UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 15, 2020

 

 

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

001-37518

84-462-0206

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California

 

94545

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(510) 780-0819

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

 

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

 

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

BNTC

The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Explanatory Note

 

Completion of Re-domiciliation

 

On April 15, 2020 (the “Implementation Date”), the re-domiciliation (“Re-domiciliation”) of Benitec Biopharma Limited, a public company incorporated under the laws of the State of Western Australia (“Benitec”) was completed in accordance with the Scheme Implementation Agreement, as amended and restated as of January 30, 2020, between Benitec and Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). As a result of the Re-domiciliation, the jurisdiction of incorporation of the ultimate parent company of the Benitec group of companies was changed from Australia to Delaware.

 

The Re-domiciliation was effected pursuant to a statutory scheme of arrangement under Australian law (the “Scheme”), whereby on the Implementation Date, all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Benitec were exchanged for newly issued shares of common stock of the Company, on the basis of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) for every 300 ordinary shares of Benitec issued and outstanding. Holders of Benitec’s American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) (each of which represented 200 ordinary shares) received two shares of the Company’s Common Stock for every three ADSs held.

 

The Company’s Common Stock issued in the Scheme was exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

Prior to the Re-domiciliation, Benitec’s ordinary shares were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and its ADSs were listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). Benitec’s ADSs were suspended from trading on Nasdaq prior to the start of trading on the Implementation Date, and following the Implementation Date, will no longer trade on Nasdaq.

 

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, as of the Implementation Date, the Company is the successor issuer to Benitec, the Company’s Common Stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

The Company’s Common Stock began trading on Nasdaq at the start of trading on the Implementation Date under the symbol “BNTC”, the same symbol under which Benitec’s ADSs were traded on Nasdaq prior to the Implementation Date. The CUSIP for the Company’s Common Stock is 08205P 100. Nasdaq has filed a Form 25 with the SEC to remove Benitec’s ADS listing on Nasdaq. Benitec expects to file a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to terminate the registration under the Exchange Act of Benitec’s ordinary shares, and to suspend its reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Prior to the Re-domiciliation, Benitec also had on issue 574,900 warrants (the “Listed Warrants”) exercisable for ADSs on a one-for-one basis at an exercise price of $55 per ADS, with an expiry date of August 21, 2020. The Listed Warrants were listed on the Nasdaq under ticker code “BNTCW.” Benitec has filed a Form 25 with the SEC to remove the listing of Benitec’s Listed Warrants. As of the Implementation Date, the Listed Warrants were de-listed from Nasdaq and there will no longer be a market for these warrants as a result of Benitec becoming a subsidiary of the Company.

 

 

Item 3.01Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

The information included under the Explanatory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference to this Item 3.01.

 


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Item 3.02Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities.

 

The information included under the Explanatory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference to this Item 3.02.

 

Item 3.03Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The information included under the Explanatory Note, Item 1.01, Item 5.03 and Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference to this Item 3.03.

 

Item 5.01Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

The information included under the Explanatory Note and Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference to this Item 5.01.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Below is a list of the names, ages, positions and a brief summary of business experience of the individuals who serve as the Company’s directors and executive officers as of April 15, 2020.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Jerel A. Banks

 

44

 

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Megan Boston

 

48

 

Executive Director, Director

J. Kevin Buchi

 

64

 

Director

Peter Francis

 

64

 

Director

Edward Smith

 

48

 

Director

 

Biographical information with respect to Messrs. Banks, Buchi, and Francis and Ms. Boston can be found under Item 6A of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed by Benitec with the SEC on October 30, 2019, and is incorporated by reference to this Item 5.02.

 

Mr. Smith was appointed a director on April 14, 2020. Since November 2013, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNS), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat patients suffering from rare seizure disorders. Before Marinus, Mr. Smith served as the Chief Financial Officer of PolyMedix, Inc. and also served as the executive director of finance at InKine Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. Mr. Smith has worked with biotechnology companies for more than 20 years and has experience in executive finance and operation leadership.

 

Board Size and Composition

 

The Company’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Board currently consists of five directors, comprising the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director and three outside directors. The Board has determined that five directors, three of whom are independent, is the appropriate size for the Company. The number of directors is fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate”).

  Each of the Company’s current directors will continue to serve as a director until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal.

 


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Classified Board of Directors

 

  

The Company’s Certificate provides that the Board is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective terms. The Board is designated as follows:

 

Mr. Smith is a Class I director, and his initial term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2020;

 

Messrs. Buchi and Francis are Class II directors, and their initial terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021; and

 

Mr. Banks and Ms. Boston are Class III directors, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022.

        Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the Company’s directors.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board currently has, and appoints the members of, a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of those committees has a written charter approved by the Board. The current charter for each standing Board committee is posted under "Governance" in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.benitec.com.

The Board determined that each of Messrs. Buchi, Francis and Smith is independent under the Nasdaq listing standards, and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s audit committee consists entirely of independent directors.

Audit Committee: Messrs. Buchi (Chairman), Francis and Smith. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing a report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement, advising and consulting the management and the Board regarding the Company’s financial affairs, and appointing, overseeing and approving compensation for the work of the Company’s independent auditors.

  

Compensation Committee: Messrs. Francis (Chairman), Buchi and Smith.  The Compensation Committee establishes and administers the Company’s policies, programs and procedures for compensating and providing benefits to its executives and Board. The Committee’s responsibilities specifically include reviewing and approving the goals and objectives relevant to the chief executive officer’s and other executive officers’ compensation, evaluating the performance of the chief executive officer and other executive officers in light of those goals and objectives, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to non-employee director compensation. The Committee is also responsible for making recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: Messrs. Francis (Chairman), Buchi and Smith. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages all aspects of the governance of the Company’s Board. The Committee’s responsibilities include identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, recommending candidates to fill Board vacancies and newly created director positions, recommending whether incumbent directors should be nominated for re-election upon the expiration of their terms, recommending corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Board and to the Company’s employees, overseeing the evaluation of the Board and its committees, and assessing and recommending Board members to the Board for committee membership.

 


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Indemnification Agreements

 

On the Implementation Date, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of the directors and executive officers of the Company. These agreements provide for the indemnification by the Company of these persons against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of his or her status or service as a director or officer or in such other capacity and to advance expenses incurred as a result of certain proceedings, to the fullest extent provided by law.

 

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of such agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference to this Item 5.02.

 

Share Option Plan

 

On the Implementation Date, and pursuant to the Scheme, the Company assumed Benitec’s obligations with respect to the settlement of options (the “Options”) that were issued by Benitec prior to the Implementation Date pursuant to the Benitec Officers’ and Employees’ Share Option Plan (“Share Option Plan”).  This includes the Company’s assumption of the Share Option Plan and all award agreements pursuant to which each of the Options were granted. Accordingly, any exercise of the Options (subject to vesting conditions being met) entitles the holder to one share of the Company’s Common Stock for every 300 ordinary shares of Benitec exercised. Other than as described above, the terms of the Share Option Plan and the Options remain unchanged.

 

Following the Implementation Date, no new options will be issued under the Share Option Plan. The Company intends to present a new equity incentive plan to stockholders for approval at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders.

 

The foregoing description of the Share Option Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of such Share Option Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference to this Item 5.02.

 

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

 

In connection with the Re-domiciliation, the Company’s Board approved the Company’s Certificate and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The summary of the material terms of the Certificate and Bylaws are included under the heading “Description of Common Stock” in Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 5.03.

 

Item 5.05

Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

On the Implementation Date, the Company adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”), which applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

The foregoing description of the Code is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Code, which is filed as Exhibit 14.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference to this Item 5.05. The Code will be made available on the Company’s website at www.benitec.com.

 

Item 8.01Other Events.

 

Press Release

 

On April 15, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Re-domiciliation and other information related thereto. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference to this Item 8.01.

 

On April 14, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Edward Smith to the Board.  A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference to this Item 8.01.

 


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Successor Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, as of the Implementation Date the Company is the successor issuer to Benitec, the Company’s common stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following description of the Company’s common stock is a summary. This summary is subject to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and the complete text of the Certificate and Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference to this Item 8.01.

 

General

 

The Certificate authorizes the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. On the Implementation Date, all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Benitec were exchanged for newly issued shares of common stock of the Company, on the basis of one share of the Company’s common stock for every 300 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Voting Rights

 

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. The Company’s stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.  

 

Dividends

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board out of legally available funds. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of common stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate and applicable law. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Board. The time and amount of dividends will be dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, operations, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, restrictions in the Company’s debt instruments, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and any other factors the Board may consider relevant.

 

Liquidation

 

In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to share rateably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of the Company’s debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Rights and Preferences

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock have no pre-emptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Company’s common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that the Company may designate in the future.

 

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

 

All outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

 

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Annual Stockholder Meetings

 

The Certificate and Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, place (if any) and time, as exclusively selected by the Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Company may but is not obligated to conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate and Bylaws and DGCL

 

Some provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate and Bylaws could make the following transactions difficult: (i) acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer; (ii) acquisition of the Company by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or (iii) removal of incumbent officers and directors of the Company. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in the best interests of the Company, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for the Company’s common stock.

 

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with the Board.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock, and a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of the Company’s common stock.

 

Special Stockholder Meetings

 

The Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board, if any, (ii) the President or Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors then in office.

 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

 

The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors.

 

Composition of the Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

 

The Company’s Board consists of five directors and the Board may, from time to time, fix the authorized number of directors by resolution of the Board. The Board is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. As of the Implementation Date, there is one Class I director, two Class II directors and two Class III directors. Directors need not be stockholders of the Company.

 

Directors shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected. However, each director initially assigned to Class I shall serve for a term expiring at the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders held after the time the initial classification of members of the Board becomes effective; each director initially assigned to Class II shall serve for a term expiring at the Company’s second annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the members of the Board becomes effective; and each director initially assigned to Class III shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the members of the Board becomes effective. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to

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his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate or the Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by a duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

Subject to applicable law or by the Certificate, any director of the entire Board of the Company may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on the Company’s Board, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may be filled only by a majority vote of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

  

Amendment of the Certificate and Bylaws

 

The Certificate may be amended in any manner permitted under the DGCL and the Bylaws may be amended by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. The Board may also amend the Bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa.

 

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

 

Each of the Certificate and Bylaws provide that the Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by Delaware law. The Bylaws also obligates the Company to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision, from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the Company, upon approval by the Board, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to the Bylaws.

 

Forum for Adjudication of Disputes

 

The Certificate provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) derivative actions or proceedings brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) an action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware. The Certificate further provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the Company’s common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall St., Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

 


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Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

 

 

2.1

 

Amended and Restated Scheme Implementation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 of the Current Report on Form 6-K of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 001-37518 furnished on March 18, 2020)).

 

3.1*

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Benitec Biopharma Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 13, 2020.

 

3.2*

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Benitec Biopharma Inc., dated April 13, 2020.

 

4.1*

 

Form of common stock certificate of Benitec Biopharma Inc.

 

10.1*

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement.

 

10.2

 

Benitec Officers’ and Employees’ Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 333-209398 furnished on February 4, 2016)).

 

14.1*

 

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

 

99.1*

 

Press release, dated April 15, 2020.

 

99.2*

 

Press release, dated April 14, 2020

 

* Filed herewith.


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SIGNATURES

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

 

Dated: April 15, 2020

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Jerel A. Banks

 

Jerel A. Banks

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

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Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

 

ARTICLE I

The name of this corporation is Benitec Biopharma Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of the registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

ARTICLE IV

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is ten million (10,000,000) shares, all of which shall be Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock held on all matters as to which stockholders may be entitled to vote pursuant to the DGCL.

ARTICLE V

Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”).

ARTICLE VI

The Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III at the time such classification becomes effective.

Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided that each director initially assigned to Class I shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial

 


 

classification of the Board of Directors becomes effective; each director initially assigned to Class II shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the Board of Directors becomes effective; and each director initially assigned to Class III shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the Board of Directors becomes effective; provided further, that the term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal.

ARTICLE VII

The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time in a manner provided in the Bylaws or any amendment thereof duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders of the Corporation. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

ARTICLE VIII

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE IX

The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X

Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be held within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI

A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of the Corporation of this Article X to authorize any corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article X by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such repeal or modification.

 


 

ARTICLE XII

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is also authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) such agents (and any other persons to which the DGCL permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, subject only to limits created by applicable Delaware law (statutory or non-statutory), with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation, its stockholders, and/or others.

Any repeal or modification of any of the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, agent or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director, officer or agent occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE XIII

Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (A) the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) an action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, and (B) the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, in all cases of (A) and (B) subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in or holding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XIII. Failure to comply with the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation will be entitled to equitable relief, including, without limitation, injunction and specific performance, to enforce the foregoing provisions.

ARTICLE XIV

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the DGCL, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of the date stated below.

 

 

 

Date:  April 13, 2020

/s/ Jerel Banks  

 

Jerel Banks

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amended and restated

BYLAWS

OF

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

Adopted April 13, 2020

 

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

OFFICES

1

1.1

 

Registered Office

1

1.2

 

Other Offices

1

ARTICLE 2

 

CORPORATE SEAL

1

ARTICLE 3

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

1

3.1

 

Place of Meetings

1

3.2

 

Annual Meeting

1

3.3

 

Special Meetings

1

3.4

 

Notice of Meetings

1

3.5

 

Quorum

2

3.6

 

Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings

2

3.7

 

Voting Rights

3

3.8

 

List of Stockholders

3

3.9

 

Joint Owners of Stock

3

3.10

 

Action Without Meeting

3

3.11

 

Advance Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations

4

3.12

 

Organization

8

3.13

 

Conduct of Meetings

8

3.14

 

Inspector of Elections

9

ARTICLE 4

 

DIRECTORS

9

4.1

 

Number and Term of Office

9

4.2

 

Powers

9

4.3

 

Class of Directors

9

4.4

 

Term of Directors

9

4.5

 

Vacancies

10

4.6

 

Resignation

10

4.7

 

Removal

10

4.8

 

Meetings

10

4.9

 

Quorum and Voting

11

4.10

 

Action Without Meeting

11

4.11

 

Fees and Compensation

11

4.12

 

Committees

12

4.13

 

Organization

12

i


Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 

ARTICLE 5

 

OFFICERS

13

5.1

 

Officers Designated

13

5.2

 

Tenure and Duties of Officers

13

5.3

 

Delegation of Authority

14

5.4

 

Resignations

14

5.5

 

Removal

14

ARTICLE 6

 

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE COMPANY

14

6.1

 

Execution of Corporate Instruments

14

6.2

 

Voting of Securities Owned by the Company

15

ARTICLE 7

 

SHARES OF STOCK

15

7.1

 

Form and Execution of Stock Certificates

15

7.2

 

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

15

7.3

 

Transfers

15

7.4

 

Fixing Record Dates

16

7.5

 

Registered Stockholders

16

ARTICLE 8

 

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY

17

ARTICLE 9

 

DIVIDENDS

17

9.1

 

Declaration of Dividends

17

9.2

 

Dividend Reserve

17

ARTICLE 10

 

FISCAL YEAR

17

ARTICLE 11

 

INDEMNIFICATION

18

11.1

 

Directors and Officers

18

11.2

 

Officers, Employees and Other Agents

18

11.3

 

Expenses

18

11.4

 

Enforcement

18

11.5

 

Non‑Exclusivity of Rights

19

11.6

 

Survival of Rights

19

11.7

 

Insurance

19

11.8

 

Amendments

19

11.9

 

Saving Clause

19

11.10

 

Certain Definitions

19

ARTICLE 12

 

NOTICES

20

ii


Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 

12.1

 

Notice to Stockholders

20

12.2

 

Notice to Directors

20

12.3

 

Affidavit of Mailing

20

12.4

 

Methods of Notice

21

12.5

 

Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful

21

ARTICLE 13

 

AMENDMENTS

21

 

iii


 

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES

1.1Registered Office.  The registered office of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (the “Company”) in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

1.2Other Offices.  The Company shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Company may require.

ARTICLE 2

CORPORATE SEAL

The Board may adopt a corporate seal.  The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the Company and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.”  Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

ARTICLE 3

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

3.1Place of Meetings.  Meetings of the stockholders of the Company may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

3.2Annual Meeting.  An annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, may be held at such place, on such date and such time, as the Board shall fix. The Board, President or Chief Executive Officer, or the Chair of the Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

3.3Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders of the Company may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board, if any, (ii) the President or the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors then in office, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board shall fix. The Board, President or Chief Executive Officer, or the Chair of the Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

3.4Notice of Meetings.  Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to (in a manner consistent with the DGCL) by the stockholder to

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whom the notice is given. Such notice shall specify the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Company.  Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or waived by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any such person by his or her attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Any such person so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission.  Any notice by electronic transmission shall be subject to Section 232 of the DGCL.

3.5Quorum.  At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized and executed, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.  In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the person who is the chair of the meeting or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting until a quorum shall be present.  The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.  Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.  Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.  Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on the matter, and the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

3.6Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings.  Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the person who is the chair of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.  At the adjourned meeting, the Company may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

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3.7Voting Rights.  For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock ledger of the Company on the record date, as determined by the process described in Section 7.4 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders.  Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or may authorize an agent or agents to act for such stockholder by proxy granted in accordance with the DGCL.  An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder.  No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

3.8List of Stockholders.  The Secretary of the Company shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Nothing contained in these Bylaws shall require the Company to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting:  (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that, the information required to gain access to such list is provided in the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Company.  In the event that the Company determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Company may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Company.  The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by the DGCL.

3.9Joint Owners of Stock.  If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether as fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary of the Company is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect:  (a) if only one (1) votes, such person’s act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) vote, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) vote, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or any person voting the shares, or a beneficiary, if any, may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in Section 217(b) of the DGCL.  If the instrument so filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even split for the purpose of this Bylaw shall be a majority or even split in interest.

3.10Action Without Meeting.

3.10.1Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required by the DGCL to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing or by electronic transmission (including, without limitation, by reply email, DocuSign or other information processing system, PDF (including a PDF delivered via email) or other electronic means) (hereinafter “electronic transmission”), setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Company by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.  Delivery made to the Company’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

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3.10.2Every written consent or electronic transmission under this Bylaw shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent or electronic transmission shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Company in the manner herein required, written consents or electronic transmissions signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action are delivered to the Company by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.  Delivery made to the Company’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

3.10.3Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing or by electronic transmission and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents or electronic transmissions signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action were delivered to the Company as provided in Section 228(c) of the DGCL.

3.10.4An electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this Bylaw, provided that any such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Company can determine (A) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder, member or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder, member or proxyholder and (B) the date on which such stockholder, member or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission. A consent given by electronic transmission is delivered to the Company upon the earliest of: (i) when the consent enters an information processing system, if any, designated by the Company for receiving consents, so long as the electronic transmission is in a form capable of being processed by that system and the Company is able to retrieve that electronic transmission; (ii) when a paper reproduction of the consent is delivered to the Company’s principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders or members are recorded; (iii) when a paper reproduction of the consent is delivered to the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) when delivered in such other manner, if any, provided by resolution of the Board. Whether the Company has so designated an information processing system to receive consents is determined by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or from the context and surrounding circumstances, including the conduct of the Company. A consent given by electronic transmission is delivered under this section even if no person is aware of its receipt. Receipt of an electronic acknowledgement from an information processing system establishes that a consent given by electronic transmission was received but, by itself, does not establish that the content sent corresponds to the content received.

3.10.5Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

3.11Advance Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

3.11.1Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(a)Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders

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(i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting of stockholders, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board, or (iii) by any stockholder of the Company who was a stockholder of record of the Company at the time the notice provided for in this Section 3.11.1 is delivered to the Secretary of the Company, who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election of directors or upon such other business, as the case may be, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.11.1.

(b)For any nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 3.11.1, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company and any such proposed business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board) must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th ) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company). In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or recess of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.  To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 3.11.1, such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (1) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including a reasonably detailed description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements or understandings during the past three years, as well as any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made and its affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee and his or her affiliates, associates or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the Company’s proxy statement as a nominee of the stockholder and to serving as a director if elected, (iii) all information with respect to such proposed nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to clause (2) of paragraph (b) of this Section 3.11.1 if such proposed nominee were the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made and (iv) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that the proposed nominee (A) is qualified and if elected intends to serve as a director of the Company for the entire term for which such proposed nominee is standing for election,  (B) is not and will not become a party to (x) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how the proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (y) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with the proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (C) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (D) if elected as a director of the Company, the proposed nominee would be in compliance and will comply, with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company; (2) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the

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meeting, (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Company, the language of the proposed amendment), (iii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (iv) any direct or indirect material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons with whom such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, has any agreement, arrangement or understanding in connection with such proposal and (v) such other information relating to any proposed item of business as the Company may reasonably require to determine whether such proposed item of business is a proper matter for stockholder action; and (3) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner (provided, that such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company as to which such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future), (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing, including, in the case of a nomination, the nominee, (iv) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder and such beneficial owners, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Company, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, with respect to securities of the Company, (v) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting upon such business or nomination, as the case may be, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (vi) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, and (vii) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  In addition, a stockholder seeking to nominate a director candidate or bring other business before the annual meeting shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Company.  The foregoing notice requirements of this paragraph (b) of this Section 3.11.1 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Company of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Company to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.  The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Company may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company.

(c)Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section 3.11.1 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at the

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annual meeting is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under paragraph (b) of this Section 3.11.1 and there is no public announcement by the Company naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.11.1 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.

3.11.2Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting.  Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (b) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Company who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 3.11.2 is delivered to the Secretary of the Company, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.11.2.  In the event the Company calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Company’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (b) of Section 3.11.1 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or recess of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

3.11.3General.

(a)Except as otherwise expressly provided in any applicable rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.11 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.11.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.11 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (b)(3)(vi) of Section 3.11.1) and (ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 3.11, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.11, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Company. For purposes of this Section 3.11, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by

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such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(b)For purposes of this Section 3.11, “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or other national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 3.11; provided however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 3.11 (including paragraphs (a)(iii) of Section 3.11.1 and Section 3.11.2 hereof), and compliance with paragraphs (a)(iii) of Section 3.11.1 and Section 3.11.2 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than, as provided in the penultimate sentence of (b), business other than nominations brought properly under and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, as may be amended from time to time).  Nothing in this Section 3.11 shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals or nominations in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

3.12Organization.  At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or if the Chairman of the Board is not appointed by the Board or is absent, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, or if the President or the Chief Executive Officer is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable or represented by duly authorized and executed proxy, shall preside over the meeting and act as chairman.  The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, any designee of the Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

3.13Conduct of Meetings.

3.13.1The Board may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Company as it shall deem appropriate including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting.  Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board, the chair of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.  Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Company, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.  The chair of any meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting

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and if the chair should so determine, the chair shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered.  Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

3.13.2The chair of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed.  After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted.

3.14Inspectors of Elections. In advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof.  One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.  If no inspector or alternate is present, ready and willing to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chair of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.  Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Company.  No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.  Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability.  The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law.  Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or duly appointed inspectors.

ARTICLE 4

DIRECTORS

4.1Number and Term of Office.  The authorized number of directors of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board.  Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.  If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting or by written consent as provided in the DGCL, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient.

4.2Powers.  The powers of the Company shall be exercised, its business conducted and its property controlled by the Board, except as may be otherwise provided by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

4.3Class of Directors.  The Board shall be and is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board. The Board is hereby authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III at the time such classification becomes effective. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible. Any director elected to fill a newly created directorship shall hold officer for the full term of the class in which the newly created directorship was created. In no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director.

4.4Term of Directors.  Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided that each director initially assigned to Class I shall serve for a term expiring at the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification

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of the Board of Directors becomes effective; each director initially assigned to Class II shall serve for a term expiring at the Company’s second annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective; and each director initially assigned to Class III shall serve for a term expiring at the Company’s third annual meeting of stockholders held following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective; provided further, that the term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal.

4.5Vacancies.  Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class shall, unless the Board determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum of the directors, or by a sole remaining director.  Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.  A vacancy in the directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes resulting in such vacancy.

4.6Resignation.  Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary of the Company, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board.  If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board.  Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, when one (1) or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until such successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

4.7Removal.  Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation (then in effect), the entire Board or any director may be removed at any time without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.

4.8Meetings.

4.8.1Regular Meetings.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated by the Board and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means.  No further notice shall be required for a regular meeting of the Board.

4.8.2Special Meetings.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary or any two (2) directors (of if there is only one director, by the sole director).

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4.8.3Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment.  Any member of the Board, or of any committee designated by the Board in accordance with Section 4.11 of these Bylaws, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

4.8.4Notice of Special Meetings.  Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board shall be made either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means at least twelve (12) hours before the date and time of the special meeting.  If such notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, postage prepaid at least two (2) days before the date of the special meeting.  

4.8.5Waiver of Notice.  Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the special meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat in person, by conference telephone or other remote communication, if applicable, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  The transaction of any business at any meeting of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board in accordance with Section 4.11 of these Bylaws, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though the meeting was duly held after proper call and notice, if a quorum be present, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive any call or notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission.  All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting of the Board.

4.9Quorum and Voting.

4.9.1Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, a quorum of  the Board shall consist of a majority of directors then in office, which in no case shall be less than one third (1/3) of the total number of directors authorized to serve on the Board; provided, however, at any meeting, whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the date and time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board without any notice other than by announcement at the meeting.

4.9.2At each meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation.

4.10Action Without Meeting.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission (including email) and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.  Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

4.11Fees and Compensation.  Directors shall be entitled to compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board by resolution of the Board, including, if so approved, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, at each regular or special meeting of the Board and at any meeting of a committee of the Board.  Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving

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the Company in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

4.12Committees.

4.12.1Appointment.  The Board may, from time to time, appoint such committees as may be permitted by the DGCL.  Such committees appointed by the Board shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be permitted by the DGCL or prescribed by the resolution or resolutions of the Board creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the Company.

4.12.2Term.  The Board, subject to the foregoing provisions of this Bylaw, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee.  The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of such committee member’s death, voluntary resignation or removal from the committee or from the Board.  The Board may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member, and the Board may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee.  The Board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

4.12.3Meetings.  Unless the Board shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of any committee appointed pursuant to this Bylaw may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware as determined by the Board, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee in the manner provided in these Bylaws for the giving of notice to the members of the Board, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter.  Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided in these Bylaws for the giving of notice to members of the Board of the time and place of special meetings of the Board.  Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the special meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat in person, by conference telephone or other remote communication, if applicable, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Unless otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the number of members of any such committee then serving, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the committee, and the act of a majority of those present at any committee meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

4.13Organization.  At every meeting of the directors, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, or if the President or the Chief Executive Officer is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting and act as the chairman.  The Secretary, or in his or her absence, any designee of the Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

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ARTICLE 5

OFFICERS

5.1Officers Designated.

5.1.1General.  The officers of the Company shall include, if and when designated by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary and any other officer duly appointed by the Board, all of whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of the Board.  The Board may also appoint an executive Chairman of the Board, a President or the Chief Executive Officer, one (1) or more Vice Presidents, a Chief Operating Officer, an Assistant Secretary, a Controller, a Treasurer and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or appropriate.  The Board may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate.  Any one person may hold any number of offices of the Company at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL.  The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the Company shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board.  Any officers serving may appoint such subordinate officers as they deem necessary or desirable.

5.2Tenure and Duties of Officers.  All officers of the Company shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such officers’ earlier death, resignation or removal.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the Board.  If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board.  The officers of the Company shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board.

5.2.1Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of the Board, if chosen by the Board in accordance with these Bylaws and when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board.  The Chairman of the Board shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board shall designate from time to time.

5.2.2President or the Chief Executive Officer.  The President or the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board, unless the Chairman of the Board has been appointed and is present.  The President or the Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to those offices and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board shall designate from time to time.

5.2.3Vice President.  The Vice President, if there be such an officer, shall, subject to the direction of the President or the Chief Executive Officer and the control of the Board, have general supervision, direction, and control of the operations of the Company.  In the absence of the President or the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, if any, designated by the Board, shall perform all the duties of the President or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President or the Chief Executive Officer.  The Vice President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board shall designate from time to time.

5.2.4Secretary.  The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the Company.  The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board and any committee thereof requiring notice.  The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other

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duties and have such other powers as the Board shall designate from time to time.  The President or the Chief Executive Officer may direct any officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each such officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board or the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

5.2.5Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Company in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Company in such form and as often as required by the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer.  The Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Company.  The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.  The President or the Chief Executive Officer may direct any officer to assume and perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer, and each such officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

5.3Delegation of Authority.  The Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

5.4Resignations.  Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission notice to the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer or to the Secretary.  Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time.  Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.  Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract with the resigning officer.

5.5Removal.  Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the Board in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officer upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board.

ARTICLE 6

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES
OWNED BY THE COMPANY

6.1Execution of Corporate Instruments.  The Board may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the Company any corporate instrument, certificate or document, or to sign on behalf of the Company the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of the Company, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Company.  All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the Company or in special accounts of the Company shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board shall authorize so to do.  Unless expressly authorized or ratified by the Board in a resolution of the Board or within the agency power of an officer or director authorized or ratified by the Board, no officer, director, agent, employee or any other person shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

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6.2Voting of Securities Owned by the Company.  All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the Company for itself, or for other persons in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the President or the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE 7

SHARES OF STOCK

7.1Form and Execution of Stock Certificates.  The shares of the Company shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares.  Any resolution of the Board providing for uncertificated shares shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Company.  Certificates for the shares of stock of the Company shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.  Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a stock certificate signed by, or in the name of the Company by the President or the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.  Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles.  In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.  Each certificate shall state upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the powers, designations, preferences, and rights, and the limitations or restrictions of the shares authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise required by law, set forth on the face or back a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Company shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.  

7.2Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  A new certificate or certificates of the Company’s stock may be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate or certificates of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed.  The Company may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the Company in such manner as it shall require or to give the Company a bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Company on account of the certificate or certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed or the issuance of new certificate or certificates.

7.3Transfers.  Upon compliance with provisions restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any, transfers or registration of transfer of shares of stock of the Company shall be made only on the stock ledger of the Company by the registered holder thereof, or by such person’s attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Company or with a transfer agent or a registrar, if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if any, for such shares of stock properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes due thereon. Upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares, (i) such uncertificated shares

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shall be canceled, (ii) issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares shall be made to the person entitled thereto, and (iii) the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Company.  The Company shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Company to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Company of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

7.4Fixing Record Dates.

7.4.1In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, subject to the DGCL, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.  If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

7.4.2In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board.  Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, request the Board to fix a record date.  The Board shall promptly, but in any event within ten (10) days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date.  If no record date has been fixed by the Board within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.  Delivery made to the Company’s registered office in Delaware shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.  If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

7.4.3In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

7.5Registered Stockholders.  The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares of the Company’s stock entitled to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to

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or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the DGCL.

ARTICLE 8

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY

All bonds, debentures, notes and other corporate securities of the Company, other than stock certificates (covered in ‎ARTICLE 7), may be signed by the President or the Chief Executive Officer, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board, and, if applicable, the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or the Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture, note or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible, facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture, note or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and, if applicable, attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture, note or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons.  Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture, note or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Secretary or the Treasurer or such other person as may be authorized by the Board, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person.  In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture, note or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture, note or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture, note or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the Company and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the Company.

ARTICLE 9

DIVIDENDS

9.1Declaration of Dividends.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the Company, subject to the restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, if any, may be declared by the Board pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.  

9.2Dividend Reserve.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set apart out of any funds of the Company available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company, or for such other purpose as the Board shall think conducive to the interests of the Company, and the Board may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE 10

FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Company shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.

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ARTICLE 11

INDEMNIFICATION

11.1Directors and Officers.  The Company shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the Company may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and officers; and, provided, further, that the Company shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of the Company, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under Section 11.4.

11.2Officers, Employees and Other Agents.  The Company shall have power to indemnify its officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law.  The Board shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person or to such officers or other persons as the Board shall determine.

11.3Expenses.  The Company shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this ARTICLE 11 or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 11.4, no advance shall be made by the Company to an officer of the Company (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Company, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made  (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

11.4Enforcement.  Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers under this ARTICLE 11 shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Company and the director or officer.  Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this ARTICLE 11 to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor.  The claimant in such

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enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim.  In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Company shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the Company to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed.  In connection with any claim by an officer of the Company (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Company) for advances, the Company shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful.  Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

11.5Non‑Exclusivity of Rights.  The rights conferred on any person by this ARTICLE 11 shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office.  The Company is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law.

11.6Survival of Rights.  The rights conferred on any person by this ARTICLE 11 shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

11.7Insurance.  To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the Company, upon approval by the Board, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this ARTICLE 11.

11.8Amendments.  Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE 11 shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this ARTICLE 11 in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Company.

11.9Saving Clause.  If this ARTICLE 11 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this ARTICLE 11 that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law.  If this Section 11.9 shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Company shall indemnify each director and officer to the full extent under applicable law.

11.10Certain Definitions.  For the purposes of this ARTICLE 11, the following definitions shall apply:

11.10.1   The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and

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the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

11.10.2   The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

11.10.3   The term the “Company” shall include, in addition to the Company, the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this ARTICLE 11 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

11.10.4   References to a “director,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the Company shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Company as, respectively, a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

11.10.5   References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this ARTICLE 11.

ARTICLE 12

NOTICES

12.1Notice to Stockholders.  Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 3.4 herein.  Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by United States mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

12.2Notice to Directors.  Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by any method stated in Section 12.1, or, as applicable, as provided for in Section 4.7.4 of these Bylaws. If such notice is delivered pursuant to these Bylaws, it shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.

12.3Affidavit of Mailing.  An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the Company or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or

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stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

12.4Methods of Notice.  It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

12.5Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful.  Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person.  Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given.  In the event that the action taken by the Company is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

ARTICLE 13

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. Any bylaws specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa may only be adopted by the shareholders.  

 

Subject to the right of shareholders to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa, these Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. A bylaw adopted by the shareholders may restrict or eliminate the power of the Board of Directors to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws.

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Exhibit 4.1

 

 

DATED COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF Benitec Biopharma Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the By-Laws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $0.0001 COMMON STOCK SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Certificate Number Shares . BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME President Secretary By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE November 22 2019 DEL AWAR E CO R PO RATE BENITEC BIOPHARM A INC. ZQ|CERT#|COY|CLS|RGSTRY|ACCT#|TRANSTYPE|RUN#|TRANS# 08205P 10 0 DD-MMM-YYYY * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample **000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares*** *000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****0 00000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****00 0000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000 000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****0000 00**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****00000 0**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000 **Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000* *Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**S ***ZERO HUNDRED THOUSAND ZERO HUNDRED AND ZERO*** MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE & MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE ZQ00000000 Certificate Numbers 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 Total Transaction Num/No. 123456 Denom. 123456 Total 1234567 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 PO BOX 505006, Louisville, KY 40233-5006 CUSIP/IDENTIFIER XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 1,000,000.00 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678 123456789012345        

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

. BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ............................................Custodian ................................................ (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ........................................................ (State) JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship UNIF TRF MIN ACT - ............................................Custodian (until age ................................) and not as tenants in common (Cust) .............................under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ................... (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received, ____________________________hereby sell, assign and transfer unto ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shares _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Attorney Dated: __________________________________________20__________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.  The IRS requires that the named transfer agent (“we”) report the cost basis of certain shares or units acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares or units are covered by the legislation, and you requested to sell or transfer the shares or units using a specific cost basis calculation method, then we have processed as you requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, then we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis. If you do not keep in contact with the issuer or do not have any activity in your account for the time period specified by state law, your property may become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1


Form of DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, dated as of ___________ ___,           (this “Agreement”), is made by and between Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS:

A.

Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the business and affairs of a corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its board of directors.

B.

Pursuant to Sections 141 and 142 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, significant authority with respect to the management of the Company has been delegated to the officers of the Company.

C.

By virtue of the managerial prerogatives vested in the directors and officers of a Delaware corporation, directors and officers act as fiduciaries of the corporation and its stockholders.

D.

Thus, it is critically important to the Company and its stockholders that the Company be able to attract and retain the most capable persons reasonably available to serve as directors and officers of the Company.

E.

In recognition of the need for corporations to be able to induce capable and responsible persons to accept positions in corporate management, Delaware law authorizes (and in some instances requires) corporations to indemnify their directors and officers, and further authorizes corporations to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of their directors and officers.

F.

The Delaware courts have recognized that indemnification by a corporation serves the dual policies of (1) allowing corporate officials to resist unjustified lawsuits, secure in the knowledge that, if vindicated, the corporation will bear the expense of litigation and (2) encouraging capable women and men to serve as corporate directors and officers, secure in the knowledge that the corporation will absorb the costs of defending their honesty and integrity.

G.

Delaware law also authorizes a corporation to pay in advance of the final disposition of an action, suit or proceeding the expenses incurred by a director or officer in the defense thereof, and any such right to the advancement of expenses may be made separate and distinct from any right to indemnification and need not be subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct or otherwise affected by the merits of any claims against the director or officer.

 


H.

The number of lawsuits challenging the judgment and actions of directors and officers of Delaware corporations, the costs of defending those lawsuits, and the threat to directors’ and officers’ personal assets have all materially increased over the past several years, chilling the willingness of capable women and men to undertake the responsibilities imposed on corporate directors and officers.

I.

Recent federal legislation and rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the national securities exchanges have imposed additional disclosure and corporate governance obligations on directors and officers of public companies and have exposed such directors and officers to new and substantially broadened civil liabilities.  

J.

These legislative and regulatory initiatives have also exposed directors and officers of public companies to a significantly greater risk of criminal proceedings, with attendant defense costs and potential criminal fines and penalties.

K.

The authority of a corporation to indemnify and advance the costs of defense to its directors and officers applies to criminal proceedings as well as to civil, administrative and investigative proceedings.

L.

Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Company’s willingness to indemnify him or her in accordance with the principles reflected above, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of Delaware, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.

M.

Therefore, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure Indemnitee’s continued service as a director or officer of the Company and to enhance Indemnitee’s ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the “Constituent Documents”), any change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or any change-in-control or business combination transaction relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancement of Expenses (as defined in Section 1(e)) to Indemnitee as set forth in this Agreement and for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

N.

In light of the considerations referred to in the preceding recitals, it is the Company’s intention and desire that the provisions of this Agreement be construed liberally, subject to their express terms, to maximize the protections to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder.

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AGREEMENT:

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.Certain Definitions.  In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:

(a)Claim” means (i) any threatened, asserted, pending or completed claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law; and (ii) any threatened, pending or completed inquiry or investigation, whether made, instituted or conducted by or at the behest of the Company or any other person, including any federal, state or other court or governmental entity or agency and any committee or other representative of any corporate constituency, that Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding.

(b)Controlled Affiliate” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.  For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of an entity or enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an entity or enterprise entitling the holder to cast 20% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such entity or enterprise shall be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.

(c)Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(d)ERISA Losses” means any taxes, penalties or other liabilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e)Expenses” means attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses and all other costs and expenses paid or payable in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a witness in or participate in (including on appeal), any Claim, other than the fees, expenses and costs in respect of which the Company is expressly stated in Section 15 to have no obligation.

(f)Incumbent Directors” means the individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board and any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the date hereof whose election, nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, or appointment, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the then Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination); provided,

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however, that an individual shall not be an Incumbent Director if such individual’s election or appointment to the Board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (as described in Rule 14a-12(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.

(g)Indemnifiable Claim” means any Claim based upon, arising out of or resulting from (i) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, whether or not for profit (including any employee benefit plan or related trust), as to which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent, (ii) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in respect of any business, transaction, communication, filing, disclosure or other activity of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this sentence, or (iii) Indemnitee’s status as a current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a current or former director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this sentence or any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in connection with any obligation or restriction imposed upon Indemnitee by reason of such status; provided, however, that except for compulsory counterclaims, Indemnifiable Claim shall not include any Claim initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless (1) the Company has joined in or consented to the initiation of such Claim or (2) such Claim is initiated solely to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.  In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, for purposes of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be deemed to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of another entity or enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of such entity or enterprise and (i) such entity or enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such entity or enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate, or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate directly or indirectly caused or authorized Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity.

(h)Indemnifiable Losses means any and all Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim.

(i)Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (i) the Company (or any Subsidiary) or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other named (or, as to a threatened matter, reasonably likely to be named) party to the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of

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professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.  

(j)Losses means any and all Expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other), ERISA Losses and amounts paid in settlement, including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.

(k)Subsidiary” means an entity in which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock.

(l)Voting Stock” means securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or similar governing bodies).

2.Indemnification Obligation.  Subject to Section 8, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted or required by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted or required indemnification, against any and all Indemnifiable Claims and Indemnifiable Losses; provided, however, that no repeal or amendment of any law of the State of Delaware shall in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or amendment.

3.Advancement of Expenses.  Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company prior to the final disposition of any Indemnifiable Claim of any and all Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim paid or incurred by Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines are reasonably likely to be paid or incurred by Indemnitee.  Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and is not conditioned upon any prior determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement with respect to the Indemnifiable Claim or the absence of any prior determination to the contrary.  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within five business days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request (but without duplication), (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses; provided that Indemnitee shall repay, without interest any amounts actually advanced to Indemnitee that, at the final disposition of the Indemnifiable Claim to which the advance related, were in excess of amounts paid or payable by Indemnitee in respect of Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from such Indemnifiable Claim.  In connection with any such payment, advancement or reimbursement, if delivery of an undertaking is a legally required condition precedent to such payment, advance or reimbursement or is otherwise requested by the Company, Indemnitee shall execute and deliver to the Company an undertaking in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (subject to Indemnitee filling in the blanks therein and selecting from among the bracketed alternatives therein), which need not be secured and shall be accepted by the Company without reference to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses.  In no event shall Indemnitee’s right to the payment, advancement or reimbursement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 3 be conditioned upon any undertaking that is less favorable to Indemnitee than, or that is in addition to, the undertaking set forth in Exhibit A.  

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4.Indemnification for Additional Expenses.  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such request, any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines are reasonably likely to be paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim made, instituted or conducted by Indemnitee, in each case to the fullest extent permitted or required by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted or required indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of such Expenses, for (a) indemnification or payment, advancement or reimbursement of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims, and/or (b) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company; provided, however, that Indemnitee shall return, without interest, any such advance of Expenses (or portion thereof) which remains unspent at the final disposition of the Claim to which the advance related.

5.Contribution.  To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law in effect on the date hereof or as such law may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of permitted or required indemnification, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the payment of any and all Indemnifiable Claims or Indemnifiable Losses, in such proportion as is fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s); provided that such contribution shall not be required where it is determined, pursuant to a final disposition of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss in accordance with Section 8, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification by the Company with respect to such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee from any claim of contribution that may be brought by directors, officers, employees or other agents or representatives of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

6.Partial Indemnity.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any Indemnifiable Loss, but not for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.  

7.Procedure for Notification.  To obtain indemnification under this Agreement in respect of an Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss.  If, at the time of the receipt of such request, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect under which coverage for such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss is potentially available, the Company shall give prompt written notice of such Indemnifiable Claim or

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Indemnifiable Loss to the applicable insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies.  The Company shall provide to Indemnitee a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers, and copies of all subsequent correspondence between the Company and such insurers regarding the Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery or receipt thereof by the Company.  If requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, at the Company’s expense, to enforce on behalf of and for the benefit of Indemnitee all rights (including rights to receive payment) that may exist under the applicable policies of insurance in relation to such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss.  The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company of any Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss shall not relieve the Company from any liability hereunder unless, and only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss and such failure results in forfeiture by the Company of substantial defenses, rights or insurance coverage.

8.Determination of Right to Indemnification.

(a)To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Indemnifiable Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from such Indemnifiable Claim in accordance with Section 2 and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 8(b)) shall be required with respect to such Indemnifiable Claim.

(b)To the extent that the provisions of Section 8(a) are inapplicable to an Indemnifiable Claim that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition precedent to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against Indemnifiable Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from such Indemnifiable Claim (a “Standard of Conduct Determination”) shall be made as follows:  (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by a majority vote of a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of all Disinterested Directors, or (iii) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or if Indemnitee so requests, by Independent Counsel, selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; provided, however, that if at the time of any Standard of Conduct Determination Indemnitee is neither a director nor an officer of the Company, such Standard of Conduct Determination may be made by or in the manner specified by the Board, any duly authorized committee of the Board or any duly authorized officer of the Company (unless Indemnitee requests that such Standard of Conduct Determination be made by Independent Counsel, in which case such Standard of Conduct Determination shall be made by Independent Counsel).  Indemnitee will cooperate with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination, including providing to such person or persons, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination.  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such request, any and all costs and

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expenses (including attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.

(c)The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 8(b) to be made as promptly as practicable.  If (i) the person or persons empowered or selected under Section 8 to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall not have made a determination within 30 days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of written notice from Indemnitee advising the Company of the final disposition of the applicable Indemnifiable Claim (the date of such receipt being the “Notification Date”) and (B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, and (ii) Indemnitee shall have fulfilled his or her obligations set forth in the second sentence of Section 8(b), then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct; provided that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person or persons making such determination in good faith requires such additional time for obtaining or evaluating any documentation or information relating thereto.

(d)If (i) Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification hereunder against any Indemnifiable Losses pursuant to Section 8(a), (ii) no determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law is a legally required condition precedent to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against any Indemnifiable Losses, or (iii) Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 8(b) or (c) to have satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law which is a legally required condition precedent to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against any Indemnifiable Losses, then the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within five business days after the later of (x) the Notification Date in respect of the Indemnifiable Claim or portion thereof to which such Indemnifiable Losses are related, out of which such Indemnifiable Losses arose or from which such Indemnifiable Losses resulted and (y) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall have been satisfied, an amount equal to the amount of such Indemnifiable Losses.

9.Presumption of Entitlement.  

(a)In making a determination of whether Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, the Company acknowledges that a resolution, disposition or outcome short of dismissal or final judgment, including outcomes that permit Indemnitee to avoid expense, delay, embarrassment, injury to reputation, distraction, disruption or uncertainty, may constitute such success.  In the event that any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion thereof or issue or matter therein is resolved or disposed of in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including any resolution or disposition thereof by means of settlement with or without payment of money or other consideration), it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of such Indemnifiable Claim or portion thereof or issue or matter therein.  The Company may overcome such presumption only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

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(b)In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the person or persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct, and the Company may overcome such presumption only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The knowledge and/or action, or failure to act, of any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Company will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of any Standard of Conduct Determination.  Any Standard of Conduct Determination that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct shall be final and binding in all respects, including with respect to any litigation or other action or proceeding initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights hereunder.  Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by Indemnitee in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.  No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to any Claim by Indemnitee for indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

(c)Without limiting the generality or effect of Section 9(b), (i) to the extent that any Indemnifiable Claim relates to any entity or enterprise (other than the Company) referred to in clause (i) of the first sentence of the definition of “Indemnifiable Claim,” Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interests of such entity or enterprise (or the owners or beneficiaries thereof, including in the case of any employee benefit plan the participants and beneficiaries thereof) and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful, and (ii) in all cases, any belief of Indemnitee that is based on the records or books of account of the Company, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Company in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, the Board, any committee of the Board or any director, or on information or records given or reports made to the Company, the Board, any committee of the Board or any director by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by or on behalf of the Company, the Board, any committee of the Board or any director shall be deemed to be reasonable.

10.No Adverse Presumption.  For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any applicable standard of conduct or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise not permitted.

11.Non‑Exclusivity.  The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have against the Company under the Constituent Documents, or the substantive laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, “Other Indemnity Provisions”); provided, however, that (a) to the extent that Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder and (b) to the extent that any change is made to any Other Indemnity Provision which permits any greater right to indemnification than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof,

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Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder.  The Company will not adopt any amendment to any of the Constituent Documents the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement or any Other Indemnity Provision.

12.Liability Insurance and Funding.  For the duration of Indemnitee’s service as a director and/or officer of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending or possible Indemnifiable Claim, the Company shall cause to be maintained in effect policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage for directors and/or officers of the Company that is at least substantially comparable in scope and amount to that provided by the Company’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.  The Company shall provide Indemnitee with a copy of all directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials, and shall provide Indemnitee with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the same.  Without limiting the generality or effect of the two immediately preceding sentences, the Company shall not discontinue or significantly reduce the scope or amount of coverage from one policy period to the next (a) without the prior approval thereof by a majority vote of the Incumbent Directors, even if less than a quorum, or (b) if at the time that any such discontinuation or significant reduction in the scope or amount of coverage is proposed there are no Incumbent Directors, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).  In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits, subject to the same limitations, as are accorded to the Company’s directors and officers most favorably insured by such policy.  The Company may, but shall not be required to, create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means, including a letter of credit, to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to satisfy its obligations to indemnify and advance expenses pursuant to this Agreement.

13.Subrogation.  In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the related rights of recovery of Indemnitee against other persons or entities (other than Indemnitee’s successors), including any entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of the definition of “Indemnifiable Claim” in Section 1(g).  Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required to evidence such rights (all of Indemnitee’s reasonable Expenses, including attorneys’ fees and charges, related thereto to be reimbursed by or, at the option of Indemnitee, advanced by the Company).

14.No Duplication of Payments.  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received and is entitled to retain payment (net of any Expenses incurred in connection therewith and any repayment by Indemnitee made with respect thereto) under any insurance policy, the Constituent Documents and Other Indemnity Provisions or otherwise (including from any entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of the definition of

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“Indemnifiable Claim” in Section 1(g)) in respect of such Indemnifiable Losses otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

15.Defense of Claims.  Except for any Indemnifiable Claim asserted by or in the right of the Company (as to which Indemnitee shall be entitled to exclusively control the defense), the Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee.  The Company’s participation in the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim of which the Company has not assumed the defense will not in any manner affect the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, including Indemnitee’s right to control the defense of such Indemnifiable Claims.  With respect to the period (if any) commencing at the time at which the Company notifies Indemnitee that the Company has assumed the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim and continuing for so long as the Company shall be using its reasonable best efforts to provide an effective defense of such Indemnifiable Claim, the Company shall have the right to control the defense of such Indemnifiable Claim and shall have no obligation under this Agreement in respect of any attorneys’ or experts’ fees or expenses or any other costs or expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with defending such Indemnifiable Claim (other than such costs and expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any cooperation in the Company’s defense of such Indemnifiable Claim or other action undertaken by Indemnitee at the request of the Company or with the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed)); provided that if Indemnitee believes, after consultation with counsel selected by Indemnitee, that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict, (b) the named parties in any such Indemnifiable Claim (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and Indemnitee and Indemnitee shall conclude that there may be one or more legal defenses available to him or her that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company, or (c) any such representation by such counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain and use the services of separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any particular Indemnifiable Claim) at the Company’s expense.   Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Indemnitee’s right to retain or use his or her own counsel at his or her own expense in connection with any Indemnifiable Claim; provided that in all events Indemnitee shall not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the defense by the Company of any Indemnifiable Claim that the Company shall have assumed and of which the Company shall be using its reasonable best efforts to provide an effective defense.  The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim effected without the Company’s prior written consent.  The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim to which Indemnitee is, or could have been, a party unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such Indemnifiable Claim.  Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any proposed settlement; provided that Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee.


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16.Successors and Binding Agreement.  

(a)The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee and his or her counsel, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, including any person acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the “Company” for purposes of this Agreement), but shall not otherwise be assignable or delegatable by the Company.

(b)This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Indemnitee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, legatees and other successors.

(c)This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 16(a) and 16(b).  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, Indemnitee’s right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by Indemnitee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 16(c), the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

17.Notices.  For all purposes of this Agreement, all communications, including notices, consents, requests or approvals, required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or dispatched by electronic facsimile transmission (with receipt thereof orally confirmed), or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or one business day after having been sent for next‑day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) and to Indemnitee at the applicable address shown on the signature page hereto, or to such other address as any party hereto may have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address will be effective only upon receipt.

18.Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such State.  The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.

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19.Validity.  If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal shall be reformed to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to make it enforceable, valid or legal.  In the event that any court or other adjudicative body shall decline to reform any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal as contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence, the parties thereto shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to replace the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal with one or more alternative provisions that effectuate the purpose and intent of the original provisions of this Agreement as fully as possible without being invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal.  

20.Miscellaneous.  No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by Indemnitee and the Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto or compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto that are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

21.Legal Fees and Expenses; Interest.  

(a)It is the intent of the Company that Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees and or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder.  Accordingly, without limiting the generality or effect of any other provision hereof, if it should appear to Indemnitee that the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3) or in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, the Company irrevocably authorizes Indemnitee from time to time to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and represent Indemnitee in connection with any such interpretation, enforcement or defense, including the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any director, officer, stockholder or other person affiliated with the Company, in any jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably consents to Indemnitee’s entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Company and Indemnitee agree that a confidential relationship shall exist between Indemnitee and such counsel.  The Company will pay and be solely financially responsible for any and all attorneys’ and related fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any of the foregoing to the fullest extent permitted or required by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date

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hereof or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted or required payment of such fees and expenses.

(b)Any amount due to Indemnitee under this Agreement that is not paid by the Company by the date on which it is due will accrue interest at the maximum legal rate provided under Delaware law from the date on which such amount is due to the date on which such amount is paid to Indemnitee.  

22.Certain Interpretive Matters.  Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (a) “it” or “its” or words of any gender include each other gender, (b) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (c) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (d) the terms “ “Section” or “Exhibit” refer to the specified Section or Exhibit of or to this Agreement, (e) the terms “include,” “includes” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” (whether or not so expressed), and (f) the word “or” is disjunctive but not exclusive.  Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number will refer to calendar days unless business days are specified and whenever action must be taken (including the giving of notice or the delivery of documents) under this Agreement during a certain period of time or by a particular date that ends or occurs on a non-business day, then such period or date will be extended until the immediately following business day.  As used herein, “business day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a United States federal holiday.

23.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Signatures Appear on Following Page]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Indemnitee has executed and the Company has caused its duly authorized representative to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

 

 

By:

Name:                                 

Title:                                    

 

 

INDEMNITEE:

 

 

 

                               

Address:

_____________________

_____________________

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

UNDERTAKING

 

This Undertaking is submitted pursuant to the Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, dated as of ___________ ___, ____ (the “Indemnification Agreement”), between Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indemnification Agreement.

The undersigned hereby requests [payment], [advancement], [reimbursement] by the Company of Expenses which the undersigned [has incurred] [reasonably expects to incur] in connection with ______________________ (the “Indemnifiable Claim”).

The undersigned hereby undertakes to repay the [payment], [advancement], [reimbursement] of Expenses made by the Company to or on behalf of the undersigned in response to the foregoing request to the extent it is determined, following the final disposition of the Indemnifiable Claim and in accordance with Section 8 of the Indemnification Agreement, that the undersigned is not entitled to indemnification by the Company under the Indemnification Agreement with respect to the Indemnifiable Claim.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Undertaking as of this _____ day of ______________, ____.

 

 

 

 

[Indemnitee]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

(ADOPTED EFFECTIVE AS OF APRIL 12, 2020)

I.

Introduction & Scope

This Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) describes the basic principles of conduct that apply to all employees, officers and directors of Benitec Biopharma Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Benitec”). This Code also applies to our agents and representatives, including our consultants.  As a signatory to this Code, you must adhere to the guidelines contained herein. Violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action, varying from reprimand to dismissal.  

This Code is intended to provide a broad overview of basic ethical principles that guide our conduct. In some circumstances, Benitec may maintain more specific policies on the topics referred to in this Code.  If you have any questions regarding this Code or any of Benitec’s policies, please contact your supervisor or Benitec’s designated compliance officer (the “Compliance Officer”).

II.

Honest and Ethical Conduct

It is the policy of Benitec to promote high standards of integrity by conducting our affairs in an honest and ethical manner. The integrity and reputation of Benitec depends on the honesty, fairness and integrity brought to the job by each person associated with us. Unyielding personal integrity is the foundation of corporate integrity.

III.

Timely and Truthful Disclosure

In reports and documents filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulators, and in other public communications made by Benitec, Benitec’s directors, officers and employees involved in the preparation of such reports, documents and communications shall make disclosures that are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. Such disclosures shall contain thoroughly and accurately reported financial and accounting data. No director, officer or employee shall knowingly conceal or falsify information, misrepresent material facts or omit material facts necessary to avoid misleading the Benitec’s independent public auditor or the public.

IV.

Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations

Benitec is committed to complying with all laws, rules and regulations of the places where it does business. If a law, rule or regulation is unclear, or conflicts with a provision of this Code, you

 


 

should seek advice from supervisors or the Compliance Officer, but always seek to act in accordance with the ethical standards described in this Code.

V.

Reporting Violations of this Code

Your conduct should reinforce an ethical atmosphere, positively influence the conduct of your fellow employees and reflect Benitec’s core values. If you see or hear about a violation of this Code or illegal, dishonest, or unethical act, you must immediately report it to your supervisor.

If you are still concerned after speaking with your supervisor or feel uncomfortable speaking with your supervisor, you must contact the Compliance Officer at mboston@benitec.com by sending a detailed note, along with relevant documents. If you choose to make an anonymous report, you should preserve your own record of this report in order to demonstrate your compliance with the Code.

Your calls, detailed notes, and/or emails will be dealt with confidentially, although there may be a point where your identity may become known or have to be revealed in the course of an investigation or to take corrective action. You have the commitment of Benitec that you will be protected from retaliation for your good faith actions as more fully described in Benitec’s Whistleblower Protection and Non-Retaliation Policy.

VI.

Work Environment

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, family or care-giver responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Benitec is committed to a safe, congenial workplace, and we will not tolerate harassment of any kind. Harassment can take many forms and includes sexual harassment and unwelcome conduct, threats or bullying, name calling, negative stereotyping, unwelcome physical contact, offensive gestures or damaging the physical property of others.  Benitec is committed to preventing workplace violence and maintaining a safe work environment.  We have zero tolerance for workplace violence.

VII.

Conflicts of Interest and Corporate Opportunities

You must seek to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest arises when an employee, officer, or director takes actions or enters into relationships that are contrary to the interests of Benitec or that interfere with that individual’s performance or independent judgment when carrying out his or her duties. You may not exploit your position or relationship with Benitec for personal gain. Except as otherwise permitted under Benitec’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, you are prohibited from taking for yourself personal opportunities (such as investments, though investments are not the only example) that come to your knowledge through the use of corporate property, information, or position.

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You must take every reasonable step to promptly disclose to a supervisor or the Compliance Officer any business or financial interest or relationship of any employee, officer, or director that might interfere with their ability to pursue the best interests of Benitec. Not all conflicts of interest will be prohibited. Each case will be decided on an individual basis. For purpose of example, a conflict of interest will likely arise if you:

 

cause Benitec to engage in business transactions with your relatives or friends;

 

use nonpublic information of Benitec, its customers or vendors for your personal gain or that of your relatives or your friends (including securities transactions based on such information);

 

have a financial interest in Benitec’s vendors, clients or competitors;

 

receive a loan, or guarantee of any obligation, from Benitec or a third party as a result of your position at Benitec.  (Note that it is generally not a conflict of interest to receive a loan, or guarantee of any obligation from a third party as a result of the fact of you being employed.  If you have questions as to when such a situation may become a conflict of interest, please contact the Compliance Officer.);

 

receive any payments or gifts, other than gifts of nominal value, from any third party as a result of your position with Benitec;

 

compete, or prepare to compete, with Benitec while still employed by Benitec;

 

serve in any role of any company that competes with Benitec while still employed by Benitec; or

 

short-sell any Benitec stock.

These are some examples of potential conflicts of interest. There are other situations in which a conflict of interest may arise. If you have concerns about any situation, contact the Compliance Officer.

VIII.

Insider Trading

It is illegal for you to buy or sell stock or other securities of Benitec or any company with which Benitec does business while you are in possession of material nonpublic information. It is also illegal for you to disclose such information to anyone, including members of your immediate family or household, who might buy or sell securities in response to such information or to suggest to anyone that they buy or sell securities of the relevant company. Failure to comply with securities law can have serious consequences for Benitec and for you, including civil liability and criminal prosecution. You must comply with Benitec’s Insider Trading Policy. If you are uncertain about the legality of a particular trade, please contact the Compliance Officer for assistance.

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IX.

Agreements with Suppliers

Benitec’s suppliers are expected to comply with all applicable laws around the world, including applicable anti-corruption laws. Suppliers are expected to promote diversity and good corporate citizenship; meet and exceed environmental, health, and safety standards; respect human rights; avoid conflicts of interest; and utilize management systems and processes that ensure compliance with this Code.  

X.

Gifts & Entertainment

Giving and receiving of gifts can be appropriate in our relationships with our business partners under appropriate circumstances. Anything of value may be considered a gift, including products, services, cash and equivalents (e.g., gift cards), meals, travel, and entertainment (e.g., playing a round of golf, or attending a concert or sporting event).  Any receipt or provision of a gift should be reasonable and appropriate for the circumstance, should not give the appearance of impropriety, should not create a feeling of obligation on the part of the recipient, must not violate any applicable law, and must not violate the policies or standards of the provider or recipient of the gift.

Without prior approval from your supervisor or the Compliance Officer, neither you nor your relatives may give to or receive from Benitec’s customers or suppliers any gift valued over $200 or any cash gift. Meals may be accepted if they occur in conjunction with business meetings, conferences, or other customary business situations, provided that the value of the meal must be reasonable under the circumstances and that receipt of meals is not so frequent as to give any appearance of impropriety.  In cultures where refusing such a gift would offend the giver and result in the loss of business, you should accept the gift but forward it to the Compliance Officer, who may in turn give the gift to charity or some other suitable recipient. Some departments may have more restrictive policies on accepting gifts, meals and entertainment.

Gifts involving government officials are subject to different rules. For any gifts involving government officials, please refer to Benitec’s Anti-Corruption Policy.  

Any Benitec employee who pays or receives bribes or kickbacks will be immediately terminated and reported, as warranted, to the appropriate authorities. A kickback or bribe includes any item intended to improperly obtain favorable treatment, including a bribe to guarantee that Benitec will use the services of a particular vendor when such use is not advantageous to Benitec. For specific details concerning compliance with laws prohibiting bribes and kickbacks, please refer to Benitec’s Anti-Corruption Policy.

XI.

Protection of Benitec’s Assets; Confidentiality

In the course of your work for Benitec, you will have access to confidential Benitec information, such as trade secrets, attorney-client privileged information, intellectual property, trade secrets, customer lists, proprietary business materials, non-public financial information, and other non-public information in which Benitec has intellectual property rights. You must keep such information strictly confidential and must not share it outside Benitec. You may not provide such confidential Benitec information to investors, the media, or analysts without the express approval of Benitec’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or equivalent, or General Counsel.  

4

 


 

Excluded from the definition of confidential Benitec information under this Code are communications protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act such as communications regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Benitec collects personal data, such as social security numbers, identification numbers, passwords, bank account information, and medical information, from its employees for business purposes. Only employees who are expressly permitted to access this data may do so. Before transmitting any personal data across international borders, you must consult with the Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

You are responsible for appropriate use and protection of Benitec’s network and computer systems. These systems and devices are intended to be used for legitimate business purposes only.  If you have any questions, please refer to Benitec’s Acceptable Use Policy.  

XII.

Fair Competition

Benitec is dedicated to achieving its business success fairly. Benitec complies with all applicable fair competition and antitrust laws and competes fairly and honestly.  Benitec relies on the judgment of each individual employee to avoid unfair practices. You must not take unfair advantage of anyone, including Benitec’s customers, suppliers, competitors, and employees, either by manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair practice. If you are uncertain whether a contemplated action raises issues of unfairness, the Compliance Officer can assist you. For specific details concerning the required compliance with anti-corruption or antitrust laws please refer to the Benitec Anti-Corruption Policy and the Benitec Antitrust Compliance Guidelines.

XIII.

Financial Information

Benitec requires that all of its books and records be maintained with honesty and using best efforts to ensure accuracy.  No fund, asset, liability, revenue or expense should be intentionally concealed or incompletely recorded for any purpose.  All entries must be supported by documentation adequate to permit the books and records to be verified by audit.  Proper accounting requires careful compliance by all employees who are involved in keeping financial records of any type.

Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosures in Benitec’s periodic reports to the public and to governmental authorities, filings with the SEC and other public communications are required by Benitec and by law and are essential to the success of Benitec’s business.  You should exercise the highest standard of care in contributing to or preparing such reports to ensure that:

 

  

all Benitec accounting records, as well as reports produced from those records, are in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and accounting standards and do not contain misleading entries;

 

  

all transactions are supported by accurate documentation in reasonable detail and are recorded properly;

 

  

Benitec’s system of internal accounting controls is complied with; and

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no information is intentionally concealed from Benitec’s internal or independent auditors, each of which shall have unrestricted access to all documents and records.

If you have knowledge of any unreported or improperly reported financial activity you must report the information to your supervisor or the Compliance Officer.  Alternatively, you may report such activity anonymously through Benitec’s hotline, as described in this Code.  

XIV.

Company’s Rights to Data

By signing this Code, you consent and acknowledge that all information such as paper files, electronic data, computer data, email, local computer files, and the like that is created, recorded, duplicated, received, transmitted or stored on Benitec’s Information Technology infrastructure and computer systems remains property of Benitec, and not your property.

Benitec may regularly or intermittently review employees’ electronic files, or monitor computer use (including email and internet usage), or any communications at its discretion without notice to you and without your permission.  Benitec reserves the right to enter, search and monitor computer files and usage (including, without limitation, internet usage), and records of electronic, telephonic and other communications without notice.  Reasons for doing so might include, without limitation, investigating theft, possible disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, monitoring productivity or work-flow, and/or compliance with Benitec policies and procedures.

It is important to understand, therefore, that as an employee or officer of Benitec, you have no right and should have no expectation of privacy with respect to your individual computer account(s), or with respect to any electronic, telephonic or other communications, except to the extent, if any, accorded by law. By signing this Code, you give your consent to Benitec to access any such information at any time, and for any reason. In jurisdictions not acknowledging your consent as suitable to allow access by Benitec, Benitec may access any such information in accordance with applicable laws.

XV.

Waivers

Consistent with the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, only our Board of Directors (the “Board”) may waive a provision of this Code for our executive officers or directors, and any waiver should be promptly disclosed to Benitec’s stockholders. Waivers of this Code for any other employee may be made only by our Compliance Officer, and then only under special circumstances.

XVI.

Interpretation and Enforcement of This Code

This Code is intended to provide guidance. It does not, and is not designed to, address every possible situation that you may encounter. Our Board has the exclusive power and authority to administer this Code, including the right and power to interpret the provisions of the Code and to make all determinations it deems necessary or advisable to administer this Code, including, without limitation, any determination as to whether the provisions of the Code apply to a particular set of circumstances, whether a violation of this Code has occurred and whether a waiver of this

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Code is required. All such actions, interpretations and determinations that are done or made by the Board in good faith will be final, conclusive and binding.

7

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Benitec Biopharma Announces the Completion of

Redomiciliation to the United States

 

Hayward, CA, April 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Benitec Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNTC) is pleased to announce that the previously announced transaction to redomicile from Australia to the United States has been fully implemented today. The redomiciliation was approved by Benitec shareholders at a Scheme Meeting held on March 26, 2020, and confirmed by the Supreme Court of Queensland on March 30, 2020.

 

The shares of Benitec Biopharma, Inc. common stock issued today in connection with the redomiciliation will trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “BNTC”, and Benitec Biopharma Inc. will continue to be subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and applicable corporate governance rules of Nasdaq. Further details regarding the implementation of the redomiciliation can be found in filings made today with the SEC.

 

About Benitec Biopharma, Inc.

Benitec Biopharma, Inc. (“Benitec” or the “Company”) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines, with headquarters in Hayward, California. The Company’s proprietary “Silence and Replace” approach combines DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, with gene therapy to create medicines that facilitate sustained silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration. The Company is developing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions including oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), and chronic hepatitis B. A comprehensive overview of the Company can be found on Benitec’s website at www.benitec.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any forward-looking statements that may be in this announcement are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to the difficulties in Benitec's plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical and clinical trials, the timing of patient enrolment and dosing in clinical trials, the timing of expected regulatory filings, the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and Benitec's product candidates, potential future out-licenses and collaborations, the intellectual property position and the ability to procure additional sources of financing. Accordingly, you should not rely on those forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual future results.

 

Investor Relations

M Group Strategic Communications 

Jay Morakis

Managing Director

Tel: +1 646 859 5951

Email: jmorakis@MGroupSC.com

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

Benitec Biopharma Appoints Edward Smith to the Board of Directors

 

Hayward, CA - April 14, 2020 - Benitec Biopharma, Inc., a successor entity to Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ: BNTC), a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines, today announced the appointment of Edward Smith to the Board of Directors.

Edward brings more than 20 years of experience in executive finance and operations leadership in the biotechnology industry to Benitec’s Board of Directors. Mr. Smith currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNS), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat patients suffering from rare seizure disorders. Prior to the start of his tenure at Marinus Pharmaceuticals in 2013, Mr. Smith served as the CFO of PolyMedix, Inc., and before his time at PolyMedix, Inc. he served as the executive director of finance at InKine Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.  

Jerel A. Banks, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benitec Biopharma, Inc. commented on Mr. Smith’s appointment, “Edward’s extensive background in finance and operations in the biotherapeutics space will make him an exceptional contributor to the Board.  We are excited to welcome him as a director.”

About Benitec Biopharma, Inc.

Benitec Biopharma, Inc. (“Benitec” or the “Company”) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines, with headquarters in Hayward, California. The Company’s proprietary “Silence and Replace” approach combines DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, with gene therapy to create medicines that facilitate sustained silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration. The Company is developing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions including oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), and chronic hepatitis B. A comprehensive overview of the Company can be found on Benitec’s website at www.benitec.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any forward-looking statements that may be in this announcement are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to the difficulties in Benitec's plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical and clinical trials, the timing of patient enrolment and dosing in clinical trials, the timing of expected regulatory filings, the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and Benitec's product candidates, potential future out-licenses and collaborations, the intellectual property position and the ability to procure additional sources of financing. Accordingly, you should not rely on those forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual future results.

 


 

 

 

Investor Relations

M Group Strategic Communications 

Jay Morakis

Managing Director

Tel: +1 646 859 5951

Email: jmorakis@MGroupSC.com