   Stock   Capital   Deficit   Shares   Stock   Equity 
Balance, January 1, 2020   37,881,477   $378,815   $289,459,312   $(286,283,713)   3,435,197   $(199,754)  $3,354,660 
Net loss   -    -    -    (509,977)   -    -    (509,977)
Proceeds from sale of stock   6,000,000    60,000    540,000    -    -    -    600,000 
Stock option compensation   -    -    79,587    -              79,587 
                                    
Balance December 31, 2020   43,881,477    438,815    290,078,899    (286,793,690)   3,435,197    (199,754)   3,524,270 
Net loss   -    -    -    (481,070)   -    -    (481,070)
Stock issued   2,999,998    30,000    (30,000)   -    -    -    - 
Stock option compensation   -    -    272,766    -    -    -    272,766 
                                    
Balance, December 31, 2021   46,881,475   $468,815   $290,321,665   $(287,274,760)   3,435,197   $(199,754)  $3,315,966 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-5
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   Year Ended 
   December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(481,070)  $(509,977)
Equity in loss of equity method investees   -    296,196 
Distribution from NetCo   -    9,375 
Stock-based compensation   272,766    79,587 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Decrease in current assets and other assets   2,919    508,866 
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses   24,457    35,291 
Net cash provided from operating activities   (180,928)   419,338 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Investment in NewStem, Ltd.   -    (1,000,000)
Net cash from investing activities   -    (1,000,000)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable   100,000    - 
Proceeds from the sale of stock   -    600,000 
Net cash from financing activities   100,000    600,000 
           
Net change in cash   (80,928)   19,338 
Cash at the beginning of the year   89,594    70,256 
Cash at the end of the year  $8,666   $89,594 
           
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Cash received during the year for:          
Alternative minimum tax refund  $-   $518,819 
Cash paid during the year for:          
Interest  $1,073   $1,081 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-6
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1—NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Description of Business

 

NovelStem International Corp. (“NovelStem” or the “Company”) is a holding company whose principal assets are a 31.5% equity interest in NewStem Ltd, an Israeli biotech company (“NewStem”), and a 50% equity interest in NetCo Partners, a Florida partnership (“NetCo”). NovelStem was formerly known as Hollywood Media Corp. The Company was incorporated in the State of Florida on January 22, 1993 and changed its name to NovelStem International Corp. in September 2018 as a result of its business focus shift from a media business to cutting edge biotech.

 

NewStem focuses on the development and commercialization of diagnostic technology that can predict patients’ anti-cancer drug resistance, allowing for targeted cancer treatments and the potential to reduce resistance to chemotherapy.

 

NetCo is a legacy media business interest which owns “Net Force”, a book publishing franchise.

 

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

 

Since inception, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $287,000,000. The accumulated deficit of the Company subsequent to its business focus shift and name change in September 2018 is approximately $612,000 which is comprised primarily of general and administrative costs incurred by the Company.

 

The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include additional financing and fundraising until its equity investment in NewStem is profitable. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or that NewStem will become profitable (see Note 3).

 

In the period subsequent to these financial statements, the Company entered into a financing agreement to borrow up to $600,000 for working capital needs (see Note 8). Following this financing, the Company believes that its cash resources are sufficient for the operations of the next 12 months.

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) as the single source of authoritative GAAP.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

F-7
 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include certain investments in highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. The Company had no cash equivalents as of either year end presented.

 

Equity Investments

 

Investee companies that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an Investee depends on an evaluation of several factors, including, among others, representation on the Investee company’s board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the Investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, an Investee company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s Balance Sheets or Statements of Operations; however, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the Investee company is reflected in the caption “Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates” in the Statements of Operations. The Company’s carrying value in an equity method Investee company is reflected in the caption “Investment in Investee company’ in the Company’s Balance Sheets.

 

When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method Investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s financial statements unless the Company guarantied obligations of the Investee company or has committed additional funding. When the Investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.

 

The Company reviews equity investments for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts might not be recoverable.

 

The Company holds a minority investment in an entity, NewStem, Ltd (“NewStem”) which is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting. Additionally, the Company is a 50% partner in NetCo Partners (NetCo” which is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting. See Note 3.

 

Treasury Stock

 

Shares of common stock repurchased are recorded at cost as treasury stock.

 

F-8
 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based awards in accordance with applicable accounting principles, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) pricing model. For all stock options, the Company recognizes expense over on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company’s option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.

 

Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with applicable accounting principles. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

In the event of the termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service on the Board of the Company for any reason other than for cause, all of the Options which are then vested may be exercised within 18 months of such termination, provided that, in no event shall this extension period continue beyond the expiration of the term of the option(s). In addition, any such extension shall be applicable only to the extent that such option or options are vested and exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Any unvested options are immediately terminated on the effective date of the termination. In the event of termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service for cause, all Options are forfeited and deemed cancelled and no longer exercisable on the date of termination.

 

See Note 5 for the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation. Upon the exercise of options, it is the Company’s policy to issue new shares rather than utilizing treasury shares.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income taxes is recognized in the statement of operations of the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, a valuation allowance is established to reduce any deferred tax asset for which it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

F-9
 

 

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, excluding treasury stock. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive potential of common shares which would result from the exercise of stock options and warrants. The dilutive effects of stock options and warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share if the effect of doing so would be antidilutive.

 

The following data represents the amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effect on net income (loss) and the weighted average number of shares of dilutive potential common stock:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Net loss available to common shareholders  $(481,070)  $(509,977)
           
Weighted average shares outstanding:          
-Basic   44,259,559    40,988,326 
Add: Warrants   -    - 
Add: Stock options   -    - 
-Diluted   44,259,559    40,988,326 
           
Basic and diluted net loss per share  $(0.01)  $(0.01)

 

NOTE 3—EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

 

Investment in NewStem, Ltd.

 

In 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with NewStem and other related parties to provide aggregate funding of up to $4,000,000 to NewStem Ltd. This funding was to be provided through the sale of up to 50,000 common shares of NewStem, Ltd. to the Company representing 33% of New Stem Ltd.’s outstanding shares. In 2018, the Company purchased 25,000 shares of NewStem, Ltd. for $2,000,000 acquiring an ownership interest of 20%. The Company made additional investments in 2019 and 2020 purchasing 12,500 shares each year for a $1,000,000 investment each year resulting in an ownership interest of 31.51% and 33.33%, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

The Company accounts for its investment in NewStem under the equity method. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying value of the investment in NewStem exceeded the underlying net assets of NewStem by $3,335,175. The excess relates to in process research and development (“IPR&D”) related to stem cell-based diagnostics for cancer chemotherapies. Losses incurred by NewStem reduced the Company’s carrying value of its investment in NewStem to zero and, as a consequence, the Company’s future financial results will not be negatively affected by NewStem’s ongoing operations. All losses incurred since the investment carrying value was reduced to zero are suspended until such time as NewStem becomes profitable. Cumulative suspended losses are approximately $900,000 and $35,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company has no obligation to fund future operating losses of NewStem. The Company’s remaining investment in NewStem, in both periods presented, consists of in process research and development.

 

F-10
 

 

The Company assesses its investment in NewStem including the underlying in process research and development for impairment on an annual basis.

 

NewStem is in the development stage and has incurred losses since its inception and has yet to generate any revenues. NewStem will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. NewStem management’s plans with regard to these matters include continued development, marketing and licensing of its products, as well as seeking additional financing arrangements. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from sales of products or financing on terms acceptable to the Company. NewStem management reports fundraising activities in April 2022 that provide additional funding of approximately $1,600,000.

 

The following table represents the Company’s investment in NewStem Ltd.:

 

   Investment   IPR&D   Total 
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., January 1, 2020  $203,016   $2,437,730   $2,640,746 
Purchase of NewStem, Ltd shares   102,555    897,445    1,000,000 
Allocaton of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.   (305,571)   -    (305,571)
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., December 31, 2020  $-   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 
Allocaton of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.   -    -    - 
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., December 31, 2021  $-   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 

 

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s investment in NewStem Ltd. are summarized below:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Condensed income statement information:          
Net sales  $-   $- 
Gross margin  $-   $- 
Net loss  $(2,630,000)  $(1,224,000)
Company’s allocation of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.:          
Recognized  $-   $(305,571)
Suspended  $(864,558)  $(35,462)

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Condensed balance sheet information:          
Current assets  $1,425,000   $1,599,000 
Non-current assets  $41,000   $14,000 
Current liabilities  $227,000   $69,000 
Non-current liabilities  $134,000   $- 

 

F-11
 

 

Investment in NetCo Partners

 

NovelStem owns a 50% interest in NetCo Partners, a joint venture that owns the Net Force publishing franchise, NetCo Partners. The Company accounts for its investment in NetCo Partners under the equity method and collects and recognizes nominal royalties from this arrangement. The Company assesses its investment in NetCo for impairment on an annual basis.

 

The following table represents the Company’s investment in NetCo Partners:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Investment in NetCo Partners, beginning  $137,011   $137,011 
Allocaton of net income from Netco Partners   21,290    9,375 
Distribution from NetCo Partners   (21,290)   (9,375)
Investment in NetCo Partners, ending  $137,011   $137,011 

 

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s investment in NetCo Partners are summarized below:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Condensed income statement information:          
Net sales  $42,580   $18,750 
Gross margin  $-   $- 
Net income  $42,580   $18,750 
Company’s allocation of net income from Netco Partners  $21,290   $9,375 

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Condensed balance sheet information:          
Current assets  $13,475   $28,580 
Non-current assets  $272,799   $272,799 
Current liabilities  $12,252   $27,357 
Non-current liabilities  $-   $- 

 

F-12
 

 

NOTE 4—NOTE PAYABLE

 

On April 12, 2021, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) with a related party (individual) for $100,000. The Note accrues interest at 8% per annum and matured on April 12, 2022. The proceeds of this Note were used to pay operating expenses of the Company including directors and officer insurance premiums. Interest expense accrued related this this Note was $5,752 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Note and all accrued interest were paid in full on February 16, 2022.

 

NOTE 5—EQUITY

 

(a) General

 

At December 31, 2021 and 2020 the Company had issued and outstanding 46,881,475 and 43,881,477, respectively, shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Holders of outstanding common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

On November 15, 2021, in a noncash transaction, the Company issued approximately 3,000,000 shares of common stock to existing holders of subscription agreements dated June 2020. These subscription agreements provided for the issuance of additional shares if certain contingent assets were not realized. It was determined during the year ended December 31, 2021 that the contingent asset would not be realized and the shares were issued.

 

(b) Summary Employee Option Information

 

The Company’s stock option plans provide for the grant to officers, directors, third party contractors and other future key employees of options to purchase shares of common stock. The purchase price may be paid in cash or at the end of the option term, if the option is “in-the-money”, it is automatically exercised “net”. In a net exercise of an option, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise price of the option from the optionee but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the option by the smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the option shares covered by the option exercised. Each option is exercisable to one share of the Company’s common stock. Most options expire within six years from the date of the grant and generally vest on the first anniversary date of their issuance. Pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan the Company’s board of directors approved on November 12, 2018, an aggregate of 4,300,000 options have been issued to directors and investor relations professionals.

 

The Company utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value, utilizing the following assumptions for the respective years (all in weighted averages):

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Risk-free interest rate   1.6%   0.9%
Expected term, in years   6    6 
Expected volatility   140.2%   171.9%
Expected dividend yield   0%   0%
Determined weighted average grant date fair value per option  $-   $0.09 

 

F-13
 

 

The expected term of the options represents an estimate of the length of time until the expected date of exercising the options. Options granted have a maximum life of 6 years. With respect to determining expected exercise behavior, the Company has grouped its option grants into certain groups in order to track exercise behavior and establish historical rates. The Company estimated volatility by considering historical stock volatility over the expected term of the option. The risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yields for a period consistent with the expected term. The dividend yield of 0% is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payout. The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying of dividends in the near future.

 

(c) Summary Option Information

 

A summary of the Company’s option plans as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, as well as changes during each of the years then ended, is presented below:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
  

Number

of Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Number

of Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
Outstanding at beginning of year   4,300,000    0.10    600,000    0.10 
Granted   -    -    3,700,000    0.10 
Outstanding at end of year   4,300,000    0.10    4,300,000    0.10 
Exercisable at end of year   4,300,000    0.10    600,000    0.10 

 

Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $273,000 and $80,000 in the years ending December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was approximately $273,000 as of December 31, 2020. All awards were vested as of December 31, 2021.

 

F-14
 

 

(d) Warrants

 

The Company has issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance. A summary of warrant activity follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
  

Number of

shares

underlying

warrants

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Number of

Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
Outstanding at beginning of year   3,000,000    0.12    3,000,000    0.12 
Granted   -    -    -    - 
Exercised   -    -    -    - 
Forfeited or expired   -    -    -    - 
Outstanding at end of year   3,000,000    0.12    3,000,000    0.12 

 

The warrants outstanding at December 31, 2021 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.5 years.

 

NOTE 6—INCOME TAXES

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred net operating losses and, accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded. In addition, no benefit for income taxes has been recorded due to the uncertainty of the realization of any tax assets. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had approximately $118,000,000 and $141,000,000, respectively of net operating losses subject to IRC Section 382 limitations, of which $6,200,000 and $6,000,000, respectively, were available for carryforward after the consideration of IRC Section 382 limitations. State of Florida net operating losses available for carryforward approximate the federal net operating loss carryforward amounts.

 

The federal and state net operating losses expire beginning in 2021. Approximately $23,000,000 and $3,000,000, respectively, of federal and state losses expired in December 2021. The Company has approximately $1,635,000 in federal and state losses that do not expire. The remaining losses expire from 2022 through 2036. The majority of these expiring losses are further limited by IRC section 382 as shown in the deferred tax table below. All such deferred tax assets have been offset with a full valuation allowance.

 

F-15
 

 

The Company’s income tax provision differs from the expense that would result from applying statutory rates to income before taxes. A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes with amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Computed tax at the federal statutory rate of 21%  $(101,025)  $(107,095)
Penalties   -    11 
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit   (4,389)   (4,654)
Change in federal valuation allowance   105,414    111,738 
Total provision for income tax  $-   $- 

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 consist of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2020 
Outside tax basis difference in equity investments  $1,700,000   $1,700,000 
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards available after consideration of IRC Section 382 limitations   1,650,085    1,594,884 
Charitable contribution carryforward   -    47,329 
General business credit   41,551    41,551 
Stock compensation   99,103    26,820 
Total deferred tax assets   3,490,739    3,410,584 
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards subject to IRC Section 382 limitations   28,425,763    33,470,874 
Less valuation allowance for net operating loss limitations   (28,425,763)   (33,470,874)
Valuation allowance   (2,073,290)   (1,993,135)
Subtotal deferred tax assets   1,417,449    1,417,449 
Deferred tax liability, in process research and development   (1,417,449)   (1,417,449)
Net deferred tax assets  $-   $- 

 

Management has evaluated all tax positions that could have a significant effect on the combined financial statements and determined the Companies had no significant uncertain income tax positions at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received a refund of 2019 alternative minimum taxes in the amount of $518,819.

 

F-16
 

 

NOTE 7—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is the claimant in an arbitration proceeding against their 50% partner in NetCo Partners. The Company initiated the arbitration proceeding in an effort to maximize the total potential value to be derived from fully utilizing the NetCo Partners intellectual property across publishing, entertainment, digital media, merchandising and other ancillary markets. Arbitration proceedings for the joint owners of NetCo Partners are scheduled during 2022.

 

NOTE 8—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company granted 1,100,000 stock options to directors in January 2022.

 

On February 11, 2022, the Company entered into a nonrecourse litigation funding agreement (the “Agreement”) with Omni Bridgeway (Fund 4) Invt. 3 L.P. (“Omni”) related to an ongoing arbitration proceeding disclosed in Note 7. The Agreement provides for Omni to fund all costs related to the arbitration up to $1,000,000 in exchange for an assignment of a certain portion of rights to and interest in claims related to this arbitration. The agreement provides for specific calculations of the any claims collected to be received by Omni with the remainder collectible by the Company.

 

In May 2022, the Company entered into a finance agreement with two individuals who are stockholders and directors, which was amended in July 2022, to borrow up to $600,000 for working capital needs. This agreement provides for funding through January 31, 2024, provides for interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures the earlier of January 31, 2024 or 20 months from the date of the first funded amount unless the shareholders agree to extend the due date at that time. To date, the Company has received advances of $100,000 pursuant to this agreement.

 

F-17
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $102,770   $8,666 
Prepaid expenses   29,361    28,316 
Total current assets   132,131    36,982 
Investment in Netco Partners   137,011    137,011 
Investment in NewStem Ltd   3,335,175    3,335,175 
Total assets  $3,604,317   $3,509,168 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $32,228   $49,777 
Note payable   -    100,000 
Accrued expenses   37,673    43,425 
Total current liabilities   69,901    193,202 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)          
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 50,316,672 shares issued, and 46,881,475 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021   468,815    468,815 
Additional paid-in capital   290,370,676    290,321,665 
Accumulated deficit   (287,105,321)   (287,274,760)
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,435,197 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021   (199,754)   (199,754)
Total shareholders’ equity   3,534,416    3,315,966 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $3,604,317   $3,509,168 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-18
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative expenses  $89,945   $43,578 
Contra expenses - legal fees (Note 8)   (310,000)   - 
Stock compensation expense   49,011    83,400 
Total operating expenses   (171,044)   126,978 
Income (loss) from operations   171,044    (126,978)
Interest expense   1,605    231 
Income (loss) before income taxes   169,439    (127,209)
Provision for income tax   -    - 
Net income (loss) before equity in net income of equity method investees   169,439    (127,209)
Equity in net income of equity method investees   -    9,290 
Net income (loss)  $169,439   $(117,919)
           
Basic and diluted net income per share:          
Net income per share - basic and diluted  $-   $- 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic   46,881,475    43,881,477 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted   53,435,975    43,881,477 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-19
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

                   Number         
           Additional       of       Total 
   Number of   Common   Paid-In   Accumulated   Treasury   Treasury   Shareholders’ 
   Shares   Stock   Capital   Deficit   Shares   Stock   Equity 
For the three months ended March 31, 2021:                                   
                                    
Balance, January 1, 2021   43,881,477   $438,815   $290,078,899   $(286,793,690)   3,435,197   $(199,754)  $3,524,270 
Net loss   -    -    -    (117,919)   -    -    (117,919)
Stock option compensation   -    -    83,400    -    -    -    83,400 
                                    
Balance March 31, 2021   43,881,477    438,815    290,162,299    (286,911,609)   3,435,197    (199,754)   3,489,751 
                                    
For the three months ended March 31, 2022:                                   
                                    
Balance, January 1, 2022   46,881,475   $468,815   $290,321,665   $(287,274,760)   3,435,197   $(199,754)  $3,315,966 
Net income   -    -    -    169,439    -    -    169,439 
Stock option compensation   -    -    49,011    -    -    -    49,011 
                                    
Balance, March 31, 2022   46,881,475   $468,815   $290,370,676   $(287,105,321)   3,435,197   $(199,754)  $3,534,416 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-20
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $169,439   $(117,919)
Stock-based compensation   49,011    83,400 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Decrease in current assets and other assets   (1,045)   508 
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses   (23,301)   (21,433)
Net cash from operating activities   194,104    (55,444)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repayment of notes payable   (100,000)   - 
Net cash from financing activities   (100,000)   - 
           
Net change in cash   94,104    (55,444)
Cash at the beginning of the period   8,666    89,594 
Cash at the end of the period  $102,770   $34,150 
           
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest  $7,357   $231 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-21
 

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1—NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Description of Business

 

NovelStem International Corp. (“NovelStem” or the “Company”) is a holding company whose principal assets are a 31.5% equity interest in NewStem Ltd, an Israeli biotech company (“NewStem”), and a 50% equity interest in NetCo Partners, a Florida partnership (“NetCo”). NovelStem was formerly known as Hollywood Media Corp. The Company was incorporated in the State of Florida on January 22, 1993 and changed its name to NovelStem International Corp. in September 2018 as a result of its business focus shift from a media business to cutting edge biotech.

 

NewStem focuses on the development and commercialization of diagnostic technology that can predict patients’ anti-cancer drug resistance, allowing for targeted cancer treatments and the potential to reduce resistance to chemotherapy. NetCo is a legacy media business interest which owns “Net Force”, a book publishing franchise.

 

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

 

Since inception, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $287,000,000. The accumulated deficit of the Company subsequent to its business focus shift and name change in September 2018 is approximately $443,000 which is comprised primarily of general and administrative costs incurred by the Company.

 

The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include additional financing and fundraising until its equity investment in NewStem is profitable. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or that NewStem will become profitable.

 

In the period subsequent to these financial statements, the Company entered into a financing agreement to borrow up to $600,000 for working capital needs (see Note 9). Following this financing, the Company believes that its cash resources are sufficient for the operations of the next 12 months.

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) as the single source of authoritative GAAP.

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements included in this report have bee prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation. These condensed financial statements have not been audited. The results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

 

F-22
 

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations for interim reporting. The Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

 

Equity Investments

 

Investee companies that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an Investee depends on an evaluation of several factors, including, among others, representation on the Investee company’s board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the Investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, an Investee company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s Balance Sheets or Statements of Operations; however, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the Investee company is reflected in the caption “Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates” in the Statements of Operations. The Company’s carrying value in an equity method Investee company is reflected in the caption “Investment in Investee company’ in the Company’s Balance Sheets.

 

When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method Investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s financial statements unless the Company guarantied obligations of the Investee company or has committed additional funding. When the Investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.

 

The Company reviews equity investments for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts might not be recoverable.

 

The Company holds a minority investment in an entity, NewStem, Ltd (“NewStem”) which is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting. Additionally, the Company is a 50% partner in NetCo Partners (NetCo” which is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting. See Note 3.

 

Treasury Stock

 

Shares of common stock repurchased are recorded at cost as treasury stock.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based awards in accordance with applicable accounting principles, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) pricing model. For all stock options, the Company recognizes expense over on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company’s option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.

 

Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with applicable accounting principles. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

F-23
 

 

In the event of the termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service on the Board of the Company for any reason other than for cause, all of the Options which are then vested may be exercised within 18 months of such termination, provided that, in no event shall this extension period continue beyond the expiration of the term of the option(s). In addition, any such extension shall be applicable only to the extent that such option or options are vested and exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Any unvested options are immediately terminated on the effective date of the termination. In the event of termination of an employee, third party service provider, officer or Director’s service for cause, all Options are forfeited and deemed cancelled and no longer exercisable on the date of termination.

 

See Note 5 for the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation. Upon the exercise of options, it is the Company’s policy to issue new shares rather than utilizing treasury shares.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income taxes is recognized in the statement of operations of the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, a valuation allowance is established to reduce any deferred tax asset for which it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, excluding treasury stock. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive potential of common shares which would result from the exercise of stock options and warrants. The dilutive effects of stock options and warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share if the effect of doing so would be antidilutive.

 

The following data represents the amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effect on net income (loss) and the weighted average number of shares of dilutive potential common stock:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders  $169,439   $(117,919)
           
Weighted average shares outstanding:          
-Basic   46,881,475    43,881,477 
Add: Warrants   2,254,500    - 
Add: Stock options   4,300,000    - 
-Diluted   53,435,975    43,881,477 
           
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share  $-   $- 

 

F-24
 

 

NOTE 3—EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

 

Investment in NewStem, Ltd.

 

In 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with NewStem and other related parties to provide aggregate funding of up to $4,000,000 to NewStem Ltd. This funding was to be provided through the sale of up to 50,000 common shares of NewStem, Ltd. to the Company representing 33% of New Stem Ltd.’s outstanding shares. In 2018, the Company purchased 25,000 shares of NewStem, Ltd. for $2,000,000 acquiring an ownership interest of 20%. The Company made additional investments in 2019 and 2020 purchasing 12,500 shares each year for a $1,000,000 investment each year resulting in an ownership interest of 31.51% as of March 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

The Company accounts for its investment in NewStem under the equity method. At March 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying value of the investment in NewStem exceeded the underlying net assets of NewStem by $3,335,175. The excess relates to in process research and development (“IPR&D”) related to stem cell-based diagnostics for cancer chemotherapies. Losses incurred by NewStem reduced the Company’s carrying value of its investment in NewStem to zero and, as a consequence, the Company’s future financial results will not be negatively affected by NewStem’s ongoing operations. All losses incurred since the investment carrying value was reduced to zero are suspended until such time as NewStem becomes profitable. Cumulative suspended losses as of March 31, 2022 and 2021 are approximately $1,287,000 and 72,000, respectively. The Company has no obligation to fund future operating losses of NewStem. The Company’s remaining investment in NewStem, in both periods presented, consists of in process research and development.

 

The Company assesses its investment in NewStem and the underlying in process research and development for impairment on an annual basis.

 

NewStem is in the development stage and has incurred losses since its inception and has yet to generate any revenues. NewStem will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. NewStem management’s plans with regard to these matters include continued development, marketing and licensing of its products, as well as seeking additional financing arrangements. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from sales of products or financing on terms acceptable to the Company. NewStem management reports fundraising activities in April 2022 that provide additional funding of approximately $1,600,000.

 

The following table represents the Company’s investment in NewStem Ltd.:

 

   Investment   IPR&D   Total 
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 (Unaudited):               
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., January 1, 2021  $-   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 
Allocaton of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.   -    -    - 
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., March 31, 2021  $-   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 
                
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (Unaudited):               
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., January 1, 2022  $-   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 
Allocaton of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.   -    -    - 
Investment in NewStem, Ltd., March 31, 2022  $          -   $3,335,175   $3,335,175 

 

F-25
 

 

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s investment in NewStem Ltd. are summarized below:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Condensed income statement information:          
Net sales  $-   $- 
Gross margin  $-   $- 
Net loss  $(1,228,000)  $(228,000)
Company’s allocation of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.:          
Recognized  $-   $- 
Suspended  $(386,943)  $(71,843)

 

   As of 
   March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
   (Unaudited)     
Condensed balance sheet information:          
Current assets  $365,000   $1,425,000 
Non-current assets  $36,000   $41,000 
Current liabilities  $319,000   $227,000 
Non-current liabilities  $131,000   $134,000 

 

Investment in NetCo Partners

 

NovelStem owns a 50% interest in NetCo Partners, a joint venture that owns the Net Force publishing franchise, NetCo Partners. The Company accounts for its investment in NetCo Partners under the equity method and collects and recognizes nominal royalties from this arrangement. The Company assesses its investment in NetCo for impairment on an annual basis.

 

The following table represents the Company’s investment in NetCo Partners:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Investment in NetCo Partners, beginning  $137,011   $137,011 
Allocaton of net income from Netco Partners   -    9,290 
Distribution from NetCo Partners   -    (9,290)
Investment in NetCo Partners, ending  $137,011   $137,011 

 

F-26
 

 

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s investment in NetCo Partners are summarized below:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Condensed income statement information:          
Net sales  $-   $18,580 
Gross margin  $-   $- 
Net income  $-   $18,580 
Company’s allocation of net income from Netco Partners  $          -   $9,290 

 

   As of 
   March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
   (Unaudited)     
Condensed balance sheet information:          
Current assets  $1,223   $13,475 
Non-current assets  $272,799   $272,799 
Current liabilities  $-   $12,252 
Non-current liabilities  $-   $- 

 

 

NOTE 4—NOTE PAYABLE

 

On April 12, 2021, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) with a related party (individual) for $100,000. The Note accrues interest at 8% per annum and matured on April 12, 2022. The proceeds of this Note were used to pay operating expenses of the Company including directors and officers’ insurance premiums. Interest expense accrued related this this Note was $1,198 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Note and all accrued interest were paid in full on February 16, 2022.

 

NOTE 5—EQUITY

 

(a) General

 

At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had issued and outstanding 46,881,475 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Holders of outstanding common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

F-27
 

 

(b) Summary Employee Option Information

 

The Company’s stock option plans provide for the grant to officers, directors, third party contractors and other future key employees of options to purchase shares of common stock. The purchase price may be paid in cash or at the end of the option term, if the option is “in-the-money”, it is automatically exercised “net”. In a net exercise of an option, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise price of the option from the optionee but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the option by the smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the option shares covered by the option exercised. Each option is exercisable to one share of the Company’s common stock. Most options expire within six years from the date of the grant and generally vest on the first anniversary date of their issuance. Pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan the Company’s board of directors approved on November 12, 2018, an aggregate of 5,400,000 options have been issued to directors and investor relations professionals.

 

The Company utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value, utilizing the following assumptions for the respective years (all in weighted averages):

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
Risk-free interest rate   1.6%   1.6%
Expected term of options, in years   6    6 
Expected annual volatility   152.6%   140.2%
Expected dividend yield   0%   0%
Determined weighted average grant date fair value per option  $0.27   $- 

 

The expected term of the options represents an estimate of the length of time until the expected date of exercising the options. Options granted have a maximum life of 6 years. With respect to determining expected exercise behavior, the Company has grouped its option grants into certain groups in order to track exercise behavior and establish historical rates. The Company estimated volatility by considering historical stock volatility over the expected term of the option. The risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yields for a period consistent with the expected term. The dividend yield of 0% is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payout. The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying of dividends in the near future.

 

(c) Summary Option Information

 

A summary of the Company’s option plans as of March 31, 2022 and 2021, as well as changes during each of the years then ended, is presented below:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
  

Number of

Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Number of

Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
Outstanding at beginning of period   4,300,000    0.10    4,300,000    0.10 
Granted   1,100,000    0.29    -    0.10 
Outstanding at end of period   5,400,000    0.14    4,300,000    0.10 
Exercisable at end of period   4,300,000    0.14    4,300,000    0.10 

 

F-28
 

 

Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $49,000 and $83,000 in the three months ending March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was approximately $249,000 as of March 31, 2022. All awards were vested as of March 31, 2021. Awards of 1,100,000 options were unvested as of March 31, 2022. These options will vest on their one-year anniversary date from grant which is January 2023.

 

(d) Warrants

 

The Company has issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance. A summary of warrant activity follows:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
  

Number of

shares

underlying

warrants

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Number of

Options

(in shares)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
Outstanding at beginning of year   3,000,000    0.12    3,000,000    0.12 
Granted   -    -    -    - 
Exercised   -    -    -    - 
Forfeited or expired   -    -    -    - 
Outstanding at end of year   3,000,000    0.12    3,000,000    0.12 

 

The warrants outstanding at March 31, 2022 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.25 years.

 

NOTE 6—INCOME TAXES

 

The Company’s income tax provision differs from the expense that would result from applying statutory rates to income before taxes. A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes with amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Computed tax at the federal statutory rate of 21%  $35,582   $(24,763)
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit   1,546    (5,124)
Change in federal valuation allowance   (37,128)   29,887 
Total provision for income tax  $-   $- 

 

F-29
 

 

NOTE 7—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is the claimant in an arbitration proceeding against their 50% partner in NetCo Partners. The Company initiated the arbitration proceeding in an effort to maximize the total potential value to be derived from fully utilizing the NetCo Partners intellectual property across publishing, entertainment, digital media, merchandising and other ancillary markets. Arbitration proceedings for the joint owners of NetCo Partners are scheduled during 2022.

 

NOTE 8—LITIGATION FUNDING AGREEMENT

 

On February 11, 2022, the Company entered into a nonrecourse litigation funding agreement (the “Agreement”) with Omni Bridgeway (Fund 4) Invt. 3 L.P. (“Omni”) related to an ongoing arbitration proceeding disclosed in Note 7. The Agreement provides for Omni to fund all costs related to the arbitration up to $1,000,000 in exchange for an assignment of a certain portion of rights to and interest in claims related to this arbitration. The agreement provides for specific calculations of the any claims collected to be received by Omni with the remainder collectible by the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company received $310,000 pursuant to this agreement for the reimbursement of legal costs and working capital needs.

 

NOTE 9—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

In May 2022, the Company entered into a finance agreement with two individuals who are stockholders and directors, which was amended in July 2022, to borrow up to $600,000 for working capital needs. This agreement provides for funding through January 31, 2024, provides for interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures the earlier of January 31, 2024 or 20 months from the date of the first funded amount unless the shareholders agree to extend the due date at that time. To date, the Company has received advances of $100,000 pursuant to this agreement.

 

F-30
 

 

 
   
 

Somekh Chaikin

KPMG Millennium Tower

17 Ha’arba’a Street, PO Box 609

Tel Aviv 61006, Israel

+972 3 684 8000

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of NewStem Ltd.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of NewStem Ltd. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

 

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

 

Somekh Chaikin

Member Firm of KPMG International

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

 

Tel Aviv, Israel

July 17, 2022

 

KPMG Somekh Chaikin, an Israeli partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee

 

F-31
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Balance Sheets as of December 31,

 

       2021   2020 
   Note   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Assets               
                
Current assets               
Cash and cash equivalents   3    601    790 
Marketable securities   7    -    778 
Prepaid share-based payment   8C    771    - 
Other accounts receivable   4    53    31 
                
Total current assets        1,425    1,599 
                
Non-current assets               
Property and equipment, net   5    41    14 
                
Total assets        1,466    1,613 
                
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity               
                
Current liabilities               
Accrued expenses and other payables   6    127    69 
Other liabilities   9B    100    - 
                
Total Current liabilities        227    69 
                
Non-current liabilities               
Convertible financial instrument   8E    134    - 
                
Total liabilities        361    69 
                
Shareholders’ equity   8           
Ordinary shares        *     * 
Additional paid-in capital        6,734    4,543 
Accumulated deficit        (5,629)   (2,999)
                
Total shareholders’ equity        1,105    1,544 
                
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity        1,466    1,613 

 

   
Ayelet Dilion Mashiah  
CEO  

 

Date of approval of the financial statements: July 17, 2022.

 

* Represents an amount lower than $1 thousands.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

F-32
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31

 

       2021   2020 
   Note   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Operating expenses               
                
Research and development expenses        2,451    1,100 
Less – Grants received        (90)   (200)
Research and development expenses, net        2,361    900 
                
General and administrative expenses        264    331 
                
Operating loss        2,625    1,231 
                
Financial expenses )income(, net   10    5    (7)
                
Loss for the year        2,630    1,224 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

F-33
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

           Additional         
           paid-in   Accumulated     
   Ordinary shares   capital   deficit   Total 
   Number of shares   US$ thousands   US$ thousands   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Balance as of January 1, 2020   137,500    *     3,224    (1,775)   1,449 
                          
Issuance of ordinary shares   12,500    *     1,000    -    1,000 
Stock based compensation   -    -    319    -    319 
Loss for the year   -    -    -    (1,224)   (1,224)
                          
Balance as of December 31, 2020   150,000    *     4,543    (2,999)   1,544 
                          
                          
Issuance of ordinary shares in exchange of services   8,696     *    1,952    -    1,952 
Stock based compensation   -    -    239    -    239 
Loss for the year   -    -    -    (2,630)   (2,630)
                          
Balance as of December 31, 2021   158,696    *    6,734    (5,629)   1,105 

 

* Represents an amount less than $1 thousands.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

F-34
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31

 

   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Cash flows from operating activities          
           
Loss for the year   (2,630)   (1,224)
           
Adjustments required to reconcile loss to net cash used in operating          
 activities:          
           
Depreciation   12    6 
Revaluation of marketable securities   4    (7)
Stock based compensation   1,420    319 
Increase in other accounts receivable   (22)   (9)
Increase in other liabilities   100    - 
Accrued expenses and other payables   58    27 
           
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,058)   (888)
           
Cash flows from investing activities          
           
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities   774    - 
Purchase of property and equipment   (39)   (9)
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   735    (9)
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
           
Proceeds from a convertible financial instrument   134    - 
Issuance of shares   -    1,000 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities   134    1,000 
           
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (189)   103 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year   790    687 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year   601    790 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

F-35
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021

 

Note 1 - General

 

  A. NewStem Ltd. (“the Company”) was incorporated in September 2016 under the laws of the State of Israel and commenced its business operations in July 2018.
     
  B. The Company is a development stage company utilizing its pioneering intellectual property related to haploid human embryonic stem cells for the development of personalized diagnostics and therapeutics for genetic and epigenetic diseases.
     
  C. Since inception, the Company has accumulated a deficit of $5,629 thousand.
    The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include continued development, marketing and licensing of its products, as well as seeking additional financing arrangements. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from sales of products or financing on terms acceptable to the Company. Following the fund-raising mentioned in note 13, the Company believes that its cash resources are sufficient for the operations of the next 12 months.
     
  D. Definitions

 

In these financial statements –

 

  1. The Company – NewStem Ltd.
  2. Related Party – Within its meaning in ASC 850, “Related Party Transactions”.

 

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies

 

The significant accounting policies applied on a consistent basis are as follows:

 

  A. Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”).

 

  B. Presentation of financial information

 

The currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company conducts its operations is the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, the Company uses the U.S. dollar as its functional and reporting currency.

 

  C. Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding transactions or matters the final effect of which on the financial statements cannot be accurately determined at the time of their preparation. Even though the estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best judgment, the final effect of such transactions or matters may be different from the estimates and assumptions made in their respect.

 

As applicable to these financial statements, the most significant estimates and assumptions relate to stock-based compensation.

 

F-36
 

 

  D. Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term bank deposits with an original maturity not exceeding three months, that is not restricted for use.

 

  E. Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by using the straight-line method, over the assets’ estimated useful life.

 

The annual depreciation rate for Software and Computers is 33%.

 

Estimates of the depreciation method, useful life and residual value are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting year and adjusted as necessary.

 

Long-lived assets, including definite life intangible assets, held and used by the Company, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. No such impairment was recorded in 2021 or 2020.

 

  F. Concentrations of credit risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities.

 

Cash and cash equivalents are invested in a major bank in Israel. Management believes that the financial institution that hold the Company’s investments are financially sound and, accordingly, a minimal credit risk exists with respect to these investments.

 

The marketable securities consisted of mutual fund investment which invest in highly rated debentures. Management is of the opinion that the credit risk in respect to these securities is insignificant. The marketable securities were sold during 2021.

 

The Company has no off-balance-sheet concentration of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements.

 

  G. Severance pay

 

Pursuant to Section 14 of the Severance Compensation Law, 1963 (“Section 14”), the Company’s employees, covered by this section, are entitled only to monthly deposits, at a rate of 8.33% of their monthly salary, made in their name with insurance companies and/or pension funds. Payments in accordance with Section 14 release the Company from any liability for future severance payments in respect of those employees. Deposits under Section 14 are not recorded as an asset in the Company’s balance sheet. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, all of the Company’s employees are included under Section 14.

 

  H. Marketable securities

 

Marketable securities are recorded at fair value. Changes in fair value of the securities are reported as financial income or expenses in the statement of operations.

 

  I. Research and development costs

 

Research and development expenses consist mainly of labor costs. Costs are expensed as incurred.

 

A grant received is presented as an offset from research and development expenses. See also Note 2M.

 

F-37
 

 

  J. Income taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income taxes is recognized in the statement of operations of the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, a valuation allowance is established to reduce any deferred tax asset for which it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

  K. Fair value of financial instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other accounts receivable, trade payables and other liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturity of such instruments.

 

The Company adopted ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”) which clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

 

  Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
       
  Level 2 - Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
       
  Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

 

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

  L. Stock-based compensation

 

The Company accounts for its stock options grants under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC Topic 718. The Company currently uses the straight-line amortization method for recognizing share option compensation costs. The Company recognizes compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, provided that the cumulative amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date value of such award that is vested at that date.

 

The Company records prepaid share-based payment as an asset in cases where a fully vested equity award was granted but the services have not been fully received, as required by ASC 718-10 stock compensation.

 

F-38
 

 

  M. Grants received

 

The Company receives from time-to-time grants from various sources to fund certain research and development activities. To date, the grants’ terms have stated that if such research and development activities are not successful, the Company would not be obligated to refund any payment previously received. Given such terms, since the financial risk associated with the research and development remains with the grantor, the Company does not recognize a liability associated with such funding.

 

Grants that do not include a specific deliverable in the terms are offset from research and development expenses.

 

  N. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which would require lessees to put all leases on their balance sheets, whether operating or financing, while continuing to recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. The guidance states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. In June 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-05, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates for Certain Entities, which defers the effective date of ASU 2016-02 for non-public entities to fiscal years beginning after December 15,2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The guidance will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2022, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Note 3 - Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2021 and 2020, is denominated in the following currencies:

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
US Dollars   371    769 
New Israeli Shekels   97    21 
Great British Pound   133    - 
           
    601    790 

 

F-39
 

 

Note 4 - Other Accounts Receivable

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Government institutions   52    22 
Prepaid expenses   1    9 
           
    53    31 

 

Note 5 - Property and Equipment, net

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Cost:          
Software and Computers   62    23 
           
Accumulated depreciation:          
Software and Computers   21    9 
           
Depreciated cost   41    14 

 

Note 6 – Accounts payable

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Employees and payroll accruals   104    62 
Accrued expenses and other payables   23    7 
           
    127    69 

 

Note 7 - Marketable Securities

 

The marketable securities as of December 31, 2020 are an investment in a mutual fund, which invests in dollar-linked channels. During 2021, the Company had sold its marketable securities.

 

F-40
 

 

Note 8 - Share Capital

 

Composition:

 

   As of December 31, 2021  
       Issued and  
   Authorized   fully paid  
   Number of shares  
             
Ordinary shares NIS 0.01 par value (“Ordinary Shares”)   1,000,000     158,696  

 

   As of December 31, 2020  
       Issued and  
   Authorized   fully paid  
   Number of shares  
             
Ordinary shares NIS 0.01 par value   1,000,000     150,000  

 

  A. In 2016, the Company issued to its founders 100,000 Ordinary Shares.
     
  B. On June 2018, the Company entered into an investment agreement for the issuance of 50,000 Ordinary Shares, representing 33% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares for a total consideration of $4,000 thousands. In 2018, the Company issued to its investors 25,000 Ordinary Shares for a total amount of $2,000 thousands. The remainder of the investment in the amount of $2,000 thousands was subject to two equal tranches milestones. During 2019 the Company issued additional 12,500 Ordinary Shares for a total amount of $1,000 thousands.
     
    In 2020, the Company met all milestones set in the investment agreement. As such, the 3rd and last investment tranche $1,000 thousands was paid during 2020 and an additional 12,500 Ordinary Shares were issued.
     
  C. In September 2021, the Company signed a service agreement with a third-party in which such third party committed to provide the Company certain services in exchange to 5% (fully diluted) of the Company’s Ordinary Shares amounting to 8,696 Ordinary Shares. The Company recognized the transaction based on the fair value of the shares at $1,952 thousands. However, as part of the services was rendered in 2022, the Company recognized a balance of approximately $771 thousands as Prepaid share-based payment.
     
  D. Stock option plan:

 

In 2018 the Company adopted a stock option plan for its employees, service providers and officers, pursuant to which, and to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors dated October 31, 2018, the Company reserved for issuance 6,250 Ordinary Shares.

 

In June 2021, the Company increased its reserved stock option plan to 13,654 Ordinary Shares.

 

The contractual life of the share option is 10 years from the respective date of grant. Share options to employees, service providers and officers granted under the stock option plan shall be vesting in installments, gradually over a period of 4 years from the grant date.

 

F-41
 

  

Below is a summary of employee option activity under the Company’s equity incentive plan during the current year:

 

   Year ended December 31, 2021 
           Weighted     
       Weighted   average   Aggregate 
       average   remaining   intrinsic 
   Number of   exercise price   contractual   value 
   options   US$   term (years)   US$ thousands 
Outstanding at the                    
Beginning of the year   7,636    51.85           
Granted   5,509                  278.00           
                     
Outstanding at the end of the year   13,145    146.63    8.25                     1,475 
                     
Exercisable at the end of the year   6,332    46.05    7.23    1,260 

 

  1. The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s stock fair value on December 31, 2021 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2021.
     
  2. Fair value measurement:

 

The fair value of each option granted during 2021 and 2020 was estimated on the date of grant, using the Binomial model taking into account the following assumptions:

 

   2021   2020 
Dividend yield   0%   0%
Expected volatility   76%   89%
Weighted average risk-free interest   1.5%   1.36%
Expected life   10 years    10 years 
           

 

Expected volatility was calculated based on market benchmarks.

 

Since the Company’s shares are not publicly traded and its shares are rarely traded privately, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares.

 

The expected option term represents the period that the Company’s share options are expected to be outstanding. Since the options were granted to executives, the assumption is that the option will be exercised close to the expiration date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. Federal Reserve rates. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

F-42
 

 

  D. Stock option plan (cont’d):

 

  3. The following table sets forth the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options included in the statements of operations.

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Research and development   185    220 
General and administrative   54    99 
           
Total stock-based compensation expense   239    319 

 

  E. Convertible Financial Instruments

 

In November 2021, the Company signed a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) with an investor in the amount of 100 thousand Great British Pound (“GBP”) (approximately US$134 thousands). According to the agreement, the SAFE does not bear interest and is convertible to the Company’s ordinary shares, as follows:

 

  (a) In the event of a financing round of at least 1 million GBP, the SAFE will be automatically converted into ordinary shares at the price determined in such round;
  (b) In the event that the financing round is below 1 million GBP, the SAFE may be converted into ordinary shares at the price determined in such round, at the discretion of the investor;
  (c) If no financing round occurs, the SAFE amount shall automatically be converted into ordinary shares at the earlier of: (a) an M&A transaction – using the price per share determined in such transaction, or (b) 36 months after the date of the agreement, at the fair market value of an ordinary share at that time.

 

The SAFE was treated for accounting purposes as a liability, since this arrangement is settled in a variable number of shares and the investor is not exposed to the changes in the fair value of the shares during the period from the transfer of funds until conversion.

 

The convertible financial instrument is presented at fair value. Due to the proximity of the agreement to the balance sheet date, it was determined that there was no change to the fair value since receipt of the proceeds, and the convertible financial instrument was presented at $134 thousands. The convertible financial instrument is considered a Level 3 fair value measurement.

 

F-43
 

 

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

  A. Royalties

 

As part of the Company’s research and development efforts, the Company received licenses to use intellectual property developed by Yissum Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (“Yissum”) and New York Stem Cell Foundation (“NYSCF”). During 2017, Yissum and NYSCF granted the Company an exclusive license to make commercial use of that intellectual property, in order to develop, manufacture, market, distribute or sell products, subject to certain terms and events. In consideration for the grant of the license, the Company shall pay Yissum and NYSCF royalties at a rate of up to 3% of the net sales and sublicense fees at a rate of up to 12% of sublicense consideration, subject to certain terms, as set forth in the agreement. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has yet to incur revenues, therefore no provision was recorded for these commitments in the financial statements.

 

  B. Research Agreement

 

During December 2021, the Company received a prepayment of $100 thousand as part of a research agreement with a third-party, which was finalized in 2022. The research agreement determines that the Company will use its intellectual property to further develop know-how that will allow the third party to use such developed know-how for its commercial purposes. The total consideration for the research, to be paid over two years, amounts to $500 thousand. The third party shall pay the Company royalties of up to 3.5% from any sales that include the Company’s developed know-how, and additional royalties for any sublicense, as set forth in the research agreement.

 

Note 10 - Financial Expenses (Income), net

 

   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Bank commissions   1    1 
Revaluation of marketable securities to market value   4    (7)
Currency exchange differences   -    (1)
           
    5    (7)

 

F-44
 

 

Note 11 - Related Parties

 

The Company engaged with its shareholders to receive consulting services and lab renting.

 

Transactions

 

   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Research and development expenses   309    329 

 

The Company leases a laboratory from a shareholder. The lease is for an initial three-year term expiring in June 2021. The Company extended the lease until June 2022 and it has an option to further extend the term for an additional one-year period. Each party shall be entitled to terminate the agreement within 30 days’ notice.

 

The lease has been classified as an operating lease and the expenses are included in the data presented above. Total lease cost associated with this lease for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was US$48 thousand and US$35 thousand, respectively.

 

Note 12 - Taxes on Income

 

  A. The Company is incorporated in Israel and is subject to Israeli taxation.
     
  B. The Israeli corporate income tax rate was 23% in 2021 and 2020.
    The main reconciling items from the statutory tax rate of the Company to the effective tax rate (0%) is the change in valuation allowance (see note 12D) and non-deductible expenses.
     
  C. Net operating loss carried forward

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has net operating tax losses carried forward indefinitely of approximately $3.1 million, (December 31, 2020 - $2.1 million).

 

  D. Deferred income taxes

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

   December 31, 
   2021   2020 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Deferred tax assets:          
Net operating losses   719    474 
Research and development credit carried forward   230    163 
Provision for employees ‘benefits   4    10 
    953    647 
           
Less valuation allowance   (953)   (647)
           
Net deferred tax assets   -    - 

 

F-45
 

 

  D. Deferred income taxes (cont’d)

 

The Company has provided a full valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets resulting from the tax loss carried forward. Management currently believes that, since the Company has a history of losses, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets related to the loss carried forward and other temporary differences will not be realized in the foreseeable future.

 

Note 13 – Subsequent Events

 

On April 30, 2022, the Company signed a share purchase agreement with two investors for the purchase of 2,647 Ordinary Shares of the Company (par value ILS 0.01) for a total consideration of US$800 thousands. Based on the Company’s agreement with one of its shareholders, that shareholder is committed to invest a matching amount which will bring the total funding to US$1,600 thousands.

 

F-46
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Condensed Interim Balance Sheets as of

 

(Unaudited)

 

   March 31   December 31 
   2022   2021 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Assets          
           
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents   280    601 
Prepaid share-based payment   -    771 
Other accounts receivable   85    53 
Total current assets   365    1,425 
           
Non-current assets          
Property and equipment, net   36    41 
           
Total assets   401    1,466 
           
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficiency)          
           
Current liabilities          
Accrued expenses and other payables   119    127 
Other liabilities   200    100 
Total Current liabilities   319    227 
           
Non-current liabilities          
Convertible financial instrument   131    134 
Total liabilities   450    361 
           
Shareholders’ equity (deficiency)          
Ordinary shares   *     
Additional paid-in capital   6,808    6,734 
Accumulated deficit   (6,857)   (5,629)
Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency)   (49)   1,105 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficiency)   401    1,466 

 

Ayelet Dilion Mashiah  
CEO  

 

Date of approval of the financial statements: July 17, 2022

 

* Represents an amount lower than $1 thousand.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim financial statements.

 

F-47
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Condensed Interim Statements of Operations for the

 

(Unaudited)

 

   Three-month   Three-month 
   period ended   period ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
         
Operating expenses          
           
Research and development expenses   1,176    264 
           
General and administrative expenses   49    47 
           
Operating loss   1,225    311 
           
Financial expenses (income), net   3    (23)
           
Loss for the period   1,228    288 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim financial statements.

 

F-48
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Condensed Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency)

 

(Unaudited)

 

           Additional         
           paid-in   Accumulated     
   Ordinary shares   capital   deficit   Total 
   Number of shares   US$ thousands   US$ thousands   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
                     
For the three - month period ended                         
 March 31, 2022                         
                          
Balance as of January 1, 2022   158,696     *    6,734    (5,629)   1,105 
                          
Share based compensation   -    -    74    -    74 
Loss for the period   -    -    -    (1,228)   (1,228)
                          
Balance as at March 31, 2022   158,696    

*

    6,808    (6,857)   (49)
                          
                          
                          
For the three - month period ended                         
 March 31, 2021                         
                          
Balance as of January 1, 2021   150,000        4,543    (2,999)   1,544 
                          
Share based compensation   -    -    19    -    19 
Loss for the period   -    -    -    (288)   (288)
                          
Balance as of March 31, 2021   150,000    

    4,562    (3,287)   1,275 

 

* Represents an amount less than $1 thousand.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim financial statements.

 

F-49
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Condensed Interim Statements of Cash Flows for the

 

(Unaudited)

 

   Three-month   Three-month 
   period ended   period ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
         
Cash flows from operating activities          
           
Loss for the period   (1,228)   (288)
           
Adjustments required to reconcile loss to net cash used in operating          
 activities:          
           
Depreciation   5    2 
Revaluation of marketable securities   -    (28)
Revaluation of convertible financial instrument   (3)   - 
Stock based compensation   845    19 
Increase in other accounts receivable   (32)   - 
Increase in other liabilities   100    - 
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other payables   (8)   9 
           
Net cash used in operating activities   (321)   (286)
           
Cash flows from investing activities          
           
Purchase of property and equipment   -    (3)
           
Net cash used in investing activities   -    (3)
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
           
Net cash used in financing activities   -    - 
           
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (321)   (289)
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   601    790 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period   280    501 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim financial statements.

 

F-50
 

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements as of March 31, 2022

 

 

Note 1 - General

 

  A. NewStem Ltd. (“the Company”) was incorporated in September 2016 under the laws of the State of Israel and commenced its business operations in July 2018.
     
  B. The Company is a development stage company utilizing its pioneering intellectual property related to haploid human embryonic stem cells for the development of personalized diagnostics and therapeutics for genetic and epigenetic diseases.
     
  C. Since inception, the Company has accumulated a deficit of $6,857 thousand.
    The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include continued development, marketing and licensing of its products, as well as seeking additional financing arrangements. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from sales of products or financing on terms acceptable to the Company. Following the fund-raising mentioned in Note 5, the Company believes that its cash resources are sufficient for the operations of the next 12 months.
     
  D. Definitions

 

In these financial statements –

 

  1. The Company – NewStem Ltd.
  2. Related Party – Within its meaning in ASC 850, “Related Party Transactions”.

 

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed interim balance sheet as of March 31, 2022, and the condensed interim statement of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity (deficiency) and cash flows for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 are unaudited. These unaudited condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

The unaudited condensed interim financial statements contain all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly, the financial information included therein. It is suggested that these condensed interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s report for the year ended December 31, 2021. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The accounting principles used in the preparation of the interim statements are consistent with those used in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company as at December 31, 2021.

 

F-51
 

 

Note 3 - Related Parties

 

The Company engaged with its shareholders to receive consulting services and lab renting.

 

Transactions

 

   Three-month   Three-month 
   period ended   period ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2022   2021 
   US$ thousands   US$ thousands 
Research and development expenses   68    90 

 

The Company leases a laboratory from a shareholder. The lease is for an initial three-year term expiring in June 2021. The Company extended the lease until June 2022 and it has an option to further extend the term for an additional one-year period. Each party shall be entitled to terminate the agreement within 30 days’ notice.

The lease has been classified as an operating lease and the expenses are included in the data presented above. Total lease cost associated with this lease for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was US$11 thousand and US$11 thousand, respectively.

 

Note 4 - Events during the period

 

Further to what is stated in Note 8C of the financial statements of the Company as at December 31, 2021, the service agreement with a third-party came to its end in March 2022. Accordingly, the Prepaid share-based payment balance, was fully recognized in the Statement of Operations.

 

Note 5 - Subsequent Events

 

On April 30, 2022, the Company signed a share purchase agreement with two investors for the purchase of 2,647 Ordinary Shares of the Company (par value ILS 0.01) for a total consideration of US$800 thousands. Based on the Company’s agreement with one of its shareholders, that shareholder is committed to invest a matching amount which will bring the total funding to US$1,600 thousands.

 

F-52
 

 

(b) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
3.1   Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation December 1999
     
3.2   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation 2004
     
3.3   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation 2018
     
3.4   Bylaws
     
3.5   Articles of Association of NewStem
     
10.1   Equity Incentive Plan
     
10.2   Joint Venture Agreement by and between the Company and NetCo
     
10.3   Financing Agreement dated May 2022
     
10.4   Amendment to Financing Agreement dated July 2022
     
10.5   Promissory Note issued to Jan Loeb
     
10.6   Promissory Note issued to Jerry Wolasky

 

26
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
     
Date: August 1, 2022 By: /s/ Jan Loeb
  Name: Jan Loeb
  Title: Chairman

 

27

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

  

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.5

 

The Companies Law - 1999

 

a Company Limited by Shares

 

Articles of Association

 

of

 

NewStem Ltd.

 

Preliminary

 

1. Name of the Company and Definitions.

 

  1.1. The name of the company is NewStem Ltd. (the “Company”).
     
  1.2. Capitalized terms used in these Articles shall bear the meanings ascribed to such terms as set forth in this Article, unless inconsistent with the context:

 

  Term Definition
     
  Affiliate With respect to any person, any other person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person;
     
  Articles These Articles of Association as amended from time to time by a Shareholders’ resolution;
     
  Auditors The auditors of the Company;
     
  Board of Directors; Board The Board of Directors of the Company;
     
  Chairman The Chairman of the Board of Directors, as may be appointed, from time to time (if appointed);
     
  Closing Date means June _, 2018;
     
  Company NewStem Ltd;
     
  Companies Law The Companies Law, 1999, or any statutory re-enactment or modification thereof being in force at the time; and any reference to any section or provision of the Companies Law shall be deemed to include a reference to any statutory re-enactment or modification thereof being in force at the time;
     
  Companies Ordinance The Companies Ordinance (New Version), 5743-1983, or any statutory re-enactment or modification thereof being in force at the time; and any reference to any section or provision of the Companies Ordinance shall be deemed to include a reference to any statutory re-enactment or modification thereof being in force at the time;

 

 
- 2 -

 

  Deemed Liquidation Event (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company to any person by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (other than a reincorporation transaction whose sole purpose is the changing of the Company’s domicile in which the Company’s then current shareholders retain full ownership in the acquiring entity in accordance to their respective holdings just prior to the reincorporation), (ii) a sale, conveyance or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (iii) grant of an exclusive license of all or substantially all of the Company’s intellectual property (other than an exclusive license granted to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), or (iv) a merger (including reverse triangular merger), consolidation or recapitalization of the Company with or into another entity in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger consolidation or recapitalization do not hold a majority of the share capital and voting rights of the surviving entity, or (v) any other transaction or series of related transactions, including the transactions set forth in subsections (i) or (iv) above, resulting in the shareholders of the Company collectively, immediately before such transaction, directly or indirectly, owning less than a majority of the share capital or voting power of the Company immediately following such transaction, other than bona fide equity financing transaction and/or any IPO;
     
  Director(s) The member(s) of the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with these Articles holding office at any given time;
     
  ESOP An employee stock option plan approved by the Board or an incentive plan adopted by the Board;

 

 
- 3 -

 

  Exempted Securities (i) securities issued to employees, directors, and service providers of the Company and any affiliates thereof pursuant to an ESOP; (ii) securities issued to all shareholders of the Company pro rata to their holding (on an as converted basis) in connection with any event of share combination or subdivision, stock dividend or any other reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Company’s share capital; (iii) securities issued to the public in an IPO; (iv) any securities issued pursuant to a bona fide acquisition of a company or a business by the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale or exchange of stock, provided that such acquisition was approved in advance by the Board, (v) any securities issued to an entity designated in good faith by the Board as a strategic investor or to financial institutions or lessors in connection with commercial credit arrangements, equipment financings or similar transactions, provided, that such issuances are approved in advance by the Board; (vi) any securities with respect to which the Board has resolved that such securities shall be Exempted Securities; provided, however, that, securities issued pursuant to subsections (v) and (vi) shall not in the aggregate constitute, following any such issuance, more than 5% of the Company’s share capital on a fully diluted basis;
     
  Founders Prof. Nissim Benvenisty and Yissum;
     
  Investor Hollywood Media Corp;
     
  IPO Initial firmly underwritten public offering of Company’s shares pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or equivalent law of another jurisdiction;
     
  Major Shareholder Each of Hollywood Media Corp., Prof. Nissim Benvenisty and Yissum;
     
  Milestone Amounts (i) an amount of US$ 1,000,000 to be paid by the Investor pursuant to the set up and analysis by the Company of resistance to 5 chemotherapies that are the standard of care; and (ii) an amount of US$ 1,000,000 pursuant to the establishment by the Company of a detailed regulatory strategy for the first market and analysis of resistance to 2 additional chemotherapies that are the standard of care;
     
  month Calendar month;
     
  New Securities Any shares of any kind of the Company, whether now or hereafter authorized, and rights, options, or warrants to purchase said shares and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible into said shares of the Company; provided, however, that “New Securities” shall not include Exempted Securities;
     
  Office   The Registered Office of the Company at any given time;
     
  Officer (‘Nosei Misra’) As defined in the Companies Law;

 

 
- 4 -

 

  Permitted Transferees As defined in Article ‎26 below;
     
  Purchase Agreement The Share Purchase Agreement by and between the Company, the Founders and the Investor dated as of June _, 2018;
     
  Register of Shareholders The Register of Shareholders of the Company administered in accordance to Section 127 of the Companies Law;
     
  RTP Law The Israeli Restrictive Trade Practices Law, 5758-1988, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder;
     
  Securities Act The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
     
  Shareholders The shareholders of the Company, at any given time;
     
  Transfer Any sale, assignment, conveyance, pledge, grant of any security interest or gift, or any other disposition or transfer of shares, and any assignment of an option to acquire shares from the Company;
     
  in writing   Written, printed, photocopied, typed, sent via facsimile or produced by any visible substitute for writing, or partly one and partly another, and signed shall be construed accordingly;
     
  Year Calendar year commencing on January 1st and ending on December 31st;
     
  Yissum Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

 

  1.3. Unless the context shall otherwise require: words in the singular shall also include the plural, and vice versa; any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms; the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to these Articles in its entirety and not to any part hereof; all references herein to Articles, Sections or clauses shall be deemed references to Articles, Sections or clauses of these Articles; any references to any agreement or other instrument or law, statute or regulation are to it as amended, supplemented or restated, from time to time (and, in the case of any law, to any successor provisions or re-enactment or modification thereof being in force at the time); any reference to “law” shall include any supranational, national, federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law and shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; any reference in this Agreement to a “day” or a number of “days” (without any explicit reference otherwise, such as to business days) shall be interpreted as a reference to a calendar day or number of calendar days; reference to month or year means according to the Gregorian calendar; reference to a “company”, “corporate body” or “entity” shall include a, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof, and reference to a “person” shall mean any of the foregoing or an individual.

 

 
- 5 -

 

  1.4. Save as aforesaid, any words or expressions defined in the Companies Law or in the Companies Ordinance (to the extent still in effect according to the provisions of the Companies Law), shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.
     
  1.5. The captions in these Articles are for convenience only and shall not be deemed a part hereof or affect the construction of any provision hereof.
     
  1.6. In the event that a Hebrew version of these Articles is filed with any regulatory or governmental agency, including the Israeli Registrar of Companies, then whether or not such Hebrew version contains signatures of Shareholders, such Hebrew version shall be considered solely a convenience translation and shall have no binding effect, as between the Shareholders of the Company and with respect to any third party. The English version shall be the only binding version of these Articles, and in the event of any contradiction or inconsistency between the meaning of the English version and the meaning of the Hebrew version of these Articles, the Hebrew version shall be disregarded, shall have no binding effect and shall have no impact on the interpretation of these Articles or any provision hereof.
     
  1.7. For purposes of determining the availability of any right or the applicability of any limitation under the Articles, the holdings of each Shareholder and its Permitted Transferees shall be aggregated.
     
  1.8. The specific provisions of the Articles shall supersede the provisions of the Companies Law to the extent permitted under the Companies Law. With respect to any matter that is not specifically addressed in the Articles, the provisions of the Companies Law shall govern.

 

2. Private company.
   
  The Company is a private company, and accordingly:

 

  2.1. the right to transfer shares is restricted in the manner hereinafter prescribed;
     
  2.2. the number of Shareholders (exclusive of persons who are in the employment of the Company, or of persons who having been formerly in the employment of the Company were, while in such employment, and have continued after the termination of such employment to be, Shareholders of the Company) is limited to 50; provided that where two or more persons hold one or more shares in the Company jointly they shall, for the purpose of this Article, be treated as a single shareholder;
     
  2.3. any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the Company is prohibited.

 

Limited Liability

 

3. The Company is a Limited Liability Company and therefore each Shareholder’s obligations to the Company’s obligations shall be limited to the payment of the par value of the shares held by such Shareholder, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law.

 

Company’s Objectives

 

4. The Company’s objectives are to carry on any business, and do any act, which is not prohibited by law.
   
5. The Company may donate a reasonable amount of money for any purpose that the Board of Directors finds appropriate, even if the donation is not for business considerations or for the purpose of achieving profits to the Company.

 

 
- 6 -

 

Share Capital

 

6. Share Capital.

 

  6.1. The share capital of the Company is NIS 10,000 (ten thousand New Israeli Shekels) divided into 1,000,000 (One Million) Ordinary Shares, par value of NIS 0.01 (one Agora) each (the “Ordinary Shares”).
     
  6.2. The rights attached to the Ordinary Shares shall be all the rights in the Company including, without limitation, the right to receive notices of Shareholders meetings, to attend and vote at Shareholders’ meetings, to participate in distribution of dividends and stock dividends and to participate in distribution of surplus assets and funds in liquidation of the Company, subject to Article 39.2.

 

7. Increase of Share Capital.

 

  7.1. Subject to Article 43, to the extent applicable, the Company may, from time to time, by a Shareholders resolution, whether or not all the shares then authorized have been issued, and whether or not all the shares theretofore issued have been called up for payment, increase its share capital by the creation of new shares. Any such increase shall be in such amount and shall be divided into shares of such nominal amounts, and such shares shall confer such rights and preferences, and shall be subject to such restrictions, as such resolution shall provide.
     
  7.2. Except to the extent otherwise provided in such resolution, such new shares shall be subject to all the provisions of the Articles applicable to the shares of the original capital.

 

8. Special Rights; Modifications of Rights.

 

  8.1. Subject to the provisions of these Articles and the Companies Law, the Company may, from time to time, provide for shares with such preferred or deferred rights or rights of redemption or other special rights and/or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividends, voting, repayment of share capital or otherwise, as may be stipulated in such resolution.
     
  8.2. The provisions of these Articles relating to General Meetings shall apply, in the relevant changes, to any separate General Meeting of the holders of the shares of a particular class.

 

9. Distribution.

 

  9.1. In the event of (i) any dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, or reorganization or winding-up of the Company (collectively, a “Liquidation”), or (ii) any distribution of cash or in kind to Shareholders of the Company (including dividends), or (iii) a Deemed Liquidation of the Company, then all dividends, assets or proceeds legally available for distribution to the Shareholders in such event shall be distributed among the holders of Ordinary Shares, on a pro rata basis.

 

10. Consolidation, Subdivision, Cancellation and Reduction of Share Capital.

 

  10.1. The Company may, by Shareholders’ resolution and subject to the Companies Law, from time to time:

 

  10.1.1. consolidate all or any of its issued or unissued share capital into shares of larger, equal to or smaller nominal value than its existing shares;

 

 
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  10.1.2. divide its shares (issued or unissued) or any of them, into shares of smaller or the same nominal value than is fixed by these Articles (subject, however, to the provisions of the Companies Law), and the resolution whereby any share is divided may determine that, as among the holders of the shares resulting from such subdivision, one or more of the shares may, in contrast to others, have any such preferred or deferred rights or rights of redemption or other special rights, or be subject to any such restrictions, as the Company may attach to unissued or new shares;
     
  10.1.3. cancel any shares which, at the date of the adoption of such resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its authorized share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled, or
     
  10.1.4. reduce its authorized share capital in any manner.

 

  10.2. With respect to any consolidation of issued shares and with respect to any other action which may result in fractional shares, the Board of Directors may settle any difficulty which may arise with regard thereto, as it deems fit, including, inter alia, resort to one or more of the following actions:

 

  10.2.1. determine, as to the holder of shares so consolidated, which issued shares shall be consolidated into each share of larger, equal or smaller nominal value;
     
  10.2.2. allot, in contemplation of or subsequent to such consolidation or other action, such shares or fractional shares sufficient to preclude or remove fractional share holdings;
     
  10.2.3. redeem, in the case of redeemable shares, and subject to applicable law, such shares or fractional shares sufficient to preclude or remove fractional share holdings;
     
  10.2.4. round up, round down or round to the nearest whole number, any fractional shares resulting from the consolidation or from any other action which may result in fractional shares;
     
  10.2.5. cause the transfer of fractional shares by certain Shareholders to other Shareholders so as to most expediently preclude or remove any fractional shareholdings, and cause the transferees to pay the transferors the fair value of fractional shares so transferred, and the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to act as agent for the transferors and transferees with power of substitution for purposes of implementing the provisions of this sub-Article ‎9.2.5.

 

Shares

 

11. Issuance of Share Certificates; Replacement of Lost Certificates.

 

  11.1. Share certificates shall be issued under the stamp of the Company and shall bear the signatures of a Director and/or of any other person or persons authorized thereto by the Board of Directors.
     
  11.2. Each shareholder shall be entitled to one numbered certificate for all the shares of any class registered in his name, and if the Board of Directors so approves, to several certificates, each for one or more of such shares. Each certificate shall specify the serial numbers of the shares represented thereby and may also specify the amount paid up thereon.
     
  11.3. A share certificate registered in the names of two or more persons shall be delivered to the person first named in the Registrar of Shareholders in respect of such co-ownership.

 

 
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  11.4. If a share certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed, it may be replaced, upon payment of such fee, and upon the furnishing of such evidence of ownership and such indemnity, as the Board of Directors may think fit.

 

12. Registered Holder.
   
  Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, the Company shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof, and, accordingly, shall not, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by statute, be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in such share on the part of any other person.

 

13. Allotment of Shares.

 

  13.1. The shares, other than the issued and outstanding shares, shall be under the control of the Board of Directors, who shall have the power to allot shares or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, on such terms and conditions (including inter alia terms relating to calls as set forth in Article ‎14.6 hereof), and either at par or at a premium, or, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, at a discount, and at such times, as the Board of Directors may think fit, and the power to give to any person the option to acquire from the Company any shares, either at par or at a premium, or, subject as aforesaid, at a discount, during such time and for such consideration as the Board of Directors may think fit. Such issuance may be made in cash, cash equivalents or for in kind consideration.
     
  13.2. Section 290(a) of the Companies Law shall not apply to the Company.

 

14. Payment in Installments.
   
  If by the terms of allotment of any share, the whole or any part of the price thereof shall be payable in installments, every such installment shall, when due, be paid to the Company by the then registered holder(s) of the share of the person(s) entitled thereto.

 

15. Calls on Shares.

 

  15.1. The Board of Directors may, from time to time make such calls as it may think fit upon Shareholders in respect of any sum unpaid in respect of shares held by such Shareholders which is not, by the terms of allotment thereof or otherwise, payable at a fixed time, and each shareholder shall pay the amount of every call so made upon him (and of each installment thereof if the same is payable in installments), to the person(s) and at the time(s) and place(s) designated by the Board of Directors, as any such time(s) may be thereafter extended and/or such person(s) or place(s) changed. Unless otherwise stipulated in the resolution of the Board of Directors (and in the notice hereafter referred to), each payment in response to a call shall be deemed to constitute a pro rata payment on account of all shares in respect of which such call was made.
     
  15.2. Notice of any call shall be given in writing to the shareholder (s) in question not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the time of payment, specifying the time and place of payment, and designating the person to whom such payment shall be made, provided, however, that before the time for any such payment, the Board of Directors may, by notice in writing to such shareholder (s), revoke such call in whole or in part, extend such time, or alter such person and/or place. In the event of a call payable in installments, only one notice thereof need be given.

 

 
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  15.3. If, by the terms of allotment of any share or otherwise, any amount is made payable at any fixed time, every such amount shall be payable at such time as if it were a call duly made by the Board of Directors and of which due notice had been given, and all the provisions herein contained with respect to such calls shall apply to each such amount.
     
  15.4. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof and all interest payable thereon.
     
  15.5. Any amount unpaid in respect of a call shall bear interest from the date on which it is payable until actual payment thereof, at such rate (not exceeding the then prevailing debitory rate charged by leading commercial banks in Israel), and at such time(s) as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
     
  15.6. Upon the allotment of shares, the Board of Directors may provide for differences among the allottees of such shares as to the amount of calls and/or the times of payment thereof.

 

16. Prepayment.
   
 

With the approval of the Board of Directors, any shareholder may pay to the Company any amount not yet payable in respect of his shares, and the Board of Directors may approve the payment of interest on any such amount until the same would be payable if it had not been paid in advance, at such rate and time(s) as may be approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time cause the Company to repay all or any part of the money so advanced, without premium or penalty. Nothing in this Article ‎15 shall derogate from the right of the Board of Directors to make any call before or after receipt by the Company of any such advance.

   
17. Forfeiture and Surrender.

 

  17.1. If any shareholder fails to pay any amount payable in respect of a call, or interest thereon as provided for herein, on or before the day fixed for payment of the same, the Company, by resolution of the Board of Directors, and subject to the provisions of Section 181 of the Companies Law, may at any time thereafter, so long as the said amount or interest remains unpaid, forfeit all or any of the shares in respect of which said call had been made. Any expense incurred by the Company in attempting to collect any such amount or interest, including, inter alia, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, shall be added to, and shall, for all purposes (including the accrual of interest thereon), constitute a part of the amount payable to the Company in respect of such call.
     
  17.2. Upon the adoption of a resolution of forfeiture, the Board of Directors shall cause notice thereof to be given to such shareholder, which notice shall state that, in the event of the failure to pay the entire amount so payable within a period stipulated in the notice (which period shall not be less than fourteen (14) days and which may be extended by the Board of Directors), such shares shall be ipso facto forfeited, provided, however, that, prior to the expiration of such period, the Board of Directors may nullify such resolution of forfeiture, but no such nullification shall stop the Board of Directors from adopting a further resolution of forfeiture in respect of the non-payment of the same amount.
     
  17.3. Whenever shares are forfeited as herein provided, all dividends theretofore declared in respect thereof and not actually paid shall be deemed to have been forfeited at the same time.
     
  17.4. The Company, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may accept the voluntary surrender of any share.

 

 
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  17.5. Any share forfeited or surrendered as provided herein shall become dormant shares (as defined in Section 308 of the Companies Law), and the same, subject to the provisions of these Articles, may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of as the Board of Directors thinks fit.
     
  17.6. Any shareholder whose shares have been forfeited or surrendered shall cease to be a shareholder in respect of the forfeited or surrendered shares, but shall, notwithstanding, be liable to pay, and shall forthwith pay, to the Company, all calls, interest and expenses owing upon or in respect of such shares at the time of forfeiture or surrender, together with interest thereon from the time of forfeiture or surrender until actual payment, at the rate prescribed in Article ‎14.5 above, unless such shares were sold by the Company, and the Company shall have received in full the amounts specified above in addition to any additional costs of such sale of shares, and the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may enforce the payment of such moneys, or any part thereof, but shall not be under any obligation to do so. In the event of such forfeiture or surrender, the Company, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may accelerate the date(s) of payment of any or all amounts then owing by the shareholder in question (but not yet due) in respect of all shares owned by such shareholder, solely or jointly with another, and in respect of any other matter or transaction whatsoever.
     
  17.7. The Board of Directors may at any time, before any share so forfeited or surrendered shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, nullify the forfeiture or surrender on such conditions as it thinks fit, but no such nullification shall stop the Board of Directors from re-exercising its powers of forfeiture pursuant to this Article ‎16.7.

 

18. Lien.

 

  18.1. Except to the extent the same may be waived or subordinated in writing, the Company shall have a first and paramount lien upon all the shares registered in the name of each Shareholder (without regard to any equitable or other claim or interest in such shares on the part of any other person), and upon the proceeds of the sale thereof, for the call on shares made by the Board of Directors, in respect of unpaid sum relating to shares held by such Shareholder. Such lien shall extend to all dividends from time to time declared in respect of such share. Unless otherwise provided, the registration by the Company of a transfer of shares shall not be deemed to be a waiver on the part of the Company of the lien (if any) existing on such shares immediately prior to such transfer.
     
  18.2. The Board of Directors may cause the Company to sell any shares subject to such lien when any such debt, liability or engagement has matured, in such manner as the Board of Directors may think fit, but no such sale shall be made unless such debt, liability or engagement has not been satisfied within fourteen (14) days after written notice of the intention to sell shall have been served on such shareholder, his executors or administrators.
     
  18.3. The net proceeds of any such sale, after payment of the costs thereof, shall be applied in or toward satisfaction of the debts, liabilities or engagements of such Shareholder (whether or not the same have matured), or any specific part of the same (as the Company may determine), and the residue (if any) shall be paid to the shareholder, his executors, administrators or assigns.

 

 
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19. Sale after Forfeiture or Surrender or in Enforcement of Lien.
   
 

Upon any sale of shares after forfeiture or surrender or for enforcing a lien, the Board of Directors may appoint some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares so sold and cause the purchaser’s name to be entered in the Register of Shareholders in respect of such shares, and the purchaser shall not be bound to see to the regularity of the proceedings, or to the application of the purchase money, and after his name has been entered in the Register of Shareholders in respect of such shares, the validity of the sale shall not be impeached by any person, and the remedy of any person aggrieved by the sale shall be in damages only and against the Company exclusively.

   
20. Redeemable Shares.
   
  The Company may, subject to applicable law, issue redeemable shares and redeem the same.
   
21. Preemptive Rights
   
  Until the consummation of an IPO or a Deemed Liquidation Event, each Major Shareholder shall have a pre-emptive right to purchase, up to such Shareholder’s pro-rata share, New Securities that the Company may, from time to time, propose to sell and issue. A Shareholder’s pro rata share shall be the ratio of the number of shares held by such Shareholder as of the date of the Rights Notice (as defined below), to the sum of the total number of outstanding Shares held by all Shareholders as of such date. Each Shareholder shall also have a right of over-allotment such that if any other Shareholder declines or fails to exercise its right hereunder to purchase its pro-rata share of the New Securities, each other Shareholder exercising its preemptive right hereunder may purchase such declining Shareholder’s portion, on a pro-rata basis to those Shareholders exercising their right of over-allotment, and shall indicate its intention in its notice to the Company referred to below. The preemptive rights afforded hereunder to each and any Shareholder may be assigned, in whole or in part, to, and exercised by any person or entity included in the definition of such Shareholder’s Permitted Transferee, whether or not such Permitted Transferee holds shares in the Company prior to such assignment or exercise. This pre-emptive right shall be subject to the following provisions:

 

  21.1. The preemptive right set forth in this Article ‎20 shall not apply to New Securities issuable pursuant to Article ‎21.
     
  21.2. Before the Company may issue New Securities, it shall give each of the Shareholders written notice (the “Rights Notice”) of its intention, describing the New Securities, the price, the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue them, and the number of shares that the Shareholder has the right to purchase under this Article ‎20. Each Shareholder shall have fourteen (14) days from delivery of the Rights Notice to agree to purchase all or any part of its pro-rata share of such New Securities and any additional shares as may be available for over-allotment for the price and upon the general terms specified in the Rights Notice, by giving written notice to the Company setting forth the quantity of New Securities to be purchased.
     
  21.3. If the Shareholders elect to purchase only some of the New Securities offered by the Company or fail to elect to exercise the preemptive right set forth herein within the fourteen (14) day period specified in Article ‎20.2, the Company shall have ninety (90) days after delivery of the Rights Notice to sell the unsold New Securities at a price and upon general terms no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the Company’s Rights Notice. If the Company has not sold the New Securities within said ninety (90) day period, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without first offering such securities to the Shareholders in the manner provided above.

 

 
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22. Anti-Dilution Protection

 

  22.1. Until the earlier of: (i) an IPO or (ii) five (5) year anniversary of the Closing Date, in the event that the Company issues or sells, or is deemed by the provisions of this Article ‎21 to have issued or sold, any New Securities at a price per share lower than the Price Per Share (the “Reduced Price” and the “Low Price Offering”), the Investor shall be entitled to additional Ordinary Shares calculated according to a full ratchet anti-dilution mechanism as detailed below (and the Company shall issue to the Investor such additional Ordinary Shares), for no additional consideration, as if all such Ordinary Shares owned by the Investor were purchased at a price equal to the Reduced Price; provided that if such issuance or deemed issuance was without consideration, then the New Securities shall be deemed issued at a price equal to their par value. The Reduced Price shall then be considered for purposes of this Article 21 as the revised Price Per Share and the number of New Securities issued in such Low Price Offering shall be revised to include the additional Ordinary Shares issued to the Investor.
     
  22.2. The number of additional Ordinary Shares to be issued to the Investor at the time of such Low Price Offering shall equal:

 

N * (PPS ÷ RP) - N

 

where

 

“N” equals the number of Ordinary Shares held by the Investor, immediately prior to the Low Price Offering;

 

“PPS” =equals the Price Per Share;

 

“RP” equals the Reduced Price, which will be the new Price Per Share, in effect immediately after the Low Price Offering.

 

  22.3. For the purpose of the adjustment required under this Article 21, if the Company issues or sells any Convertible Securities (as defined below), then in each case the Company shall be deemed (A) to have issued at the time of the issuance of such Convertible Securities the maximum number of New Securities issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof and (B) to have received, as consideration for the issuance of such New Securities, an amount equal to (i) the total amount of the consideration, if any, received by the Company for the issuance of such Convertible Securities, plus (ii) the minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Company (other than by cancellation of liabilities or obligations evidenced by such Convertible Securities) upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities. “Convertible Securities” shall mean at any time, any options, warrants, convertible notes or other securities or rights which at such time are then convertible, exchangeable or exercisable, with or without the payment of additional consideration, into or for Ordinary Shares or other ownership interests or shares, directly or indirectly.

 

 
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Transfer Of Shares

 

23. Effectiveness and Registration.

 

  23.1. No Transfer shall be effective unless the Transfer has been approved by the Board, but the Board shall not withhold its approval of any such Transfer made in accordance with this Article ‎22.
     
  23.2. No Transfer shall be registered unless a proper instrument of transfer (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board) has been submitted to the Company, together with the share certificate(s) (or an affidavit in a form acceptable to the Company that no share certificate was ever received or that a share certificate was lost) and such other evidence of title as the Board may reasonably require. Until the transferee has been registered in the shareholders register in respect of the shares so transferred, the Company may continue to regard the transferor as the owner thereof.
     
  23.3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, prior to an IPO, no Transfers of shares may be made to a competitor of the Company, as reasonably determined by the Board, unless approved by the Board or sold in connection with a sale of all, or substantially all, the Company’s shares

 

24. Right of First Refusal

 

  24.1. Subject to the provisions of Article ‎22, until the consummation of an IPO or a Deemed Liquidation Event, any Transfer of securities in the Company by a Shareholder of the Company, other than (i) to a Permitted Transferee, or (ii) pursuant to Article ‎28 below or to section 341 of the Companies Law, or (iii) pursuant to a Deemed Liquidation Event, or (iv) transfer to the Company (solely in connection with the repurchase of shares from any current or former consultant, employee, officer or director pursuant to any repurchase agreement or incentive plan) shall be subject to the following:

 

  24.1.1. Each of the Shareholders, as long as he/it holds more than ten percent (10%) of the Company share capital on a fully diluted basis (for the purposes of this Article ‎23 hereinafter a “ROFR Holder”), shall have a right of first refusal with respect to a Transfer of all or any of the securities of the Company by any other Shareholder or any other holder of securities of the Company (the “Transferor”), as described below.
     
  24.1.2. Before any Transferor may Transfer all or any of its securities (the “Offered Shares”), it shall first provide each ROFR Holder with a written offer (with a copy to the Company) stating the identity of the Transferor and of the proposed transferee and the material terms of the proposed Transfer, including the number of securities to be transferred, the price, terms and conditions thereof (the “Offer”). The ROFR Holders may elect to purchase all or a part of the ROFR Holder’s pro rata share of the Offered Shares (the “Accepting Shareholders”), and shall also have a right of over-allotment if any of the ROFR Holders declines or fails to exercise in full its right hereunder to purchase its pro-rata share of the Offered Shares, by giving the Transferor (with a copy to the Company) a written notice to that effect within fourteen (14) days after being served with the Offer (the “ROFR Period” and “Acceptance”, respectively). A ROFR Holder’s “pro-rata share”, for purposes of this Article ‎23.1.2, is the ratio of the number of Shares held by such ROFR Holder immediately prior to the proposed Transfer of the Offered Shares in relation to the total number of all shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the proposed Transfer of the Offered Shares held by the Shareholders (excluding the Transferor) and any other holder of securities of the Company.

 

 
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  24.1.3. If the Acceptances, in the aggregate, are in respect of all of, or more than, the Offered Shares, then the Accepting Shareholders shall acquire the Offered Shares, on the terms aforementioned, in proportion to their respective holdings of the Company’s issued and outstanding share capital (excluding the Transferor), provided, however, that no Accepting Shareholder shall be forced to acquire under the provisions of this Article ‎23.1.3 more than the number of Offered Shares initially accepted by such Accepting Shareholder under the Acceptance, and upon the allocation to it of the full number of Offered Shares so accepted, such Accepting Shareholder shall be disregarded in any subsequent computations and allocations hereunder. Any Offered Shares remaining after the computation of such respective entitlements shall be re-allocated among the remaining Accepting Shareholders (other than those to be disregarded as aforesaid), in the same manner, until one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares have been allocated as aforesaid.
     
  24.1.4. If the Acceptances, in the aggregate, are in respect of less than all of the Offered Shares, then the Accepting Shareholders shall not be entitled to acquire any of the Offered Shares, and the Transferor, at the expiration of the aforementioned ROFR Period, shall be entitled to Transfer all (but not less than all) of the Offered Shares to the proposed transferee(s) identified in the Offer, provided, however, that in no event shall the Transferor Transfer any of the Offered Shares to any transferee other than such proposed transferee(s) or Transfer the same at a price per share which is lower from that set forth in the Offer or on terms more favorable to the transferee(s) than those stated in the Offer, provided, further, that any Offered Shares not transferred within ninety (90) days after the expiration of such ROFR Period, shall again be subject to the provisions of this Article 23.
     
  24.1.5. The Transferor shall be bound, upon payment of the offer price, to Transfer to the Accepting Shareholders the Offered Shares which have been allocated to the Accepting Shareholders pursuant to this Article 23. If, after becoming so bound, the Transferor defaults in transferring the Offered Shares, the Company may receive the purchase price therefor and the Transferor shall be deemed to have appointed any member of the Board as his agent to execute a transfer of the Offered Shares to the Accepting Shareholders and, upon execution of such Transfer, the Company shall hold the purchase price therefor in trust for the Transferor.

 

 
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25. Rights of Co-Sale

 

  25.1. Subject to the provisions of Articles ‎22 and ‎23, until the consummation of an IPO, the Investor shall have a right of co-sale with respect to proposed Transfers by any Founder, provided that the Investor shall exercise its right of co-sale by delivering a written notice of exercise (the “Election Notice”) to the Founder (with a copy to the Company) within fourteen (14) days following receipt of the notice from the Founder pertaining to his desire to Transfer securities of the Company and stating the identity of the buyer and the material terms of the proposed Transfer, including the number of shares to be transferred and the price thereof (the “Seller’s Notice”). The Seller’s Notice shall be given together with the Offer (as defined in Article ‎23 above). The Investor shall specify in the Election Notice the number of shares (up to its pro-rata share out of the Company’s issued and outstanding share capital on a fully diluted basis), on the date of the Seller’s Notice) that it desires to sell and, in doing so, will be obligated to the terms agreed upon between the Founder(s) and the buyer.
     
  25.2. If the Investor elects to exercise its co-sale right, the Founder(s) shall be entitled, subject to the following provisions, to sell to the buyer specified in the Seller’s Notice, according to the terms set forth in the Seller’s Notice, that number of his/its own shares which equals the difference between the number of the Founder’s shares desired to be purchased by the buyer specified in the Seller’s Notice, and the number of shares the Investor is entitled to sell pursuant to Article ‎24 and has elected to sell. If the Investor fails to provide an Election Notice within the aforesaid fourteen (14) day period or elects not to exercise its co-sale right, then the Founder shall be free to Transfer to the buyer any and all of the shares so offered for purchase. If the Founder wishes to Transfer any such shares at a price per share which is higher from that set forth in the Seller’s Notice, or upon terms which are more favorable to the Founder than those previously set out in the Seller’s Notice, or more than ninety (90) days after the expiration of the aforesaid fourteen (14) days period, then, as a condition precedent to such transaction, same procedures and time periods set forth above shall apply.
     
  25.3. The rights of co-sale under this Article ‎24 shall not apply to a Transfer of any shares or other securities of the Company by a Founder to his/its Permitted Transferees.

 

26. No Sale
   
  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of IPO, (ii) a Deemed Liquidation Event, or (iii) 24 months of the Closing Date (the “No Sale Period”), each of the Shareholders shall not Transfer, in any way, all or any part of or any interest in, the shares of the Company held by him/it to any party, other than:

 

  26.1. Any Transfer by a Shareholder to his/its Permitted Transferees, which shall be subject to this No-Sale undertaking; or
     
  26.2. Transfer by such Shareholder of up to 10% of his/its shares per year, commencing on the Closing Date, and up to an aggregate not exceeding 30% of the shares at the Closing Date during the No Sale Period.

 

 
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27. Permitted Transfers
   
  Anything in Articles ‎23, ‎24 and ‎25 to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to Article ‎22, a Shareholder may Transfer its shares to the following without complying with the Shareholders rights specified in Articles ‎23, ‎24 and ‎25 hereof (“Permitted Transferees”):

 

  27.1. (A) in case such Shareholder is a corporate entity, any Affiliate of such Shareholder, (B) in case such Shareholder is a partnership, its partners (whether limited or general partner), and/or affiliated partnerships managed by the same manager or management company or managing partner or general partner or managed by an entity which is an Affiliate of such manager, management company or managing general partner; and (C) in case such Shareholder is a venture capital fund, (i) any funds, partnerships, investment vehicles and other entities engaged in venture capital investments affiliated with such Shareholder, (ii) any of the limited partners and general partners of the entities referred to in subsection (i) and any limited partners, general partners, members and stockholders of any Permitted Transferee of such Shareholder, and (iii) any entity or group of entities that purchases shareholdings of such person in the Company in the framework of a transaction for the purchase of all or a substantial part of such Shareholder’s active portfolio company holdings;
     
  27.2. with respect to each Shareholder who is an individual: (a) a transferee which is a corporation wholly-owned by such Shareholder or by such Shareholder’s Permitted Transferee(s) (“Controlled Entity”); (b) such individual’s spouse (or widow or widower), parents or lineal descendants, and any trust solely for the benefit of such Shareholder or of such Shareholder’s Permitted Transferee(s) (together, “Related Parties”); and (c) any transferee by will or operation of law;
     
  in all cases, provided that such Permitted Transferee has agreed in writing (in a signed document delivered to the Company prior to any Transfer) to assume all obligations of the transferor under all agreements involving the Company with respect to the transferred Shares, including this Agreement, and provided that: (i) if the Transfer is to a Related Party or an Affiliate, such person remains a Related Party or an Affiliate, as applicable, of such Shareholder, and (ii) if the Transfer is to a Controlled Entity, such corporation remains wholly-owned and controlled by such Shareholder. In the event the Permitted Transferee which is a Controlled Entity ceases to be wholly owned and controlled by the transferring Shareholder and/or his Permitted Transferees, or the Permitted Transferee ceases to be a Related Party, the then Controlling Entity or Related Party, as applicable, shall be obligated to transfer its shares to the relevant Shareholder, and such Shareholder shall resume the obligations set forth in, arising under, or created by Agreement prior to such event

 

28. Suspension of Registration.
   
  The Board of Directors may suspend the registration of transfers during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual General Meeting.
   
29. Bring Along

 

  29.1. Prior to an IPO, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Article ‎43, to the extent applicable, in the event the Board and the Shareholders holding at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the voting rights in the Company (the “Proposing Shareholders”; the required percentage shall be referred to as the “Required Majority”), have approved and accepted in writing a transaction or series of related transactions with any person or persons regarding a sale of all of the Company’s shares or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (the “Transaction”), then:

 

  29.1.1. At every meeting of the shareholders of the Company called with respect to any of the following, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the shareholders of the Company with respect to any of the following, the other Shareholders (such other Shareholders, collectively, the “Remaining Holder”) shall vote all shares of the Company that such Remaining Holder then hold or for which such Remaining Holder otherwise then have voting power: (A) in favor of approval of the Transaction and any matter that could reasonably be expected to facilitate the Transaction, and (B) against any proposal for any recapitalization, merger, sale of assets or other business combination (other than the Transaction) between the Company and any person other than the party or parties to the Transaction or any other action or agreement that would result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company under the definitive agreement(s) related to the Transaction or which could result in any of the conditions to the Company’s obligations under such agreement(s) not being fulfilled;

 

 
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  29.1.2. If the Transaction is structured as a sale of shares, the Remaining Holder shall agree to sell all of its shares and rights to acquire shares of the Company on the terms and conditions approved by the Proposing Shareholders;
     
  29.1.3. The Remaining Holder shall take all necessary actions in connection with the consummation of the Transaction as requested by the Company or the Proposing Shareholders and shall, if requested by the Proposing Shareholders, execute and deliver any agreements prepared in connection with such Transaction which agreements are executed by the Proposing Shareholders and shall waive any dissenting minority or similar rights in connection with such Proposed Transaction;
     
  29.1.4. In the event that a Shareholder is obligated to sell its shares in accordance with this Article, and such Shareholder fails to comply with the obligations hereunder (including, to surrender its certificate(s) representing such shares or other securities in connection with the consummation of said Transaction), the Company is granted a power of attorney to execute any document on behalf of such Shareholder, such certificate(s) shall be deemed cancelled and such shares in the possession of such Shareholder shall cease to be outstanding for any purpose other than evidencing such Shareholder’s right to receive consideration for its shares in accordance with the terms of the contemplated Transaction. Further, the Company shall be authorized to issue a new certificate representing said shares in the name of the buyer and the Board shall be authorized to establish an escrow account, for the benefit of such Shareholder, as applicable, into which the consideration for such shares or securities represented by such cancelled certificate shall be deposited and to appoint a trustee to administer such account, until such time as (i) such Shareholder shall execute all documents and surrender its certificate, (or otherwise present evidence to the Company’s satisfaction that such certificate, was lost, stolen or destroyed) or shall otherwise comply with the conditions for release then set by the Board or (ii) the Company exercises its power of attorney as described above;
     
  29.1.5. Anything in these Articles to the contrary notwithstanding, in accordance with Section 50(a) of the Companies Law, the General Meeting shall, if requested by the Proposing Shareholders, assume the power and authority of the Board to discuss and approve, for all intents and purposes, the Transaction on behalf of the Company, such power and authority being effective for the time required under the circumstances of the case; and

 

 
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  29.1.6. Each Shareholder recognizes and accepts that the powers granted to the Company and/or the Board as set forth in this Article ‎28.1 are granted in order to ensure and protect the rights of the other Shareholders and that therefore, such powers, upon the use thereof shall be irrevocable with respect to such matter or action with respect to which the Board has exercised such powers.

 

  29.2. In accordance with the provisions of Section 341 of the Companies Law, the aforesaid Required Majority shareholding requirement is hereby determined also for the purposes of Section 341 of the Companies Law. The provisions of this Article ‎28‎ are in addition to the provisions of Section 341 of the Companies Law No Shareholder shall be entitled to demand that the Company, the other Shareholders of the Company or any other party to the Transaction (e.g. the buyer) act upon the provisions of Section 341 and to object to the execution and delivery of any transaction documentation pertaining to the Transaction, in accordance with this Article ‎28.
     
  29.3. Exceptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Remaining Holder will not be required to comply with Article ‎‎28.1 above in connection with any proposed Transaction unless:

 

  29.3.1. Any representations and warranties to be made by such Shareholder in connection with the proposed Transaction are limited to representations and warranties related to authority, ownership and the ability to convey title to the shares held by such Shareholder, including but not limited to representations and warranties that (i) the Shareholder holds all right, title and interest in and to the shares such Shareholder purports to hold, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances; (ii) the obligations of the Shareholder in connection with the Transaction have been duly authorized, if applicable; (iii) the documents to be entered into by the Shareholder have been duly executed by the Shareholder and delivered to the acquirer and are enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with their respective terms; and (iv) neither the execution and delivery by the Shareholder of documents to be entered into in connection with the transaction, nor the performance of the Shareholder obligations thereunder, will cause a breach or violation of the terms of any agreement, law or judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency, as shall be agreed by the Company in the definitive agreement relating to the Transaction;
     
  29.3.2. The Remaining Holder shall not be liable for the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by any other person in connection with the proposed Transaction, including the Company;
     
  29.3.3. Liability of the Remaining Holder with respect to the Shareholder’s representations, as set forth in the above sub-section (a), shall in no event exceed the amount of consideration actually received by such Shareholder in connection with such proposed Transaction, except with respect to claims related to fraud or intentional misrepresentation by such Shareholder, the liability for which need not be limited as to such Shareholder;

 

 
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  29.3.4. Upon the consummation of the proposed Transaction, (i) each Shareholder will receive the same form of consideration for its shares as is received by other Shareholders in respect of their shares; and (ii) each Shareholder will receive the same amount of consideration per share as is received by other Shareholders in respect of their Shares; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the consideration to be paid in exchange for any Shares, as applicable, pursuant to this Article ‎28 includes any securities and due receipt thereof by any party would require under applicable law (x) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities or (y) the provision to any party of any information other than such information as a prudent issuer would generally furnish in an offering made solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, the Company may cause to be paid to any such Shareholder in lieu thereof, against surrender of such shares that would have otherwise been sold by such Shareholder, an amount in cash equal to the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Board) of the securities which such Shareholder would otherwise receive as of the date of the issuance of such securities in exchange for such Shares; and
     
  29.3.5. subject to Article ‎28.3.4 above, the same form of consideration shall be available to the Remaining Holder and, if any Shareholder is given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received as a result of the proposed Transaction, then all Shareholders will be given the same option; provided, however, that nothing in this Article ‎28.3.5 shall entitle any Shareholder to receive any form of consideration that such Shareholder would be ineligible to receive as a result of such Shareholder’s failure to satisfy any condition, requirement, or limitation that is generally applicable to the Company’s shareholders; and
     
  29.3.6. no Shareholder (other than Shareholders that are employees or consultants of the Company) shall be required to enter into any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement or other agreement that directly or indirectly limits or restricts such Shareholder’s or its Affiliate’s business or activities; and no Shareholder shall be required to enter into any release of claims other than those arising solely in such Shareholder or its Affiliate’s capacity as a shareholder of the Company.

 

Transmission of Shares

 

30. Decedent’s Shares.

 

  30.1. In case of a share registered in the names of two or more holders, the Company shall recognize the survivor(s) as the sole owner(s) thereof unless and until the provisions of Article ‎29.2 have been effectively invoked.
     
  30.2. Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of any person, upon producing evidence of the grant of probate or letters of administration or declaration of succession shall be registered as a shareholder in respect of such share, or may, subject to the regulations as to transfer herein contained, transfer such share.

 

 
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31. Receivers and Liquidators.

 

  31.1. The Company may recognize the receiver or liquidator of any corporate shareholder in winding-up or dissolution, or the receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of any shareholder, as being entitled to the shares registered in the name of such shareholder.
     
  31.2. The receiver or liquidator of a corporate shareholder in winding-up or dissolution, or the receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of any shareholder, upon producing such evidence as the Board of Directors may deem sufficient that he sustains the character in respect of which he proposes to act under this Article or of his title, shall with the consent of the Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may grant or refuse in its absolute discretion), be registered as a shareholder in respect of such shares, or may, subject to the regulations as to transfer herein contained, transfer such shares.

 

General Meetings

 

32. Annual General Meeting.
   
  An Annual General Meeting shall be held once in every calendar year at such time (within a period of not more than fifteen (15) months after the last preceding Annual General Meeting) and at such place either within or without the State of Israel as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
   
33. Extraordinary General Meetings.
   
  All General Meetings other than the Annual General Meetings shall be called “Extraordinary General Meetings” (Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings shall be collectively referred to herein as “General Meetings”). The Board of Directors may, whenever it thinks fit, convene an Extraordinary General Meeting at such time and place, within or without the State of Israel, as may be determined by the Board of Directors, and shall be obliged to do so upon a requisition in writing in accordance with Section 63 of the Companies Law.
   
34. Notice of General Meetings; Omission to Give Notice; Record Date.

 

  34.1. Not less than seven (7) days’ prior notice shall be given of every General Meeting. Each such notice shall specify the place and the day and hour of the meeting and the general nature of each item to be acted upon thereat. Notice shall be given to all Shareholders who would be entitled to attend and vote at such meeting, if it were held on the date when such notice is issued. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, with the consent of all Shareholders entitled to vote thereon, a resolution may be proposed and passed at such meeting although a lesser notice than hereinabove prescribed has been given.
     
  34.2. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to any shareholder or the non-receipt of notice sent to such shareholder, shall not invalidate the proceedings at such meeting.
     
  34.3. Unless otherwise specified in these Articles, the Board of Directors shall specify a record date for determining the identity of the Shareholders entitled to receive notices of Shareholders meetings, vote in such meetings and for any other matter with regard to the rights of the Shareholders, including without limitation, the rights with regard to distribution of dividends.

 

 
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Proceedings at General Meetings

 

35. Quorum.

 

  35.1. Shareholder(s) (not in default in payment of any sum referred to in Article ‎40.1 hereof), present in person, by audio or video conference so long as each Shareholder participating in such call can hear, and be heard by, each other Shareholders participating in such General Meeting, or by proxy and holding shares conferring in the aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Company, shall constitute a quorum at General Meetings. No business shall be transacted at a General Meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, unless the requisite quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business.
     
  35.2. Shareholders entitled to be present and vote at a General Meeting may participate in a General Meeting by means of audio or video conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute attendance in person at the meeting.
     
  35.3. If within an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon requisition under Sections 63 or 64 of the Companies Law, shall be dissolved, but in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, or to such day and at such time and place as the Chairman may determine with the consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting on the question of adjournment. No business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business, which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. At such adjourned meeting, any two (2) Shareholders (not in default as aforesaid) present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum.

 

36. Chairman.
   
  The Shareholders present shall choose someone of their number to be chairman of the General Meeting. The office of chairman shall not, by itself, entitle the holder thereof to vote at any General Meeting nor shall it entitle such holder to a second or casting vote (without derogating, however, from the rights of such Chairman to vote as a shareholder or proxy of a shareholder if, in fact, he is also a shareholder or such proxy).
   
37. Adoption of resolutions at General Meetings.

 

  37.1. Subject to Articles 8 and 43, to the extent applicable, a Shareholders resolution shall be deemed adopted if approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at the Shareholders meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon (excluding abstentions).
     
  37.2. Every question submitted to a General Meeting shall be decided by a show of hands, but if a written ballot is demanded by any shareholder present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting, the same shall be decided by such ballot. A written ballot may be demanded before the proposed resolution is voted upon or immediately after the declaration by the chairman of the results of the vote by a show of hands. If a vote by written ballot is taken after such declaration, the results of the vote by a show of hands shall be of no effect, and the proposed resolution shall be decided by such written ballot. The demand for a written ballot may be withdrawn at any time before the same is conducted, in which event another shareholder may then demand such written ballot. The demand for a written ballot shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of business other than the question on which the written ballot has been demanded.

 

 
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  37.3. A declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has been carried unanimously, or carried by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Company, shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of or against such resolution.

 

38. resolutions in Writing.
   
  A resolution in writing signed by all of the Shareholders then entitled to attend and vote at General Meetings or to which all such Shareholders have given their written consent (by letter, email, facsimile, telecopier, telegram, telex or otherwise) or their oral consent by telephone or otherwise (provided that a written summary thereof has been approved and signed by the Chairman), shall be deemed to have been unanimously adopted by a General Meeting duly convened and held.
   
39. Power to Adjourn.

 

  39.1. The chairman of a General Meeting at which a quorum is present may, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented in person or by proxy and voting on the question of adjournment (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
     
  39.2. It shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment, unless the meeting is adjourned for a date which is more than twenty-one (21) days, in which event notice thereof shall be given in the manner required for the meeting as originally called.

 

40. Voting Power.

 

  40.1. Subject to any provision hereof conferring special rights as to voting, or restricting the right to vote, every Shareholder shall have one vote for each share held by him of record, on every resolution, without regard to whether the vote thereon is conducted by a show of hands, by written ballot or by any other means.
     
  40.2. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the shares to be issued and sold to the Investor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to represent at the Closing Date and at all times thereafter, 33.33% of the voting rights in the Company (subject to any future dilution), other than in a case where the Investor does not fund one of the Milestones Amounts in breach of the Purchase Agreement, in which case the voting rights in the Company shall be reduced in a proportion which reflects such unfunded amount.

 

41. Voting Rights.

 

  41.1. No shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any General Meeting (or be counted as a part of the quorum thereat), unless all calls and other sums then payable by him in respect of his shares in the Company have been paid.
     
  41.2. A company or other corporate body being a shareholder of the Company may authorize any person to be its representative at any meeting of the Company. Any person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise on behalf of such shareholder all the power, which the latter could have exercised if it were an individual shareholder. Upon the request of the chairman of the meeting, written evidence of such authorization (in form acceptable to the chairman) shall be delivered to him.
     
  41.3. Any shareholder entitled to vote may vote either personally or by proxy (who need not be a shareholder of the Company), or, if the shareholder is a company or other corporate body, by a representative authorized pursuant to Article ‎40.2.

 

 
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  41.4. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the vote(s) of the other joint holder(s); and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the orders in which the names stand in the Register of Shareholders.

 

Proxies

 

42. Instrument of Appointment.

 

  42.1. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be substantially in the following form or in any usual or common form or in such other form as may be approved by the Board of Directors. It shall be duly signed by the appointer or his duly authorized attorney or, if such appointer is a company or other corporate body, under its common seal or stamp by its duly authorized agent(s) or attorney(s):

 

“I, _________________________________ of __________________________________

                        (Name of Shareholder)                               (Address of Shareholder)

being a shareholder of ________________________________ (the “Company”), hereby

appoint(s) ____________________________ of __________________________________

                                     (Name of Proxy)                                     (Address of Proxy)

 

As my proxy, to vote for me and on my behalf at the General Meeting of the Company to be held on the ___ day of ______, 20__, and at any adjournment(s) thereof.

 

Signed this ___ day of ________, 20___.

 

______________________________________________________

(Signature of Appointer)”

 

  42.2. The instrument appointing a proxy (and the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which such instrument has been signed) shall either be delivered to the Company (at its Office, or at its principal place of business or at such place as the Board of Directors may specify) not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time fixed for the meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or presented to the Chairman at such meeting.

 

43. Effect of Death of Appointer or Revocation of Appointment.
   
  A vote cast pursuant to an instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or winding-up of the appointing shareholder (or of his attorney-in-fact, if any, who signed such instrument), or the revocation of the appointment or the transfer of the share in respect of which the vote is cast, provided no written intimation of such death or winding-up, revocation or transfer shall have been received by the Company or by the chairman of the meeting before such vote is cast and provided, further, that the appointing shareholder, if present in person at said meeting, may revoke the appointment by means of a writing, oral notification to the Chairman, or otherwise.

 

 
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Major Decisions

 

44. Major Decisions

 

  44.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Articles, the Company shall not do any of the following without (in addition to any other vote required by law or these Articles) the written consent or affirmative vote of the shares held by each of the Shareholders (or, if such resolution is adopted at the Board, the consent of the Director appointed by each of the Shareholders) and any such act or transaction entered into without such consent or vote shall be null and void ab initio, and of no force or effect:

 

  44.1.1. any Liquidation of the Company;
     
  44.1.2. any Deemed Liquidation Event, other than a transaction in which the value of the proceeds actually distributed to the Investor is equal or higher than 500% of the Price Per Share, as may be adjusted for corporate recapitalization or similar events;
     
  44.1.3. any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company issues options, convertible debt or shares in consideration for a price per share of less than 150% of the Price Per Share, as may be adjusted for corporate recapitalization or similar events, other than the issuance of Exempted Securities;
     
  44.1.4. any material change in the principal business of the Company, entry of new lines of business, or exit from the current line of business;
     
  44.1.5. adoption of the Company’s annual budget, and any material changes to the Company’s overall budget;
     
  44.1.6. any transaction between the Company and any of the Shareholders or related persons thereof, except for financing transactions which have been offered to the shareholders in accordance with the provisions of Articles 20 or 21;
     
  44.1.7. any decision to purchase, redeem or pay any dividend on any share capital or other distribution of cash, or other assets;
     
  44.1.8. any redemption or repurchase of any securities of the Company (other than pursuant to employee benefits plans);
     
  44.1.9. any amendment to the Company’s corporate governance documents, other than in connection with a transaction or series of transactions in which the Company issues options, convertible debt or shares , which transactions shall be governed by Article ‎44.1.3;
     
  44.1.10. any decision to incur any debt on the Company’s behalf or employ its credit (other than in the ordinary course of business) of more than $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate.

 

 
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Board Of Directors

 

45. Powers of Board of Directors.

 

  45.1. In General. In addition to all powers and authorities of the Board of Directors as specified in the Companies Law, the determination of the Company’s policy, and the supervision of the General Manager and of the Company’s Officers shall be vested in the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as the Company is authorized to exercise and do, and are not hereby or by law required to be exercised or done by the Company in General Meeting or by the General Manager or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “General Manager”) under his express or residual authority. The authority conferred on the Board of Directors by this Article ‎44.1 shall be subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, these Articles (including Article 43, to the extent applicable) and any regulation or resolution consistent with these Articles adopted from time to time by the Company in General Meeting, provided, however, that no such regulation or resolution shall invalidate any prior act done by or pursuant to a decision of the Board of Directors which would have been valid if such regulation or resolution had not been adopted.
     
  45.2. Borrowing Power. Subject to Article 43, to the extent applicable, the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its discretion, cause the Company to borrow or secure the payment of any sum or sums of money for the purposes of the Company, and may secure or provide for the repayment of such sum or sums in such manner, at such times and upon such terms and conditions in all respects as it thinks fit, and, in particular, by the issuance of bonds, perpetual or redeemable debentures, debenture stock, or any mortgages, charges, or other securities on the undertaking or the whole or any part of the property of the Company, both present and future, including its uncalled or called but unpaid capital for the time being.
     
  45.3. Reserves. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, set aside any amount(s) out of the profits of the Company as a reserve or reserves for any purpose(s) which the Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion, shall think fit, and may invest any sum so set aside in any manner and from time to time deal with and vary such investments, and dispose of all or any part thereof, and employ any such reserve or any part thereof in the business of the Company without being bound to keep the same separate from other assets of the Company, and may subdivide or re-designate any reserve or cancel the same or apply the funds therein for another purpose, all as the Board of Directors may from time to time think fit.

 

46. Exercise of Powers of Directors; Written resolution.

 

  46.1. A meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the authorities, powers and discretion vested in or exercisable by the Board of Directors.
     
  46.2. A resolution proposed at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be deemed adopted if approved by a majority of the Directors present when such resolution is put to a vote and voting thereon (without counting abstentions). The office of Chairman of the Board of Director shall not, by itself, entitle the holder thereof to a second or a casting vote.
     
  46.3. The Board of Directors may adopt resolutions, without convening a meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that all directors then in office and lawfully entitled to participate in the discussion on the proposed matter and to vote thereon (as conclusively determined by the Chairman) have given their written consent not to convene a meeting on such matters. Minutes of such resolutions, including the resolution not to convene a meeting, shall be signed by the Chairman. In the event no Chairman has been appointed or the Chairman is not present, the Directors present at the meeting shall choose someone of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

 

 
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47. Delegation of Powers; Committees.

 

  47.1. The Board of Directors may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, delegate any or all of its powers to committees, each consisting of two or more members, and it may from time to time revoke such delegation or alter the composition of any such committee. Any committee so formed (in these Articles referred to as a “Committee of the Board of Directors”), shall, in the exercise of the powers so delegated, conform to any regulations imposed on it by the Board of Directors. The meeting and proceeding of any such Committee of the Board of Directors shall be governed, mutatis mutandis, by the provisions herein contained for regulating the meetings of the Board of Directors, so far as not superseded by any regulations adopted by the Board of Directors under this Article. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board of Directors in delegating powers to a Committee of the Board of Directors, such Committee shall not be empowered to further delegate powers.
     
  47.2. The Board of Directors may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, from time to time appoint a Secretary to the Company, as well as officers, agents, employees and independent contractors, as the Board of Directors may think fit, and may terminate the service of any such person. The Board of Directors may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, determine the powers and duties, as well as the salaries and emoluments, of all such persons, and may require security in such cases and in such amounts as it thinks fit.
     
  47.3. The Board of Directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or otherwise, appoint any person, company, firm or body of persons to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company at law or in fact for such purpose(s) and with such powers, authorities and discretion, and for such period and subject to such conditions, as it thinks fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Board of Directors may think fit, and may also authorize any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.

 

48. Number of Directors.
   
  The Board of Directors of the Company shall consist of three (3) directors and may be increased by unanimous resolution of the Shareholders to five (5) directors.
   
49. Appointment and Removal of Directors.

 

  49.1. The members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed as follows:

 

  49.1.1. one (1) director shall be appointed by Prof. Nissim Benvenisty;
     
  49.1.2. one (1) director shall be appointed by Yissum;
     
  49.1.3. one (1) director shall be appointed by the Investor;
     
  49.1.4. the Shareholders may elect to increase the number of the Board members to five (5), in such event (i) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company will be appointed as additional member, and (ii) an independent industry expert will be appointed as additional member by unanimous consent of the Shareholders.

 

  49.2. The aforesaid shall apply, mutatis mutandis, with respect to any subsidiary of the Company.
     
  49.3. Any Director(s) may only be appointed and/or removed from office (by written notice) by the shareholder(s) that designated such Director, and any vacancy, however created, in the Board may only be filled (by written notice) by the shareholder that designated the previous incumbent of such vacancy. Any such act shall become effective on the date fixed in such notice, or upon the delivery thereof to the Company, whichever is later.

 

 
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  Qualification of Directors.

 

  49.4. No person shall be disqualified as a Director by reason of his not holding shares in the Company or by reason of his having served as a Director in the Company in the past.

 

50. Continuing Directors in the Event of Vacancies.
   
  In the event of one or more vacancies in the Board of Directors, the continuing Directors may continue to act in every matter, and, pending the filling of any vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Article ‎48, may temporarily fill any such vacancy (such temporarily appointed Director being automatically deemed to be removed from the Board upon the appointment of a Director to fill the previous vacancy), provided, however, that if their number is less than a majority of the number provided for pursuant to Article ‎47 hereof, they may only act in an emergency, and may call a General Meeting of the Company for the purpose of electing Directors to fill any or all vacancies, so that at least a majority of the number of Directors provided for pursuant to Article ‎47 hereof are in office as a result of said meeting.
   
51. Vacation of Office.

 

  51.1. The office of a Director shall be vacated, ipso facto, upon his death, if he is found to be legally incompetent, if he become bankrupt, if the Director is a company, upon its winding-up, if he is prevented by applicable law or by a court order from serving as a Director, or if his directorship expires pursuant to these Articles and/or applicable law.
     
  51.2. The office of the Director shall be vacated by his written resignation. Such resignation shall become effective on the date fixed therein, or upon the delivery thereof to the Company, whichever is later.

 

52. Remuneration of Directors.
   
  A Director may be paid remuneration by the Company for his services as Director, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law.
   
53. Conflict of Interests.
   
  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and these Articles, the Company may enter into any contract or otherwise transact any business with any Director in which contract or business such Director has a personal interest, directly or indirectly; and may enter into any contract of otherwise transact any business with any third party in which contract or business a Director has a personal interest, directly or indirectly.
   
54. Alternate Directors.

 

  54.1. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, a Director may, by written notice to the Company, appoint an alternate for himself (in these Articles referred to as “Alternate Director”), remove such Alternate Director and appoint another Alternate Director in place of any Alternate Director appointed by him whose office has been vacated for any reason whatsoever. Unless the appointing Director, by the instrument appointing an Alternate Director or by written notice to the Company, limits such appointment to a specified period of time or restricts it to a specified meeting or action of the Board of Directors, or otherwise restricts its scope, the appointment shall be for an indefinite period, and for all purposes.

 

 
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  54.2. Any notice given to the Company pursuant to Article ‎53.1 shall become effective on the date fixed therein, or upon the delivery thereof to the Company, whichever is later.
     
  54.3. An Alternate Director shall have all the rights and obligations of the Director who appointed him, provided, however, that he may not in turn appoint an alternate for himself (unless the instrument appointing him otherwise expressly provides), and provided further that an Alternate Director shall have no standing at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof while the Director who appointed him is present.
     
  54.4. Any natural person may act as an Alternate Director.
     
  54.5. An Alternate Director shall be responsible for his own acts and defaults, as provided in the Companies Law.
     
  54.6. The office of an Alternate Director shall be vacated under the circumstances, mutatis mutandis, set forth in Article ‎50 and such office shall ipso facto be vacated if the Director who appointed such Alternate Director ceases to be a Director.

 

Proceedings of the Board of Directors

 

55. Meetings.

 

  55.1. The Board of Directors may meet and adjourn its meetings at such places either within or without the State of Israel and otherwise regulate such meetings and proceedings as the Directors think fit. Subject to all of the other provisions of these Articles concerning meetings of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may meet by audio or video conference so long as each Director participating in such call can hear, and be heard by, each other Director participating in such call.
     
  55.2. (i) Upon request of any Director, (ii) upon request of the General Manager requesting an action of the Board, or (iii) upon request from the auditors of the Company regarding material flaws in the oversight of the Company’s internal accounting methods, the Secretary or the Chairman (as applicable), and in the absence of a Secretary and a Chairman, any Director receiving such request shall, convene a meeting of the Board of Directors, but not less than three (3) business days’ written notice shall be given of any meeting, unless such notice is waived in writing by all of the Directors as to a particular meeting or unless the matters to be discussed at such meeting is of such urgency and importance that notice ought reasonably to be waived under the circumstances.

 

56. Quorum.

 

  56.1. Until otherwise unanimously decided by the Board of Directors, a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be constituted by the presence (in person, via audio or video conference, or by proxy) of the majority of Directors then in office who are lawfully entitled to participate in the meeting (as conclusively determined by the Chairman of the Audit Committee (if any), and in the absence of such determination - by the Chairman of the Board of Directors).
     
  56.2. If within an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, or to such day and at such time and place as the Chairman may determine with the consent of the majority of the Directors present, provided that not less than two (2) days’ written notice shall have been provided to each of the Directors. No business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. At such adjourned meeting, any two (2) members present in person or represented by an Alternate Director shall constitute a quorum.

 

 
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57. Chairman of the Board of Directors.
   
  The Board of Directors may from time to time elect one of its members to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors, remove such Chairman from office and appoint another in its place. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at every meeting of the Board of Directors, but if there is no such Chairman, or if at any meeting he is not present within fifteen (15) minutes of the time fixed for the meeting, or if he is unwilling to take the chair, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to be the chairman of such meeting. The office of the Chairman shall not, by itself, entitle the holder thereof to a second or casting vote.
   
58. Validity of Acts Despite Defects.
   
  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, all acts done bona fide at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of a Committee of the Board of Directors, or by any person(s) acting as Director(s), shall, notwithstanding that it may afterwards be discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of the participants in such meetings or any of them or any person(s) acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if there were no such defect or disqualification.

 

General Manager

 

59. General Manager.

 

  59.1. The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint one or more persons, whether or not Directors, as General Manager(s) of the Company and may confer upon such person(s), and from time to time modify or revoke, such title(s) (including Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, General Manager(s), Director General or any similar or dissimilar title) and such duties and authorities of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may deem fit, subject to such limitations and restrictions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe and subject to the provisions of the Companies Law. Such appointment(s) may be either for a fixed term or without any limitation of time, and the Board of Directors may from time to time (subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, and of any contract between any such person and the Company) fix his or their salaries and emoluments, remove or dismiss him or them from office and appoint another or others in his or their place or places.
     
  59.2. Subject to the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors, the management and the operation of the Company’s affairs and business in accordance with the policy determined by the Company’s Board of Directors shall be vested in the General Manager, in addition to all powers and authorities of the General Manager, as specified in the Companies Law. Without derogating from the above, all powers of management and executive authorities which were not vested by the Companies Law or by these Articles in another organ of the Company shall be vested in the General Manager, subject to the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Minutes

 

60. Minutes.

 

  60.1. Minutes of each General Meeting, of each meeting of the Board of Directors and of each meeting of a Committee of the Board of Directors shall be recorded and duly entered in books provided for that purpose. Such minutes shall set forth the names of the persons present at the meeting and all resolutions adopted thereat.

 

 
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  60.2. Any minutes as aforesaid, if purporting to be signed by the chairman of the meeting or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, shall constitute prima facie evidence of the matters recorded therein.

 

Dividends

 

61. Declaration of Dividends.
   
  Subject to Article 43, the Board of Directors may from time to time declare and cause the Company to pay dividend, subject to the Companies Law. The Board of Directors shall determine the time for payment of such dividends, and the record date for determining the Shareholders entitled thereto.
   
62. Funds Available for Payment of Dividends.
   
  No dividend shall be paid other than out of the profits of the Company.
   
63. Amount Payable by way of Dividends.
   
  Subject to the rights of the holders of shares with special rights as to dividends, any dividend paid by the Company shall be allocated among the Shareholders entitled thereto in proportion to the respective holdings of the shares in respect of which such dividend is being paid.
   
64. Interest.
   
  No dividend shall carry interest as against the Company.
   
65. Payment in Specie.
   
  Upon the declaration of a dividend in accordance with Article ‎61, a dividend may be paid, wholly or partly, by the distribution of specific assets of the Company or by distribution of paid up shares, debentures or debenture stock of the Company or of any other companies, or in any one or more of such ways.
   
66. Capitalization of Profits, Reserves, etc.
   
  Upon approval by the Board of Directors, the Company:

 

  66.1. may cause any moneys, investments, or other assets forming part of the undivided profits of the Company, standing to the credit of a reserve fund, or to the credit of a reserve fund for the redemption of capital, or in the hands of the Company and available for dividends, or representing premiums received on the issuance of shares and standing to the credit of the share premium account, to be capitalized and distributed among such of the Shareholders as would be entitled to receive the same if distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportion, on the footing that they become entitled thereto as capital, or may cause any part of such capitalized fund to be applied on behalf of such Shareholders in paying up in full, either at par or at such premium as the resolution may provide, any unissued shares or debentures or debenture stock of the Company which shall be distributed accordingly, in payment, in full or in part, of the uncalled liability on any issued share or debentures or debenture stock; and
     
  66.2. may cause such distribution or payment to be accepted by such Shareholders in full satisfaction of their interest in the said capitalized sum.

 

 
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67. Implementation of Powers under Articles ‎65 and ‎66.
   
  For the purpose of giving full effect to any resolution under Articles 64 and 65, the Board of Directors may settle any difficulty which may arise in regard to the distribution as it thinks expedient, and, in particular, may issue fractional certificates, and may fix the value for distribution of any specific assets, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Shareholders upon the footing of the value so fixed, or that fractions of less value than the nominal value of one share may be disregarded in order to adjust the rights of all parties, and may vest any such cash, shares, debentures, debenture stock or specific assets in trustees upon such trusts for the persons entitled to the dividend or capitalized fund as may seem expedient to the Board of Directors.
   
68. Deductions from Dividends.
   
  The Board of Directors may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to any Shareholder in respect of a share any and all sums of money then payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in respect of shares of the Company and/or on account of any other matter of transaction whatsoever.
   
69. Retention of Dividends.

 

  69.1. The Board of Directors may retain any dividend or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of a share on which the Company has a lien, and may apply the same in or toward satisfaction of the debts, liabilities, or engagements in respect of which the lien exists.
     
  69.2. The Board of Directors may retain any dividend or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of a share in respect of which any person is, under Articles ‎29 or ‎30, entitled to become a shareholder, or which any person is, under said Articles, entitled to transfer, until such person shall become a shareholder in respect of such share or shall transfer the same.

 

70. Unclaimed Dividends.
   
  All unclaimed dividends or other moneys payable in respect of a share may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board of Directors for the benefit of the Company until claimed. The payment by the Directors of any unclaimed dividend or such other moneys into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof, and any dividend unclaimed after a period of seven (7) years from the date of declaration of such dividend, and any such other moneys unclaimed after a like period from the date the same were payable, shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company, provided, however, that the Board of Directors may, at its discretion, cause the Company to pay any such dividend or such other moneys, or any part thereof, to a person who would have been entitled thereto had the same not reverted to the Company.
   
71. Mechanics of Payment.
   
  Any dividend or other moneys payable in cash in respect of a share may be paid by check or warrant sent through the post to, or by transfer to a bank account specified by such person (or, if two or more persons are registered as joint holders of such share or are entitled jointly thereto in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder or otherwise, to any one of such persons or to his bank account), or to such person and at such address as the person entitled thereto may be writing direct. Every such check or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, or to such person as the person entitled thereto as aforesaid may direct, and payment of the check or warrant by the banker upon whom it is drawn shall be a good discharge to the Company. Every such check or warrant shall be sent at the risk of the person entitled to the money represented thereby.

 

 
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72. Receipt from a Joint Holder.
   
  If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, or are entitled jointly thereto in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder or otherwise, any one of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of such share.

 

Accounts

 

73. Books of Account.
   
  The Board of Directors shall cause accurate books of account to be kept in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law, and of any other applicable law. Such books of account shall be kept at the Registered Office of the Company, or at such other place or places as the Board of Directors may think fit, and they shall always be open to inspection by all Directors. No shareholder, not being a Director, shall have any right to inspect any account or book or other similar document of the Company, except as conferred by law or by any agreement with the Company or authorized by the Board of Directors. The Company shall make copies of its annual financial statements available for inspection by the Shareholders at the principal offices of the Company. The Company shall not be required to send copies of its annual financial statements to Shareholders, except as conferred by any agreement with the Company.
   
74. Fiscal Year and Audit.

 

  74.1. The Company’s fiscal year shall commence on January 1st and end on the following December 31st.
     
  74.2. At least once in every fiscal year the accounts of the Company shall be audited and the correctness of the profit and loss account and balance sheet certified by one or more duly qualified auditors.

 

75. Auditors.
   
  The appointment, authorities, rights and duties of the Auditor(s) of the Company, shall be regulated by applicable law, provided, however, that in exercising its authority to fix the remuneration of the auditor(s), the Shareholders in General Meeting may act (and in the absence of any action in connection therewith shall be deemed to have so acted) to authorize the Board of Directors to fix such remuneration subject to such criteria or standards, if any, as may be provided in such resolution, and if no such criteria or standards are so provided, such remuneration shall be fixed in an amount commensurate with the volume and nature of the services rendered by such auditor(s).

 

Branch Registers

 

76. Branch Registers.
   
  Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law and to all orders and regulations issued thereunder, the Company may cause branch registers to be kept in any place outside Israel as the Board of Directors may think fit, and, subject to all applicable requirements of law, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt such rules and procedures as it may think fit in connection with the keeping of such branch registers.

 

 
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Rights of Signature and Stamp

 

77. Rights of Signature and Stamp.

 

  77.1. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to authorize any person or persons (who need not be Directors) to act and sign on behalf of the Company, and the acts and signature of such person(s) on behalf of the Company, together with the Company’s rubber stamp or the Company’s name in print or handwriting, shall bind the Company insofar as such person(s) acted and signed within the scope of his or their authority.
     
  77.2. The Company shall have at least one official stamp.

 

Notices

 

78. Notices.

 

  78.1. Any notice or other document may be served by the Company on any shareholder, by any of the methods set forth below, to such shareholder at his address or other contact details as described in the Register of Shareholders or such other address or other contact details as he may have designated in writing for the receipt of notices and other documents.
     
  78.2. Any notice or other document may be served by any shareholder upon the Company by tendering the same in person to the Secretary or the General Manager of the Company at the principal office of the Company or by sending it by prepaid registered mail (airmail if posted outside Israel) to the Company at its Office.
     
  78.3. Any such notice or other document, shall be deemed to have been served on seven (7) business days after it has been posted (ten (10) business days if sent to a place not located on the same continent as the place from where it was posted), or when actually received by the addressee if sooner than two days or seven days, as the case may be, after it has been posted; or when actually tendered in person, to such shareholder (or to the Secretary or the General Manager); or one upon transmission if it has been sent by facsimile, email or other electronic means with electronic confirmation of delivery (or, if transmitted on a non-business day, upon the first business day after such transmission) or when actually received by such shareholder (or by the Company), whichever is earlier. If a notice is, in fact, received by the addressee, it shall be deemed to have been duly served, when received, notwithstanding that it was defectively addressed or failed, in some respect, to comply with the provisions of this Article.
     
  78.4. All notices to be given to the Shareholders shall, with respect to any share to which persons are jointly entitled, be given to any one of the joint holders, and any notice so given shall be sufficient notice to the holders of such share.
     
  78.5. Any shareholder whose address or other contact details were not provided to the Company to be specified in the Register of Shareholders, or who shall not have designated an address or other contact details for the receipt of notices, shall not be entitled to receive any notice from the Company.
     
  78.6. The provisions of this Article 77 shall apply in the same manner, subject to required adjustments, to any notice or other document that is sent to a Director.

 

Insurance and Indemnity

 

79. Insurance.
   
  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and to the maximum extent permitted under law (including, the Israeli Securities Law and the RTP Law), and subject further to Article ‎82, the Company may enter into a contract for the insurance of all or part of the liability of any Officer imposed on him in consequence of an act or omission which he has performed by virtue of being an Officer.

 

 
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80. Indemnity.

 

  80.1. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and to the maximum extent permitted under law (including, the Israeli Securities Law and the RTP Law), and subject further to Article ‎82, the Company may indemnify an Officer, retroactively, in respect of any liability or expense for which indemnification may be provided under the Companies Law.

 

81. Release.
   
  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and to the maximum extent permitted under law, and subject further to Article ‎82, the Company may release, in advance, an Officer from all or any part of the liability due to damages caused to the Company arising out of the breach of duty of care towards the Company.

 

82. General.

 

  82.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and subject to applicable law, these Articles are not intended, and shall not be interpreted, to restrict the Company in any manner in respect of the procurement of insurance and/or in respect of indemnification:

 

  82.1.1. in connection with any person who is not an Officer, including, without limitation, any employee, agent, consultant or contractor of the Company who is not an Officer, and/or
     
  82.1.2. in connection with any Officer to the extent that such insurance and/or indemnification is not specifically prohibited under law;

 

  provided that if the Company has an Audit Committee, the procurement of any such insurance and/or the provision of any such indemnification shall be approved by the Audit Committee of the Company.

 

  82.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Articles or any other agreement or instrument, the Company shall not insure, indemnify or release the Officer with respect to events or circumstances for which insurance, indemnification or release are not permitted under law.
     
  82.3. Any amendment to the Companies Law or other applicable law adversely affecting the right of any Officer to be indemnified, insured or released pursuant to Articles ‎79 to ‎82 above shall be prospective in effect, and shall not affect the Company’s obligation or ability to indemnify or insure an Officer for any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, unless otherwise provided by applicable law.

 

***************

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.

 

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Novelstem International Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida (the “Company”) has adopted this Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”) as of November 12, 2018 (the “Effective Date”) to promote the financial interests of the Company by providing a means by which current and prospective directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates can acquire an equity interest in the Company or be paid compensation measured by the value of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

1. Term. The Plan shall continue in effect from the Effective Date through and including the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless the Board terminates the Plan prior to such date in accordance with Section 7. No Awards may be granted under the Plan after the termination or expiration of the Plan. However, any Awards that, by their terms, remain outstanding as of the termination or expiration of the Plan shall remain outstanding and in full force and effect, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall survive its termination or expiration and continue to apply to any such Awards.

 

2. Administration.

 

(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter or bylaws of the Company, the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present, or acts approved in writing by all of the members of the Committee, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to Participants; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property; (vi) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (viii) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; and (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

(c) The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company, or of any Affiliate, the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation or election that is the responsibility of, or that is allocated to, the Committee in the Plan and that may be so delegated as a matter of law.

 

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any stockholder of the Company.

 

 
 

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.

 

3. Shares Subject to the Plan; Grant of Awards; Limitations.

 

(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6, (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be delivered under the Plan shall not exceed 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and (ii) (A) the Committee shall not authorize or make grants of Options or SARs under the Plan in respect of more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock to any single Participant during any calendar year, and (B) the Committee shall not authorize or make grants of Awards during any calendar year to any Eligible Person that is a non-executive director of the Company of more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate for such calendar year.

 

(b) The Committee may grant Awards to any Eligible Person. An Eligible Person may be granted in respect more than one Award under the Plan, and Awards may be granted at any time or times prior to the termination or expiration of the Plan.

 

(c) The number of shares of Common Stock that are available for Awards under the Plan will not include any shares of Common Stock: (i) tendered to the Company by a Participant in payment of any Exercise Price or tax obligations, and (ii) relating to any Awards under the Plan that have been forfeited, cancelled, expired unexercised or settled in cash.

 

(d) Shares of Common Stock delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be issued by the Company from (i) authorized and unissued shares, (ii) shares held in treasury by the Company, (iii) shares purchased by the Company on the open market or by private purchase, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.

 

(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). If the Committee determines that Substitute Awards are to be granted under the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan.

 

4. Awards.

 

(a) Options.

 

(i) Generally. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 4(a), and to such other conditions as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement or the Plan. All Options are nonqualified stock options.

 

(ii) Exercise Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) per share of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the Date of Grant.

 

2
 

 

(iii) Vesting and Expiration. Options granted under the Plan shall (A) vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates, and (B) expire after such period, not to exceed seven (7) years from the Date of Grant (the “Option Period”), as set forth in an Award agreement. Notwithstanding any vesting dates set forth in an Award agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting and/or exercisability of any Option, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such Option other than with respect to vesting and/or exercisability. Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, the unvested portion of an Option shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant to whom the Option was granted. Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, the vested portion of such Option shall be subject to the following terms:

 

(1) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, then, subject to the terms of Section 6, the portion of such Option that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of termination, and (y) the expiration of the Option Period,

 

(2) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated by the Company without Cause or as a result of Participant’s resignation, in each case where no grounds for Cause exists as of the termination date and, as requested, such Participant has delivered to the Company a general release of claims against the Company, in form and substance acceptable to the Committee, and such release has become irrevocable, then, subject to the terms of Section 6, the portion of such Option that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) one hundred and eighty (180) days following the effective date of termination, and (y) the expiration of the Option Period, and

 

(3) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated for any reason other than as set forth above, including by the Company for Cause or by such Participant for any reason (other than death or Disability), then the portion of such Option that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall automatically expire upon the effective date of termination.

 

(iv) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment. Options that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable in cash, or to the extent expressly permitted by the Committee in an applicable Award agreement or pursuant to a Committee action (A) promissory notes (to the extent permitted by applicable law) and/or shares of Common Stock having a value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price (including pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual delivery of such shares to the Company), provided, that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and would not result in any adverse accounting treatment, (B) by a “net exercise” method whereby the Company withholds from the delivery of the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised (or in the case of a public market, uses a broker-assisted cashless exercise of) that number of shares of Common Stock having a value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised, or (C) by such other method as the Committee may permit in accordance with applicable law. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

 

(b) Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(i) Generally. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 4(b), and to such other conditions as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.

 

(ii) Strike Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the strike price (the “Strike Price”) per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the Date of Grant; provided that, in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Option, the Strike Price shall not be less than the Exercise Price of the related Option.

 

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(iii) Vesting and Expiration. A SAR granted in tandem with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR shall (A) vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates, and (B) expire after such period, not to exceed seven (7) years from the Date of Grant (the “SAR Period”), in each case, as set forth in an Award agreement. Notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee in the Award agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting and/or exercisability of any SAR, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such SAR other than with respect to vesting and/or exercisability. Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, the unvested portion of a SAR shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant to whom the SAR was granted. Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, the vested portion of such SAR shall be subject to the following terms:

 

(1) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, then, subject to the terms of Section 6, the portion of such SAR that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of termination, and (y) the expiration of the SAR Period,

 

(2) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated by the Company without Cause or as a result of Participant’s resignation, in each case where no grounds for Cause exists as of the termination date and, as requested, such Participant has delivered to the Company a general release of claims against the Company, in form and substance acceptable to the Committee, and such release has become irrevocable, then, subject to the terms of Section 6, the portion of such SAR that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) one hundred and eighty (180) days following the effective date of termination, and (y) the expiration of the SAR Period, and

 

(3) if such Participant’s employment or service is terminated for any reason other than as set forth above, including by the Company for Cause or by such Participant for any reason (other than death or Disability), then the portion of such SAR that was vested as of the effective date of termination shall automatically expire upon the effective date of termination.

 

(iv) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment. SARs that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of shares subject to the SARs to be exercised. Upon the exercise of any SARs, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SARs that are being exercised multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, the Company may pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock with a value equal to such amount, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

 

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(c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

 

(i) Generally. Each grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 4(c) and to such other conditions as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.

 

(ii) Restricted Stock – Accounts, Escrow or Similar Arrangement. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, a book entry in a restricted account shall be established in the Participant’s name at the Company’s transfer agent and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than held in such restricted account pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (B) an appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) satisfactory to the Committee with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 4(c), and unless otherwise set forth in an applicable Award agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock (to the extent such Restricted Stock conveys the right to vote) and the right to receive dividends, if applicable. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto (and any withheld and accumulated dividends thereon) shall terminate automatically, without further obligation on the part of the Company or Participant, and the Participant shall return to the Company promptly any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares.

 

(iii) Vesting; Acceleration of Lapse of Restrictions. The Restricted Period shall lapse with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units at such times as provided in an Award agreement, and the unvested portion of any Award of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate and be forfeited automatically upon termination of employment or service of the Participant.

 

(iv) Delivery of Restricted Stock; Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.

 

(1) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one or more stock certificates evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock that have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Company and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value as of the date on which the Restricted Period expired equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if any such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends (except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award agreement).

 

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(2) Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Company may, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, (x) pay cash, or part cash and part shares of Common Stock, in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units or (y) defer the delivery of shares of Common Stock (or cash, or part shares of Common Stock and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period, if such delivery would result in a violation of applicable law, until such time as such payment or delivery would no longer result in a violation of applicable law. If, in settling any Restricted Stock Units, a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering any shares of Common Stock, the amount of such cash payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the corresponding shares of Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period expired. The Committee may grant dividend equivalents in respect of Restricted Stock Units awarded on such terms and conditions as the Committee determines.

 

(v) Legends on Restricted Stock. As determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in the form and containing such information as the Committee determines appropriate until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock.

 

(vi) Awards of Deferred Stock Units. The Committee may award Awards of Restricted Stock Units that provide for a settlement date beyond the date of vesting, in a manner intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d) Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee may issue unrestricted shares of Common Stock, or other Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock, under the Plan to Eligible Persons, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion. Each Stock Bonus Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to such conditions as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.

 

5. 280G. If any payment or right accruing to a Participant under this Plan (without the application of this provision) either alone or together with other payments or rights accruing to the Participant from the Company and its Affiliates would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code and regulations thereunder), such payment or right shall be reduced to the largest amount or greatest right that will result in no portion of the amount payable or right accruing under this Plan being subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code or being disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G of the Code; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent expressly provided otherwise in an Award agreement or any other written agreement to which the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are bound that explicitly provides for an alternate treatment of payments or rights that would constitute “excess parachute payments.” The determination of whether any reduction in the rights or payments under this Plan is to apply shall be made by the Committee, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Participant. The Participant shall cooperate with the Committee in making such determination and providing information that the Committee determines is necessary or appropriate for these purposes.

 

6. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events.

 

(a) Effect of Certain Events. In the event of (i) any extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including a Change in Control) that affects the shares of Common Stock, or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events (including a Change in Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments in such manner as it may deem equitable, including any or all of the following:

 

(i) adjusting any or all of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 3 of the Plan) and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including (1) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, or (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award;

 

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(ii) providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; and

 

(iii) canceling any one or more outstanding Awards or portion thereof and causing to be paid to the holders thereof, in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which if applicable may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor); provided, however, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 or any successor rule), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustments under this Section 6(a) shall be made in a manner that does not adversely affect any exemption under Section 409A or the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

(b) Effect of Change in Control. The effect, if any, of a Change in Control on any Awards outstanding at the time immediately prior to such Change in Control will be as specifically set forth in the corresponding Award agreement, or if no such treatment is specified, then such outstanding Awards shall be subject to any agreement of purchase, merger or reorganization that effects such Change in Control, which agreement shall provide for treatment of such Awards.

 

(c) No Effect on Authority of the Board or Stockholders. The existence of this Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Common Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

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7. Amendments and Termination.

 

(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, or any portion thereof, at any time; provided, that (i) no amendment to Section 7(b) (to the extent required by the proviso in such Section 7(b)) shall be made without stockholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such stockholder approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock may be listed or quoted); provided, further, that (except as provided above with respect to adjustments by the Committee under Section 6) any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may amend the Plan, without the consent of any Participant to remedy a potential violation of Code Section 409A and may terminate and accelerate the payment of Awards so long as such termination and acceleration are in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j) to the extent such Award(s) are subject to Code Section 409A.

 

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, further, that, without stockholder approval as may be required by applicable law or the rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, except as otherwise permitted under Section 6, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR, (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR, another Award or cash and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted. No such approval will be required for the items in this Section 7(b)(i) through and including (iii) if stockholder approval is not required by applicable law or such rules.

 

8. Definitions. In addition to the capitalized terms defined throughout the Plan, the following capitalized terms shall have the corresponding meanings set forth in this Section 8:

 

(a) “Affiliate” means any parent or direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company; provided, that, with respect to the award of any “stock right” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, such affiliate must qualify as a “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and in applying Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) of the Code for purposes of determining a controlled group of corporations under Section 414(b) of the Code and in applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) that are under common control for purposes of Section 414(c) of the Code, the language “at least 50 percent” is used instead of “at least 80 percent.”

 

(b) “Award” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Bonus Award granted under the Plan.

 

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(c) “Cause” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement or similar services agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination, (ii) in the absence of any such employment, consulting, or similar services agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein) and if the Participant is not a non-executive director of the Company or an Affiliate, the Participant’s (A) material breach of his or her obligations under any agreement or arrangement entered into with the Company or its Affiliates (which remains uncured (to the extent the Committee reasonably determines curable) for at least ten (10) days following notice of such breach); (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of or non-performance of his or her duties to the Company or its Affiliates; (C) breach of any of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ written policies or procedures in each case in any respect which causes or is reasonably expected to cause harm to the Company or any Affiliate; (D) indictment, formal charge, or conviction of (or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude (or the procedural equivalent of the foregoing); (E) commission of an act involving deceit, fraud, perjury or embezzlement involving the Company or its Affiliates or any client, customer, supplier or business relationship of the Company or any Affiliate, or any act that brings or could reasonably be expected to bring the Company or its Affiliates into public disrepute; (F) repeatedly being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (other than over-the-counter or prescription medicine or other medically-related drugs to the extent they are taken in accordance with their directions or under the supervision of a physician) which inhibits the performance of such Participant’s duties to the Company or its Affiliates, or, while under the influence of such drugs or alcohol, engaging in inappropriate conduct during the performance of his or her duties to the Company or its Affiliates; or (G) failure to follow lawful directives of the Participant’s supervisor, which (which failure remains uncured (to the extent the Committee reasonably determines curable) for at least ten (10) days following initial notice of such failure), or (iii) in the absence of an agreement described in clause (i) (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein) and if the Participant is a non-executive director of the Company or an Affiliate, the Participant’s (A) breach of his or her fiduciary duty with respect to the Company and/or its Affiliates (which remains uncured (to the extent the Committee reasonably determines curable) for at least ten (10) days following notice of such breach); (B) commission of an act or omission with respect to the Company and/or its Affiliates, done in bad faith; (C) commission of an act involving fraud, misappropriation, or embezzlement involving the Company or its Affiliates or any client, customer, supplier or business relationship of the Company or any Affiliate, or any act that brings or could reasonably be expected to bring the Company or its Affiliates into public disrepute; (D) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of or non-performance of his or her duties to the Company or its Affiliates; (E) indictment, formal charge, or conviction of (or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude (or the procedural equivalent of the foregoing); or (F) grounds for removing a director for “cause” under applicable law. Any rights to cure that are expressly described in the definitions above will only be afforded for the initial occurrence of any purported grounds of Cause and the Participant will not have any right (unless the Committee otherwise determines) to cure such purported grounds. Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee (and, where applicable, only those disinterested members of the Committee) in its sole discretion.

 

(d) “Change in Control,” in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise or contains a different definition of “Change in Control,” means (i) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (ii) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of the outstanding equity securities of the Company, (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another Person, in each case in clauses (ii) and (iii) above under circumstances in which the holders of the voting power of outstanding equity securities of the Company, immediately prior to such transaction, are no longer, in the aggregate, the beneficial owners (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding equity securities of the surviving or resulting corporation or acquirer, as the case may be, immediately following such transaction. A sale (or multiple related sales) of one or more Subsidiaries (whether by way of merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all of the assets or securities) which constitutes all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company shall be deemed a Change in Control. In addition, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in any circumstance in which the definition of “Change in Control” under this Plan would otherwise be operative and with respect to which the additional tax under Section 409A of the Code would apply or be imposed, but where such tax would not apply or be imposed if the meaning of the term “Change in Control” met the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, then the term “Change in Control” herein shall mean, but only for the transaction, event or circumstance so affected and the item of income with respect to which the additional tax under Section 409A of the Code would otherwise be imposed, a transaction, event or circumstance that is both (x) described in the preceding provisions of this definition, and (y) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

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(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

 

(f) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee, as constituted from time to time, of the Board, or if no such committee shall be in existence at any relevant time, the term “Committee” for purposes of the Plan shall mean the Board.

 

(g) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company par value $0.01 (and any stock or other securities into which such shares of common stock may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

 

(h) “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization; provided, however, that such date complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, as applicable.

 

(i) “Disability” means (except as expressly provided in the Participant’s Award agreement), the Participant’s inability to perform the essential functions of such Participant’s service due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months; provided, however, that a Participant shall be deemed to have a Disability if he or she is determined to be totally disabled by the U.S. Social Security Administration.

 

(j) “Eligible Person” means any (i) employee of the Company or any Affiliate; (ii) director of the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) consultant or advisor to the Company or any Affiliate; or (iv) prospective employee, director, officer, consultant or advisor who has accepted an offer of employment, engagement or consultancy from the Company or any Affiliate, and who would satisfy the provisions of clauses (i) through (iii) above once he or she begins employment with or begins providing services to the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(k) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

 

(l) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee; provided, that for purposes of setting an Exercise Price or Strike Price, as applicable, Fair Market Value will be determined in accordance with Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5).

 

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(m) “Option” means an Award of a nonqualified stock option affording the recipient of such Award the right upon exercise to purchase a share of Common Stock for the stated Exercise Price, to the extent vested. Incentive (qualified) stock options under the Code are not eligible for Awards under the Plan.

 

(n) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award.

 

(o) “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to a Participant, (i) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act (collectively, the “Immediate Family Members”); (ii) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; (iii) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (iv) any other transferee as may be approved either (A) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (B) as provided in the applicable Award agreement.

 

(p) “Person” means any individual or entity, including a corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated association, government or governmental agency or authority.

 

(q) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.

 

(r) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 4(c) of the Plan.

 

(s) “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (including a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 4(c) of the Plan.

 

(t) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

 

(u) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award affording the recipient of such Award the right upon exercise to receive a payment in accordance with the Plan of the appreciation above the Strike Price of one share of Common Stock subject to such Award, to the extent vested.

 

(v) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares or any equivalent equity-type ownership (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) 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); and

 

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(ii) any partnership (or any comparable foreign entity) (A) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

9. General.

 

(a) Award Agreements. Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)) and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto.

 

(b) Nontransferability.

 

(i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or an Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 9(f) shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

 

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, to a Permitted Transferee, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan; provided, that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer, and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.

 

(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee, and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the termination of the Participant’s employment by, or services to, the Company or an Affiliate under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.

 

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(c) Tax Withholding.

 

(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.

 

(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may in its sole discretion (but shall not be obligated to) permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability).

 

(d) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver. No employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or other Person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Company and any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting or services relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award agreement, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Company and its Affiliates and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

 

(e) International Participants. With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of the Plan or outstanding Awards (or adopt a subplan) with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, the Company or its Affiliates.

 

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(f) Designation and Change of Beneficiary. Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon his or her death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by and on file with the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse at the time of death or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that a Participant’s beneficiary designation would result in a duplication of, or unintended, benefits payable under this Plan or would otherwise violate applicable law, the Committee shall have the authority to disregard such designation and payments shall be made in accordance with applicable law. The Committee’s administration in good faith of such designation of beneficiary shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

 

(g) Termination of Employment/Service. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event or as otherwise provided in an Award agreement, service shall not be considered terminated in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Affiliate, or any successor, in any capacity of any employee, director or consultant, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or an Affiliate in any capacity of employee, director or consultant. An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.

 

(h) No Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person. The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving Shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring Common Stock without a view to the distribution thereof and to make such other representations and covenants as reasonably requested.

 

(i) Government and Other Regulations/Limitations.

 

(i) The Plan is intended to be a “compensatory benefit plan” within the meaning of such term under Rule 701 of the Securities Act. Grants of Awards pursuant to the Plan (and the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any Options) are intended to qualify for an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 701 and under analogous provisions of applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Registration Exemptions”). In the event that any provision of the Plan would cause any Award or Option granted pursuant to the Plan to not qualify for the Registration Exemptions, the Plan will be deemed to be amended automatically to the extent necessary to cause all such Awards and Options to qualify for the Registration Exemptions.

 

(ii) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all certificates for shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which such shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject and/or any Registration Exemptions.

 

14
 

 

(iii) The Committee may toll the exercise or settlement of an Award or any portion thereof if it reasonably determines that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of shares of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable.

 

(j) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants. If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

 

(k) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options or other equity-based awards otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

 

(l) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or other Person, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law. This Plan is not subject to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).

 

(m) Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

 

(n) Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.

 

15
 

 

(o) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions.

 

(p) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(q) Obligations Binding on and Inurement to Successors. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

 

(r) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.

 

(s) Other Agreements. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Award agreement to the contrary, in no event will shares of Common Stock be delivered upon vesting, exercise or settlement of any Award granted under the Plan unless and until the Participant, as requested by the Committee, executes such agreements as the Committee reasonably determines necessary or advisable in respect of the Plan, including a joinder (or similar arrangement) whereby such Participant will become bound by the terms and conditions set forth in such stockholders agreements as the Committee determines, and which may have provisions concerning drag-along obligations, rights of first refusal, voting agreements, lock-up agreements and other terms and conditions then applicable to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

(t) Payments. Participants shall be required to pay, to the extent required by applicable law, any amounts required to receive shares of Common Stock under any Award made under the Plan.

 

(u) Section 409A. The Plan and the Awards hereunder are intended to either comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Plan or any Award is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Plan and any such Award intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed by Section 409A of the Code or any damages relating to any failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment or benefit under the Plan shall constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(v) Offset. Any amounts owed to the Company or an Affiliate by a Participant of whatever nature may be offset by the Company from the value of any Common Stock, cash or other thing of value under this Plan or an agreement to be transferred to the Participant, and no Common Stock, cash or other thing of value under this Plan or an agreement shall be transferred unless and until all disputes between the Company (or its Affiliates) and the Participant have been fully and finally resolved and the Participant has waived all claims to such against the Company and any Affiliate. Any such offset or delay will be made in a manner that does violate Section 409A of the Code, as may be applicable.

 

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(w) Data Privacy. As a condition of participation in this Plan, or receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this subsection by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in this Plan. The Company and its Affiliates may request, receive or hold certain personal information about a Participant, including but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares held in the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates and details of all Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Participant’s participation in this Plan, and the Company and its Affiliates may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company and its Affiliates in the implementation, administration and management of this Plan and any Awards for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering this Plan and Awards. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. Through participation in the Plan or acceptance of an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, transfer and otherwise process the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in this Plan, including, without limitation, any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or its Affiliates, or the Participant, may elect to deposit any Common Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in this Plan or as otherwise required by applicable law, rule or regulation. A Participant may, at any time, request to view the Data held by the Company or its Affiliates with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative, in each case, subject to any applicable law rule or regulation. No provision in this subsection that conflicts with the data privacy laws of a particular jurisdiction shall apply to Data of any Eligible Persons subject to such privacy laws.

 

(x) Expiration. Awards may only be exercised in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award agreement and/or the Plan, and no Award will be automatically exercised, including in connection with the expiration thereof. Participants are required to exercise any Awards, subject to their terms, in a manner consistent with the terms of the Plan including this Section 9(x). Any Awards not so exercised will expire without being exercised or the payment of consideration or proceeds therefor. The Company and its Affiliates will not be obligated to notify Participants of Awards that are expiring and will have no liability for any Awards that expire unexercised.

 

***

 

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FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE

 

The undersigned is the holder of an option (the “Option”) to acquire _____ shares of Common Stock in NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP. (the “Company”) granted pursuant to that certain Stock Option Agreement, dated as of __________ (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this option exercise notice shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Plan.

 

Subject to the further conditions of Section 3(d) of the Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby exercises the Option with respect to _______ shares of Common Stock for an aggregate exercise price of $_____, payable in accordance Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement.

 

In connection with the foregoing exercise of the Option, the undersigned represents and acknowledges to the Company as follows:

 

1) He or she has received a copy of the Plan and has read and understands the Plan.
2) The shares of Common Stock are subject to transfer restrictions set forth in one or more shareholders’ agreements.
3) The shares of Common Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act and are offered pursuant to an exemption thereunder and that such shares of Common Stock have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or by any other Federal or state agency.
4) The shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option are being acquired for investment purposes, and not on behalf or for the benefit of any other person, trust, estate or business organization, and the undersigned has no intention of distributing any shares of Common Stock to others in violation of the Securities Act.
5) The shares of Common Stock may be subject to resale restrictions imposed by the securities laws of various states and may not be sold without compliance with such laws.
6) The undersigned is a resident of the State of _________.
7) The undersigned is responsible for the tax consequences relating to the exercise of the Option.

 

Executed this ____ day of ______________.   ___________________________________
    Participant

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

  

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

  

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

  

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6