UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019
OR
☐ |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-38692
EQUILLIUM, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
82-1554746 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
|
|
2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 105, La Jolla, CA |
92037 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (858) 412-5302
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
|
Trading Symbol |
|
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
|
EQ |
|
The Nasdaq Global Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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 filer |
☒ |
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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of November 8, 2019, the registrant had 17,376,236 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page No. |
PART I |
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1 |
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ITEM 1. |
|
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1 |
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|
1 |
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|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss |
|
2 |
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|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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ITEM 2. |
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
|
13 |
ITEM 3. |
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20 |
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ITEM 4. |
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20 |
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PART II |
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|
21 |
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ITEM 1. |
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21 |
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ITEM 1A. |
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21 |
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ITEM 2. |
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|
64 |
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ITEM 6. |
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|
65 |
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|
66 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Equillium, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and par value data)
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
27,657 |
|
|
$ |
28,508 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
34,581 |
|
|
|
37,405 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
671 |
|
|
|
1,186 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
62,909 |
|
|
|
67,099 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
62,995 |
|
|
$ |
67,163 |
|
Liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
2,675 |
|
|
$ |
1,119 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
1,599 |
|
|
|
909 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
4,274 |
|
|
|
2,028 |
|
Long-term notes payable |
|
|
9,616 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
14,036 |
|
|
|
2,228 |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 17,376,236 shares issued and outstanding |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
82,423 |
|
|
|
80,441 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(33,545 |
) |
|
|
(15,512 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
|
48,959 |
|
|
|
64,935 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
62,995 |
|
|
$ |
67,163 |
|
See accompanying notes.
1
Equillium, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
4,182 |
|
|
$ |
1,222 |
|
|
$ |
12,191 |
|
|
$ |
2,425 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
2,142 |
|
|
|
1,004 |
|
|
|
6,920 |
|
|
|
1,963 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
6,324 |
|
|
|
2,226 |
|
|
|
19,111 |
|
|
|
4,388 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(6,324 |
) |
|
|
(2,226 |
) |
|
|
(19,111 |
) |
|
|
(4,388 |
) |
Other income (expense), net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1,221 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(2,329 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
Other expense, net |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Change in fair value of Biocon anti-dilution right |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,497 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,599 |
) |
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
310 |
|
|
|
(2,691 |
) |
|
|
1,078 |
|
|
|
(3,871 |
) |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(6,014 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,917 |
) |
|
$ |
(18,033 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,259 |
) |
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign currency translation gain |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(6,021 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,917 |
) |
|
$ |
(17,958 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,259 |
) |
Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.35 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.44 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.04 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.76 |
) |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
|
11,078,840 |
|
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
|
10,835,483 |
|
See accompanying notes.
2
Equillium, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|||
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Paid-in |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Stockholders' |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Equity (Deficit) |
|
||||||
Balance at December 31, 2017 |
|
|
10,708,074 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(2,262 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,252 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,577 |
) |
|
|
(1,577 |
) |
Balance at March 31, 2018 |
|
|
10,708,074 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(3,839 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,829 |
) |
Issuance of common stock, net of liability |
|
|
267,690 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,765 |
) |
|
|
(1,765 |
) |
Balance at June 30, 2018 |
|
|
10,975,764 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(5,604 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,593 |
) |
Issuance of common stock, net of liability |
|
|
154,682 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
131 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,917 |
) |
|
|
(4,917 |
) |
Balance at September 30, 2018 |
|
|
11,130,446 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(10,521 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,379 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|||
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Paid-in |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Stockholders' |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Income (Loss) |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Equity |
|
||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 |
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
80,441 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(15,512 |
) |
|
$ |
64,935 |
|
Vesting of restricted stock liability |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
446 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
446 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(5,950 |
) |
|
|
(5,950 |
) |
Balance at March 31, 2019 |
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
80,906 |
|
|
$ |
49 |
|
|
$ |
(21,462 |
) |
|
$ |
59,494 |
|
Vesting of restricted stock liability |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
581 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
581 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
38 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(6,069 |
) |
|
|
(6,069 |
) |
Balance at June 30, 2019 |
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
81,506 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
(27,531 |
) |
|
$ |
54,063 |
|
Vesting of restricted stock liability |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
633 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
633 |
|
Issuance of common stock warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
266 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(6,014 |
) |
|
|
(6,014 |
) |
Balance at September 30, 2019 |
|
|
17,376,236 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
82,423 |
|
|
$ |
80 |
|
|
$ |
(33,545 |
) |
|
$ |
48,959 |
|
See accompanying notes.
3
Equillium, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(18,033 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,259 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
1,660 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
Non-cash interest expense |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,329 |
|
Accretion of discount on investments, net |
|
|
(327 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Change in fair value of Biocon anti-dilution right |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,599 |
|
Other non-cash expense |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
1,559 |
|
|
|
353 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(13,916 |
) |
|
|
(3,700 |
) |
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
Purchases of short-term investments |
|
|
(36,095 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Maturities of short-term investments |
|
|
39,315 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
3,164 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, net of issuance costs |
|
|
9,941 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory notes, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,599 |
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including early exercise |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Costs paid in connection with initial public offering |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(195 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
9,941 |
|
|
|
1,603 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(851 |
) |
|
|
(2,122 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
28,508 |
|
|
|
7,104 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
27,657 |
|
|
$ |
4,982 |
|
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of common stock warrants in connection with issuance of notes payable |
|
$ |
266 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Notes payable issuance costs in accounts payable |
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
See accompanying notes.
4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization and Accounting Pronouncements
Description of Business
Equillium, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on March 16, 2017. The Company is engaged in the research and development of products for severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need.
From inception through September 30, 2019, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to organizing and staffing the company, business planning, raising capital, in-licensing rights to itolizumab, conducting preclinical research, filing two initial Investigational New Drug applications (INDs) and commencing clinical development of the Company’s initial product candidate, itolizumab (EQ001). In addition, the Company has a limited operating history, has not generated revenues from its principal operations, and the sales and income potential of its business is unproven.
Liquidity
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $62.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations. The Company expects to use its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund research and development of itolizumab and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company does not expect to generate any revenues from product sales unless and until the Company successfully completes development and obtains regulatory approval of itolizumab or any future product candidate, which will not be for at least the next several years, if ever. Accordingly, until such time as the Company can generate significant revenue from sales of its product candidates, if ever, the Company expects to finance its cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, and collaboration and license agreements. However, the Company may not be able to secure additional financing or enter into such other arrangements in a timely manner or on favorable terms, if at all. The Company’s failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and could force the Company to delay, reduce or terminate its research and development programs or other operations, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that the Company would otherwise prefer to develop and market itself. Management believes that the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2019 will be sufficient to fund operations for more than a year from the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the SEC related to a quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and Accounting Standards Updates (ASU) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2019.
Principles of Consolidation
In January 2019, the Company created a new wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia with the Company serving as the sole shareholder through the subscription of shares. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
5
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the FASB ASC 840 and creates Topic 842, Leases. The new topic supersedes Topic 840, Leases, and increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 due to the Company’s emerging growth company status. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 in fiscal year 2020, and the Company is evaluating the impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice for certain cash receipts and cash payments. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods reporting within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2019, which did not have a material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which is designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures by removing, modifying and adding disclosures related to fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of 2020, and the Company is currently evaluating the impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to clinical trial accruals and the valuation of equity awards. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Although estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience, knowledge of current events, and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately materially differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Accrued Research and Development Expense
The Company is required to estimate its expenses resulting from its obligations under contracts with vendors, consultants and contract research organizations, in connection with conducting research and development activities. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations, which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided under such contracts. The Company reflects research and development expenses in its condensed consolidated financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which services and efforts are expended. The Company accounts for these expenses according to the progress of the preclinical or clinical study as measured by the timing of various aspects of the study or related activities. The Company determines accrual estimates through review of the underlying contracts along with preparation of financial models taking into account discussions with research and other key personnel as to the progress of studies, or other services being conducted. During the course of a study, the Company adjusts its rate of expense recognition if actual results differ from its estimates. The Company classifies its estimates for accrued research and development expenses as accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures employee and non-employee stock-based awards, including stock options and stock purchase rights, at grant-date fair value and records compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its stock option awards. Estimating the fair value of stock option awards requires management to apply judgment and make estimates of certain assumptions, including the volatility of the Company’s common stock, the expected term of the Company’s stock options, the expected dividend yield and the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the measurement date. As a result, if factors change and management uses different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense could be materially different for future awards.
6
The expected term of stock options was estimated using the “simplified method” for employee options as the Company has no historical information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post vesting employment termination behavior for its stock option grants. The simplified method is based on the average of the vesting tranches and the contractual life of each grant. For options granted to non-employees, the Company uses the remaining contractual life. For stock price volatility, the Company uses comparable public companies as a basis for its expected volatility to calculate the fair value of option grants. The Company assumes no dividend yield because dividends are not expected to be paid in the near future, which is consistent with the Company’s history of not paying dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury notes with a term approximating the expected life of the option. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur, and reverses any compensation cost previously recognized for awards for which the requisite service has not been completed, in the period that the award is forfeited.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding for the period. Common stock equivalents are only included when their effect is dilutive. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities include outstanding options under the Company’s equity incentive plan and outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, each of which have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as they would be anti-dilutive to the net loss per share. For all periods presented, there is no difference in the number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted shares outstanding due to the Company’s net loss position.
Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders because to do so would be anti-dilutive are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares):
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||||
Common stock options |
|
|
1,203,483 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,203,483 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common stock warrants |
|
|
80,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,283,911 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,283,911 |
|
|
|
- |
|
3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following tables summarize the Company’s assets that require fair value measurements on a recurring basis and their respective input levels based on the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Markets |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Unobservable |
|
|||
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
for Identical |
|
|
Observable |
|
|
Inputs |
|
||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
Assets (Level 1) |
|
|
Inputs (Level 2) |
|
|
(Level 3) |
|
||||
Short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. treasury securities |
|
$ |
22,466 |
|
|
$ |
22,466 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Agency securities |
|
|
7,224 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,224 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
|
4,891 |
|
|
|
4,891 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$ |
34,581 |
|
|
$ |
27,357 |
|
|
$ |
7,224 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Markets |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Unobservable |
|
|||
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
for Identical |
|
|
Observable |
|
|
Inputs |
|
||||
|
|
2018 |
|
|
Assets (Level 1) |
|
|
Inputs (Level 2) |
|
|
(Level 3) |
|
||||
Short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. treasury securities |
|
$ |
29,821 |
|
|
$ |
29,821 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Agency securities |
|
|
5,659 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,659 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$ |
37,405 |
|
|
$ |
31,746 |
|
|
$ |
5,659 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
7
U.S. treasury securities and certificates of deposit are valued using Level 1 inputs. Level 1 securities are valued at unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs, which utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves, require the exercise of judgment and use of estimates, that if changed, could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Investments in agency securities are valued using Level 2 inputs. Level 2 securities are initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued and reported utilizing inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly, such as quotes from third-party pricing vendors.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amount of the Company’s notes payable of $9.6 million at September 30, 2019 approximated their fair value as the terms of the notes are consistent with the market terms of transactions with similar profiles (Level 2 inputs). None of the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. No transfers between levels have occurred during the periods presented.
At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had investments in money market funds of $4.4 million and $12.6 million, respectively, that were measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) that have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The funds invest primarily in U.S. government securities.
The Company did not hold any Level 1, 2 or 3 financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
4. Certain Financial Statement Caption Information
Short-Term Investments
The following is a summary of the Company’s short-term investments (in thousands):
|
|
Maturity |
|
Amortized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Estimated |
|
||||
|
|
(in years) |
|
Cost |
|
|
Losses |
|
|
Gains |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||||
September 30, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. treasury securities |
|
1 or less |
|
$ |
22,453 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
22,466 |
|
Agency securities |
|
1 or less |
|
|
4,960 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
4,986 |
|
Agency securities |
|
>1 and <5 |
|
|
2,237 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2,238 |
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
1 or less |
|
|
2,431 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
>1 and <5 |
|
|
2,426 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
2,449 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
34,507 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
76 |
|
|
$ |
34,581 |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. treasury securities |
|
1 or less |
|
$ |
29,818 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
29,821 |
|
Agency securities |
|
>1 and <5 |
|
|
5,657 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
5,659 |
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
>1 and <5 |
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,925 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
37,400 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
37,405 |
|
All of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are available to the Company for use in its current operations. As a result, the Company categorizes all of these securities as current assets even though the stated maturity of some individual securities may be one year or more beyond the balance sheet date. All of the Company’s securities have a maturity within two years of the balance sheet date.
There were no impairments considered other-than-temporary during the periods presented, as it is management’s intention and ability to hold the securities until a recovery of the cost basis or recovery of fair value. There were no gross realized gains and losses on sales of short-term investments for all periods presented. Unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
8
Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||
Accrued payroll and other employee benefits |
$ |
969 |
|
|
$ |
560 |
|
Clinical studies |
|
425 |
|
|
|
245 |
|
Other accruals |
|
201 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
Preclinical studies |
|
4 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Total accrued expenses |
$ |
1,599 |
|
|
$ |
909 |
|
5. Notes Payable
On September 30, 2019 (the Effective Date), the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the Loan Agreement) with two lenders (the Lenders) whereby the Company can borrow up to $20.0 million in a series of term loans. Upon entering into the Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed $10.0 million from the Lenders (Term A Loan).
Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company may, at its sole discretion, borrow from the Lenders (i) up to an additional $5.0 million (Term B Loan) upon the Company’s achievement of positive topline data in either the Company’s (a) EQ001 Phase 1b aGVHD trial or (b) EQ001 Phase 1b asthma trial, supporting a formal decision to advance into Phase 2 development, and as confirmed by the Company’s Board of Directors (the Term B Milestone) and (ii) up to an additional $5.0 million (Term C Loan and together with Term A Loan and Term B Loan, the Term Loans) upon the Company’s achievement of positive topline data in both the Company’s EQ001 Phase 1b aGVHD trial and the Company’s EQ001 Phase 1b asthma trial, supporting a formal decision to advance into Phase 2 development, and as confirmed by the Company’s Board of Directors (the Term C Milestone). The Company may draw the Term B Loan during the period commencing on the date of the occurrence of the Term B Milestone and ending on the earliest of (i) December 31, 2020, (ii) 60 days after achieving the Term B Milestone, and (iii) the occurrence of an event of default and may draw the Term C Loan during the period commencing on the date of the occurrence of the Term C Milestone and ending on the earliest of (i) December 31, 2020, (ii) 60 days after achieving the Term C Milestone, and (iii) the occurrence of an event of default.
All of the Term Loans mature on June 1, 2024 (the Maturity Date) and will be interest-only through June 30, 2021, followed by 36 equal monthly payments of principal and interest; provided that if the Company draws the Term B Loan, the Term Loans will be interest-only through December 31, 2021, followed by 30 equal monthly payments of principal and interest. The Term Loans will bear interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) 8.25% and (ii) the sum of (a) the prime rate reported in The Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the month that immediately precedes the month in which the interest will accrue, plus (b) 3.00%.
The Company will be required to make a final payment of 4.50% of the original principal amount of the Term Loans drawn payable on the earlier of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the acceleration of any Term Loans, or (iii) the prepayment of the Term Loans (the Final Payment). The Company may prepay all, but not less than all, of the Term Loans upon 30 days’ advance written notice to the lender, provided that the Company will be obligated to pay a prepayment fee equal to (i) 3.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid on or before the first anniversary of the applicable funding date, (ii) 2.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid between the first and second anniversary of the applicable funding date, and (iii) 1.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid thereafter, and prior to the Maturity Date (each, a Prepayment Fee).
9
In connection with entering into the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to the Lenders warrants exercisable for 80,428 shares of the Company’s common stock (the Warrants). The Warrants are exercisable in whole or in part, immediately, and have a per share exercise price of $3.73, which is the closing price of the Company’s common stock reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on the day prior to the Effective Date. The Warrants will terminate on the earlier of September 30, 2029 or the closing of a certain merger or consolidation transactions. If the Company borrows under Term B Loan and/or Term C Loan, upon the funding of Term B Loan and/or Term C Loan, as applicable, the Company will issue to the Lenders additional warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 3.00% of each Term Loan amount divided by the lower of (i) the ten day average closing price of the Company’s common stock reported on the Nasdaq Global Market prior to funding or (ii) the closing price of the Company’s common stock reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on the day prior to funding. Such lower amount of (i) and (ii) above shall also be the exercise price per share for such warrants. The terms of such warrants would be substantially the same as those contained in the Warrants.
The Company recorded the Warrants as a debt discount, which is classified as a contra-liability against long-term notes payable on the consolidated balance sheet, and is amortizing the balance over the life of the underlying debt. The offset to the contra-liability is recorded in additional paid in capital in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as the Warrants were determined to be an equity instrument. The Company determined the fair value of the Warrants at the date of issuance was $0.3 million using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) with an expected term of 10 years, volatility of 92.78%, risk free rate of 1.68% and expected dividend of 0%.
The costs incurred to issue the Term Loans of $0.1 million were deferred and are included in the discount to the carrying value of the Term Loans in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The deferred costs and the Final Payment fee are amortized to interest expense over the expected term of the Term Loans using the effective interest method with an effective interest rate of 10.97%.
The aggregate carrying amounts of the Term Loans are comprised of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||
Principal |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Add: accreted liability for Final Payment fee |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Less: unamortized discount |
|
|
(384 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$ |
9,616 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to the Company’s failure to satisfy its payment obligations under the Loan Agreement, the breach of certain of its other covenants under the Loan Agreement, or the occurrence of a material adverse change, cross defaults to other indebtedness or material agreements, judgment defaults and defaults related to failure to maintain governmental approvals failure of which to maintain could result in a material adverse effect, the Company’s lenders will have the right, among other remedies, to declare all principal and interest immediately due and payable, to exercise secured party remedies, to receive the Final Payment and, if the payment of principal and interest is due prior to the Maturity Date, to receive the applicable Prepayment Fee. At September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the Loan Agreement.
Future maturities of the Term Loans, including the Final Payment fee, as of September 30, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
|
2019 |
|
|
Remainder of 2019 |
|
$ |
- |
|
Year ending December 31, 2020 |
|
|
- |
|
Year ending December 31, 2021 |
|
|
1,667 |
|
Year ending December 31, 2022 |
|
|
3,333 |
|
Year ending December 31, 2023 |
|
|
3,333 |
|
Year ending December 31, 2024 |
|
|
2,117 |
|
|
|
|
10,450 |
|
Unaccreted balance for Final Payment fee on Term Loans |
|
|
(450 |
) |
Unamortized discounts |
|
|
(384 |
) |
|
|
|
9,616 |
|
Less current portion |
|
|
- |
|
Noncurrent portion |
|
$ |
9,616 |
|
10
6. Collaboration and License Agreement
In May 2017, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement, clinical supply agreement, investor rights agreement, and common stock purchase agreement (collectively License Agreements) with Biocon SA (subsequently assigned to Biocon Limited (together, Biocon)). Pursuant to the License Agreements, Biocon granted the Company an exclusive license in the United States and Canada (Company Territory) to develop, make, have made, use, sell, have sold, offer for sale, import and otherwise exploit itolizumab and any pharmaceutical composition or preparation containing or comprising itolizumab (Biocon Product) that uses Biocon technology or Biocon know-how. Pursuant to the License Agreements, Biocon agreed to be the Company’s exclusive supplier of itolizumab clinical drug product. Biocon will provide clinical drug product at no cost for up to three concurrent orphan indications until the Company’s first U.S. regulatory approval and all other clinical drug product at Biocon’s cost.
In consideration of the rights granted to the Company by Biocon, the Company issued Biocon shares of its common stock equal to 19.5% of its outstanding shares at the time of the execution of the License Agreements. In addition, the Company was required to issue Biocon additional shares of common stock to maintain Biocon’s ownership interest of the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization until the Company received aggregate cumulative gross proceeds from sales of equity securities of $15.0 million, the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right. The Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was recorded at fair value using the precedent transaction method and was determined to be $605,402 at the time of issuance. As an obligation existed to issue a variable number of shares and such obligation was not indexed to the Company’s common stock, the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was classified as a liability in the accompanying balance sheet. The fair value of the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was re-measured at each financial reporting period with any changes in fair value being recognized as a component of other expense (income). In connection with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering in October 2018, the Company issued to Biocon 228,060 shares of common stock in full satisfaction of the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right and the liability was reclassified to stockholder’s equity.
In addition, the Company is obligated to pay Biocon up to an aggregate of $30 million in regulatory milestone payments upon the achievement of certain regulatory approvals and up to an aggregate of $565 million in sales milestone payments upon the achievement of first commercial sale of product and specified levels of product sales. The Company is also required to pay quarterly tiered royalties based on a percentage from the mid-single digits to sub-teen double-digits of net sales of Biocon Products, subject to adjustments in certain circumstances. Biocon is also required to pay the Company royalties at comparable percentages for sales of itolizumab outside of the Company Territory if the approvals in such geographies included or referenced the Company’s data. To date, the Company has not made or received payments in connection with the milestones or royalties within the agreement.
7. Stockholders’ Equity
As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
The Company had 17,376,236 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance
Common stock reserved for future issuance at September 30, 2019 is as follows:
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||
Stock options issued and outstanding |
|
|
1,203,483 |
|
|
|
420,483 |
|
Warrants for common stock |
|
|
80,428 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Awards available under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan |
|
|
1,448,930 |
|
|
|
1,363,119 |
|
Employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
517,037 |
|
|
|
343,275 |
|
Total |
|
|
3,249,878 |
|
|
|
2,126,877 |
|
11
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The non-cash stock-based compensation expense for all stock awards, net of forfeitures recognized as they occur, that was recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||||
Research and development |
|
$ |
315 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
|
$ |
880 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
318 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
633 |
|
|
$ |
131 |
|
|
$ |
1,660 |
|
|
$ |
131 |
|
12
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 27, 2019. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Equillium, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the risks set forth in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging deep understanding of immunobiology to develop products to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory, or immuno-inflammatory, disorders with high unmet medical need. Our initial product candidate, itolizumab (EQ001), is a clinical-stage, first-in-class monoclonal antibody that selectively targets the novel immune checkpoint receptor CD6. CD6 plays a central role in the modulation of effector T cell, or Teff cell, activity and trafficking. Activated Teff cells drive a number of immuno-inflammatory diseases across therapeutic areas including transplant science, systemic autoimmunity, pulmonary, neurologic, gastrointestinal, renal, vascular, ophthalmic and dermatologic disorders. Therefore, we believe itolizumab may have broad therapeutic utility in treating a large and diverse set of severe immuno-inflammatory diseases.
Our pipeline is focused on developing itolizumab as a potentially best-in-class, disease modifying treatment for multiple severe immuno-inflammatory disorders. In the first quarter of 2019, we initiated a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of itolizumab for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease, or aGVHD, and expect top-line data from the Phase 1b part of this trial in the second half of 2020. Our Investigational New Drug application, or IND, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for aGVHD was accepted in July 2018. The FDA granted itolizumab Fast Track designation for the treatment of aGVHD in December 2018 and Orphan Drug designations for both the prevention and treatment of aGVHD in February 2019. In June 2019, we initiated a Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial in Australia for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma. Our IND for lupus nephritis was accepted by the FDA in July 2019, and we initiated a Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial in lupus nephritis in September 2019.
We have an ongoing translational biology program to assess the therapeutic utility of itolizumab in additional indications where CD6 and its ligand activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) play an important role in the pathogenesis of T cell mediated diseases. Our selection of additional indications is driven by our analysis of the scientific, translational, clinical and commercial rationale for advancing itolizumab into further development.
We acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to itolizumab in May 2017, pursuant to a collaboration and license agreement with Biocon SA (subsequently assigned to Biocon Limited, or together, Biocon). Following completion of a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted outside of North America, itolizumab was approved in India for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and is marketed by Biocon as ALZUMAb. Today, India is the only jurisdiction where ALZUMAb is approved or marketed. Itolizumab (EQ001) has been evaluated in one Phase 1 clinical trial to date, conducted by Biocon, and is not approved for commercial sale in the United States or Canada. Our partnership with Biocon includes an exclusive supply agreement for clinical and commercial drug product of itolizumab. Biocon currently manufactures itolizumab at commercial scale in a facility regulated by the FDA. In August 2019, we entered into a letter agreement with Biocon that grants us exclusive rights to negotiate licensing rights with third parties to develop and commercialize itolizumab in select major markets outside of North America. This letter agreement allows us to represent itolizumab more broadly commercially and participate in value that may be created with strategic partners across geographies.
13
Since our inception, substantially all of our efforts have been focused on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, in-licensing rights to itolizumab, conducting preclinical research, filing two initial INDs and commencing clinical development of itolizumab. We have not generated any revenue from product sales or otherwise. Since inception, we have primarily financed our operations through our initial public offering, or IPO, private placements of convertible promissory notes and term loans. We have incurred losses since our inception. Our net losses were $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $33.5 million. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our research and development activities, preclinical and clinical activities and general and administrative costs associated with our operations.
We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing losses into the foreseeable future. We anticipate our expenses will increase substantially as we continue our research and development activities, including the ongoing and planned clinical development of itolizumab, potentially acquire additional products and/or product candidates, seek regulatory approval for and potentially commercialize any approved product candidates, hire additional personnel, protect our intellectual property, and incur additional costs associated with being a public company. We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2019, will enable us to fund our currently planned operations for at least the next 12 months.
We do not expect to generate any revenues from product sales unless and until we successfully complete development and obtain regulatory approval for itolizumab or any future product candidate, which will not be for at least the next several years, if ever. Accordingly, until such time as we can generate significant revenue from sales of our product candidates, if ever, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, and collaboration and license agreements. However, we may not be able to secure additional financing or enter into such other arrangements in a timely manner or on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, subject to limited exceptions, our loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank also prohibits us from incurring indebtedness without the prior written consent of the lenders. Our failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and could force us to delay, reduce or terminate our research and development programs or other operations, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
Financial Overview
Revenue
We currently have no products approved for sale, and we have not generated any revenues to date. In the future, we may generate revenue from collaboration or license agreements we may enter into with respect to our product candidates, as well as product sales from any approved product, which approval we do not expect to occur for at least the next several years, if ever. Our ability to generate product revenues will depend on the successful development and eventual commercialization of itolizumab and any future product candidates. If we fail to complete the development of itolizumab or any future product candidates in a timely manner, or to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, our ability to generate future revenue and our results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses primarily consist of costs associated with our research and development activities, preclinical activities, and clinical development of itolizumab. Our research and development expenses include:
|
• |
salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation and benefits, for personnel in research and development functions; |
|
• |
external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as consultants and advisors for research and development; |
|
• |
costs of services performed by third parties, such as contract research organizations, or CROs, that conduct research and development and preclinical activities on our behalf; |
|
• |
costs related to preparing and filing INDs with the FDA; and |
|
• |
costs related to general overhead expenses such as travel, insurance and rent expenses associated with our research and development activities. |
14
We expense research and development costs as incurred. We account for nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the service has been performed or when the goods have been received.
Our direct research and development expenses consist principally of external costs, such as fees paid to CROs and consultants in connection with our preclinical and clinical development.
We plan to substantially increase our research and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of itolizumab and potentially expand the number of indications for which we are developing itolizumab. The successful development of itolizumab is highly uncertain. At this time, due to the inherently unpredictable nature of preclinical and clinical development, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of itolizumab or the period, if any, in which material net cash inflows from itolizumab may commence. Clinical development timelines, the probability of success, and development costs can differ materially from expectations.
Completion of clinical trials may take several years or more, and the length of time generally varies according to the type, complexity, novelty, and intended use of a product candidate. The cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of differences arising during clinical development, including, among others:
|
• |
per patient clinical trial costs; |
|
• |
the number of clinical trials required for approval; |
|
• |
the number of sites included in our clinical trials; |
|
• |
the length of time required to enroll suitable patients; |
|
• |
the number of doses that patients receive; |
|
• |
the number of patients that participate in our clinical trials; |
|
• |
the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients in our clinical trials; |
|
• |
the duration of patient follow-up; |
|
• |
potential additional safety monitoring or other studies requested by regulatory agencies; |
|
• |
the number and complexity of procedures, analyses and tests performed during our clinical trials; |
|
• |
the costs of procuring drug product for our clinical trials; |
|
• |
the phase of development of the product candidate; and |
|
• |
the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate. |
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation and benefits, and consulting fees for executive, finance, and accounting functions. Other significant costs include legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters, insurance, travel and facility costs.
We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in future periods, reflecting an expanding infrastructure, increased professional fees associated with being a public company, legal, audit and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with stock exchange listing and SEC requirements, director and officer insurance premiums associated with being a public company, and accounting and investor relations costs. In addition, if we obtain regulatory approval for any product candidate, we expect to incur expenses associated with building the infrastructure to commercialize such product. However, we do not expect to receive any such regulatory approval for at least the next several years, if ever.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists of interest on our term loans payable and convertible promissory notes, which convertible promissory notes were converted into shares of common stock in connection with our IPO in October 2018.
15
Interest Income
Interest income consists primarily of interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Other Expense, net
Other expense, net consists of net foreign currency transaction losses related to our Australian subsidiary.
Change in Fair Value of Biocon Anti-Dilution Right
Prior to the IPO, we were required to issue to Biocon additional shares of common stock to maintain Biocon’s ownership interest of our fully-diluted capitalization until we have received aggregate cumulative gross proceeds from sales of equity securities of $15.0 million, or the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right. The Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was classified as a liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was recorded at fair value using the precedent transaction method. The fair value of the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was re-measured at each financial reporting period with any changes in fair value being recognized as a component of other income (expense). The Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was satisfied in full upon the issuance of 228,060 shares of common stock to Biocon in connection with the completion of the IPO.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
||||
Research and development |
|
$ |
4,182 |
|
|
$ |
1,222 |
|
|
$ |
12,191 |
|
|
$ |
2,425 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
2,142 |
|
|
|
1,004 |
|
|
|
6,920 |
|
|
|
1,963 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1,221 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(2,329 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
Other expense, net |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Change in fair value of Biocon Anti-Dilution Right |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,497 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,599 |
) |
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $4.2 million and $12.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $1.2 million and $2.4 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
The increase of $3.0 million in research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily includes the following changes:
|
• |
$1.7 million increase in clinical development activities |
|
• |
$1.0 million increase in employee compensation and benefits primarily related to increased headcount and consulting expenses |
|
• |
$0.2 million increase in overhead expenses primarily related to increased travel costs associated with our research and development activities |
|
• |
$0.1 million increase in preclinical research activities |
16
The increase of $9.8 million in research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily includes the following changes:
|
• |
$5.3 million increase in clinical development activities |
|
• |
$3.4 million increase in employee compensation and benefits and consulting expenses |
|
• |
$0.6 million increase in overhead expenses primarily related to increased travel costs associated with our research and development activities |
|
• |
$0.5 million increase in preclinical research activities |
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $2.1 million and $6.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $1.0 million and $2.0 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
The increase of $1.1 million in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily includes the following changes:
|
• |
$0.7 million increase in costs associated with being a public company and travel costs |
|
• |
$0.3 million increase in employee compensation and benefits primarily related to increased headcount and consulting expenses |
|
• |
$0.1 million increase related to legal and professional fees |
The increase of $4.9 million in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily includes the following changes:
|
• |
$2.3 million increase in employee compensation and benefits and consulting expenses |
|
• |
$1.9 million increase in costs associated with being a public company and travel costs |
|
• |
$0.7 million increase related to legal and professional fees |
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $2,000 for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1.2 million and $2.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The decrease in interest expense consists primarily of non-cash interest expense incurred in 2018, including accretion of debt premium and issuance costs in relation to our convertible promissory notes. The convertible promissory notes were converted into equity in connection with the IPO in October 2018.
Interest Income
Interest income was $0.3 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $28,000 and $57,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The increase in interest income was primarily due to our higher average cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances during 2019 compared to 2018.
Other expense, net consists of net foreign currency transaction losses related to our Australian subsidiary.
Change in Fair Value of Biocon Anti-Dilution Right
Change in fair value of the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. In connection with our IPO in October 2018, the liability associated with the Biocon Anti-Dilution Right was reclassified to stockholders’ equity. Therefore, there was no further activity in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
17
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
From inception through September 30, 2019, we have raised an aggregate of approximately $91.0 million in gross proceeds pursuant to our IPO, private placements of convertible promissory notes and proceeds from term loans. As of September 30, 2019, we had $27.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $34.6 million in short-term investments.
Funding Requirements
We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance and expand our clinical development of itolizumab. In addition, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. We expect that our primary uses of capital will be for clinical research and development services, preclinical research, manufacturing, legal and other regulatory compliance expenses, compensation and related expenses, and general overhead costs.
We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2019, will enable us to fund our currently planned operations for at least the next 12 months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we expect. Furthermore, our operating plans may change, and we may need additional funds sooner than planned. Additionally, the process of testing product candidates in clinical trials is costly, and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain. Because the outcome of these efforts is uncertain, we cannot estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of itolizumab or whether, or when, we may achieve profitability.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
|
• |
the initiation, progress, timing, costs and results of our ongoing and planned clinical trials for itolizumab; |
|
• |
the number and scope of indications we decide to pursue for itolizumab development; |
|
• |
the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory review of any Biologics License Application, or BLA, we may submit for itolizumab; |
|
• |
the costs and timing of manufacturing for itolizumab, if approved; |
|
• |
the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims; |
|
• |
our efforts to enhance operational systems and our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, including personnel to support the development of itolizumab; |
|
• |
the costs associated with being a public company; |
|
• |
the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements; |
|
• |
the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies; and |
|
• |
the cost associated with commercializing itolizumab, if approved for commercial sale. |
Until such time as we can generate substantial product revenues, if ever, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, and collaboration and license agreements. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt could result in additional dilution to our stockholders and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our existing common stockholders. The incurrence of debt financing would result in debt service obligations and the governing documents would likely include operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. If we raise additional funds through collaboration or license agreements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or that may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or other operations. Any of these actions could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since our inception and expect to continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future. We had an accumulated deficit of $33.5 million as of September 30, 2019. We expect operating losses and negative cash flows to continue for at least the next several years as we continue to incur costs related to the development of itolizumab.
18
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth the cash flow from operating and investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|||||
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|||
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(13,916 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,700 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
3,164 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
9,941 |
|
|
|
1,603 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
(851 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,122 |
) |
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $13.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $3.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily the result of the increase in operating expenses in 2019 related to a ramp up in our research and clinical development activities as well as additional costs associated with operating as a public company.
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $3.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to net cash used in investing activities totaling $25,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in net cash provided by investing activities was primarily the result of the purchase of short-term investments of $36.1 million offset by $39.3 million of maturities of short-term investments and $0.1 million of purchases of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $9.9 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Financing activities in 2019 consisted of proceeds from our term loans. Financing activities in 2018 consisted primarily of the issuance of convertible promissory notes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules, and similarly did not and do not have any holdings in variable interest entities.
19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In addition, the design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
As of September 30, 2019, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2019.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
20
None.
You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this report, before deciding whether to purchase, hold or sell shares of our common stock. The occurrence of any of the following risks could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or growth prospects or cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this report and those we may make from time to time. You should consider all of the factors described as well as the other information in our financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” when evaluating our business. The risk factors set forth below that are marked with an asterisk (*) contain changes to the similarly titled risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock would likely decline and you may lose all or part of your investments. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.
Risks Related to Our Business and to the Development and Regulatory Approval of Itolizumab
We have a very limited operating history and have never generated any revenues.*
We are an early-stage biotechnology company with a very limited operating history that may make it difficult to evaluate the success of our business to date and to assess our future viability. We were incorporated in March 2017 and our operations, to date, have consisted of organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, in-licensing rights to itolizumab, conducting preclinical research, filing two initial INDs and commencing clinical development of itolizumab. We have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete any clinical trials and have never completed the development of any product candidate, and we have never generated any revenue from product sales or otherwise. Consequently, we have no meaningful operations upon which to evaluate our business, and predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history or a history of successfully developing and commercializing biopharmaceutical products.
We expect to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.*
Investment in biopharmaceutical product development is highly speculative because it entails substantial upfront capital expenditures and significant risk that a product candidate will fail to gain regulatory approval or become commercially viable. We have never generated any revenues, and we cannot estimate with precision the extent of our future losses. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our net losses were $13.3 million and $18.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $33.5 million. We expect to incur increasing levels of operating losses for the foreseeable future as we execute our plan to continue our research and development activities, including the ongoing and planned clinical development of itolizumab, potentially acquire new products and/or product candidates, seek regulatory approvals of and potentially commercialize any approved product candidates, hire additional personnel, protect our intellectual property, and as we incur the additional costs of operating as a public company. In addition, if we obtain regulatory approval for itolizumab, we expect to incur increased sales and marketing expenses. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses and negative cash flows for the foreseeable future. These losses have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our financial position and working capital.
To become and remain profitable, we must develop or acquire and eventually commercialize a product with significant market potential. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including completing preclinical studies and clinical trials of itolizumab, obtaining marketing approval for itolizumab, manufacturing, marketing and selling itolizumab if we obtain marketing approval, and satisfying post-marketing requirements, if any. We may never succeed in these activities and, even if we succeed in obtaining approval for and commercializing itolizumab, we may never generate revenues that are significant enough to achieve profitability. In addition, as a young business, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other known and unknown challenges. Furthermore, because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with biopharmaceutical product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when, or if, we will be able to achieve profitability. If we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis and we may continue to incur substantial research and development and other expenditures to develop and market additional product candidates. Our failure to become and remain profitable would decrease the value of the company and could impair our ability to raise capital, maintain our research and development efforts, expand our business or continue our operations. A decline in the value of our company could also cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
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We are highly dependent on the success of our product candidate, itolizumab, which is in early stage clinical development, and we may not be able to successfully obtain regulatory or marketing approval for, or successfully commercialize, this product candidate in any of the indications for which we plan to develop it.*
Our future success will depend almost entirely on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for and then successfully commercialize itolizumab, in any of the indications for which we initially plan to develop it, including uncontrolled asthma, aGVHD and lupus nephritis, which may never occur. We have no product candidates in our pipeline other than itolizumab. We currently generate no revenues from sales of any biopharmaceutical products or otherwise, and we may never be able to develop or commercialize a marketable biopharmaceutical product.
Before we can market and sell itolizumab in the United States, we will need to manage research and development activities, commence and complete clinical trials, obtain necessary regulatory approvals from the FDA and build a commercial organization or enter into a marketing collaboration with a third party, among other things. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully complete the necessary clinical trials and/or obtain regulatory approval and develop sufficient commercial capabilities for itolizumab. We have not submitted a BLA to the FDA for any product candidate. Further, itolizumab may not receive regulatory approval even if it is successful in clinical trials. If we do not receive regulatory approvals, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Even if we obtain regulatory approval, we may never generate significant revenues from any commercial sales of itolizumab. If itolizumab is approved and we fail to successfully commercialize it, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenues to sustain and grow our business, and our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
If we fail to comply with U.S. export control and economic sanctions, our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.*
Our business and our products are subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations and economic and trade sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC. Our company must comply with these laws and regulations. The antibody sequence for both itolizumab (EQ001) and ALZUMAb is derived from Cuban-origin intellectual property and thus we believe this to be a pharmaceutical of Cuban origin, which would make the import, development and commercialization of itolizumab subject to these laws, sanctions and regulations. We currently rely on a general license issued by OFAC under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, or CACR, relating to Cuban-origin pharmaceuticals to import and conduct clinical trials relating to itolizumab. Although we believe our activities for itolizumab qualify for, and are authorized under, the OFAC general license and we have maintained compliance with the general license requirements, there is some question regarding such applicability given that we have licensed itolizumab from Biocon and OFAC has not confirmed the applicability of the general license to itolizumab or products not wholly developed in or exported from Cuba. In the absence of the OFAC general license, all of our development and potential commercialization activities for itolizumab would be prohibited under the CACR, and we would be required to request a specific license from OFAC authorizing such activities, which OFAC could deny.
We have submitted to OFAC, and subsequently amended and supplemented, a request for interpretive guidance confirming the applicability of the general license to itolizumab, or in its absence, a specific license authorization from OFAC authorizing activities relating to the commercialization of itolizumab, or the Submission. We have simultaneously requested that OFAC treat the Submission as a voluntary disclosure if OFAC concludes that our determination that the general license applies to itolizumab was in error. Our request to OFAC is still pending and we are in communication with OFAC officials in an effort to facilitate the agency’s review. Even if OFAC concludes that the general license applies to itolizumab, there can be no assurance that the general license will not be revoked or modified by OFAC in the future, or that we will remain in compliance with these or other export laws and regulations. If OFAC determines that the general license does not apply, and OFAC then denies our request for a specific license or delays issuance of a specific license, we will be unable to deal in, or otherwise commercialize, itolizumab. In that case, we would be required to cease operations related to itolizumab, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and business prospects. In addition, in the absence of the general or specific license, the transfer, sale and/or purchase of our securities could be prohibited, and the ownership or possession of our securities could be subject to an affirmative OFAC reporting requirement relating to blocked property. We and certain of our employees could also be subject to substantial civil or criminal penalties.
Since submitting the Submission, we have participated in informal discussions with OFAC regarding our request and provided supplemental materials to facilitate the agency’s ongoing review.
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Itolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets CD6, a target for which there are no FDA-approved therapies. This makes it difficult to predict the timing and costs of clinical development for itolizumab. We do not know whether our approach in targeting CD6 will allow us to develop any products of commercial value.
We have concentrated our research and development approach on targeting CD6, and our future success depends on the successful development of this therapeutic approach to the diseases we are targeting for treatment. To date, there are no FDA-approved drugs that target CD6, and while there are a number of independent studies clinically validating CD6 as a target, other than our partner Biocon, CD6 has not traditionally been a pathway targeted by other biopharmaceutical companies. The regulatory approval process for novel product candidates such as itolizumab can be more expensive and take longer than for other, better known or extensively studied therapeutic approaches. Delay or failure to obtain, or unexpected costs in obtaining, the regulatory approval necessary to bring itolizumab to market could decrease our ability to generate sufficient revenue to maintain our business.
Additionally, companion diagnostic tests may be developed for use with itolizumab. We, or our collaborators, will be required to obtain FDA clearance or approval for these tests, as well as coverage and reimbursement separate and apart from the approval and coverage and reimbursement we seek for our itolizumab. Our inability to collaborate with a companion diagnostics developer could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We will require substantial additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of itolizumab. If we are unable to raise this capital when needed, we may be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or other operations.*
We expect our expenses to increase substantially during the next few years. The development of biotechnology product candidates is capital intensive. As itolizumab enters and advances through preclinical studies and clinical trials, we will need substantial additional funds to expand our clinical, regulatory and quality capabilities. In addition, if we obtain marketing approval for itolizumab, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses for marketing, sales, manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.
As of September 30, 2019, we had $62.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2019 will enable us to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. However, changing circumstances or inaccurate estimates by us may cause us to use capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate, and we may need to spend more money than currently expected because of circumstances beyond our control. For example, our ongoing and planned clinical trials for itolizumab may encounter technical, enrollment or other issues that could cause our development costs to increase more than we expect. We do not have sufficient funds to complete the clinical development of itolizumab through regulatory approval, and we will need to raise substantial additional capital to complete the development and commercialization of itolizumab.
Future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
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the initiation, progress, timing, costs and results of our ongoing and planned clinical trials for itolizumab; |
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the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims; |
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our efforts to enhance operational systems and our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, including personnel to support the development of itolizumab; |
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the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements; |
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Our commercial revenues, if any, will be derived from sales of products that we do not expect to be commercially available for sale for at least the next several years, if ever. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Subject to limited exceptions, our loan and security agreement, or Loan Agreement, also prohibits us from incurring indebtedness without the prior written consent of the lenders. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or other operations.
We are very early in our development efforts. We only recently initiated our initial clinical trials of itolizumab, and as a company, we have limited experience in these areas.*
While Biocon has evaluated itolizumab (EQ001) in a Phase 1 clinical trial, we initiated our first clinical trial of itolizumab (EQ001) for the treatment of aGVHD in the first quarter of 2019, our second clinical trial of itolizumab (EQ001) for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma in the second quarter of 2019 and our third clinical trial of itolizumab (EQ001) for the treatment of lupus nephritis in the third quarter of 2019. We have two active INDs with the FDA for the use of itolizumab in the treatment of aGVHD and lupus nephritis. Because of our limited interaction with the FDA, we may not learn of certain information or data that the FDA may request until future interactions. In part because of our limited infrastructure, experience conducting clinical trials as a company and regulatory interactions, we cannot be certain that our ongoing and planned clinical trials will be completed on time, if at all, that our planned clinical trials will be initiated on time, if at all, or that our planned development programs would be acceptable to the FDA.
Adverse safety and toxicology findings may emerge as we conduct clinical trials. In addition, success in early clinical trials does not mean that later clinical trials will be successful, because later-stage clinical trials may be conducted in broader patient populations and involve different study designs. For example, although itolizumab (EQ001) and ALZUMAb share the same primary monoclonal antibody sequence, they are manufactured in different cell lines and thus could be considered different biopharmaceutical products. Therefore, results seen in clinical trials of ALZUMAb conducted by Biocon may not be predictive of the results of our clinical trials of itolizumab. Furthermore, our future clinical trials will need to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy in larger patient populations for approval by the FDA. Companies frequently suffer significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after earlier clinical trials have shown promising results, and we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that have believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain marketing approval of their products. In addition, only a small percentage of biologics under development result in the submission of a BLA to the FDA and even fewer are approved for commercialization.
Our ability to generate product revenues, which we do not expect will occur for at least the next several years, if ever, will depend heavily on our ability to successfully complete the above activities and any other activities required for the successful development and eventual commercialization of itolizumab. The success of itolizumab will further depend on factors such as:
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completion of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and preclinical studies with favorable results; |
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demonstrating safety, efficacy and acceptable risk-benefit profile of itolizumab to the satisfaction of the FDA; |
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maintaining arrangements with Biocon, our third-party manufacturer, for cell lines and drug product clinical supply and, if and when approved, for commercial supply of itolizumab; |
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establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities and launching commercial sale of itolizumab, if and when approved in one or more indications; |
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acceptance of itolizumab, if and when approved, by patients, the medical community and third-party payors; |
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obtaining and maintaining patent, trade secret and other intellectual property protection and regulatory exclusivity for itolizumab; and |
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If we do not achieve one or more of these factors in a timely manner, we could experience significant delays or an inability to successfully obtain marketing approval and commercialize itolizumab, which would materially harm our business.
We have licensed itolizumab from Biocon pursuant to an exclusive license agreement, which rights are conditioned upon us meeting certain development and commercialization milestones and on making significant milestone payments in connection with regulatory approval and commercial milestones as well as royalty payments.
We are party to an exclusive license agreement with Biocon, pursuant to which we acquired an exclusive license in the United States and Canada to develop, make, have made, use, sell, have sold, offer for sale, import and otherwise exploit itolizumab and any pharmaceutical composition or preparation containing or comprising itolizumab. We are obligated, under this agreement, to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve certain development, regulatory, commercialization and funding milestones within specified timeframes in order to retain all of the licensed rights. Certain of such milestones are largely outside of our control. Further, we are obligated to make certain cash milestone payments to Biocon upon completion of certain development and commercial milestones and are required to make certain cash royalty payments upon our achievement of target levels of revenue from sales of itolizumab, if approved. Though we believe that the royalty rates and milestone payments are reasonable in light of our business plan, we will require large amounts of capital to satisfy these obligations. We may become obligated to make a milestone payment when we do not have the cash on hand to make such payment, which could require us to delay our clinical trials, curtail our operations, scale back our commercialization and marketing efforts or seek funds to meet these obligations on terms unfavorable to us. In addition, if we are unable to make any payment when due or, if we fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the development, regulatory, commercial and funding milestones within the timeframes required by the license agreement, Biocon may have the right to limit the scope of our license or terminate the agreement and all of our rights to develop and commercialize itolizumab.
We have only licensed the rights to itolizumab in the United States and Canada. Any adverse developments that occur during any clinical trials conducted by third parties in other jurisdictions may affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval or commercialize itolizumab.
Biocon and its partner, over which we have no control, have the rights to develop and commercialize itolizumab in geographies outside of the United States and Canada. Itolizumab is approved in India for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and is marketed by Biocon as ALZUMAb. In addition, a conditional approval for itolizumab was granted to Centro de Immunologia Molecular, Cuba in May 2014. This approval is subject to completion of a Phase 3 clinical trial in Cuban patients. Two clinical trials are currently open in Cuba. If serious adverse events occur with patients using ALZUMAb or during any clinical trials of itolizumab conducted by third parties, the FDA may delay, limit or deny approval of itolizumab or require us to conduct additional clinical trials as a condition to marketing approval, which would increase our costs. If we receive FDA approval for itolizumab and a new and serious safety issue is identified in connection with use of ALZUMAb or in clinical trials of itolizumab conducted by third parties, the FDA may withdraw their approval of the product or otherwise restrict our ability to market and sell itolizumab. In addition, treating physicians may be less willing to administer our product due to concerns over such adverse events, which would limit our ability to commercialize itolizumab.
The development and commercialization of biopharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation, and we may not obtain regulatory approvals for itolizumab in any of the indications for which we plan to develop it, or any future product candidates, on a timely basis or at all.
The clinical development, manufacturing, labeling, packaging, storage, recordkeeping, advertising, promotion, export, import, marketing, distribution, adverse event reporting, including the submission of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, and other possible activities relating to itolizumab, currently our only product candidate, as well as any other product candidate that we may develop in the future, are subject to extensive regulation. Marketing approval of biologics in the United States requires the submission of a BLA to the FDA and we are not permitted to market any product candidate in the United States until we obtain approval from the FDA of the BLA for that product. A BLA must be supported by extensive clinical and preclinical data, as well as extensive information regarding pharmacology, chemistry, manufacturing and controls.
FDA approval of a BLA is not guaranteed, and the review and approval process is an expensive and uncertain process that may take several years. The FDA also has substantial discretion in the approval process. The number and types of preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for BLA approval varies depending on the product candidate, the disease or the condition that the product candidate is designed to treat and the regulations applicable to any particular product candidate. Despite the time and expense associated with preclinical studies and clinical trials, failure can occur at any stage. The results of preclinical and early clinical trials of itolizumab or any future product candidates may not be predictive of the results of our later-stage clinical trials.
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Clinical trial failure may result from a multitude of factors including flaws in trial design, dose selection, placebo effect, patient enrollment criteria and failure to demonstrate favorable safety or efficacy traits, and failure in clinical trials can occur at any stage. Companies in the biopharmaceutical industry frequently suffer setbacks in the advancement of clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or adverse safety profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. Based upon negative or inconclusive results, we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional clinical trials or preclinical studies. In addition, data obtained from clinical trials are susceptible to varying interpretations, and regulators may not interpret our data as favorably as we do, which may further delay, limit or prevent marketing approval.
The FDA could delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including because they:
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may determine that adverse events experienced by participants in our clinical trials represents an unacceptable level of risk; |
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may determine that population studied in the clinical trial may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval; |
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may not accept clinical data from trials, which are conducted at clinical facilities or in countries where the standard of care is potentially different from that of the United States; |
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may not accept a submission due to, among other reasons, the content or formatting of the submission. |
Generally, public concern regarding the safety of biopharmaceutical products could delay or limit our ability to obtain regulatory approval, result in the inclusion of unfavorable information in our labeling, or require us to undertake other activities that may entail additional costs. We have not obtained FDA approval for any product. This lack of experience may impede our ability to obtain FDA approval in a timely manner, if at all, for itolizumab.
If we experience delays in obtaining approval or if we fail to obtain approval of itolizumab, our commercial prospects will be harmed and our ability to generate revenues will be materially impaired which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Any delays in the commencement or completion, or termination or suspension, of our ongoing, planned or future clinical trials could result in increased costs to us, delay or limit our ability to generate revenue and adversely affect our commercial prospects.*
Any delays in the commencement or completion, or termination or suspension, of our ongoing, planned or future clinical trials could result in increased costs to us, delay or limit our ability to generate revenue and adversely affect our commercial prospects. Before we can initiate clinical trials of itolizumab in any distinct indication, we must submit the results of preclinical studies to the FDA along with other information, including information about itolizumab chemistry, manufacturing and controls and our proposed clinical trial protocol, as part of an IND or similar regulatory filing.
Before obtaining marketing approval from the FDA for the sale of itolizumab in any indication, we must conduct extensive clinical studies to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of itolizumab. Clinical testing is expensive, time consuming and uncertain as to outcome. In addition, we expect to rely in part on preclinical, clinical and quality data generated by our partner, Biocon, as well as contract research organizations, or CROs, and other third parties for regulatory submissions for itolizumab. While we have or will have agreements governing these third parties’ services, we have limited influence over their actual performance. If these third parties do not make data available to us, or, if applicable, make regulatory submissions in a timely manner, in each case pursuant to our agreements with them, our development programs may be significantly delayed and we may need to conduct additional studies or collect additional data independently. In either case, our development costs would increase. To date, we have only submitted INDs for clinical trials of itolizumab for the treatment of aGVHD and lupus nephritis, and we will need to submit an IND for acceptance by the FDA prior to initiating any clinical trials in the United States in other indications.
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The FDA may require us to conduct additional preclinical studies for itolizumab or any future product candidate before it allows us to initiate clinical trials under any IND, which may lead to additional delays and increase the costs of our preclinical development programs. Any such delays in the commencement or completion of our ongoing, planned or future clinical trials could significantly affect our product development costs. We do not know whether our ongoing and planned trials will be completed on schedule, if at all, or whether our planned trials will begin on time, if at all. The commencement and completion of clinical trials can be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays related to:
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obtaining FDA authorizations to commence a trial or reaching a consensus with the FDA on trial design; |
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IRBs refusing to approve, suspending or terminating the trial at an investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional subjects, or withdrawing their approval of the trial; |
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manufacturing sufficient quantities of product candidate or obtaining sufficient quantities of combination therapies for use in clinical trials; |
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subjects failing to enroll or remain in our trial at the rate we expect, or failing to return for post-treatment follow-up; |
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occurrence of serious adverse events in trials of the same class of agents conducted by other companies; |
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selection of clinical end points that require prolonged periods of clinical observation or analysis of the resulting data; |
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We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs of the institutions in which such trials are being conducted, by a Data Safety Monitoring Board for such trial or by the FDA. Such authorities may impose such a suspension or termination due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure to demonstrate a benefit from using a pharmaceutical, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial. In addition, changes in regulatory requirements and policies may occur, and we may need to amend clinical trial protocols to comply with these changes. Amendments may require us to resubmit our clinical trial protocols to IRBs for reexamination, which may impact the costs, timing or successful completion of a clinical trial.
Certain of our scientific advisors or consultants who receive compensation from us are likely to be investigators for our future clinical trials. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to report some of these relationships to the FDA. The FDA may conclude that a financial relationship between us and a principal investigator has created a conflict of interest or otherwise affected interpretation of the study. The FDA may therefore question the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized. This could result in a delay in approval, or rejection, of our marketing applications by the FDA and may ultimately lead to the denial of marketing approval of itolizumab in one or more indications. If we experience delays in the completion of, or termination of, any clinical trial of itolizumab, the commercial prospects of itolizumab will be harmed, and our ability to generate product revenues will be delayed. Moreover, any delays in completing our clinical trials will increase our costs, slow down our development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues which may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects significantly.
If we experience delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in our ongoing or planned clinical trials, our receipt of necessary regulatory approval could be delayed or prevented.*
We may not be able to continue our ongoing or initiate our planned clinical trials for itolizumab if we are unable to identify and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA. The first indication that we are pursuing, aGVHD, is an acute and life-threatening condition which may make it difficult to enroll patients in clinical trials. Enrollment in the Phase 1b portion of our aGVHD clinical trial has been progressing slower than expected due to longer site activation timelines at academic centers, a smaller number of available severe aGVHD patients as defined by the High-Risk MacMillan Criteria, which constitutes a smaller portion of the overall aGVHD population, and higher screen failure rates due to comorbid conditions in this severe aGVHD population. In addition, some of our competitors may have ongoing clinical trials for product candidates that would treat the same indications as itolizumab, and patients who would otherwise be eligible for our clinical trials may instead enroll in clinical trials of our competitors’ product candidates. This is acutely relevant for our development of itolizumab for the treatment of patients with uncontrolled asthma and lupus nephritis, diseases for which there is significant competition for clinical trial subjects. Patient enrollment is also affected by other factors, including:
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invasive procedures required to obtain evidence of the product candidate’s performance during the clinical trial; |
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Our inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials would result in significant delays or may require us to abandon one or more clinical trials altogether. Enrollment delays in our clinical trials may result in increased development costs, which would cause the value of our company to decline and limit our ability to obtain additional financing.
Adverse side effects or other safety risks associated with itolizumab could delay or preclude approval, cause us to suspend or discontinue clinical trials, abandon further development, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in significant negative consequences following marketing approval, if any.*
As is the case with pharmaceuticals generally, it is likely that there may be side effects and adverse events associated with itolizumab in our ongoing and planned clinical trials. In the Phase 1 clinical trial of itolizumab conducted by Biocon in healthy subjects, there were no serious adverse events, dose limiting toxicities, or study drug discontinuations reported.
Biocon has completed three clinical studies of ALZUMAb in India in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic plaque psoriasis, with a total of 333 patients exposed to ALZUMAb to date at dose levels ranging from 0.2 mg/kg to 1.6 mg/kg. An additional 35 patients have received itolizumab in clinical trials conducted in Cuba. In Biocon’s Phase 3 clinical trial, infusion-related reactions and related events were the main adverse events attributed to itolizumab. There were five serious adverse events reported including exfoliative dermatitis (widespread redness and peeling of the skin), erythrodermic (severe) psoriasis, infusion-related reaction, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and bacterial arthritis. Since the December 27, 2012 date of authorization in India through July 18, 2019, ALZUMAb has accrued approximately 185 patient-years of use. Post-market safety surveillance has collected a total of 35 adverse events in 24 adverse event reports in that time period, of which four have been noted as serious, including infusion reaction, type 1 hypersensitivity, diarrhea and urticaria (hives). The majority of reactions have involved the dermatologic system organ class and include rash, acne, urticaria, increased pruritus (itching) and increased psoriasis. Although itolizumab (EQ001) and ALZUMAb share the same primary monoclonal antibody sequence, they are manufactured in different cell lines and thus could be considered different biopharmaceutical products. Therefore, clinical results seen with ALZUMAb may have no bearing on results, including adverse events, that may be seen with itolizumab (EQ001).
Results of our clinical trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects or unexpected characteristics. Undesirable side effects caused by itolizumab could result in the delay, suspension or termination of clinical trials by us or the FDA for a number of reasons. Additionally, a material percentage of patients in our aGVHD clinical trial will die from aGVHD, possibly as a result of itolizumab, which could impact development of itolizumab. If we elect or are required to delay, suspend or terminate any clinical trial, the commercial prospect
s of itolizumab will be harmed and our ability to generate product revenues from this product candidate will be delayed or eliminated. Serious adverse events observed in clinical trials could hinder or prevent market acceptance of itolizumab. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations significantly.
Moreover, if itolizumab is associated with undesirable side effects in clinical trials or has characteristics that are unexpected, we may elect to abandon or limit its development to more narrow uses or subpopulations in which the undesirable side effects or other characteristics are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective, which may limit the commercial expectations for itolizumab, if approved. We may also be required to modify our study plans based on findings in our clinical trials. Many biologics that initially showed promise in early stage testing have later been found to cause side effects that prevented further development. In addition, regulatory authorities may draw different conclusions or require additional testing to confirm these determinations.
It is possible that as we test itolizumab in larger, longer and more extensive clinical trials, including with different dosing regimens, or as the use of itolizumab becomes more widespread following any regulatory approval, illnesses, injuries, discomforts and other adverse events that were observed in earlier trials, as well as conditions that did not occur or went undetected in previous trials, will be reported by patients. If such side effects become known later in development or upon approval, if any, such findings may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects significantly.
In addition, if itolizumab receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by itolizumab, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:
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we may be required to implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, or create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients; |
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additional restrictions may be imposed on the marketing or promotion of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product or any component thereof; |
Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of itolizumab, if approved, and could significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Interim, topline or preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.
From time to time, we may publicly disclose preliminary or topline data from our clinical studies, which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the topline results that we report may differ from future results of the same studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Topline data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. As a result, topline data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. From time to time, we may also disclose interim data from our clinical studies. Interim data from clinical trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our business prospects. Further, disclosure of interim data by us or by our competitors could result in volatility in the price of our common stock.
Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses, or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular product candidate or product and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular study or clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is the material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure, and any information we determine not to disclose may ultimately be deemed significant with respect to future decisions, conclusions, views, activities or otherwise regarding a particular biopharmaceutical product, biopharmaceutical product candidate or our business. If the topline data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, itolizumab or any future product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.
A Phase 1 single ascending dose clinical trial of itolizumab in normally healthy volunteers was conducted by Biocon in Australia, we have initiated a Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial of itolizumab in asthma patients in Australia and New Zealand, and we may conduct additional clinical trials of itolizumab outside of the United States. However, the FDA may not accept data from such trials, in which case our development plans will be delayed, which could materially harm our business.*
In the fourth quarter of 2017, Biocon completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of itolizumab (EQ001) in healthy subjects in Australia to assess the safety and tolerability of the subcutaneous version of itolizumab. The trial also included a separate stage to compare the pharmacokinetics of the intravenous administration of itolizumab (EQ001) to ALZUMAb and determine the absolute bioavailability of subcutaneous itolizumab, but this stage was terminated early due to the occurrence of an initial decrease in lymphocyte counts and the occurrence of transient lymphopenia in the healthy subjects. We submitted this data to the FDA as part of our IND submissions for the conduct of clinical trials for the treatment of aGVHD and lupus nephritis. However, it is possible that the FDA will not authorize us to proceed with clinical studies in connection with any future IND submissions in other indications that have different patient populations, and we may be required to conduct additional Phase 1 clinical trials, which would be costly and time consuming, and delay aspects of our development plan, which could harm our business.
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In June 2019, we initiated a Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial of itolizumab in uncontrolled asthma in Australia and have initiated sites in Australia and New Zealand. Although the FDA may accept data from clinical trials conducted entirely outside the United States and not under an IND, acceptance of such study data is generally subject to certain conditions. For example, the FDA requires the clinical trial to have been conducted in accordance with GCPs, and the FDA must be able to validate the data from the clinical trial through an onsite inspection if it deems such inspection necessary. In addition, when studies are conducted only at sites outside of the United States, the FDA generally does not provide advance comment on the clinical protocols for the studies, and therefore there is an additional potential risk that the FDA could determine that the study design or protocol for a non-U.S. clinical trial was inadequate, which would likely require us to conduct additional clinical trials. Conducting clinical trials outside the United States also exposes us to additional risks, including risks associated with:
We may not be successful in our efforts to expand our pipeline by identifying additional indications for which to test itolizumab in the future. We may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular indication for itolizumab and fail to capitalize on product candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.
Our translational biology program may initially show promise in identifying additional indications for which itolizumab may have therapeutic benefit, yet this may fail to yield additional clinical development opportunities for itolizumab for a number of reasons, including, itolizumab may, on further study, be shown to have harmful side effects, limited to no efficacy or other characteristics that indicate that it is unlikely to receive marketing approval and achieve market acceptance in such additional indications. Research programs to identify additional indications for itolizumab require substantial technical, financial and human resources.
Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we must prioritize our research programs and will need to focus itolizumab development on the potential treatment of certain indications. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other indications or for any future product candidates that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on itolizumab for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for itolizumab or any future product candidate, we may also relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
Even if we receive regulatory approval for itolizumab or any future product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense. Additionally, itolizumab and any future product candidates, if approved, could be subject to labeling and other restrictions and market withdrawal and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or experience unanticipated problems with our products.
Any regulatory approvals that we receive for itolizumab or any future product candidates may be subject to limitations on the approved indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for potentially costly post-marketing testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the product candidate. In addition, if the FDA approves any product candidate, the manufacturing processes, labeling, packaging, distribution, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion, import, export and record keeping for the product will be subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration, as well as continued compliance with cGMPs and GCPs, for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, undesirable side effects caused by the product, problems encountered by our third-party manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, either before or after product approval, may result in, among other things:
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requirements to change the way the product is administered or for us to conduct additional clinical trials; |
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refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications filed by us or our strategic partners, or suspension or revocation of product license approvals; |
Additionally, if any product candidate receives marketing approval, the FDA could require us to adopt a REMS to ensure that the benefits of the therapy outweigh its risks, which may include, among other things, a medication guide outlining the risks for distribution to patients and a communication plan to health care practitioners. Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the product or the particular product candidate at issue and could significantly harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, if we have any product candidate approved, our product labeling, advertising and promotion will be subject to regulatory requirements and continuing regulatory review. The FDA strictly regulates the promotional claims that may be made about biopharmaceutical products. In particular, a product may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA as reflected in the product’s approved labeling. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA approved labeling. If we receive marketing approval for a product candidate, physicians may nevertheless prescribe it to their patients in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved label. If we are found to have promoted such off-label uses, we may become subject to significant liability. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant sanctions. The federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion and has enjoined several companies from engaging in off-label promotion. The FDA has also requested that companies enter into consent decrees or permanent injunctions under which specified promotional conduct is changed or curtailed.
The FDA’s policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of itolizumab or any future product candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability, which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Even if itolizumab receives marketing approval in any indication, it may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, hospitals, cancer treatment centers, healthcare payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success.
If itolizumab receives marketing approval in any one or more indication, it may nonetheless fail to gain sufficient market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community. If itolizumab does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate significant product revenues and we may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of itolizumab, if approved for commercial sale in any indication, will depend on a number of factors, including:
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the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; |
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the timing of market introduction of itolizumab as well as competitive biopharmaceutical products; |
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the willingness of patients to pay all, or a portion of, out-of-pocket costs associated with our products in the absence of sufficient third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; and |
We currently have no marketing and sales organization and have no experience as a company in commercializing products, and we may have to invest significant resources to develop these capabilities. If we are unable to establish marketing and sales capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell itolizumab, we may not be able to generate product revenue.
We have no internal sales, marketing or distribution capabilities, nor have we commercialized a product. If itolizumab ultimately receives regulatory approval, we may not be able to effectively market and distribute it. We may have to seek collaborators or invest significant amounts of financial and management resources to develop internal sales, distribution and marketing capabilities, some of which will be committed prior to any confirmation that itolizumab will be approved, if at all. We may not be able to enter into collaborations or hire consultants or external service providers to assist us in sales, marketing and distribution functions on acceptable financial terms, or at all. In addition, our product revenues and our profitability, if any, may be lower if we rely on third parties for these functions than if we were to market, sell and distribute itolizumab ourselves. We likely will have little control over such third parties, and any of them may fail to devote the necessary resources and attention to sell and market itolizumab effectively. Even if we determine to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions ourselves, we could face a number of additional related risks, including:
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the cost of establishing a marketing department or sales force may exceed our available financial resources and the revenue generated by itolizumab; and |
We face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing products more quickly or marketing them more successfully than us. If their product candidates are shown to be safer or more effective than ours, then our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.*
The development and commercialization of new products is highly competitive. We compete in the segments of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other related markets that develop drugs and biologics for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory diseases. Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any products that we may develop, or that would render any products that we may develop obsolete or non-competitive. Our competitors also may obtain marketing approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
Other products in the same class as itolizumab have already been approved or are further along in development. We are aware of both private and public companies with development programs in aGVHD, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, CSL Behring LLC, Fate Therapeutics, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc, Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc., Kamada Ltd., Mesoblast Limited, and Xenikos B.V. Major, currently marketed asthma therapies include several biologic therapies that specifically target IgE or Th 2-mediated cytokines including products developed by AstraZeneca plc, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Roche Holding AG and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
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Limited. In addition, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC have received approval for dupilimab, an anti-IL-4 receptor antibody, as an add-on maintenance treatment in patients with moderate to severe asthma aged 12 years and older with an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma. We are aware of several companies with development programs in moderate to severe asthma, including Amgen Inc., AnaptysBio, Inc., AstraZeneca plc, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Gossamer Bio, Inc., Novartis AG, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Roche Holding AG and Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC. We are also aware of several companies with development programs targeting lupus nephritis including Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca plc, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Genentech Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc and Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.
Many of our competitors, such as large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Amgen Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical studies, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products than we do. In addition, these larger companies may be able to use their greater market power to obtain more favorable distribution and sales-related agreements with third parties, which could give them a competitive advantage over us.
Further, as more product candidates within a particular class of biopharmaceutical products proceed through clinical development to regulatory review and approval, the amount and type of clinical data that may be required by regulatory authorities may increase or change. Consequently, the results of our clinical trials for product candidates in those classes will likely need to show a risk benefit profile that is competitive with or more favorable than those products and product candidates in order to obtain marketing approval or, if approved, a product label that is favorable for commercialization. If the risk benefit profile is not competitive with those products or product candidates, we may have developed a product that is not commercially viable, that we are not able to sell profitably or that is unable to achieve favorable pricing or reimbursement. In such circumstances, our future product revenues and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller and other early stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and subject enrollment for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, itolizumab or any future programs.
The key competitive factors affecting the success of itolizumab are likely to be its efficacy, safety, convenience and availability of reimbursement. If we are not successful in developing, commercializing and achieving higher levels of reimbursement than our competitors, we will not be able to compete against them and our business would be materially harmed.
Itolizumab and any future product candidates for which we intend to seek approval as biologic products may face competition sooner than anticipated.*
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or collectively Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23, 2010, includes a subtitle called the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA, which created an abbreviated approval pathway for biological products that are biosimilar to or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed reference biological product. Under the BPCIA, an application for a biosimilar product may not be submitted to the FDA until four years following the date that the reference product was first licensed by the FDA. In addition, the approval of a biosimilar product may not be made effective by the FDA until 12 years from the date on which the reference product was first licensed. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a full BLA for the competing product containing the sponsor’s own preclinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity and potency of their product. The law is complex and is still being interpreted and implemented by the FDA. As a result, its ultimate impact, implementation and meaning are subject to uncertainty. While it is uncertain when such processes intended to implement BPCIA may be fully adopted by the FDA, any such processes could have a material adverse effect on the future commercial prospects for our biological products.
We believe that any of our product candidates approved as a biological product under a BLA should qualify for the 12-year period of exclusivity. However, there is a risk that this exclusivity could be shortened due to congressional action or otherwise, or that the FDA will not consider our product candidates to be reference products for competing products, potentially creating the opportunity for biosimilar competition sooner than anticipated. Other aspects of the BPCIA, some of which may impact the BPCIA exclusivity provisions, have also been the subject of recent litigation. Moreover, the extent to which a biosimilar, once approved, will be substituted for any one of our reference products in a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biological products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace and regulatory factors that are still developing.
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If the U.S. market opportunities for itolizumab are smaller than we believe they are, our revenue may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.*
We only have the rights to itolizumab for the United States and Canada and we are focused on the development of itolizumab for immuno-inflammatory diseases, with an initial intention to develop it for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma, aGVHD and lupus nephritis. Our projections of addressable patient populations in the United States and Canada that have the potential to benefit from treatment with itolizumab are based on estimates and may prove to be incorrect. If any of our estimates are inaccurate, the market opportunities for itolizumab could be significantly diminished and have an adverse material impact on our business.
We may not ultimately realize the potential benefits of orphan drug designation for itolizumab.*
We received orphan drug designations for itolizumab for both the prevention and treatment of aGVHD. The FDA grants orphan designation to drugs that are intended to treat rare diseases with fewer than 200,000 patients in the United States or that affect more than 200,000 persons but are not expected to recover the costs of developing and marketing a treatment drug. Orphan drugs do not require prescription drug user fees with a marketing application, may qualify the drug development sponsor for certain tax credits, and may be eligible for a market exclusivity period of seven years (with certain exceptions). However, orphan drug designation neither shortens the development time nor regulatory review time of a product candidate nor gives the candidate any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process. Even if we are awarded marketing exclusivity, the FDA can still approve another drug containing the same active ingredient and used for the same orphan indication if it determines that a subsequent drug is safer, more effective or makes a major contribution to patient care, and orphan exclusivity can be lost if the orphan drug manufacturer is unable to assure that a sufficient quantity of the orphan drug is available to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition. Orphan drug exclusivity may also be lost if the FDA later determines that the initial request for designation was materially defective. In addition, orphan drug exclusivity does not prevent the FDA from approving competing drugs for the same or similar indication containing a different active ingredient. If orphan drug exclusivity is lost and we were unable to successfully enforce any remaining patents covering our eligible product candidates, we could be subject to biosimilar competition earlier than we anticipate. In addition, if a subsequent drug is approved for marketing for the same or a similar indication as itolizumab, we may face increased competition and lose market share regardless of orphan drug exclusivity.
Fast track designation by the FDA may not actually lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process.
We have received fast track designation for itolizumab for the treatment of aGVHD. If a product is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and the product demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for this condition, the product sponsor may apply for FDA fast track designation. Even with fast track designation, we may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures. The FDA may withdraw fast track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program.
Risks Related to Manufacturing and Our Reliance on Third Parties
The manufacture of biologics is complex and Biocon, our third-party manufacturer, may encounter difficulties in production. If Biocon encounters such difficulties, our ability to provide supply of itolizumab for clinical trials, our ability to obtain marketing approval, or our ability to obtain commercial supply of our products, if approved, could be delayed or stopped.
We have no experience in biologic manufacturing and do not own or operate, and we do not expect to own or operate, facilities for product manufacturing, storage and distribution, or testing. We are completely dependent on Biocon to fulfill our clinical and commercial supply of itolizumab. In May 2017, we entered into an exclusive clinical supply agreement with Biocon and have agreed to enter into an exclusive commercial supply agreement with Biocon in the future. Biocon manufactures itolizumab at its FDA regulated facility in Bangalore, India. However the process of manufacturing biologics is complex, highly-regulated and subject to multiple risks. Manufacturing biologics is highly susceptible to product loss due to contamination, equipment failure, improper installation or operation of equipment, vendor or operator error, inconsistency in yields, variability in product characteristics and difficulties in scaling the production process. Even minor deviations from normal manufacturing processes could result in reduced production yields, product defects and other supply disruptions and higher costs. If microbial, viral or other contaminations are discovered at the facilities of our manufacturer, such facilities may need to be closed for an extended period of time to investigate and remedy the contamination, which could delay clinical trials, result in higher costs of drug product and adversely harm our business. Moreover, if the FDA determines that our manufacturer is not in compliance with FDA laws and regulations, including those governing cGMPs, the FDA may deny BLA approval until the deficiencies are corrected or we replace the manufacturer in our BLA with a manufacturer that is in compliance.
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In addition, there are risks associated with large scale manufacturing for clinical trials or commercial scale including, among others, cost overruns, potential problems with process scale-up, process reproducibility, stability issues, compliance with cGMPs, lot consistency and timely availability of raw materials. Even if we obtain regulatory approval for itolizumab or any future product candidates, there is no assurance that Biocon or other potential manufacturers will be able to manufacture the approved product to specifications acceptable to the FDA or other regulatory authorities, to produce it in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements for the potential launch of the product or to meet potential future demand. If our manufacturers are unable to produce sufficient quantities for clinical trials or for commercialization, commercialization efforts would be impaired, which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Scaling up a biologic manufacturing process is a difficult and uncertain task, and Biocon may not have the necessary capabilities to complete the implementation and development process of further scaling up production, transferring production to other sites, or managing its production capacity to timely meet product demand. If Biocon is unable to meet our manufacturing requirements, it has the discretion to outsource manufacturing to a third party and the joint steering committee may determine to shift manufacturing to a third party. However, transfer of the manufacturing of biologic products to a new contract manufacturer can be lengthy and involve significant additional costs. Even if we are able to adequately validate and scale-up the manufacturing process for itolizumab with a contract manufacturer, we will still need to negotiate with such contract manufacturer an agreement for commercial supply and it is not certain we will be able to come to agreement on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In addition, Biocon has certain rights to reacquire exclusive manufacturing rights for itolizumab, even after a third party has been engaged following shortfalls by Biocon, which will may make it difficult and expensive to engage any third party manufacturer for itolizumab other than Biocon.
We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and perform some of our research and preclinical studies. If these third parties do not satisfactorily carry out their contractual duties, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, our development programs may be delayed or subject to increased costs or we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval, each of which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We do not have the ability to independently conduct all aspects of our preclinical testing or clinical trials ourselves. As a result, we are and will be dependent on third parties to conduct our ongoing and planned clinical trials of itolizumab and preclinical studies, and any future preclinical studies and clinical trials of any other product candidates. The timing of the initiation and completion of these trials will therefore be partially controlled by such third parties and may result in delays to our development programs. Specifically, we expect CROs, clinical investigators and consultants to play a significant role in the conduct of these trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. However, we will not be able to control all aspects of their activities. Nevertheless, we are responsible for ensuring that each clinical trial is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol and legal, regulatory and scientific standards, and our reliance on the CROs and other third parties does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. We and our CROs are required to comply with GCP requirements, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA, for product candidates in clinical development. Regulatory authorities enforce these GCP requirements through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, clinical trial investigators and clinical trial sites. If we or any of our CROs or clinical trial sites fail to comply with applicable GCP requirements, the data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable, and the FDA may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications. In addition, our clinical trials must be conducted with product produced under cGMP regulations. Our failure to comply with these regulations may require us to stop and/or repeat clinical trials, which would delay the marketing approval process.
There is no guarantee that any such CROs, clinical trial investigators or other third parties on which we rely will devote adequate time and resources to our development activities or perform as contractually required. If any of these third parties fail to meet expected deadlines, adhere to our clinical protocols or meet regulatory requirements, otherwise performs in a substandard manner, or terminates its engagement with us, the timelines for our development programs may be extended or delayed or our development activities may be suspended or terminated. If our clinical trial site terminates for any reason, we may experience the loss of follow-up information on subjects enrolled in such clinical trial unless we are able to transfer those subjects to another qualified clinical trial site, which may be difficult or impossible. In addition, clinical trial investigators for our clinical trial may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us from time to time and may receive cash or equity compensation in connection with such services. If these relationships and any related compensation result in perceived or actual conflicts of interest, or the FDA concludes that the financial relationship may have affected the interpretation of the trial, the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site may be questioned and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized, which could result in the delay or rejection of any marketing application we submit by the FDA. Any such delay or rejection could prevent us from commercializing itolizumab or any future product candidates.
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Furthermore, these third parties may also have relationships with other entities, some of which may be our competitors for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other biopharmaceutical product development activities that could harm our competitive position. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, meet expected deadlines or conduct our clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements or our stated protocols, we will not be able to obtain, or may be delayed in obtaining, marketing approvals for itolizumab or any future product candidates and will not be able to, or may be delayed in our efforts to, successfully commercialize our products.
Even if we receive marketing approval, we may not be able to successfully commercialize itolizumab due to unfavorable pricing regulations or third-party coverage and reimbursement policies, which could make it difficult for us to sell itolizumab or any future product candidates profitably.
Obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement approval for a product from a government or other third-party payor is a time-consuming and costly process that could require us to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost effectiveness data for the use of itolizumab or other future products to the payor. There may be significant delays in obtaining such coverage and reimbursement for newly approved products, and coverage may be more limited than the purposes for which the product is approved by the FDA. Moreover, eligibility for coverage and reimbursement does not imply that a product will be paid for in all cases or at a rate that covers our costs, including research, development, intellectual property, manufacture, sale and distribution expenses. Interim reimbursement levels for new products, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover our costs and may not be made permanent. Reimbursement rates may vary according to the use of the product and the clinical setting in which it is used, may be based on reimbursement levels already set for lower cost products and may be incorporated into existing payments for other services. Net prices for products may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors, by any future laws limiting pharmaceutical prices and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of product from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States.
There is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products. Third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting reimbursement policies, but also have their own methods and approval process apart from Medicare coverage and reimbursement determinations. Decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided for any product candidates that we develop will be made on a payor-by-payor basis. One third-party payor’s determination to provide coverage for a drug does not assure that other payors will also provide coverage and adequate reimbursement for the drug. Additionally, a third-party payor’s decision to provide coverage for a therapy does not imply that an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price, examining the medical necessity and reviewing the cost-effectiveness of medical products, therapies and services, in addition to questioning their safety and efficacy.
Coverage and reimbursement by a third-party payor may depend upon a number of factors, including the third-party payor’s determination that use of a product is:
We cannot be sure that coverage or reimbursement will be available for any product that we commercialize and, if coverage and reimbursement are available, what the level of reimbursement will be. Obtaining adequate reimbursement for our products may be particularly difficult because of the higher prices often associated with branded therapeutics and therapeutics administered under the supervision of a physician. Similarly, because our product candidates are physician-administered injectables, separate reimbursement for the product itself may or may not be available. Instead, the administering physician may be reimbursed for providing the treatment or procedure in which our product is used. Our inability to promptly obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement rates from both government-funded and private payors for any approved products that we develop could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital needed to commercialize products and our overall financial condition.
Reimbursement may impact the demand for, and the price of, any product for which we obtain marketing approval. Assuming we obtain coverage for a given product by a third-party payor, the resulting reimbursement payment rates may not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. Each third-party payor determines whether or not it will provide coverage for a therapy, what amount it will pay the manufacturer for the therapy and on what tier of its list of covered drugs, or formulary, it will be placed. The position on a third-party payor’s formulary, generally determines the co-payment that a patient will need to make to obtain the therapy and can strongly influence the adoption of such therapy by
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patients and physicians. Patients who are prescribed medications for the treatment of their conditions, and their prescribing physicians, generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the costs associated with those medications. Patients are unlikely to use our products unless coverage is provided and reimbursement is adequate to cover all or a significant portion of the cost of our products. Therefore, coverage and adequate reimbursement is critical to new product acceptance. Coverage decisions may depend upon clinical and economic standards that disfavor new products when more established or lower cost therapeutic alternatives are already available or subsequently become available.
We expect to experience pricing pressures in connection with the sale of itolizumab or any future product candidates due to the trend toward managed healthcare, the increasing influence of health maintenance organizations and additional legislative changes. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription medicines, medical devices and surgical procedures and other treatments, has become very intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the successful commercialization of new products. Further, the adoption and implementation of any future governmental cost containment or other health reform initiative may result in additional downward pressure on the price that we may receive for any approved product.
Our reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that a competitor will discover them or that our trade secrets will be misappropriated or disclosed.
Because we rely on third parties to research and develop and to manufacture itolizumab, we must share trade secrets with them. We seek to protect our proprietary technology in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, consulting agreements or other similar agreements with our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our trade secrets. Despite the contractual provisions employed when working with third parties, the need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, a competitor’s independent discovery of our trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets, although our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. For example, any academic institution that we may collaborate with will likely expect to be granted rights to publish data arising out of such collaboration and any joint research and development programs may require us to share trade secrets under the terms of our research and development or similar agreements. Despite our efforts to protect our trade secrets, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of our agreements with third parties, independent development or publication of information by any of our third-party collaborators. A competitor’s discovery of our trade secrets would impair our competitive position and have an adverse impact on our business.
We may wish to acquire rights to future assets through in-licensing or may attempt to form collaborations in the future with respect to future product candidates, but may not be able to do so, which may cause us to alter or delay our development and commercialization plans.
The development and potential commercialization of itolizumab and any future product candidates will require substantial additional capital to fund expenses. We may, in the future, decide to collaborate with biotechnology companies for the development and potential commercialization of product candidates. We will face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. We may not be successful in our efforts to establish a strategic partnership or other alternative arrangements for any product candidates because they may be deemed to be at too early of a stage of development for collaborative effort and third parties may not view such product candidates as having the requisite potential to demonstrate safety and efficacy. If and when we collaborate with a third party for development and commercialization of a product candidate, we can expect to relinquish some or all of the control over the future success of that product candidate to the third party. Our ability to reach a definitive agreement for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon our assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Those factors may include the following:
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The collaborator may also consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether such a collaboration could be more attractive than the one with us for our product candidate. We may also be restricted under any license agreements from entering into agreements on certain terms or at all with potential collaborators. Collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have been a significant number of recent business combinations among large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced number of potential future collaborators and changes to the strategies of the combined company. As a result, we may not be able to negotiate collaborations on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to do so, we may have to curtail the development of such product candidate, reduce or delay one or more of our other development programs, delay the potential commercialization or reduce the scope of any planned sales or marketing activities for such product candidate, or increase our expenditures and undertake development, manufacturing or commercialization activities at our own expense. If we elect to increase our expenditures to fund development, manufacturing or commercialization activities on our own, we may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If we do not have sufficient funds, we may not be able to further develop our future product candidates or bring them to market and generate product revenue. Even if we are successful in our efforts to establish such collaborations, the terms that we agree upon may not be favorable to us, and we may not be able to maintain such collaborations if, for example, development approval of a product candidate is delayed, the safety of a product candidate is questioned or sales of an approved product candidate are unsatisfactory.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
If we are unable to obtain or protect intellectual property rights covering our product candidates, or if the scope of the intellectual property protection is not sufficiently broad, our competitors could develop and commercialize products similar or identical to ours, and we may not be able to compete effectively in our market.
Our success depends in significant part on our and Biocon’s ability to establish, maintain and protect patents and other intellectual property rights with respect to our proprietary technologies, research programs, and product candidates, including itolizumab and operate without infringing the intellectual property rights of others. The patent prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming, and we and our current or future licensors, licensees or partners may not be able to prepare, file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we or our current and future licensors, licensees or partners will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research or inventions made in the course of development and commercialization activities before it is too late to obtain patent protection on them. Although we enter into confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to patentable aspects of our research and development programs, such as our employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, CROs, contract manufacturers, consultants, independent contractors, advisors and other third parties, any of these parties may breach these agreements and disclose such results before a patent application is filed, thereby jeopardizing our ability to seek patent protection on technology relating to our research programs. Moreover, in some circumstances, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that we license from or license to third parties and are reliant on our licensors, licensees or partners. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. If our current or future licensors, licensees or partners fail to establish, maintain or protect such patents and other intellectual property rights, such rights may be reduced or eliminated. If our licensors, licensees or partners are not fully cooperative or disagree with us as to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of any patent rights, such patent rights could be compromised. There may be significant pressure on the U.S. government and international governmental bodies to limit the scope of patent protection both inside and outside the United States for disease treatments that prove successful, as a matter of public policy regarding worldwide health concerns.
The patent position of biotechnology companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions and has in recent years been the subject of much litigation, resulting in court decisions, including Supreme Court decisions, that have increased uncertainties as to the ability to enforce patent rights in the future. In addition, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, allowing foreign competitors a better opportunity to create, develop and market competing product candidates, or vice versa. We cannot be certain that the claims in our pending patent applications directed to our product candidates such as itolizumab and others, as well as technologies relating to our research programs, will be considered patentable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, or by patent offices in foreign countries. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, patents in our portfolio may not adequately exclude third parties from practicing relevant technology or prevent others from designing around our claims.
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As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our and our current or future licensors’, licensees’ or partners’ patent rights are highly uncertain. Our and our licensors’, licensees’ or partners’ pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued, which protect our technology or products, in whole or in part, or their intended uses, methods of manufacture or formulations, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies and products. The patent examination process may require us or our licensors, licensees or partners to narrow the scope of the claims of our or our licensors’, licensees’ or partners’ pending and future patent applications, which may limit the scope of patent protection that may be obtained. In the past, we have not always been able to obtain the full scope of patent protection we have initially sought in our patent applications, and as described above and as is typical for most biotechnology patent prosecution, we have been required to narrow or eliminate patent claims as part of the patent prosecution process. In addition, some patent applications that we or our licensors have filed have not resulted in issued patents because we or our licensors have abandoned those patent applications as changes in business and/or legal strategies dictated.
We cannot assure you that all of the potentially relevant prior art—information that was or is deemed available to a person of skill in the relevant art prior to the priority date of the claimed invention—relating to our patents and patent applications has been found. If such prior art exists, it can invalidate a patent or prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application, and we may be subject to a third party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the USPTO. Even if patents do successfully issue and even if such patents cover our product candidates, third parties may initiate litigation or opposition, interference, re-examination, post-grant review, inter partes review, nullification or derivation action in court or before patent offices, or similar proceedings challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of such patents, which may result in the patent claims being narrowed or invalidated, may allow third parties to commercialize our product candidates and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or limit the duration of the patent protection of our technology and products. The legal threshold for initiating such proceedings may be low, so that even proceedings with a low probability of success might be initiated. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened, regardless of the outcome, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates. Our and our licensors’, licensees’ or partners’ patent applications cannot be enforced against third parties practicing the technology claimed in such applications unless and until a patent issues from such applications, and then only to the extent the issued claims cover the technology.
Because patent applications in the United States and most other countries are confidential for a period of time after filing, and some remain so until issued, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to file any patent application related to our research programs and product candidates such as itolizumab. Even where we have a valid and enforceable patent, we may not be able to exclude others from practicing our invention where the other party can show that they used the invention in commerce before our filing date or the other party benefits from a compulsory license. In addition, patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years from its earliest U.S. filing date. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a product, we may be open to competition from competitive medications, including biosimilar or generic medications.
If we are not able to obtain patent term extension in the United States under the Hatch-Waxman Act and in foreign countries under similar legislation, thereby potentially extending the term of our marketing exclusivity for itolizumab or any other product candidates that we may identify, our business may be materially harmed.
Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours. We expect to seek extensions of patent terms where these are available in any countries where we are prosecuting patents. This includes in the United States under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or Hatch-Waxman Act, which permits a patent term extension of up to five years beyond the expiration of the patent. The Hatch-Waxman Act allows a maximum of one patent to be extended per FDA-approved product as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory review process. A patent term extension cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the date of product approval and only those claims covering such approved drug product, a method for using it or a method for manufacturing it may be extended. Patent term extension may also be available in certain foreign countries upon regulatory approval of our product candidates. However, the applicable authorities, including the FDA and USPTO, in the United States, and any equivalent foreign regulatory authority, may not agree with our assessment of whether such extensions are available, and may refuse to grant extensions to our patents, or may grant more limited extensions than we request. If this occurs, our competitors may take advantage of our investment in development and clinical trials by referencing our clinical and preclinical data and launch their product earlier than might otherwise be the case.
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The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, and we cannot predict:
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whether the claims of any patent issuing based on our patent applications will provide protection against competitors; |
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whether any of the patents we own or license will be found to ultimately be valid and enforceable; |
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whether or not others will obtain patents claiming aspects similar to those covered by our patents and patent applications; |
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whether we will develop additional proprietary technologies or products that are separately patentable; |
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whether we will need to initiate litigation or administrative proceedings to enforce and/or defend our patent rights which will be costly whether we win or lose; and/or |
We depend on intellectual property licensed from Biocon and termination of our license could result in the loss of significant rights, which would harm our business.
We currently in-license certain intellectual property that is important to our business from Biocon and, in the future, we may enter into additional agreements that provide us with licenses to valuable intellectual property or technology. We rely to some extent on Biocon to file patent applications and to otherwise protect the intellectual property we license from them. We have limited control over these activities or any other intellectual property that may be related to our in-licensed intellectual property. For example, we cannot be certain that such activities by Biocon have been or will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights. We have limited control over the manner in which Biocon initiates an infringement proceeding against a third-party infringer of the intellectual property rights, or defend certain of the intellectual property that is licensed to us. It is possible that our licensor’s infringement proceeding or defense activities may be less vigorous than had we conducted them ourselves.
Furthermore, in-licensed patents may be subject to a reservation of rights by one or more third parties. Further, our existing license with Biocon imposes, and future agreements may also impose, various diligence, milestone payment, royalty, insurance and other obligations on us. If we fail to comply with these obligations, we may be required to pay damages and our licensor may have the right to terminate the license, in which event we would not be able to develop or market the products covered by such licensed intellectual property and our competitors or other third parties might be able to gain access to technologies and products that are identical to ours. Our business would suffer if any current or future licenses terminate, if the licensors fail to abide by the terms of the license, if the licensors fail to enforce licensed patents against infringing third parties, if the licensed patents or other rights are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are unable to enter into necessary licenses on acceptable terms. Furthermore, if any current or future licenses terminate, or if the underlying patents fail to provide the intended exclusivity, competitors or other third parties may gain the freedom to seek regulatory approval of, and to market, products identical to ours. Moreover, our licensors may own or control intellectual property that has not been licensed to us and, as a result, we may be subject to claims, regardless of their merit, that we are infringing or otherwise violating the licensor’s rights. Disputes may also arise between us and our licensor regarding intellectual property subject to a license agreement, including those relating to:
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whether and the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor that is not subject to the license agreement; |
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our right to sublicense patent and other rights to third parties under collaborative development relationships; |
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whether we are complying with our diligence obligations with respect to the use of the licensed technology in relation to our development and commercialization of our product candidates; and |
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the allocation of ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors and by us and our partners. |
In addition, intellectual property or technology license agreements, including our existing agreements, are complex, and certain provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement that may arise could narrow what we believe to be the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology, or increase what we believe to be our financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. If disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates. We are generally also subject to all of the same risks with respect to protection of intellectual property that we license as we are for intellectual property that we own, which are described below. If we or our licensor fail to adequately protect this intellectual property, our ability to commercialize products could suffer.
Because our programs may require the use of proprietary rights held by third parties, the growth of our business may depend in part on our ability to acquire, in-license or use these proprietary rights. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify as necessary for our product candidates. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies are also pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities.
In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. In addition, while we cannot currently determine the amount of the royalty obligations we would be required to pay on sales of future products, if any, the amounts may be significant. The amount of our future royalty obligations will depend on the technology and intellectual property we use in products that we successfully develop and commercialize, if any. Therefore, even if we successfully develop and commercialize products, we may be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.
In the future, we may need to obtain additional licenses of third-party technology that may not be available to us or are available only on commercially unreasonable terms, and which may cause us to operate our business in a more costly or otherwise adverse manner that was not anticipated.
From time to time we may be required to license technologies relating to our therapeutic research programs from additional third parties to further develop or commercialize our product candidates such as itolizumab and/or others. Should we be required to obtain licenses to any third-party technology, including any such patents required to manufacture, use or sell our product candidates, such licenses may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain any third-party license required to develop or commercialize any of our product candidates could cause us to abandon any related efforts, which could seriously harm our business and operations.
Any collaboration arrangements that we may enter into in the future may not be successful, which could adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our products.
Any future collaborations that we enter into may not be successful. The success of our collaboration arrangements will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of our collaborators. Collaborations are subject to numerous risks, which may include that:
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collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to collaborations; |
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collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our products or product candidates; |
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we could grant exclusive rights to our collaborators that would prevent us from collaborating with others; |
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collaborations may be terminated, and, if terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable current or future products; |
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a collaborator’s sales and marketing activities or other operations may not be in compliance with applicable laws resulting in civil or criminal proceedings. |
We may not identify relevant third-party patents or may incorrectly interpret the relevance, scope or expiration of a third party patent, which might adversely affect our ability to develop and market our products.
We cannot assure you that our operations do not, or will not in the future, infringe existing or future patents. We cannot guarantee that any of our patent searches or analyses, including the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain that we have identified each and every third party patent and pending application in the United States and abroad that is relevant to our therapeutic research programs or necessary for the commercialization of our product candidates such as itolizumab and/or others in any jurisdiction.
Numerous U.S. and foreign patents and pending patent applications exist in our market that are owned by third parties, and there may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of itolizumab that we may identify. Our competitors in both the United States and abroad, many of which have substantially greater resources and have made substantial investments in patent portfolios and competing technologies, may have applied for or obtained or may in the future apply for and obtain, patents that will prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with our ability to make, use and sell our products. We do not always conduct independent reviews of pending patent applications of and patents issued to third parties. Patent applications in the United States and elsewhere are typically published approximately 18 months after the earliest filing for which priority is claimed, with such earliest filing date being commonly referred to as the priority date. Certain U.S. applications that will not be filed outside the United States can remain confidential until patents issue. In addition, patent applications in the United States and elsewhere can be pending for many years before issuance, or unintentionally abandoned patents or applications can be revived. Furthermore, pending patent applications that have been published can, subject to certain limitations, be later amended in a manner that could cover our technologies, our products or the use of our products. As such, there may be applications of others now pending or recently revived patents of which we are unaware, potentially relating to our research programs and product candidates such as itolizumab and others, or their intended uses. These applications may later result in issued patents, or the revival of previously abandoned patents, that will prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our products.
The scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history. Our interpretation of the relevance or the scope of a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to market our products. We may incorrectly determine that our products are not covered by a third party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third party’s pending application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent in the United States or abroad that we consider relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our product candidates. Our failure to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our products.
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We cannot provide any assurances that third party patents do not exist which might be enforced against our current technology, including our research programs, product candidates, which include itolizumab and others, their respective methods of use, manufacture and formulations thereof, and could result in either an injunction prohibiting our manufacture or future sales, or, with respect to our future sales, an obligation on our part to pay royalties and/or other forms of compensation to third parties, which could be significant.
If we are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of third parties, such litigation could be costly and time consuming and could prevent or delay us from developing or commercializing our product candidates.
Our commercial success depends, in part, on our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell itolizumab and other potential future product candidates without infringing the intellectual property and other proprietary rights of third parties. Third parties may allege that we have infringed or misappropriated their intellectual property. Litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims, with or without merit, is unpredictable and generally expensive and time consuming and, even if resolved in our favor, is likely to divert significant resources from our core business, including distracting our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources and more mature and developed intellectual property portfolios. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. We cannot assure you that our operations do not, or will not in the future, infringe existing or future patents.
There is a substantial amount of intellectual property litigation in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and we may become party to, or threatened with, litigation or other adversarial proceedings regarding intellectual property rights with respect to our product candidates. Our competitors in both the United States and abroad, many of which have substantially greater resources and have made substantial investments in patent portfolios and competing technologies, may have applied for or obtained or may in the future apply for and obtain, patents that will prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with our ability to make, use and sell our product candidates. Third parties may assert infringement claims against us based on existing or future intellectual property rights. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have produced a significant number of patents, and it may not always be clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products or methods of use. The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform. If we were sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our product candidates, products or methods either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent or that the patent claims are invalid or unenforceable, and we may not be able to do this. Proving invalidity may be difficult. For example, in the United States, proving invalidity in court requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents. Even if we are successful in these proceedings, we may incur substantial costs and the time and attention of our management and scientific personnel could be diverted in pursuing these proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. In addition, we may not have sufficient resources to bring these actions to a successful conclusion. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation or administrative proceedings, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure.
If we are found to infringe a third party’s intellectual property rights, we could be forced, including by court order, to cease developing, manufacturing or commercializing the infringing product candidate or product. Alternatively, we may be required to obtain a license from such third party in order to use the infringing technology and continue developing, manufacturing or marketing the infringing product candidate. However, we may not be able to obtain any required license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us. In addition, we could be found liable for monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if we are found to have willfully infringed a patent. A finding of infringement could prevent us from commercializing our product candidates or force us to cease some of our business operations, and could divert the time and attention of our technical personnel and management, cause development delays, and/or require us to develop non-infringing technology, which may not be possible on a cost-effective basis, which could materially harm our business. Claims that we have misappropriated the confidential information or trade secrets of third parties could have a similar negative impact on our business.
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We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or other intellectual property, which could be expensive, time consuming and unsuccessful.
Competitors may infringe our patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property that relate to our current and future product candidates, including itolizumab and others, their respective methods of use, manufacture and formulations thereof. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we or our licensor may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time consuming and divert the time and attention of our management and scientific personnel. Any claims we or our licensor assert against perceived infringers could provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe their patents, in addition to counterclaims asserting that our patents are invalid or unenforceable, or both. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace, and the outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. In any patent infringement proceeding, there is a risk that a court will decide that a patent that we own or have licensed is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue. There is also a risk that, even if the validity of such patents is upheld, the court will construe the patent’s claims narrowly or decide that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue on the grounds that our patent claims do not cover the invention. An adverse outcome in a litigation or proceeding involving our patents could limit our ability to assert our patents against those parties or other competitors, and may curtail or preclude our ability to exclude third parties from making and selling similar or competitive products.
Interference or derivation proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by us or declared by the USPTO may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. For example, an unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or if a non-exclusive license is offered and our competitors gain access to the same technology. Our defense of litigation or interference or derivation proceedings may fail and, even if successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our clinical trials, continue our research programs, license necessary technology from third parties, or enter into development partnerships that would help us bring itolizumab or other product candidates that we may identify to market. Any of these occurrences could adversely affect our competitive business position, results of operations business prospects and financial condition. Similarly, if we assert trademark infringement claims, a court may determine that the marks we have asserted are invalid or unenforceable, or that the party against whom we have asserted trademark infringement has superior rights to the marks in question. In this case, we could ultimately be forced to cease use of such trademarks.
Even if we establish infringement, the court may decide not to grant an injunction against further infringing activity and instead award only monetary damages, which may or may not be an adequate remedy. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of shares of our common stock. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient financial or other resources to file and pursue such infringement claims, which typically last for years before they are concluded. Even if we ultimately prevail in such claims, the monetary cost of such litigation and the diversion of the attention of our management and scientific personnel could outweigh any benefit we receive as a result of the proceedings.
Because of the expense and uncertainty of litigation, we may not be in a position to enforce our intellectual property rights against third parties.
Because of the expense and uncertainty of litigation, we may conclude that even if a third party is infringing our issued patent relating to our research programs and product candidates, any patents that may be issued as a result of our pending or future patent applications or other intellectual property rights, the risk-adjusted cost of bringing and enforcing such a claim or action may be too high or not in the best interest of our company or our stockholders. In such cases, we may decide that the more prudent course of action is to simply monitor the situation or initiate or seek some other non-litigious action or solution.
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We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties.
We employ individuals who previously worked with other companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. We could in the future be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed alleged trade secrets or other confidential information of current or former employers or competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and independent contractors do not use the intellectual property, proprietary information, know-how or trade secrets of others in their work for us, we may become subject to claims that we caused an individual to breach the terms of his or her non-competition or non-solicitation agreement, or that we or these individuals have, inadvertently or otherwise, used or disclosed the alleged trade secrets or other proprietary information of a current or former employer or competitor.
While we may litigate to defend ourselves against these claims, even if we are successful, litigation could result in substantial costs and could be a distraction to management and other employees. If our defenses to these claims fail, in addition to requiring us to pay monetary damages, a court could prohibit us from using technologies or features that are essential to our product candidates, including itolizumab, if such technologies or features are found to incorporate or be derived from the trade secrets or other proprietary information of the current or former employers. Moreover, any such litigation or the threat thereof may adversely affect our reputation, our ability to form strategic alliances or sublicense our rights to collaborators, engage with scientific advisors or hire employees or consultants, each of which would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in patent law in the United States and other jurisdictions could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our product candidates.
As is the case with other biopharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents relating to our research programs and product candidates. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biopharmaceutical industry involves both technological and legal complexity and is therefore costly, time consuming and inherently uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States or USPTO rules and regulations could increase the uncertainties and costs. Recent patent reform legislation in the United States and other countries, including the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, signed into law on September 16, 2011, could increase those uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications are prosecuted, redefine prior art and provide more efficient and cost-effective avenues for competitors to challenge the validity of patents. These include allowing third-party submission of prior art to the USPTO during patent prosecution and additional procedures to attack the validity of a patent by USPTO administered post-grant proceedings, including post-grant review, inter partes review, and derivation proceedings. After March 2013, under the Leahy-Smith Act, the United States transitioned to a first inventor to file system in which, assuming that the other statutory requirements are met, the first inventor to file a patent application will be entitled to the patent on an invention regardless of whether a third party was the first to invent the claimed invention. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications, our ability to obtain future patents, and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. Depending on future actions by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. courts, the USPTO and the relevant law-making bodies in other countries, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
Filing, prosecuting and defending all current and future patents in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and, further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our product candidates, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.
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The legal systems of many foreign countries do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights. For example, some foreign countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner must grant licenses to third parties. In addition, some countries limit the enforceability of patents against third parties, including government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, patents may provide limited or no benefit. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.
Obtaining and maintaining patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submissions, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuities fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or patent applications are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent and/or patent application. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies also require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our research programs and product candidates such as itolizumab and others as well as their respective methods of use, manufacture and formulations thereof, our competitive position would be adversely affected, as, for example, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case.
We may rely on trade secret and proprietary know-how which can be difficult to trace and enforce and, if we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, our business and competitive position would be harmed.
In addition to seeking patents for some of our technology and product candidates, we may also rely on trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information, to maintain our competitive position with respect to our research programs and product candidates. Elements of our product candidates, including processes for their preparation and manufacture, may involve proprietary know-how, information, or technology that is not covered by patents, and thus for these aspects we may consider trade secrets and know-how to be our primary intellectual property. Any disclosure, either intentional or unintentional, by our employees, the employees of third parties with whom we share our facilities or third party consultants and vendors that we engage to perform research, clinical trials or manufacturing activities, or misappropriation by third parties (such as through a cybersecurity breach) of our trade secrets or proprietary information could enable competitors to duplicate or surpass our technological achievements, thus eroding our competitive position in our market.
Trade secrets and know-how can be difficult to protect. We require our employees to enter into written employment agreements containing provisions of confidentiality and obligations to assign to us any inventions generated in the course of their employment. We and any third parties with whom we share facilities enter into written agreements that include confidentiality and intellectual property obligations to protect each party’s property, potential trade secrets, proprietary know-how, and information. We further seek to protect our potential trade secrets, proprietary know-how, and information in part, by entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who are given access to them, such as our corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, CROs, contract manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties. With our consultants, contractors, and outside scientific collaborators, these agreements typically include invention assignment obligations. However, we cannot be certain that such agreements have been entered into with all relevant parties, and we cannot be certain that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Moreover, despite these efforts, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary technologies will be effective. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our products that we consider proprietary. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets.
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Trade secrets may be independently developed by others in a manner that could prevent legal recourse by us. Trade secrets will over time be disseminated within the industry through independent development, the publication of journal articles and the movement of personnel skilled in the art from company to company or academic to industry scientific positions. Though our agreements with third parties typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, collaborators, licensors, suppliers, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets, our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. Because from time to time we expect to rely on third parties in the development, manufacture, and distribution of our products and provision of our services, we must, at times, share trade secrets with them. Despite employing the contractual and other security precautions described above, the need to share trade secrets increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, we would have no right to prevent them from using that technology or information to compete with us. If any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, our competitive position would be harmed.
We may become subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.
We or our licensor may be subject to claims that former employees, consultants, independent contractors, collaborators or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property as an owner, co-owner, inventor or co-inventor. The failure to name the proper inventors on a patent application can result in the patents issuing thereon being unenforceable. Inventorship disputes may arise from conflicting views regarding the contributions of different individuals named as inventors, the effects of foreign laws where foreign nationals are involved in the development of the subject matter of the patent, conflicting obligations of third parties involved in developing our product candidates or as a result of questions regarding co-ownership of potential joint inventions. Litigation may be necessary to resolve these and other claims challenging inventorship and/or ownership. Alternatively, or additionally, we may enter into agreements to clarify the scope of our rights in such intellectual property. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.
Patent terms may be inadequate to protect our competitive position on our product candidates for an adequate amount of time.
Patent rights are of limited duration. In the United States, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years after its first effective non-provisional filing date. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such product candidates are commercialized. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a product, we may be open to competition from biosimilar or generic products. A patent term extension based on regulatory delay may be available in the United States. However, only a single patent can be extended for each marketing approval, and any patent can be extended only once, for a single product. Moreover, the scope of protection during the period of the patent term extension does not extend to the full scope of the claim, but instead only to the scope of the product as approved. Laws governing analogous patent term extensions in foreign jurisdictions vary widely, as do laws governing the ability to obtain multiple patents from a single patent family. Additionally, we may not receive an extension if we fail to apply within applicable deadlines, fail to apply prior to expiration of relevant patents or otherwise fail to satisfy applicable requirements. If we are unable to obtain patent term extension or restoration, or the term of any such extension is less than we request, the period during which we will have the right to exclusively market our product will be shortened and our competitors may obtain approval of competing products following our patent expiration, and our revenue could be reduced, possibly materially.
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If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.*
We currently have two U.S. trademark registrations for EQUILLIUM respectively covering Classes 5 and 42, and one Canadian trademark registration for EQUILLIUM covering both Classes 5 and 42. Our current or future trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or descriptive determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names or may be forced to stop using these names, which we need for name recognition by potential partners or customers in our markets of interest. During trademark registration proceedings, we may receive rejections. Although we would be given an opportunity to respond to those rejections, we may be unable to overcome such rejections. In addition, in the USPTO and in comparable agencies in many foreign jurisdictions, third parties are given an opportunity to oppose pending trademark applications and to seek to cancel registered trademarks. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our trademarks, and our trademarks may not survive such proceedings. If we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, we may not be able to compete effectively, and our business may be adversely affected. We may license our trademarks and trade names to third parties, such as distributors. Though these license agreements may provide guidelines for how our trademarks and trade names may be used, a breach of these agreements or misuse of our trademarks and tradenames by our licensees may jeopardize our rights in or diminish the goodwill associated with our trademarks and trade names.
Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.
The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations and may not adequately protect our business or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. For example:
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others may be able to make product candidates that are similar to ours but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed; |
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we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patent or pending patent application that we own or have exclusively licensed; |
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we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions; |
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others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; |
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issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; |
Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Risks Related to Employee Matters and Managing Growth and Other Risks Related to Our Business
We are highly dependent on the services of our key personnel.
We are highly dependent on the services of our key personnel, Daniel M. Bradbury, who serves as our Chief Executive Officer (and effective as of January 1, 2020 will serve as our Executive Chairman), Bruce D. Steel, who serves as our President and Chief Business Officer (and effective as of January 1, 2020 will serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer), Krishna R. Polu, M.D., who serves as our Chief Medical Officer (and effective January 1, 2020 will serve as our Executive Vice President Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer), and Stephen Connelly, Ph.D., who serves as our Chief Scientific Officer. Although we have entered into agreements with them regarding their employment, they are not for a specific term and each of them may terminate their employment with us at any time, though we are not aware of any present intention of any of these individuals to leave us.
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We expect to expand our development, regulatory and operational capabilities and, as a result, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.*
As of September 30, 2019, we had 16 full-time employees. As we advance itolizumab in clinical development, we expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of clinical development, quality, regulatory affairs and, if itolizumab or any future product candidates receives marketing approval, sales, marketing and distribution. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must:
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manage our development efforts effectively, including the initiation and conduct of clinical trials for itolizumab and any future product candidates; and |
Our future financial performance and our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize itolizumab and any future product candidates will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage any future growth, and our management may also have to divert financial and other resources, and a disproportionate amount of its attention away from day-to-day activities in order to devote a substantial amount of time, to managing these growth activities.
We currently rely, and for the foreseeable future will continue to rely, in substantial part on certain third party contract organizations, advisors and consultants to provide certain services, including assuming substantial responsibilities for the conduct of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and the manufacture of itolizumab and any future product candidates. We cannot assure you that the services of such third party contract organizations, advisors and consultants will continue to be available to us on a timely basis when needed, or that we can find qualified replacements. In addition, if we are unable to effectively manage our outsourced activities or if the quality or accuracy of the services provided by our vendors or consultants is compromised for any reason, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain marketing approval of our product candidates or otherwise advance our business. We cannot assure you that we will be able to properly manage our existing vendors or consultants or find other competent outside vendors and consultants on economically reasonable terms, or at all.
If we are not able to effectively expand our organization by leasing additional facilities, hiring new employees and expanding our groups of consultants and contractors, we may not be able to successfully implement the tasks necessary to further develop and commercialize itolizumab and any future product candidates and, accordingly, may not achieve our research, development and commercialization goals.
Our future success depends on our ability to retain key employees, consultants and advisors and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
Our industry has experienced a high rate of turnover in recent years. Our ability to compete in the highly competitive biopharmaceuticals industry depends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled and experienced personnel with scientific, medical, regulatory, manufacturing and management skills and experience. We conduct our operations in the Greater San Diego Area and the San Francisco Bay Area regions that are home to many other biopharmaceutical companies as well as many academic and research institutions, resulting in fierce competition for qualified personnel. We may not be able to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future due to the intense competition for a limited number of qualified personnel among biopharmaceutical companies. Many of the other biopharmaceutical companies against which we compete have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles and a longer history in the industry than we do. Our competitors may provide higher compensation, more diverse opportunities and/or better opportunities for career advancement. Any or all of these competing factors may limit our ability to continue to attract and retain high quality personnel, which could negatively affect our ability to successfully develop and commercialize itolizumab or any future product candidates and to grow our business and operations as currently contemplated.
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Our employees, clinical trial investigators, CROs, consultants, vendors and any potential commercial partners may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements and insider trading.
We are exposed to the risk of fraud or other misconduct by our employees, clinical trial investigators, CROs, consultants, vendors and any potential commercial partners. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct or disclosure of unauthorized activities to us that violates: (i) FDA laws and regulations or those of comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including those laws that require the reporting of true, complete and accurate information, (ii) manufacturing standards, (iii) federal and state health and data privacy, security, fraud and abuse, government price reporting, transparency reporting requirements, and other healthcare laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, (iv) sexual harassment and other workplace misconduct, or (v) laws that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial information or data. Such misconduct could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation. We have adopted a code of conduct applicable to all of our employees, as well as a disclosure program and other applicable policies and procedures, but it is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional integrity reporting and oversight obligations, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
Our internal information technology systems, or those of our third-party CROs or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, loss or leakage of data and other disruptions, which could result in a material disruption of our development programs, compromise sensitive information related to our business or prevent us from accessing critical information, potentially exposing us to liability or otherwise adversely affecting our business.
We are increasingly dependent upon information technology systems, infrastructure and data to operate our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store and transmit confidential information (including but not limited to intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information). It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. We also have outsourced elements of our operations to third parties, and as a result we manage a number of third party contractors who have access to our confidential information.
Despite the implementation of security measures, given their size and complexity and the increasing amounts of confidential information that they maintain, our internal information technology systems and those of our third-party CROs and other contractors and consultants are potentially vulnerable to breakdown or other damage or interruption from service interruptions, system malfunction, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures, as well as security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, contractors, consultants, business partners, and/or other third parties, or from cyber-attacks by malicious third parties (including the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information), which may compromise our system infrastructure or lead to data leakage. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and reputational damage and the further development and commercialization of itolizumab or any future product candidates could be delayed.
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While we have not experienced any such system failure, accident or security breach to date, we cannot assure you that our data protection efforts and our investment in information technology will prevent significant breakdowns, data leakages, breaches in our systems or other cyber incidents that could have a material adverse effect upon our reputation, business, operations or financial condition. For example, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our programs and the development of itolizumab or any future product candidates could be delayed. In addition, the loss of clinical trial data for itolizumab or any future product candidates could result in delays in our marketing approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Furthermore, significant disruptions of our internal information technology systems or security breaches could result in the loss, misappropriation, and/or unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of, or the prevention of access to, confidential information (including trade secrets or other intellectual property, proprietary business information, and personal information), which could result in financial, legal, business, and reputational harm to us. For example, any such event that leads to unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of personal information, including personal information regarding our clinical trial subjects or employees, could harm our reputation directly, compel us to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, subject us to mandatory corrective action, and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of personal information, which could result in significant legal and financial exposure and reputational damages that could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.
Failure to comply with health and data protection laws and regulations could lead to government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.
We and any potential collaborators may be subject to federal, state, and foreign data protection laws and regulations (i.e., laws and regulations that address privacy and data security). In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including federal health information privacy laws, state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act), that govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to our operations or the operations of our collaborators. In addition, we may obtain health information from third parties (including research institutions from which we obtain clinical trial data) that are subject to privacy and security requirements under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH. Depending on the facts and circumstances, we could be subject to criminal penalties if we knowingly obtain, use, or disclose individually identifiable health information maintained by a HIPAA-covered entity in a manner that is not authorized or permitted by HIPAA.
As of May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, has replaced the Data Protection Directive with respect to the processing of personal data in the European Union. The GDPR imposes several stringent requirements for controllers and processors of personal data, including, for example, higher standards for obtaining consent from individuals to process their personal data, more robust disclosures to individuals and a strengthened individual data rights regime, shortened timelines for data breach notifications, limitations on retention and secondary use of information, increased requirements pertaining to health data and pseudonymised (i.e., key-coded) data and additional obligations when we contract third party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data. The GDPR provides that European Union member states may make their own further laws and regulations limiting the processing of genetic, biometric or health data, which could limit our ability to use and share personal data or could cause our costs could increase, and harm our business and financial condition. Failure to comply with the requirements of GDPR and the applicable national data protection laws of the European Union member states may result in fines of up to €20,000,000 or up to 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher, and other administrative penalties. To comply with the new data protection rules imposed by GDPR we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms ensuring compliance. This may be onerous and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
European data protection law also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the European Union, including to the United States. These obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other requirements or our practices. In addition, these rules are constantly under scrutiny. For example, following a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union in October 2015, transferring personal data to U.S. companies that had certified as members of the U.S. Safe Harbor Scheme was declared invalid. In July 2016 the European Commission adopted the U.S.-EU Privacy Shield Framework which replaces the Safe Harbor Scheme. However, this Framework is under review and there is currently litigation challenging other European Union mechanisms for adequate data transfers (i.e., the standard contractual clauses). It is uncertain whether the Privacy Shield Framework and/or the standard contractual clauses will be similarly invalidated by the European courts. We rely on a mixture of mechanisms to transfer personal data from our European Union business to the United States, and could be impacted by changes in law as a result of a future review of these transfer mechanisms by European regulators under the GDPR, as well as current challenges to these mechanisms in the European courts.
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Further, the United Kingdom’s vote in favor of exiting the European Union, often referred to as Brexit, has created uncertainty with regard to data protection regulation in the United Kingdom. In particular, it is unclear whether the United Kingdom will enact data protection legislation equivalent to the GDPR and how data transfers to and from the United Kingdom will be regulated.
Compliance with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations could require us to take on more onerous obligations in our contracts, restrict our ability to collect, use and disclose data, or in some cases, impact our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions. Failure to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations could result in government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business. Moreover, clinical trial subjects about whom we or our potential collaborators obtain information, as well as the providers who share this information with us, may contractually limit our ability to use and disclose the information. Claims that we have violated individuals’ privacy rights, failed to comply with data protection laws, or breached our contractual obligations, even if we are not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm our business.
We or the third parties upon whom we depend may be adversely affected by earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us from a serious disaster.
Our headquarters and main research facility are located in the Greater San Diego Area, which in the past has experienced severe earthquakes and fires. If these earthquakes, fires, other natural disasters, terrorism and similar unforeseen events beyond our control prevented us from using all or a significant portion of our headquarters or research facility, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time. We do not have a disaster recovery or business continuity plan in place and may incur substantial expenses as a result of the absence or limited nature of our internal or third party service provider disaster recovery and business continuity plans, which, particularly when taken together with our lack of earthquake insurance, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, integral parties in our supply chain are operating from single sites, increasing their vulnerability to natural disasters or other sudden, unforeseen and severe adverse events. If such an event were to affect our supply chain, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our clinical trials, our development plans and business.
Changes in tax laws or regulations that are applied adversely to us or our customers may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, financial condition or results of operations.*
New income, sales, use or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be enacted at any time, which could affect the tax treatment of our domestic and foreign earnings. Any new taxes could adversely affect our domestic and international business operations, and our business and financial performance. Further, existing tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified or applied adversely to us. For example, on December 22, 2017, U.S. federal income tax legislation was signed into law (H.R. 1, “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018”), informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that significantly revised the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other things, contained significant changes to corporate taxation, including reduction of the corporate tax rate from a top marginal rate of 35% to a flat rate of 21%, repeal of the alternative minimum tax for corporations, limitation of the tax deduction for interest expense to 30% of adjusted taxable income (except for certain small businesses), limitation of the deduction for net operating losses carried forward from taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 to 80% of current year taxable income, elimination of carrybacks of net operating losses arising in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017, one-time taxation of offshore earnings at reduced rates regardless of whether they are repatriated, elimination of U.S. tax on foreign earnings (subject to certain important exceptions), immediate deductions for certain new investments instead of deductions for depreciation expense over time, and modifying or repealing many business deductions and credits. We do not expect the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to have a material impact on our current projection of minimal cash taxes for the near future. However, we continue to examine the impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may have on our business in the longer term. We urge prospective investors to consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to this legislation and the potential tax consequences of investing in or holding our common stock.
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Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
Our federal net operating losses, or NOLs, generated in taxable years ending prior to 2018 could expire unused. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal NOLs incurred in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017, may be carried forward indefinitely, but the deductibility of federal NOLs generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, is limited. It is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In addition, under Sections 382 and 383 of the Code and corresponding provisions of state law, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards, or NOLs, and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research tax credits) to offset its post-change income may be limited. It is possible that we have experienced one or more ownership changes in the past. In addition, we may also experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership some of which may be outside of our control. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards to offset U.S. federal taxable income may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. In addition, at the state level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase state taxes owed.
The terms of our Loan Agreement place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility.*
In September 2019, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank providing for up to $20.0 million in term loans, which is secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of our current and future assets, other than our intellectual property (except rights to payment from the sale, licensing or disposition of such intellectual property). We borrowed $10.0 million upon execution of the Loan Agreement.
The Loan Agreement includes affirmative and restrictive covenants, including covenants regarding delivery of financial statements, maintenance of inventory, payment of taxes, maintenance of insurance, protection of intellectual property rights, dispositions of property, business combinations or acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, investments and transactions with affiliates, among other customary covenants. We are also restricted from paying dividends or making other distributions or payments on our capital stock, subject to limited exceptions.
The Loan Agreement also includes events of default, the occurrence and continuation of which provide Oxford Finance LLC, as collateral agent, with the right to exercise remedies against us and the collateral securing the loans under the Loan Agreement, including foreclosure against our properties securing the Loan Agreement, including our cash, potentially requiring us to renegotiate our agreement on terms less favorable to us or to immediately cease operations. These events of default include, among other things, our failure to satisfy our payment obligations under the Loan Agreement, the breach of certain of our other covenants under the Loan Agreement, or the occurrence of a material adverse change, cross defaults to other indebtedness or material agreements, judgment defaults and defaults related to failure to maintain governmental approvals failure of which to maintain could result in a material adverse effect. Further, if we are liquidated, the lenders’ right to repayment would be senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock to receive any proceeds from the liquidation. The lenders could declare a default upon the occurrence of any event that they interpret as a material adverse change as defined under the Loan Agreement, thereby requiring us to repay the loan immediately or to attempt to reverse the declaration of default through negotiation or litigation. Any declaration by the lenders of an event of default could significantly harm our business and prospects and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Product liability lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and could limit our commercialization of any product candidates that we may develop.
We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of itolizumab and any future product candidates in human clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercially sell any products that we may develop. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that itolizumab or any future product candidates or products caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in:
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significant costs to defend the related litigation and diversion of management’s time and our resources; |
We currently have product liability insurance. However, the amount of insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we may incur. We anticipate that we will need to increase our insurance coverage as itolizumab and any future product candidates advance through clinical trials and if we successfully commercialize any products. Insurance coverage is increasingly expensive. We may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in an amount adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise.
Changes in healthcare law and implementing regulations, as well as changes in healthcare policy, may impact our business in ways that we cannot currently predict and may have a significant adverse effect on our business and results of operations.*
There have been, and continue to be, several legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Among policy makers and payors in the United States there is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare systems with the stated goals of containing healthcare costs, improving quality and/or expanding access and the pharmaceutical industry has been a particular focus of these efforts and has been significantly affected by major legislative initiatives.
The Affordable Care Act substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both the government and private insurers, and significantly impacts the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. The Affordable Care Act, among other things: (i) introduced a new average manufacturer price definition for drugs and biologics that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected and not generally dispensed through retail community pharmacies; (ii) increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and expanded rebate liability from fee-for-service Medicaid utilization to include the utilization of Medicaid managed care organizations as well; (iii) established a branded prescription drug fee that pharmaceutical manufacturers of branded prescription drugs must pay to the federal government; (iv) expanded the list of covered entities eligible to participate in the 340B drug pricing program by adding new entities to the program; (v) established a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must now agree to offer 70 % point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; (vi) extended manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations; (vii) expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to additional individuals, including individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, thereby potentially increasing manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability; (viii) created a licensure framework for follow-on biologic products; and (ix) established a Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, as well as recent efforts by the Trump administration to repeal or replace certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included a provision that repealed, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the Affordable Care Act on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” Since the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there have been additional amendments to certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act, and we expect the current Trump administration and Congress will likely continue to seek to modify, repeal or otherwise invalidate all, or certain provisions of, the Affordable Care Act. On December 14, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by Congress as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While the Texas U.S. District Court Judge, as well as the Trump administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, have stated that the ruling will have no immediate effect pending appeal of the decision, it is unclear how this decision, subsequent appeals, and other efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act will impact the Affordable Care Act and our business. We continue to evaluate the effect that the Affordable Care Act and its possible repeal and replacement has on our business. It is uncertain the extent to which any such changes may impact our business or financial condition.
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Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. These changes include aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011 and subsequent laws, which began in 2013 and will remain in effect through 2027, unless additional Congressional action is taken. In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. New laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, which may materially adversely affect customer demand and affordability for our products and, accordingly, the results of our financial operations.
Also, there has been heightened governmental scrutiny recently over the manner in which pharmaceutical companies set prices for their marketed products, which have resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted state and federal legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to product pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. At the federal level, the Trump administration’s budget proposals for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 contained further drug price control measures that could be enacted during the budget process or in other future legislation, including, for example, measures to permit Medicare Part D plans to negotiate the price of certain drugs under Medicare Part B, to allow some states to negotiate drug prices under Medicaid, and to eliminate cost sharing for generic drugs for low-income patients. Further, the Trump administration released a “Blueprint,” or plan, to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs of drugs that contains additional proposals to increase drug manufacturer competition, increase the negotiating power of certain federal healthcare programs, incentivize manufacturers to lower the list price of their products, and reduce the out of pocket costs of drug products paid by consumers. The Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, has started soliciting feedback on some of these measures and, at the same, is implementing others under its existing authority. While some of the existing measures and other proposed measures may require additional authorization to become effective, Congress and the Trump administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative measures to control drug costs. At the state level, individual states in the United States have increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing.
Further, on May 30, 2018, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, or Right to Try Act, was signed into law. The law, among other things, provides a federal framework for certain patients to access certain investigational new drug products that have completed a Phase I clinical trial and that are undergoing investigation for FDA approval. Under certain circumstances, eligible patients can seek treatment without enrolling in clinical trials and without obtaining FDA permission under the FDA expanded access program. There is no obligation for a drug manufacturer to make its drug products available to eligible patients as a result of the Right to Try Act.
We expect that these and other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and lower reimbursement, and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government-funded programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our drugs, once marketing approval is obtained.
We may be subject to applicable foreign, federal and state fraud and abuse, transparency, government price reporting, and other healthcare laws and regulations. If we are unable to comply, or have not fully complied, with such laws, we could face substantial penalties.*
Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors will play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any future product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may affect the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct research and would market, sell and distribute our products. Even though we do not and will not control referrals of healthcare services or bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payors, federal and state healthcare laws and regulations pertaining to fraud and abuse and patients’ rights are and will be applicable to our business. The laws that may affect our ability to operate include, but are not limited to:
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of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from prosecution. Additionally, the intent standard under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute was amended by the Affordable Care Act such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the Affordable Care Act codified case law that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act, or FCA; |
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the U.S. federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices; |
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the Public Health Service Act, which prohibits, among other things, the introduction of a biological product into interstate commerce without an approved BLA; |
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federal and state consumer protection and unfair competition laws, which broadly regulate marketplace activities and activities that potentially harm consumers; |
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We have entered into consulting and scientific advisory board arrangements with physicians and other healthcare providers, including some who could influence the use of itolizumab and any future product candidates, if approved. Because of the complex and far-reaching nature of these laws, regulatory agencies may view these transactions as prohibited arrangements that must be restructured, or discontinued, or for which we could be subject to other significant penalties. We could be adversely affected if regulatory agencies interpret our financial relationships with providers who may influence the ordering of and use of itolizumab or any future product candidates, if approved, to be in violation of applicable laws.
The scope and enforcement of each of these laws is uncertain and subject to rapid change in the current environment of healthcare reform. Federal and state enforcement bodies have recently increased their scrutiny of interactions between healthcare companies, healthcare providers and other third parties, including charitable foundations, which has led to a number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and settlements in the healthcare industry. It is possible that governmental authorities may conclude that our business practices, including our consulting arrangements with physicians, some of whom receive stock options as compensation for services provided, do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law involving applicable healthcare laws. Responding to investigations can be time and resource-consuming and can divert management’s attention from the business. Any such investigation or settlement could increase our costs or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business.
Ensuring that our business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will likely be costly. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other current or future governmental laws and regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting obligations and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could substantially disrupt our operations. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business is found to be not in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to significant criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.
We are subject to certain U.S. and certain foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations. We can face serious consequences for violations.
U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations, or collectively Trade Laws, prohibit, among other things, companies and their employees, agents, CROs, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors, and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting, or receiving, directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities, and other organizations. We also expect our non-U.S. activities to increase over time. We expect to rely on third parties for research, preclinical studies, and clinical trials and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations, and other marketing approvals. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our personnel, agents, or partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have prior knowledge of such activities. Any violations of the laws and regulations described above may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties, imprisonment, the loss of export or import privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm and other consequences.
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Requirements associated with being a public company will increase our costs significantly, as well as divert significant company resources and management attention.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or the other rules and regulations of the SEC, or any securities exchange relating to public companies. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or Sarbanes-Oxley, as well as rules subsequently adopted by the SEC, and The Nasdaq Global Market to implement provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley, impose significant requirements on public companies, including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Further, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the SEC has adopted additional rules and regulations in these areas, such as mandatory “say on pay” voting requirements that will apply to us when we cease to be an emerging growth company. Stockholder activism, the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways we cannot currently anticipate. Compliance with the various reporting and other requirements applicable to public companies requires considerable time and attention of management. We cannot assure you that we will satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis.
We expect the rules and regulations applicable to public companies to substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. If these requirements divert the attention of our management and personnel from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The increased costs will decrease our net income or increase our net loss, and may require us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services. In addition, as a public company, it may be 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 personnel to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.
If we fail to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.
We, and the third parties with whom we share our facilities, are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Each of our operations involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and biological and radioactive materials. Each of our operations also produce hazardous waste products. We generally contract with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination or injury from these materials. We could be held liable for any resulting damages in the event of contamination or injury resulting from the use of hazardous materials by us or the third parties with whom we share our facilities, and any liability could exceed our resources. We also could incur significant costs associated with civil or criminal fines and penalties.
Although we maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover us for costs and expenses we may incur due to injuries to our employees resulting from the use of hazardous materials, this insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. We do not maintain insurance for environmental liability or toxic tort claims that may be asserted against us in connection with our storage or disposal of biological, hazardous or radioactive materials.
In addition, we may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research and development. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
The stock price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you could lose all or part of your investment.*
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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results from our ongoing and planned clinical trials and future clinical trials with our current and future product candidates or of our competitors; |
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announcements of clinical trial results, regulatory developments, acquisitions, strategic alliances or significant agreements by us or by our competitors; |
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the success or failure of our efforts to acquire, license or develop additional product candidates; |
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trading activity by a limited number of stockholders who together beneficially own a majority of our outstanding common stock; |
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many life sciences companies. Stock prices of many biopharmaceutical companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and adversely affect our business.
Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates.
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaboration and license agreements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest will be diluted and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a common stockholder. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.
If we raise funds through collaboration and license agreements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
If there are substantial sales of shares of our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline.*
The price of our common stock could decline if there are substantial sales of our common stock, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders, or if there is a large number of shares of our common stock available for sale and the market perceives that sales will occur. As of November 8, 2019, we had 17,376,236 shares of our common stock outstanding. Shares held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates will be subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act and various vesting agreements. We have registered shares of common stock that we have issued and may issue under our employee equity incentive plans, which shares may be sold freely in the public market upon issuance. Sales of our common stock by current stockholders may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate, and make it more difficult for other stockholders to sell shares of our common stock.
The market price of the shares of our common stock could decline as a result of the sale of a substantial number of our shares of common stock in the public market or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock.
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We will have broad discretion in the use of working capital and may not use it effectively or in ways that increase the value of our share price.*
We cannot specify with any certainty the particular uses of working capital, but we currently expect such uses will include funding research and development of itolizumab and general corporate purposes, including the additional costs associated with being a public company, as well as potentially acquiring additional products. We will have broad discretion in the application of working capital, and you and other stockholders may disagree with how we spend or invest the working capital. The failure by our management to apply our working capital effectively could adversely affect our business and financial condition. Pending their use, we may invest working capital in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our investors.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our common stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which might cause our common stock price and trading volume to decline.
Our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.
We are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We designed our disclosure controls and procedures to reasonably assure that information we must disclose in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, and recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.
We believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well-conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. For example, our directors or executive officers could inadvertently fail to disclose a new relationship or arrangement causing us to fail to make any related party transaction disclosures. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. In addition, we do not have a risk management program or processes or procedures for identifying and addressing risks to our business in other areas.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of some of the exemptions from reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including:
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not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; |
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not being required to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation or obtain stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
In addition, as an “emerging growth company” the JOBS Act allows us to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act.
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We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering (i.e. December 31, 2023), (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.*
We have never declared nor paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future, including due to limitations that are currently imposed by our Loan Agreement. In addition, the terms of any future debt agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. Consequently, stockholders must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.
The concentration of our stock ownership will likely limit your ability to influence corporate matters, including the ability to influence the outcome of director elections and other matters requiring stockholder approval.
Our executive officers, directors and the holders of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, in the aggregate, beneficially own a significant percentage of our common stock. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, will have significant influence over all matters that require approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Corporate actions might be taken even if other stockholders oppose them. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company that other stockholders may view as beneficial.
Delaware law and provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest difficult, thereby depressing the trading price of our common stock.*
Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:
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provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors; |
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require that any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and not be taken by written consent; |
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The amendment of any of these provisions, with the exception of the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto, would require approval by the holders of at least 66-2/3% of our then-outstanding common stock.
In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us for a certain period of time. A Delaware corporation may opt out of this provision by express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or by amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws approved by its stockholders. However, we have not opted out of this provision.
These and other provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirors to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by our then-current board of directors, including delay or impede a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. The existence of these provisions could negatively affect the price of our common stock and limit opportunities for you to realize value in a corporate transaction.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.*
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, that, these choice of forum provisions do not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. These choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees and may discourage these types of lawsuits. Furthermore, the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. If a court were to find the choice of forum provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
We could be subject to securities class action litigation.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because biopharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. If we face such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Use of Proceeds
On October 11, 2018, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-227387) was declared effective by the SEC for our initial public offering of common stock. On October 16, 2018, we sold an aggregate of 4,670,000 shares of common stock and on November 2, 2018, we sold an additional 445,097 shares of common stock pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, each at an offering price of $14.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $71.6 million. After deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering costs incurred by us of approximately $7.1 million, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $64.5 million. The joint book-running managers for the offering were Jefferies LLC, Leerink Partners LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. No offering costs were paid or are payable, directly or indirectly, to our directors or officers, to persons owning 10% or more of any class of our equity securities, or to any of our affiliates.
Upon receipt, the net proceeds from our IPO were held in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of September 30, 2019, we have used $12.1 million of the net proceeds from our IPO. The net proceeds from our IPO will be used, together with pre-existing cash and cash equivalents, for funding research and development of itolizumab and working capital and other general corporate purposes.
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The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Description of Exhibit |
3.1 |
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3.2 |
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4.1 |
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4.2* |
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Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated September 30, 2019, issued to Oxford Valley Finance LLC. |
4.3* |
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Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated September 30, 2019, issued to Silicon Valley Bank. |
10.1* |
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31.1* |
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31.2* |
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32.1* |
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101.INS* |
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XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH* |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF* |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
* |
Filed herewith. |
65
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 12, 2019 |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Daniel M. Bradbury |
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Daniel M. Bradbury |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
By: |
/s/ Jason A. Keyes |
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Jason A. Keyes |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
66
Exhibit 10.1
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, this “Agreement”) dated as of September 30, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) among OXFORD FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with an office located at 133 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (“Oxford”), as collateral agent (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”), the Lenders listed on Schedule 1.1 hereof or otherwise a party hereto from time to time including Oxford in its capacity as a Lender and SILICON VALLEY BANK, a California corporation with an office located at 3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (“Bank” or “SVB”) (each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), and EQUILLIUM, INC., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108, La Jolla, California 92037 (“Borrower”), provides the terms on which the Lenders shall lend to Borrower and Borrower shall repay the Lenders. The parties agree as follows:
1.ACCOUNTING AND OTHER TERMS
1.1Accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. Calculations and determinations must be made in accordance with GAAP. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in Section 13. All other terms contained in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meaning provided by the Code to the extent such terms are defined therein. All references to “Dollars” or “$” are United States Dollars, unless otherwise noted.
2.LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
2.1Promise to Pay. Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay each Lender, the outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans advanced to Borrower by such Lender and accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any other amounts due hereunder as and when due in accordance with this Agreement.
2.2Term Loans.
(a)Availability.
(i)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree, severally and not jointly, to make term loans to Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) according to each Lender’s Term A Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (such term loans are hereinafter referred to singly as a “Term A Loan”, and collectively as the “Term A Loans”). After repayment, no Term A Loan may be re‑borrowed.
(ii)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree, severally and not jointly, during the Second Draw Period, to make term loans to Borrower (but in a single disbursement) in an aggregate amount equal to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) according to each Lender’s Term B Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (such term loans are hereinafter referred to singly as a “Term B Loan”, and collectively as the “Term B Loans”). After repayment, no Term B Loan may be re‑borrowed.
(iii)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders agree, severally and not jointly, during the Third Draw Period, to make term loans to Borrower (but in a single disbursement) in an aggregate amount equal to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) according to each Lender’s Term C Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (such term loans are hereinafter referred to singly as a “Term C Loan”, and collectively as the “Term C Loans”; each Term A Loan, Term B Loan or Term C Loan is hereinafter referred to singly as a “Term Loan” and the Term A Loans, the Term B Loans and the Term C Loans are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Term Loans”). After repayment, no Term C Loan may be re‑borrowed.
(b)Repayment. Borrower shall make monthly payments of interest only commencing on the first (1st) Payment Date following the Funding Date of each Term Loan, and continuing on the Payment Date of each successive month thereafter through and including the Payment Date immediately preceding the Amortization Date. Borrower agrees to pay, on the Funding Date of each Term Loan, any initial partial monthly interest payment otherwise
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due for the period between the Funding Date of such Term Loan and the first Payment Date thereof. Commencing on the Amortization Date, and continuing on the Payment Date of each month thereafter, Borrower shall make consecutive equal monthly payments of principal, together with applicable interest, in arrears, to each Lender, as calculated by Collateral Agent (which calculations shall be deemed correct absent manifest error) based upon: (1) the amount of such Lender’s Term Loan, (2) the effective rate of interest, as determined in Section 2.3(a), and (3) a repayment schedule equal to (i) thirty-six (36) months if the Amortization Date is July 1, 2021 and (ii) thirty (30) months if the Amortization Date is January 1, 2022. All unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Term Loan is due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. Each Term Loan may only be prepaid in accordance with Sections 2.2(c) and 2.2(d).
(c)Mandatory Prepayments. If the Term Loans are accelerated following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Borrower shall immediately pay to Lenders, payable to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, an amount equal to the sum of: (i) all outstanding principal of the Term Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date, (ii) the Final Payment, (iii) the Prepayment Fee, plus (iv) all other Obligations that are due and payable, including Lenders’ Expenses and interest at the Default Rate with respect to any past due amounts. Notwithstanding (but without duplication with) the foregoing, on the Maturity Date, if the Final Payment had not previously been paid in full in connection with the prepayment of the Term Loans in full, Borrower shall pay to Collateral Agent, for payment to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, the Final Payment in respect of the Term Loan(s).
(d)Permitted Prepayment of Term Loans. Borrower shall have the option to prepay all, but not less than all, of the Term Loans advanced by the Lenders under this Agreement, provided Borrower (i) provides written notice to Collateral Agent of its election to prepay the Term Loans at least thirty (30) days prior to such prepayment, and (ii) pays to the Lenders on the date of such prepayment, payable to each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share, an amount equal to the sum of (A) all outstanding principal of the Term Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date, (B) the Final Payment, (C) the Prepayment Fee, plus (D) all other Obligations that are due and payable, including Lenders’ Expenses and interest at the Default Rate with respect to any past due amounts.
2.3Payment of Interest on the Credit Extensions.
(a)Interest Rate. Subject to Section 2.3(b), the principal amount outstanding under the Term Loans shall accrue interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the Basic Rate, determined by Collateral Agent on the Funding Date of the applicable Term Loan, which interest shall be payable monthly in arrears in accordance with Sections 2.2(b) and 2.3(e). Interest shall accrue on each Term Loan commencing on, and including, the Funding Date of such Term Loan, and shall accrue on the principal amount outstanding under such Term Loan through and including the day on which such Term Loan is paid in full.
(b)Default Rate. Immediately upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Obligations shall accrue interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the rate that is otherwise applicable thereto plus five percentage points (5.00%) (the “Default Rate”). Payment or acceptance of the increased interest rate provided in this Section 2.3(b) is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Collateral Agent.
(c)360‑Day Year. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year, and the actual number of days elapsed.
(d)Debit of Accounts. Collateral Agent and each Lender may debit (or ACH) any deposit accounts, maintained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including the Designated Deposit Account, for principal and interest payments or any other amounts Borrower owes the Lenders under the Loan Documents when due. Any such debits (or ACH activity) shall not constitute a set‑off.
(e)Payments. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower under the Loan Documents shall be made to the respective Lender to which such payments are owed, at such Lender’s office in immediately available funds on the date specified herein. Unless otherwise provided, interest is payable monthly on the Payment Date of each month. Payments of principal and/or interest received after 2:00 p.m. Eastern time are
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considered received at the opening of business on the next Business Day. When a payment is due on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment is due the next Business Day and additional fees or interest, as applicable, shall continue to accrue until paid. All payments to be made by Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including payments of principal and interest, and all fees, expenses, indemnities and reimbursements, shall be made without set‑off, recoupment or counterclaim, in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available funds.
2.4Secured Promissory Notes. The Term Loans shall be evidenced by a Secured Promissory Note or Notes in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto (each a “Secured Promissory Note”), and shall be repayable as set forth in this Agreement. Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make or cause to be made, on or about the Funding Date of any Term Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note, an appropriate notation on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record reflecting the making of such Term Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of each Term Loan set forth on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Lender, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Lender’s Secured Promissory Note Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower under any Secured Promissory Note or any other Loan Document to make payments of principal of or interest on any Secured Promissory Note when due. Upon receipt of an affidavit of an officer of a Lender as to the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of its Secured Promissory Note, Borrower shall issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Secured Promissory Note in the same principal amount thereof and of like tenor.
2.5Fees. Borrower shall pay to Collateral Agent:
(a)Final Payment. The Final Payment, when due hereunder, to be shared between the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares;
(b)Prepayment Fee. The Prepayment Fee, when due hereunder, to be shared between the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares;
(c)Lenders’ Expenses. All Lenders’ Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses for documentation and negotiation of this Agreement) incurred through and after the Effective Date, when due; and
(d)Good Faith Deposit. Borrower has paid to Collateral Agent a deposit of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) (“Good Faith Deposit”), to initiate Collateral Agent’s and Lenders’ due diligence review and documentation process. The Good Faith Deposit will be used to pay Lenders’ Expenses due on the Effective Date; provided, however, Borrower shall be responsible for the entire amount of Lenders’ Expenses payable under Section 2.5(c) hereof.
2.6Withholding. Payments received by the Lenders from Borrower hereunder will be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any governmental authority (including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto). Specifically, however, if at any time any Governmental Authority, applicable law, regulation or international agreement requires Borrower to make any withholding or deduction from any such payment or other sum payable hereunder to the Lenders, Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that the amount due from Borrower with respect to such payment or other sum payable hereunder will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such required withholding or deduction, each Lender receives a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no withholding or deduction been required and Borrower shall pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority. Borrower will, upon request, furnish the Lenders with proof reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders indicating that Borrower has made such withholding payment; provided, however, that Borrower need not make any withholding payment if the amount or validity of such withholding payment is contested in good faith by appropriate and timely proceedings and as to which payment in full is bonded or reserved against by Borrower. The agreements and obligations of Borrower contained in this Section 2.6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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3.1Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension. Each Lender’s obligation to make a Term A Loan is subject to the condition precedent that Collateral Agent and each Lender shall consent to or shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent and each Lender, such documents, and completion of such other matters, as Collateral Agent and each Lender may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation:
(a)original Loan Documents, each duly executed by Borrower and each Subsidiary, as applicable, that is a Loan Party;
(b)duly executed original Control Agreements with respect to any Collateral Accounts maintained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties;
(c)duly executed original Secured Promissory Notes in favor of each Lender according to its Term A Loan Commitment Percentage;
(d)the certificate(s) for the Shares, together with Assignment(s) Separate from Certificate, duly executed in blank;
(e)the Operating Documents and good standing certificates of Borrower and its Subsidiaries certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of Borrower’s and such Subsidiaries’ jurisdiction of organization or formation and each jurisdiction in which Borrower and each Subsidiary is qualified to conduct business, each as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date;
(f)a completed Perfection Certificate for Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries;
(g)the Annual Projections, for the current calendar year;
(h)duly executed original officer’s certificate for Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a party to the Loan Documents, in a form acceptable to Collateral Agent and the Lenders;
(i)certified copies, dated as of date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date, of financing statement searches, as Collateral Agent shall request, accompanied by written evidence (including any UCC termination statements) that the Liens indicated in any such financing statements either constitute Permitted Liens or have been or, in connection with the initial Credit Extension, will be terminated or released;
(j)a landlord’s consent executed in favor of Collateral Agent in respect of all of Borrower’s and each Loan Party’s headquarter locations;
(k)a bailee waiver executed in favor of Collateral Agent in respect of each third party bailee where Borrower or any Subsidiary maintains Collateral having a book value in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
(l)a duly executed legal opinion of counsel to Borrower dated as of the Effective Date;
(m)evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Lenders that the insurance policies required by Section 6.5 hereof are in full force and effect, together with appropriate evidence showing loss payable and/or additional insured clauses or endorsements in favor of Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;
(n)a copy of any applicable Registration Rights Agreement or Investors’ Rights Agreement and any amendments thereto; and
(o)payment of the fees and Lenders’ Expenses then due as specified in Section 2.5 hereof.
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3.2Conditions Precedent to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to make each Credit Extension, including the initial Credit Extension, is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a)receipt by (i) the Lenders of an executed Disbursement Letter in the form of Exhibit B‑1 attached hereto; and (ii) SVB of an executed Loan Payment/Advance Request Form in the form of Exhibit B‑2 attached hereto;
(b)the representations and warranties in Section 5 hereof shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects on the date of the Disbursement Letter (and the Loan Payment/Advance Request Form) and on the Funding Date of each Credit Extension; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date, and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result from the Credit Extension. Each Credit Extension is Borrower’s representation and warranty on that date that the representations and warranties in Section 5 hereof are true, accurate and complete in all material respects; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date;
(c)in such Lender’s sole discretion, there has not been any Material Adverse Change or any material adverse deviation by Borrower from the Annual Projections of Borrower presented to and accepted by Collateral Agent and each Lender;
(d)to the extent not delivered at the Effective Date, duly executed original Secured Promissory Notes and Warrants, in number, form and content acceptable to each Lender, and in favor of each Lender according to its Commitment Percentage, with respect to each Credit Extension made by such Lender after the Effective Date; and
(e)payment of the fees and Lenders’ Expenses then due as specified in Section 2.5 hereof.
3.3Covenant to Deliver. Borrower agrees to deliver to Collateral Agent and the Lenders each item required to be delivered to Collateral Agent under this Agreement as a condition precedent to any Credit Extension. Borrower expressly agrees that a Credit Extension made prior to the receipt by Collateral Agent or any Lender of any such item shall not constitute a waiver by Collateral Agent or any Lender of Borrower’s obligation to deliver such item, and any such Credit Extension in the absence of a required item shall be made in each Lender’s sole discretion.
3.4Procedures for Borrowing. Subject to the prior satisfaction of all other applicable conditions to the making of a Term Loan set forth in this Agreement, to obtain a Term Loan, Borrower shall notify the Lenders (which notice shall be irrevocable) by electronic mail, facsimile, or telephone by 2:00 p.m. Eastern time five (5) Business Days prior to the date the Term Loan is to be made. Together with any such electronic, facsimile or telephonic notification, Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders by electronic mail or facsimile a completed Disbursement Letter (and the Loan Payment/Advance Request Form, with respect to SVB) executed by a Responsible Officer or his or her designee. The Lenders may rely on any telephone notice given by a person whom a Lender reasonably believes is a Responsible Officer or designee. On the Funding Date, each Lender shall credit and/or transfer (as applicable) to the Designated Deposit Account, an amount equal to its Term Loan Commitment.
4.CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST
4.1Grant of Security Interest. Borrower hereby grants Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, to secure the payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and pledges to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, the Collateral, wherever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, and all proceeds and products thereof. Borrower represents, warrants, and covenants that the security interest granted herein is and shall at all times continue to be a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens that are permitted by the terms of this Agreement to
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have priority to Collateral Agent’s Lien. If Borrower shall acquire a commercial tort claim (as defined in the Code), Borrower, shall promptly notify Collateral Agent in a writing signed by Borrower, as the case may be, of the general details thereof (and further details as may be required by Collateral Agent) and grant to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent. Borrower acknowledges that it previously has entered, and/or may in the future enter, into Bank Services Agreements with Bank. Regardless of the terms of any Bank Services Agreement, Borrower agrees that any amounts Borrower owes Bank thereunder shall be deemed to be Obligations hereunder and that it is the intent of Borrower and Bank to have all such Obligations secured by the first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral granted herein (subject only to Permitted Liens that may have superior priority to Bank’s Lien in this Agreement).
If this Agreement is terminated, Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are repaid in full in cash. Upon payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) and at such time as the Lenders’ obligation to make Credit Extensions has terminated, Collateral Agent shall, at the sole cost and expense of Borrower, release its Liens in the Collateral and all rights therein shall revert to Borrower. In the event (x) all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations), except for Bank Services, are satisfied in full, and (y) this Agreement is terminated, Bank shall terminate the security interest granted herein upon Borrower providing cash collateral acceptable to Bank in its good faith business judgment for Bank Services, if any. In the event such Bank Services consist of outstanding Letters of Credit, Borrower shall provide to Bank cash collateral in an amount equal to (x) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in Dollars, then one hundred five percent (105%); and (y) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then one hundred ten percent (110%), of the Dollar Equivalent of the face amount of all such Letters of Credit plus all interest, fees, and costs due or to become due in connection therewith (as estimated by Bank in its good faith business judgment), to secure all of the Obligations relating to such Letters of Credit.
4.2Authorization to File Financing Statements. Borrower hereby authorizes Collateral Agent to file financing statements or take any other action required to perfect Collateral Agent’s security interests in the Collateral, without notice to Borrower, with all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect or protect Collateral Agent’s interest or rights under the Loan Documents, including a notice that any disposition of the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, by Borrower, or any other Person, shall be deemed to violate the rights of Collateral Agent under the Code.
4.3Pledge of Collateral. Borrower hereby pledges, assigns and grants to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in all the Shares, together with all proceeds and substitutions thereof, all cash, stock and other moneys and property paid thereon, all rights to subscribe for securities declared or granted in connection therewith, and all other cash and noncash proceeds of the foregoing, as security for the performance of the Obligations. On the Effective Date, or, to the extent not certificated as of the Effective Date, within ten (10) days of the certification of any Shares, the certificate or certificates for the Shares will be delivered to Collateral Agent, accompanied by an instrument of assignment duly executed in blank by Borrower. To the extent required by the terms and conditions governing the Shares, Borrower shall cause the books of each entity whose Shares are part of the Collateral and any transfer agent to reflect the pledge of the Shares. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, Collateral Agent may effect the transfer of any securities included in the Collateral (including but not limited to the Shares) into the name of Collateral Agent and cause new (as applicable) certificates representing such securities to be issued in the name of Collateral Agent or its transferee. Borrower will execute and deliver such documents, and take or cause to be taken such actions, as Collateral Agent may reasonably request to perfect or continue the perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Shares. Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower shall be entitled to exercise any voting rights with respect to the Shares and to give consents, waivers and ratifications in respect thereof, provided that no vote shall be cast or consent, waiver or ratification given or action taken which would be inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement or which would constitute or create any violation of any of such terms. All such rights to vote and give consents, waivers and ratifications shall terminate upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default.
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5.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Borrower represents and warrants to Collateral Agent and the Lenders as follows:
5.1Due Organization, Authorization: Power and Authority. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is duly existing and in good standing as a Registered Organization in its jurisdictions of organization or formation and Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is qualified and licensed to do business and is in good standing in any jurisdiction in which the conduct of its businesses or its ownership of property requires that it be qualified except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. In connection with this Agreement, Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has delivered to Collateral Agent a completed perfection certificate signed by an officer of Borrower or such Subsidiary (each a “Perfection Certificate” and collectively, the “Perfection Certificates”). Borrower represents and warrants that (a) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries’ exact legal name is that which is indicated on its respective Perfection Certificate and on the signature page of each Loan Document to which it is a party; (b) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is an organization of the type and is organized in the jurisdiction set forth on its respective Perfection Certificate; (c) each Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth each of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ organizational identification number or accurately states that Borrower or such Subsidiary has none; (d) each Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ place of business, or, if more than one, its chief executive office as well as Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ mailing address (if different than its chief executive office); (e) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (and each of its respective predecessors) have not, in the past five (5) years, changed its jurisdiction of organization, organizational structure or type, or any organizational number assigned by its jurisdiction; and (f) all other information set forth on the Perfection Certificates pertaining to Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, is accurate and complete (it being understood and agreed that Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries may from time to time update certain information in the Perfection Certificates (including the information set forth in clause (d) above) after the Effective Date to the extent permitted by one or more specific provisions in this Agreement); such updated Perfection Certificates subject to the review and approval of Collateral Agent. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is not now a Registered Organization but later becomes one, Borrower shall notify Collateral Agent of such occurrence and provide Collateral Agent with such Person’s organizational identification number within five (5) Business Days of receiving such organizational identification number.
The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized, and do not (i) conflict with any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’ organizational documents, including its respective Operating Documents, (ii) contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material Requirement of Law applicable thereto, (iii) contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority by which Borrower or such Subsidiary, or any of their property or assets may be bound or affected, (iv) require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or Governmental Approval from, any Governmental Authority (except such Governmental Approvals which have already been obtained and are in full force and effect) or are being obtained pursuant to Section 6.1(b), or (v) constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries, or their respective properties, is bound. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets is bound in which such default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.
5.2Collateral.
(a)Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good title to, have rights in, and the power to transfer each item of the Collateral upon which it purports to grant a Lien under the Loan Documents, free and clear of any and all Liens except Permitted Liens, and neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Accounts or other investment accounts other than the Collateral Accounts or the other investment accounts, if any, described in the Perfection Certificates delivered to Collateral Agent in connection herewith with respect of which Borrower or such Subsidiary has given Collateral Agent notice and taken such actions as are necessary to give Collateral Agent a perfected security interest therein. The Accounts are bona fide, existing obligations of the Account Debtors.
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(b)On the Effective Date, and except as disclosed on the Perfection Certificate (i) the Collateral is not in the possession of any third party bailee (such as a warehouse), and (ii) no such third party bailee possesses components of the Collateral in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). None of the components of the Collateral shall be maintained at locations other than as disclosed in the Perfection Certificates on the Effective Date, or as permitted pursuant to Section 6.11.
(c)All Inventory is in all material respects of good and marketable quality, free from material defects.
(d)Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is the sole owner of the Intellectual Property each respectively purports to own, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as noted on the Perfection Certificates, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, nor is bound by, any material license or other material agreement with respect to which Borrower or such Subsidiary is the licensee that (i) prohibits or otherwise restricts Borrower or its Subsidiaries from granting a security interest in Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’ interest in such material license or material agreement or any other property, or (ii) for which a default under or termination of could interfere with Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s right to sell any Collateral. Borrower shall provide written notice to Collateral Agent and each Lender within ten (10) days of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entering into or becoming bound by any license or agreement with respect to which Borrower or any Subsidiary is the licensee (other than over‑the‑counter software that is commercially available to the public).
5.3Litigation. Except as disclosed (i) on the Perfection Certificates, or (ii) in accordance with Section 6.9 hereof, there are no actions, suits, investigations, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers, threatened in writing by or against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00).
5.4No Material Deterioration in Financial Condition; Financial Statements. All consolidated financial statements for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, delivered to Collateral Agent fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the consolidated results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries. There has not been any material deterioration in the consolidated financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries since the date of the most recent financial statements submitted to any Lender.
5.5Solvency. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is Solvent.
5.6Regulatory Compliance. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged as one of its important activities in extending credit for margin stock (under Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors). Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” as each term is defined and used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated any laws, ordinances or rules, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Neither Borrower’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has been used by Borrower or such Subsidiary or, to Borrower’s knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance other than in material compliance with applicable laws. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all Governmental Authorities that are necessary to continue their respective businesses as currently conducted.
None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Affiliates or any of their respective agents acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is (i) in violation of any Anti‑Terrorism Law, (ii) engaging in or conspiring to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti‑Terrorism Law, or (iii) is a Blocked Person. None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Borrower and any of their Affiliates or agents, acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (x) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, or (y) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, any similar executive order or other Anti‑Terrorism Law.
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5.7Investments. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any stock, shares, partnership interests or other equity securities except for Permitted Investments.
5.8Tax Returns and Payments; Pension Contributions. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all required tax returns and reports or extensions thereof, and Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, has timely paid all foreign, federal, state, and material local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions (i.e., local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions in an aggregate amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or more) owed by Borrower and such Subsidiaries, in all jurisdictions in which Borrower or any such Subsidiary is subject to taxes, including the United States, unless such taxes are being contested in accordance with the following sentence. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, may defer payment of any contested taxes, provided that Borrower or such Subsidiary, (a) in good faith contests its obligation to pay the taxes by appropriate proceedings promptly and diligently instituted and conducted, (b) notifies Collateral Agent in writing of the commencement of, and any material development in, the proceedings, and (c) posts bonds or takes any other steps required to prevent the Governmental Authority levying such contested taxes from obtaining a Lien upon any of the Collateral that is other than a “Permitted Lien.” Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’, prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have paid all amounts necessary to fund all present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with their terms, and neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have, withdrawn from participation in, and have not permitted partial or complete termination of, or permitted the occurrence of any other event with respect to, any such plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other Governmental Authority.
5.9Use of Proceeds. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions solely as working capital and to fund its general business requirements in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and not for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes.
5.10Shares. Borrower has full power and authority to create a first lien on the Shares and no disability or contractual obligation exists that would prohibit Borrower from pledging the Shares pursuant to this Agreement. To Borrower’s knowledge, there are no subscriptions, warrants, rights of first refusal or other restrictions on transfer relative to, or options exercisable with respect to the Shares. The Shares have been and will be duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non‑assessable. To Borrower’s knowledge, the Shares are not the subject of any present or threatened suit, action, arbitration, administrative or other proceeding, and Borrower knows of no reasonable grounds for the institution of any such proceedings.
5.11Full Disclosure. No written representation, warranty or other statement of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any certificate or written statement given to Collateral Agent or any Lender, as of the date such representation, warranty, or other statement was made, taken together with all such written certificates and written statements given to Collateral Agent or any Lender, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained in the certificates or statements not misleading (it being recognized that the projections and forecasts provided by Borrower in good faith and based upon reasonable assumptions are not viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results).
5.12Definition of “Knowledge.” For purposes of the Loan Documents, whenever a representation or warranty is made to Borrower’s knowledge or awareness, to the “best of” Borrower’s knowledge, or with a similar qualification, knowledge or awareness means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the Responsible Officers.
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Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all of the following:
6.1Government Compliance.
(a)Maintain its and all its Subsidiaries’ legal existence and good standing in their respective jurisdictions of organization and maintain qualification in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, the noncompliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.
(b)Obtain and keep in full force and effect, all of the material Governmental Approvals necessary for the performance by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of their respective businesses and obligations under the Loan Documents and the grant of a security interest to Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in all of the Collateral. Borrower shall promptly provide copies to Collateral Agent of any material Governmental Approvals obtained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
6.2Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates.
(a)Deliver to each Lender:
(i)as soon as available, but no later than forty-five (45) days after the last day of each of the first three fiscal quarters, a company prepared consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement covering the consolidated operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such quarter certified by a Responsible Officer and in a form reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent;
(ii)as soon as available, but no later than the earlier of (A) ninety (90) days after the last day of Borrower’s fiscal year or (B) within five (5) days of filing with the SEC, audited consolidated financial statements prepared under GAAP, consistently applied, together with an unqualified opinion on the financial statements (other than a customary going concern qualification so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing) from KPMG or an independent certified public accounting firm acceptable to Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion;
(iii)as soon as available after approval thereof by Borrower’s Board of Directors, but no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each of Borrower’s fiscal years, Borrower’s annual financial projections for the entire current fiscal year as approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors, which such annual financial projections shall be set forth in a month‑by‑month format (such annual financial projections as originally delivered to Collateral Agent and the Lenders are referred to herein as the “Annual Projections”; provided that, any revisions of the Annual Projections approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors shall be delivered to Collateral Agent and the Lenders no later than seven (7) days after such approval);
(iv)within five (5) days of delivery, copies of all non-ministerial statements, reports and notices made available to Borrower’s security holders or holders of Subordinated Debt;
(v)within five (5) days of filing, all reports on Form 10‑K, 10‑Q and 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
(vi)prompt notice of any amendments to the Operating Documents of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, together with any copies reflecting such amendments or changes with respect thereto;
(vii)prompt notice of any event that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the value of the Intellectual Property;
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(viii)as soon as available, but no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month, copies of the month‑end account statements for each Collateral Account maintained by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, which statements may be provided to Collateral Agent and each Lender by Borrower or directly from the applicable institution(s), and
(ix)other information as reasonably requested by Collateral Agent or any Lender.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents required to be delivered pursuant to the terms hereof (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on Borrower’s website on the internet at Borrower’s website address.
(b)Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements specified in Section 6.2(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above (but no later than forty-five (45) days after the last day of each of the first three quarters in the case of (a)(i) and no later than ninety (90) days after the last day of Borrower’s fiscal year in the case of (a)(ii)), deliver to each Lender, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer.
(c)Keep proper books of record and account in accordance with GAAP in all material respects, in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, allow, at the sole cost of Borrower, Collateral Agent or any Lender, during regular business hours upon reasonable prior notice (provided that no notice shall be required when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine and make abstracts or copies from any of its books and records, and to conduct a collateral audit and analysis of its operations and the Collateral. Such audits shall be conducted no more often than twice every year unless (and more frequently if) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(d)Provide Collateral Agent and the Lenders with continuous access to Borrower’s QuickBooks accounts by providing the Person designated, and for whom an email address is provided, by each of Collateral Agent and each Lender (as such Persons and email addresses may from time to time be updated by Collateral Agent or such Lender, as applicable) with access to Borrower’s QuickBooks accounts; provided that Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree not to utilize such access to Borrower’s QuickBooks accounts unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided further that Borrower shall not modify such access procedure or the location of Borrower’s QuickBooks accounts without providing prior written notice to the Lenders and ensuring that the Lenders have continuous access to Borrower’s QuickBooks accounts.
6.3Inventory; Returns. Keep all Inventory in good and marketable condition, free from material defects. Returns and allowances between Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, and their respective Account Debtors shall follow Borrower’s, or such Subsidiary’s, customary practices as they exist at the Effective Date. Borrower must promptly notify Collateral Agent and the Lenders of all returns, recoveries, disputes and claims that involve more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) individually or in the aggregate in any calendar year.
6.4Taxes; Pensions. Timely file and require each of its Subsidiaries to timely file, all required tax returns and reports and timely pay, and require each of its Subsidiaries to timely file, all foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, except for deferred payment of any taxes contested pursuant to the terms of Section 5.8 hereof, and shall deliver to Lenders, on demand, appropriate certificates attesting to such payments, and pay all amounts necessary to fund all present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with the terms of such plans.
6.5Insurance. Keep Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ business and the Collateral insured for risks and in amounts standard for companies in Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ industry and location and as Collateral Agent may reasonably request. Insurance policies shall be in a form, with companies, and in amounts that are reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and Lenders. All property policies shall have a lender’s loss payable endorsement showing Collateral Agent as lender loss payee and waive subrogation against Collateral Agent, and all liability policies shall show, or have endorsements showing, Collateral Agent, as additional insured. The Collateral Agent shall be named as lender loss payee and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing coverage in respect of any Collateral, and each provider of any such insurance shall agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies
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issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Collateral Agent, that it will give the Collateral Agent thirty (30) days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be materially altered or canceled. At Collateral Agent’s request, Borrower shall deliver certified copies of policies and evidence of all premium payments. Proceeds payable under any policy shall, at Collateral Agent’s option, be payable to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, on account of the Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall have the option of applying the proceeds of any casualty policy up to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) with respect to any loss, but not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), in the aggregate for all losses under all casualty policies in any one year, toward the replacement or repair of destroyed or damaged property; provided that any such replaced or repaired property (i) shall be of equal or like value as the replaced or repaired Collateral and (ii) shall be deemed Collateral in which Collateral Agent has been granted a first priority security interest, and (b) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all proceeds payable under such casualty policy shall, at the option of Collateral Agent, be payable to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, on account of the Obligations. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fails to obtain insurance as required under this Section 6.5 or to pay any amount or furnish any required proof of payment to third persons, Collateral Agent and/or any Lender may make, at Borrower’s expense, all or part of such payment or obtain such insurance policies required in this Section 6.5, and take any action under the policies Collateral Agent or such Lender deems prudent.
6.6Operating Accounts.
(a)Maintain all of Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s operating accounts with Bank, in accounts which are subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent, and maintain Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s primary Banking Services with Bank.
(b)Borrower shall provide Collateral Agent five (5) days’ prior written notice before Borrower or any Loan Party establishes any Collateral Account at or with any Person other than Bank or its Affiliates. In addition, subject to the terms of the Post Closing Letter for each Collateral Account that Borrower or any Loan Party, at any time maintains, Borrower or such Loan Party shall cause the applicable bank or financial institution at or with which such Collateral Account is maintained to execute and deliver a Control Agreement or other appropriate instrument with respect to such Collateral Account to perfect Collateral Agent’s Lien in such Collateral Account in accordance with the terms hereunder and to provide Collateral Agent with the ability to assert control with respect thereto, and, to the extent such perfection via a Control Agreement is recognized under local law as reasonably determined by Collateral Agent, prior to the establishment of such Collateral Account, which Control Agreement or other appropriate instrument may not be terminated without prior written consent of Collateral Agent. The provisions of the previous sentence shall not apply to deposit accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s, or any of its Subsidiaries’, employees and identified to Collateral Agent by Borrower as such in the Perfection Certificates.
(c)Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall maintain any Collateral Accounts except Collateral Accounts maintained in accordance with Sections 6.6(a) and (b).
6.7Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of its Intellectual Property that is material to Borrower’s business; (b) promptly advise Collateral Agent in writing of material infringement by a third party of its Intellectual Property; and (c) not allow any Intellectual Property material to Borrower’s business to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Collateral Agent’s prior written consent.
6.8Litigation Cooperation. Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through the termination of this Agreement, make available to Collateral Agent and the Lenders, without expense to Collateral Agent or the Lenders, Borrower and each of Borrower’s officers, employees and agents and Borrower’s Books, to the extent that Collateral Agent or any Lender may reasonably deem them necessary to prosecute or defend any third‑party suit or proceeding instituted by or against Collateral Agent or any Lender with respect to any Collateral or relating to Borrower.
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6.9Notices of Litigation and Default. Borrower will give prompt written notice to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of any litigation or governmental proceedings pending or threatened (in writing) against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to result in damages or costs to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) or more or which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Without limiting or contradicting any other more specific provision of this Agreement, promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon Borrower becoming aware of the existence of any Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, Borrower shall give written notice to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of such occurrence, which such notice shall include a reasonably detailed description of such Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
6.10Landlord Waivers; Bailee Waivers. In the event that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties, after the Effective Date, intends to add any new offices or business locations, including warehouses, or otherwise store any portion of the Collateral, having an aggregate book value in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) or deliver any portion of the Collateral to, a bailee, in each case pursuant to Section 7.2, then Borrower or such Subsidiary will cause, in the event that the new location is the chief executive office of the Borrower or such Subsidiary that is a Loan Party or the Collateral at any such new location is valued in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the aggregate, such bailee or landlord, as applicable, to execute and deliver a bailee waiver or landlord waiver, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent prior to the addition of any new offices or business locations, or any such storage with or delivery to any such bailee, as the case may be.
6.11Creation/Acquisition of Subsidiaries. In the event Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Subsidiary, Borrower shall provide prior written notice to Collateral Agent and each Lender of the creation or acquisition of such new Subsidiary and take all such action as may be reasonably required by Collateral Agent or any Lender to cause each such Subsidiary to become a co‑Borrower hereunder or to guarantee the Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents and, in each case, grant a continuing pledge and security interest in and to the assets of such Subsidiary (substantially as described on Exhibit A hereto); and Borrower (or its Subsidiary, as applicable) shall grant and pledge to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a perfected security interest in the Shares; provided, however, that solely in the circumstance in which Borrower or any Subsidiary creates or acquires a Foreign Subsidiary in an acquisition permitted by Section 7.7 hereof or otherwise approved by the Required Lenders, (i) such Foreign Subsidiary shall not be required to guarantee the Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents and grant a continuing pledge and security interest in and to the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary, and (ii) Borrower shall not be required to grant and pledge to Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, a perfected security interest in more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the Shares of such Foreign Subsidiary, if Borrower demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of Collateral Agent that such Foreign Subsidiary providing such guarantee or pledge and security interest or Borrower providing a perfected security interest in more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the Shares would create a present and existing adverse tax consequence to Borrower under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
6.12Delisting. Cause the shares of common stock of Borrower to remain listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market or any other nationally recognized stock exchange in the United States having listing standards at least as restrictive as the NASDAQ Capital Market.
6.13Further Assurances.
(a)Execute any further instruments and take further action as Collateral Agent or any Lender reasonably requests to perfect or continue Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral or to effect the purposes of this Agreement.
(b)Deliver to Collateral Agent and Lenders, within five (5) days after the same are sent or received, copies of all material correspondence, reports, documents and other filings with any Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any of the Governmental Approvals material to Borrower’s business or otherwise could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.
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Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders:
7.1Dispositions. Convey, sell, lease, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “Transfer”), or permit any of its Subsidiaries to Transfer, all or any part of its business or property, except for Transfers (a) of Inventory in the ordinary course of business; (b) of worn out, obsolete or surplus Equipment; (c) in connection with Permitted Liens, Permitted Investments and Permitted Licenses; (d) from any Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower; (e) other Transfers of property having a book value not exceeding Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the aggregate during any fiscal year.
7.2Changes in Business, Management, Ownership, or Business Locations. (a) Engage in or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any business other than the businesses engaged in by Borrower as of the Effective Date or reasonably related or incidental thereto; (b) liquidate or dissolve; or (c) (i) any Key Person shall cease to be actively engaged in the management of Borrower unless written notice thereof is provided to Collateral Agent within ten (10) Business Days of such change, or (ii) enter into any transaction or series of related transactions in which the stockholders of Borrower who were not stockholders immediately prior to the first such transaction own more than forty nine percent (49%) of the voting stock of Borrower immediately after giving effect to such transaction or related series of such transactions (other than by the sale of Borrower’s equity securities in a public offering, a private placement of public equity or to venture capital investors so long as Borrower identifies to Collateral Agent the venture capital investors prior to the closing of the transaction). Borrower shall not, without at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent: (A) add any new offices or business locations, including warehouses (unless such new offices or business locations (i) contain Collateral having an aggregate book value of less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or (ii) are not Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ chief executive office); (B) change its jurisdiction of organization, (C) change its organizational structure or type, (D) change its legal name, or (E) change any organizational number (if any) assigned by its jurisdiction of organization.
7.3Mergers or Acquisitions. Merge or consolidate, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, with any other Person, or acquire, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire, all or substantially all of the capital stock, shares or property of another Person, other than Permitted Acquisitions. A Subsidiary may merge or consolidate into another Subsidiary (provided such surviving Subsidiary is a “co‑Borrower” hereunder or has provided a secured Guaranty of Borrower’s Obligations hereunder) or with (or into) Borrower provided Borrower is the surviving legal entity, and as long as no Event of Default is occurring prior thereto or arises as a result therefrom. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall not, without Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, enter into any binding contractual arrangement with any Person to attempt to facilitate a merger or acquisition of Borrower, unless (i) no Event of Default exists when such agreement is entered into by Borrower, (ii) such agreement does not give such Person the right to claim any fees, payments or damages from Borrower in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), and (iii) Borrower notifies Collateral Agent in advance of entering into such an agreement.
7.4Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, or be liable for any Indebtedness, or permit any Subsidiary to do so, other than Permitted Indebtedness.
7.5Encumbrance. Create, incur, allow, or suffer any Lien on any of its property, or assign or convey any right to receive income, including the sale of any Accounts, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so, except for Permitted Liens, or permit any Collateral not to be subject to the first priority security interest granted herein (except for Permitted Liens that are permitted by the terms of this Agreement to have priority over Collateral Agent’s Lien), or enter into any agreement, document, instrument or other arrangement (except with or in favor of Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders) with any Person which directly or indirectly prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, from assigning, mortgaging, pledging, granting a security interest in or upon, or encumbering any of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s Intellectual Property, except as is otherwise permitted in Section 7.1 hereof and the definition of “Permitted Liens” herein.
7.6Maintenance of Collateral Accounts. Maintain any Collateral Account except pursuant to the terms of Section 6.6 hereof.
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7.7Distributions; Investments. (a) Pay any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in capital stock) or make any distribution or payment in respect of or redeem, retire or purchase any capital stock except that Borrower or any Subsidiary may (i) repurchase the stock of current or former employees, directors or consultants pursuant to stock repurchase agreements or stock purchase plans, employee restricted stock agreements, stockholder rights plans, director or consultant stock option plans, or similar plans, provided so long as such repurchases do not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the aggregate per fiscal year), (ii) repurchase the stock of current or former employees, directors or consultants pursuant to stock repurchase agreements by the cancellation of indebtedness owed by such former employees regardless of whether an Event of Default exists, (iii) convert any of its convertible securities into other securities pursuant to the terms of such convertible securities or otherwise in exchange thereof, (iv) purchase for value of any rights distributed in connection with any stockholder rights plan, (v) purchases of capital stock or options to acquire such capital stock with the proceeds received from a substantially concurrent issuance of capital stock or convertible securities; (vi) purchases of capital stock pledged as collateral for loans to employees; (vii) purchases of capital stock in connection with (A) the exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights or (B) the satisfaction of withholding tax obligations; in each case, by way of cashless (or, “net”) exercise; and (viii) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon conversion of convertible securities; or (b) directly or indirectly make any Investment other than Permitted Investments, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so.
7.8Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except for (a) transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business, upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non‑affiliated Person, (b) Subordinated Debt, (c) equity investments by Borrower’s investors in Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (d) transactions among Borrower and its Subsidiaries and among Borrower’s Subsidiaries, in each case, provided that such transactions are Permitted Investments, (e) reasonable and customary fees paid to members of Borrower’s or a Subsidiary’s Board of Directors in the ordinary course of business, (f) employment arrangements in the ordinary course of business; (g) the sublease of office space located at 2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108, La Jolla, California 92037 from BioBrit, LLC pursuant to the terms described in the Perfection Certificate delivered to Collateral Agent and Lenders on the Effective Date, (h) the sublease of office space located at 2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 103, La Jolla, California 92037 from Pantheon BioVentures, LLC pursuant to the terms described in the Perfection Certificate delivered to Collateral Agent and Lenders on the Effective Date; and (i) the Biocon License Agreement.
7.9Subordinated Debt. (a) Make or permit any payment on any Subordinated Debt, except under the terms of the subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement to which such Subordinated Debt is subject, or (b) amend any provision in any document relating to the Subordinated Debt which would increase the amount thereof or adversely affect the subordination thereof to Obligations owed to the Lenders.
7.10Compliance. Become an “investment company” or a company controlled by an “investment company”, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or undertake as one of its important activities extending credit to purchase or carry margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), or use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for that purpose; fail to meet the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, permit a Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, as defined in ERISA, to occur; fail to comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act or violate any other law or regulation, if the violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so; withdraw or permit any Subsidiary to withdraw from participation in, permit partial or complete termination of, or permit the occurrence of any other event with respect to, any present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other Governmental Authority.
7.11Compliance with Anti‑Terrorism Laws. Collateral Agent hereby notifies Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that pursuant to the requirements of Anti‑Terrorism Laws, and Collateral Agent’s policies and practices, Collateral Agent is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and their principals, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and their principals and such other information that will allow Collateral Agent to identify such party in accordance with Anti‑Terrorism Laws. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permit any Affiliate to, directly or indirectly, knowingly enter into any documents, instruments, agreements or contracts with any Person listed on the OFAC Lists. Borrower and each
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of its Subsidiaries shall immediately notify Collateral Agent if Borrower or such Subsidiary has knowledge that Borrower, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, is listed on the OFAC Lists or (a) is convicted on, (b) pleads nolo contendere to, (c) is indicted on, or (d) is arraigned and held over on charges involving money laundering or predicate crimes to money laundering. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, permit any Affiliate to, directly or indirectly, (i) conduct any business or engage in any transaction or dealing with any Blocked Person, including, without limitation, the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, (ii) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224 or any similar executive order or other Anti‑Terrorism Law, or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in Executive Order No. 13224 or other Anti‑Terrorism Law.
7.12Foreign Subsidiary Assets. Permit (i) the aggregate value of cash, Cash Equivalents and other tangible assets held by Equillium Australia to exceed One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) (or equivalent) at any time; provided, however, if Equillium Australia receives a tax refund in respect of its research and development activities and such tax refund causes the aggregate value of cash, Cash Equivalents and other tangible assets held by Equillium Australia to be in excess of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) (or equivalent), Equillium Australia will not be in violation of this Section 7.12 so long as it distributes to Borrower an amount equal to such excess within ten (10) Business Days of its receipt of such refund, and (ii) Equillium Australia to own or hold any Intellectual Property at any time (other than licenses to Equillium Australia of Intellectual Property owned by Persons who are neither Loan Parties nor Affiliates of Loan Parties and to the extent permitted by this Agreement).
8.EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Any one of the following shall constitute an event of default (an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:
8.1Payment Default. Borrower fails to (a) make any payment of principal or interest on any Credit Extension on its due date, or (b) pay any other Obligations within three (3) Business Days after such Obligations are due and payable (which three (3) Business Day grace period shall not apply to payments due on the Maturity Date or the date of acceleration pursuant to Section 9.1 (a) hereof). During the cure period, the failure to cure the payment default is not an Event of Default (but no Credit Extension will be made during the cure period);
8.2Covenant Default.
(a)Borrower or any Loan Party fails or neglects to perform any obligation in Sections 6.2 (Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates), 6.4 (Taxes), 6.5 (Insurance), 6.6 (Operating Accounts), 6.7 (Protection of Intellectual Property Rights), 6.9 (Notice of Litigation and Default), 6.10 (Landlord Waivers; Bailee Waivers), 6.11 (Creation/Acquisition of Subsidiaries) or 6.13 (Further Assurances) or Borrower violates any covenant in Section 7; or
(b)Borrower, or any Loan Party fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any other term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any Loan Documents, and as to any default (other than those specified in this Section 8) under such other term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement that can be cured, has failed to cure the default within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, that if the default cannot by its nature be cured within the ten (10) day period or cannot after diligent attempts by Borrower be cured within such ten (10) day period, and such default is likely to be cured within a reasonable time, then Borrower shall have an additional period (which shall not in any case exceed thirty (30) days) to attempt to cure such default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to cure the default shall not be deemed an Event of Default (but no Credit Extensions shall be made during such cure period). Grace periods provided under this Section shall not apply, among other things, to financial covenants or any other covenants set forth in subsection (a) above;
8.3Material Adverse Change. A Material Adverse Change occurs;
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8.4Attachment; Levy; Restraint on Business.
(a)(i) The service of process seeking to attach, by trustee or similar process, any funds of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any entity under control of Borrower or its Subsidiaries on deposit with any Lender or any Lender’s Affiliate or any bank or other institution at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Collateral Account, or (ii) a notice of lien, levy, or assessment is filed against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets by any government agency, and the same under subclauses (i) and (ii) hereof are not, within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof, discharged or stayed (whether through the posting of a bond or otherwise); provided, however, no Credit Extensions shall be made during any ten (10) day cure period; and
(b)(i) any material portion of Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets is attached, seized, levied on, or comes into possession of a trustee or receiver, or (ii) any court order enjoins, restrains, or prevents Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from conducting any part of its business;
8.5Insolvency. (a) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes Insolvent; (b) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries begins an Insolvency Proceeding; or (c) an Insolvency Proceeding is begun against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and not dismissed or stayed within forty‑five (45) days (but no Credit Extensions shall be made while Borrower or any Subsidiary is Insolvent and/or until any Insolvency Proceeding is dismissed);
8.6Other Agreements. There is a default in any agreement to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with a third party or parties resulting in a right by such third party or parties, whether or not exercised, to accelerate the maturity of any Indebtedness in an amount in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) or that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; provided, however, that the Event of Default under this Section 8.6 caused by the occurrence of a breach or default under such other agreement shall be cured or waived for purposes of this Agreement upon Collateral Agent receiving written notice from the party asserting such breach or default of such cure or waiver of the breach or default under such other agreement, if at the time of such cure or waiver under such other agreement (x) Collateral Agent or any Lender has not declared an Event of Default under this Agreement and/or exercised any rights with respect thereto; (y) any such cure or waiver does not result in an Event of Default under any other provision of this Agreement or any Loan Document; and (z) in connection with any such cure or waiver under such other agreement, the terms of any agreement with such third party are not modified or amended in any manner which could in the good faith business judgment of Collateral Agent be materially less advantageous to Borrower;
8.7Judgments. One or more judgments, orders, or decrees for the payment of money in an amount, individually or in the aggregate, of at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) (not covered by independent third‑party insurance as to which liability has been accepted by such insurance carrier) shall be rendered against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and shall remain unsatisfied, unvacated, or unstayed for a period of ten (10) days after the entry thereof (provided that no Credit Extensions will be made prior to the satisfaction, vacation, or stay of such judgment, order or decree);
8.8Misrepresentations. Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person acting for Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation, warranty, or other statement now or later in this Agreement, any Loan Document or in any writing delivered to Collateral Agent and/or Lenders or to induce Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders to enter this Agreement or any Loan Document, and such representation, warranty, or other statement is incorrect in any material respect when made;
8.9Subordinated Debt. A default or breach occurs under any agreement between Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any creditor of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that signed a subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement with Collateral Agent or the Lenders, or any creditor that has signed such an agreement with Collateral Agent or the Lenders breaches any terms of such agreement;
8.10Guaranty. (a) Any Guaranty terminates or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect; (b) any Guarantor does not perform any obligation or covenant under any Guaranty; (c) any circumstance described in Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, or 8.8 occurs with respect to any Guarantor, or (d) the liquidation, winding up, or termination of existence of any Guarantor;
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8.11Governmental Approvals. Any Governmental Approval shall have been revoked, rescinded, suspended, modified in an adverse manner, or not renewed in the ordinary course for a full term and such revocation, rescission, suspension, modification or non‑renewal has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; or
8.12Lien Priority. Any Lien created hereunder or by any other Loan Document shall at any time fail to constitute a valid and perfected Lien on any of the Collateral purported to be secured thereby, subject to no prior or equal Lien, other than Permitted Liens which are permitted to have priority in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
9.RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
9.1Rights and Remedies.
(a)Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent may, and at the written direction of Required Lenders shall, without notice or demand, do any or all of the following: (i) deliver notice of the Event of Default to Borrower, (ii) by notice to Borrower declare all Obligations immediately due and payable (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.5 occurs all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable without any action by Collateral Agent or the Lenders) or (iii) by notice to Borrower suspend or terminate the obligations, if any, of the Lenders to advance money or extend credit for Borrower’s benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.5 occurs all obligations, if any, of the Lenders to advance money or extend credit for Borrower’s benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders shall be immediately terminated without any action by Collateral Agent or the Lenders).
(b)Without limiting the rights of Collateral Agent and the Lenders set forth in Section 9.1(a) above, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice or demand, to do any or all of the following:
(i)foreclose upon and/or sell or otherwise liquidate, the Collateral;
(ii)apply to the Obligations any (a) balances and deposits of Borrower that Collateral Agent or any Lender holds or controls, or (b) any amount held or controlled by Collateral Agent or any Lender owing to or for the credit or the account of Borrower; and/or
(iii)commence and prosecute an Insolvency Proceeding or consent to Borrower commencing any Insolvency Proceeding.
(c)Without limiting the rights of Collateral Agent and the Lenders set forth in Sections 9.1(a) and (b) above, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice or demand, to do any or all of the following:
(i)settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors for amounts on terms and in any order that Collateral Agent considers advisable, notify any Person owing Borrower money of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such funds, and verify the amount of such account;
(ii)make any payments and do any acts it considers necessary or reasonable to protect the Collateral and/or its security interest in the Collateral. Borrower shall assemble the Collateral if Collateral Agent requests and make it available in a location as Collateral Agent reasonably designates. Collateral Agent may enter premises where the Collateral is located, take and maintain possession of any part of the Collateral, and pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien which appears to be prior or superior to its security interest and pay all expenses incurred. Borrower grants Collateral Agent a license to enter and occupy any of its premises, without charge, to exercise any of Collateral Agent’s rights or remedies;
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(iii)ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, and/or advertise for sale, the Collateral. Collateral Agent is hereby granted a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license or other right to use, without charge, Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ labels, patents, copyrights, mask works, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, or any similar property as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral and, in connection with Collateral Agent’s exercise of its rights under this Section 9.1, Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements inure to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders;
(iv)place a “hold” on any account maintained with Collateral Agent or the Lenders and/or deliver a notice of exclusive control, any entitlement order, or other directions or instructions pursuant to any Control Agreement or similar agreements providing control of any Collateral;
(v)demand and receive possession of Borrower’s Books;
(vi)appoint a receiver to seize, manage and realize any of the Collateral, and such receiver shall have any right and authority as any competent court will grant or authorize in accordance with any applicable law, including any power or authority to manage the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(vii)subject to clauses 9.1(a) and (b), exercise all rights and remedies available to Collateral Agent and each Lender under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code (including disposal of the Collateral pursuant to the terms thereof);
(viii)for any Letters of Credit, demand that Borrower (i) deposit cash with Bank in an amount equal to (x) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in Dollars, then one hundred five percent (105%); and (y) if such Letters of Credit are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then one hundred ten percent (110%), of the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit remaining undrawn (plus all interest, fees, and costs due or to become due in connection therewith (as estimated by Bank in its good faith business judgment)), to secure all of the Obligations relating to such Letters of Credit, as collateral security for the repayment of any future drawings under such Letters of Credit, and Borrower shall forthwith deposit and pay such amounts, and (ii) pay in advance all letter of credit fees scheduled to be paid or payable over the remaining term of any Letters of Credit; and
(ix)terminate any FX Contracts.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 9.1 to the contrary, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Collateral Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all remedies referenced in this Section 9.1 without the written consent of Required Lenders following the occurrence of an Exigent Circumstance. As used in the immediately preceding sentence, “Exigent Circumstance” means any event or circumstance that, in the reasonable judgment of Collateral Agent, imminently threatens the ability of Collateral Agent to realize upon all or any material portion of the Collateral, such as, without limitation, fraudulent removal, concealment, or abscondment thereof, destruction or material waste thereof, or failure of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after reasonable demand to maintain or reinstate adequate casualty insurance coverage, or which, in the judgment of Collateral Agent, could reasonably be expected to result in a material diminution in value of the Collateral.
9.2Power of Attorney. Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Collateral Agent as its lawful attorney‑in‑fact, exercisable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to: (a) endorse Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any checks or other forms of payment or security; (b) sign Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any invoice or bill of lading for any Account or drafts against Account Debtors; (c) settle and adjust disputes and claims about the Accounts directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and on terms Collateral Agent determines reasonable; (d) make, settle, and adjust all claims under Borrower’s insurance policies; (e) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, and adverse claim in or to the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same; and (f) transfer the Collateral into the name of Collateral Agent or a third party as the Code or any applicable law permits. Borrower hereby appoints Collateral Agent as its lawful attorney‑in‑fact to sign Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ name on any documents necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred until all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity
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obligations) have been satisfied in full and Collateral Agent and the Lenders are under no further obligation to make Credit Extensions hereunder. Collateral Agent’s foregoing appointment as Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ attorney in fact, and all of Collateral Agent’s rights and powers, coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) have been fully repaid and performed and Collateral Agent’s and the Lenders’ obligation to provide Credit Extensions terminates.
9.3Protective Payments. If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fail to obtain the insurance called for by Section 6.5 or fails to pay any premium thereon or fails to pay any other amount which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to pay under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Collateral Agent may obtain such insurance or make such payment, and all amounts so paid by Collateral Agent are Lenders’ Expenses and immediately due and payable, bearing interest at the Default Rate, and secured by the Collateral. Collateral Agent will make reasonable efforts to provide Borrower with notice of Collateral Agent obtaining such insurance or making such payment at the time it is obtained or paid or within a reasonable time thereafter. No such payments by Collateral Agent are deemed an agreement to make similar payments in the future or Collateral Agent’s waiver of any Event of Default.
9.4Application of Payments and Proceeds. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (a) Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments at any time or times thereafter received by Collateral Agent from or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of all or any part of the Obligations, and, as between Borrower on the one hand and Collateral Agent and Lenders on the other, Collateral Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and to reapply any and all payments received against the Obligations in such manner as Collateral Agent may deem advisable notwithstanding any previous application by Collateral Agent, and (b) the proceeds of any sale of, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied: first, to the Lenders’ Expenses; second, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts); third, to the principal amount of the Obligations outstanding; and fourth, to any other indebtedness or obligations of Borrower owing to Collateral Agent or any Lender under the Loan Documents. Any balance remaining shall be delivered to Borrower or to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such balance or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. In carrying out the foregoing, (x) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category, and (y) each of the Persons entitled to receive a payment in any particular category shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant thereto for such category. Any reference in this Agreement to an allocation between or sharing by the Lenders of any right, interest or obligation “ratably,” “proportionally” or in similar terms shall refer to Pro Rata Share unless expressly provided otherwise. Collateral Agent, or if applicable, each Lender, shall promptly remit to the other Lenders such sums as may be necessary to ensure the ratable repayment of each Lender’s portion of any Term Loan and the ratable distribution of interest, fees and reimbursements paid or made by Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Lender receiving a scheduled payment shall not be responsible for determining whether the other Lenders also received their scheduled payment on such date; provided, however, if it is later determined that a Lender received more than its ratable share of scheduled payments made on any date or dates, then such Lender shall remit to Collateral Agent or other Lenders such sums as may be necessary to ensure the ratable payment of such scheduled payments, as instructed by Collateral Agent. If any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, properties or securities, shall be received by a Lender in excess of its ratable share, then the portion of such payment or distribution in excess of such Lender’s ratable share shall be received by such Lender in trust for and shall be promptly paid over to the other Lender for application to the payments of amounts due on the other Lenders’ claims. To the extent any payment for the account of Borrower is required to be returned as a voidable transfer or otherwise, the Lenders shall contribute to one another as is necessary to ensure that such return of payment is on a pro rata basis. If any Lender shall obtain possession of any Collateral, it shall hold such Collateral for itself and as agent and bailee for Collateral Agent and other Lenders for purposes of perfecting Collateral Agent’s security interest therein.
9.5Liability for Collateral. So long as Collateral Agent and the Lenders comply with reasonable banking practices regarding the safekeeping of the Collateral in the possession or under the control of Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall not be liable or responsible for: (a) the safekeeping of the Collateral; (b) any loss or damage to the Collateral; (c) any diminution in the value of the Collateral; or (d) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, or other Person. Borrower bears all risk of loss, damage or destruction of the Collateral.
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9.6No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. Failure by Collateral Agent or any Lender, at any time or times, to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive, affect, or diminish any right of Collateral Agent or any Lender thereafter to demand strict performance and compliance herewith or therewith. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless signed by Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders and then is only effective for the specific instance and purpose for which it is given. The rights and remedies of Collateral Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative. Collateral Agent and the Lenders have all rights and remedies provided under the Code, any applicable law, by law, or in equity. The exercise by Collateral Agent or any Lender of one right or remedy is not an election, and Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s waiver of any Event of Default is not a continuing waiver. Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s delay in exercising any remedy is not a waiver, election, or acquiescence.
9.7Demand Waiver. Borrower waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, demand, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, notice of any default, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees held by Collateral Agent or any Lender on which Borrower or any Subsidiary is liable.
10.NOTICES
All notices, consents, requests, approvals, demands, or other communication (collectively, “Communication”) by any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given, or delivered: (a) upon the earlier of actual receipt and three (3) Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, registered or certified mail return receipt requested, with proper postage prepaid; (b) upon transmission, when sent by facsimile transmission; (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges prepaid; or (d) when delivered, if hand‑delivered by messenger, all of which shall be addressed to the party to be notified and sent to the address, facsimile number, or email address indicated below. Any of Collateral Agent, Lender or Borrower may change its mailing address or facsimile number by giving the other party written notice thereof in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.
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11.CHOICE OF LAW, VENUE AND JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE
California law governs the Loan Documents without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Borrower, Collateral Agent and each Lender each submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts in Santa Clara County, California; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to operate to preclude Collateral Agent or any Lender from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to realize on the Collateral or any other security for the Obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of Collateral Agent or any Lender. Borrower expressly submits and consents in advance to such jurisdiction in any action or suit commenced in any such court, and Borrower hereby waives any objection that it may have based upon lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, or forum non conveniens and hereby consents to the granting of such legal or equitable relief as is deemed appropriate by such court. Borrower hereby waives personal service of the summons, complaints, and other process issued in such action or suit and agrees that service of such summons, complaints, and other process may be made by registered or certified mail addressed to Borrower at the address set forth in, or subsequently provided by Borrower in accordance with, Section 10 of this Agreement and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of Borrower’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER, COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.
WITHOUT INTENDING IN ANY WAY TO LIMIT THE PARTIES’ AGREEMENT TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY, if the above waiver of the right to a trial by jury is not enforceable, the parties hereto agree that any and all disputes or controversies of any nature between them arising at any time shall be decided by a reference to a private judge, mutually selected by the parties (or, if they cannot agree, by the Presiding Judge of the Santa Clara County, California Superior Court) appointed in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 (or pursuant to comparable provisions of federal law if the dispute falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts), sitting without a jury, in Santa Clara County, California; and the parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of such court. The reference proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 638 through 645.1, inclusive. The private judge shall have the power, among others, to grant provisional relief, including without limitation, entering temporary restraining orders, issuing preliminary and permanent injunctions and appointing receivers. All such proceedings shall be closed to the public and confidential and all records relating thereto shall be permanently sealed. If during the course of any dispute, a party desires to seek provisional relief, but a judge has not been appointed at that point pursuant to the judicial reference procedures, then such party may apply to the Santa Clara County, California Superior Court for such relief. The proceeding before the private judge shall be conducted in the same manner as it would be before a court under the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings. The parties shall be entitled to discovery which shall be conducted in the same manner as it would be before a court under the rules of discovery applicable to judicial proceedings. The private judge shall oversee discovery and may enforce all discovery rules and orders applicable to judicial proceedings in the same manner as a trial court judge. The parties agree that the selected or appointed private judge shall have the power to decide all issues in the action or proceeding, whether of fact or of law, and shall report a statement of decision thereon pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 644(a). Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the right of any party at any time to exercise self‑help remedies, foreclose against collateral, or obtain provisional remedies. The private judge shall also determine all issues relating to the applicability, interpretation, and enforceability of this paragraph.
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12.1Successors and Assigns. This Agreement binds and is for the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of each party. Borrower may not transfer, pledge or assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations under it without Collateral Agent’s and each Lender’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in Collateral Agent’s and each Lender’s discretion, subject to Section 12.6). The Lenders have the right, without the consent of or notice to Borrower, to sell, transfer, assign, pledge, negotiate, or grant participation in (any such sale, transfer, assignment, negotiation, or grant of a participation, a “Lender Transfer”) all or any part of, or any interest in, the Lenders’ obligations, rights, and benefits under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that any such Lender Transfer (other than a transfer, pledge, sale or assignment to an Eligible Assignee) of its obligations, rights, and benefits under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall require the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (such approved assignee, an “Approved Lender”). Borrower and Collateral Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interests so assigned until Collateral Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto, and shall have received such other information regarding such Eligible Assignee or Approved Lender as Collateral Agent reasonably shall require. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Lender Transfer (other than a Lender Transfer (i) in respect of the Warrants or (ii) in connection with (x) assignments by a Lender due to a forced divestiture at the request of any regulatory agency; or (y) upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions) shall be permitted, without Borrower’s consent, to any Person which is an Affiliate or Subsidiary of Borrower, a direct competitor of Borrower or a vulture hedge fund, each as determined by Collateral Agent.
12.2Indemnification. Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Collateral Agent and the Lenders and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, or any other Person affiliated with or representing Collateral Agent or the Lenders (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless against: (a) all obligations, demands, claims, and liabilities (collectively, “Claims”) asserted by any other party in connection with; related to; following; or arising from, out of or under, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; and (b) all losses or Lenders’ Expenses incurred, or paid by Indemnified Person in connection with; related to; following; or arising from, out of or under, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents between Collateral Agent, and/or the Lenders and Borrower (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), except for Claims and/or losses directly caused by such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Borrower hereby further indemnifies, defends and holds each Indemnified Person harmless from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnified Person) in connection with any investigative, response, remedial, administrative or judicial matter or proceeding, whether or not such Indemnified Person shall be designated a party thereto and including any such proceeding initiated by or on behalf of Borrower, and the reasonable expenses of investigation by engineers, environmental consultants and similar technical personnel and any commission, fee or compensation claimed by any broker (other than any broker retained by Collateral Agent or Lenders) asserting any right to payment for the transactions contemplated hereby which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Person as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the use or intended use of the proceeds of the loan proceeds except for liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements directly caused by such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
12.3Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for the performance of all Obligations in this Agreement.
12.4Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement is severable from every other provision in determining the enforceability of any provision.
12.5Correction of Loan Documents. Collateral Agent and the Lenders may correct patent errors and fill in any blanks in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents consistent with the agreement of the parties.
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12.6Amendments in Writing; Integration. (a) No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no approval or consent thereunder, or any consent to any departure by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Borrower, Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders provided that:
(i)no such amendment, waiver or other modification that would have the effect of increasing or reducing a Lender’s Term Loan Commitment or Commitment Percentage shall be effective as to such Lender without such Lender’s written consent;
(ii)no such amendment, waiver or modification that would affect the rights and duties of Collateral Agent shall be effective without Collateral Agent’s written consent or signature;
(iii)no such amendment, waiver or other modification shall, unless signed by all the Lenders directly affected thereby, (A) reduce the principal of, rate of interest on or any fees with respect to any Term Loan or forgive any principal, interest (other than default interest) or fees (other than late charges) with respect to any Term Loan (B) postpone the date fixed for, or waive, any payment of principal of any Term Loan or of interest on any Term Loan (other than default interest) or any fees provided for hereunder (other than late charges or for any termination of any commitment); (C) change the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or the percentage of Lenders which shall be required for the Lenders to take any action hereunder; (D) release all or substantially all of any material portion of the Collateral, authorize Borrower to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all or any material portion of the Collateral or release any Guarantor of all or any portion of the Obligations or its guaranty obligations with respect thereto, except, in each case with respect to this clause (D), as otherwise may be expressly permitted under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder); (E) amend, waive or otherwise modify this Section 12.6 or the definitions of the terms used in this Section 12.6 insofar as the definitions affect the substance of this Section 12.6; (F) consent to the assignment, delegation or other transfer by Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under any Loan Document or release Borrower of its payment obligations under any Loan Document, except, in each case with respect to this clause (F), pursuant to a merger or consolidation permitted pursuant to this Agreement; (G) amend any of the provisions of Section 9.4 or amend any of the definitions of Pro Rata Share, Term Loan Commitment, Commitment Percentage or that provide for the Lenders to receive their Pro Rata Shares of any fees, payments, setoffs or proceeds of Collateral hereunder; (H) subordinate the Liens granted in favor of Collateral Agent securing the Obligations; or (I) amend any of the provisions of Section 12.10. It is hereby understood and agreed that all Lenders shall be deemed directly affected by an amendment, waiver or other modification of the type described in the preceding clauses (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) of the preceding sentence;
(iv)the provisions of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are subject to the provisions of any interlender or agency agreement among the Lenders and Collateral Agent pursuant to which any Lender may agree to give its consent in connection with any amendment, waiver or modification of the Loan Documents only in the event of the unanimous agreement of all Lenders.
(b)Other than as expressly provided for in Section 12.6(a)(i)‑(iii), Collateral Agent may, if requested by the Required Lenders, from time to time designate covenants in this Agreement less restrictive by notification to a representative of Borrower.
(c)This Agreement and the Loan Documents represent the entire agreement about this subject matter and supersede prior negotiations or agreements. All prior agreements, understandings, representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties about the subject matter of this Agreement and the Loan Documents merge into this Agreement and the Loan Documents.
12.7Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, is an original, and all taken together, constitute one Agreement.
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12.8Survival. All covenants, representations and warranties made in this Agreement continue in full force and effect until this Agreement has terminated pursuant to its terms and all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations and any other obligations which, by their terms, are to survive the termination of this Agreement) have been satisfied. Without limiting the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.1, the grant of security interest by Borrower in Section 4.1 shall survive until the termination of all Bank Services Agreements. The obligation of Borrower in Section 12.2 to indemnify each Lender and Collateral Agent, as well as the confidentiality provisions in Section 12.9 below, shall survive until the statute of limitations with respect to such claim or cause of action shall have run.
12.9Confidentiality. In handling any confidential information of Borrower, the Lenders and Collateral Agent shall exercise the same degree of care that it exercises for their own proprietary information, but disclosure of information may be made: (a) subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to the Lenders’ and Collateral Agent’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or in connection with a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions and upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing or securitization transaction; (b) to prospective transferees (other than those identified in (a) above) or purchasers of any interest in the Credit Extensions (provided, however, the Lenders and Collateral Agent shall, except upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, obtain such prospective transferee’s or purchaser’s agreement to the terms of this provision or to similar confidentiality terms); (c) as required by law, regulation, subpoena, or other order; (d) to Lenders’ or Collateral Agent’s regulators or as otherwise required in connection with an examination or audit; (e) as Collateral Agent reasonably considers appropriate in exercising remedies under the Loan Documents; and (f) to third party service providers of the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent so long as such service providers have executed a confidentiality agreement with the Lenders and Collateral Agent with terms no less restrictive than those contained herein. Confidential information does not include information that either: (i) is in the public domain or in the Lenders’ and/or Collateral Agent’s possession when disclosed to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent, or becomes part of the public domain after disclosure to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent; or (ii) is disclosed to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent by a third party, if the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent does not know that the third party is prohibited from disclosing the information. Collateral Agent and the Lenders may use confidential information for any purpose, including, without limitation, for the development of client databases, reporting purposes, and market analysis. The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall survive the termination of this Agreement. The agreements provided under this Section 12.9 supersede all prior agreements, understanding, representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties about the subject matter of this Section 12.9.
12.10Right of Set Off. Borrower hereby grants to Collateral Agent and to each Lender, a lien, security interest and right of set off as security for all Obligations to Collateral Agent and each Lender hereunder, whether now existing or hereafter arising upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Collateral Agent or the Lenders or any entity under the control of Collateral Agent or the Lenders (including a Collateral Agent affiliate) or in transit to any of them. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without demand or notice, Collateral Agent or the Lenders may set off the same or any part thereof and apply the same to any liability or obligation of Borrower even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing the Obligations. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE COLLATERAL AGENT TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF BORROWER ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.
12.11Silicon Valley Bank as Agent. Collateral Agent hereby appoints SVB as its agent (and SVB hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Collateral Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the Code can be perfected by possession or control, including without limitation, all deposit accounts maintained at SVB.
12.12Cooperation of Borrower. If necessary, Borrower agrees to (i) execute any documents (including new Secured Promissory Notes) reasonably required to effectuate and acknowledge each assignment of a Term Loan Commitment or Term Loan to an assignee in accordance with Section 12.1, (ii) make Borrower’s management available to meet with Collateral Agent and prospective participants and assignees of Term Loan Commitments or Credit Extensions (which meetings shall be conducted no more often than twice every twelve months unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior written notice
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(unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), and (iii) assist Collateral Agent or the Lenders in the preparation of information relating to the financial affairs of Borrower as any prospective participant or assignee of a Term Loan Commitment or Term Loan reasonably may request. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.9, Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any prospective participant or assignee of a Term Loan Commitment, any and all information in such Lender’s possession concerning Borrower and its financial affairs which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, or which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of Borrower prior to entering into this Agreement.
13.DEFINITIONS
13.1Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Account” is any “account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes, without limitation, all accounts receivable and other sums owing to Borrower.
“Account Debtor” is any “account debtor” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.
“Affiliate” of any Person is a Person that owns or controls directly or indirectly the Person, any Person that controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person, and each of that Person’s senior executive officers, directors, partners and, for any Person that is a limited liability company, that Person’s managers and members.
“Agreement” is defined in the preamble hereof.
“Amortization Date” is, July 1, 2021; provided, however, if a Term B Loan is funded, then the Amortization Date with respect to all Term Loans shall automatically be extended to January 1, 2022.
“Annual Projections” is defined in Section 6.2(a).
“Anti‑Terrorism Laws” are any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), the USA PATRIOT Act, the laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the laws administered by OFAC.
“Approved Fund” is any (i) investment company, fund, trust, securitization vehicle or conduit that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business or (ii) any Person (other than a natural person) which temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any entity described in the preceding clause (i) and that, with respect to each of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) a Person (other than a natural person) or an Affiliate of a Person (other than a natural person) that administers or manages a Lender.
“Approved Lender” is defined in Section 12.1.
“Bank Services” are any products, credit services, and/or financial accommodations previously, now, or hereafter provided to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by Bank or any Bank Affiliate, including, without limitation, any letters of credit, cash management services (including, without limitation, merchant services, direct deposit of payroll, business credit cards, and check cashing services), interest rate swap arrangements, and foreign exchange services as any such products or services may be identified in Bank’s various agreements related thereto (each, a “Bank Services Agreement”).
“Bank” is defined in the preamble hereof.
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“Basic Rate” is the per annum rate of interest (based on a year of three hundred sixty (360) days) equal to the greater of (a) eight and one quarter of one percent (8.25%), and (b) the sum of (i) the “prime rate” reported in The Wall Street Journal on the last Business Day of the month that immediately precedes the month in which the interest will accrue, and (ii) three percent (3.00%). If The Wall Street Journal no longer reports the “prime rate” or if The Wall Street Journal ceases to exist, Collateral Agent may, in good faith, select a replacement publication and shall notify Borrower of such replacement publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Basic Rate for the Term Loan for the period from the Effective Date through and including September 30, 2019, shall be eight and one quarter of one percent (8.25%).
“Biocon License Agreement” means that certain Collaboration and License Agreement dated as of May 22, 2017 between Borrower and Biocon SA, in effect as of the Effective Date and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Blocked Person” is any Person: (a) listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (b) a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (c) a Person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti‑Terrorism Law, (d) a Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in Executive Order No. 13224, or (e) a Person that is named a “specially designated national” or “blocked person” on the most current list published by OFAC or other similar list.
“Borrower” is defined in the preamble hereof.
“Borrower’s Books” are Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ books and records including ledgers, federal, and state tax returns, records regarding Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets or liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition, and all computer programs or storage or any equipment containing such information.
“Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Collateral Agent is closed.
“Cash Equivalents” are (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency or any State thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition; (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year after its creation and having the highest rating from either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and (c) certificates of deposit maturing no more than one (1) year after issue provided that the account in which any such certificate of deposit is maintained is subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the direct purchase by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Auction Rate Securities, or purchasing participations in, or entering into any type of swap or other derivative transaction, or otherwise holding or engaging in any ownership interest in any type of Auction Rate Security by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be conclusively determined by the Lenders as an ineligible Cash Equivalent, and any such transaction shall expressly violate each other provision of this Agreement governing Permitted Investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents does not include and Borrower, and each of its Subsidiaries, are prohibited from purchasing, purchasing participations in, entering into any type of swap or other equivalent derivative transaction, or otherwise holding or engaging in any ownership interest in any type of debt instrument, including, without limitation, any corporate or municipal bonds with a long‑term nominal maturity for which the interest rate is reset through a dutch auction and more commonly referred to as an auction rate security (each, an “Auction Rate Security”).
“Claims” are defined in Section 12.2.
“Code” is the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may, from time to time, be enacted and in effect in the State of California; provided, that, to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein or in any Loan Document and such term is defined differently in different Articles or Divisions of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9 shall govern; provided further, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Collateral Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of California, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.
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“Collateral” is any and all properties, rights and assets of Borrower described on Exhibit A.
“Collateral Account” is any Deposit Account, Securities Account, or Commodity Account, or any other bank account maintained by Borrower or any Subsidiary at any time.
“Collateral Agent” is, Oxford, not in its individual capacity, but solely in its capacity as agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Lenders.
“Commitment Percentage” is set forth in Schedule 1.1, as amended from time to time.
“Commodity Account” is any “commodity account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.
“Communication” is defined in Section 10.
“Compliance Certificate” is that certain certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Contingent Obligation” is, for any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or not, of that Person for (a) any indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other obligation of another such as an obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co‑made, discounted or sold with recourse by that Person, or for which that Person is directly or indirectly liable; (b) any obligations for undrawn letters of credit for the account of that Person; and (c) all obligations from any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap or collar agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designated to protect a Person against fluctuation in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices; but “Contingent Obligation” does not include endorsements in the ordinary course of business. The amount of a Contingent Obligation is the stated or determined amount of the primary obligation for which the Contingent Obligation is made or, if not determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability for it determined by the Person in good faith; but the amount may not exceed the maximum of the obligations under any guarantee or other support arrangement.
“Control Agreement” is any control agreement entered into among the depository institution at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Deposit Account or the securities intermediary or commodity intermediary at which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains a Securities Account or a Commodity Account, Borrower and such Subsidiary, and Collateral Agent pursuant to which Collateral Agent obtains control (within the meaning of the Code) for the benefit of the Lenders over such Deposit Account, Securities Account, or Commodity Account.
“Copyrights” are any and all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work or authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished and whether or not the same also constitutes a trade secret.
“Credit Extension” is any Term Loan or any other extension of credit by Collateral Agent or Lenders for Borrower’s benefit.
“Default Rate” is defined in Section 2.3(b).
“Deposit Account” is any “deposit account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.
“Designated Deposit Account” is Borrower’s deposit account, account number ending in xxxxxx1650, maintained with SVB.
“Disbursement Letter” is that certain form attached hereto as Exhibit B‑1.
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“Dollar Equivalent” is, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in a Foreign Currency, the equivalent amount therefor in Dollars as determined by Bank at such time on the basis of the then‑prevailing rate of exchange in San Francisco, California, for sales of the Foreign Currency for transfer to the country issuing such Foreign Currency.
“Dollars,” “dollars” and “$” each mean lawful money of the United States.
“Effective Date” is defined in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Eligible Assignee” is (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender, (iii) an Approved Fund and (iv) any commercial bank, savings and loan association or savings bank or any other entity which is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, including insurance companies, mutual funds, lease financing companies and commercial finance companies, in each case, which either (A) has a rating of BBB or higher from Standard & Poor’s Rating Group and a rating of Baa2 or higher from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. at the date that it becomes a Lender or (B) has total assets in excess of Five Billion Dollars ($5,000,000,000.00), and in each case of clauses (i) through (iv), which, through its applicable lending office, is capable of lending to Borrower without the imposition of any withholding or similar taxes; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) Borrower or any of Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (ii) a direct competitor of Borrower or a vulture hedge fund, each as determined by Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in connection with assignments by a Lender due to a forced divestiture at the request of any regulatory agency, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Eligible Assignee shall mean any Person or party and (y) in connection with a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Eligible Assignee shall mean any Person or party providing such financing or formed to undertake such securitization transaction and any transferee of such Person or party upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing or securitization transaction; provided that no such sale, transfer, pledge or assignment under this clause (y) shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such Person or party for such Lender as a party hereto until Collateral Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement from such Person or party in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto, and shall have received such other information regarding such Eligible Assignee as Collateral Agent reasonably shall require.
“Equillium Australia” means Equillium AUS Pty Ltd CAN 631 295 942, an Australian company incorporated under the laws of Australia.
“Equipment” is all “equipment” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all machinery, fixtures, goods, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), and any interest in any of the foregoing.
“ERISA” is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and its regulations.
“Event of Default” is defined in Section 8.
“Final Payment” is a payment (in addition to and not a substitution for the regular monthly payments of principal plus accrued interest) due on the earliest to occur of (a) the Maturity Date, or (b) the acceleration of any Term Loan, or (c) the prepayment of a Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or (d), equal to the original principal amount of such Term Loan multiplied by the Final Payment Percentage, payable to Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.
“Final Payment Percentage” is four and one half of one percent (4.50%).
“Foreign Currency” means lawful money of a country other than the United States.
“Foreign Subsidiary” is a Subsidiary that is not an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any territory thereof.
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“Funding Date” is any date on which a Credit Extension is made to or on account of Borrower which shall be a Business Day.
“FX Contract” is any foreign exchange contract by and between Borrower and Bank under which Borrower commits to purchase from or sell to Bank a specific amount of Foreign Currency on a specified date.
“GAAP” is generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other Person as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.
“General Intangibles” are all “general intangibles” as defined in the Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation, all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work of authorship and derivative work, whether published or unpublished, any patents, trademarks, service marks and, to the extent permitted under applicable law, any applications therefor, whether registered or not, any trade secret rights, including any rights to unpatented inventions, payment intangibles, royalties, contract rights, goodwill, franchise agreements, purchase orders, customer lists, route lists, telephone numbers, domain names, claims, income and other tax refunds, security and other deposits, options to purchase or sell real or personal property, rights in all litigation presently or hereafter pending (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), insurance policies (including without limitation key man, property damage, and business interruption insurance), payments of insurance and rights to payment of any kind.
“Good Faith Deposit” is defined in Section 2.5(d).
“Governmental Approval” is any consent, authorization, approval, order, license, franchise, permit, certificate, accreditation, registration, filing or notice, of, issued by, from or to, or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority.
“Governmental Authority” is any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self‑regulatory organization.
“Guarantor” is any Person providing a Guaranty in favor of Collateral Agent.
“Guaranty” is any guarantee of all or any part of the Obligations, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented.
“Indebtedness” is (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred price of property or services, such as reimbursement and other obligations for surety bonds and letters of credit, (b) obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) capital lease obligations, and (d) Contingent Obligations.
“Indemnified Person” is defined in Section 12.2.
“Insolvency Proceeding” is any proceeding by or against any Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code, or any other bankruptcy or insolvency law, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, compositions, extensions generally with its creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other relief.
“Insolvent” means not Solvent.
“Intellectual Property” means all of Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the following:
(a)its Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents;
(b)any and all trade secrets and trade secret rights, including, without limitation, any rights to unpatented inventions, know‑how, operating manuals;
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(d)any and all design rights which may be available to Borrower;
(e)any and all claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement of any of the foregoing, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect such damages for said use or infringement of the Intellectual Property rights identified above; and
(f)all amendments, renewals and extensions of any of the Copyrights, Trademarks or Patents.
“Inventory” is all “inventory” as defined in the Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products, including without limitation such inventory as is temporarily out of any Person’s custody or possession or in transit and including any returned goods and any documents of title representing any of the above.
“Investment” is any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including stock, partnership interest or other securities), and any loan, advance, payment or capital contribution to any Person.
“Key Person” is each of Borrower’s (i) Chief Executive Officer, who is Daniel Bradbury as of the Effective Date, (ii) Chief Financial Officer, who is Jason Keyes as of the Effective Date, (iii) Chief Medical Officer, who is Krishna Polu as of the Effective Date and (iv) Chief Science Officer, who is Stephen Connelly as of the Effective Date.
“Lender” is any one of the Lenders.
“Lenders” are the Persons identified on Schedule 1.1 hereto and each assignee that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1.
“Lenders’ Expenses” are all audit fees and expenses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, as well as appraisal fees, fees incurred on account of lien searches, inspection fees, and filing fees) for preparing, amending, negotiating, administering, defending and enforcing the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, those incurred in connection with appeals or Insolvency Proceedings) or otherwise incurred by Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents.
“Letter of Credit” is a standby or commercial letter of credit issued by Bank upon request of Borrower based upon an application, guarantee, indemnity, or similar agreement.
“Lien” is a claim, mortgage, deed of trust, levy, charge, pledge, security interest, or other encumbrance of any kind, whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of law or otherwise against any property.
“Loan Documents” are, collectively, this Agreement, the Warrants, the Perfection Certificates, each Compliance Certificate, each Disbursement Letter, each Loan Payment/Advance Request Form and any Bank Services Agreement, the Post Closing Letter, any subordination agreements, any note, or notes or guaranties executed by Borrower or any other Person, and any other present or future agreement entered into by Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person for the benefit of the Lenders and Collateral Agent in connection with this Agreement; all as amended, restated, or otherwise modified.
“Loan Party” is each of Borrower and any Subsidiary of Borrower that is a co-borrower or Guarantor hereunder.
“Loan Payment/Advance Request Form” is that certain form attached hereto as Exhibit B‑2.
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“Material Adverse Change” is (a) a material impairment in the perfection or priority of Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral or in the value of such Collateral; (b) a material adverse change in the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or any Subsidiary; or (c) a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations.
“Maturity Date” is, for each Term Loan June 1, 2024.
“Obligations” are all of Borrower’s obligations to pay when due any debts, principal, interest, Lenders’ Expenses, the Prepayment Fee, the Final Payment, and other amounts Borrower owes the Lenders now or later, in connection with, related to, following, or arising from, out of or under, this Agreement or, the other Loan Documents (other than the Warrants), or otherwise, including, without limitation, all obligations relating to letters of credit (including reimbursement obligations for drawn and undrawn letters of credit), cash management services, and foreign exchange contracts, if any, and including interest accruing after Insolvency Proceedings begin (whether or not allowed) and debts, liabilities, or obligations of Borrower assigned to the Lenders and/or Collateral Agent, and the performance of Borrower’s duties under the Loan Documents (other than the Warrants).
“OFAC” is the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.
“OFAC Lists” are, collectively, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sept. 25, 2001) and/or any other list of terrorists or other restricted Persons maintained pursuant to any of the rules and regulations of OFAC or pursuant to any other applicable Executive Orders.
“Operating Documents” are, for any Person, such Person’s formation documents, as certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of such Person’s jurisdiction of organization on a date that is no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date, and, (a) if such Person is a corporation, its bylaws in current form, (b) if such Person is a limited liability company, its limited liability company agreement (or similar agreement), and (c) if such Person is a partnership, its partnership agreement (or similar agreement), each of the foregoing with all current amendments or modifications thereto.
“Patents” means all patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisions, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same.
“Payment Date” is the first (1st) calendar day of each calendar month, commencing on November 1, 2019.
“Perfection Certificate” and “Perfection Certificates” is defined in Section 5.1.
“Permitted Acquisition” means an acquisition pursuant to which Borrower acquires a Person, an ownership interest in a Person, or some or all of the assets of such Person through the issuance of Borrower’s capital stock (and for the sake of clarity, no cash), so long as the number of shares or the voting power of Borrower’s capital stock issued with respect to any one Person is less than twenty percent (20%) of the total shares or voting power of Borrower’s capital stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such issuance (provided that such percentage shall apply with respect to any one acquisition and all acquisitions in the aggregate in each fiscal year of Borrower and shall be determined as of the date of each such acquisition and such percentages shall be added together for the determination of the aggregate percentage per fiscal year), in each case to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b)all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable law;
(c)such acquired Person or assets shall be in the same line of business as is conducted by Borrower as of the Effective Date (or a line of business reasonably related thereto);
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(d)such acquisition shall not cause the focus of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations (when taken as a whole) to be located outside of the United States;
(e)in the case of the purchase or other acquisition of Shares, all of the Shares acquired or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition shall be wholly owned by Borrower or a Subsidiary;
(f)such acquisition, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (including for this purpose, the target of the acquisition) shall acquire or be subject to any Indebtedness or Liens that are not otherwise permitted hereunder;
(g)Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent and Lenders at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to Collateral Agent and Lenders) prior to such proposed acquisition (i) a copy of the purchase agreement related to the proposed acquisition (and any related documents reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent and Lenders), (ii) a general description of the acquired assets or acquired business line or unit or division and the competitive position of such business line or unit or division within the industry, (iii) the sources and uses of funds to finance the proposed acquisition, and (iv) to the extent available, quarterly and annual audited financial statements of the Person whose Shares or assets are being acquired for the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to such proposed acquisition;
(h)such Permitted Acquisition shall only involve assets located in the United States; provided, however, any such Permitted Acquisitions may also involve (i) tangible assets located outside the United States so long as the value of such tangible assets does not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the aggregate with respect to any one acquisition and in the aggregate per fiscal year, and (ii) in-licensing of assets from outside the United States for worldwide application; and
(i)Collateral Agent and the Lenders have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer together with Board approved projections certifying and setting forth in reasonable detail that Borrower has enough cash on hand to pay its projected expenses and all debt service when due for a period of twelve (12) months after the consummation of such transaction (after giving effect to such transaction); and
(j)such Permitted Acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the target’s board of directors.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in order for any acquisition of Shares or assets of another Person to constitute a Permitted Acquisition, Borrower must comply with all of the following: (a) within five (5) Business Days of the closing of such Permitted Acquisition, the applicable Borrower (or Subsidiary) making such Permitted Acquisition and the target shall have executed such documents and taken such actions as may be required under Section 6.11; (b) the applicable Borrower shall have delivered to Collateral Agent and Lenders, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and Lenders and sufficiently in advance (and in any case no later than five (5) Business Days prior to such Permitted Acquisition), such other financial information, financial analysis, documentation or other information relating to such Permitted Acquisition and the pro forma certifications required by clause (c) below, in each case, as Collateral Agent and Lenders shall reasonably request; (c) on or prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, the Collateral Agent and Lenders shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and Lenders, a certificate of the chief financial officer of Borrower certifying compliance with the requirements contained in this definition of “Permitted Acquisition” and with the other terms of the Loan Documents (before and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition); and (d) Borrower shall provide to the Collateral Agent and Lenders as soon as available but in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, a copy of the executed purchase agreement or similar agreement with respect to any such acquisition.
“Permitted Indebtedness” is:
(a)Borrower’s Indebtedness to the Lenders and Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(b)Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and disclosed on the Perfection Certificate(s);
(c)Subordinated Debt;
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(d)unsecured Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(e)Indebtedness consisting of capitalized lease obligations and purchase money Indebtedness, in each case incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to finance the acquisition, repair, improvement or construction of fixed or capital assets of such person, provided that (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness does not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any time and (ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the lower of the cost or fair market value of the property so acquired or built or of such repairs or improvements financed with such Indebtedness (each measured at the time of such acquisition, repair, improvement or construction is made); furthermore, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and strictly for the purposes of this clause (e) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and for no other purpose, any obligations of a Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases or capital leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases or capital leases (whether or not such operating lease obligations or capital lease obligations, as applicable, were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized lease obligations in accordance with GAAP;
(f)any obligations owing Bank with respect to corporate credit cards or merchant services issued by Bank for the account of Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
(g)all obligations arising under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designated to protect Borrower or a Subsidiary against fluctuation in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, in an aggregate amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) at any time;
(h)Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations under (A) workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws and (B) bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and obligations of a like nature; in an aggregate amount for (A) and (B) not to exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any time;
(i)Indebtedness constituting or consisting of Investments under clause (f) of the definition of “Permitted Investments;”
(j)Indebtedness consisting of insurance premium financing in an aggregate amount not to exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any time;
(k)other unsecured Indebtedness not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the aggregate at any time;
(l)contingent milestone payments under the Biocon License Agreement to the extent such payments are due; and
(m)extensions, refinancings, modifications, amendments and restatements of any items of Permitted Indebtedness (a) through (k) above, provided that the principal amount thereof is not increased or the terms thereof are not modified to impose materially more burdensome terms upon Borrower, or its Subsidiary, as the case may be.
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(a)Investments disclosed on the Perfection Certificate(s) and existing on the Effective Date;
(b)(i) Investments consisting of cash and Cash Equivalents, and (ii) any other Investments permitted by Borrower’s investment policy, as amended from time to time, provided that such investment policy (and any such amendment thereto) has been approved in writing by Collateral Agent;
(c)Investments consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of Borrower;
(d)Investments consisting of deposit, securities and/or commodities accounts in which Collateral Agent has a perfected security interest (other than foreign accounts, to the extent not required under Section 6.6);
(e)Investments in connection with Transfers permitted by Section 7.1;
(f)Investments (i) by Borrower in Equillium Australia in the ordinary course not to exceed (A) One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) in any calendar month of Borrower, and (B) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) in the aggregate in any fiscal year of Borrower; provided, however, that the aggregate value of cash, Cash Equivalents and other tangible assets held by Equillium Australia shall not exceed One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) (or equivalent) at any time;
(g)Investments consisting of (i) travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) loans to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of equity securities of Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock purchase plans or agreements approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors; not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the aggregate for (i) and (ii) in any fiscal year;
(h)Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;
(i)Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business; provided that this paragraph (i) shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary;
(j)(A) non-cash Investments in joint ventures or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrower's business consisting of the non-exclusive licensing of technology, the development of technology or the providing of technical support not to exceed, and (B) other Investments in joint ventures or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrower's business not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the aggregate;
(k)the formation or acquisition of Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, subject to compliance with Section 6.11 of this Agreement;
(l)Investments consisting of the conversion or settlement of any convertible securities of Borrower or any Subsidiary or otherwise in exchange therefor;
(m)Permitted Acquisitions; and
(n)other Investments not to exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the aggregate.
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“Permitted Licenses” are (A) licenses of over-the-counter software that is commercially available to the public, (B) the Biocon License Agreement, and (C) non‑exclusive and exclusive licenses for the use of the Intellectual Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided, that, with respect to each such license described in clause (C), (i) no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing at the time of such license; (ii) the license constitutes an arms‑length transaction, the terms of which, on their face, do not provide for a sale or assignment of any Intellectual Property and do not restrict the ability of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to pledge, grant a security interest in or lien on, or assign or otherwise Transfer any Intellectual Property; (iii) in the case of any exclusive license, (x) Borrower delivers ten (10) days’ prior written notice and a brief summary of the terms of the proposed license to Collateral Agent and the Lenders and delivers to Collateral Agent and the Lenders copies of the final executed licensing documents in connection with the exclusive license promptly upon consummation thereof, and (y) any such license could not result in a legal transfer of title of the licensed property but may be exclusive in respects other than territory and may be exclusive as to territory only as to discrete geographical areas outside of the United States; and (iv) all upfront payments, royalties, milestone payments or other proceeds arising from the licensing agreement that are payable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are paid to a Deposit Account that is governed by a Control Agreement.
“Permitted Liens” are:
(a)Liens existing on the Effective Date and disclosed on the Perfection Certificates or arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(b)Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other government charges or levies, either (i) not due and payable or (ii) being contested in good faith and for which Borrower maintains adequate reserves on its Books, provided that no notice of any such Lien has been filed or recorded under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations adopted thereunder;
(c)liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (e) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness,” provided that (i) such liens exist prior to the acquisition of, or attach substantially simultaneous with, or within twenty (20) days after the, acquisition, lease, repair, improvement or construction of, such property financed or leased by such Indebtedness and (ii) such liens do not extend to any property of Borrower other than the property (and proceeds thereof) acquired, leased or built, or the improvements or repairs, financed by such Indebtedness;
(d)Liens of carriers, warehousemen, suppliers, or other Persons that are possessory in nature arising in the ordinary course of business so long as such Liens attach only to Inventory, securing liabilities in the aggregate amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), and which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;
(e)Liens to secure payment of workers’ compensation, employment insurance, old‑age pensions, social security and other like obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than Liens imposed by ERISA);
(f)leases or subleases of real property granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), and leases, subleases, non‑exclusive licenses or sublicenses of personal property (other than Intellectual Property) granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), if the leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit granting Collateral Agent or any Lender a security interest therein;
(g)banker’s liens, rights of setoff and Liens in favor of financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business arising in connection with Borrower’s deposit accounts or securities accounts held at such institutions solely to secure payment of fees and similar costs and expenses and provided such accounts are maintained in compliance with Section 6.6(b) hereof;
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(h)Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.4 or 8.7;
(i)Liens consisting of Permitted Licenses;
(j)Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of Borrower's or a Subsidiary's business, securing liabilities to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety, bid and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations;
(k)easements, reservations, rights-of-way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar Liens affecting real property not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary course of the business of Borrower;
(l)Liens or deposits to secure the performance of leases incurred in the ordinary course of business and not representing an obligation for borrowed money and Liens to secure tenant improvements, provided the lessor thereof has executed a landlord consent in favor of, and in form and content reasonably acceptable to, Collateral Agent to the extent required;
(m)Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law, in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(n)Liens relating to the financing of insurance premiums permitted under clause (j) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”; and
(o)Liens incurred in the extension, renewal or refinancing of the indebtedness secured by Liens described in (a) through (n), but any extension, renewal or replacement Lien must be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the indebtedness may not increase; except as permitted under clause (m) of Permitted Indebtedness.
“Person” is any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint stock company, estate, entity or government agency.
“Post Closing Letter” is that certain Post Closing Letter dated as of the Effective Date by and between Collateral Agent and Borrower.
“Prepayment Fee” is, with respect to any Term Loan subject to prepayment prior to the Maturity Date, whether by mandatory or voluntary prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, an additional fee payable to the Lenders in amount equal to:
(i)for a prepayment made on or after the Funding Date of such Term Loan through and including the first anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan, three percent (3.00%) of the principal amount of such Term Loan prepaid;
(ii)for a prepayment made after the date which is after the first anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan through and including the second anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan, two percent (2.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loans prepaid; and
(iii)for a prepayment made after the date which is after the second anniversary of the Funding Date of such Term Loan and prior to the Maturity Date, one percent (1.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loans prepaid.
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“Pro Rata Share” is, as of any date of determination, with respect to each Lender, a percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) determined by dividing the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans held by such Lender by the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans.
“Registered Organization” is any “registered organization” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.
“Required Lenders” means (i) for so long as all of the Persons that are Lenders on the Effective Date (each an “Original Lender”) have not assigned or transferred any of their interests in their Term Loan, Lenders holding one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan, or (ii) at any time from and after any Original Lender has assigned or transferred any interest in its Term Loan, Lenders holding at least sixty six percent (66%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan and, in respect of this clause (ii), (A) each Original Lender that has not assigned or transferred any portion of its Term Loan, (B) each assignee or transferee of an Original Lender’s interest in the Term Loan, but only to the extent that such assignee or transferee is an Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Original Lender, and (C) any Person providing financing to any Person described in clauses (A) and (B) above; provided, however, that this clause (C) shall only apply upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing.
“Requirement of Law” is as to any Person, the organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law (statutory or common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
“Responsible Officer” is any of the President, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer of Borrower acting alone.
“Second Draw Period” is the period commencing on the date of the occurrence of the Term B Milestone and ending on the earliest of (i) December 31, 2020, (ii) sixty (60) days after achieving the Term B Milestone, and (iii) the occurrence of an Event of Default; provided, however, that the Second Draw Period shall not commence if on the date of the occurrence of the Term B Milestone an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
“Secured Promissory Note” is defined in Section 2.4.
“Secured Promissory Note Record” is a record maintained by each Lender with respect to the outstanding Obligations owed by Borrower to Lender and credits made thereto.
“Securities Account” is any “securities account” as defined in the Code with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made.
“Shares” is one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock, membership units or other securities owned or held of record by Borrower or Borrower’s Subsidiary, in any Subsidiary; provided that, (x) in the event Borrower demonstrates to Collateral Agent’s reasonable satisfaction, that a pledge of more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the Shares of such Subsidiary which is a Foreign Subsidiary, creates a present and existing adverse tax consequence to Borrower under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and (y) solely with respect to Equillium Australia, “Shares” shall mean sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock, membership units or other securities owned or held of record by Borrower or its Subsidiary in such Foreign Subsidiary.
“Solvent” is, with respect to any Person: the fair salable value of such Person’s consolidated assets (including goodwill minus disposition costs) exceeds the fair value of such Person’s liabilities; such Person is not left with unreasonably small capital after the transactions in this Agreement; and such Person is able to pay its debts (including trade debts) as they mature.
“Subordinated Debt” is indebtedness incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries subordinated to all Indebtedness of Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries to the Lenders (pursuant to a subordination, intercreditor, or other similar agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Lenders entered into between Collateral Agent, Borrower, and/or any of its Subsidiaries, and the other creditor), on terms acceptable to Collateral Agent and the Lenders.
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“Subsidiary” is, with respect to any Person, any Person of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than corporations) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or through one or more intermediaries.
“Term B Milestone” means the delivery by Borrower to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of evidence, in form and content acceptable to Collateral Agent and Lenders, of Borrower achieving positive topline data in either (i) EQ001 Phase 1b aGvHD trial or (ii) EQ001 Phase 1b Asthma trial, supporting a formal decision to advance into Phase 2 development, and as confirmed by Borrower’s Board of Directors in written board minutes.
“Term C Milestone” means the delivery by Borrower to Collateral Agent and the Lenders of evidence, in form and content acceptable to Collateral Agent and Lenders, of Borrower achieving positive topline data in both EQ001 Phase 1b aGvHD trial and EQ001 Phase 1b Asthma trial, supporting a formal decision to advance into Phase 2 development, and as confirmed by Borrower’s Board of Directors in written board minutes.
“Term Loan” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(iii) hereof.
“Term A Loan” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(i) hereof.
“Term B Loan” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(ii) hereof.
“Term C Loan” is defined in Section 2.2(a)(iii) hereof.
“Term Loan Commitment” is, for any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a Term Loan, up to the principal amount shown on Schedule 1.1. “Term Loan Commitments” means the aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders.
“Third Draw Period” is the period commencing on the date of the occurrence of the Term C Milestone and ending on the earliest of (i) December 31, 2020, (ii) sixty (60) days after achieving the Term C Milestone, and (iii) the occurrence of an Event of Default; provided, however, that the Second Draw Period shall not commence if on the date of the occurrence of the Term C Milestone an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
“Trademarks” means any trademark and servicemark rights, whether registered or not, applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected with and symbolized by such trademarks.
“Transfer” is defined in Section 7.1.
“Warrants” are those certain Warrants to Purchase Stock dated as of the Effective Date, or any date thereafter, issued by Borrower in favor of each Lender or such Lender’s Affiliates.
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.
BORROWER: |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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By |
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/s/ Jason Keyes |
Name: |
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Jason Keyes |
Title: |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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COLLATERAL AGENT AND LENDER: |
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OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
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By |
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/s/ Colette H. Featherly |
Name: |
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Colette H. Featherly |
Title: |
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Senior Vice President |
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LENDER: |
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SILICON VALLEY BANK |
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By |
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/s/ Kristine Rohmer |
Name: |
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Kristine Rohmer |
Title: |
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Vice President |
[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement]
SCHEDULE 1.1
Lenders and Commitments
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Term A Loans |
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Lender |
Term Loan Commitment |
Commitment Percentage |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
$5,000,000.00 |
50.00% |
SILICON VALLEY BANK |
$5,000,000.00 |
50.00% |
TOTAL |
$10,000,000.00 |
100.00% |
|
Term B Loans |
|
Lender |
Term Loan Commitment |
Commitment Percentage |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
$2,500,000.00 |
50.00% |
SILICON VALLEY BANK |
$2,500,000.00 |
50.00% |
TOTAL |
$5,000,000.00 |
100.00% |
|
Term C Loans |
|
Lender |
Term Loan Commitment |
Commitment Percentage |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
$2,500,000.00 |
50.00% |
SILICON VALLEY BANK |
$2,500,000.00 |
50.00% |
TOTAL |
$5,000,000.00 |
100.00% |
|
Aggregate (all Term Loans) |
|
Lender |
Term Loan Commitment |
Commitment Percentage |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
$10,000,000.00 |
50.00% |
SILICON VALLEY BANK |
$10,000,000.00 |
50.00% |
TOTAL |
$20,000,000.00 |
100.00% |
EXHIBIT A
Description of Collateral
The Collateral consists of all of Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the following personal property:
All goods, Accounts (including health‑care receivables), Equipment, Inventory, contract rights or rights to payment of money, leases, license agreements, franchise agreements, General Intangibles (except as noted below), commercial tort claims, documents, instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), cash, deposit accounts and other Collateral Accounts, all certificates of deposit, fixtures, letters of credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), securities, and all other investment property, supporting obligations, and financial assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, wherever located; and
All Borrower’s Books relating to the foregoing, and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions for, additions, attachments, accessories, accessions and improvements to and replacements, products, proceeds and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral does not include (i) any Intellectual Property; provided, however, the Collateral shall include all Accounts and all proceeds of Intellectual Property if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) would hold that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in such Accounts and such property that are proceeds of Intellectual Property, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of the Effective Date, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Accounts and such other property of Borrower that are proceeds of the Intellectual Property; (ii) more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote the shares of capital stock (the “Shares”) of any Foreign Subsidiary, if Borrower demonstrates to Collateral Agent’s reasonable satisfaction that a pledge of more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the Shares of such Subsidiary creates a present and existing adverse tax consequence to Borrower under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and (iii) any license, contract or interest of Borrower as a lessee under an Equipment lease, in each case if the granting of a Lien in such license, contract or interest is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such license, contract or interest (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Division 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such license, contract or interest, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral”.
Pursuant to the terms of a certain negative pledge arrangement with Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Borrower has agreed not to encumber any of its Intellectual Property.
EXHIBIT B‑1
Form of Disbursement Letter
[see attached]
The undersigned, being the duly elected and acting of EQUILLIUM, INC., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108, La Jolla, California 92037 (“Borrower”), does hereby certify to OXFORD FINANCE LLC (“Oxford” and “Lender”), as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”) in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 30, 2019, by and among Borrower, Collateral Agent and the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Loan Agreement”; with other capitalized terms used below having the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement) that:
1. The representations and warranties made by Borrower in Section 5 of the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.
2. No event or condition has occurred that would constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.
3. Borrower is in compliance with the covenants and requirements contained in Sections 4, 6 and 7 of the Loan Agreement.
4. All conditions referred to in Section 3 of the Loan Agreement to the making of the Loan to be made on or about the date hereof have been satisfied or waived by Collateral Agent.
5. No Material Adverse Change has occurred.
6. The undersigned is a Responsible Officer.
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
7. The proceeds of the Term [A][B][C] Loan shall be disbursed as follows:
8. The Term [A][B][C] Loan shall amortize in accordance with the Amortization Table attached hereto.
9. The aggregate net proceeds of the Term Loan shall be transferred to the Designated Deposit Account as follows:
Account Name: |
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Equillium, Inc. |
Bank Name: |
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Silicon Valley Bank |
Bank Address: |
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3003 Tasman Drive
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Account Number: |
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________________ |
ABA Number: |
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121140399 |
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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11 |
Legal fees and costs are through the Effective Date. Post‑closing legal fees and costs, payable after the Effective Date, to be invoiced and paid post‑closing. |
Dated as of the date first set forth above.
BORROWER: |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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Title: |
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COLLATERAL AGENT AND LENDER: |
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OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
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By |
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LENDER: |
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SILICON VALLEY BANK |
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Title: |
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[Signature Page to Disbursement Letter]
AMORTIZATION TABLE
(Term [A][B][C] Loan)
[see attached]
EXHIBIT B‑2
Loan Payment/Advance Request Form
Deadline for same day processing is Noon Pacific Time*
Fax To: |
Date: |
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Loan Payment: |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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From Account # |
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To Account # |
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(Deposit Account #) |
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(Loan Account #) |
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Principal $ |
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and/or Interest $ |
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Authorized Signature: |
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Phone Number: |
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Print Name/Title: |
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EXHIBIT C
Compliance Certificate
TO: |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC, as Collateral Agent and Lender
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FROM: |
EQUILLIUM, INC. |
The undersigned authorized officer (“Officer”) of EQUILLIUM, INC. (“Borrower”), hereby certifies that in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Borrower, Collateral Agent, and the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Loan Agreement;” capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Loan Agreement),
(a)Borrower is in complete compliance for the period ending _______________ with all required covenants except as noted below;
(b)There are no Events of Default, except as noted below;
(c)Except as noted below, all representations and warranties of Borrower stated in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on this date and for the period described in (a), above; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date.
(d)Borrower, and each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, has timely filed all required tax returns and reports, Borrower, and each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, has timely paid all foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrower, or Subsidiary, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 5.8 of the Loan Agreement;
(e)No Liens have been levied or claims made against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to unpaid employee payroll or benefits of which Borrower has not previously provided written notification to Collateral Agent and the Lenders.
Attached are the required documents, if any, supporting our certification(s). The Officer, on behalf of Borrower, further certifies that the attached financial statements are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and are consistently applied from one period to the next except as explained in an accompanying letter or footnotes and except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the absence of footnotes and subject to year‑end audit adjustments as to the interim financial statements.
Please indicate compliance status since the last Compliance Certificate by circling Yes, No, or N/A under “Complies” column.
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Reporting Covenant |
Requirement |
Actual |
Complies |
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1) |
Financial statements |
Quarterly within 45 days |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
2) |
Annual (CPA Audited) statements |
Within 90 days after FYE |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
3) |
Annual Financial Projections/Budget (prepared on a monthly basis) |
Annually (within 30 days of FYE), and when revised |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
4) |
A/R & A/P agings |
If applicable |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
5) |
8‑K, 10‑K and 10‑Q Filings |
If applicable, within 5 days of filing |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
6) |
Compliance Certificate |
Quarterly within 45 days |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
7) |
IP Report |
When required |
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Yes |
No |
N/A |
8) |
Total amount of Borrower’s cash and cash equivalents at the last day of the measurement period |
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$________ |
Yes |
No |
N/A |
9) |
Total amount of Borrower’s Subsidiaries’ cash and cash equivalents at the last day of the measurement period |
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$________ |
Yes |
No |
N/A |
Deposit and Securities Accounts
(Please list all accounts; attach separate sheet if additional space needed)
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Institution Name |
Account Number |
New Account? |
Account Control Agreement in place? |
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1) |
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
2) |
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
3) |
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
4) |
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Other Matters
1) |
Have there been any changes in management since the last Compliance Certificate? |
Yes |
No |
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2) |
Have there been any transfers/sales/disposals/retirement of Collateral or IP prohibited by the Loan Agreement? |
Yes |
No |
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3) |
Have there been any new or pending claims or causes of action against Borrower that involve more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00)? |
Yes |
No |
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4) |
Have there been any amendments of or other changes to the Operating Documents of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries? If yes, provide copies of any such amendments or changes with this Compliance Certificate. |
Yes |
No |
Exceptions
Please explain any exceptions with respect to the certification above: (If no exceptions exist, state “No exceptions.” Attach separate sheet if additional space needed.)
EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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By |
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Title: |
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Date: |
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LENDER USE ONLY |
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Received by: |
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Date: |
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Verified by: |
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Date: |
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Compliance Status: |
Yes |
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No |
EXHIBIT D
Form of Secured Promissory Note
[see attached]
SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
(Term [A][B][C] Loan)
$____________________Dated: [DATE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, EQUILLIUM, INC., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108, La Jolla, California 92037 (“Borrower”) HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to the order of [OXFORD FINANCE LLC][SILICON VALLEY BANK] (“Lender”) the principal amount of [___________] MILLION DOLLARS ($______________) or such lesser amount as shall equal the outstanding principal balance of the Term [A][B][C] Loan made to Borrower by Lender, plus interest on the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Term [A][B][C] Loan, at the rates and in accordance with the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement dated September [__], 2019 by and among Borrower, Lender, Oxford Finance LLC, as Collateral Agent, and the other Lenders from time to time party thereto (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). If not sooner paid, the entire principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest hereunder shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date as set forth in the Loan Agreement. Any capitalized term not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the Loan Agreement.
Principal, interest and all other amounts due with respect to the Term [A][B][C] Loan, are payable in lawful money of the United States of America to Lender as set forth in the Loan Agreement and this Secured Promissory Note (this “Note”). The principal amount of this Note and the interest rate applicable thereto, and all payments made with respect thereto, shall be recorded by Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto which is part of this Note.
The Loan Agreement, among other things, (a) provides for the making of a secured Term [A][B][C] Loan by Lender to Borrower, and (b) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events.
This Note may not be prepaid except as set forth in Section 2.2 (c) and Section 2.2(d) of the Loan Agreement.
This Note and the obligation of Borrower to repay the unpaid principal amount of the Term [A][B][C] Loan, interest on the Term [A][B][C] Loan and all other amounts due Lender under the Loan Agreement is secured under the Loan Agreement.
Presentment for payment, demand, notice of protest and all other demands and notices of any kind in connection with the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of this Note are hereby waived.
Borrower shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred by Lender in the enforcement or attempt to enforce any of Borrower’s obligations hereunder not performed when due.
This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of California.
The ownership of an interest in this Note shall be registered on a record of ownership maintained by Lender or its agent. Notwithstanding anything else in this Note to the contrary, the right to the principal of, and stated interest on, this Note may be transferred only if the transfer is registered on such record of ownership and the transferee is identified as the owner of an interest in the obligation. Borrower shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of this Note (as recorded on such record of ownership) as the owner in fact thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in this Note on the part of any other person or entity.
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized on the date hereof.
BORROWER: |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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By |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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LOAN INTEREST RATE AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
Date |
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Principal Amount |
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Interest Rate |
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Scheduled Payment Amount |
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Notation By |
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CORPORATE BORROWING CERTIFICATE
Borrower: |
EQUILLIUM, INC. |
Date: September [__], 2019 |
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Lenders: |
OXFORD FINANCE LLC, as Collateral Agent and Lender |
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SILICON VALLEY BANK, as Lender |
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I hereby certify as follows, as of the date set forth above:
1.I am the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other officer of Borrower. My title is as set forth below.
2.Borrower’s exact legal name is set forth above. Borrower is a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
3.Attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively, are true, correct and complete copies of (i) Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation (including amendments), as filed with the Secretary of State of the state in which Borrower is incorporated as set forth in paragraph 2 above; and (ii) Borrower’s Bylaws. Neither such Certificate of Incorporation nor such Bylaws have been amended, annulled, rescinded, revoked or supplemented, and such Certificate of Incorporation and such Bylaws remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
4.The following resolutions were duly and validly adopted by Borrower’s Board of Directors at a duly held meeting of such directors (or pursuant to a unanimous written consent or other authorized corporate action). Such resolutions are in full force and effect as of the date hereof and have not been in any way modified, repealed, rescinded, amended or revoked, and the Lenders may rely on them until each Lender receives written notice of revocation from Borrower.
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Resolved, that any one of the following officers or employees of Borrower, whose names, titles and signatures are below, may act on behalf of Borrower:
Name |
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Title |
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Signature |
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Authorized to Add or Remove Signatories |
Jason Keyes |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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□ |
Daniel Bradbury |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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□ |
Resolved Further, that any one of the persons designated above with a checked box beside his or her name may, from time to time, add or remove any individuals to and from the above list of persons authorized to act on behalf of Borrower.
Resolved Further, that such individuals may, on behalf of Borrower:
Borrow Money. Borrow money from the Lenders.
Execute Loan Documents. Execute any loan documents any Lender requires.
Grant Security. Grant Collateral Agent a security interest in any of Borrower’s assets.
Negotiate Items. Negotiate or discount all drafts, trade acceptances, promissory notes, or other indebtedness in which Borrower has an interest and receive cash or otherwise use the proceeds.
Issue Warrants. Issue warrants for Borrower’s capital stock.
Further Acts. Designate other individuals to request advances, pay fees and costs and execute other documents or agreements (including documents or agreement that waive Borrower’s right to a jury trial) they believe to be necessary to effectuate such resolutions.
Resolved Further, that all acts authorized by the above resolutions and any prior acts relating thereto are ratified.
[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
5.The persons listed above are Borrower’s officers or employees with their titles and signatures shown next to their names.
By: |
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Name: |
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Jason Keyes |
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Title: |
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Chief Financial Officer |
I, the Chief Executive Officer of Borrower, hereby certify as to paragraphs 1 through 5 above, as of the date set forth above.
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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[Signature Page to Corporate Borrowing Certificate]
EXHIBIT A
Certificate of Incorporation (including amendments)
[see attached]
[see attached]
DEBTOR: |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
SECURED PARTY: |
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OXFORD FINANCE LLC, |
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as Collateral Agent |
EXHIBIT A TO UCC FINANCING STATEMENT
Description of Collateral
The Collateral consists of all of Debtor’s right, title and interest in and to the following personal property:
All goods, Accounts (including health‑care receivables), Equipment, Inventory, contract rights or rights to payment of money, leases, license agreements, franchise agreements, General Intangibles (except as noted below), commercial tort claims, documents, instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), cash, deposit accounts and other Collateral Accounts, all certificates of deposit, fixtures, letters of credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), securities, and all other investment property, supporting obligations, and financial assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, wherever located; and
All Debtor’s Books relating to the foregoing, and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions for, additions, attachments, accessories, accessions and improvements to and replacements, products, proceeds and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral does not include (i) any Intellectual Property; provided, however, the Collateral shall include all Accounts and all proceeds of Intellectual Property if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) would hold that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in such Accounts and such property that are proceeds of Intellectual Property, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of the Effective Date, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Accounts and such other property of Debtor that are proceeds of the Intellectual Property; (ii) more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote the shares of capital stock (the “Shares”) of any Foreign Subsidiary, if Debtor demonstrates to Collateral Agent’s reasonable satisfaction that a pledge of more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the Shares of such Subsidiary creates a present and existing adverse tax consequence to Debtor under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; and (iii) any license, contract or interest of Debtor as a lessee under an Equipment lease, in each case if the granting of a Lien in such license, contract or interest is prohibited by or would constitute a default under the agreement governing such license, contract or interest (but (A) only to the extent such prohibition is enforceable under applicable law and (B) other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408 or 9-409 (or any other Section) of Division 9 of the Code); provided that upon the termination, lapsing or expiration of any such prohibition, such license, contract or interest, as applicable, shall automatically be subject to the security interest granted in favor of Collateral Agent hereunder and become part of the “Collateral”.
Pursuant to the terms of a certain negative pledge arrangement with Collateral Agent and the Lenders, Debtor has agreed not to encumber any of its Intellectual Property.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of California as in effect from time to time (the “Code”) or, if not defined in the Code, then in the Loan and Security Agreement by and between Debtor, Secured Party and the other Lenders party thereto (as modified, amended and/or restated from time to time).
210298690 v3
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Daniel M. Bradbury, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Equillium, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "registrant"); |
2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
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(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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(b) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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(c) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 12, 2019 |
/s/ Daniel M. Bradbury |
Daniel M. Bradbury |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Jason A. Keyes, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Equillium, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "registrant"); |
2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
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(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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(b) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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(c) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 12, 2019 |
/s/ Jason A. Keyes |
Jason A. Keyes |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted
Pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), each of the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of Equillium, Inc. (the “Company”), that, to the best of his knowledge:
(1) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Daniel M. Bradbury |
Daniel M. Bradbury |
Chief Executive Officer |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: November 12, 2019 |
/s/ Jason A. Keyes |
Jason A. Keyes |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Date: November 12, 2019 |
This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Equillium, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Equillium, Inc. and will be retained by Equillium, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 4.2
THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
Company: |
EQUILLIUM, INC., a Delaware corporation |
Number of Shares: |
40,214 |
Type/Series of Stock: |
Common Stock |
Warrant Price: |
$3.73 per share |
Issue Date: |
September 30, 2019 |
Expiration Date: |
September 30, 2029 See also Section 5.1(b). |
Credit Facility: |
This Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith among Oxford Finance LLC, as Lender and Collateral Agent, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, including Silicon Valley Bank and the Company (as modified, amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).
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THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, OXFORD FINANCE LLC (“Oxford” and, together with any successor or permitted assignee or permitted transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “Shares”) of the above-stated common stock (the “Common Stock”) of the above-named company (the “Company”) at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.
SECTION 1.EXERCISE.
1.1Method of Exercise. Holder may at any time and from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.
1.2Cashless Exercise. On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:
X = Y(A-B)/A
where:
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the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder; |
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the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price); |
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the Warrant Price. |
1.3Fair Market Value. If the Company’s Common Stock is then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “Trading Market”), the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of Common Stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s Common Stock is not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.
1.4Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.
1.5Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.
1.6Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.
(a)Acquisition. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own shares representing less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization (or, if such Company stockholders beneficially own shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or successor entity as of immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, such surviving or successor entity is not the Company); or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.
(b)Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition. In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s stockholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “Cash/Public Acquisition”), either (i) Holder shall exercise this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 and/or 1.2 and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition or (ii) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant will expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition.
(c)The Company shall provide Holder with written notice of any proposed Cash/Public Acquisition (together with such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such contemplated Cash/Public Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to Holder not less than seven (7) Business Days prior to the closing of the proposed Cash/Public Acquisition. In the event the Company does not provide such notice, then if, immediately prior to the Cash/Public Acquisition, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to the Holder and Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as the date thereof.
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(d)Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition defined above, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.
(e)As used in this Warrant, “Marketable Securities” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded on a Trading Market, and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise or convert this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.
SECTION 2.ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.
2.1Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Common Stock by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are combined or consolidated, by reverse stock split, reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.
2.2Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.
2.3Intentionally Omitted.
2.4Intentionally Omitted.
2.5No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.
2.6Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, Common Stock and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.
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SECTION 3.REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
3.1Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:
(a)All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of Common Stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.
3.2Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time to:
(a)declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;
(b)offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive rights);
(c)effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; or
(d)effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up;
then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:
(1)at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Common Stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above; and
(2)in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event).
Reference is made to Section 1.6(c) whereby this Warrant will be deemed to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof if the Company does not give written notice to Holder of a Cash/Public Acquisition as required by the terms hereof. Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.
SECTION 4.REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.
The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
4.1Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.
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4.2Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.
4.3Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.
4.4Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.
4.5The Act. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
4.6[Reserved.]
4.7No Voting Rights. Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.
SECTION 5.MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1Term; Automatic Cashless Exercise Upon Expiration.
(a)Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.
(b)Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration. In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.
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5.2Legends. Each certificate evidencing Shares (and each certificate evidencing the securities issued upon conversion of any Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO OXFORD FINANCE LLC DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
5.3Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. This Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to an affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
5.4Transfer Procedure. After receipt by Oxford of the executed Warrant, Oxford may transfer all or part of this Warrant to one or more of Oxford’s affiliates (each, an “Oxford Affiliate”), by execution of an Assignment substantially in the form of Appendix 2. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, Oxford, any such Oxford Affiliate and any subsequent Holder, may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the securities issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any other transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, the Oxford Affiliate(s) or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable). Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, Holder may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer this Warrant or any portion hereof, or any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, or any shares or other securities issued upon any conversion of any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, to any person or entity who directly competes with the Company, except in connection with an Acquisition of the Company by such a direct competitor.
5.5Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by facsimile or electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:
Oxford Finance LLC
133 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: Legal Department
Telephone: (703) 519-4900
Facsimile: (703) 519-5225
Email: LegalDepartment@oxfordfinance.com
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Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:
Equillium, Inc.
2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108
La Jolla, California 92037
Attention: Jason Keyes, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (858) 412-5302
Email: jkeyes@equilliumbio.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Cooley LLP
101 California Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111-5800
Attention: Maricel Mojares-Moore
Facsimile: (415) 693-2222
Email: mmoore@cooley.com
5.6Amendment; Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
5.7Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
5.8Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.
5.9Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.
5.10Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.
5.11Business Days. “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Silicon Valley Bank is closed.
[Remainder of page left blank intentionally]
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.
“COMPANY” |
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OXFORD FINANCE LLC |
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/s/ Colette H. Featherly |
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[Signature Page to Warrant to Purchase Common Stock]
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
1.The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right purchase ___________ shares of the Common Stock of EQUILLIUM, INC. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant To Purchase Common Stock, and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:
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Check in the amount of $________ payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith |
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Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Warrant |
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2.Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:
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3.By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Common Stock as of the date hereof.
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Appendix 1EAST\168972416.
ASSIGNMENT
For value received, Oxford Finance LLC hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
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that certain Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued by EQUILLIUM, INC. (the “Company”), on September [__], 2019 (the “Warrant”) together with all rights, title and interest therein.
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By its execution below, and for the benefit of the Company, [OXFORD TRANSFEREE] makes each of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 4 of the Warrant and agrees to all other provisions of the Warrant as of the date hereof.
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Exhibit 4.3
THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
Company: |
EQUILLIUM, INC., a Delaware corporation |
Number of Shares: |
40,214 |
Type/Series of Stock: |
Common Stock |
Warrant Price: |
$3.73 per share |
Issue Date: |
September 30, 2019 |
Expiration Date: |
September 30, 2029 See also Section 5.1(b). |
Credit Facility: |
This Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith among Oxford Finance LLC, as Lender and Collateral Agent, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, including Silicon Valley Bank and the Company (as modified, amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).
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THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, SILICON VALLEY BANK (“SVB” and, together with any successor or permitted assignee or permitted transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “Shares”) of the above-stated common stock (the “Common Stock”) of the above-named company (the “Company”) at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. Reference is made to Section 5.4 of this Warrant whereby Silicon Valley Bank shall transfer this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group.
SECTION 1.EXERCISE.
1.1Method of Exercise. Holder may at any time and from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.
1.2Cashless Exercise. On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:
X = Y(A-B)/A
where:
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X = |
the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder; |
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Y = |
the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price); |
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B = |
the Warrant Price. |
1.3Fair Market Value. If the Company’s Common Stock is then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “Trading Market”), the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of Common Stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s Common Stock is not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.
1.4Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.
1.5Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.
1.6Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.
(a)Acquisition. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own shares representing less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization (or, if such Company stockholders beneficially own shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or successor entity as of immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, such surviving or successor entity is not the Company); or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.
(b)Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition. In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s stockholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “Cash/Public Acquisition”), either (i) Holder shall exercise this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 and/or 1.2 and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition or (ii) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant will expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition.
(c)The Company shall provide Holder with written notice of any proposed Cash/Public Acquisition (together with such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such contemplated Cash/Public Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to Holder not less than seven (7) Business Days prior to the closing of the proposed Cash/Public Acquisition. In the event the Company does not provide such notice, then if, immediately prior to the Cash/Public Acquisition, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to the Holder and Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as the date thereof.
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(d)Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition defined above, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.
(e)As used in this Warrant, “Marketable Securities” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded on a Trading Market, and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise or convert this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.
SECTION 2.ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.
2.1Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Common Stock by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are combined or consolidated, by reverse stock split, reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.
2.2Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.
2.3Intentionally Omitted.
2.4Intentionally Omitted.
2.5No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.
2.6Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, Common Stock and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.
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SECTION 3.REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
3.1Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:
(a)All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of Common Stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.
3.2Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time to:
(a)declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;
(b)offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive rights);
(c)effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; or
(d)effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up;
then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:
(1)at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Common Stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above; and
(2)in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event).
Reference is made to Section 1.6(c) whereby this Warrant will be deemed to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof if the Company does not give written notice to Holder of a Cash/Public Acquisition as required by the terms hereof. Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.
SECTION 4.REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.
The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
4.1Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.
4.2Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder
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further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.
4.3Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.
4.4Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.
4.5The Act. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
4.6[Reserved.]
4.7No Voting Rights. Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.
SECTION 5.MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1Term; Automatic Cashless Exercise Upon Expiration.
(a)Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.
(b)Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration. In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.
5.2Legends. Each certificate evidencing Shares (and each certificate evidencing the securities issued upon conversion of any Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO SILICON VALLEY BANK DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED
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UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
5.3Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. This Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to SVB Financial Group (Silicon Valley Bank’s parent company) or any other affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
5.4Transfer Procedure. After receipt by Silicon Valley Bank of the executed Warrant, Silicon Valley Bank will transfer all of this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group. By its acceptance of this Warrant, SVB Financial Group hereby makes to the Company each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant as if the original Holder hereof. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, SVB Financial Group and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the securities issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, SVB Financial Group or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable); and provided further, that any subsequent transferee other than SVB Financial Group shall agree in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, Holder may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer this Warrant or any portion hereof, or any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, or any shares or other securities issued upon any conversion of any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, to any person or entity who directly competes with the Company, except in connection with an Acquisition of the Company by such a direct competitor.
5.5Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by facsimile or electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:
SVB Financial Group
Attn: Treasury Department
3003 Tasman Drive, HA 200
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Telephone: 408-654-7400
Facsimile: 408-496-2405
Email: warradmi@svb.com
Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:
Equillium, Inc.
2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 108
La Jolla, California 92037
Attention: Jason Keyes, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (858) 412-5302
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Email: jkeyes@equilliumbio.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Cooley LLP
101 California Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111-5800
Attention: Maricel Mojares-Moore
Facsimile: (415) 693-2222
Email: mmoore@cooley.com
5.6Amendment; Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
5.7Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
5.8Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.
5.9Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.
5.10Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.
5.11Business Days. “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Silicon Valley Bank is closed.
[Remainder of page left blank intentionally]
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.
“COMPANY” |
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EQUILLIUM, INC. |
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/s/ Jason Keyes |
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Jason Keyes |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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“HOLDER” |
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SILICON VALLEY BANK |
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/s/ Kristine Rohmer |
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Kristine Rohmer |
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Vice President |
[Signature Page to Warrant to Purchase Common Stock]
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
1.The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right purchase ___________ shares of the Common Stock of EQUILLIUM, INC. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant To Purchase Common Stock, and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:
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Check in the amount of $________ payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith |
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Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account |
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Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Warrant |
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Other [Describe] __________________________________________ |
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2.Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:
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3.By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Common Stock as of the date hereof.
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