|
Delaware
|
| |
8071
|
| |
45-3811132
|
|
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
| |
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
| |
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
|
|
Ryan C. Brauer
Eric O. Madson Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 (612) 492-7000 |
| |
W. Morgan Burns
Jonathan R. Zimmerman Faegre Baker Daniels LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 (612) 766-7000 |
|
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | | | Accelerated filer ☐ | |
| Non-accelerated filer ☐ | | | Smaller reporting company ☒ | |
| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | | Emerging growth company ☒ | |
| | |
Per
Share |
| |
Total
|
| ||||||
Initial public offering price | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | ||
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1) | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | |
| | |
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| | | | 102 | |
| | | | 107 | |
| | | | 112 | |
| | | | 112 | |
| | | | 112 | |
| | | | F-1 |
| |
Targeted Therapy
(FDA Label Date) |
| |
Type of Cancer
|
| |
Biomarker
|
| |
Objective
Response Rate (1) |
| | |||
| | Herceptin ® (04/17) | | |
Breast
|
| |
HER2
|
| | |
|
16
%
|
| | |
| | Perjeta ® (03/16) | | |
Breast
|
| |
HER2
|
| | |
|
11
%
|
| | |
| | Gilotrif ® (07/13) | | |
Lung
|
| |
EGFR mutations
|
| | |
|
31
%
|
| | |
| | Votrient ® (05/17) | | |
Kidney
|
| |
None
|
| | |
|
27
%
|
| | |
| | Erbitux ® (10/16) | | |
Colon
|
| |
EGFR/K-Ras WT
|
| | |
|
18
%
|
| | |
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(unaudited)
|
| |||||||||
Statements of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development
|
| | | $ | 2,011,719 | | | | | $ | 3,064,762 | | | | | $ | 1,412,056 | | | | | $ | 2,212,629 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 250,091 | | | | | | 263,664 | | | | | | 131,417 | | | | | | 386,963 | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 2,261,810 | | | | | | 3,328,426 | | | | | | 1,543,473 | | | | | | 2,599,592 | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (2,261,810 ) | | | | | | (3,328,426 ) | | | | | | (1,543,473 ) | | | | | | (2,599,592 ) | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (186,686 ) | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 268 | | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 4,019 | | | | | | 22,712 | | |
Total other income (expense) | | | | | 268 | | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 4,019 | | | | | | (163,974 ) | | |
Net loss | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | | | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | | | | $ | (2,763,566 ) | | |
Net loss per unit share attributable to common members—basic and diluted
|
| | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | |
Weighted-average (WA) common units outstanding used to compute net loss per unit attributable to common members—basic and diluted
|
| | | | 233,732,667 | | | | | | 252,523,542 | | | | | | 247,266,395 | | | | | | 257,604,208 | | |
Pro forma WA common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted
(1)
|
| | | | 5,843,317 | | | | | | 6,313,089 | | | | | | 6,181,660 | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted
(1)
|
| | | $ | (0.39 ) | | | | | $ | (0.52 ) | | | | | $ | (0.25 ) | | | | | $ | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
As of June 30, 2017
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
As of
December 31, 2016 Actual |
| |
Actual
|
| |
Pro Forma
(1)
|
| |
Pro Forma
As Adjusted (2) |
| ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
Unaudited
|
| |
Unaudited
|
| |
Unaudited
|
| |||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | $ | 5,856,348 | | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | | $ | | | |
Total assets | | | | | 6,056,977 | | | | | | 11,686,950 | | | | | | 11,686,950 | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | | | 445,359 | | | | | | 776,954 | | | | | | 776,954 | | | | | | | | |
Convertible notes | | | | | — | | | | | | 6,575,413 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | | | 5,611,618 | | | | | | 4,334,583 | | | | | | 10,909,996 | | | | | | | | |
| | |
As of June 30, 2017
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Actual
|
| |
Pro Forma
(LLC Conversion & Note Conversion) |
| |
Pro Forma
As Adjusted (1) |
| | |||||||||||
| | |
(In thousands, except for share and per share data; unaudited)
|
| | |||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (excluding restricted cash)
|
| | | $ | 10,908 | | | | | $ | 10,908 | | | | | $ | | | | | ||
Convertible notes (2) | | | | | 6,575 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | ||
Stockholder’s Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
Members’ equity contributions
(3)
|
| | | | 13,350 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | ||
Common stock, $0.001 par value
(4)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | ||
Additional paid-in capital
(2)
|
| | | | 2,080 | | | | | | 21,999 | | | | | | | | | | ||
Accumulated deficit
|
| | | | (11,095 ) | | | | | | (11,095 ) | | | | | | | | | | ||
Total stockholders’ equity
|
| | | | 4,335 | | | | | | 10,910 | | | | | | | | | |||
Total Capitalization | | | | $ | 10,910 | | | | | $ | 10,910 | | | | | $ | | | | |
| Assumed initial public offering price per share | | | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
|
Historical net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2017 after
giving effect to the LLC Conversion |
| | | $ | | | | | |||||
|
Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to
conversion of unsecured convertible promissory notes |
| | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
|
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2017
|
| | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
|
Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to
new investors |
| | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
|
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
|
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing common stock in this
offering |
| | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
|
| | |
Shares Purchased
|
| |
Total Consideration
|
| |
Average
Price Per Share |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Number
|
| |
Percent
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percent
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Existing stockholders | | | | | | | | | | | % | | | | | $ | | | | | | | % | | | | | $ | | | |
New investors | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | 100 % | | | | | $ | | | | | | | 100 % | | | | | $ | | | |
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(unaudited)
|
| |||||||||
Statements of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development
|
| | | $ | 2,011,719 | | | | | $ | 3,064,762 | | | | | $ | 1,412,056 | | | | | $ | 2,212,629 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 250,091 | | | | | | 263,664 | | | | | | 131,417 | | | | | | 386,963 | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 2,261,810 | | | | | | 3,328,426 | | | | | | 1,543,473 | | | | | | 2,599,592 | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (2,261,810 ) | | | | | | (3,328,426 ) | | | | | | (1,543,473 ) | | | | | | (2,599,592 ) | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (186,686 ) | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 268 | | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 4,019 | | | | | | 22,712 | | |
Total other income (expense) | | | | | 268 | | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 4,019 | | | | | | (163,974 ) | | |
Net loss | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | | | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | | | | $ | (2,763,566 ) | | |
Net loss per unit share attributable to common members—basic and diluted
|
| | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | |
Weighted-average (WA) common units outstanding used to compute net loss per unit attributable to common members—basic and diluted
|
| | | | 233,732,667 | | | | | | 252,523,542 | | | | | | 247,266,395 | | | | | | 257,604,208 | | |
Pro Forma Adjustments: (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma adjustment for interest on convertible notes
(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 186,686 | | |
Pro forma net loss (3) | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | | | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | | | | $ | (2,576,880 ) | | |
WA common shares outstanding pro forma
(unaudited): |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
WA common shares after the LLC Conversion
(4)
|
| | | | 5,843,317 | | | | | | 6,313,089 | | | | | | 6,181,660 | | | | | | 6,440,105 | | |
WA common shares attributed to conversion of convertible notes
(5)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma WA common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted
(2)(5)
|
| | | | 5,843,317 | | | | | | 6,313,089 | | | | | | 6,181,660 | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted
|
| | | $ | (0.39 ) | | | | | $ | (0.52 ) | | | | | $ | (0.25 ) | | | | | $ | | | |
|
| | |
As of
December 31, |
| |
As of
June 30, 2017 |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Actual
|
| |
Actual
|
| |
Actual
|
| |
Pro Forma
(1)
|
| | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(unaudited)
|
| | |||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | $ | 5,067,240 | | | | | $ | 5,856,348 | | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | ||
Total assets | | | | | 5,300,025 | | | | | | 6,056,977 | | | | | | 11,686,950 | | | | | | 11,686,950 | | | | ||
Total current liabilities | | | | | 283,604 | | | | | | 445,359 | | | | | | 776,954 | | | | | | 776,954 | | | | | |
Convertible notes | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6,575,413 | | | | | | — | | | | ||
Total stockholders’ equity | | | | | 5,016,421 | | | | | | 5,611,618 | | | | | | 4,334,583 | | | | | | 10,909,996 | | | |
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Increase
(Decrease) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
$
|
| |
%
|
| ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development
|
| | | $ | 2,011,719 | | | | | $ | 3,064,762 | | | | | $ | 1,053,043 | | | | | | 52 % | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 250,091 | | | | | | 263,664 | | | | | | 13,573 | | | | | | 5 % | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 2,261,810 | | | | | | 3,328,426 | | | | | | 1,066,616 | | | | | | 47 % | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (2,261,810 ) | | | | | | (3,328,426 ) | | | | | | (1,066,616 ) | | | | | | 47 % | | |
Interest income | | | | | 268 | | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 17,750 | | | | | | 6623 % | | |
Net loss | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | | | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (1,048,866 ) | | | | | | 46 % | | |
|
| | |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| |
Increase
(Decrease) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| |
$
|
| |
%
|
| ||||||||||||
| | |
(unaudited)
|
| | | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development
|
| | | $ | 1,412,056 | | | | | $ | 2,212,629 | | | | | $ | 800,573 | | | | | | 57 % | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 131,417 | | | | | | 386,963 | | | | | | 255,546 | | | | | | 194 % | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 1,543,473 | | | | | | 2,599,592 | | | | | | 1,056,119 | | | | | | 68 % | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (1,543,473 ) | | | | | | (2,599,592 ) | | | | | | (1,056,119 ) | | | | | | 68 % | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (186,686 ) | | | | | | (186,686 ) | | | | | | n/a | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 4,019 | | | | | | 22,712 | | | | | | 18,693 | | | | | | 465 % | | |
Total other income (expense) | | | | | 4,019 | | | | | | (163,974 ) | | | | | | (167,993 ) | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | | | | $ | (2,763,566 ) | | | | | $ | (1,224,112 ) | | | | | | 80 % | | |
|
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(unaudited)
|
| |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities
|
| | | $ | (1,978,780 ) | | | | | $ | (2,888,288 ) | | | | | $ | (1,402,893 ) | | | | | $ | (2,209,733 ) | | |
Investing activities
|
| | | | (78,982 ) | | | | | | (40,903 ) | | | | | | (29,863 ) | | | | | | (165,851 ) | | |
Financing activities
|
| | | | 4,802,394 | | | | | | 3,718,299 | | | | | | 3,718,300 | | | | | | 7,427,304 | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | | $ | 2,744,632 | | | | | $ | 789,108 | | | | | $ | 2,285,544 | | | | | $ | 5,051,720 | | |
|
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| ||||||||||||
Expected term (in years) | | | | | 6.25 – 10.00 | | | | | | 6.25 – 10.00 | | | | | | 6.25 – 10.00 | | | | | | 6.25 – 10.00 | | |
Volatility rate | | | | | 72 % | | | | | | 75 % | | | | | | 72 % | | | | | | 75 % | | |
Risk-free interest rate | | | | | 1.98 % | | | | | | 2.00 % | | | | | | 2.00 % | | | | | | 2.00 % | | |
Expected dividend yield | | | | | 0 % | | | | | | 0 % | | | | | | 0 % | | | | | | 0 % | | |
| | |
Years Ended
December 31, |
| |
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2015
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| ||||||||||||
Research and development | | | | $ | 56,507 | | | | | $ | 187,307 | | | | | $ | 36,301 | | | | | $ | 294,189 | | |
General and administrative | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 128,627 | | |
Total | | | | $ | 56,507 | | | | | $ | 187,307 | | | | | $ | 36,301 | | | | | $ | 422,816 | | |
|
Period of Issuance
|
| |
Number of Units
Underlying Unit Options Granted |
| |
Exercise Price
Per Unit |
| |
Fair Value Per
Unit on Grant Date |
| |||||||||
Quarter 1, 2015 | | | | | 1,500,000 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | |
Quarter 2, 2015 | | | | | 181,000 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | |
Quarter 3, 2015 | | | | | 180,000 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | |
Quarter 4, 2015 | | | | | 210,000 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | |
Quarter 4, 2015 | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Quarter 2, 2016 | | | | | 6,790,000 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Quarter 3, 2016 | | | | | 242,500 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Quarter 4, 2016 | | | | | 570,000 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Quarter 1, 2017 | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Quarter 2, 2017 | | | | | 5,776,000 | | | | | $ | 0.21 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
| | Number of Potential CDx Programs | | |
50
|
| |
| | Number of Clinical Trial Tests per CDx Program | | |
3,000
|
| |
| | Price per test | | |
$4,000
|
| |
| | Total Potential Clinical Trial Revenues (A) | | |
$600,000,000
|
| |
| | Milestone Payments per program | | |
$20,000,000
|
| |
| | Total Potential Milestone Payments (B) | | |
$1,000,000,000
|
| |
| | Total Potential Revenue—All Programs (A+B) | | |
$1,600,000,000
|
| |
| | Average CDx Program Revenue | | |
$32,000,000
|
| |
| |
Disease Type
|
| |
Test-Eligible
Patients |
| |
Annual Revenue
|
| | ||||||
| |
Breast (HER2-)
|
| | | | 278,230 | | | | | $ | 1,112,918,400 | | | |
| |
NSCLC
|
| | | | 263,612 | | | | | $ | 1,054,446,000 | | | |
| |
Ovarian
|
| | | | 29,051 | | | | | $ | 116,204,800 | | | |
| |
Colon
|
| | | | 146,000 | | | | | $ | 580,983,800 | | | |
| |
Bladder
|
| | | | 68,072 | | | | | $ | 272,247,800 | | | |
| |
Kidney
|
| | | | 57,084 | | | | | $ | 225,280,800 | | | |
| |
Leukemia
|
| | | | 40,294 | | | | | $ | 161,175,200 | | | |
| | | | | | | 880,814 | | | | | $ | 3,523,256,800 | | | |
| |
Targeted Therapy
|
| |
Type of
Cancer |
| |
Biomarker
|
| |
Objective
Response Rate (1) |
| | |||
| |
Herceptin
®
(04/17)
|
| |
Breast
|
| |
HER2
|
| | |
|
16
%
|
| | |
| |
Perjeta
®
(03/16)
|
| |
Breast
|
| |
HER2
|
| | |
|
11
%
|
| | |
| |
Gilotrif
®
(07/13)
|
| |
Lung
|
| |
EGFR mutations
|
| | |
|
31
%
|
| | |
| |
Votrient
®
(05/17)
|
| |
Kidney
|
| |
None
|
| | |
|
27
%
|
| | |
| |
Erbitux
®
(10/16)
|
| |
Colon
|
| |
EGFR/K-Ras WT
|
| | |
|
18
%
|
| | |
| |
Parameter
|
| |
Clinical Test
Requirements |
| |
Prior State-of-Art
|
| |
Celcuity
|
| |
Celcuity’s
Advancement |
| |
| |
Sample
Composition |
| |
Cell population
tested must reflect starting tumor composition |
| |
Multi-passage
culture process requires use of irradiated non-tumor cells |
| |
Only patient tumor
cells are used to derive the sample |
| |
Cells tested mirror
heterogeneity of patient tumor tissue |
| |
| |
Culturing
Period |
| |
<21 Days
|
| |
2−6 months
(1)
|
| |
<14 days
|
| |
Results available in
clinically relevant window |
| |
| |
Yield
|
| |
>90%
|
| |
<50%
(1)
|
| |
95%
|
| |
Reliability exceeds
clinical test requirements |
| |
| |
Pathway
|
| | |
Cancer Site
|
| |
| |
HER2
|
| | |
Current R&D
Breast Lung Bladder Kidney Ovarian Future R&D Colorectal Bone Marrow Head and Neck Esophageal Gastric |
| |
| |
Pathway 1
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 2
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 3
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 4
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 5
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 6
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 7
|
| | ||||
| |
Pathway 8
|
| |
| | | | |
Diagnosis
|
| |
CELx HER2 Test
|
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | |
Primary
|
| |
Recurrent
|
| |
Target Population
|
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
BC Type
|
| |
%
|
| |
#
|
| |
%
|
| |
#
|
| |
%
|
| |
#
|
| | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
HER2-, ER+
|
| | | | 67 % | | | | | | 165,312 | | | | | | 67 % | | | | | | 100,800 | | | | | | 80 % | | | | | | 212,890 | | | |
| |
HER2-, ER-
|
| | | | 17 % | | | | | | 40,590 | | | | | | 17 % | | | | | | 24,750 | | | | | | 100 % | | | | | | 65,340 | | | |
| | | | | | | 84 % | | | | | | 205,902 | | | | | | 84 % | | | | | | 125,550 | | | | | | 84 % | | | | | | 278,230 | | | |
|
The CELx HSF Test incorporates the following steps:
1.
Measures signaling driven by HER2 hetero-dimerization of HER1 and HER3:
a.
Activates PI3K & MAPK with HER3 ligand (NRG1) and HER1 ligand (EGF); and
b.
Confirms signaling is HER2-driven using HER2 dimer blocker;
2.
Quantifies amount of HER2 signaling anti-HER2 drugs inhibit; and
3.
Reports HER2 signaling as either Normal or Abnormal in 14 days.
|
| |
|
|
| | | | |
Cell Line
|
| | |||
| |
Parameter
|
| |
HCC1954
|
| |
BT483
|
| |
| |
HER2 Receptor Expression (IHC)
|
| |
HER2+
(3+) |
| |
HER2-
(0) |
| |
| |
HER2 Signaling Status (CELx)
|
| |
Normal
|
| |
Abnormal
|
| |
| |
Lapatinib Inhibition (Xenograft)
|
| |
13%
(p = 0.34) |
| |
49%
(p = 0.01) |
| |
| |
HER2 mAb
|
| |
HER2+
Cell Lines |
| |
HER2-(HER2
S
+)
Primaries |
| |
| |
Pertuzumab
|
| |
62%
|
| |
73%
|
| |
| |
Trastuzumab
|
| |
19%
|
| |
44%
|
| |
| |
T + P
|
| |
87%
|
| |
81%
|
| |
| |
HER2 Drugs
|
| |
Mechanism of Action
|
| |
Cell Lines
(HER2+) |
| |
Primaries
(HER2-/ HER2 S +) |
| |
| |
Pertuzumab
|
| | HER2 dimerization inhibitor | | |
46%
|
| |
78%
|
| |
| |
Lapatinib
|
| | Reversible Dual RTKi | | |
15%
|
| |
69%
|
| |
| |
Afatinib
|
| |
Irreversible Covalent Dual RTKi
|
| |
47%
|
| |
93%
|
| |
| |
Neratinib
|
| |
Irreversible Covalent Dual RTKi
|
| |
95%
|
| |
100%
|
| |
| |
Performance Characteristics
|
| |
Results
|
| |
| | Analytical Precision (Qualitative) | | | | | |
| | Analytical Sensitivity (95% CI) | | |
95.8%–100% (88/88)
|
| |
| | Analytical Specificity (95% CI) | | |
95.8%–100% (88/88)
|
| |
| | Detection Limits | | | | | |
| | Limit of Blank | | |
0.0020 cell attachment units
|
| |
| | Limit of Detection | | |
0.0099 cell attachment units
|
| |
| | Cut-Off Characterization | | |
250 signaling units
|
| |
| | Carry Over | | |
0%
|
| |
| |
Objective
|
| | | To evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant HER2 drug treatment in early stage HER2-/HER2 S + breast cancer patients | | |
| | Sites/Sponsor | | | |
Multi-center in collaboration with NSABP and Genentech
|
| |
| | Subjects | | | |
55 HER2- early stage breast cancer (26 ER+/29ER-)
|
| |
| | End Point | | | |
Pathological complete response (ypT0/Tis ypN0)
|
| |
| |
Investigational
(Single) Arm |
| | |
N=55 (HER2
S
+)
AC-T + Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab |
| |
| | | | | |
Type of Cell Sample Used:
|
| | ||||
| | | | | |
Dead tumor cells
(fixed, lysed) |
| | |
Live tumor cells
|
| |
| |
Type of Analysis Performed
|
| | |
Single point-in-time mutation(s)
status or protein amount, or activation status |
| | |
Quantify signaling pathway
activity over 24-hour period |
| |
| |
Relationship to disease driver
|
| | |
Correlative
|
| | |
Direct Cause
|
| |
| |
Disease driver evaluated
|
| | |
No. Only a single or small set of
components of the cell are evaluated |
| | |
Yes. The activity of the entire
signaling pathway is assessed |
| |
| |
Drug function evaluated
|
| | |
No. Cannot assess drug function
with dead cells |
| | |
Yes. Drug’s effect on signaling
pathway activity in patient’s cells quantified |
| |
| |
Companies
|
| | |
Foundation Medicine, Caris Life
Sciences, NeoGenomics, LabCorp, Quest, Nanostring, Paradigm, Biocept, Exosome Diagnostics, Guardant Health, Roche Diagnostics, Qiagen, Myriad, Genomic Health |
| | |
Celcuity
|
| |
| |
Company
|
| |
Product
|
| |
List Price
|
| |
| |
Genomic Health
|
| |
Oncotype breast cancer recurrence test
|
| |
$4,620
(1)
|
| |
| |
Foundation Medicine
|
| |
FoundationOne solid tumor genetic profile test
|
| |
$5,800
(2)
|
| |
| |
Veracyte
|
| |
Afirma thyroid cancer diagnostic test
|
| |
$3,200
(3)
|
| |
| |
Subject Matter
|
| |
Patent/Application #
|
| |
Status
|
| |
Priority
Date |
| |
Expiration
|
| |
| |
Methods of treating a cancer patient using cell signaling analysis
|
| |
US 9,404,915
|
| |
U.S. granted; Europe and Japan pending
|
| |
6/12/2012
|
| |
2033
|
| |
| |
Methods of treating a cancer patient using cell signaling analysis
|
| |
US 15/192,280
|
| |
U.S. pending
|
| |
6/12/2012
|
| |
2033
|
| |
| |
Methods of determining the functional status of a cellular pathway
|
| |
US 15/179,119
|
| |
U.S. pending
|
| |
12/12/2013
|
| |
2034
|
| |
| |
Methods of diagnosing a cancer patient using cell signaling analysis
|
| |
US 15/533,897
|
| |
U.S., Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand pending
|
| |
12/12/2014
|
| |
2035
|
| |
| |
Methods of creating a patient cell microenvironment
|
| |
PCT/US2016/057923
|
| |
PCT pending
|
| |
10/20/2015
|
| |
2036
|
| |
| |
Methods of treating a cancer patient using cell signaling analysis
|
| |
US 62/473,936
|
| |
U.S. pending
|
| |
3/20/2017
|
| |
2038
|
| |
Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Title
|
|
Brian F. Sullivan | | |
55
|
| | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | |
Vicky Hahne | | |
51
|
| | Chief Financial Officer | |
Lance G. Laing | | |
55
|
| | Chief Science Officer, Vice President, Secretary and Director | |
Maureen Cronin | | |
64
|
| | Director (1) | |
David F. Dalvey | | |
58
|
| | Director (1) | |
Richard J. Nigon | | |
69
|
| | Director (1) | |
Name and Position
|
| |
Year
|
| |
Salary
($) |
| |
Total
($) |
| |||||||||
Brian F. Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | 2016 | | | | | $ | 214,077 (1) | | | | | $ | 214,077 | | |
| | | 2015 | | | | | $ | 205,077 (1) | | | | | $ | 205,077 | | | ||
Lance G. Laing
Chief Science Officer |
| | | | 2016 | | | | | | 214,077 | | | | | $ | 214,077 | | |
| | | 2015 | | | | | | 205,077 | | | | | $ | 205,077 | | | ||
Vicky Hahne
Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | 2016 | | | | | | — (2) | | | | | | — (2) | | |
| | | 2015 | | | | | | — (2) | | | | | | — (2) | | |
| | |
Shares
Beneficially Owned |
| |
Percentage of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned |
| ||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Prior to Offering
(1)
|
| |
After Offering
(2)
|
| ||||||
5% Stockholders
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
The Globe Resources Group, LLC (3) | | | | | 680,566 | | | | | | | | |
Directors and Named Executive Officers | | | | | | | | |
|
| |
|
|
Brian F. Sullivan (4) | | | | | 2,777,274 | | | | | | | | |
Vicky Hahne | | | | | — | | | |
|
| |
|
|
Lance G. Laing (4) | | | | | 1,266,125 | | | | | | | | |
Maureen Cronin | | | | | — | | | |
|
| |
|
|
David F. Dalvey (5) | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | | | | |
Richard J. Nigon (4) | | | | | | | | |
|
| |
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons)
(4)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underwriter
|
| |
Number of Shares
|
|
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC | | |
|
|
Total | | | | |
| | |
Per Share
|
| |
Total with No
Over- Allotment |
| |
Total with
Over- Allotment |
| |||||||||
Underwriting discount to be paid by us | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | |
Item
|
| |
Page
|
| |||
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | | | F-2 | | |
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 | | | | | F-3 | | |
| | | | F-4 | | | |
| | | | F-5 | | | |
| | | | F-6 | | | |
Notes to the Financial Statements | | | | ||||
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016:
|
| ||||||
Item | | |
Page
|
| |||
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016 | | | | | F-14 | | |
| | | | F-15 | | | |
| | | | F-16 | | | |
Notes to the Financial Statements | | | |
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
| ||||||
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | $ | 5,856,348 | | | | | $ | 5,067,240 | | |
Restricted cash | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | 50,000 | | |
Deposits | | | | | 5,717 | | | | | | 5,717 | | |
Total current assets
|
| | | | 5,912,065 | | | | | | 5,122,957 | | |
Property and equipment, net | | | | | 144,912 | | | | | | 177,068 | | |
Total Assets
|
| | | $ | 6,056,977 | | | | | $ | 5,300,025 | | |
Liabilities and Members’ Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | | | | $ | 331,534 | | | | | $ | 261,755 | | |
Accrued expenses | | | | | 113,825 | | | | | | 21,849 | | |
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | 445,359 | | | | | | 283,604 | | |
Total Liabilities
|
| | | | 445,359 | | | | | | 283,604 | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Members’ Equity: | | | | ||||||||||
Members’ equity contributions - 257,604,208 and 235,645,866 units issued and outstanding, respectively
|
| | | | 13,349,654 | | | | | | 9,961,962 | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | | | 593,365 | | | | | | 75,452 | | |
Accumulated deficit | | | | | (8,331,401 ) | | | | | | (5,020,993 ) | | |
Total Members’ Equity
|
| | | | 5,611,618 | | | | | | 5,016,421 | | |
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
|
| | | $ | 6,056,977 | | | | | $ | 5,300,025 | | |
| | | |
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
| ||||||
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development | | | | $ | 3,064,762 | | | | | $ | 2,011,719 | | |
General and administrative | | | | | 263,664 | | | | | | 250,091 | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 3,328,426 | | | | | | 2,261,810 | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (3,328,426 ) | | | | | | (2,261,810 ) | | |
Interest income | | | | | 18,018 | | | | | | 268 | | |
Net Loss | | | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | |
Net loss per unit, basic and diluted | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | |
Weighted average member units outstanding, basic and diluted | | | | | 252,523,542 | | | | | | 233,732,667 | | |
| | |
Member Contributions
|
| |
Additional
Paid-In Capital |
| |
Member
Note Receivable |
| |
Accumulated
Deficit |
| |
Total
Members’ Equity |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Units
|
| |
Amount
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014
|
| | | | 213,008,732 | | | | | $ | 6,159,568 | | | | | $ | 18,945 | | | | | $ | (1,000,000 ) | | | | | $ | (2,759,451 ) | | | | | $ | 2,419,062 | | |
Member units issued,
net |
| | | | 22,637,134 | | | | | | 3,802,394 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,802,394 | | |
Stock-based
compensation |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 56,507 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 56,507 | | |
Proceeds from payment of Member note for units purchased
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | |
Net loss | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (2,261,542 ) | | | | | | (2,261,542 ) | | |
Balance at December 31, 2015
|
| | | | 235,645,866 | | | | | | 9,961,962 | | | | | | 75,452 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (5,020,993 ) | | | | | | 5,016,421 | | |
Member units issued,
net |
| | | | 21,958,342 | | | | | | 3,387,692 | | | | | | 330,607 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,718,299 | | |
Stock-based
compensation |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 187,306 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 187,306 | | |
Net loss | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | | (3,310,408 ) | | |
Balance at December 31, 2016
|
| | | | 257,604,208 | | | | | $ | 13,349,654 | | | | | $ | 593,365 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | (8,331,401 ) | | | | | $ | 5,611,618 | | |
|
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
| ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (3,310,408 ) | | | | | $ | (2,261,542 ) | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operations:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation
|
| | | | 73,059 | | | | | | 58,376 | | |
Stock-based compensation
|
| | | | 187,306 | | | | | | 56,507 | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
| | | ||||||||||
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 69,779 | | | | | | 157,469 | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | | 91,976 | | | | | | 10,410 | | |
Net cash used by operating activities | | | | | (2,888,288 ) | | | | | | (1,978,780 ) | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | ||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | | | | | (40,903 ) | | | | | | (78,982 ) | | |
Net cash used by investing activities: | | | | | (40,903 ) | | | | | | (78,982 ) | | |
Proceeds from sale of member units, net of issuance costs | | | | | 3,718,299 | | | | | | 3,802,394 | | |
Proceeds from member note receivable for member units sold in 2014 | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | | | 3,718,299 | | | | | | 4,802,394 | | |
Net increase in cash | | | | | 789,108 | | | | | | 2,744,632 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | | | | | 5,067,240 | | | | | | 2,322,608 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | | | | $ | 5,856,348 | | | | | $ | 5,067,240 | | |
|
Asset Description
|
| |
Estimated Lives
|
| |||
Furniture and Equipment | | | | | 4 | | |
Leasehold Improvements | | | | | 2-3 | | |
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
| ||||||
Leasehold improvements | | | | $ | 22,307 | | | | | $ | 22,307 | | |
Furniture and equipment | | | | | 278,020 | | | | | | 237,117 | | |
| | | | | 300,327 | | | | | | 259,424 | | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | | | | (155,415 ) | | | | | | (82,356 ) | | |
Totals
|
| | | $ | 144,912 | | | | | $ | 177,068 | | |
|
| | |
Operating Lease
|
| |||
2017 | | | | $ | 51,445 | | |
2018 | | | | $ | 21,982 | | |
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
|
Risk-free interest rate | | |
2.00%
|
| |
1.98%
|
|
Expected volatility | | |
75.0%
|
| |
72.0%
|
|
Expected life (years) | | |
6.25 to 10.00
|
| |
6.25 to 10.00
|
|
Expected dividend yield | | |
0%
|
| |
0%
|
|
| | |
2016
|
| |
2015
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Shares
|
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Shares
|
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| ||||||||||||
Options outstanding at beginning of year | | | | | 4,581,000 | | | | | $ | 0.08 | | | | | | 2,500,000 | | | | | $ | 0.06 | | |
Granted
|
| | | | 7,602,500 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | | 2,081,000 | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | |
Exercised
|
| | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Expired
|
| | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Forfeited
|
| | | | (100,000 ) | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Balance at end of year
|
| | | | 12,083,500 | | | | | $ | 0.15 | | | | | | 4,581,000 | | | | | $ | 0.08 | | |
Options exercisable at December 31: | | | | | 2,858,500 | | | | | $ | 0.07 | | | | | | 1,252,667 | | | | | $ | 0.06 | | |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value for Options Granted During:
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | 0.13 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 0.06 | | |
|
Options Outstanding
|
| |
Options Exercisable
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Options
Outstanding |
| |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Life |
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
| |
Options
Exercisable |
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| 12,083,500 | | | | | 8.80 | | | | | $ | 0.15 | | | | | $ | 497,862 | | | | | | 2,858,500 | | | | | $ | 0.07 | | | | | $ | 332,692 | | |
| 2017 | | | | $ | 364,753 | | |
| 2018 | | | | | 253,316 | | |
| 2019 | | | | | 225,875 | | |
| 2020 | | | | | 110,833 | | |
|
Total estimated compensation cost to be recognized
|
| | | $ | 954,777 | | |
|
| | |
June 30,
2017 |
| |
December 31,
2016 |
| ||||||
| | |
(unaudited)
|
| | ||||||||
Assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | | $ | 5,856,348 | | |
Restricted cash | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | 50,000 | | |
Deposits | | | | | 5,717 | | | | | | 5,717 | | |
Deferred transaction costs | | | | | 301,730 | | | | | | — | | |
Prepaid assets | | | | | 156,120 | | | | | | — | | |
Total current assets
|
| | | | 11,421,635 | | | | | | 5,912,065 | | |
Property and equipment, net | | | | | 265,315 | | | | | | 144,912 | | |
Total Assets
|
| | | $ | 11,686,950 | | | | | $ | 6,056,977 | | |
Liabilities and Members’ Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | | | | $ | 519,867 | | | | | $ | 331,534 | | |
Accrued expenses | | | | | 257,087 | | | | | | 113,825 | | |
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | 776,954 | | | | | | 445,359 | | |
Long term liabilities | | | | | 6,575,413 | | | | | | — | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Members’ Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Members’ equity contributions - 257,604,208 units issued and outstanding
|
| | | | 13,349,654 | | | | | | 13,349,654 | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | | | 2,079,896 | | | | | | 593,365 | | |
Accumulated deficit | | | | | (11,094,967 ) | | | | | | (8,331,401 ) | | |
Total Members’ Equity
|
| | | | 4,334,583 | | | | | | 5,611,618 | | |
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
|
| | | $ | 11,686,950 | | | | | $ | 6,056,977 | | |
|
| | |
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
| |
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2017
|
| |
2016
|
| |
2017
|
| |
2016
|
| ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development | | | | $ | 1,303,886 | | | | | $ | 751,505 | | | | | $ | 2,212,629 | | | | | $ | 1,412,056 | | |
General and administrative | | | | | 301,820 | | | | | | 72,339 | | | | | | 386,963 | | | | | | 131,417 | | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 1,605,706 | | | | | | 823,844 | | | | | | 2,599,592 | | | | | | 1,543,473 | | |
Loss from operations | | | | | (1,605,706 ) | | | | | | (823,844 ) | | | | | | (2,599,592 ) | | | | | | (1,543,473 ) | | |
Other income (expense) | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | | | | | (186,659 ) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (186,686 ) | | | | | | — | | |
Interest income | | | | | 16,150 | | | | | | 3,859 | | | | | | 22,712 | | | | | | 4,019 | | |
Other income (expense), net | | | | | (170,509 ) | | | | | | 3,859 | | | | | | (163,974 ) | | | | | | 4,019 | | |
Net Loss | | | | $ | (1,776,215 ) | | | | | $ | (819,985 ) | | | | | $ | (2,763,566 ) | | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | |
Net loss per unit, basic and diluted | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.00 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | | | | $ | (0.01 ) | | |
Weighted average member units outstanding, basic and diluted
|
| | | | 257,604,208 | | | | | | 253,770,053 | | | | | | 257,604,208 | | | | | | 247,266,395 | | |
| | |
2017
|
| |
2016
|
| ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (2,763,566 ) | | | | | $ | (1,539,454 ) | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operations:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation
|
| | | | 45,449 | | | | | | 35,484 | | |
Stock-based compensation
|
| | | | 422,816 | | | | | | 36,301 | | |
Non-cash interest expense
|
| | | | 186,759 | | | | | | — | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prepaid assets
|
| | | | (156,120 ) | | | | | | — | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | (34,771 ) | | | | | | 46,038 | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | | 89,700 | | | | | | 18,738 | | |
Net cash used by operating activities | | | | | (2,209,733 ) | | | | | | (1,402,893 ) | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | ||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | | | | | (165,851 ) | | | | | | (29,863 ) | | |
Net cash used by investing activities: | | | | | (165,851 ) | | | | | | (29,863 ) | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of member units, net of issuance costs | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,718,300 | | |
Proceeds from sale of convertible promissory notes | | | | | 7,493,330 | | | | | | — | | |
Payments for debt issuance costs | | | | | (40,961 ) | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred transaction costs | | | | | (25,065 ) | | | | | | — | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | | | 7,427,304 | | | | | | 3,718,300 | | |
Net increase in cash | | | | | 5,051,720 | | | | | | 2,285,544 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | | | 5,856,348 | | | | | | 5,067,240 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | | | $ | 10,908,068 | | | | | $ | 7,352,783 | | |
Non-cash financing activities: | | | | ||||||||||
Debt issuance costs related to sale of convertible promissory notes | | | | $ | 844,170 | | | | | $ | — | | |
Debt discount related to investor and agent warrants (Note 7) | | | | | 1,063,715 | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred transaction costs included in accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
| | | | 276,666 | | | | | | — | | |
Asset Description
|
| |
Estimated
Lives |
| |||
Furniture and Equipment | | | | | 4 | | |
Leasehold Improvements | | | | | 2-3 | | |
| | |
June 30,
2017 |
| |
December 31,
2016 |
| ||||||
| | |
(unaudited)
|
| | ||||||||
Leasehold improvements | | | | $ | 22,307 | | | | | $ | 22,307 | | |
Furniture and equipment | | | | | 443,871 | | | | | | 278,020 | | |
| | | | | 466,178 | | | | | | 300,327 | | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | | | | (200,863 ) | | | | | | (155,415 ) | | |
Totals | | | | $ | 265,315 | | | | | $ | 144,912 | | |
|
| | |
Operating Lease
|
| |||
Remainder of 2017 | | | | $ | 26,379 | | |
2018 | | | | $ | 21,982 | | |
| | |
2017
|
| |
2016
|
|
Risk-free interest rate | | |
2.00%
|
| |
2.00%
|
|
Expected volatility | | |
75.0%
|
| |
72.0%
|
|
Expected life (years) | | |
6.25 to 10.00
|
| |
6.25 to 10.00
|
|
Expected dividend yield | | |
0%
|
| |
0%
|
|
| | |
2017
|
| |
2016
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Shares
|
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Shares
|
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| ||||||||||||
Options outstanding at beginning of year | | | | | 12,083,500 | | | | | $ | 0.15 | | | | | | 4,581,000 | | | | | $ | 0.08 | | |
Granted
|
| | | | 5,926,000 | | | | | $ | 0.21 | | | | | | 6,790,000 | | | | | $ | 0.19 | | |
Forfeited
|
| | | | (302,083 ) | | | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Balance at June 30
|
| | | | 17,707,417 | | | | | $ | 0.17 | | | | | | 11,371,000 | | | | | $ | 0.14 | | |
Options exercisable at June 30: | | | | | 6,644,750 | | | | | $ | 0.14 | | | | | | 2,087,667 | | | | | $ | 0.07 | | |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value for Options Granted During the period:
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | 0.13 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 0.13 | | |
|
Options Outstanding
|
| |
Options Exercisable
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Options
Outstanding |
| |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Life |
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
| |
Options
Exercisable |
| |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
| |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| 17,707,417 | | | | | 8.86 | | | | | $ | 0.17 | | | | | $ | 475,005 | | | | | | 6,644,750 | | | | | $ | 0.14 | | | | | $ | 382,906 | | |
| Remainder of 2017 | | | | $ | 259,655 | | |
| 2018 | | | | | 395,865 | | |
| 2019 | | | | | 354,499 | | |
| 2020 | | | | | 239,456 | | |
| 2021 | | | | | 61,081 | | |
|
Total estimated compensation cost to be recognized
|
| | |
$
|
1,309,556
|
| |
|
Expense
|
| |
Amount to be Paid
|
| |||
SEC registration fee | | | | $ | 1,739 | | |
FINRA filing fee | | | | | 2,750 | | |
Nasdaq listing fee | | | | | * | | |
Accountants’ fees and expenses | | | | | * | | |
Legal fees and expenses | | | | | * | | |
Blue Sky fees and expenses | | | | | * | | |
Transfer Agent fees and expenses | | | | | * | | |
Printing expenses | | | | | * | | |
Miscellaneous | | | | | * | | |
TOTAL
|
| | | $ | * | | |
|
| CELCUITY LLC | | |||
| By: | | |
/s/ Brian F. Sullivan
Brian F. Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Signature
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
|
/s/ Brian F. Sullivan
Brian F. Sullivan
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer),
Director (Governor) and Chairman |
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
/s/ Vicky Hahne
Vicky Hahne
|
| |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) |
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
/s/ Lance G. Laing
Lance G. Laing
|
| |
Chief Science Officer, Vice President and Secretary,
and Director (Governor) |
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
/s/ Maureen Cronin
Maureen Cronin
|
| |
Director (Governor)
|
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
/s/ David F. Dalvey
David F. Dalvey
|
| |
Director (Governor)
|
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
/s/ Richard J. Nigon
Richard J. Nigon
|
| |
Director (Governor)
|
| |
August 23, 2017
|
|
|
Exhibit
Number |
| |
Description
|
|
| 1.1 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement* | |
| 2.1 | | | Form of Plan of Conversion* | |
| 3.1 | | | Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering* | |
| 3.2 | | | Bylaws, to be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering* | |
| 4.1 | | | Specimen Certificate representing shares of common stock of Celcuity Inc.* | |
| 4.2 | | | Form of Underwriter’s Warrant* | |
| 5.1 | | | Opinion of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.* | |
| 10.1 | | | Celcuity Inc. 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan*+ | |
| 10.2 | | | Celcuity Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan*+ | |
| 10.3 | | | Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Celcuity Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan*+ | |
| 10.4 | | | Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to Celcuity Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan*+ | |
| 10.5 | | | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement pursuant to Celcuity Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan*+ | |
| 10.6 | | | Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement pursuant to Celcuity Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan*+ | |
| 10.7 | | | Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, adopted August 10, 2012, as amended by First Amendment to the Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, adopted November 12, 2015+ | |
| 10.8 | | | Form of Incentive Plan Unit Option Agreement pursuant to the Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan+ | |
| 10.9 | | | Form of Warrant to Purchase Units of Membership Interest issued by Celcuity LLC to Cedar Point Capital, LLC, as placement agent of membership units and unsecured convertible promissory notes of Celcuity LLC | |
| 10.10 | | | Form of 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note issued by Celcuity LLC | |
| 10.11 | | | Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock to be issued by Celcuity Inc. in connection with the conversion of 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes | |
| 10.12 | | | Commercial Lease, dated March 11, 2014, as amended by First Amendment to Commercial Lease, dated March 20, 2014, as amended by Second Amendment to Commercial Lease, dated August 31, 2016, by and between West Glen Development, LLC and Celcuity LLC | |
| 10.13 | | |
Clinical Trial Agreement, dated May 8, 2017, between NSABP Foundation, Inc. and Celcuity LLC
|
|
| 10.14 | | | Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement, dated November 15, 2011, between Celcuity LLC and Brian F. Sullivan+ | |
| 10.15 | | | Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement, dated November 15, 2011, between Celcuity LLC and Lance G. Laing+ | |
| 10.16 | | | Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Proprietary Rights Agreement, dated May 17, 2017, between Celcuity LLC and Vicky Hahne+ | |
| 23.1 | | | Consent of Boulay PLLP | |
| 23.2 | | | Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5.1)* | |
| 24.1 | | | Power of Attorney (included on signature page) | |
Exhibit 10.7
CELCUITY LLC
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Adopted August 10, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
1. | Purpose of Plan | 1 | |
2. | Definitions | 1 | |
3. | Plan Administration | 3 | |
3.1 | The Committee | 3 | |
3.2 | Authority of the Committee | 3 | |
4. | Units Available for Issuance | 4 | |
4.1 | Maximum Number of Units Available | 4 | |
4.2 | Accounting for Incentive Awards | 4 | |
4.3 | Adjustments to Units and Incentive Awards | 4 | |
5. | Participation | 5 | |
6. | Options | 5 | |
6.1 | Grant | 5 | |
6.2 | Exercise Price | 5 | |
6.3 | Exercisability and Duration | 5 | |
6.4 | Payment of Exercise Price | 5 | |
6.5 | Manner of Exercise | 5 | |
7. | Restricted Unit Awards | 5 | |
7.1 | Grant | 5 | |
7.2 | Rights as a Member; Transferability | 6 | |
7.3 | Dividends and Distributions | 6 | |
7.4 | Enforcement of Restrictions | 6 | |
8. | Performance Unit Awards | 6 | |
9. | Unit Bonuses | 7 | |
10. | Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service | 7 | |
10.1 | Termination Due to Death, Disability or Retirement | 7 | |
10.2 | Termination for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement | 8 | |
10.3 | Modification of Rights Upon Termination | 9 | |
10.4 | Date of Termination of Employment or Other Service | 9 | |
11. | Payment of Withholding Taxes | 9 | |
11.1 | General Rules | 9 | |
11.2 | Special Rules | 9 | |
12. | Change in Control | 9 | |
12.1 | Change in Control | 9 | |
12.2 | Action upon Change in Control | 10 |
i |
Page | |||
13. | Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability | 11 | |
13.1 | Employment or Service | 11 | |
13.2 | Rights as a Member | 11 | |
13.3 | Restrictions on Transfer | 11 | |
13.4 | Breach of Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions or Non-Compete Agreements | 11 | |
13.5 | Non-Exclusivity of the Plan | 11 | |
14. | Member Control Agreement, Securities Law and Other Restrictions | 11 | |
14.1 | Member Control Agreement | 11 | |
14.2 | Securities Law and Other Restrictions | 12 | |
15. | Plan Amendment, Modification and Termination | 12 | |
16. | Effective Date and Duration of the Plan | 12 | |
17. | Miscellaneous | 12 | |
17.1 | Governing Law | 12 | |
17.2 | Successors and Assigns | 12 |
ii |
CELCUITY LLC
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
1. Purpose of Plan.
The purpose of the Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) is to advance the interests of Celcuity LLC (the “ Company ”) and its members by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain persons of skill and ability to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing an incentive to such individuals through equity participation in the Company and by rewarding such individuals who contribute to the achievement by the Company of its economic objectives.
2. Definitions.
The following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly otherwise requires:
2.1. “ Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Company.
2.2. “ Cause ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2 of the Plan.
2.3. “ Change in Control ” means an event described in Section 12.1 of the Plan.
2.4. “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.5. “ Committee ” means the group of individuals administering the Plan, as provided in Section 3 of the Plan.
2.6. “ Company ” means Celcuity LLC, a limited liability company organized under and pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 322B.
2.7. “ Disability ” means the disability of the Participant such as would entitle the Participant to receive disability income benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan of the Company or Subsidiary then covering the Participant or, if no such plan exists or is applicable to the Participant, the permanent and total disability of the Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
2.8. “ Eligible Recipient ” means any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary and any non-employee governor, consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.9. “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.10. “ Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to the Units, as of any date, such price as the Committee determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, taking into account all available information material to the value of the Units, and consistent with the definition of “fair market value” under Section 409A of the Code.
1 |
2.11. “ Incentive Award ” means an Option, Restricted Unit Award, Performance Unit Award or Unit Bonus granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to the Plan.
2.12. “ Member Control Agreement ” means the Member Control Agreement dated November 15, 2011, by and between the Company and the members of the Company, as amended from time to time.
2.13. “ Option ” means a right to purchase Units granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.
2.14. “ Participant ” means an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Incentive Awards under the Plan.
2.15. “ Performance Unit Award ” means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan to receive a payment from the Company, in the form of Units, cash or a combination of both, upon the achievement of established employment, service, performance or other goals.
2.16. “ Previously Acquired Units ” means Units that are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Incentive Award, that are to be issued upon the grant, exercise or vesting of such Incentive Award.
2.17. “ Restricted Unit Award ” means an award of Units granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that is subject to the restrictions on transferability and the risk of forfeiture imposed in accordance with the provisions of such Section 7.
2.18. “ Retirement ” means termination of employment or service pursuant to and in accordance with the regular (or, if approved by the Board for purposes of the Plan, early) retirement/pension plan or practice of the Company or Subsidiary then covering the Participant, provided that if the Participant is not covered by any such plan or practice, the Participant will be deemed to be covered by the Company’s plan or practice for purposes of this determination.
2.19. “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.20. “ Subsidiary ” means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.
2.21. “ Unit Bonus ” means an award of Units granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.
2.22. “ Units ” means the units into which a member’s ownership interest in the Company is divided, each Unit consisting of the member’s Financial Rights and Governance Rights as provided in the Member Control Agreement. “ Units ” also means the number and kind of units or other securities into which such Units may be changed in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan.
2 |
3. Plan Administration.
3.1. The Committee . The Plan will be administered by the Board or by a committee of the Board. Such a committee, if established, will act by majority approval of its members (but may also take action with the written consent of a majority of the members of such committee), and a majority of the members of such a committee will constitute a quorum. As used in the Plan, “ Committee ” will refer to the Board or to such a committee, if established. To the extent consistent with limited liability company law, the Committee may delegate to any officers of the Company the duties, power and authority of the Committee under the Plan pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee may establish; provided , however , that only the Committee may exercise such duties, power and authority with respect to Eligible Recipients who officers or governors of the Company. The Committee may exercise its duties, power and authority under the Plan in its sole and absolute discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless the Plan specifically provides otherwise. Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, including, without limitation, the Company, the members of the Company, the Participants and their respective successors-in-interest. No member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Incentive Award granted under the Plan.
3.2. Authority of the Committee .
(a) In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority to determine all provisions of Incentive Awards as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable and as consistent with the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the Eligible Recipients to be selected as Participants; (ii) the nature and extent of the Incentive Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of Units to be subject to each Incentive Award, any exercise price, the manner in which Incentive Awards will vest or become exercisable and whether Incentive Awards will be granted in tandem with other Incentive Awards) and the form of written agreement, if any, evidencing such Incentive Award; (iii) the time or times when Incentive Awards will be granted; (iv) the duration of each Incentive Award; and (v) the restrictions and other conditions to which the payment or vesting of Incentive Awards may be subject. In addition, the Committee will have the authority under the Plan in its sole discretion to pay the economic value of any Incentive Award in the form of cash, Units or any combination of both.
(b) The Committee will have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Incentive Award in any manner, including, without limitation, the authority to modify the number of Units or other terms and conditions of an Incentive Award, extend the term of an Incentive Award, accelerate the exercisability or vesting or otherwise terminate any restrictions relating to an Incentive Award, accept the surrender of any outstanding Incentive Award or, to the extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new Incentive Awards in substitution for surrendered Incentive Awards; provided , however , that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect, that such amendment or modification does not cause the Incentive Award to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, and that any Participant adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to
3 |
such amendment or modification. No amendment or modification to an Incentive Award, however, whether pursuant to this Section 3.2 or any other provisions of the Plan, will be deemed to be a re-grant of such Incentive Award for purposes of the Plan.
(c) In the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, dividend in Units, division or combination of Units, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the capital structure or Units, (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of a significant amount of assets or a significant business, (iii) any change in accounting principles or practices, or (iv) any other similar change, in each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance is relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive Award, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving entity in any such transaction, the board of governors or board of directors of the surviving entity) may, without the consent of any affected Participant, amend or modify the vesting criteria of any outstanding Incentive Award that is based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any Subsidiary or division thereof) or such other entity so as equitably to reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of governors or board of directors of the surviving entity) following such event as prior to such event; provided , however , that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect.
4. Units Available for Issuance.
4.1. Maximum Number of Units Available . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 of the Plan or by amendment, the maximum number of Units that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be Five Million (5,000,000).
4.2. Accounting for Incentive Awards . Units that are issued under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentive Awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of Units remaining available for issuance under the Plan. Any Units that are subject to an Incentive Award that lapse, expire, are forfeited or for any reason are terminated unexercised or unvested and any Units that are subject to an Incentive Award that is settled or paid in cash or any form other than Units will automatically again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any Units that constitute the forfeited portion of a Restricted Unit Award, however, will not become available for re-issuance under the Plan after they have been so forfeited.
4.3. Adjustments to Units and Incentive Awards . In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, dividend in Units, division or combination of Units, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the capital structure or Units of the Company, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving entity in any such transaction, the board of governors or board of directors of the surviving entity) will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under the Plan and, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, (a) the number and kind of securities
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or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Incentive Awards, and (b) the exercise price of outstanding Incentive Awards.
5. Participation.
Participants in the Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of economic objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Eligible Recipients may be granted from time to time one or more Incentive Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Incentive Awards, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Awards will be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee, which date will be the date of any related agreement with the Participant.
6. Options.
6.1. Grant . An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under the Plan, and such Options will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6.2. Exercise Price . The per Unit price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option will be determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of the Option grant; provided , however , that such price will not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one Unit on the date of grant.
6.3. Exercisability and Duration . An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided , however , that no Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from its date of grant.
6.4. Payment of Exercise Price . The total purchase price of the Units to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be paid entirely in cash (including check, bank draft or money order); provided , however , that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by tender of Previously Acquired Units, a promissory note (on terms acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion) or a combination of such methods, or by any other form of payment the Committee may authorize.
6.5. Manner of Exercise . An Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions contained in the Plan and in the agreement evidencing such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission or through the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company (Attention: Chief Executive Officer) at its principal executive office, and by paying in full the total exercise price for the Units to be purchased in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Plan.
7. Restricted Unit Awards.
7.1. Grant . An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Restricted Unit Awards under the Plan, and such Restricted Unit Awards will be subject to such terms and
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conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, such as forfeiture or a repurchase option, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to the vesting of or the lapse of restrictions or conditions for any such Restricted Unit Awards as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period or that the Participant or the Company (or any Subsidiary or division thereof) satisfy certain performance goals or criteria.
7.2. Rights as a Member; Transferability . Except as provided in Sections 7.1, 7.3 and 13.3 of the Plan, a Participant will have all voting, distribution, liquidation and other rights with respect to Units issued to the Participant as a Restricted Unit Award under this Section 7 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of such Units as if such Participant were a holder of record of unrestricted Units.
7.3. Dividends and Distributions . Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the agreement evidencing the Restricted Unit Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Restricted Unit Award), any dividends or distributions paid with respect to Units subject to the unvested portion of a Restricted Unit Award will be subject to the same restrictions as the Units to which such dividends or distributions relate. In the event the Committee determines not to pay dividends or distributions currently, the Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. In addition, the Committee in its sole discretion may require such dividends and distributions to be reinvested (and in such case the Participant consents to such reinvestment) in Units that will be subject to the same restrictions as the Units to which such dividends or distributions relate.
7.4. Enforcement of Restrictions . To enforce the restrictions referred to in this Section 7, the Committee may place a legend on the certificates representing the Units referring to such restrictions and may require the Participant, until the restrictions have lapsed, to keep the Unit certificates, together with duly endorsed Assignments Separate from Certificate, in the custody of the Company or its transfer agent or to maintain evidence of Unit ownership, together with duly endorsed Assignments Separate from Certificate, in an uncertificated book-entry account with the Company or its transfer agent.
8. Performance Unit Awards.
An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Performance Unit Awards under the Plan, and such Performance Unit Awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to the vesting of such Performance Unit Awards as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary for a certain period or that the Participant or the Company (or any Subsidiary or division thereof) satisfy certain performance goals or criteria. The Committee will have the sole discretion to determine the form in which payment of the economic value of Performance Unit Awards will be made to a Participant (i.e., cash, Units or any combination thereof) or to consent to or disapprove the election by a Participant of the form of such payment.
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9. Unit Bonuses.
An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Unit Bonuses under the Plan, and such Unit Bonuses will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee. The Participant will have all voting, distribution, liquidation and other rights with respect to the Units issued to a Participant as a Unit Bonus under this Section 9 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of such Units; provided , however , that the Committee may impose such restrictions on the assignment or transfer of a Unit Bonus as it deems appropriate.
10. Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service.
10.1. Termination Due to Death, Disability or Retirement . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement evidencing an Incentive Award:
(a) Death or Disability . In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or Disability:
(i) all outstanding Options then held by the Participant will become immediately exercisable in full and remain exercisable for a period of six (6) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option);
(ii) all Restricted Unit Awards then held by the Participant will become fully vested; and
(iii) all Performance Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses then held by the Participant will vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and set forth in the agreement evidencing such Performance Unit Awards or Unit Bonuses.
(b) Retirement . In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Retirement:
(i) all outstanding Options then held by the Participant will remain exercisable, to the extent exercisable as of the date of such termination, for a period of six (6) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option);
(ii) all Restricted Unit Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and
(iii) all Performance Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses then held by the Participant will vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and set forth in the agreement evidencing such Performance Unit Awards or Unit Bonuses.
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10.2. Termination for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement evidencing an Incentive Award:
(a) Voluntary Termination or Termination for Cause . In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is voluntarily terminated by the Participant or is terminated by the Company or any Subsidiary for “ Cause ,” all rights of the Participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing an Incentive Award will immediately terminate without notice of any kind, and:
(i) no Options then held by the Participant will thereafter be exercisable,
(ii) all Restricted Unit Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and
(iii) all Performance Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited.
(b) Other Reasons . In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement, voluntary termination by the Participant or termination by the Company or any Subsidiary for “ Cause ,” or if a Participant is in the employ or service of a Subsidiary and the Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company (unless the Participant continues in the employ or service of the Company or another Subsidiary),
(i) all outstanding Options then held by such Participant will remain exercisable, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, for a period of ninety (90) days after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option);
(ii) all Restricted Unit Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and
(iii) all Performance Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses then held by the Participant will vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and set forth in the agreement evidencing such Performance Unit Awards or Unit Bonuses.
(c) Definition of “Cause” . For purposes of this Section 10.2, “ Cause ” (as determined by the Committee) will be as defined in any employment or other agreement or policy applicable to the Participant or, if no such agreement or policy exists, will mean (i) dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury, in each case related to the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) substantial failure on the part of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or any Subsidiary or gross negligence on the part of the Participant in the performance of such duties, (iii) any unlawful or criminal activity of a serious nature, or (iv) any material breach of any employment, service, confidentiality or non-compete agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary.
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10.3. Modification of Rights Upon Termination . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 10, upon a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the date of grant, including following such termination), (a) cause Options (or any part thereof) then held by such Participant to become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service and (b) cause Restricted Unit Awards, Performance Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses then held by such Participant to vest and/or continue to vest or become free of transfer restrictions, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided , however , that no Incentive Award may remain exercisable or continue to vest beyond its expiration date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no extension to exercise will be permitted if such extension would cause the Award to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.
10.4. Date of Termination of Employment or Other Service . Unless the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion, a Participant’s employment or other service will, for purposes of the Plan, be deemed to have terminated on the date recorded on the personnel or other records of the Company or the Subsidiary for which the Participant provides employment or other service, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion based upon such records.
11. Payment of Withholding Taxes.
11.1. General Rules . The Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all foreign, federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Incentive Award, including, without limitation, the grant, exercise or vesting of, or payment of dividends with respect to, an Incentive Award, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any Units, with respect to an Incentive Award.
11.2. Special Rules . The Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment-related tax obligation described in Section 11.1 of the Plan by electing to tender Previously Acquired Units or a promissory note (on terms acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion), or by a combination of such methods.
12. Change in Control.
12.1. Change in Control . For purposes of this Section 12, a “ Change in Control ” of the Company means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) except where such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer is to an entity controlled by the Company;
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(b) the approval by the members of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(c) any person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of governors; or
(d) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the persons who are the members of the Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation have “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule l3d-3 under the Exchange Act), immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of securities of the surviving entity representing 50% or less of the combined voting power of the surviving entity’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of governors or directors.
12.2. Action upon Change in Control . If a Change in Control of the Company occurs or is about to occur, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for one or more of the following:
(a) the partial or full acceleration of the exercisability of outstanding Incentive Awards held by some or all Participants, provided that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may condition such acceleration (or the Participant’s receipt of any securities or payments with respect to such acceleration) upon the Participant’s continued service to the Company or to the successor entity in the Change in Control; or
(b) the complete termination of the Plan and cancellation of outstanding Incentive Awards not exercised prior to a date specified by the Committee; or
(c) the continuance of the Plan with respect to outstanding Incentive Awards; or
(d) replacement or exchange of the Incentive Awards for awards of or options to purchase units, stock or similar securities of the successor entity in the Change in Control; or
(e) the substitution for outstanding Incentive Awards of units, stock or similar securities of the person acquiring control of the Company or a related corporation; or
(f) the receipt by some or all Participants holding outstanding Incentive Awards with respect to some or all of the Units subject to such Incentive Awards, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, of cash in an amount equal to the excess of the per Unit price paid in connection with the Change in Control of the Company over the exercise price (if any) per Unit of such Incentive Awards, multiplied by the number of Units subject to such Incentive Awards.
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13. Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability.
13.1. Employment or Service . Nothing in the Plan will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
13.2. Rights as a Member . As a holder of Incentive Awards (other than Restricted Unit Awards and Unit Bonuses), a Participant will have no rights as a member of the Company unless and until such Incentive Awards are exercised for, or paid in the form of, Units and the Participant becomes the holder of record of such Units. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or distributions with respect to such Incentive Awards as to which there is a record date preceding the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such Units, except as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
13.3. Restrictions on Transfer . Except pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by the Plan, unless approved by the Committee in its sole discretion, no right or interest of any Participant in an Incentive Award prior to the exercise or vesting of such Incentive Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise. A Participant will, however, be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Incentive Award upon such Participant’s death, and in the event of a Participant’s death, payment of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees.
13.4. Breach of Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions or Non-Compete Agreements . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a Participant materially breaches the terms of any confidentiality, assignment of inventions or non-compete agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary, whether such breach occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, the Committee in its sole discretion may immediately terminate all rights of the Participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing an Incentive Award then held by the Participant without notice of any kind.
13.5. Non-Exclusivity of the Plan . Nothing contained in the Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously or subsequently approved compensation plans or programs of the Company or create any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.
14. Member Control Agreement, Securities Law and Other Restrictions.
14.1. Member Control Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any Units to a Participant under an Incentive Award unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company a Consent and Assumption Agreement, in the form attached to the Member Control Agreement as Appendix A , consenting to be bound by the terms and provisions of the
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Member Control Agreement, including but not limited to the terms and provisions restricting the transfer of Units by members of the Company.
14.2. Securities Law and Other Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any Units under the Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of Units issued pursuant to Incentive Awards granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such Units a registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing Units, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.
15. Plan Amendment, Modification and Termination.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable in order that Incentive Awards under the Plan will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive Award without the consent of the affected Participant; provided , however , that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Sections 3.2, 4.3 and 12 of the Plan.
16. Effective Date and Duration of the Plan.
The Plan is effective as of August 10, 2012, the date it was adopted by the Board. The Plan will terminate at midnight on August 9, 2022 and may be terminated prior to such time by Board action. No Incentive Award may be granted under the Plan after such termination. Incentive Awards outstanding upon termination of the Plan may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, in accordance with their terms.
17. Miscellaneous.
17.1. Governing Law . The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions.
17.2. Successors and Assigns . The Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Participants.
* * *
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FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
CELCUITY LLC 2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
November 12, 2015
RECITALS:
A. The Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) was adopted by the Board of Governors and approved by the Members of Celcuity LLC (the “ Company ”) on August 10, 2012.
B. The Company desires to amend the Plan to increase the number of Units of membership interest in the Company available for issuance under the Plan.
AMENDMENT:
1. Amendment. Section 4.1 of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“4.1. Maximum Number of Units Available . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 of the Plan or by amendment, the maximum number of Units that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be Twenty-Five Million (25,000,000).”
2. Effective Date. The foregoing amendment shall be effective as of November 12, 2015, and shall be subject to approval by the Members of the Company at the next Annual or Special Meeting of Members or by written consent.
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Exhibit 10.8
CELCUITY LLC
2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
UNIT OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS UNIT OPTION AGREEMENT (“ Option Agreement ”) is entered into as of the “ Grant Date ” set forth below, by and between Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and the person named below (the “ Optionee ”). The Option granted hereby is granted under the Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Option Agreement that are defined in the Plan will have the meanings given to them in the Plan.
1. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase the number of units of Membership Interest of the Company (the “ Units ”) set forth below, at the exercise price per Unit set forth below (the “ Exercise Price ”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan will prevail.
Grant Number: | ______________ |
Optionee: | ______________________________________ |
Grant Date: | _______________, 20__ |
Vesting Commencement Date: | _______________, 20__ |
Total Number of Units Subject to the Option: | ______________ Units |
Exercise Price per Unit: | $_____ per Unit |
Total Exercise Price: | $______________ |
Term/Expiration Date: | _______________, 20__ |
Earlier Expiration: | See Section 5. |
2. Vesting Schedule . This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) Time-Based Vesting . This Option will vest and become exercisable:
[insert vesting schedule]
provided , however , that if the Optionee ceases to provide services to the Company before this Option has become exercisable with respect to all of the Units, no additional Units will vest after the termination of such services. A change in the capacity in which the Optionee renders service to the Company (for example, if the Optionee ceases to serve as an employee or governor but
continues to provide services as a consultant or independent contractor) will not be deemed to be a cessation of service, and will not disrupt the vesting or exercisability of this Option.
(b) Treatment Upon a Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Option will be subject to the following terms:
(i) This Option will become exercisable in its entirety if a Change in Control of the Company occurs on or before the date the Optionee ceases to provide services to the Company.
(ii) In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee administering the Plan may take any of the actions described in Section 12.2 of the Plan with respect to this Option.
3. Exercise of Option .
(a) Right to Exercise . This Option will be exercisable during its term in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 of this Option Agreement and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a unit. No portion of the Option which has not become vested and exercisable at the date of the Optionee’s termination of service to the Company will thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.
(b) Duration of Exercisability . The installments provided in the vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 of this Option Agreement are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 of this Option Agreement will remain vested and exercisable until this Option expires pursuant Section 5 of this Option Agreement.
(c) Method of Exercise . This Option will be exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Exercise Notice ”), stating the election to exercise the Option and the number of Units with respect to which the Option is being exercised (the “ Exercised Units ”), and containing such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice must be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Units. The Optionee will also be required to make adequate provision for all withholding taxes relating to the exercise as a condition to the exercise of the Option. This Option will be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by the aggregate Exercise Price and arrangement for the adequate provision for the withholding taxes relating to the exercise.
(d) Issuance of Units . No Units will be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with applicable laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Units will be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Units.
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(e) Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised if the issuance of Units upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such Units would constitute a violation of any applicable law.
(f) Investment Representations . Unless the Units have been registered under the Securities Act at the time this Option is exercised, the Exercise Notice delivered to the Company by the Optionee will, if required by the Company, contain the investment representations included in the form of Exercise Notice attached hereto as Exhibit A .
4. Method of Payment . The aggregate Exercise Price shall be payable in cash (including a personal check or certified or bank cashier’s check, payable to the order of the Company) or in such other manner as may be approved by the Board or Committee.
5. Expiration of Option . This Option will expire and may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:
(a) Expiration of Term of Option . The Term/Expiration Date set forth in Section 1 of this Option Agreement;
(b) [ Termination of Service without Cause . The expiration of three months from the date of the Optionee’s voluntary or involuntary termination of service to the Company, unless the Optionee’s service is terminated for Cause or such termination occurs by reasons of the Optionee’s death or Disability;]
(c) Termination of Service for Cause . Except as the Board or Committee may otherwise approve, the date of the Optionee’s termination of service if the Optionee’s service is terminated for Cause;
(d) Death or Disability . The expiration of one year from the date of the Optionee’s termination of service by reason of the Optionee’s death or Disability; or
(e) Cancellation upon Change in Control . The cancellation of this Option by action of the Committee pursuant to Section 12.2 of the Plan, in connection with a Change in Control of the Company.
6. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement will be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
7. Membership Control Agreement . The Units issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Member Control Agreement between the Company and its members. Upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee agrees to become a party to the Member Control Agreement and be bound by the terms and conditions of the Member Control Agreement. The transfer of the Units issued upon exercise of this Option
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(including transfer by gift or operation of law) is subject to certain restrictions set forth in Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement.
8. Withholding Taxes . The Optionee agrees to make appropriate arrangements with the Company (or the Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Optionee) for the satisfaction of all Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the Option exercise. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Units if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.
9. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE . THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF UNITS PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE, GOVERNOR, OR CONSULTANT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING UNITS HEREUNDER). THE OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE, GOVERNOR, OR CONSULTANT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP (A) AS AN EMPLOYEE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE; (B) AS A CONSULTANT PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE OPTIONEE’S AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR AN AFFILIATE; OR (C) AS A GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO THE BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY AND ANY APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW OF THE STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS DOMICILED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
10. Entire Agreement; Governing Law . The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties regarding the acquisition of Units in the Company and supersede in their entirety all prior oral and written undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Optionee on that subject, with the exception of any other options previously granted and delivered to the Optionee under the Plan or any similar plan maintained by the Company or its Affiliates. This Option Agreement may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Optionee. This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules of the State of Minnesota.
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Signature page to Unit Option Agreement
By the Optionee’s signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, the Optionee and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. The Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Governors (or any Committee to whom the Board has delegated administration of the Plan) upon any questions relating to the Plan and this Option Agreement.
The Optionee further agrees to notify the Company of any change in the Optionee’s residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE: | CELCUITY LLC | ||
By: | |||
(Signature) | Title: | ||
(Print Name) | (Print Name) | ||
Address: | Address: | ||
Celcuity LLC | |||
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Exhibit A
CELCUITY LLC
2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
[ To be completed and signed upon the exercise of the Option ]
Celcuity LLC
_______________________
_______________________
1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of the Exercise Date set forth below, the undersigned (the “ Purchaser ”) hereby elects to exercise the Purchaser’s Option to purchase units of Membership Interest (the “ Units ”) of Celcuity LLC (the “ Company ”) under and pursuant to the Celcuity LLC 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) and the Unit Option Agreement bearing the Grant Number and Grant Date set forth below (the “ Option Agreement ”). The Option is being exercised with respect to the number of Units stated below (the “ Exercised Units ”).
Exercise Date: | _______________, 20__ |
Purchaser: | ______________________________________ |
Grant Number: | ______________ |
Grant Date: | _______________, 20__ |
Number of Exercised Units: | ______________ Units |
Exercise Price per Unit: | $_____ per Unit |
Total Exercise Price: | $______________ |
2. Delivery of Payment . The Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the total Exercise Price for the Units, and any and all withholding taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Option, in cash (including a personal check or certified or bank cashier’s check, payable to the order of the Company).
3. Representations of Purchaser . In connection with the purchase of the Units, the Purchaser represents to the Company as follows:
(a) The Purchaser (i) acknowledges that the Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement, (ii) agrees that the Units are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement, and (iii) agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
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(b) The Purchaser agrees (i) to provide such additional documents as the Company may require pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and (ii) to provide for the payment by the Purchaser to the Company (in the manner designated by the Company) of the Company’s withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of the Option.
(c) The Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Units.
(d) The Purchaser is acquiring these Units for investment for the Purchaser’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).
(e) The Purchaser acknowledges and understands that the Units constitute “restricted securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein. The Purchaser further understands that the Units must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Purchaser further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Units.
(f) The Purchaser understands that the certificate evidencing the Units will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the Units unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.
4. Rights as Member . Until the issuance of the Units (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights as a member of the Company will exist with respect to the units of Membership Interest subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Units will be issued to the Purchaser as soon as practicable after the Option is exercised in accordance with the Option Agreement. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other distribution or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of the Units.
5. Company’s Right of First Refusal . Before any Units held by the Purchaser or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “ Holder ”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) will have a right of first refusal to purchase the Units on the terms and conditions set forth in Article 14 of the Company’s Member Control Agreement.
6. Tax Consultation . The Purchaser understands that the Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Units will have certain tax consequences, some of which may be adverse tax consequences. The Purchaser represents that the Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants the Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Units and that the Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
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7. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders .
(a) Legends . The Purchaser understands and agrees that the Company will cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Units together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE MEMBER CONTROL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE UNITS, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE UNITS.
(b) Stop-Transfer Notices . The Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) Refusal to Transfer . The Company will not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Units that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Exercise Notice or (ii) to treat as owner of such Units or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Units are transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Exercise Notice.
8 Binding Effect . Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Purchaser and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
9. Entire Agreement; Governing Law . The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Purchaser. This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Minnesota.
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Signatures to Exercise Notice
[ To be signed upon the exercise of the Option ]
Submitted by: | Accepted by: | ||
PURCHASER: | CELCUITY LLC | ||
By: | |||
(Signature) | Title: | ||
(Print Name) | (Print Name) | ||
Address: | Address: | ||
Celcuity LLC | |||
(Date Received) |
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Exhibit 10.9
EXHIBIT A
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER EITHER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED FOR VALUE UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, OFFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION FOR VALUE IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.
CELCUITY LLC
a Minnesota limited liability company
WARRANT TO PURCHASE
UNITS OF MEMBERSHIP INTEREST
Warrant No.: | AW-___ |
Name of Holder: | Cedar Point Capital, LLC |
Warrant Issue Date: | ________, 2017 |
No. of Warrant Units: | ___________ Units |
Warrant Exercise Price: | $0.21052 per Unit 1 |
Expiration Date: | ________, 2027 |
THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, the Holder named above, or its registered assigns, is entitled to subscribe for and purchase from Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, at any time after the date hereof up to and including 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis, Minnesota time on the Expiration Date set forth above, the number of fully paid and non-assessable Warrant Units in the Company at the Warrant Exercise Price set forth above, all subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. The Warrant Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Units are subject to adjustment in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of this Warrant.
1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in this Warrant shall have the meanings set forth below.
(a) “ Agent ” means Cedar Point Capital, LLC.
1 NTD: This is based on the $60 million valuation and 285,000,000 Units outstanding (exact number is 284,814,148 Units fully diluted as of 3.31.17).
(b) “ Common Units ” shall mean Units of Membership Interest of the class and series authorized by the Company at the date of this Warrant. At the date hereof, the Company has authorized only one class and series of Units, and all Units outstanding at the date hereof are “ Common Units ” as defined herein.
(c) “ Company ” means Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
(d) “ Holder ” means the Holder named above, any party who acquires all or a part of this Warrant as a registered transferee of the Holder, or any record holder or holders of Warrant Units issued upon exercise, whether in whole or in part, of this Warrant.
(e) “ Member Control Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among the Company and its Members, as amended from time to time.
(f) “ Units ” of “ Membership Interest ” are used to designate a person’s interest in the Company consisting of such person’s Financial Rights and/or Governance Rights as set forth in the Member Control Agreement.
(g) “ Warrant Units ” mean the Common Units that may be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant.
2. Exercise: Transferability .
(a) Exercise . Subject to the provisions of Section 2(a)(ii) hereof, the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder hereof, in whole or in part (but not as to a fractional Warrant Unit), by written notice of exercise (in the form attached hereto) delivered to the Company at its principal office prior to the Expiration Date and accompanied or preceded by the surrender of this Warrant and a check in payment of the aggregate Warrant Exercise Price for the Warrant Units purchased upon such exercise.
(i) The Company agrees that the Warrant Units purchased upon exercise of this Warrant shall be and are deemed to be issued to the Holder as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered and the payment made for such Warrant Units as aforesaid. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(a)(ii), certificates for the Warrant Units so purchased shall be delivered to the Holder within a reasonable time, not exceeding fifteen (15) days after the rights represented by this Warrant shall have been so exercised, and, unless this Warrant has expired, a new Warrant representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Units, if any, with respect to which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised shall also be delivered to the Holder within such time.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver any certificate for Warrant Units upon exercise of this Warrant except in accordance with exemptions from the applicable securities registration requirements or effective registrations under applicable securities laws. The Holder exercising this Warrant shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties and
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agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the issuance of the Warrant Units.
(b) Transfer . Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, this Warrant is transferable by the Holder to associated persons of the Agent, provided such persons are accredited investors or are sophisticated, experienced securities industry professionals. Each successive Holder of this Warrant, or of any portion of the rights represented thereby, shall be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
3. Exchange and Replacement . Subject to Sections 2 and 7 hereof, this Warrant is exchangeable upon the surrender hereof by the Holder to the Company at its principal office for new Warrants of like tenor and date representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Units purchasable hereunder, each of such new Warrants to represent the right to purchase such number of Warrant Units (not to exceed the aggregate total number purchasable hereunder) as shall be designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor, in lieu of this Warrant; provided, however, that if the Agent shall be such Holder, an agreement of indemnity by such Holder shall be sufficient for all purposes of this Section 3. This Warrant shall be promptly canceled by the Company upon the surrender hereof in connection with any exchange or replacement.
4. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees that all Warrant Units will, upon issuance, be duly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free from all taxes, liens, and charges with respect to the issue thereof except for all taxes, liens and charges imposed by the Holder. The Company further covenants and agrees that during the period within which the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved for the purpose of issue upon exercise of the subscription rights evidenced by this Warrant a sufficient number of Common Units to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant.
5. Anti-dilution Adjustments . The provisions of this Warrant are subject to adjustment as follows:
(a) Subdivision or Combination of Warrant Units . If the Company at any time subdivides or combines the outstanding Common Units, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased, in the case of a subdivision, or increased, in the case of a combination, in the same proportion as the Common Units are subdivided or combined, effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Units for the purpose of the subdivision or combination (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of the subdivision or combination).
(b) Distributions in Common Units . If the Company at any time makes a distribution to holders of Common Units payable in Common Units, or fixes a record date for the determination of holders of Common Units entitled to receive a distribution payable in Common
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Units, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased by multiplying it by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Units outstanding immediately prior to such distribution, and (B) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Units outstanding immediately after such distribution (plus, if the Company paid cash instead of fractional Units of Membership Interest otherwise issuable in such distribution, the number of additional Common Units which would have been outstanding had the Company issued fractional Units instead of cash), effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Units for the purpose of receiving such distribution (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of such distribution).
(c) Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . If (1) at any time, as a result of (A) a capital reorganization or reclassification (other than a subdivision, combination or distribution which gives rise to adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above); or (B) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity), the class or series of Membership Interests issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be changed into or exchanged for the same or a different number of Units of any class or classes of Membership Interest in the Company or any class or classes of stock or other equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, or other securities convertible into such stock or equity interests, then (2) as a part of such reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the terms of this Warrant so that (y) the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, the kind and amount of Membership Interests, shares of stock, other equity interests, other securities, money and property which the Holder would have received at the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, if the Holder had exercised its right under this Warrant to purchase Warrant Units immediately prior to such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, and (z) this Warrant shall thereafter be adjusted on terms as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments heretofore provided in this Section 5. The provision of this Section 5(c) shall similarly apply to successive capital reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, and consolidations.
(d) Liquidating Distributions, etc. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall make a distribution of its assets to the holders of its Common Units as a distribution in liquidation or partial liquidation or by way of return of capital, the Holder shall, upon exercise of the Holder’s rights hereunder and payment of the Warrant Exercise Price, both in accordance with Section 2(a) hereof, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of Warrant Units receivable upon such exercise, the assets that would have been payable to the Holder as owner of that number of Warrant Units had the Holder been a holder of record of such Warrant Units on the record date for such distribution; and an appropriate provision therefor shall be made a part of any such distribution in accordance with the plan for such distribution.
(e) Other Action Affecting Units . If at any time the Company takes any action affecting its Units of Membership Interest, other than an action described in any of Sections 5(a) through 5(d) above which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Governors, would have an adverse effect upon the rights of the Holder to purchase Warrant Units, then the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this
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Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the Board may in good faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances.
(f) Adjustment of Number of Warrant Units . Upon each adjustment to the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above, the number of Warrant Units purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted (including any fractions of such Warrant Units) by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately thereafter.
(g) Notice of Adjustment Events . Whenever the Company contemplates the occurrence of an event which would give rise to adjustments under this Section 5, the Company shall mail to the Warrant Holder, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the record date with respect to such event or, if no record date shall be established, at least fifteen (15) days prior to such event, a notice specifying (i) the nature of the contemplated event, (ii) the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such event, (iii) the date on which such event is expected to become effective, and (iv) the time, if any is to be fixed, when the holders of record of Units of Membership Interest (or other securities) shall be entitled to exchange their Units of Membership Interest (or other securities) for securities or other property deliverable in connection with such event.
(h) Notice of Adjustments . Whenever the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 5, the Company shall prepare a written notice of such adjustments, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the Warrant Exercise Price and the kind and amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant after giving effect to such adjustment, and shall mail such notice (by first class mail postage prepaid) to the Holder promptly after each adjustment.
6. Rights and Obligations as a Member of the Company .
(a) Member Control Agreement . The Warrant Units issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Member Control Agreement. Upon exercise of this Warrant, the Holder agrees to become a party to the Member Control Agreement and be bound by the terms and conditions of the Member Control Agreement. The transfer of the Warrant Units issued upon exercise of this Warrant is subject to certain restrictions set forth in Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement.
(b) No Rights or Obligations as Member . Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any obligation on the Holder to purchase any securities of the Company, or as conferring upon the Holder any voting rights or other rights as a Member of the Company or as imposing on the Holder any obligations as a Member of the Company, until this Warrant is actually exercised.
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7. Notice of Transfer of Warrant or Resale of the Warrant Units .
(a) Subject to the restrictions on sale, assignment, hypothecation, or other transfer set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof or Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement, the Holder, by acceptance of this Warrant, agrees to give written notice to the Company, before transferring this Warrant or any Warrant Units, of such Holder’s intention to do so, describing briefly the manner of any proposed transfer. Promptly upon receiving such written notice, the Company shall present copies thereof to the Company’s counsel. If in the opinion of such counsel the proposed transfer may be effected without registration or qualification (under any federal or state securities laws), the Company, as promptly as practicable, shall notify the Holder of such opinion, whereupon the Holder shall be entitled to transfer this Warrant or to dispose of Warrant Units received upon the previous exercise of this Warrant, all in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered by the Holder to the Company; provided that an appropriate legend may be endorsed on this Warrant or the certificates for such Warrant Units respecting restrictions upon transfer thereof necessary or advisable in the opinion of counsel to the Company and satisfactory to the Company to prevent further transfers which would be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws; and provided further that the Holder and prospective transferee or purchaser shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties, and agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the transfer or disposition of the Warrant or Warrant Units.
(b) If in the opinion of Company’s counsel the proposed transfer or disposition of this Warrant or any Warrant Units described in the written notice given pursuant to this Section 7 may not be effected without registration or qualification of such transfer or disposition under applicable securities laws, the Company shall promptly give written notice thereof to the Holder, and the Holder will limit its activities in respect to such transfer or disposition to such activities as, in the opinion of such counsel, are permitted by law.
8. Legends . The certificates representing any Warrant Units issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall bear legends containing substantially the following language:
“The Membership Units represented by this Certificate have been issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and no transfer of them will be made by the Company unless done pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under appropriate state laws, or there is presented to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it to the effect that such registration is not required.
“The sale, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of the Membership Units represented by this Certificate is subject to restrictions set forth in an Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement among the Company and its Members dated February 27, 2014, as amended from time to time.”
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9. Miscellaneous .
(a) The representations, warranties and agreements herein contained shall survive the exercise of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(b) All Common Units or other securities issued upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the Company will pay all taxes due and payable by the issuer in respect of the issuance thereof.
(c) Neither this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Celcuity LLC has caused this Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the Warrant Issue Date set forth above.
CELCUITY LLC | ||
By: | ||
Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Its: | Chief Executive Officer |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF WARRANT
To be signed by the registered Holder in order to exercise the Warrant
TO: | CELCUITY LLC |
The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the attached Warrant to purchase for cash __________________ of the Warrant Units issuable upon the exercise of such Warrant, and requests that certificates for such Warrant Units (together with a new Warrant to purchase the number of Warrant Units, if any, with respect to which this Warrant is not exercised) be issued in the name of the following person:
Name in which Units shall be registered | |
(please print) | |
Social security or tax identification number | |
Address: | |
Dated: ______________________ | |
Signature of Holder* | |
Name of Holder (please print) | |
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) |
* | The signature on this Notice of Exercise of Warrant must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To be signed only upon authorized transfer of Warrants.
TO: | CELCUITY LLC |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto ________________________________________________________________ the right to purchase the securities of Celcuity LLC to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ____________________________________________ as attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution in the premises, to transfer said right on the books of Celcuity LLC.
Dated: ______________________ | |
Signature of Holder* | |
Name of Holder (please print) | |
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) | |
Address of transferee: | |
* | The signature on this Assignment Form must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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Exhibit 10.10
this Note and the SECURITIES issuable upon conversion of this Note have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws. They may not be sold, offered for sale, or transferred in the absence of either an effective registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws, or an opinion of counsel for the Company that such transaction is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.
THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE WILL BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHTS OF REPURCHASE AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF INVESTOR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND HOLDERS OF ITS SECURITIES.
CELCUITY LLC
a Minnesota limited liability company
1.25% UNSECURED CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE
Due December 31, 2018
Note No.: | CN-__ |
Name of Holder: | _________________________ |
Issue Date: | ____________, 2017 |
Principal Amount: | $_____________ |
Maturity Date: | December 31, 2018 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the “ Company ”), promises to pay to the order of the Holder named above (the “ Holder ”), at the Holder’s address appearing on the records of the Company or at such other place as the Holder may designate in writing from time to time, the Principal Amount set forth above, with interest accruing on the unpaid principal balance hereof at the rate set forth below, which payment shall be made in the manner and form specified in this Note.
This Note is one of several 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes due December 31, 2018 that the Company has issued or may issue to the Holder and other investors (the “ Notes ,” as defined below). The unpaid principal balance of the Notes and accrued interest thereon shall be converted into “ Securities ” (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth below.
1. SATISFACTION OF THE NOTE
1.1. Conversion . The unpaid principal balance of this Note and all accrued interest thereon shall be automatically converted into Securities as provided in Section 2 of this Note, and shall not be paid in cash.
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1.2. Interest . Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note from the Issue Date set forth above at the fixed rate of 1.25% per annum. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a 365-day year. Upon the automatic conversion of this Note into Securities as provided below, all accrued interest on the principal balance shall be converted into Securities and shall not be paid in cash.
1.3. Insolvency Event . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.1, this Note shall automatically become due and payable without notice or demand if the Company shall (a) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature, (b) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (c) file a voluntary petition for bankruptcy or for a reorganization or to effect a plan or other arrangement of creditors, (d) have filed against it a creditor’s petition or other petition for an adjudication in bankruptcy or for a reorganization, and the Company files an answer to such petition admitting the material allegations thereof, or (e) apply for or permit the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or custodian for any of its property or assets. If this Note becomes payable pursuant to this Section 1.3, the principal balance of this Note and all accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable in cash. All payments on this Note shall be applied first to the payment of costs of collection, then to payment of accrued interest, and then to reduction of principal. All payments of interest and principal shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America.
2. CONVERSION INTO SECURITIES
2.1. Automatic Conversion . The entire principal balance of this Note and all accrued interest thereon shall be automatically converted into Securities upon the earlier of (i) the closing of a “ Qualified Financing ” (as defined below), or (ii) December 31, 2018.
2.2. Number of Securities Issuable Upon Conversion . The number of Securities into which this Note shall be converted shall be determined by dividing the sum of the outstanding principal balance of this Note plus accrued interest thereon by the “ Conversion Price ” (as defined below).
2.3. Warrants . In addition to the Securities issuable upon conversion of this Note, the Company shall issue to the Holder, upon conversion of this Note, a warrant, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (“ Warrant ”), having an aggregate purchase price equal to 15% of the principal amount of this Note, to purchase additional Securities of the same class and series issued upon Conversion of this Note. The exercise price of the Warrant shall be equal to the Conversion Price of this Note.
2.4. Holder’s Rights Upon Conversion . Upon conversion of the Notes as provided in this Section 2, the Holder shall have all the rights and benefits accorded to purchasers of Securities in the Qualified Financing or holders of other Securities issuable upon conversion of the Notes, except any such rights and benefits as are conditioned upon the holding of a minimum percentage ownership in the Company or a minimum investment in the Securities, and the Holder shall execute all agreements and instruments evidencing such rights in the same form as are signed by purchasers of Securities in the Qualified Financing or holders of other Securities issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
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2.5. Securities Subject to Investor Agreements . The Securities issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the “ Investor Agreements ” (as defined below). Upon conversion of this Note, and as a condition to the issuance of Securities upon such conversion, the Holder must agree to be bound by the terms of and become a party to the Investor Agreements by signing and delivering to the Company a joinder agreement to each of the Investor Agreements.
2.6. Definitions .
(a) Company . The “ Company ” means Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, or any successor entity resulting from a merger or consolidation of the Company with another limited liability company, corporation or other entity or a reorganization or conversion of the Company into another entity.
(b) Conversion Price . The “ Conversion Price ” of this Note shall be equal to (i) the price paid for one unit (or comparable denomination) of the Securities sold in a Qualified Financing, or (ii) if no Qualified Financing has occurred and the Notes are converted at December 31, 2018, $0.21052 per Unit of common membership interest in the Company, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.7(a).
(c) Investor Agreements . “ Investor Agreements ” means (i) the Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among the Company and its members, as amended from time to time, governing the rights and obligations of the Company’s members, including but not limited to restrictions on transfer of the membership interests, and (ii) any investor rights agreement, voting agreement, or similar agreement entered into between the Company and purchasers of Securities in connection with a Qualified Financing, relating to the rights and obligations of purchasers of the Securities.
(d) Notes . The term “ Notes ” includes this Note and all other 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes due December 31, 2018, issued by the Company.
(e) Qualified Financing . A “ Qualified Financing ” means an offering of Securities of the Company from which the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 (not including the amount of Notes that are convertible into Securities upon the closing of the Qualified Financing).
(f) Securities . The “ Securities ” issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be (i) equity securities of the same class and series sold by the Company in the Qualified Financing, or (ii) if no Qualified Financing occurs before December 31, 2018, Units of common membership interest in the Company, the only class and series of membership interest outstanding at the Issue Date of this Note, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.7(b).
2.7. Certain Adjustments .
(a) Subdivision or Combination of Units . If the Company at any time after the Issue Date and before the conversion of this Note into Securities subdivides or combines the outstanding Units of common membership interest in the Company, the Conversion Price specified in Section 2.6(b)(ii) of this Note shall be decreased, in the case of a subdivision, or
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increased, in the case of a combination, in the same proportion as the common units are subdivided or combined, effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its common units for the purpose of the subdivision or combination (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of the subdivision or combination).
(b) Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . If (i) at any time, as a result of (A) a capital reorganization or reclassification (other than a subdivision, combination or distribution which gives rise to adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to Section 2.7(a) above); or (B) a merger or consolidation of the Company with, or conversion of the Company into, another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity), the class or series of membership interests issuable upon the conversion of this Note shall be changed into or exchanged for the same or a different number of units of any class or classes of membership interest in the Company or any class or classes of stock or other equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, or other securities convertible into such stock or equity interests, then (ii) upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(ii) above the Holder shall receive the kind and amount of membership interests, shares of stock, or other equity interests that the Holder would have received at the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or conversion, if this Note had been converted into Securities immediately prior to such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or conversion.
3. GENERAL
3.1. No Security . This Note is an unsecured obligation of the Company and is not guaranteed by any third party.
3.2. No Rights as a Member . This Note does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, financial rights or other rights as a member of the Company. Such rights shall arise only when Securities have been issued to the Holder upon conversion of this Note and the Holder has agreed to be bound by the terms of and has become a party to the Investor Agreements.
3.3. Termination of Rights . Except for the rights to obtain certificates or other instruments representing Securities, all rights of the Holder with respect to this Note shall terminate upon the effective conversion of the Note, whether or not this Note has been surrendered to the Company for cancellation.
3.4. Waivers . No act or omission of the Holder, including specifically any failure to exercise any right, remedy or recourse, shall be deemed a waiver or release thereof. Any such waiver or release shall be effective only as set forth in a written document executed by the Holder and then only to the extent specifically recited therein.
3.5. Remedies . If this Note is not converted or paid when due, or is enforced, collected or attempted to be enforced or collected by the initiation or prosecution of any suit before any court or by any other judicial proceeding, or is placed in the hands of an attorney for enforcement or collection, then the Holder shall be entitled to collect, in addition to all of the amounts owing hereunder, all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Holder.
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The Company hereby waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of non-payment, protest, and all other notice, filing of suit and diligence in collecting this Note.
3.6. Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in all respects according to the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the Issue Date set forth above.
CELCUITY LLC | ||
By: | ||
Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Its: | Chief Executive Officer |
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EXHIBIT A
[Form of warrant to be issued upon conversion of convertible Promissory Note]
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER EITHER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED FOR VALUE UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, OFFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION FOR VALUE IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.
CELCUITY LLC
a Minnesota limited liability company
WARRANT TO PURCHASE EQUITY SECURITIES 1
Warrant No.: | W-__ |
Name of Holder: | ___________________________________ |
Warrant Issue Date: | _______________ |
Aggregate Warrant
Exercise Price: |
$___________ |
Warrant Exercise Price: | $___________ per Warrant Security |
No. of Warrant Securities: | _______________ |
Expiration Date: | _______________ |
THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, the Holder named above, or its registered assigns, is entitled to subscribe for and purchase from Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, at any time after the date hereof up to and including 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis, Minnesota time on the Expiration Date set forth above, the number of fully paid and non-assessable Warrant Securities of the Company at the Warrant Exercise Price set forth above, all subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. The Warrant Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Securities are subject to adjustment in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of this Warrant.
1 Explanatory Note : This Warrant will be issued upon conversion of a 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note due December 31, 2018 (the “ Note ”) held by the Holder. The Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be Securities of the same class and series issued upon conversion of the Note. The Aggregate Warrant Exercise Price of this Warrant will be equal to 15% of the principal amount of the Note. The Warrant Exercise Price per Warrant Security will be equal to the Conversion Price of the Note. The number of Warrant Securities will be equal to Aggregate Warrant Exercise Price divided by the Warrant Exercise Price per Warrant Security. The Expiration Date of this Warrant will be seven years after the Warrant Issue Date.
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EXHIBIT A
1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in this Warrant shall have the meanings set forth below.
(a) “ Company ” means Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, or any successor entity resulting from a merger or consolidation of the Company with another limited liability company, corporation or other entity or a reorganization or conversion of the Company into another entity.
(b) “ Holder ” means the Holder named above, any party who acquires all or a part of this Warrant as a registered transferee of the Holder, or any record holder or holders of Warrant Securities issued upon exercise, whether in whole or in part, of this Warrant.
(c) “ Investor Agreements ” means (i) the Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among the Company and its members, as amended from time to time, governing the rights and obligations of the Company’s members, including but not limited to restrictions on transfer of the membership interests, and (ii) any investor rights agreement, voting agreement, or similar agreement entered into between the Company and purchasers of Securities in connection with a Qualified Financing, relating to the rights and obligations of purchasers of the Securities.
(d) “ Notes ” means the 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes due December 31, 2018, issued by the Company.
(e) “ Qualified Financing ” means an offering of Securities of the Company from which the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 (not including the amount of Notes that are convertible into Securities upon the closing of the Qualified Financing).
(f) “ Securities ” means ____________ 2 of the Company, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.
(g) “ Warrant Securities ” means the Securities that may be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant.
2. Exercise . Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof, the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder hereof, in whole or in part (but not as to a fractional Warrant Security), by written notice of exercise (in the form attached hereto) delivered to the Company at its principal office prior to the Expiration Date and accompanied or preceded by the surrender of this Warrant and a check in payment of the aggregate Warrant Exercise Price for the Warrant Securities purchased upon such exercise.
(a) The Company agrees that the Warrant Securities purchased upon exercise of this Warrant shall be and are deemed to be issued to the Holder as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered and the payment made for such
2 The Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be (i) equity securities of the same class and series sold by the Company in the Qualified Financing (as defined in the Note), or (ii) if no Qualified Financing occurs before December 31, 2018, Units of common membership interest in the Company.
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Warrant Securities as aforesaid. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b), certificates for the Warrant Securities so purchased shall be delivered to the Holder within a reasonable time, not exceeding fifteen (15) days after the rights represented by this Warrant shall have been so exercised, and, unless this Warrant has expired, a new Warrant representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities, if any, with respect to which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised shall also be delivered to the Holder within such time.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver any certificate for Warrant Securities upon exercise of this Warrant except in accordance with exemptions from the applicable securities registration requirements or effective registrations under applicable securities laws. The Holder exercising this Warrant shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties and agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the issuance of the Warrant Securities.
3. Exchange and Replacement . Subject to Sections 2 and 7 hereof, this Warrant is exchangeable upon the surrender hereof by the Holder to the Company at its principal office for new Warrants of like tenor and date representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities purchasable hereunder, each of such new Warrants to represent the right to purchase such number of Warrant Securities (not to exceed the aggregate total number purchasable hereunder) as shall be designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor, in lieu of this Warrant; provided, however, that if the Agent shall be such Holder, an agreement of indemnity by such Holder shall be sufficient for all purposes of this Section 3. This Warrant shall be promptly canceled by the Company upon the surrender hereof in connection with any exchange or replacement.
4. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees that all Warrant Securities will, upon issuance, be duly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free from all taxes, liens, and charges with respect to the issue thereof except for all taxes, liens and charges imposed by the Holder. The Company further covenants and agrees that during the period within which the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved for the purpose of issue upon exercise of the subscription rights evidenced by this Warrant a sufficient number of Securities to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant.
5. Anti-dilution Adjustments . The provisions of this Warrant are subject to adjustment as follows:
(a) Subdivision or Combination of Warrant Securities . If the Company at any time after the Warrant Issue Date subdivides or combines the outstanding Securities, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased, in the case of a subdivision, or increased, in the case of a combination, in the same proportion as the Securities are subdivided or combined, effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Securities for
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the purpose of the subdivision or combination (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of the subdivision or combination).
(b) Distributions in Securities . If the Company at any time makes a distribution to holders of Securities payable in the same Securities, or fixes a record date for the determination of holders of Securities entitled to receive a distribution payable in the same Securities, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased by multiplying it by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Securities outstanding immediately prior to such distribution, and (B) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Securities outstanding immediately after such distribution (plus, if the Company paid cash instead of fractional Securities otherwise issuable in such distribution, the number of additional Securities which would have been outstanding had the Company issued fractional Securities instead of cash), effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Securities for the purpose of receiving such distribution (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of such distribution).
(c) Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . If (1) at any time, as a result of (A) a capital reorganization or reclassification (other than a subdivision, combination or distribution which gives rise to adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above); or (B) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity), the class or series of equity interests in the Company issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be changed into or exchanged for the same or a different number of units of any class or classes of equity interests in the Company or any class or classes of stock or other equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, or other securities convertible into such stock or equity interests, then (2) as a part of such reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the terms of this Warrant so that (y) the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, the kind and amount of equity interests in the Company, shares of stock, other equity interests, other securities, money and property which the Holder would have received at the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, if the Holder had exercised its right under this Warrant to purchase Warrant Securities immediately prior to such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, and (z) this Warrant shall thereafter be adjusted on terms as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments heretofore provided in this Section 5. The provision of this Section 5(c) shall similarly apply to successive capital reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, and consolidations.
(d) Liquidating Distributions, etc. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall make a distribution of its assets to the holders of its Securities as a distribution in liquidation or partial liquidation or by way of return of capital, the Holder shall, upon exercise of the Holder’s rights hereunder and payment of the Warrant Exercise Price, both in accordance with Section 2 hereof, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of Warrant Securities receivable upon such exercise, the assets that would have been payable to the Holder as owner of that number of Warrant Securities had the Holder been a holder of record of such Warrant Securities on the record date for such distribution; and an appropriate provision therefor shall be made a part of any such distribution in accordance with the plan for such distribution.
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(e) Other Action Affecting Units . If at any time the Company takes any action affecting its Securities, other than an action described in any of Sections 5(a) through 5(d) above which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Governors, would have an adverse effect upon the rights of the Holder to purchase Warrant Securities, then the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the Board may in good faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances.
(f) Adjustment of Number of Warrant Securities . Upon each adjustment to the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above, the number of Warrant Securities purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted (including any fractions of such Warrant Securities) by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately thereafter.
(g) Notice of Adjustment Events . Whenever the Company contemplates the occurrence of an event which would give rise to adjustments under this Section 5, the Company shall mail to the Warrant Holder, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the record date with respect to such event or, if no record date shall be established, at least fifteen (15) days prior to such event, a notice specifying (i) the nature of the contemplated event, (ii) the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such event, (iii) the date on which such event is expected to become effective, and (iv) the time, if any is to be fixed, when the holders of record of Securities interest (or other securities) shall be entitled to exchange their Securities (or other securities) for securities or other property deliverable in connection with such event.
(h) Notice of Adjustments . Whenever the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 5, the Company shall prepare a written notice of such adjustments, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the Warrant Exercise Price and the kind and amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant after giving effect to such adjustment, and shall mail such notice (by first class mail postage prepaid) to the Holder promptly after each adjustment.
6. Rights and Obligations as a Member of the Company .
(a) Investor Agreements . The Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Investor Agreements. Upon exercise of this Warrant, the Holder agrees to become a party to the Investor Agreements and be bound by the terms and conditions of the Investor Agreements. The transfer of the Warrant Securities issued upon exercise of this Warrant is subject to certain restrictions set forth in Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement.
(b) No Rights or Obligations as Member . Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any obligation on the Holder to purchase any securities of the Company, or as conferring upon the Holder any voting rights or other rights as a member of the
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Company or as imposing on the Holder any obligations as a member of the Company, until this Warrant is actually exercised.
7. Notice of Transfer of Warrant or Resale of the Warrant Securities .
(a) Subject to the restrictions on sale, assignment, hypothecation, or other transfer set forth in Section 2(b) hereof or Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement, the Holder, by acceptance of this Warrant, agrees to give written notice to the Company, before transferring this Warrant or any Warrant Securities, of such Holder’s intention to do so, describing briefly the manner of any proposed transfer. Promptly upon receiving such written notice, the Company shall present copies thereof to the Company’s counsel. If in the opinion of such counsel the proposed transfer may be effected without registration or qualification (under any federal or state securities laws), the Company, as promptly as practicable, shall notify the Holder of such opinion, whereupon the Holder shall be entitled to transfer this Warrant or to dispose of Warrant Securities received upon the previous exercise of this Warrant, all in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered by the Holder to the Company; provided that an appropriate legend may be endorsed on this Warrant or the certificates for such Warrant Securities respecting restrictions upon transfer thereof necessary or advisable in the opinion of counsel to the Company and satisfactory to the Company to prevent further transfers which would be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws; and provided further that the Holder and prospective transferee or purchaser shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties, and agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the transfer or disposition of the Warrant or Warrant Securities.
(b) If in the opinion of Company’s counsel the proposed transfer or disposition of this Warrant or any Warrant Securities described in the written notice given pursuant to this Section 7 may not be effected without registration or qualification of such transfer or disposition under applicable securities laws, the Company shall promptly give written notice thereof to the Holder, and the Holder will limit its activities in respect to such transfer or disposition to such activities as, in the opinion of such counsel, are permitted by law.
8. Legends . The certificates representing any Warrant Securities issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall bear legends containing substantially the following language:
“The Securities represented by this Certificate have been issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and no transfer of them will be made by the Company unless done pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under appropriate state laws, or there is presented to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it to the effect that such registration is not required.
“The sale, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of the Securities represented by this Certificate is subject to restrictions set forth in an Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement among the Company and its Members dated February 27, 2014, as amended from time to time.”
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9. Miscellaneous .
(a) The representations, warranties and agreements herein contained shall survive the exercise of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(b) All Securities or other securities issued upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the Company will pay all taxes due and payable by the issuer in respect of the issuance thereof.
(c) Neither this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Celcuity LLC has caused this Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the Warrant Issue Date set forth above.
CELCUITY LLC | ||
By: | ||
Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Its: | Chief Executive Officer |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF WARRANT
To be signed by the registered Holder in order to exercise the Warrant
TO: | CELCUITY LLC |
The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the attached Warrant to purchase for cash __________________ of the Warrant Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Warrant, and requests that certificates for such Warrant Securities (together with a new Warrant to purchase the number of Warrant Securities, if any, with respect to which this Warrant is not exercised) be issued in the name of the following person:
Name in which Units shall be registered | |
(please print) | |
Social security or tax identification number | |
Address: | |
Dated: ______________________ | |
Signature of Holder* | |
Name of Holder (please print) | |
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) |
* | The signature on this Notice of Exercise of Warrant must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To be signed only upon authorized transfer of Warrants.
TO: | CELCUITY LLC |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto ________________________________________________________________ the right to purchase the securities of Celcuity LLC to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ____________________________________________ as attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution in the premises, to transfer said right on the books of Celcuity LLC.
Dated: ______________________ | |
Signature of Holder* | |
Name of Holder (please print) | |
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) | |
Address of transferee: | |
* | The signature on this Assignment Form must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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Exhibit 10.11
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER EITHER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED FOR VALUE UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, OFFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION FOR VALUE IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.
CELCUITY INC.
a Delaware corporation
WARRANT TO PURCHASE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Warrant No.: | W-__ |
Name of Holder: | ___________________________________ |
Warrant Issue Date: | _______________, 2017 |
Aggregate Warrant
Exercise Price: |
$___________ |
Warrant Exercise Price: | $___________ per Share |
No. of Warrant Shares: | _______________ |
Expiration Date: | _______________, 2024 |
THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, the Holder named above, or its registered assigns, is entitled to subscribe for and purchase from Celcuity Inc., a Delaware corporation, at any time after the date hereof up to and including 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis, Minnesota time on the Expiration Date set forth above, the number of fully paid and non-assessable Warrant Shares of the Company at the Warrant Exercise Price set forth above, all subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. The Warrant Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares are subject to adjustment in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of this Warrant.
1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in this Warrant shall have the meanings set forth below.
(a) “ Company ” means Celcuity Inc., a Delaware corporation, its predecessor, Celcuity LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, or any successor entity resulting from a merger or consolidation of the Company with another limited liability company, corporation or other entity or a reorganization or conversion of the Company into another entity.
(b) “ Holder ” means the Holder named above, any party who acquires all or a part of this Warrant as a registered transferee of the Holder, or any record holder or holders of Warrant Shares issued upon exercise, whether in whole or in part, of this Warrant.
(c) “ Investor Agreements ” means (i) the Amended and Restated Member Control Agreement of Celcuity LLC, dated February 27, 2014, as amended from time to time, or a successor agreement, if applicable, governing the rights and obligations of the Company’s equity owners, including but not limited to restrictions on transfer of the equity interests, and (ii) any investor rights agreement, voting agreement, or similar agreement entered into between the Company and purchasers of Shares in connection with a Qualified Financing, relating to the rights and obligations of purchasers of the Shares.
(d) “ Notes ” means the 1.25% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes due December 31, 2018, issued by the Company.
(e) “ Qualified Financing ” means an offering of Shares of the Company from which the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 (not including the amount of Notes that are convertible into Shares upon the closing of the Qualified Financing).
(f) “ Shares ” means shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.
(g) “ Warrant Shares ” means the Shares that may be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant.
2. Exercise . Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof, the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder hereof, in whole or in part (but not as to a fractional Share), by written notice of exercise (in the form attached hereto) delivered to the Company at its principal office prior to the Expiration Date and accompanied or preceded by the surrender of this Warrant and a check in payment of the aggregate Warrant Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares purchased upon such exercise.
(a) The Company agrees that the Warrant Shares purchased upon exercise of this Warrant shall be and are deemed to be issued to the Holder as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered and the payment made for such Warrant Shares as aforesaid. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b), certificates for the Warrant Shares so purchased shall be delivered to the Holder within a reasonable time, not exceeding fifteen (15) days after the rights represented by this Warrant shall have been so exercised, and, unless this Warrant has expired, a new Warrant representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares, if any, with respect to which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised shall also be delivered to the Holder within such time.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver any certificate for Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant except in accordance with exemptions from the applicable securities registration requirements or effective registrations under applicable securities laws. The Holder exercising this Warrant shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties and agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the issuance of the Warrant Shares.
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3. Exchange and Replacement . Subject to Sections 2 and 7 hereof, this Warrant is exchangeable upon the surrender hereof by the Holder to the Company at its principal office for new Warrants of like tenor and date representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder, each of such new Warrants to represent the right to purchase such number of Warrant Shares (not to exceed the aggregate total number purchasable hereunder) as shall be designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor, in lieu of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be promptly canceled by the Company upon the surrender hereof in connection with any exchange or replacement.
4. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees that all Warrant Shares will, upon issuance, be duly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free from all taxes, liens, and charges with respect to the issue thereof except for all taxes, liens and charges imposed by the Holder. The Company further covenants and agrees that during the period within which the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved for the purpose of issue upon exercise of the subscription rights evidenced by this Warrant a sufficient number of Shares to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant.
5. Anti-dilution Adjustments . The provisions of this Warrant are subject to adjustment as follows:
(a) Subdivision or Combination of Shares . If the Company at any time after the Warrant Issue Date subdivides or combines the outstanding Shares, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased, in the case of a subdivision, or increased, in the case of a combination, in the same proportion as the Shares are subdivided or combined, effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Shares for the purpose of the subdivision or combination (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of the subdivision or combination).
(b) Distributions in Shares . If the Company at any time makes a distribution to holders of Shares payable in Shares, or fixes a record date for the determination of holders of Shares entitled to receive a distribution payable in Shares, the Warrant Exercise Price shall be decreased by multiplying it by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to such distribution, and (B) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Shares outstanding immediately after such distribution (plus, if the Company paid cash instead of fractional Shares otherwise issuable in such distribution, the number of additional Shares which would have been outstanding had the Company issued fractional Shares instead of cash), effective automatically as of the date the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Shares for the purpose of receiving such distribution (or if no such record is taken, as of the effectiveness of such distribution).
(c) Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . If (1) at any time, as a result of (A) a capital reorganization or reclassification (other than a subdivision, combination or
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distribution which gives rise to adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above); or (B) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity), the class or series of equity interests in the Company issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be changed into or exchanged for the same or a different number of units of any class or classes of equity interests in the Company or any class or classes of stock or other equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, or other securities convertible into such stock or equity interests, then (2) as a part of such reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the terms of this Warrant so that (y) the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, the kind and amount of equity interests in the Company, shares of stock, other equity interests, other securities, money and property which the Holder would have received at the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, if the Holder had exercised its right under this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares immediately prior to such capital reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, and (z) this Warrant shall thereafter be adjusted on terms as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments heretofore provided in this Section 5. The provision of this Section 5(c) shall similarly apply to successive capital reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, and consolidations.
(d) Liquidating Distributions, etc. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall make a distribution of its assets to the holders of its Shares as a distribution in liquidation or partial liquidation or by way of return of capital, the Holder shall, upon exercise of the Holder’s rights hereunder and payment of the Warrant Exercise Price, both in accordance with Section 2 hereof, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of Warrant Shares receivable upon such exercise, the assets that would have been payable to the Holder as owner of that number of Warrant Shares had the Holder been a holder of record of such Warrant Shares on the record date for such distribution; and an appropriate provision therefor shall be made a part of any such distribution in accordance with the plan for such distribution.
(e) Other Action Affecting Units . If at any time the Company takes any action affecting its Shares, other than an action described in any of Sections 5(a) through 5(d) above which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, would have an adverse effect upon the rights of the Holder to purchase Warrant Shares, then the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the Board may in good faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances.
(f) Adjustment of Number of Warrant Shares . Upon each adjustment to the Warrant Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) above, the number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted (including any fractions of such Warrant Shares) by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which shall be the Warrant Exercise Price immediately thereafter.
(g) Notice of Adjustment Events . Whenever the Company contemplates the occurrence of an event which would give rise to adjustments under this Section 5, the Company
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shall mail to the Warrant Holder, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the record date with respect to such event or, if no record date shall be established, at least fifteen (15) days prior to such event, a notice specifying (i) the nature of the contemplated event, (ii) the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such event, (iii) the date on which such event is expected to become effective, and (iv) the time, if any is to be fixed, when the holders of record of Shares (or other securities) shall be entitled to exchange their Shares (or other securities) for securities or other property deliverable in connection with such event.
(h) Notice of Adjustments . Whenever the Warrant Exercise Price or the kind or amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or both, shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 5, the Company shall prepare a written notice of such adjustments, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the Warrant Exercise Price and the kind and amount of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant after giving effect to such adjustment, and shall mail such notice (by first class mail postage prepaid) to the Holder promptly after each adjustment.
6. Rights and Obligations as a Member of the Company .
(a) Investor Agreements . The Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Investor Agreements. Upon exercise of this Warrant, the Holder agrees to become a party to the Investor Agreements and be bound by the terms and conditions of the Investor Agreements.
(b) No Rights or Obligations as Member . Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any obligation on the Holder to purchase any securities of the Company, or as conferring upon the Holder any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company or as imposing on the Holder any obligations as a stockholder of the Company, until this Warrant is actually exercised.
7. Notice of Transfer of Warrant or Resale of the Warrant Shares .
(a) Subject to the restrictions on sale, assignment, hypothecation, or other transfer set forth in Section 2(b) hereof or Article 14 of the Member Control Agreement, the Holder, by acceptance of this Warrant, agrees to give written notice to the Company, before transferring this Warrant or any Warrant Shares, of such Holder’s intention to do so, describing briefly the manner of any proposed transfer. Promptly upon receiving such written notice, the Company shall present copies thereof to the Company’s counsel. If in the opinion of such counsel the proposed transfer may be effected without registration or qualification (under any federal or state securities laws), the Company, as promptly as practicable, shall notify the Holder of such opinion, whereupon the Holder shall be entitled to transfer this Warrant or to dispose of Warrant Shares received upon the previous exercise of this Warrant, all in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered by the Holder to the Company; provided that an appropriate legend may be endorsed on this Warrant or the certificates for such Warrant Shares respecting restrictions upon transfer thereof necessary or advisable in the opinion of counsel to the Company and satisfactory to the Company to prevent further transfers which would be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities
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laws; and provided further that the Holder and prospective transferee or purchaser shall execute such documents and make such representations, warranties, and agreements as may be required to comply with the exemptions relied upon by the Company for the transfer or disposition of the Warrant or Warrant Shares.
(b) If in the opinion of Company’s counsel the proposed transfer or disposition of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares described in the written notice given pursuant to this Section 7 may not be effected without registration or qualification of such transfer or disposition under applicable securities laws, the Company shall promptly give written notice thereof to the Holder, and the Holder will limit its activities in respect to such transfer or disposition to such activities as, in the opinion of such counsel, are permitted by law.
8. Legends . The certificates representing any Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall bear a legend containing substantially the following language:
“The Securities represented by this Certificate have been issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and no transfer of them will be made by the Company unless done pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under appropriate state laws, or there is presented to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it to the effect that such registration is not required.
9. Miscellaneous .
(a) The representations, warranties and agreements herein contained shall survive the exercise of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(b) All Shares or other securities issued upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the Company will pay all taxes due and payable by the issuer in respect of the issuance thereof.
(c) Neither this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Celcuity Inc. has caused this Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the Warrant Issue Date set forth above.
CELCUITY INC. | |||
By: | |||
Brian F. Sullivan | |||
Its: | Chief Executive Officer |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF WARRANT
To be signed by the registered Holder in order to exercise the Warrant
TO: CELCUITY INC.
The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the attached Warrant to purchase for cash __________________ of the Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrant, and requests that certificates for such Warrant Shares (together with a new Warrant to purchase the number of Warrant Shares, if any, with respect to which this Warrant is not exercised) be issued in the name of the following person:
Name in which Units shall be registered | |||
(please print) | |||
Social security or tax identification number | |||
Address: | |||
Dated: | |||
Signature of Holder* | |||
Name of Holder (please print) | |||
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) |
* | The signature on this Notice of Exercise of Warrant must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To be signed only upon authorized transfer of Warrants.
TO: | CELCUITY INC. |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto ___________________________________________________________________ the right to purchase the Shares of Common Stock of Celcuity Inc. to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ____________________________________________ as attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution in the premises, to transfer said right on the books of Celcuity Inc.
Dated: | |||
Signature of Holder* | |||
Name of Holder (please print) | |||
Title of signatory (if signing for an entity) | |||
Address of transferee: | |||
* | The signature on this Assignment Form must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. When signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, please indicate your position(s) and title(s) with such entity. |
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Exhibit 10.12
COMMERCIAL LEASE
This Lease, dated this 11 day of March, 2014 by and between West Glen Development, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Celcuity, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Tenant”).
DEFINITIONS:
“Property”–– That certain real property located in the City of Plymouth (the “City”), County of Hennepin and State of Minnesota and legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, including all buildings and site improvements located thereon.
“Building”–– That certain office/warehouse building containing approximately 83,121 square feet located upon the Property and commonly described as West Glen Development I, located at 16305 - 36 th Avenue North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55446.
“Premises”–– That certain portion of the Building designated as Suite 450, totaling approximately 4,818 square feet, consisting of 3,994 square feet of office space and approximately 812 square feet of warehouse, storage or service space shown on Exhibit B, and 12 square feet of shared mechanical space as measured from the outside walls of the Premises to the center of the partition wall. The Premises include a non-exclusive license for access to, and use of, Common Areas, as hereinafter defined, and all licenses and easements appurtenant to the Premises.
“Common Areas”–– The areas to be used for the non-exclusive use by Tenant and other tenants in the Building, including, but not limited to, corridors, lavatories, driveways, truck docks, parking lots and landscaped areas. Subject to reasonable rules and regulations promulgated by Landlord attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit C , the Common Areas are hereby made available to Tenant and its employees, agents, customers, and invitees for reasonable use in common with other tenants, their employees, agents, customers and invitees.
WITNESSETH:
1. TERM:
For and in consideration of the rents, additional rents, terms, provisions and covenants herein contained, Landlord hereby lets, leases and demises to Tenant, the Premises for the term of thirty-seven (37) months commencing on the 1 st day of May, 2014 (sometimes called “the Commencement Date”) and expiring the 31 st day of May, 2017 (sometimes called “Expiration Date”), unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided (the “Term”).
2. BASE RENT:
Landlord reserves and Tenant shall pay to Landlord, the rent designated in Article 42 of the attached Addendum, payable in advance without notice, offset, deduction or demand, in equal monthly installments as set forth in the Addendum, commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing on the first day of each and every month thereafter for the next succeeding months during the balance of the Term (the “Base Rent”) or any extension or renewal thereof. In the event the Commencement Date falls on a date other than the first of a month, or the Expiration Date falls on a date other than the last of a month, the Base Rent for that month shall be prorated and adjusted accordingly.
3. ADDITIONAL RENT:
Tenant shall pay to Landlord throughout the Term of this Lease Agreement the following:
a. Tenant shall pay a sum equal to 5.8% of the Real Estate Taxes. The term “Real Estate Taxes” shall mean all taxes, fees, charges and assessments, general and special, and any taxes in lieu thereof, become due or payable against or upon the Building or the Property of which the Premises are a part. All attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred by Landlord during negotiation for or contests of the amount of Real Estate Taxes shall be included in the term “Real Estate Taxes.” Tenant, in addition to all other payments to Landlord by Tenant required hereunder, shall pay to Landlord, in each year during the Term of this Lease Agreement and any extension or renewal thereof, Tenant’s proportionate share of Real Estate Taxes. Any tax year commencing during any lease year shall be deemed to correspond to such lease year. In the event the taxing authorities include in such real estate taxes and assessments the value of any improvements made by Tenant, or of machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory or other personal property or assets of Tenant, then Tenant shall pay all the taxes attributable to such items in addition to its proportionate share of said aforementioned Real Estate Taxes. A copy of the tax statement submitted by Landlord to Tenant shall be sufficient evidence of the amount of Real Estate Taxes assessed or levied against the Property of which the Premises are a part.
b. Tenant shall pay a sum equal to 5.8% of the annual aggregate Operating Expenses incurred by Landlord in the operation, maintenance and repair of the Building and Property during the term of this Lease Agreement and any renewals or extensions thereof. The term “Operating Expenses” shall include but not be limited to all payments by Landlord for maintenance, repair, operation, replacement and care of all Common Areas (including common area utilities and lighting), mechanical rooms, common area plumbing, roofs, parking and landscaped areas, signs, snow removal, non-structural repair and maintenance of the exterior of the Building, insurance premiums, management fee (not to exceed 5% of gross building revenue), wages and fringe benefits of personnel employed for such work, costs of equipment purchased and used for such purposes, and the cost or portion thereof properly allocable to the Property (amortized in accordance with GAAP standards together with the interest at the rate of ten percent (1 0%) per annum on the unamortized balance) of any capital improvements made to the Building by Landlord after the Base Year which result in a reduction of Operating Expenses or made to the Building by Landlord after the date of this Lease Agreement that are required under any governmental law or regulation that was not applicable to the Building at the time it was constructed, or that are required by the insurer under any insurance policy carried on the Property and Building by Landlord. Operating Expenses shall also include a yearly capital reserve to be held in a segregated account until and for the use of replacement of black topped surfaced driveway and parking areas and Building mechanical equipment when needed. The amount of such reserve shall be determined by reasonable accounting and building management purposes.
c. For purposes of this Article, Tenant’s “pro rata share” or “proportionate share” shall be determined on the same ratio as the total square feet in the Premises bears to the total square feet in the Building. Landlord may at any time designate a fiscal year in lieu of a calendar year or vice versa and in such event, at the time of such change, there may be a billing for the year which is less that twelve (12) calendar months. Landlord reserves, and Tenant hereby assigns to Landlord, the sole and exclusive right to contest, protest, petition for review, or otherwise seek a reduction in Real Estate Taxes.
The payment of the sums set forth in this Article 3 shall be in addition to the Base Rent payable pursuant to Article 2 of this Lease Agreement. All sums due hereunder shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of delivery of written certification by Landlord setting forth the computation of the amount due from Tenant. In the event the Term shall begin or expire at any time during the calendar year, Tenant shall be responsible for his pro-rata share of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses during the Term of this Lease Agreement and/or occupancy time.
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Prior to commencement of the Term of this Lease Agreement, and prior to the commencement of each calendar year thereafter commencing during the Term of this Lease Agreement or any renewal or extension thereof, Landlord may estimate for each calendar year (i) the total amount of Real Estate Taxes; (ii) the total amount of Operating Expenses; (iii) Tenant’s share of Real Estate Taxes for such calendar year; (iv) Tenant’s share of Operating Expenses for such calendar year; and (v) the computation of the annual and monthly rental payable during such calendar year as a result of increases or decreases in Tenant’s share of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses. Said estimates will be in writing and will be delivered or mailed to Tenant.
The amount of Tenant’s share of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses for each calendar year, so estimated, shall be payable as Additional Rent by Tenant, without offset, deduction or demand, in equal monthly installments, in advance, on the first day of each month during such calendar year. In the event that such estimate is delivered to Tenant before the first day of January of such calendar year, said amount, so estimated, shall be payable as “Additional Rent” in equal monthly installments, in advance, on the first day of each month during such calendar year. In the event that such estimate is delivered to Tenant after the first day of January of such calendar year, said amount, so estimated, shall be payable as Additional Rent in equal monthly installments, in advance, on the first day of each month over the balance of such calendar year, with the number of installments being equal to the number of full calendar months remaining in such calendar year.
Upon completion of each calendar year during the Term of this Lease Agreement or any renewal or extension thereof, Landlord shall cause its accountants to determine the actual amount of the Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses payable in such calendar year and Tenant’s share thereof and deliver a written certification of the amounts thereof to Tenant. If Tenant has underpaid its share of Real Estate Taxes or Operating Expenses for such calendar year, Tenant shall pay the balance of its share of same within ten (1 0) business days after the receipt of such statement. If Tenant has overpaid its share of Real Estate Taxes or Operating Expenses for such calendar year, Landlord shall either (i) refund such excess, or (ii) credit such excess against the most current monthly installment or installments due Landlord for its estimate of Tenant’s share of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses for the next following calendar year. A pro rata adjustment shall be made for a fractional calendar year occurring during the Term of the Lease Agreement or any renewal or extension thereof based upon the number of days of the Term of the Lease Agreement during said calendar year as compared to three hundred sixty-five (365) days and all additional sums payable by Tenant or credits due Tenant as a result of the provision of this Article 3 shall be adjusted accordingly.
d. Landlord shall keep reasonably detailed records of all Operating Expenses and Real Estate Taxes for a period of at least three (3) years. Not more frequently than once in every 12-month period and after at least twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to Landlord, Tenant shall be permitted to review or audit the records of the Operating Expenses and Real Estate Taxes either directly or through agents. If Tenant exercises its review or audit rights as provided above, Tenant shall conduct any inspection at a reasonable time and in a manner so as not to unduly disrupt the conduct of Landlord’s business. Any such inspection by Tenant shall be for the sole purpose of verifying the Operating Expenses and/or Real Estate Taxes. Any shortfall or excess revealed and verified by Tenant’s audit shall be paid to the applicable party within thirty (30) days after that party is notified of the shortfall or excess to the extent such overage or shortfall has not previously been adjusted pursuant to this Lease. If Tenant’s inspection of the records for any given calendar year or partial calendar year reveals that Tenant was overcharged for Operating Expenses or Real Estate Taxes by an amount of greater than four percent (4%), or if any overcharge was due to intentional fraudulent or negligent conduct by Landlord, then, Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for the reasonable costs of the review or audit.
4. COVENANT TO PAY RENT:
The covenants of Tenant to pay the Base Rent and the Additional Rent are each independent of any other covenant, condition, provision or agreement contained in this Lease Agreement. All rents are payable to Landlord
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at 3600 Holly Lane North, Suite 100, Plymouth, MN 55447. No receipt or acceptance by Landlord from Tenant of less than the monthly rent herein stipulated shall be deemed to be other than a partial payment on account for any due and unpaid stipulated rent; no endorsement or statement of any check or any letter or other writing accompanying any check or payment of rent to Landlord shall be deemed an accord and satisfaction, and Landlord may accept and negotiate such check or payment without prejudice to Landlord’s rights to (i) recover the remaining balance of such unpaid rent or (ii) pursue any other remedy provided in this Lease Agreement.
5. UTILITIES:
Landlord shall provide mains and conduits to supply water, gas, electricity and sanitary sewage to the Property. Tenant shall pay, when due, directly to the appropriate provider, all charges for sewer usage or rental, garbage disposal, trash or refuse removal, water, electricity, gas, fuel oil, L.P. gas, telephone and/or other utility services or energy source separately metered and furnished to the Premises during the Term of this Lease Agreement, or any renewal or extension thereof, together with any related installation or connection charges or deposits (“Utility Costs”). If additional costs are required to separately meter the Premises it will be at Landlord’s sole cost and expense. If any services or utilities furnished to the Premises are jointly metered with other premises, Landlord will make a commercially reasonable determination of Tenant’s proportionate share of such Utility Costs and Tenant, within ten (10) business days following Tenant’s receipt of an invoice therefore, shall pay such share to Landlord as Additional Rent. If Landlord elects to furnish any of the foregoing utility services or other services furnished or caused to be furnished to Tenant, then the rate charged by Landlord shall not exceed the rate Tenant would be required to pay to a utility company or service company furnishing any of the foregoing utilities or services. The charges thereof shall be deemed Additional Rent in accordance with Article 3. Landlord shall not be liable for, and Tenant shall not be entitled to any abatement or reduction of Base Rent or Additional Rent by reason of Landlord’s failure to furnish any of the foregoing utilities, when such failure is caused by accident, breakage, repairs (including replacements), strikes, lockouts or other labor disturbances or labor disputes of any character, or for any other causes not attributable to Landlord.
6. CARE AND REPAIR OF PREMISES:
Tenant shall, at all times throughout the Term of this Lease Agreement, including renewals and extensions, and at its sole expense, keep and maintain the Premises in a clean, safe, sanitary and first class condition and in compliance with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations. Tenant’s obligations hereunder shall include but not be limited to the maintenance, repair and replacement, if necessary, of mechanical, heating and air conditioning fixtures, equipment, and systems; all lighting and electrical systems; all plumbing fixtures and equipment; any and all other fixtures, motors and machinery; all interior walls, partitions, doors and windows, including the regular painting thereof; all exterior entrances, windows, doors, garage doors, docks and dock levelers, bumpers and seals, and docks and the replacement of all broken glass; and all interior walls, columns, floors and doors of the trash enclosures. When used in this provision, the term “repairs” shall include replacements or renewals when necessary, and all such repairs made by Tenant shall be equal in quality and class to the original work. The Tenant shall keep and maintain all portions of the Premises, trash enclosures and the sidewalk and areas adjoining the same in a safe, clean and orderly condition, free of accumulation of dirt and rubbish. Tenant shall be responsible for the prompt removal of snow, ice and other hazardous conditions accumulating or occurring on the sidewalks and walkways between the Premises and parking areas. Maintenance of the HVAC shall specifically include the reasonable cost of semi-annual inspections performed by Landlord’s own engineers or by an independent mechanical contractor who shall be contracted for by Landlord. In either event, said cost shall be included by Landlord in Operating Expenses under Article 3 of this Lease Agreement and Landlord warrants that any such cost will be reasonable and competitive.
If Tenant fails, refuses or neglects to maintain or repair the Premises as required in this Lease Agreement after written notice shall have been given to Tenant, in accordance with Article 33 of this Lease Agreement, Landlord
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may at its option make such repairs without liability to Tenant for any loss or damage that may accrue to Tenant’s merchandise, fixtures or other property or to Tenant’s business by reason thereof, and upon completion thereof, Tenant shall pay to Landlord all costs plus 10% of overhead incurred by Landlord in making such repairs upon presentation to Tenant of a bill therefore.
Landlord shall repair, at its expense, the structural portions of the Building, provided however where structural repairs are required to be made by reason of the acts of Tenant, the costs thereof shall be borne by Tenant and payable by Tenant to Landlord upon demand.
Landlord shall be responsible for all outside maintenance of the Premises, including grounds, parking areas and outside areas around trash enclosures. All such maintenance which is the responsibility of Landlord shall be provided as reasonably necessary to the comfortable use and occupancy of Premises during business hours, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, upon the condition that Landlord shall not be liable for damages for failure to do so due to causes beyond its control. Landlord shall ensure access to the Premises, including timely snow removal all days.
7. SIGNS:
Any sign, lettering, picture, notice or advertisement installed on or in any part of the Property and visible from the exterior of the Building, or visible from the exterior of the Premises, must be approved in advance by Landlord and the City and installed at Tenant’s expense. In the event of a violation of the foregoing by Tenant, Landlord may remove the same without notice and without any liability and may charge the expense incurred for such removal to Tenant. Tenant agrees to comply with the sign criteria of the City and the criteria attached here to as Exhibit E . Tenant agrees to maintain its signage in good repair, and to hold Landlord harmless from any loss, cost or damages resulting from the erection, existence, maintenance or removal of the signage.
8. ALTERATIONS, INSTALLATIONS, FIXTURES:
Tenant will not make any alterations, repairs, additions or improvements in or to the Premises (for purposes of this Article 8, any of the foregoing being referred to as the “Work” ) or add, disturb or in any way change any plumbing, wiring, life/safety or mechanical systems, locks, or structural portions of the Building without the prior written consent of the Landlord as to the character of the Work, the manner of doing the Work, and the contractor(s) doing the Work. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, if such Work is required of Tenant or is the obligation of Tenant pursuant to this Lease Agreement. As a condition to Landlord’s consent to Work proposed by Tenant, Landlord may impose reasonable conditions with respect thereto as Landlord deems appropriate, including, without limitation, requiring Tenant to furnish surety performance and/or payment bonds or other security for the payment of all costs incurred in connection with such Work, insurance against liabilities that may arise out of such Work, plans and specifications approved by Landlord and permits necessary for such Work. If such Work is performed by contractor(s) not retained by Landlord, Tenant shall upon completion of such Work, (i) deliver to Landlord evidence that payment for all such Work has been made by Tenant, contractors’ affidavits and full and final mechanic’s lien waivers and (ii) pay to Landlord a construction supervision fee of five percent (5%) of the total cost of such Work, but in no event less than $500.00 to reimburse Landlord for the costs incurred by its construction manager in inspecting and supervising such Work (provided, however, that the construction supervision fee for minor Work approved by Landlord with a total cost less than $1,000.00 shall be charged at $80.00 per hour). All such Work shall be done in a good and workmanlike manner using quality materials and shall comply with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord free and harmless from any liability, loss, cost, damage or expense (including attorney’s fees) by reason of any of such Work. The provisions of Article 18 of this Lease Agreement shall apply to all Work performed under this Article 8. All leasehold alterations, installations, physical additions or improvements to the Premises made by Tenant shall at the option of Landlord become the property of Landlord
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and shall be either removed by Tenant at Tenant’s sole cost or surrendered to Landlord upon the termination of this Lease Agreement; provided, however, this clause shall not apply, and Tenant shall retain title and rights to all, to movable equipment, whiteboard, artwork, audio visual equipment and industrial and other property or machinery mounted or secured to the Premises, or furniture owned by Tenant which may be removed by Tenant at the end of the Term of this Lease Agreement if Tenant is not then in default. Landlord shall provide Tenant with notice of Tenant’s obligation to remove any such alteration or improvement at the end of the Lease Term at the time that Landlord grants consent to such alteration or improvement. If Landlord does not notify Tenant that Tenant is obligated to remove such alteration or improvement, such improvement or alteration may be removed at Tenant’s option.
9. POSSESSION:
Except as otherwise provided, Landlord shall deliver possession of the Premises with any tenant improvements thereto substantially completed on or before the Commencement Date of the Term, but delivery of possession prior to such Commencement Date shall not affect the Expiration Date of this Lease Agreement. Time is of the essence. Failure of Landlord to deliver possession of the Premises by the Commencement Date of the Term due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of Landlord, including, without limitation, a holding over by a prior tenant, labor or material shortages, strikes, casualty loss, acts of God or failure by the City to timely approve any plans or issue a building permit (any of the foregoing being hereafter referred to as an “Excused Delay” ), shall automatically postpone the Commencement Date of the Term and shall extend the Expiration Date of this Lease Agreement accordingly. The rentals herein reserved shall commence on the first day of the Term, provided, however, in the event of any occupancy by Tenant prior to the beginning of the Term, such occupancy shall in all respects be the same as that of a tenant under this Lease Agreement, and the rentals shall commence as of the date that Tenant enters into such occupancy of the Premises. Provided further, that if Landlord shall be delayed in delivery of the Premises to Tenant due to Tenant’s failure to timely deliver any plans to Landlord or make any required deposit, changes in or additions to plans or tenant improvements made at the request of Tenant or any other delay caused by Tenant or any of its contractors, agents or employees, or by Tenant’s failure to pay for the costs of the tenant improvements in excess of any tenant improvement allowance and any deposit (any of the foregoing being hereafter referred to as a “Tenant Delay” ), then in such case the commencement of Tenant’s obligation to pay rentals shall be accelerated by the number of days of such Tenant Delay. Prior to the commencement of the Term, Landlord shall have no responsibility or liability for loss or damage to trade fixtures or equipment installed or left on the Premises. By occupying the Premises as a tenant, or to install trade fixtures or equipment, or to perform finishing work, Tenant shall be conclusively deemed to have accepted the same and to have acknowledged that the Premises are in the condition required by this Lease Agreement, except for any items for which Tenant has given Landlord a written list within thirty (30) days of Tenant’s first occupancy of the Premises. Should the commencement date of the Term of this Lease Agreement occur for any reason on a day other than the first day of the calendar month, then in that event solely for the purposes of determining the Expiration Date of the Term of this Lease Agreement, the Term shall be deemed to have commenced on the first (1 st ) day of the calendar month immediately following. Following Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises and within ten (10) days of Landlord’s request, Landlord and Tenant shall execute a ratification agreement which shall set forth the final commencement and expiration dates of the Term, shall acknowledge the Base Rent, the square footage of the Premises (office space and warehouse, shared mechanical space), delivery of the Premises in the condition required by this Lease Agreement and shall include such other matters as Landlord may reasonably request (hereafter the “Ratification Agreement” ).
10. SECURITY AND DAMAGE DEPOSIT:
Tenant, contemporaneously with the execution of this Lease Agreement, has deposited with Landlord the sum of Five Thousand Seven Hundred Seventeen and /36100 Dollars ($5,717.36), receipt of which is acknowledged hereby by Landlord, which deposit is to be held by Landlord, without liability for interest, as a security and
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damage deposit for the faithful performance by Tenant during the Term hereof or any extension hereof. Prior to the time when Tenant shall be entitled to the return of this security deposit, Landlord may commingle such deposit with Landlord’s own funds and use such security deposit for such purpose as Landlord may determine. In the event of the failure of Tenant to keep and perform any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease Agreement to be kept and performed by Tenant during the Term hereof or any extension hereof, then Landlord, either with or without terminating this Lease Agreement may (but shall not be required to) apply such portion of said deposit as may be necessary to compensate or repay Landlord for all losses or damages sustained or to be sustained by Landlord due to such breach on the part of Tenant, including, but not limited to overdue and unpaid rent, any other sum payable by Tenant to Landlord pursuant to the provisions of this Lease Agreement, damages or deficiencies in the reletting of Premises, and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by Landlord. Should the entire deposit or any portion thereof, be appropriated and applied by Landlord, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, Tenant upon written demand by Landlord, shall remit forthwith to Landlord a sufficient amount of cash to restore said security deposit to the original sum deposited, and Tenant’s failure to do so within five (5) business days after receipt of such demand shall constitute a breach of this Lease Agreement. Said security deposit shall be returned to Tenant, less any depletion thereof as the result of the provisions of this paragraph, at the end of the Term of this Lease Agreement or any renewal thereof, or upon the earlier termination of this Lease Agreement. Tenant shall have no right to anticipate return of said deposit by withholding any amount required to be paid pursuant to the provisions of this Lease Agreement or otherwise. Tenant understands that its potential liability under this Lease Agreement is not limited to the amount of the security deposit. Use of such security deposit by Landlord shall not constitute a waiver, but is in addition to any other remedies available to Landlord under this Lease Agreement and under law.
In the event Landlord shall sell the Property, or shall otherwise convey or dispose of its interest in this Lease Agreement, Landlord may assign the security deposit or any balance thereof to Landlord’s assignee, whereupon Landlord shall be released from all liability for the return or repayment of such security deposit and Tenant shall look solely to the said assignee for the return and repayment of said security deposit. Said security deposit shall not be assigned or encumbered by Tenant without such consent of Landlord, and any assignment or encumbrance without such consent shall not bind Landlord. In the event of any rightful and permitted assignment of this Lease Agreement by Tenant, said security deposit shall be deemed to be held by Landlord as a deposit made by the assignee, and Landlord shall have no further liability with respect to the return of said security deposit to Tenant.
11. USE:
The Premises shall be used and occupied by Tenant solely for the purposes of general office, lab, warehouse and other related ancillary uses and such use by Tenant shall at all times be in full compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances and governmental regulations affecting the Building and Property and subject to the reasonable rules and regulations of Landlord set forth on Exhibit C . Tenant agrees not to commit or permit any act to be performed on the Premises or any omission to occur which will be in violation of any statute, regulation, or ordinance of any governmental body or which will increase the insurance rates on the Building or which will be in violation of any insurance policy carried on the Building by Landlord. Tenant, at its expense, shall comply with all governmental laws, ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to the use of the Premises and its occupancy and shall promptly comply with all governmental orders, rulings and directives for the correction, prevention and abatement of any violation upon, or in connection with the Premises or Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises, including the making of any alterations or improvements to the Premises, all at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing provisions of this Article 11, Tenant’s use of the Premises shall comply with all applicable requirements of the 1998 Minnesota Uniform Fire Code, as amended and as may hereafter be amended from time to time and of any replacement and/or successor law, ordinance, code or rule or regulation, including, without limitation, the 2003 Minnesota State Fire Code, expressly including requirements relating to the types of materials that may be stored in the Premises, the storage containers that may be used, the heights such storage containers may be stacked and the separation that must exist between materials and stacks.
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Tenant shall not disturb other occupants of the Building by making any undue or unseemly noise or otherwise and shall not do or permit to be done in or about the Premises or Building anything which will be dangerous to life or limb. The employees of Tenant shall not be permitted, during their breaks or otherwise, to congregate or loiter in any of the common areas of the Building, including the Common Areas, in such a manner that would be disruptive of the use of such Common Areas by the other tenants and occupants of the Building or that would obstruct access to, from or within the Building. Tenant shall not, without the prior consent of Landlord, use any apparatus, machinery, device or equipment in or about the Premises that will cause any substantial noise or vibration or any increase in the normal consumption level of electric power. If any of Tenant’s apparatus, machinery, devices or equipment should disturb the enjoyment of any other tenant in the Building, then Tenant shall provide, at its sole cost and expense, adequate insulation or take such other action, including removing such apparatus, machinery, devices or equipment, as may be necessary to eliminate the disturbance. No food or beverage dispensing machines (except those solely servicing Tenant’s on-Premises employees) shall be installed by Tenant in the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. In no event shall Tenant (i) permit the storage of any materials, equipment or other personal property outside of the Building or (ii) permit any motor vehicle to be parked outside of the Building overnight.
12. ACCESS TO PREMISES:
Tenant agrees to permit Landlord and the authorized representatives of Landlord to enter the Premises at all reasonable times during usual business hours for the purpose of inspecting, making any necessary repairs, conducting environmental testing, and performing any work therein that may be necessary to comply with any laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or requirements of any public authority or of the Board of Fire Underwriters or any similar body or that Landlord may deem necessary to prevent waste or deterioration in connection with the Premises.
Nothing herein shall imply any duty upon the part of Landlord to do any such work that, under any provision of this Lease Agreement, Tenant may be required to perform and the performance thereof by Landlord shall not constitute a waiver of Tenant’s default in failing to perform the same. The Landlord may, during the progress of any work in the Premises, keep and store upon the Premises all necessary materials, tools and equipment. The Landlord shall not in any event be liable for inconvenience, annoyance, disturbance, loss of business, or other damage of Tenant by reason of making repairs or the performance of any work in the Premises, or on account of bringing materials, supplies and equipment into or through the Premises during the course thereof and the obligations of Tenant under this Lease Agreement shall not thereby be affected in any manner whatsoever. Tenant agrees that no additional locks will be placed on any of the doors to the Premises without the written consent of Landlord. Tenant shall have the right to install an access reader to the building and access to its premises 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year of the lease. Tenant shall also have the right to install additional security to the Premises if Tenant determines necessary.
Landlord reserves the right to enter upon the Premises at any time in the event of an emergency and at reasonable hours to exhibit the Premises to prospective purchasers or others; and to exhibit the Premises to prospective tenants and to display “For Lease” or similar signs on windows or doors in the Premises during the last nine months of the Term of this Lease Agreement, all without hindrance or molestation by Tenant
Landlord acknowledges that Tenant is performing research with secret and proprietary information, and hereby agrees that any inspection or entering of the Premises, except in an emergency, shall be subject to the following: (a) Landlord will give notice of at least thirty six (36) hours prior to any such inspection including the identities of who will be performing the inspection and in what areas of the Premises and (b) all persons entering the Premises shall execute a nondisclosure agreement provided by Tenant protecting any confidential or trade secret information that they may learn during the inspection.
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13. EMINENT DOMAIN:
In the event of any eminent domain or condemnation proceeding, or private sale in lieu thereof, in respect to the Property during the Term thereof, the following provisions shall apply:
a. If the whole of the Property shall be acquired or condemned by eminent domain for any public or quasi-public use or purpose, then the Term of this Lease Agreement shall cease and terminate as of the date possession shall be taken in such proceeding and all rentals shall be paid up to that date.
b. If any part constituting less than the whole of the Property shall be acquired or condemned as aforesaid, and in the event that such partial taking or condemnation shall materially affect the Premises so as to render the Premises unsuitable for the business of Tenant, in the reasonable opinion of Landlord, then the Term of this Lease Agreement shall cease and terminate as of the date possession shall be taken by the condemning authority and rent shall be paid to the date of such termination.
In the event of a partial taking or condemnation of the Property which shall not materially affect the Premises so as to render the Premises unsuitable for the business of Tenant, in the reasonable opinion of Landlord, this Lease Agreement shall continue in full force and effect but with a proportionate abatement of the Base Rent and Additional Rent based on the portion, if any, of the Premises taken. Landlord reserves the right, at its option, to restore the Building and the Premises to substantially the same condition as they were prior to such condemnation. In such event, Landlord shall give written notice to Tenant, within thirty (30) days following the date possession shall be taken by the condemning authority, of Landlord’s intention to restore. Upon Landlord’s notice of election to restore, Landlord shall commence restoration and shall restore the Building and the Premises with reasonable promptness, subject to delays beyond Landlord’s control and delays in the making of condemnation or sale proceeds adjustment by Landlord; and Tenant shall have no right to terminate this Lease Agreement except as herein provided. Upon completion of such restoration, the rent shall be adjusted based upon the portion, if any, of the Premises restored.
c. In the event of any condemnation or taking as aforesaid, whether whole or partial, Tenant shall not be entitled to any part of the award paid for such condemnation and Landlord is to receive the full amount of such award, Tenant hereby expressly waiving any right to claim to any part thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to give Landlord any interest in or require Tenant to assign to Landlord any separate award made to Tenant for its relocation expenses, the taking of personal property and fixtures belonging to Tenant, the unamortized value of improvements made or paid for by Tenant, or the interruption of or damage to Tenant’s business. Tenant agrees that any claims made by Tenant for condemnation awards shall not in any way diminish the award due to Landlord for its interest in the Premises.
d. Although all damages in the event of any condemnation shall belong to Landlord whether such damages are awarded as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold or to the fee of the Premises, Tenant shall have the right to claim and recover from the condemning authority, but not from Landlord, such compensation as may be separately awarded or recoverable by Tenant in Tenant’s own right on account of any and all damage to Tenant’s business by reason of the condemnation and for or on account of any cost or loss to which Tenant might be put in removing Tenant’s merchandise, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements and equipment. However, Tenant shall have no claim against Landlord or make any claim with the condemning authority for the loss of its leasehold estate, any unexpired term or loss of any possible renewal or extension of said Lease Agreement, or loss of any possible value of said lease, any unexpired term, renewal or extension of said Lease Agreement.
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14. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION:
In the event of any damage or destruction to the Property by fire or any other cause during the Term hereof, the following provisions shall apply:
a. If the Building is damaged by fire or any other cause to such extent that the cost of restoration, as reasonably estimated by Landlord, will equal or exceed thirty percent (30%) of the replacement value of the Building (exclusive of foundations) just prior to the occurrence of the damage, then Landlord may, no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the damage, give Tenant written notice of Landlord’s election to terminate this Lease Agreement.
b. If the cost of restoration as estimated by Landlord shall amount to less than thirty percent (30%) of said replacement value of the Building, or if, despite the cost, Landlord does not elect to terminate this Lease Agreement, Landlord shall restore the Building and the Premises with reasonable promptness, subject to delays beyond Landlord’s control and delays in the making of insurance adjustments by Landlord; and Tenant shall have no right to terminate this Lease Agreement except as herein provided. Landlord shall not be responsible for restoring or repairing leasehold improvements of Tenant.
c. In the event of either of the elections to terminate, this Lease Agreement shall be deemed to terminate on the date of the receipt of the notice of election and all rentals shall be paid up to that date. Tenant shall have no claim against Landlord for the value of any unexpired Term of this Lease Agreement.
d. In any case where damage to the Building shall materially affect the Premises so as to render them unsuitable in whole or in part for the purposes for which they are demised hereunder, then, unless such destruction was wholly or partially caused by the negligence or breach of the terms of this Lease Agreement by Tenant, its employees, contractors or licensees, a portion of the rent based upon the amount of the extent to which the Premises are rendered unsuitable shall be abated until repaired or restored. If the destruction or damage was wholly or partially caused by negligence or breach of the terms of this Lease Agreement by Tenant as aforesaid and if Landlord shall elect to rebuild, the rent shall not abate and Tenant shall remain liable for the same.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 14 to the contrary, Landlord shall only be obligated to restore the Premises to the extent of the insurance proceeds actually received, but if the insurance proceeds actually received do not permit Landlord to restore the Premises, Landlord shall so notify Tenant and either Landlord or Tenant may terminate this Lease Agreement by written notice given within sixty (60) days after Landlord’s notice. If Landlord restores the Premises or the Building in accordance with the provisions of this Article, then Tenant shall not have any right to terminate this Lease Agreement because of such damage.
15. INSURANCE:
a. Tenant will keep in force at its own expense for so long as this Lease Agreement remains in effect commercial general liability insurance insuring Tenant, on an “occurrence” rather than a “claims made” basis, against liability for bodily injury, property damage (including loss of use of property) and personal injury, which insurance shall (i) name Landlord, its property manager and such other parties as Landlord may designate, as additional insureds, (ii) be with companies and in form acceptable to Landlord, and (iii) with limits of liability not less than: $1,000,000 for injury/death to any one person; $2,000,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $1,000,000 with respect to damage to property, and have a minimum combined limit of liability of no less than Three Million and 00/100ths Dollars ($3,000,000.00), subject to any changes reasonably required by Landlord’s insurance company. Said insurance shall also provide for contractual liability coverage. The amount and coverage of such commercial general liability insurance shall not limit Tenant’s liability nor relieve Tenant of any of its obligations under this Lease Agreement. Tenant shall further provide for business interruption insurance to
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cover a period of not less than six (6) months. Tenant will deposit with Landlord certificate(s) of the policy or policies of such insurance, which shall provide that Landlord shall be notified in writing thirty (30) days prior to cancellation, material change, or failure to renew the insurance. Tenant further covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord and Landlord’s property manager harmless from and defend them against all claims, liabilities, judgments, demands, causes of action, losses, damages and costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, for damage to any property or injury to or death of any person arising from: (i) any act or omission by Tenant, its contractors, agents, employees or invitees in, at, or around the Premises or the Building; (ii) the negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant; (iii) Tenant’s failure to comply with any and all governmental laws, rules, ordinances or regulations applicable to the use of the Premises and its occupancy; and/or (iv) any breach or default by Tenant under this Lease Agreement. Tenant’s indemnity obligations under this Article shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease Agreement. If Tenant shall not comply with its covenants made in this Article, Landlord may, at its option, cause insurance as aforesaid to be issued and in such event Tenant agrees to pay the premium for such insurance promptly upon Landlord’s demand.
b. Landlord shall carry and cause to be in full force and effect a fire and extended coverage insurance policy on the Building, but not contents owned, leased to or otherwise in possession of Tenant. The cost of such insurance and any other insurance maintained by Landlord for the Building shall be an Operating Expense.
c. Tenant shall not carry any stock of goods or do anything in or about the Premises that will in any way impair or invalidate the obligation of the insurer under any policy of insurance required by this Lease Agreement.
d. In the event that the use of the Premises by Tenant increases the premium rate for insurance carried by Landlord on the improvements of which the Premises are a part, Tenant shall pay Landlord, upon demand, the amount of such premium increase. If Tenant installs any electrical equipment that overloads the power lines to the building or its wiring, Tenant shall, at its own expense, make whatever changes are necessary to comply with the requirements of the insurance underwriter, insurance rating bureau and governmental authorities having jurisdiction.
16. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION:
Landlord and Tenant hereby release the other from any and all liability or responsibility to the other or anyone claiming through or under them by way of subrogation or otherwise for any loss or damage to property caused by fire or any of the extended coverage or supplementary contract casualties, even if such fire or other casualty shall have been caused by the fault or negligence of the other party, or anyone for whom such party may be responsible.
17. DEFAULT OF TENANT:
a. In the event of any failure of Tenant to pay any rental due hereunder on the date the same shall be due, or any failure to perform any other of the terms, conditions or covenants of this Lease Agreement to be observed or performed by Tenant for more than twenty (20) days after written notice of such failure shall have been given to Tenant, or if Tenant or an agent of Tenant shall falsify any report required to be furnished to Landlord pursuant to the terms of this Lease Agreement, or if Tenant or any guarantor of this Lease Agreement shall become bankrupt or insolvent, or file any debtor proceedings or any person shall take or have against Tenant or any guarantor of this Lease Agreement in any court pursuant to any statute either of the United States or of any state a petition of bankruptcy or insolvency or for reorganization or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of all or a portion of Tenant’s or any such guarantor’s property, or if Tenant or any such guarantor makes an assignment for the benefit or creditors, or petitions for or enters into an arrangement, or suffer this Lease
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Agreement to be taken under any writ of execution, then in any such event Tenant shall be in default hereunder, and Landlord, in addition to other rights or remedies it may have, shall have the immediate right of re-entry and may remove all persons and property from the Premises and such property may be removed and stored in a public warehouse or elsewhere at the cost of, and for the account of Tenant, all without service of notice or resort to legal process and without being guilty of trespass, or becoming liable for any loss or damage which may be occasioned thereby.
b. Should Landlord elect to re-enter the Premises, as herein provided, or should it take possession of the Premises pursuant to legal proceedings or pursuant to any notice provided for by law, it may either terminate this Lease Agreement or it may from time to time, without terminating this Lease Agreement, make such alterations and repairs as may be necessary in order to relet the Premises, and relet the Premises or any part thereof upon such term or terms (which may be for a term extending beyond the Term of this Lease Agreement) and at such rental or rentals and upon such other terms and conditions as Landlord in its sole discretion may deem advisable. Upon each such subletting all rentals received by Landlord from such reletting shall be applied first to the payment of any indebtedness other than rent due hereunder from Tenant to Landlord; second, to the payment of any costs and expenses of such reletting, including brokerage fees and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs of such alterations and repairs; third, to the payment of the rent due and unpaid payment of future rent as the same may become due and payable hereunder. If such rentals received from such reletting during any month be less than that to be paid during that month by Tenant hereunder, Tenant, upon demand, shall pay any such deficiency to Landlord. No such re-entry or taking possession of the Premises by Landlord shall be construed as an election on its part to terminate this Lease Agreement unless a written notice of such intention is given to Tenant or unless the termination thereof is decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any such reletting without termination, Landlord may at any time after such re-entry and reletting elect to terminate this Lease Agreement for any such breach, in addition to any other remedies it may have, it may recover from Tenant all damages it may incur by reason of such breach, including the cost of recovering the Premises, reasonable attorney’s fees, and including the worth at the time of such termination of the excess, if any, of the amount of rent and charges equivalent to rent reserved in this Lease Agreement for the remainder of the stated term, minus the amount of rental loss which Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided, all of which amounts shall be immediately due and payable from Tenant to Landlord. Landlord shall also be entitled to any other amounts necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to comply with the requirements of this Lease Agreement.
c. Landlord may, at its option, instead of exercising any other rights or remedies available to it in this Lease Agreement or otherwise by law, statute or equity, spend such money as is reasonably necessary to cure any default of Tenant herein and the amount so spent, and costs incurred, including reasonable attorney’s fees in curing such default, shall be paid by Tenant, as Additional Rent, upon demand.
d. In the event suit shall be brought for recovery of possession of the Premises, for the recovery of rent of any other amount due under the provisions of this Lease Agreement, or because of the breach of any other covenant herein contained on the part of Tenant to be kept or performed, and a breach shall be established, Tenant shall pay to Landlord all expenses incurred therefore, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, together with interest on all such expenses at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the date of such breach of the covenants of this Lease Agreement.
e. Tenant hereby expressly waives any and all rights of redemption granted by or under any present or future laws in the event of Tenant being evicted or dispossessed for any cause, or in the event of Landlord obtaining possession of the Premises, by reason of the violation by Tenant of any of the covenants or conditions of this Lease Agreement, or otherwise. Tenant also waives any demand for possession of the Premises, and any demand for payment of rent and any notice of intent to re-enter the Premises, or of intent to terminate this Lease
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Agreement, other than the notices above provided in this Article, and waives any and every other notice or demand prescribed by any applicable statues or laws.
f . No remedy herein or elsewhere in this Lease Agreement or otherwise by law, statute or equity, conferred upon or reserved to Landlord or Tenant shall be exclusive of any other remedy, but shall be cumulative, and may be exercised from time to time and as often as the occasion may arise.
18. DEFAULT OF LANDLORD:
The failure by Landlord to observe or perform any of the covenants, conditions, or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Landlord, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Tenant to Landlord, shall be deemed to be a default by Landlord under this Lease; provided, however, that if the nature of Landlord’s default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required for its cure, then Landlord shall not be deemed to be in default if Landlord commences such cure within said thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion, provided that the default shall actually be cured within ninety (90) days after notice. In the event of a default by Landlord beyond applicable cure periods, Tenant shall have the right, at its election, to: (a) sue for all actual (but not consequential, speculative or punitive) damages sustained by reason of the default; or (b) perform the obligations described in the notice in which case Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for the reasonable cost of the performance of such obligations within ten (10) business days after Tenant’s submission of an invoice therefor. If Tenant elects to proceed under clause (b) above, then the Landlord’s default shall be deemed to have been cured when Tenant’s expense has been reimbursed in full. In the event Tenant commences a suit for damages sustained by reason of a Landlord Default and prevails in such suit and obtains a final, non-appealable judgment with respect to such suit, Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for all reasonable costs including attorney’s fees.
19. INDEMNITY & HOLD HARMLESS:
Both Tenant and Landlord shall indemnify, protect, defend (at Landlord’s request and with counsel approved by Landlord) and hold each other and both parties’ affiliates and each of their respective partners, directors, officers, shareholders and employees, harmless from and against every demand, claim, cause of action, judgment, costs and expense, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements of counsel, whether suit is initiated or not, and all loss and damage arising from any injury, loss or damage to the person or property of Tenant, any other tenant in the Property or to any other person rightfully in the Property, (i) occurring in or about the Premises, or (ii) caused by the negligence or misconduct of Tenant or Landlord, their affiliates or any of their respective employees, representatives, agents or contractors, or (iii) resulting from the violation of any legal requirements or the provisions of this Lease Agreement by Tenant or Landlord, their affiliates or any of their respective employees, representatives, agents or contractors. Tenant’s and Landlord’s indemnity obligations under this Article shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease Agreement.
If any mechanic’s lien is filed against any part of the Property for work, labor or services claimed to have been done for, or materials claimed to have been furnished to, Tenant, such mechanic’s lien shall be discharged by Tenant within ten (10) days thereafter, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, by the payment thereof or by making any deposit required by law or by posting a bond with such surety, in such amount and in such form as Landlord deems proper. Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of any mechanic’s lien or other lien filed against the Property or any part thereof by a contractor or subcontractor of Tenant or otherwise by reason of work claimed to have been done for or materials claimed to have been furnished to Tenant. If Tenant fails to remove such lien or post such bond within the ten (10) day period following the filing thereof, Landlord may, at its sole discretion and without waiving its rights and remedies based on such breach by Tenant and without releasing Tenant from any of its obligations, cause such lien to be released by any means it shall deem proper, including payment in satisfaction of the claim giving rise to such lien. Tenant shall, in such event, pay to Landlord at once, upon notice by
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Landlord, any sum paid by Landlord to remove such lien including reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest at the rate of 12% from the date of such payment by Landlord. Landlord shall have the right at all times to post and keep posted on the Premises any notices permitted or required by applicable law, or that Landlord shall deem proper for the protection of Landlord, the Premises, the Property and any other party having an interest therein, from liens. All material suppliers, contractors, artisans, mechanics, laborers and other parties contracting with Tenant for the furnishing of any labor, services, materials, supplies or equipment with respect to any portion of the Premises are hereby charged with notice that they must look solely to Tenant for payment of the same and Tenant’s purchase orders, contracts and subcontracts in connection therewith must clearly state this requirement.
20. NON-LIABILITY OF LANDLORD; RIGHTS RESERVED:
Landlord will not be liable for any damage or injury to the person, business (or any loss of income therefrom), inventory, furnishings, equipment or other property of Tenant, Tenant’s employees, invitees, customers or any other person in or about the Premises or Building, whether such damage or injury to the person or property is caused by or results from: (i) fire, steam, electricity, water, gas, explosions, falling plaster, snow or rain; (ii) the breakage, leakage, obstruction or other defects of pipes, sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, air conditioning or lighting fixtures or any other cause; (iii) conditions arising in or about the Premises or Building, or from other sources or places; (iv) any curtailment or interruption in utility services; or (v) any act or omission of any other tenant of the Building or persons in the Property, occupants of adjacent property, of the buildings, or the public or caused by operations in construction of any private, public or quasi-public work. The provisions of this Article will not exempt Landlord from liability for its gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided, however, in no event shall Landlord be liable for any consequential damages. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for any damages as the result of any latent defect in the Premises. All property of Tenant kept or stored on the Premises shall be so kept or stored at the risk of Tenant only and Tenant shall hold Landlord harmless from any claims arising out of damage to the same, including subrogation claims by Tenant’s insurance carrier.
Landlord shall have the following rights, exercisable without liability by Landlord to Tenant: (a) to change the Building’s name and/or street address; (b) to install, affix and maintain any and all signs on the exterior and in the interior of the Building; (c) to change the leasable areas and common areas of the Building and/or construct additional buildings on the land on which the Building is located. Landlord also reserves all airspace rights above, below and to all sides of the Premises; and (d) to grant anyone the exclusive right to conduct any business or render any service in or to the Building, so long as it does not exclude Tenant’s permitted use of the Premises.
21. SUBORDINATION, ESTOPPEL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
This Lease Agreement shall be subordinated to any mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, ground leases, master leases or other encumbrances (collectively, “Encumbrances”) that may now exist or that may hereafter be placed upon the Property, or any part thereof, and to any and all advances made thereunder, and to the interest upon the indebtedness evidenced by such Encumbrances, and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions of any of the Encumbrances. In the event of execution by Landlord after the date of this Lease Agreement of any such Encumbrance, renewal, modifications, consolidations, replacement or extension, Tenant agrees, within ten (10) business days of its receipt, to execute and return any commercially reasonable subordination agreement required by the holder of such Encumbrance, which agreement shall provide that:
a. Such holder shall not disturb the possession and other rights of Tenant under this Lease Agreement so long as Tenant is not in default hereunder;
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b. In the event of acquisition of title to the Premises by such holder, such holder shall accept Tenant as tenant of the Premises under the terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement and shall perform all the obligations of Landlord hereunder; and
c. In such event Tenant shall recognize such holder as landlord hereunder.
Tenant shall, upon receipt of a request from Landlord therefore, within ten (1 0) business days after receipt of such request, execute and deliver to Landlord or to any proposed holder of an Encumbrance, an estoppel certificate in recordable form, certifying that this Lease Agreement is in full force and effect, that there are no offsets against rent nor defenses to Tenant’s performance under this Lease Agreement, or setting forth any such offsets or defenses claimed by Tenant, as the case may be, and such other terms as reasonably requested by Landlord. In the event that Tenant fails to execute and return the estoppel certificate within such ten (10) business day period, the holder of such Encumbrance shall be entitled to rely, as against the Tenant, that (i) this Lease Agreement is in full force and effect, without amendment except as specified by the Landlord, (ii) Tenant has no offsets against rent nor any defenses to Tenant’s performance under this Lease Agreement, (iii) Tenant has no right to any offset or defenses to the payment of rent, and (iv) Tenant has not paid any rental under this Lease Agreement more than one month in advance.
Tenant agrees to give prompt written notice to the holder of each Encumbrance who has given Tenant written notice of its address of any default by Landlord under this Lease Agreement which would entitle Tenant to terminate or cancel this Lease Agreement or abate the rental payable hereunder, and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Lease Agreement to the contrary, no rental abatement or notice of termination of this Lease Agreement by Tenant shall be effective unless all such notified holders of Encumbrances have received said notice and have failed for thirty (30) days after receipt thereof to cure Landlord’s default, or if the default cannot be cured within thirty (30) days, have failed to commence and to diligently pursue the cure of Landlord’s default which gave rise to such right of termination or abatement.
22. ASSIGNMENT OR SUBLETTING:
a. Tenant Assignment. Tenant agrees not to assign, sublet, license, mortgage or encumber this Lease Agreement, the Premises, or any part thereof, whether by voluntary act, operation of law, or otherwise, without the specific prior written consent of Landlord in each instance and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If Tenant is a corporation, partnership or other legal entity, transfer of a controlling interest of Tenant shall be considered an assignment of this Lease Agreement for purposes of this Article. Consent by Landlord in one such instance shall not be a waiver of Landlord’s rights under this Article as to requiring consent for any subsequent instance. Any purported assignment, subletting, licensing, mortgaging or other transfer of this Lease Agreement or the Premises hereunder by Tenant that does not comply with the provisions of this Article 21 shall be void. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Tenant may, without the consent of Landlord, assign this Lease Agreement or sublet all or any part of the Premises to an Affiliate of Tenant. As used herein, an “Affiliate” of Tenant shall be deemed to be any entity which either controls, is controlled by or is under common control with Tenant, with “control” meaning the power to direct the management and policies, directly or indirectly, through the ownership of voting capital stock or other ownership interest. In connection with any assignment of this Lease Agreement or subletting of the Premises made or requested by Tenant, Tenant shall pay Landlord (i) a processing fee of $500.00 and (ii) all out-of-pocket costs incurred by Landlord, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. In the event Tenant desires to sublet a part or all of the Premises, or assign this Lease Agreement, including to an Affiliate of Tenant, Tenant shall give written notice to Landlord at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the proposed subletting or assignment, which notice shall state the name of the proposed subtenant or assignee and the terms of any sublease or assignment documents and shall include copies of financial statements or other relevant financial information of the proposed subtenant or assignee. Any rents and other consideration received by Tenant from an assignment of this Lease Agreement or subletting of the Premises
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which exceed the rents then payable by Tenant under this Lease Agreement shall be immediately paid by Tenant to Landlord as Additional Rent hereunder. At Landlord’s option following a default by Tenant under this Lease Agreement, any and all payments by the subtenant with respect to the sublease shall be paid directly to Landlord. In any event no assignment or subletting, including to an Affiliate of Tenant, shall release Tenant of its obligation to pay the rent and to perform all other obligations to be performed by Tenant hereunder for the Term of this Lease Agreement. The acceptance of rent by Landlord from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver by Landlord of any provision hereof. At Landlord’s option and with the exception of an assignment or subletting to an Affiliate of Tenant, Landlord may terminate this Lease Agreement in lieu of giving its consent to any proposed assignment of this Lease Agreement or subletting of all of the Premises (which termination may be contingent upon the execution of a new lease with the proposed assignee or subtenant).
b. Landlord Assignment. Landlord’s right to assign this Lease Agreement is and shall remain unqualified upon any sale or transfer of the Building and, provided the purchaser succeeds to the interests of Landlord under this Lease Agreement, Landlord shall thereupon be entirely freed of all obligations of the Landlord’s hereunder and shall not be subject to any liability resulting from any act or omission or event occurring after such conveyance.
23. ATTORNMENT:
In the event of any sale, transfer or assignment of Landlord’s interest in the Property, or the Building in which the Premises are located, or this Lease Agreement, or if the Property comes into custody or possession of a mortgagee or any other party whether because of a mortgage foreclosure, or otherwise, Tenant shall attorn to such assignee or other party and recognize such party as Landlord hereunder; provided, however Tenant’s peaceable possession will not be disturbed so long as Tenant faithfully performs its obligations under this Lease Agreement. Tenant shall execute, on demand, any attornment agreement required by any such party to be executed, containing such provisions as such party may require.
24. NOVATION IN THE EVENT OF SALE:
In the event of the sale of the Premises, Landlord shall be and hereby is relieved of all of the covenants and obligations created hereby accruing from and after the date of sale, and such sale shall result automatically in the purchaser assuming and agreeing to carry out all the covenants and obligations of Landlord herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, Landlord, in the event of a sale of the Premises, shall cause to be included in the agreement of sale and purchase a covenant whereby the purchaser of the Premises assumes and agree to carry out all of the covenants and obligations of Landlord herein.
The Tenant agrees at any time and from time to time upon not less than ten (10) business days prior written request by Landlord to execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord a statement in writing certifying that this Lease Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect, or as modified and stating the modifications, and the dates to which Base Rent, Additional Rent and other charges have been paid in advance, if any, and such other terms as Landlord shall reasonably require, it being intended that any such statement delivered pursuant to this paragraph may be relied upon by any prospective purchaser of the fee or mortgagee, or assignee of any mortgage of the Premises. In the event that Tenant fails to execute and return such statement within such ten (10) business day period, the requesting party shall be entitled to rely, as against the Tenant, that: (i) this Lease Agreement is in full force and effect, without amendment except as specified by the Landlord, (ii) Tenant has no offsets against rent nor any defenses to Tenant’s performance under this Lease Agreement, (iii) Tenant has no right to any offset or defenses to the payment of rent, and (iv) Tenant has not paid any rental under this Lease Agreement more than one month in advance.
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25. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:
The terms, covenants and conditions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
26. REMOVAL OF FIXTURES:
Notwithstanding anything contained in Article 8, Article 29, or elsewhere in this Lease Agreement, at the termination of the Lease, if Landlord requests, Tenant will promptly remove at the sole cost and expense of Tenant, all fixtures, equipment and alterations made by Tenant simultaneously with vacating the Premises and Tenant will promptly repair all damage and restore said Premises to the condition that existed immediately prior to said fixtures, equipment and alterations having been made, all at the sole cost and expense of Tenant, including the removal of any or all data and voice cabling or other wiring, all at Tenant’s sole cost.
27. QUIET ENJOYMENT:
Landlord warrants that it has full right to execute and to perform this Lease Agreement and to grant the estate demised, and that Tenant, upon payment of the rents and other amounts due and the performance of all the terms, conditions, covenants and agreements on Tenant’s part to be observed and performed under this Lease Agreement, may peaceably and quietly enjoy the Premises for the business uses permitted hereunder, subject, nevertheless, to the terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement.
28. RECORDING:
Tenant shall not record this Lease Agreement without the written consent of Landlord. However, upon the request of either party hereto, the other party shall join in the execution of a Memorandum Lease Agreement for the purposes of recordation. Said Memorandum Lease Agreement shall describe the parties, the Premises and the Term of the Lease Agreement and shall incorporate this Lease Agreement by reference.
29. OVERDUE PAYMENTS:
All monies due under this Lease Agreement from Tenant to Landlord shall be due on demand, unless otherwise specified and if not paid when due, shall result in the imposition of a service charge for such late payment in the amount of five percent (5%) of the amount due, provided, however, Landlord will waive one late payment month service charge per year provided such payment is received by the fifteenth (15 th ) day of said month. All unpaid or delinquent rents and Tenant obligations of any kind shall accrue interest at the rate of one and one-half (1-1/2%) percentage per month from and after the due date.
30. SURRENDER:
On the Expiration Date or upon the termination hereof upon a day other than the Expiration Date, Tenant shall peaceably surrender the Premises broom-clean in good order, condition and repair, reasonable wear and tear only excepted. On or before the last day of the Term or the sooner termination thereof, Tenant shall at its expense remove all of its furnishings, equipment and other personal property from the Premises, repairing any damage caused thereby, and any property not so removed shall be deemed abandoned. At the election of Landlord, all alterations, additions and fixtures, other than Tenant’s trade fixtures, which have been made or installed by either Landlord or Tenant upon the Premises shall remain as Landlord’s property and shall be surrendered with the Premises as a part thereof, or Landlord may require removal of the same at the end of the Term or upon the sooner termination thereof, in which event Tenant shall repair any damage caused thereby. If the Premises are not vacated and surrendered at the end of the Term or sooner termination thereof, Tenant shall indemnify Landlord against any and all loss, cost, damage,
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liability and expense resulting from delay by Tenant in so vacating and surrendering the Premises, including, without limitation, claims made by any succeeding tenant founded on such delay, which indemnity obligation shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease Agreement. Tenant shall promptly surrender all keys for the Premises to Landlord and shall inform Landlord of any combinations to any locks and/or safes on the Premises.
31. END OF TERM AND HOLDING OVER:
Tenant will, at the expiration of this Lease Agreement, whether by lapse of time or termination, vacate and surrender immediate possession of the Premises to Landlord. If Tenant fails to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises, the Landlord may, at its option, serve written notice upon Tenant that such holdover constitutes the creation of a month-to-month tenancy. If Landlord does not give said notice, Tenant’s holdover shall create a tenancy at sufferance. In any event, the tenancy shall be upon the terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement, except that the Base Rent and Additional Rent shall be 150% the Base Rent and Additional Rent Tenant was obligated to pay Landlord under this Lease Agreement immediately prior to expiration (in the case of tenancy at sufferance such Base Rent and Additional Rent shall be prorated on the basis of a 365 day year for each day Tenant remains in possession); excepting further that in the case of a tenancy at sufferance, no notices shall be required prior to commencement of any legal action to regain possession of the Premises. The provisions of this Article shall not constitute a waiver by Landlord of any right of re-entry as otherwise available to Landlord; nor shall receipt of any rent or any other act in apparent affirmance of the tenancy operate as a waiver of the right to terminate this Lease Agreement for a breach by Tenant hereof. If Tenant determines to extend or renew the Term of this Lease, whether by new lease agreement or amendment to this Lease Agreement, Landlord shall have no obligation to pay commissions or fees of any kind to any brokers that Tenant may engage regarding such new lease term. Tenant hereby acknowledges that any claims for brokerage commissions or fees in connection with a new term of this Lease Agreement shall be paid in full by Tenant.
32. CONSENTS BY LANDLORD:
Whenever provision is made under this Lease Agreement for Tenant securing the consent or approval by Landlord, such consent or approval shall only be in writing.
33. NOTICES:
Any notice required or permitted under this Lease Agreement shall be in writing and deemed sufficiently given or secured if sent by registered or certified return receipt mail or registered overnight courier service to Tenant at the address of the Premises provided in Definitions on Page 1 of this Lease Agreement and to Landlord at the address as provided in Article 4 of this Lease Agreement, and either party may by like written notice at any time designate a different address to which notices shall subsequently be sent or rent to be paid.
34. RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Tenant shall observe and comply with the rules and regulations set forth on Exhibit C or as Landlord may reasonably promulgate from time to time, for the safety, care and cleanliness of the Premises, Building, Common Areas and Property.
35. INTENT OF PARTIES:
Except as otherwise provided herein, Tenant covenants and agrees that if it shall at any time fail to pay any costs or expenses, or fail to take out, pay for, maintain or deliver any of the insurance policies, or fail to make any other payment or perform any other act on its part to be made or performed as required in this Lease Agreement, then Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, and without notice to or demand upon Tenant and without waiving or
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releasing Tenant from any obligations of Tenant contained in this Lease Agreement, pay any such cost or expense, effect any such insurance coverage and pay premiums therefore, and may make any other payment or perform any other act on the part of Tenant to be made and performed as provided in this Lease Agreement, in such manner and to such extent as Landlord may deem desirable, and in exercising any such right, to also pay all necessary and incidental costs and expenses, employ counsel and incur and pay reasonable attorneys’ fees. All sums so paid by Landlord and all necessary and incidental costs and expenses in connection with the performance of any such act by Landlord, together with interest thereon at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from the date of making of such expenditure by Landlord, shall be deemed Additional Rent hereunder, and shall be payable to Landlord on demand. Tenant covenants to pay any such sum or sums with interest as aforesaid and Landlord shall have the same rights and remedies in the event of the non-payment thereof by Tenant as in the case of default by Tenant in the payment of the Base Rent or Additional rent due under this Lease Agreement.
36. GENERAL:
a. The Lease Agreement does not create the relationship of principal and agent or of partnership or of joint venture or of any association between Landlord and Tenant, the sole relationship between the parties hereto being that of landlord and tenant.
b. No waiver of any default of Tenant hereunder shall be implied from any omission by Landlord to take any action on account of such default if such default persists or is repeated, and no express waiver shall affect any default other than the default specified in the express waiver and that only for the time and to the extent therein stated. One or more waivers by Landlord shall not then be construed as a waiver of a subsequent breach of the same covenant, term or condition. The consent to or approval by Landlord of any act by Tenant requiring Landlord’s consent or approval shall not waive or render unnecessary Landlord’s consent to or approval of any subsequent similar act by Tenant. No action required or permitted to be taken by or on behalf of Landlord under the terms or provisions of this Lease Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an eviction or disturbance of Tenant’s possession of the Premises. All preliminary negotiations are merged into and incorporated in this Lease Agreement. The laws of the State of Minnesota shall govern the validity, performance and enforcement of this Lease Agreement.
c. This Lease Agreement and the exhibits, attached hereto and forming a part hereof, constitute the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant affecting the Premises and there are no other agreements, either oral or written, between them other than as herein set forth. No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Lease Agreement shall be binding upon Landlord or Tenant unless reduced to writing and executed in the same form and manner in which this Lease Agreement is executed. If Tenant is a legal entity, each individual executing this Lease Agreement on behalf of said entity represents and warrants that s/he is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease Agreement on behalf of said entity in accordance with a duly adopted resolution of the governing body of said entity or in accordance with the organizational documents of said entity, and that this Lease Agreement is binding upon said entity in accordance with its terms.
d. If any agreement, covenant or condition of this Lease Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease Agreement, or the application of such agreement, covenant or condition to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each agreement, covenant or condition of this Lease Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
e. The obligations of Landlord under this Lease Agreement do not constitute the personal obligations of the individual partners, members, trustees, shareholders, directors or officers of Landlord or its constituent members or partners. If Landlord shall fail to perform any covenant, term or condition of this Lease Agreement required of Landlord, Tenant shall be required to deliver to Landlord written notice of the same. If, as
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a consequence of such default, Tenant shall recover a money judgment against Landlord, such judgment shall be satisfied only out of the proceeds of sale received upon execution of such judgment and levied thereon against the right, title and interest of Landlord in the Property and out of rent or other income from the Property receivable by Landlord, or out of consideration received by Landlord from the sale or other disposition of all or any part of Landlord’s right, title or interest in the Property, and no action for any deficiency may be sought or obtained by Tenant.
f. Tenant represents to Landlord, and Landlord represents to Tenant, that the representing party is not (and such party is not engaged in this transaction on behalf of) a person or entity with which either party is prohibited from doing business pursuant to any law, regulation or executive order pertaining to national security ( “Anti-Terrorism Laws” ) and; such party has not violated and, to the best of such party’s knowledge it is not under investigation for, the violation of any Anti-Terrorism Laws pertaining to money laundering. “Anti-Terrorism Laws”, as referenced above, shall specifically include, but shall not be limited to, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56 (aka, the USA Patriot Act); Executive Order 13224; the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et. Seq.; the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. Section 1 et. Seq.; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. Section 1701 et. Seq.; sanctions and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), as well as laws related to the prevention and detection of money laundering in 18 U.S. C. Sections 1956 and 1957.
37. ENVIRONMENTAL:
a. Tenant will not cause or permit any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) to be brought upon, kept or used on the Property (as defined below) in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by or which could result in liability under any Hazardous Materials Law (as defined below). Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, will comply with all Hazardous Materials Laws and prudent industry practice relating to the presence, treatment, storage, transportation, disposal, release or management of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about the Property required for Tenant’s use of the Property and its operations therein and will notify Landlord in writing in advance of any and all Hazardous Materials Tenant brings upon, keeps or uses on the Property (other than small quantities of office cleaning or other office supplies as are customarily used in the ordinary course of a general office use). On or before the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease Agreement, Tenant will, at its sole cost and expense, cause all Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about the Property as a result of or in any way related to Tenant’s use of the Property or its operations therein, whether prior to or following the commencement date of this Lease Agreement, to be removed from the Property in accordance and in compliance with all Hazardous Materials Laws. Tenant will not take any remedial action in response to the presence of any Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about the Property, nor enter into any settlement agreement, consent decree or other compromise with respect to any Claims (as defined below) relating to or in any way connected with the Property, without first notifying Landlord of Tenant’s intention to do so and affording Landlord reasonable opportunity to investigate, appear, intervene or otherwise appropriately assert and protect Landlord’s interest in the Property.
b. Tenant will notify Landlord of any of the following actions affecting Landlord, Tenant or the Property and resulting from or in any way relating to Tenant’s use of the Property or its operations therein immediately after receiving notice of the same: (a) any enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action instituted, completed or threatened under any Hazardous Materials Law; (b) any Claim made or threatened by any person relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss or injury resulting from or claimed to result from any Hazardous Material; and (c) any reports made by any person, including Tenant, to any environmental agency relating to any Hazardous Material, including any complaints, notices, warnings or asserted violations. Tenant will also provide Landlord, as promptly as possible and in any event within ten (10) business days after Tenant first receives or sends the same, with copies of all Claims, reports,
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complaints, notices, warnings or asserted violations relating in any way to the Property. Upon Landlord’s written request, Tenant will promptly deliver to Landlord notices of manifests reflecting the legal and proper disposal of all Hazardous Materials removed or to be removed from the Property. All such manifests will list Tenant or its agent as a responsible party and will not attribute responsibility for any such Hazardous Materials to Landlord.
c. Subject to the provisions of Article 12 above, including but not limited to the notice and confidentiality provisions, Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, by itself or by its agent, to enter upon the Property for purposes of inspecting the compliance thereof, and the operations conducted thereon, with Hazardous Materials Laws, and to take such samples or perform such intrusive testing, or “Phase II” investigation, as Landlord may, in its discretion, determine; provided that any such entry, or such intrusive testing, shall not unreasonably interfere with the business operations of Tenant on the Property. Tenant shall afford Landlord, or its agent, reasonable access to inspect Tenant’s books and records evidencing compliance with Hazardous Materials Laws, including, but not limited to, access to appropriate licenses and permits, as well as manifests or other records relative to the handling, treatment, storage, shipment, or disposal of Hazardous Materials, as required under applicable Hazardous Materials Laws. The costs incurred in exercising Landlord’s rights under this Article 37 C shall be paid by Landlord unless such entry and/or testing by Landlord reveals either a violation of Hazardous Materials Laws or the presence of Hazardous Materials requiring remediation, in either which case and in addition to being responsible for all of the costs of remedying such violation and/or remediating such Hazardous Materials, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the costs incurred by Landlord under this Article 37 C within thirty (30) days following Tenant’s receipt of an invoice therefore.
d. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that all reporting and warning obligations required under Hazardous Materials Laws resulting from or in any way relating to Tenant’s use of the Property or its operations therein are Tenant’s sole responsibility, regardless whether such Hazardous Materials Laws permit or require Landlord to report or warn.
e. With respect to all Hazardous Materials generated, used or otherwise located on the Property, whether prior to or following the commencement date of this Lease Agreement, as a result of or in any way related to Tenant’s use of the Property or its operations therein, the following specific rules shall govern:
(i) Tenant shall at all times be in full compliance with all Hazardous Materials Laws. Tenant shall advise Landlord prior to the generation or handling of Hazardous Materials (other than small quantities of office cleaning or other office supplies as are customarily used in the ordinary course of a general office use). Upon request by Landlord, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord copies of all contracts, programs, management plans or certifications regarding the generation, storage, removal or disposal of Hazardous Materials which are required in order for Tenant to be in compliance with the Hazardous Materials Laws.
(ii) All Hazardous Materials located upon the Property shall be transported therefrom, and appropriately disposed of directly by Tenant pursuant to Hazardous Materials removal contracts executed by Tenant and in compliance with all Hazardous Materials Laws.
(iii) Tenant shall, immediately upon receipt provide Landlord with copies of, and shall comply with, all Environmental Requirements.
(iv) In no event shall any Hazardous Materials be stored, handled or disposed of on the Property other than in strict compliance herewith.
f. Tenant will indemnity, defend (with counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord), protect and hold
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harmless the Landlord Parties (as defined below) from and against any and all Claims whatsoever arising or resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the presence, treatment, storage, transportation, disposal, release or management of Hazardous Materials in, on, under, upon or from the Property (including water tables and atmosphere) resulting from or in any way related to Tenant’s use of the Property or its operations therein, whether prior to or following the commencement date of this Lease Agreement. Tenant’s obligations under this Article 37 F include, without limitation and whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, the costs of (a) any required or necessary repair, clean-up, detoxification or decontamination of the Property, and (b) implementing any closure, remediation or other required action in connection therewith as stated above.
g. Landlord warrants and covenants that to the best of its knowledge there is no contamination of the Premises, the Building or the Property caused by Hazardous Substances. Landlord hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Tenant and its officers, directors, shareholders, partners and principals from and against any claims arising as of the result of any past or present existence, use, handling, storage, transportation, manufacture, release or disposal of any Hazardous Substances in, on or under the Premises, the Building or the Property, and any release of Hazardous Substances at or from the Building or the Property. Landlord’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Term of this Lease and the Sale of the Premises, the Building or the Property by the Landlord. The foregoing indemnifications shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
The terms of this section relating to Tenant shall not apply to conditions pre-existing, caused by another tenant of Property, or otherwise not related to or caused by Tenant.
h. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) “Hazardous Materials” means any of the following, in any amount: (a) any petroleum or petroleum product, asbestos in any form, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls; (b) any radioactive substance; (c) any toxic, infectious, reactive, corrosive, ignitable or flammable chemical or chemical compound; and (d) any chemicals, materials or substances, whether solid, liquid or gas, defined as or included in the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “pollutants,” ’‘contaminants,” “hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restricted hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “solid waste,” or words of similar import in any federal, state or local statute, law, ordinance or regulation now existing or existing on or after the Effective Date, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq., and the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 115B, as any of the same may be interpreted by government offices and agencies.
(ii) “Property” means the Premises and the Building (expressly including the all Common Areas) together.
(iii) “Hazardous Materials Laws” means any federal, state or local statutes, laws, ordinances or regulations now or hereafter existing that control, classify, regulate, list or define Hazardous Materials, or the generation, storage, transportation, treatment or disposal of Hazardous Materials.
(iv) “Landlord Parties” means Landlord and its property manager and their respective officers, governors, members, managers and employees.
(v) “Claims” means all claims, actions, liabilities, damages, costs, penalties, forfeitures, losses or expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.
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(vi) “Environmental Requirements” means all permits, inspection reports, monitoring reports, licenses, orders, demands, compliance requests, edicts or other documentation filed, served, delivered or transmitted either with, to or from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Health or the Environmental Protection Agency or any other governmental body, including Hazardous Materials Laws.
i. The obligations of Tenant under this Article 37 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease Agreement.
38. CAPTIONS:
The captions are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Lease Agreement nor the intent or any provision thereof.
39. ATTACHMENTS:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof is an Addendum containing Article 42 through Article 53 inclusive and Exhibits A through Exhibit G, inclusive, which Exhibits are as follows:
Exhibit | Description | |
Exhibit A | Legal Description | |
Exhibit B | Premises | |
Exhibit C | Building Rules and Regulations | |
Exhibit D | Building Standard Tenant Lease Finish and Tenant Improvements | |
Exhibit E | Sign Criteria | |
Exhibit F | Ratification Agreement | |
Exhibit G | Letter of Credit |
40. SUBMISSION:
Submission of this Lease Agreement by Landlord to Tenant for examination and/or execution shall not in any manner bind Landlord and no obligations on Landlord shall arise under this Lease Agreement unless and until this Lease Agreement is fully signed and delivered by Landlord and Tenant; provided, however, the execution and delivery by Tenant of this Lease Agreement to Landlord shall constitute an offer by Tenant of the terms, covenants and conditions contained in this Lease Agreement, which offer may not be revoked for a period of thirty (30) days after such delivery.
41. REPRESENTATION:
Each of the parties represents and warrants that except only as may be provided in Article 44 of the Addendum, there are no claims for brokerage commissions or finder’s fees (collectively “Leasing Commissions” ) in connection with this Lease Agreement, and agrees to indemnify the other party against, and hold it harmless from all liabilities arising from any claim for Leasing Commissions asserted by a broker, agent or other person or entity claiming through the indemnifying party, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused these presents to be executed in form and manner sufficient to bind them at law, as of the day and year first above written.
Landlord: | West Glen Development, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/25/14 | By: | /s/ Bradley L. Moen | |
Bradley L. Moen, Governor | ||||
Date: | 3/11/14 | By: | /s/ Michael J. Leuer | |
Michael J. Leuer, Governor | ||||
Tenant: | Celcuity, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/11/14 | By: | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | |
Name: | Brian Sullivan | |||
Its: | CEO |
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LEASE ADDENDUM
This Lease Addendum, dated this 11 day of March, 2014 by and West Glen Development, LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Celcuity , LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company(“Tenant”), is attached to and made a part of that certain Commercial Lease of even date hereof (the “Lease Agreement”). The Lease Agreement as modified by this Lease Addendum is hereinafter referred to as the Lease. Except to the extent otherwise defined below, all capitalized terms used in this Lease Addendum shall be as defined in the Lease Agreement.
Any provision of the Lease Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
42. Base Rental:
Months | Price Per Square Foot | Monthly | ||||||
May 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
June 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 | $ | 10.03 | $ | 4,027.05 | ||||
May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 | $ | 10.28 | $ | 4,127.42 | ||||
May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017 | $ | 10.53 | $ | 4,227.80 | ||||
May 1, 2017 to May 31,2017 | $ | 10.80 | $ | 4,336.20 |
43. Amounts Due Upon Lease Execution: In addition to the Security and Damage Deposit described in Article 10 of the Lease Agreement in the amount of $5,717.36, upon execution of the Lease Agreement, Tenant shall submit to Landlord a check in amount representing the second month’s Base Rent of $4,027.05 for a total of $9,744.41.
44. Brokerage: Jon Yanta and Brent Masica, agents or brokers with Cushman & Wakefield/Northmarq, are representing Landlord, and that Jeff Wenngatz, agent or broker with CRESA, is representing Tenant in this transaction. Landlord shall be responsible for all commissions associated with this transaction.
45. Construction: Preliminary plans prepared by Landlord for permanent improvements to the Premises are attached hereto as Exhibit D and by this reference incorporated herein. Exhibit D has been approved by each of Landlord and Tenant. The parties acknowledge that Exhibit D will modify the Premises to accommodate Tenant’s intended use. Upon any required approval of Exhibit D by the City and the issuance of a building permit by the City, Landlord shall be responsible for constructing the improvements as shown on Exhibit D (hereafter called “Tenant Improvements” ) for and on behalf of Tenant. Landlord and Tenant have agreed that the costs of such Tenant Improvements shall be paid by Landlord. Any improvements to the Premises, other than as shown on Exhibit D, and the furnishing of the Premises, shall be made by Tenant at the sole cost and expense of Tenant, subject to all other provisions of this Lease Agreement. If the Tenant Improvements cannot be substantially completed prior to the Commencement Date, then the provisions of Article 9 shall apply. As used in this Lease Agreement, “substantial completion” of the Tenant Improvements or their being “substantially completed” means (i) Landlord has completed construction of the Tenant Improvements in accordance with Exhibit D to such an extent that Tenant may occupy the Premises for the purpose of conducting its business operations therein, subject to completion by Landlord of normal punch list items (hereafter called the “Punch List Items” ) and (ii) any required certificate of occupancy/completion or its local equivalent has been issued by the City for the Premises so as to permit the use and occupancy of the Premises by Tenant.
46. Additional Tenant Improvements. In addition to the Tenant Improvements defined in Article 45, Landlord agrees to provide, at Landlord’s cost and expense, the following, under the same terms and conditions as provided in Article 45:
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a. | Two (2) electrical receptacles per office/conference room |
b. | Twenty (20) electrical receptacles in the lab area and five (5) electrical receptacles in the office area for work stations |
c. | Tenant will supply two (2) lab sinks and Landlord shall install and providing plumbing to said sinks |
d. | Epoxy floor coating with a urethane top coat and 4” vinyl base in lab area |
e. | Clean and paint restrooms |
f. | VCT flooring in break room |
g. | Carpet and paint in the office area |
h. | Parabolic T-8 lights in office |
i . | 9 lineal feet of base cabinets with PLAM top in break room, including sink |
Further, Tenant agrees that all costs associated with a clean room, venting, zoned HVAC in lab and HEPA filters (together referred to as the “Additional Work”) will be at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and pursuant to all of the terms and conditions of this Lease. Prior to commencing construction of Additional Work, Landlord shall submit to Tenant a written estimate of the total costs thereof, which include a construction management fee payable to Landlord’s construction manager for profit and overhead in the total amount of ten percent (10%) (hereafter called the “Estimate”). Tenant shall deposit the amount of the Estimate with Landlord within ten (10) business days of Tenant’s receipt of the Estimate (hereafter called the “Deposit”). Landlord will not commence construction of the Additional Work until any required Deposit is made by Tenant. No interest shall accrue on the Deposit and Landlord shall use such Deposit to pay for the costs of the Additional Work as and when payable. Following substantial completion of the Additional Work, if the actual costs of the Additional Work exceed the total of the Deposit, Tenant shall pay Landlord the excess amount within fifteen (15) days following Tenant’s receipt from Landlord of a written statement of such actual costs. Conversely, in the event a Deposit has been made by Tenant and the total of the Deposit exceeds the actual costs, Landlord shall reimburse the excess amount to Tenant (not to exceed, however, the amount of the Deposit) within fifteen (15) days following Tenant’s receipt from Landlord of a written statement of such actual costs.
47. Early Move-In. Except as otherwise provided, Landlord shall deliver possession of the Premises with the tenant improvements thereto substantially completed on or before the Commencement Date, but delivery of possession prior to the Commencement Date shall not affect the Expiration Date of this Lease Agreement. Failure of Landlord to deliver possession of the Premises by the Commencement Date due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of Landlord, including, without limitation, a holding over by a prior tenant, labor or material shortages, strikes, casualty loss, acts of God or failure by the City to timely approve the an plans or issue a building permit (any of the foregoing being hereafter referred to as an “Excused Delay” ), shall automatically postpone the Commencement Date and shall extend the Expiration Date of this Lease Agreement accordingly. The rentals herein reserved shall commence on the first day of the Term, provided, however, in the event of any occupancy by Tenant prior to the beginning of the Term, such occupancy shall in all respects be the same as that of a tenant under this Lease Agreement, and the rentals shall commence as of the date that Tenant enters into such occupancy of the Premises; provided, however, the Tenant may enter the Premises rent-free during the Move-in Period (as defined below) only for the purposes described below. Provided further, that if Landlord shall be delayed in delivery of the Premises to Tenant due to Tenant’s failure to timely deliver any plans to Landlord or make any required deposit, changes in or additions to plans or tenant improvements made at the request of Tenant, Tenant’s failure to timely deliver any required Security Deposit or any other delay caused by Tenant or any of its contractors, agents or employees, or by Tenant’s failure to pay for the costs of tenant improvements in excess of any tenant improvement allowance and any deposit (any of the foregoing being hereafter referred to as a “Tenant Delay” ), then in such case the commencement of Tenant’s obligation to pay rentals shall be accelerated by the number of days of such Tenant Delay. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, so long as Tenant does not interfere with the completion of any tenant improvements and Tenant coordinates its entry into the
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Premises with the scheduled adopted by Landlord’s construction manager for the completion of tenant improvements, Tenant may enter the Premises, rent-free but otherwise subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement, up to two (2) week(s) prior to the Commencement Date of this Lease Agreement (herein the “Move-in Period” ) for the limited purpose of installing its wiring and moving its workstations, furnishings, equipment and other personal property into the Premises. During the Move-in Period and at any other time prior to the Commencement Date, Landlord shall have no responsibility or liability for loss or damage to trade fixtures or equipment installed or left on the Premises. By occupying the Premises as a tenant, or to install trade fixtures or equipment, or to perform finishing work, Tenant shall be conclusively deemed to have accepted the same and to have acknowledged that the Premises are in the condition required by this Lease Agreement, except for any punch list items for which Tenant has given Landlord a written list within thirty (30) days of Tenant’s first occupancy of the Premises. Should the Commencement Date of this Lease Agreement occur for any reason on a day other than the first day of the calendar month, then in that event solely for the purposes of determining the Expiration Date of the Term of this Lease Agreement, the Term shall be deemed to have commenced on the first (1 st ) day of the calendar month immediately following. Promptly following Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises, Landlord and Tenant shall execute a Ratification Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F which shall set forth the final commencement and expiration dates of the Term, shall acknowledge the Base Rent, the rentable square footage of the Premises, delivery of the Premises in the condition required by this Lease Agreement and shall include such other matters as Landlord may reasonably request.
48. Option to Extend Term.
A. Subject to the provisions of Article 48B below and provided this Lease Agreement or Tenant’s right of possession hereunder has not been earlier terminated, Tenant shall have the right to extend the Term of the Lease Agreement as to all, but not less than all, of the Premises then being leased hereunder, for one period of three (3) years beginning immediately following the end of the initial Term (the “Extended Term” ) subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) Tenant shall give written notice to Landlord of the exercise of Tenant’s right to extend the Term of this Lease Agreement no later than nine (9) months prior to the commencement of the Extended Term, time being of the essence (the “Renewal Notice” ). If no such Renewal Notice is timely given, this Lease Agreement shall terminate as of the end of the initial Term;
(ii) Tenant shall not be in default under this Lease Agreement beyond the passage of any applicable period of cure, grace or notice at the time of giving the Renewal Notice or at any time thereafter to and including the commencement of the Extended Term; and
(iii) The extension of the Term hereunder for the Extended Term shall be on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to the initial Term;
provided, however, (i) Tenant shall have no further right to extend the Term of this Lease Agreement, (ii) Articles 46 and 47 shall not apply to the Extended Term and (iii) the Base Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord in monthly installments during the Extended Term shall be the Market Rent (as defined in Article 49 below) as reasonably determined by Landlord. Within ten (10) days following receipt of Tenant’s Renewal Notice, but no earlier than nine (9) months prior to the commencement of the Extended Term, Landlord shall notify Tenant of Landlord’s determination of the Market Rent for the Extended Term (“Landlord’s Market Rent Determination” ). If Tenant disagrees with Landlord’s Market Rent Determination for the Extended Term, the parties shall negotiate in good faith for a period of thirty (30) days following receipt by Tenant of Landlord’s Market Rent Determination as to the Base Rent payable during the Extended Term. If the parties are unable to agree in writing on the Base Rent payable during the Extended Term within said thirty (30) day period, Tenant shall have the right to rescind the giving of
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the Renewal Notice by giving written notice of rescission to Landlord no later than five (5) days following the end of said twenty (20) day period, time being of the essence (the “Rescission Notice” ), in which event the giving of the Renewal Notice shall be deemed rescinded and this Lease Agreement shall expire as of the end of the initial Term. In the event such Rescission Notice is not timely given, the Renewal Notice shall remain in full force and effect and the Base Rent payable during the Extended Term shall be as set forth in Landlord’s Market Rent Determination.
B. It is acknowledged and agreed by the parties that the right of Tenant (hereafter the “Original Tenant” ) to extend the Term of this Lease Agreement under Article 48 A above is personal to Original Tenant. and should said Original Tenant either assign this Lease Agreement or sublet all or any part of the Premises to any person or entity other than to an Affiliate of said Original Tenant, Article 48 A above shall automatically become null and void and of no further force or effect.
49. Market Rent. For purposes of Article 48 above, “Market Rent” shall be the annual net rental rate per square foot of rentable area which a tenant renewing its lease would agree to pay, and a landlord would agree to accept, as of the date in question, for the term in question, for the space in question in its then existing condition, assuming reasonably prudent persons, each being fully knowledgeable in all the facts, and each being willing to deal but neither being under any compulsion to deal, and assuming a lease containing all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease Agreement. Such Market Rent shall be based on prevailing rental rates being charged to tenants in comparable buildings in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, including the Building. Market Rent shall be determined giving due consideration to whether or not improvement allowances, Leasing Commissions or other lease concessions (collectively, the “Lease Concessions” ) are then customarily being offered in connection with the renewal of existing leases, it being the intention of the parties that Landlord shall provide Lease Concessions that are consistent with and determined contemporaneously with the determination of Market Rent.
50. Right of First Offer. In the event any contiguous space adjacent to the Premises (the “Adjacent Space” ) becomes available to Landlord to lease, Landlord agrees to give written notice thereof to Tenant (“Landlord’s Offer Notice” ):
(i) Tenant shall give written notice to Landlord of its agreement to lease the Adjacent Bay within five (5) business days after receipt of Landlord’s Offer Notice (the “Acceptance Notice”). If no such Renewal Notice is timely given, this Right of First Offer shall terminate; and
(ii) Tenant shall not be in default under this Lease Agreement beyond the passage of any applicable period of cure, grace or notice at the time of giving the Acceptance Notice; and
provided, however, (i) Tenant shall have no further right of first offer on any adjacent space in the Building, (ii) Base Rent shall be at Market Rent (as defined in Article 49 above) and (iii) the Additional Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord shall be adjusted to reflect the increased proportionate share of Tenant’s Premises in the Building.
It is acknowledged and agreed by the parties that the right of Tenant (hereafter the “Original Tenant”) to lease the Adjacent Space under this Article 50 is personal to Original Tenant. and should said Original Tenant either assign this Lease or sublet all or any part of the Premises to any person or entity other than to an affiliate of said Original Tenant, this Article 50 shall automatically become null and void and of no further force or effect.
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51. Letter of Credit.
Simultaneously with Tenant’s execution and delivery of this Lease Agreement, Tenant at its sole cost and expense shall deliver to Landlord, from a commercially recognized financial institution (the “Financial Institution” ) in the Twin Cities metropolitan area approved by Landlord, an irrevocable, unconditional standby letter of credit in the amount of Fifty Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($50,000.00), in substantially the form as set forth in Exhibit G attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, with any revisions thereof to be approved, in advance, by Landlord (such letter of credit, together with any other renewal or replacement letters of credit delivered or to be delivered by Tenant hereunder shall be referred to herein collectively as the “Letter of Credit” ). Subject to the provisions hereinafter provided with respect to periodic reductions in the amount of the Letter of Credit under specified terms and conditions, the Letter of Credit shall be maintained until sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Term of this Lease Agreement. Tenant may periodically renew the Letter of Credit to assure that it is maintained throughout the entirety of said period; provided, any expiring Letter of Credit must be extended, renewed and/or replaced with a substitute Letter of Credit at least thirty (30) days prior to the stated expiration date of such Letter of Credit.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event at any time during the Term of this Lease Agreement the issuing Financial Institution for a Letter of Credit delivered by Tenant under this Article either (i) has its rating downgraded by Bankrate’s Safe & Sound Rating System or comparable private rating system for financial institutions or (ii) is liquidated, dissolved or has a receiver appointed for it by the federal or state regulatory authorities, then in such case Landlord may at any time thereafter require that the Tenant replace the Letter of Credit issued by such Financial Institution with a Letter of Credit issued by a replacement Financial Institution approved by Landlord. In the event such a replacement Letter of Credit is not delivered to Landlord within twenty (20) days following Landlord’s written demand, then in such case and notwithstanding anything in Article 17 of this Lease Agreement to the contrary, an incurable default by Tenant shall have occurred under this Lease Agreement not requiring further written notice by Landlord and Landlord may, at its option, draw upon the Letter of Credit for the full amount of the Letter of Credit.
Landlord may draw on the Letter of Credit as follows:
A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained within this Lease Agreement, in the event of a default by Tenant beyond the passage of any applicable period of cure, grace or notice, in the payment of rent (whether denominated Base, Additional or otherwise) or any other default by Tenant beyond the passage of any applicable period of cure, grace or notice, under the terms of this Lease Agreement, then in such case Landlord may, at its option, draw upon the Letter of Credit for the amount necessary to cure such default and apply the proceeds to such cure. Tenant shall, within five (5) days following the date of such draw on the Letter of Credit by Landlord, deliver to Landlord a replacement Letter of Credit for the full amount of the Letter of Credit Landlord was holding prior to such draw. If Tenant shall fail to deliver such replacement Letter of Credit to Landlord within said five (5) day period, then in such case and notwithstanding anything in Article 17 of this Lease Agreement to the contrary, an incurable default by Tenant shall have occurred under this Lease Agreement not requiring written notice by Landlord and Landlord may, at its option, draw upon the Letter of Credit for the full remaining amount of the Letter of Credit.
B. In the event of the failure by Tenant to extend, renew and/or replace an expiring Letter of Credit with a substitute Letter of Credit at least thirty (30) days prior to the stated expiration date of such Letter of Credit, then in such case and notwithstanding anything in Article 17 of this Lease Agreement to the contrary, an incurable default by Tenant shall have occurred under this Lease Agreement not requiring written notice
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by Landlord and Landlord may, at its option, draw upon the Letter of Credit for the full amount of the Letter of Credit.
In the event Landlord shall draw upon the full amount (or in the case of subpart A above, the full remaining amount) of the Letter of Credit pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article, Landlord may, in addition to applying such proceeds to such other amounts as are payable to Landlord under Article 17 of this Lease Agreement following a default by Tenant, apply the proceeds of such Letter of Credit to Landlord’s Unamortized Transaction Costs, which Unamortized Transaction Costs shall, without further act or notice by Landlord, automatically become due and payable in full. For purposes of this Article, the “Unamortized Transaction Costs” shall mean the then unamortized amount of the Transaction Costs assuming that the total amount of such Transaction Costs together with interest thereon at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum is being amortized in equal monthly installments over the initial Term of this Lease Agreement. As used in this Article, the “Transaction Costs” shall mean any and all of the following: (i) any Tenant Improvement Allowance furnished by Landlord pursuant to Exhibit D of this Lease Agreement, (ii) any Leasing Commissions paid by Landlord to Landlord’s broker and/or Tenant’s broker pursuant to Article 41 of this Lease Agreement, and (iii) any free or abated Base Rental under Article 42 of this Lease Agreement and/or free or abated Additional Rental under Article 3 of this Lease Agreement for Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses.
Tenant understands that its potential liability under this Lease Agreement is not limited to the amount of the Letter of Credit. Application of the proceeds of the Letter of Credit from time to time by Landlord shall not constitute a waiver, but is in addition to all other remedies available to Landlord under this Lease Agreement and under law.
52. HVAC Repair and Replacement. Tenant’s obligations as set forth in Article 6 of the Lease with respect to the maintenance, repair and replacement, if necessary, of heating and air conditioning fixtures, equipment, and systems, are modified as follows: If the HVAC equipment requires replacement during the Term of the Lease, Landlord shall pay for the cost of such replacement. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for said replacement costs based on the following formula in equal monthly payments:
Number of months remaining in Lease Term | x | Replacement Cost |
One Hundred Forty-Four Months |
53. Tenant Visitor Log Requirement. Landlord agrees that upon any entry to the Premises, by Landlord, its representatives, and any visitors provided access to the Premises by the Landlord, all individuals must provide the following information: printed full name, time and date of entry and departure, place of employment, purpose of entry, and signature. Tenant shall make a visitor log book available in the reception area of the Premises for the purpose of recording such information.
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Landlord: | West Glen Development, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/25/14 | By: | /s/ Bradley L. Moen | |
Bradley L. Moen, Vice President | ||||
Date: | 3/11/14 | By: | /s/ Michael J. Leuer | |
Michael J. Leuer, Governor | ||||
Tenant: | Celcuity, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/11/14 | By: | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | |
Name: | Brian Sullivan | |||
Its: | CEO |
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Lot 1, Block 1, West Glen Corporate Center, Hennepin County, Minnesota
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EXHIBIT B
PREMISES
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EXHIBIT C
BUILDING RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Any sign, lettering, picture, notice or advertisement installed on or in any part of the Property and visible from any exterior or interior common area of the “Complex” or from the exterior of the Property, shall be installed at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, and in such manner, character and style as Landlord may approve in writing. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, approval as to signs shall be subject to Landlord’s approval that may be withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. In the event of a violation of the foregoing by Tenant, Landlord may remove the same without any liability and may charge the expense incurred by such removal to Tenant. The term “Complex” shall be defined to mean all real property on which the eight buildings, driveways, parking areas, landscaped areas and related common areas, commonly referred to as “West Glen Development I,” is located in the City of Plymouth, Minnesota.
2. Tenant, its employees, customers, invitees and guests shall not obstruct sidewalks, entrances, passages, corridors, vestibules, halls, or stairways in and about the Complex which are used in common with other tenants and their employees, customers, guests and invitees, and which are not a part of the property of Tenant. Tenant shall not place objects against glass partitions or doors or windows that would be unsightly from the Complex corridors or from the exterior of the Complex and will promptly remove any such objects upon notice from Landlord.
3. Tenant shall not make excessive noises, cause disturbances or vibrations, use or operate any electrical or mechanical devices that emit excessive sound or other waves, disturbances or create obnoxious odors, nor operate any device/equipment for radio/television broadcasting or reception from or within the Complex or elsewhere and shall not place or install any projections, antennas, aerials or similar devices inside or outside the Property or on the Complex.
4. Tenant shall not waste electricity, water or vestibule heat furnished by Landlord, if any, and shall cooperate fully with Landlord to ensure the most effective operation of the Complex’s heating and air conditioning systems.
5. Tenant assumes full responsibility for protecting its space from theft, robbery and pilferage, which includes keeping doors locked and other means of entry to the Property closed and secured at all times.
6. In no event shall Tenant bring into the Complex flammables, such as gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, explosives or any other article of intrinsically dangerous nature. If, by reason of the failure of Tenant to comply with the provisions of this subparagraph, any insurance premium for all or any part of the Complex shall at any time be increased, Tenant shall make immediate payment of the whole of the increased insurance premium, without waiver of any of Landlord’s other rights at law or in equity for Tenant’s breach of this Lease. Any permitted items must be stored in a fireproof cabinet.
7. Tenant shall comply with all applicable federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances and regulations, and building rules and shall not directly or indirectly make any use of the Property which may be prohibited by any of the foregoing or which may be dangerous to persons or property or may increase the cost of insurance or require additional insurance coverage.
8. Landlord shall have the right to prohibit any advertising by Tenant which in Landlord’s reasonable opinion tends to impair the reputation of the Complex or its desirability as a building complex for office/warehouse use, and upon written notice from Landlord, Tenant shall refrain from or discontinue such advertising.
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9. The Property shall not be used for cooking (as opposed to heating of food), lodging, sleeping or for any immoral or illegal purpose.
10. Unless expressly permitted by Landlord, no additional locks or similar devices shall be attached to any door or window and no keys other than those provided by Landlord shall be made for any door. If more than two keys for one lock are desired by Tenant, Landlord may provide the same upon payment by Tenant. Upon termination of this Lease or of Tenant’s possession, Tenant shall surrender all keys of the Property and shall explain to Landlord all combination locks on safes, cabinets and vaults.
11. Any carpeting cemented down shall be installed with a releasable adhesive. In the event of a violation of the foregoing by Tenant, Landlord may charge the expense incurred by removal to Tenant.
12. The restrooms, drinking fountains and other plumbing fixtures shall not be used for any purpose other than those for which they are constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, coffee grounds or other substances shall be disposed of therein. All damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures shall be borne by Tenant who, or whose employees, agents, visitors or licensees have caused same. No person shall waste water by interfering or tampering with the faucets or otherwise.
13. Tenant shall not overload any utilities serving the Property.
14. No dog or other animal shall be allowed in the Building or within/on the Business Park’s grounds.
15. All loading/unloading, receiving/delivery of goods/supplies or disposal of garbage/refuse shall be made only through entryways provided for such purposes. Tenant shall be responsible for any damage to the Complex or the property of its employees or others and injuries sustained by any person whomsoever resulting from the use or moving of such articles in or out of the Property, and shall make all repairs and improvements required by Landlord or governmental authorities in connection with the use or moving of such articles.
16. All safes, equipment or other heavy articles shall only be used by Tenant in a manner which will not interfere with or cause damage to the Property or the Complex in which they are located, or to the other tenants or occupants of said Complex. Tenant shall be responsible for any damage to the Building or the property of its employees or others and injuries sustained by any person whomsoever resulting from the use or moving of such articles in or out of the Property, and shall make all repairs and improvements required by Landlord or governmental authorities in connection with the use or moving of such articles.
17. Canvassing, soliciting, and peddling in or about the Complex is prohibited and each Tenant shall cooperate to prevent the same.
18. Wherever in these Building Rules and Regulations the word “Tenant” occurs, it is understood and agreed that it shall mean Tenant’s associates, employees, agents, clerks, invitees, and visitors. Wherever the word “Landlord” occurs, it is understood and agreed that it shall mean Landlord’s assigns, agents, employees, and visitors.
19. Landlord shall have the right to enter upon the Property at all reasonable hours for the purpose of inspecting the same.
20. Landlord shall have the right to enter the Property at hours convenient to Tenant for the purpose of exhibiting the same to prospective tenants.
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21. Tenant, its employees, customers, invitees and guests shall, when using the parking facilities in and around the Complex, observe and obey all signs regarding fire lanes and no parking zones, and when parking always park between the designated lines. Landlord reserves the right to tow away, at the expense of the owner, any vehicle that is improperly parked or parked in a no parking zone. All vehicles shall be parked at the sole risk of the owner, and Landlord assumes no responsibility for any damage to or loss of vehicles. No vehicles shall be parked overnight, except for vehicles owned by persons working overnight.
22. In case of invasion, mob, riot, public excitement, or other commotion, Landlord reserves the right to prevent access to the Complex during the continuance of the same by closing the doors or otherwise, for the safety of the tenants or the protection of the Complex and the property therein. Landlord shall in no case be liable for damages resulting from any error or action taken with regard to the admission to or exclusion from the Complex of any person.
23. All entrance doors to the Property shall be locked when the Property is not in use. All common corridor doors, if any, shall also be closed during times when the heating and air conditioning equipment in the Complex is operating so as not to dissipate the effectiveness of the system or place an overload thereon.
24. No awning or other projection shall be attached to the outside walls of the Complex. No curtains, blinds, shades or screens visible from the exterior or interior common area of the Complex or visible from the exterior of the Property, shall be attached to, hung in, or used in connection with any window or door of the Property without the prior written consent of Landlord. Such curtains, blinds, shades, screens or other fixtures must be of a quality, type, design and color, and attached in manner approved by Landlord.
25. Landlord reserves the reasonable right at any time to rescind, alter or waive, in whole or in part, any of these Rules and Regulations when deemed necessary, desirable, or proper, in Landlord’s judgment, for its best interest or for the best interest of the tenants of the Complex.
26. Any trash dumpsters must be kept inside the Premises.
27. No outside storage of materials is allowed. (This includes trailer storage parked longer than 96 hours.)
28. To the extent these rules are in conflict with the terms of the Lease, the terms of the Lease shall rule and govern.
29. Tenant and Tenant’s employees, agents, visitors and licensees shall observe faithfully and comply strictly with the foregoing rules and regulations and such other and further appropriate rules and regulations as Landlord or Landlord’s agent may from time to time adopt. Reasonable notice of any additional rules and regulations shall be given in such manner as Landlord may reasonably elect.
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EXHIBIT D
BUILDING STANDARD FINISHES
BUILDING STANDARD TENANT LEASE FINISH
DEMISING PARTITION OFFICE WALLS, Shall be 5/8” fire rated gypsum wallboard on 6” metal studs to underside of deck with sound attenuation blanket in stud cavity. WAREHOUSE SEPARATION WALL, Shall be 5/8” fire rated gypsum wallboard on 6” metal studs to underside of deck on warehouse and 5/8 gypsum to 12’ A.F.F. on office side of wall, unless required by code to go to deck, with sound attenuation blanket in stud cavity to 12’ A.F.F. TOILET WALL PARTITION: Shall be 5/8” fire rated gypsum wallboard on metal studs to 12’ A.F.F. with sound attenuation blanket in stud cavity. Gypsum wallboard interior face to office and toilet rooms shall be taped, bedded and sanded to accept scheduled wall finish. Gypsum wallboard interior to warehouse shall be fire taped only when required by code.
INTERIOR PARTITIONS: Shall be 5/8” fire rated gypsum wallboard on 3-5/8” metal studs to the underside of suspended ceiling grid at 10’ 0” above finished floor. Gypsum wallboard is taped, bedded and sanded to accept scheduled wall finish. Gypsum wallboard applications to the inside face of the exterior wall, in office areas only, shall extend to 10’ 0” above finish floor, applied to metal furring strips and be taped, bedded and sanded to accept scheduled wall finish.
FLOOR COVERING: Shall be selected from either 30-32 oz. cut pile nylon or 22-26 oz. level loop nylon in building standard colors in office areas. Carpet shall be directly glued down on concrete floor slab. Carpet base shall be 4” carpet base in building standard color. Warehouse area concrete floor slabs have been Spray-cured.
CEILING HEIGHTS/CEILING SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILE: Shall be 24” X 48” lay-in panel in 15/16” exposed white suspended steel grid at 10’ 0” clear height in office area. The warehouse ceiling is exposed structure, Grey decking, and grey- primed bar joist, at 24’ 0” average clear height to bottom of bar joists.
WALL FINISHES: Two coats of scrubbable flat latex wall paint on office walls in building standard paint manufacturers’ colors, including up to 20% deep tone accent colors.
INTERIOR DOORS: Shall be 3’ 0” x 7’ x 1-3/4” solid core red oak veneer doors with light oak stain and painted hollow metal frames with Brushed Chrome finish hardware. Wood frame optional at additional cost. Sidelights are optional at additional cost. One door, door frame and associated hardware will be provided per 300 square feet of office space including the main entrance.
RESTROOMS: Shall consist of two toilet room facilities including all plumbing fixtures to code, exhaust fan and hot water heater. Walls will be painted gypsum board with ceramic tile to 4’ 0“above finish floor on fixture wall only and ceramic base throughout. Ceramic tile floor and base shall be provided in toilet rooms. Toilet room ceiling will be 2’ x 4’ acoustical ceiling tile. Toilet accessories will include a toilet paper holder and metal toilet partitions (when necessary). All toilet rooms will be handicap accessible.
MECHANICAL: Gas-fired roof top heating/air conditioning units for office area, metered to each tenant with controls in tenant space. Sized for 1 ton air conditioning load for 450 square feet of office area. Warehouse space heating shall be sized for the average of 40 BTU per square foot, (assuming the presence of 1 rolling overhead exterior door in warehouse space).
PLUMBING: Toilet room fixtures shall consist of a white porcelain handicap accessible floor mount toilet, a white porcelain lavatory and electric hot water heater sized to service restroom requirements. A handicap
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accessible drinking fountain will be provided. A commodity wall hung janitor sink will be provided, recessed behind doors when necessary.
FIRE PROTECTION: Wet pipe Class 4 sprinkler system and fire protection controls are installed in building shall as per regulatory codes. One semi-recessed head per 225 square feet in the office area and one head per 130 square feet in the warehouse area will be provided. Head relocation, if required by tenant plan, is done under tenant lease finish cost.
ELECTRICAL SERVICE: Shall consist of 120/208 volt, 3-phase service, amp service complete with distribution panel and circuit breakers for only equipment provided.
ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLES: Shall be duplex receptacles providing two receptacles per office space and one duplex receptacle in warehouse located at panel. One light switch will be provided per 200 square feet of office. Two switches allowed per warehouse space. All receptacle and switch plate covers shall be ivory color.
TELEPHONE: One 4’ x 4’ plywood telephone board for mounting (equipment by others) will be provided. NO phone cable or equipment will be provided or installed by Landlord. Any communication or computer cable must be fire rated for installation in the air plenum ceiling.
LIGHT FIXTURES: Shall be 2’ x 4’ recessed fluorescent light fixtures with acrylic prismatic Fluorescent Fixtures lens, four cool white T-8 lamps, one fixture provided per 80 square feet of office. Twenty-five (25) 30-foot candles of light provided in warehouse. The standard warehouse lighting will be 2 – Metal Halide High bay fixtures per 40’ x 40’ bay ..
DOCK EQUIPMENT: 2 – Dock bumpers will be provided at each dock door. Dock levelers and dock seals are available for an additional cost. If levelers are included in the Tenants lease, the standard dock leveler size provided will be 6’ wide X 8’ long with a 30,000 lb rating. Tenants can upgrade leveler capacity for an additional cost.
IMPROVEMENTS PROVIDED AT LESSEE’S EXPENSE
All improvements constructed to the Premises that are in addition to the tenant improvements listed in the Lease Addendum of this Exhibit shall be approved by Lessor and the cost thereof shall be paid by Lessee.
DESIGN OF TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
Lessee shall retain the services of Lessor’s architect for the purposes of office and warehouse layouts to prepare the necessary drawings including without limitation, Basic Plans and Final Plans (Lessee’s Plans) for construction of Lessee improvements. All Lessee’s Plans shall be subject to approval of Lessor.
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EXHIBIT E
SIGN CRITERIA
GENERAL:
1. Tenant shall be required to identify the premises with a sign. All such signs shall be subject to the requirements and limitations as outlined hereafter or as Landlord shall determine to be necessary, in its sole judgment.
2. Tenant’s signs shall be store identity sign ONLY and shall be placed on the exterior wall in sign area designated by Landlord.
3. Light sources may be concealed by translucent material. Sign letters or components may be illuminated with lamps contained fully within the depth of the letter. In any event, light sources shall not exceed 100-foot lamberts.
PROHIBITION : | The following types of signs or sign components shall be PROHIBITED: |
(a) | Signs employing moving or flashing lights. |
(b) | Signs employing exposed ballast boxes or transformers. |
(c) | Sign manufacturers’ names, stamps or decals. |
(d) | Signs employing painted non-illuminated letters. |
(e) | Signs of box or cabinet type on metal fascia. |
(f) | Signs employing letters with no returns or exposed fastenings. |
(g) | Paper or cardboard signs, stickers or decals hung around, on or behind storefront (including glass doors and/or windows). |
(h) | Signs placed at right angles to any front. |
(i) | Signs purporting to identify leased departments or concessionaires or contained within the premises. |
PROCEDURE : Tenant shall submit two (2) drawings of its proposed signage to the Landlord for approval prior to installation of any signage. Tenant must receive Landlord’s written approval prior to installation of its signage. Signs must meet approval of the City of Plymouth, Minnesota, regarding West Glen Development. Sign contractor must obtain a building permit.
FASCIA SIGNS:
(a) Signs shall be composed of individual lit letters and shall be no more than 30 inches in height.
(b) Signs shall be internally illuminated. Lighting fixtures attached to the building to illuminate an unlit sign are prohibited.
(c) Signs may have one line of copy above another line but the total height shall not exceed the designated sign area.
(d) The color of the interior shell and/or the lens of individually lit letters and the color of the light source or the returns for the individually lit letters shall be subject to Landlord’s written approval.
(e) A sign shall not cover more than eighty percent (80%) of the linear distances of the storefront to which it is attached. However, all signs shall be set in at least eighteen inches (18”) from the borders of the Tenant’s lease area. Signs shall be placed to optimally identify the Tenant’s entry. Proposed placement shall be subject to Landlord’s written approval.
(f) Logos may be used in the allocated sign but are subject to the size limitation. There shall be no more than one (1) logo per tenant frontage.
(g) Upon termination of the lease agreement, by lapse of time or otherwise, Tenant shall remove and dispose of its signage at its sole cost and expense.
INTERIOR SIGNS: Neon window signs shall be acceptable on the inside of display windows ONLY. Interior signs shall be subject to Landlord’s written approval as to size, style and color. Interior signs must also be approved by the City of Plymouth.
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EXHIBIT F
RATIFICATION AGREEMENT
(Office/Service Lease)
WHEREAS, West Glen Development, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Celcuity, LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company (“Tenant”), entered into a lease agreement dated the _____ day of______________, 2014 (the “Lease Agreement”) with respect to Suite 450 of the Building at 16305-36 th Avenue, North, Plymouth, Minnesota. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms defined in the Lease Agreement shall have the same meanings when used herein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 9 of the Lease Agreement, the parties agreed to ratify in writing the following terms of the Lease Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereby agree that:
1. The Term of the Lease Agreement commenced on___________ ____, 20__ and will terminate on _____________ ____, 20___unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Lease Agreement.
2. The monthly installments of Base Rent payable for the Premises during the Term are as follows:
Period of Term | Rate Per SF | Monthly Base Rent | Annual Base Rent |
3. The Premises contain___________square feet, consisting of___________square feet of office space, ____square feet of warehouse, service or storage space, and __ square feet of shared mechanical space.
4. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that the Premises have been delivered to Tenant by Landlord in the condition required by the Lease Agreement and Tenant has accepted possession of the Premises.
Except as otherwise stated herein, all of the remaining terms and conditions of the Lease Agreement shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Landlord: | West Glen Development, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | By: | |||
Bradley L. Moen, Vice President | ||||
Date: | By: | |||
Michael J. Leuer, Governor | ||||
Tenant: | Celcuity, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company |
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Date: | By: | |||
Name: | ||||
Its: |
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EXHIBIT G
LETTER OF CREDIT
____ __, 2014
________________
c/o West Glen Development, LLC
3600 Holly Lane North, Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55447
RE: | Irrevocable Letter of Credit |
Dear Sir/Madam:
By order of our client, __________________, a _________________, we hereby establish our irrevocable Letter of Credit No.___ in your favor for a sum or sums not to exceed _____________________ and 00/100 Dollars ($___________.00) in the aggregate (the “Maximum Amount”), effective immediately.
This Letter of Credit shall be payable in immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars. Funds under this Letter of Credit are payable to you upon your presentation to us of the original of this Letter of Credit and a statement signed by a person purporting to be an officer or authorized agent of you or a transferee of you, marked “Drawn under Letter of Credit No. _____ of [Name of Issuing Bank]” and stating as follows:
“The undersigned is entitled to make a draw hereunder in the amount of $___________in accordance with that certain Lease Agreement dated___________, 20 _, as may be amended from time to time, between the undersigned or the undersigned’s predecessor in interest, as Landlord and___________or its successor in interest, as Tenant, concerning the leasing of space in the building known as the___________located at _________, ________________, Minnesota.”
Multiple drawings are allowed. If a drawing is presented and paid, the original Letter of Credit will be endorsed and returned to you. If your drawing exhausts the Maximum Amount, we will retain it.
This Letter of Credit shall expire twelve (12) months from the date hereof; but is automatically extendable, so that this Letter of Credit shall be deemed automatically extended, from time to time, without amendment, for one (1) year from the expiration date hereof and from each and every future expiration date, unless at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date we shall notify you by certified or overnight mail at the address set forth above that we elect not to consider this Letter of Credit extended for any such additional period.
This Letter of Credit is transferable and may be transferred one or more times. However, no transfer shall be effective unless written notification of such transfer is given to us.
We hereby agree to honor each draft drawn under and in compliance with this Letter of Credit, if duly presented at our offices at ____________________.
This Letter of Credit is subject to the International Standby Practices 1998, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.
[ Name of Bank ] | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
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FIRST AMENDMENT TO
COMMERCIAL LEASE
This Amendment, dated this 20 day of March, 2014 by and between West Glen Development, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Celcuity, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Tenant”).
RECITALS
A. | Landlord and Tenant entered into a Commercial Lease dated March 10, 2014, (the “Original Lease”), relating to the real property and building in Plymouth, Hennepin County, Minnesota legally described as Lot 1, Block 1, West Glen Corporate Center (the “Property”) and that certain portion of the Building thereon designated as Suite 450 totaling 4,818 square feet (the “Premises”). Capitalized terms shall have the same definitions as provided in the Original Lease. |
B. | Landlord and Tenant wish to amend the Original Lease to permit a change in the Tenant Improvements (as defined in Article 45 of the Addendum to the Original Lease and as shown on page 37 of Exhibit D) and to allow for the amortization of the costs of the change in the Tenant Improvements by adjusting the amount of Base Rent due during the Term of the Lease, all pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Amendment. |
LEASE AMENDMENT
1. | Base Rental. Article 42 of the Addendum to the Original Lease shall be revised as follows: |
Months | Price Per Square Foot | Monthly | ||||||
May 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
June 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 | $ | 10.17 | $ | 4,083.26 | ||||
May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 | $ | 10.42 | $ | 4,183.63 | ||||
May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017 | $ | 10.68 | $ | 4,288.02 | ||||
May 1, 2017 to May 31, 2017 | $ | 10.95 | $ | 4,396.43 |
2. | Exhibit D. Page 37 only of Exhibit D to the Original Lease shall be replaced by the attached “Exhibit D (Final Version),” which shows the change to the Tenant Improvements by the addition of another door in the Premises. Exhibit D (Final Version) has been approved by each of Landlord and Tenant. |
3. | Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit required pursuant to Article 51 of the Original Lease is attached hereto. The Letter of Credit has been approved by each of Landlord and Tenant. |
4. | Confirmation. Except to the extent otherwise defined herein, all terms, conditions and provisions contained within the Original Lease shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. |
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Landlord: | West Glen Development, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/25/14 | By: | /s/ Bradley L. Moen | |
Bradley L. Moen, Vice President | ||||
Date: | 3/21/14 | By: | /s/ Michael J. Leuer | |
Michael J. Leuer, Governor | ||||
Tenant: | Celcuity, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 3/20/14 | By: | /s/ Brian Sullivan | |
Name: | Brian Sullivan | |||
Its: | CEO |
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Exhibit D (Final Version)
Replacement page 37 to Original Lease
3 |
4 |
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
COMMERCIAL LEASE
This Amendment, dated this 31 st day of August, 2016 by and between West Glen Development, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Celcuity, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Tenant”).
RECITALS
A. | Landlord and Tenant entered into a Commercial Lease dated March 11, 2014, (the “Original Lease”), relating to the real property and building in Plymouth, Hennepin County, Minnesota legally described as Lot 1, Block 1, West Glen Corporate Center (the “Property”) and that certain portion of the Building thereon designated as Suite 450 totaling 4,818 square feet (the “Premises”). Capitalized terms shall have the same definitions as provided in the Original Lease. |
B. | Landlord and Tenant amended the Original Lease pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Commercial Lease, dated March 20, 2014. The Original Lease and the First Amendment shall hereinafter be referred to together as the “Lease.” |
C. | Landlord and Tenant wish to further amend the Lease to extend the Term as provided herein. |
LEASE AMENDMENT
1. | Term. The term of the lease shall be extended by 12 months. Article 1 of the Lease shall be revised to provided that the Expiration Date shall be the 31 st day of May, 2018. |
2. | Base Rental. Article 42 of the Addendum to the Original Lease shall be revised as follows: |
Months | Price Per Square Foot | Monthly | ||||||
June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018 | $ | 10.95 | $ | 4,396.43 |
3. | Confirmation. Except to the extent otherwise defined herein, all terms, conditions and provisions contained within the Lease shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect |
Landlord: |
West Glen Development, LLC
A Minnesota limited liability company |
|||
Date: | 8/31/16 | By: | /s/ Bradley L. Moen | |
Bradley L. Moen, Vice President | ||||
Date: | 9/1/16 | By: | /s/ Michael J. Leuer | |
Michael J. Leuer, Governor |
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Tenant: | Celcuity, LLC | |||
A Minnesota limited liability company | ||||
Date: | 8 /31/16 | By: | /s/ Brian Sullivan | |
Name: | Brian Sullivan | |||
Its: | CEO |
2 |
Exhibit 10.13
Clinical Trial Agreement
FB-12 Phase II Study
Between
NSABP Foundation, Inc.
and
Celcuity, LLC
Table of Contents
RECITALS | 1 | |
ARTICLE I | DEFINITIONS | 1 |
ARTICLE II | SCOPE OF SERVICE | 3 |
ARTICLE III | PROTOCOL | 4 |
ARTICLE IV | FINANCIAL SUPPORT | 6 |
ARTICLE V | STUDY KITS AND STUDY DRUGS | 7 |
ARTICLE VI | BIOSPECIMEN COLLECTION; TRANSFER AND USE | 7 |
ARTICLE VII | WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS | 9 |
ARTICLE VIII | AUDITS, MONITORING, SITE QUALIFICATION, AND ACCESS TO RESEARCH RECORDS | 9 |
ARTICLE IX | RECORDS AND REPORTS | 11 |
ARTICLE X | FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST | 12 |
ARTICLE XI | CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION | 13 |
ARTICLE XII | PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS AND GENERAL PUBLICITY | 15 |
ARTICLE XIII | DATA OWNERSHIP AND INVENTIONS | 17 |
ARTICLE XIV | NOTICE | 18 |
ARTICLE XV | INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE | 19 |
ARTICLE XVI | HUMAN SUBJECTS | 21 |
ARTICLE XVII | INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR | 22 |
ARTICLE XVIII | TERM AND TERMINATION | 22 |
ARTICLE XIX | SEVERABILITY | 23 |
ARTICLE XX | WAIVER | 24 |
ARTICLE XXI | DEBARMENT | 24 |
ARTICLE XXII | FORCE MAJEURE | 24 |
ARTICLE XXIII | GOVERNING LAW | 24 |
ARTICLE XXIV | CERTAIN DISCLOSURES AND TRANSPARENCY | 25 |
ARTICLE XXV | NO TRANSFER OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS NOT SPECIFIED | 25 |
ARTICLE XXVI | CONFORMANCE WITH LAW AND ACCEPTED PRACTICE | 25 |
ARTICLE XXVII | INTEGRATION | 25 |
ARTICLE XXVIII | AMENDMENTS | 25 |
ARTICLE XXIX | ASSIGNMENT | 26 |
ARTICLE XXX | ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 26 |
ARTICLE XXXI | COUNTERPARTS | 26 |
BINDING EXECUTION | 27 |
Appendices
Appendix A | NSABP Protocol entitled, “An Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant ACT + Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Early Stage HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Selected with a Test Measuring Live Cell HER2 Signaling Transduction (Fact 1), (FB-12),” including the sample Informed Consent Form |
Appendix B | Budget, Payment Schedule and Task List |
Appendix C | NSABP Ownership of Data/Materials Policy |
Appendix D | NSABP Publication Policy |
Appendix E | Selected Terms of Agreement for Disclosure to Sites |
Clinical Trial Agreement
This Clinical Trial Agreement (together with Appendices as incorporated hereunder, the “Agreement”) is entered into and effective as of May 8, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), by and between NSABP Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit Pennsylvania membership corporation with its principal office and place of business located at Nova Tower 2, Two Allegheny Center, Suite 1200; Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5234 (“NSABP”), and Celcuity, LLC, with its principal office and place of business located at 16305 – 36 th Avenue North, Suite 450; Minneapolis, MN 55446 (“Celcuity”) (each, a “Party” and, collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
Whereas, NSABP conducts research and educational activities designed to improve the outcome for cancer patients via improved therapeutic and prevention modalities. The activities contemplated by this Agreement are of interest and benefit to both Parties, and such activities will further NSABP’s medical research objectives in a manner consistent with its non-profit, scientific and charitable status; and
Whereas, Celcuity, is an early-stage venture capital-backed biotechnology company developing novel diagnostic tests that functionally analyze diseased live cells; and
Whereas, the Parties desire to conduct in the United States a clinical research study entitled, “An Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant Act + Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab in Early State HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Selected with a Test Measuring Live Cell HER2 Signaling Transduction (Fact 1), (FB-12)” which may be amended from time to time; and
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the Parties hereby enter into this Agreement under the terms and conditions herein set forth.
ARTICLE
I
Definitions
1.1 | The following terms, whether used in the singular or plural, have the respective meaning set forth below. |
1.2 | “AE” or “Adverse Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(b). |
1.3 | “Applicable Law” shall have the meaning given in Section 3.2 of this Agreement. |
1.4 | “Celcuity Results” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.3.2 of this Agreement. |
1.5 | “CELx HER2” shall mean the Celcuity CELx HER2 Signaling Function® Test, as described in more detail hereunder. |
1.6 | “Claims” shall have the meaning given in Section 15.1 of this Agreement. |
1.7 | “Confidential Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 11.1 of this Agreement. |
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1.8 | “CRFs” shall mean the case report forms for the Study, and shall include electronic CRFs (“eCRFs”) and the data contained therein. |
1.9 | “Data” shall mean all data generated in the course of conducting the Study; provided, however, that Data will not include Materials Data. For purposes of clarity, Data does not include patient medical records or other Participating Site source documentation, which shall remain the property of the Participating Site. |
1.10 | “Disclosing Party” shall have the meaning given in Section 11.2 of this Agreement. |
1.11 | “FDA” shall mean the United States Food and Drug Administration, including any successor agency. |
1.12 | “Funding” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1 of this Agreement. |
1.13 | “Genentech” shall mean Genentech, Inc. |
1.14 | “Good Clinical Practices” or “GCP” shall have the meaning defined in the most recent version of any FDA rules, regulations and guidelines on good clinical practice. |
1.15 | “IB” shall mean the investigator brochure for the Study Drugs hereunder, as it may be updated and amended from time to time by NSABP. |
1.16 | “IND” shall mean an Investigational New Drug Application under 21 CFR Part 312. |
1.17 | “Informed Consent Form” or “ICF” shall mean the informed consent form that is to be signed by all Subjects enrolled in the Study, together with any amendments thereto. |
1.18 | “Inventions” shall have the meaning given in Section 13.3 of this Agreement. |
1.19 | “Investigator” shall mean a licensed health care professional who is a qualified clinical investigator, and who is employed or otherwise engaged by NSABP or Participating Sites, in accordance with this Agreement, to conduct the Study under the Protocol pursuant to 21 CFR § 312. |
1.20 | “IRB” shall mean the duly appointed and relevant ethics institutional review board established pursuant to 21 CFR Part 56 for the purpose of reviewing clinical investigations, including investigations to be conducted at a Participating Site. |
1.21 | “Joint Confidential Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.3.3 of this Agreement. |
1.22 | “Materials” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2. |
1.23 | “Materials Data” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2. |
1.24 | “NSABP Indemnitees” shall have the meaning given in Section 15.1 of this Agreement. |
1.25 | “Other Inventions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.5. |
1.26 | “Participating Sites” shall mean Research Collaborator and its Research Sites. |
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1.27 | “Protocol” or “FB-12” shall mean the NSABP protocol entitled “An Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant ACT + Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Early Stage HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Selected with a Test Measuring Live Cell HER2 Signaling Transduction (Fact 1),” which will include the sample Informed Consent Form and which the Parties agree will be deemed attached hereto as Appendix A and incorporated into this Agreement once finalized, together with any modifications and amendments to the Protocol made in accordance with this Agreement and other Protocol related documents necessary for the effective communications of the Protocol. |
1.28 | “Receiving Party” shall have the meaning given in Section 11.2 of this Agreement. |
1.29 | “Research Collaborator” shall mean an institution that has been qualified by NSABP to participate in the Study. |
1.30 | “Research Site” shall mean a site that is cooperating with Research Collaborator and, through that cooperation, is participating in the Study. A Research Site may be a legal affiliate/subsidiary of Research Collaborator or it may be a separate legal entity. |
1.31 | “SOP” shall mean Standard Operating Procedure. |
1.32 | “Sponsor” shall mean NSABP as the holder of the IND for the Study. |
1.33 | “Study” shall mean all work to be carried out pursuant to the Protocol and this Agreement. |
1.34 | “Study Drugs” shall mean Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab supplied for the Study by Genentech. |
1.35 | “Study Kit” shall mean the Celcuity CELx Specimen Collection Kit. |
1.36 | “Study Personnel” shall mean the personnel conducting the Study at Participating Sites, including Investigators. |
1.37 | “Subjects” shall mean those individuals who enroll in the Study. |
All other capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning expressly ascribed to them herein.
ARTICLE
II
Scope of Service
2.1 | Norman Wolmark, M.D., shall be the NSABP Principal Investigator for the Study in accordance with applicable NSABP policies. |
2.2 | The Parties will each appoint a liaison to review and coordinate Study progress. |
2.3 | NSABP, through its Research Collaborators and headquarters components, shall exercise commercially reasonable efforts consistent with good clinical practice and Applicable Law to carry out the Study. |
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2.4 | Celcuity shall use commercially reasonable efforts to timely perform its obligations hereunder (a) in a good and scientific manner; (b) in accordance with all standard laboratory, and clinical practices; and (c) in compliance with all Applicable Law. |
2.5 | This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Celcuity will fund the conduct and performance of the Study and the terms and conditions pursuant to which (a) NSABP will conduct the Study; and (b) Celcuity will provide CELx HER2 testing and results. This Agreement is not intended to result in an exclusive relationship for the conduct of clinical studies by NSABP. Celcuity and NSABP both retain the right to collaborate with other entities to conduct the types of clinical trials contemplated by this Agreement. |
2.6 | The Parties acknowledge and agree that Study Drugs are to be provided free of charge by Genentech, Inc. (“Genentech”). NSABP will enter into an agreement with Genentech for the supply of the Study Drugs to be shipped to NSABP’s designated drug distributor. NSABP will use reasonable efforts to have such agreement provide that it may not be terminated by either party other than for reasons comparable to those provided in Section 18.2, clauses (a) through (d), of this Agreement. The Parties agree that, if for any reason, the Study Drugs are not available for the Study, such as if NSABP and Genentech are unable to agree to contractual terms, the Study Drugs are not available, or due to other circumstances, the Study will not be conducted and either Party may terminate this Agreement in accordance with Article XVIII. |
2.7 | NSABP will, enter into signed, written contracts with its Research Collaborators who wish to participate in the Study to (a) require that all Study Personnel are qualified to conduct the Study; (b) require that the Study is conducted under the direction of the applicable Investigator at a Participating Site and under the direction of the NSABP Principal Investigator and with the prior approval and on-going review of all appropriate and necessary review authorities; (c) obligate Research Collaborators, who shall obligate their respective Research Sites, to terms and conditions with respect to the Study that are required pursuant to this Agreement, and (d) comply with Applicable Laws. For clarification purposes, references herein to contractual obligations of Participating Sites shall include the requirement that each Research Collaborator impose such obligations on its Research Sites. |
ARTICLE
III
Protocol
3.1 | The Study is of mutual interest to NSABP and Celcuity. Celcuity’s willingness to provide the Study funding and perform the CELx HER2 testing pursuant to this Agreement is predicated upon its review of the Protocol and NSABP’s agreement to conduct the Study in accordance with the Protocol and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
3.2 | The Study will be performed in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein, the Protocol, and Applicable Laws. “Applicable Laws” shall mean, as applicable, (a) all applicable requirements of the U.S. investigational new drug (“IND”) regulations (Title 21, Part 312.1 et seq .); (b) GCP, as may be amended from time to time; (c) the Code of Federal Regulations governing informed consent and IRBs (Title 21, Parts 50 and 56) and privacy of patient health information (Title 45, Parts 160 and 164 promulgated pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”)); and (d) other applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws, legally binding |
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regulations, and guidelines having the force and effect of law. Celcuity acknowledges that NSABP does not consider itself a HIPAA-covered entity; however, NSABP shall collect, use, store, access, and disclose Personal Health Information collected from Study Subjects only as permitted by the IRB approved informed consent form or HIPAA authorization form obtained from a Study Subject. Celcuity agrees that, to the extent Celcuity and any Celcuity designee has access to Protected Health Information, Celcuity and such Celcuity designee shall collect, use, store, access, and disclose Personal Health Information collected from Study Subjects only as permitted by the IRB approved informed consent form or HIPAA authorization form obtained from a Study Subject.
3.3 | NSABP has filed and will maintain an IND with the FDA for the Study and may cross-reference an appropriate IND held by Genentech. |
3.4 | Celcuity has filed and will maintain an IDE in good standing with the FDA for the duration of the Study. Without limitation, Article XI shall apply to any Confidential Information NSABP supplies directly to Celcuity in support of Celcuity’s IDE for the Study. |
3.5 | Initiation of the Study at a Participating Site shall not begin until the relevant IRB approval for such Participating Site is obtained by such Participating Site. |
3.6 | NSABP or Celcuity may at any time suggest amendments to the Protocol as may appear desirable; such amendments shall be discussed between NSABP and Celcuity and (except as set forth below) such amendments may be made binding only upon mutual, signed written agreement by the Parties. |
(a) | If such amendments are requested by NSABP, NSABP will promptly notify Celcuity of the same and submit to Celcuity a written estimate of the difference in costs arising from the amendments requested by NSABP. Celcuity, at its sole discretion, shall decide whether it will pay any increased costs or provide any additional CELx HER2 testing, if required in the Protocol amendment. If such amendment requires additional Study Drugs, implementation of the amendment will be contingent on Genentech’s agreement to supply the additional Study Drugs free of charge. |
(b) | If such amendments are requested by Celcuity and have been agreed to by NSABP, and such amendments will increase or decrease the costs of the Study or require additional CELx HER2 testing, NSABP will promptly notify Celcuity of the same and submit to Celcuity a written estimate of the difference in costs and/or requirements for the additional CELx HER2 testing arising from the amendments requested. Celcuity, in its reasonable discretion, shall decide whether NSABP shall implement such amendments. If such amendment requires additional Study Drugs, implementation of the amendment will be contingent on Genentech’s agreement to supply the additional Study Drugs free of charge. |
(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if NSABP reasonably believes that generally accepted standards of clinical research and/or medical practice, or other appropriate concerns, justify an amendment to the Protocol such amendment shall become effective thirty (30) days after Celcuity’s receipt of notice thereof from NSABP. However, any such amendment shall not impose on |
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Celcuity any obligation to provide additional financial support unless Celcuity has agreed to the same in a signed writing or amendment to this Agreement.
(d) | NSABP will make all required submissions to the IND in connection with any amendment to the Protocol made pursuant to this Section 3.6. |
ARTICLE
IV
Financial Support
4.1 | In consideration for NSABP’s activities pursuant to this Agreement, including those obligations specifically undertaken by NSABP as shown in the Task List attached hereto as Appendix B (“Budget, Payment Schedule, and Task List”), Celcuity agrees to pay NSABP a total sum as set forth in Appendix B in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Appendix B (the “Funding”). NSABP agrees to use the funding provided by Celcuity solely to conduct the Study. |
(a) | The total amount payable, as set forth in Appendix B assumes completed enrollment in the Study of the number of Subjects set forth in A ppendix B , or the number ultimately determined appropriate to reach the Study endpoints using an intent to treat analysis at a level of statistical significance. |
(b) | Celcuity shall not be obligated to make any payments to NSABP in excess of the amount set forth in Appendix B unless Celcuity and NSABP agree to such excess amount in a signed, written amendment to this Agreement. |
(c) | NSABP will submit invoices for all amounts due to it by Celcuity under this Agreement as specified in Appendix B . NSABP’s Tax Identification Number is 25-1781357. |
4.2 | If the attendance of NSABP personnel and/or the Participating Site(s)’ Investigator(s) is requested at any meeting necessary to provide information regarding the Study, Celcuity shall reimburse NSABP for reasonable and necessary travel and lodging expenses incurred by the travelers , to attend such meeting(s). Celcuity shall make such reimbursements within thirty (30) days of receiving an invoice from NSABP for reimbursement of the expenses and acceptable detailed documentation of such expenses. |
4.3 | NSABP agrees that the amounts payable or otherwise provided by Celcuity under this Agreement represent amounts actually and reasonably required to enable the work to be performed by NSABP and the Participating Sites in connection with the Study. The Parties agree that the amounts have not been determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or business, nor are such amounts made in exchange for any explicit or implicit agreement to purchase, prescribe, recommend, or provide a favorable formulary status for any Celcuity product or service. |
4.4 | NSABP agrees that for all items required under the Protocol for which Celcuity has agreed to provide compensation as set forth in this Agreement, Celcuity will be the sole source of monetary compensation. Accordingly, NSABP agrees, and shall obligate all Research Collaborators to, and to obligate their respective Research Sites to, agree not to charge any Subject, nor submit claims to, or otherwise seek reimbursement from, third party payors or any federal healthcare program for the CELx HER2 testing provided hereunder; for any examinations, tests or procedures paid by Celcuity hereunder; and all |
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claims that NSABP or the Participating Sites submit for reimbursement to any third party payor or any federal healthcare program for any procedure that was paid for through the funding provided by Celcuity provided pursuant to this Agreement by or on behalf of Celcuity at no cost to NSABP will comply with Applicable Law.
ARTICLE
V
Study Kits and Study Drugs
5.1 | Study Kits . Without charge to NSABP, Celcuity shall supply the Study Kits for use in the Study and in accordance with the Protocol, in the quantities that have been determined sufficient to meet the requirements of the Study. |
(a) | Study Kits Supply . Celcuity, at its expense, shall be responsible for the supply, handling and delivery of the Study Kit up to the point of delivery to NSABP’s Participating Sites, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Protocol, and any Applicable Law relating thereto. Celcuity will pay and be responsible for all costs associated with use and management of the Study Kits in the Study (including (without limitation) for delivery of Study Kits to Participating Sites). |
(i) | Title; Ownership . The Parties acknowledge and agree that title to, ownership of all Study Kits provided for the Study hereunder shall remain with Celcuity. |
(ii) | Receipt, Storage, AND RETURN of Study Kit . NSABP shall obligate its Research Collaborators to provide NSABP with (A) confirmation of receipt; (B) prompt written notice of any damaged Study Kit, and/or of any inadequacy of the supplied Study Kit, and (C) confirmation that the Study Kit has been used and handled in accordance with Protocol requirements, Celcuity’s written instructions, and in accordance with Applicable Law. |
(b) | Study Drugs Supply . |
(i) | Supply of Study Drugs . The Study Drugs are intended to be supplied by Genentech through a contract between NSABP and Genentech. |
(ii) | Use of Study Drugs . NSABP shall obligate its Research Collaborators, who shall obligate their Research Sites, to store, use, and dispose of Study Drugs in accordance with the Protocol, Genentech’s and/or NSABP’s written instructions, and Applicable Law. |
ARTICLE
VI
Biospecimen Collection;
Transfer and Use
6.1 | NSABP will arrange with its Research Collaborators participating in the Study for the collection of Materials as set forth in the Protocol. The Parties acknowledge and agree that there will not be any residual Materials remaining after the CELx HER2 testing is completed. |
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6.2 | Transfer . NSABP’s Research Collaborators participating in the Study shall be directed to send the biospecimens collected by them according to the Protocol and related Study instructions (the “Materials”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Materials” of NSABP shall mean the tissue samples and all the molecular constituents of the samples (including all constituents extracted from such samples), any progeny and unmodified derivatives thereof. NSABP shall provide, and direct such Participating Sites to provide, to Celcuity certain limited information relating to the Materials, to the extent specifically described in the Protocol and related Study instructions (the “Materials Data”); provided, however, that in no event will any Participating Site be directed to provide Celcuity with any clinical data or any information from which the identity of any Subject could be ascertained, such as personal health information (the “PHI”) or other clinical data not yet de-identified. The Materials, including all constituent portions thereof and all property therefrom (including any residual thereto), the Materials Data, and all proprietary rights to the foregoing, shall remain the sole and exclusive property of NSABP. Celcuity agrees that the NSABP’s Ownership of Data and Materials Ownership Policy (attached hereto as Appendix C ) shall apply and is incorporated by reference herein. Celcuity agrees that its use of the Materials and Materials Data shall be governed by the IRBs of record regarding the Study. Celcuity shall promptly comply with all conditions regarding use of the Materials and Data imposed by the IRBs of record. The Materials Data and Materials shall be deemed Confidential Information of NSABP. |
6.3 | Use . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, NSABP hereby grants Celcuity a non-exclusive, fully paid-up, non-transferable license to use the Materials and the Materials Data during the term hereof solely to perform its obligations hereunder, to perform the Study, and in accordance with the Protocol and related study instructions. None of the Materials or Materials Data may be transferred to any third party. No license is granted hereby for use of the Materials or Materials Data for any purposes other than those expressly set forth in this Section, including (without limitation) in any research involving human subjects or for the purpose of directly producing any product or directly providing any service, which product or service is sold or otherwise made commercially available. |
6.3.1 | Upon (a) conclusion of the work to be performed as part of the Study; or (b) termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article XVIII; or (c) upon request by NSABP, Celcuity agrees to discontinue use of the Materials and/or Materials Data and will, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law or regulation, arrange for the prompt return to NSABP of the Materials and Materials Data and items which contain any of the Materials and/or Materials Data, or for the lawful disposal of all unused Materials and Materials Data, as elected by NSABP. |
6.3.2 | Subject to NSABP’s rights in and to the Materials and Materials Data, and all proprietary rights thereto, any data and results generated solely by or on behalf of Celcuity from analysis of the Materials and Materials Data pursuant to the Protocol (“Celcuity Results”), and all proprietary rights thereto, shall be solely owned by Celcuity. The Celcuity Results shall be deemed Confidential Information of Celcuity. |
6.3.3 | Subject to NSABP’s rights in and to the Materials Data and Materials, and all proprietary rights thereto, and subject to Celcuity’s rights in and to the Celcuity Results, and all proprietary rights thereto, any data and results jointly developed by Celcuity and NSABP pursuant to research activities performed jointly by the |
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Parties hereunder shall be deemed the Confidential Information of both Celcuity and NSABP (“Joint Confidential Information”). For the avoidance of doubt, Joint Confidential Information does not include any Materials Data, Materials, or Celcuity Results.
6.4 | Data Access . Celcuity understands and agrees that NSABP will not deliver to Celcuity any clinical data (including PHI) related to the Materials. |
6.5 | Celcuity Obligations as to Materials . Celcuity shall use only trained personnel to handle the Materials, which shall be done carefully under laboratory conditions which afford adequate biohazard containment and that meet or exceed appropriate minimum safety guidelines. Celcuity shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the storage, labeling, handling, testing, transportation, use and disposal of the Materials, including (without limitation) the Study Kit. |
ARTICLE
VII
Warranties and Disclaimers
7.1 | EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER OF THE PARTIES MAKES ANY, AND EACH HEREBY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY AND ALL, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES (EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE), WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, THE PATENTABILITY, SCOPE, OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THE RIGHTS GRANTED HEREIN, AND/OR THE NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. |
ARTICLE
VIII
Audits, Monitoring, Site
Qualification, and Access to Research Records
8.1 | Audits . |
(a) | Celcuity (or its authorized representative(s)) may arrange in advance with the NSABP Principal Investigator and NSABP to conduct co-audits of Participating Sites during normal business hours, with such arrangements made for mutually agreeable times in advance with the Participating Sites. Celcuity and NSABP agree to use reasonable efforts to provide at least forty-eight (48) hours’ notice to the Participating Sites and to limit such audits to one (1) day in length. However, upon mutual agreement between Celcuity and NSABP, such audits may be longer than one (1) day in length. It is further agreed that (i) regulatory authorities in the United States and other applicable countries and/or regions, at any time during regular business hours; and (ii) Celcuity, or its authorized representative(s) during regular business hours and by arrangement reasonably in advance with the NSABP Principal Investigator and NSABP, may examine and inspect the facilities and procedures of the NSABP Operations Center, or any designated agent of NSABP, or any Participating Site. In the case of Celcuity, such examinations and inspections shall be limited to verify the performance of the Study in accordance with this Agreement, for the purpose of determining compliance with the Study, Protocol, Study source document verification; and |
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with applicable FDA regulations. Celcuity shall be permitted to inspect Data and any other work product relating to the Study at NSABP subject to the provisions of this Agreement. The Parties agree to treat any information obtained in any audit or visit as Confidential Information subject to Article XI.
(b) | NSABP shall, upon Celcuity’s reasonable request, provide Celcuity with summary reports of audit findings for any audited Participating Site with respect to the Study. NSABP shall remove all identifying Subject information from any such reports. Subject to Applicable Laws, on a periodic basis upon Celcuity’s request and at a time mutually convenient to the Parties, Celcuity may visit NSABP or its designated agent to review the content of audit reports of the Participating Sites. |
(c) | The Parties recognize that certain regulatory agencies have authority to audit Study-related activity. If any applicable governmental or regulatory authority (i) contacts or otherwise has any communication with respect to the Study with NSABP or the NSABP Principal Investigator or any Research Collaborator or other Participating Site; (ii) conducts, or gives notice to NSABP, any Research Collaborators or any other Participating Sites of its intent to conduct an inspection of the Study at any facility including any Participating Site; or (iii) takes or gives notice of its intent to take any other regulatory action with respect to the Study, if allowed by law, NSABP shall, promptly upon learning of same, notify Celcuity of such contact, communication or notice. NSABP will permit, if allowed by Applicable Laws or permitted by the applicable governmental or regulatory authority and permissible in accordance with Research Collaborator’s policy, to be present at any such inspection or regulatory action with respect to the Study with approval from the inspector performing such inspection. NSABP shall promptly provide Celcuity with copies of pertinent information and documentation issued by any applicable governmental or regulatory authority, any proposed response and a copy of any written final response related to such inspection. When permitted by Applicable Laws, Celcuity may provide its own response to the applicable government or regulatory authority. |
(d) | It is recognized that either Party may conduct any audit of a Participating Site it reasonably deems necessary in accordance with Section 8.1(a), to fulfill regulatory obligations or communicate to any regulatory authority as it deems necessary and appropriate, in each case, with respect to the Study. Each Party shall notify the other Party in advance prior to performing such audits, which audits shall be held at a mutually convenient time. Celcuity agrees to inform NSABP of communications with any regulatory authority with respect to the Study. Notwithstanding the above, NSABP or Celcuity may conduct for cause audits where the immediate need to assure Subject safety, data integrity, or regulatory compliance exists or as required to address FDA or other government requests with as little as twenty-four (24) hours’ notice. |
(e) | Celcuity and NSABP acknowledge that Celcuity may use the Data for confidential FDA submissions. However, Celcuity shall pay any reasonable increased Study costs of NSABP and its Participating Sites relating thereto provided such costs are expressly set forth in a signed amendment to this Agreement. |
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(f) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Parties agree and acknowledge that any visit to a Participating Site may be subject to that Participating Site’s policies and procedures, such as those for patient confidentiality and privacy, security, safety, and the like. The Parties agree to comply with any such policies and procedures of any such Participating Site while at such Participating Site’s facilities of which a Party is informed. |
8.2 | Monitoring and Site Qualification . |
(a) | Participating Site Qualification Assessment Visits . NSABP will follow its SOPs for Participating Site qualification assessment visits, which consists of on-going Qualification Teleconference Calls (“QTC”) that are pre-scheduled detailed interviews conducted with Study Personnel that have first-hand knowledge of such Participating Site’s facilities and processes. QTCs are supplemented by periodic, on-site, scheduled “Assessment Visits.” If an Assessment Visit has not been conducted by the time a Subject is enrolled in the Study then an Assessment Visit will be promptly performed in accordance with NSABP’s SOPs. |
(b) | Participating Site Monitoring . NSABP will perform central monitoring in accordance with Applicable Law and NSABP’s SOP and at least one (1) on-site monitoring visit to each Participating Site that enrolls a Subject. |
ARTICLE
IX
Records and Reports
9.1 | NSABP, or its designated representative shall perform the following recordkeeping and reporting obligations in a timely and accurate fashion in accordance with NSABP’s SOPs: |
(a) | preparation and maintenance of complete and accurate written records, accounts, notes, reports, and data of the Study; and |
(b) | preparation and submission to Celcuity of CRFs for each Subject if required by a regulatory authority with jurisdiction, upon receipt of written proof of such regulatory authority’s demand for said CRFs. |
9.2 | Each Party will provide to the other Party copies of all communications exchanged by the Party and the FDA, the Office for Human Research Protection (“OHRP”), or other regulatory agency that characterize any analyses or conclusions of Data or which otherwise cite an opinion about the Study rendered by NSABP. |
9.3 | Adverse Reactions and SAEs . |
(a) | NSABP shall report all AEs (as that term is defined in the Protocol) to the FDA and other applicable regulatory authorities, and the appropriate IRB as required by Applicable Law within the requisite applicable timeframes, and will concurrently forward all such reports to Celcuity and Genentech. NSABP will provide seriousness, criteria, causality and expectedness assessment, and conduct follow-up on AEs as required by the Protocol and Applicable Law. NSABP will report SAEs (as that term is defined in the Protocol) requiring expedited reporting to the FDA and other applicable regulatory authorities via a FDA Form |
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3500A MEDWATCH report and concurrently provide a copy of such MEDWATCH report to Celcuity and Genentech. For expedited reports, NSABP will send the MEDWATCH report to Celcuity and Genentech no later than seven (7) days for initial life-threatening and death reports, and fifteen (15) days for all other initial or follow-up SUSARs, from the time of receipt of the report by NSABP. For non-expedited reports ( i.e., unrelated to Study Drugs or listed/expected event), NSABP will send the MEDWATCH report to Celcuity and Genentech no later than thirty (30) days from the time of receipt of the report by NSABP.
(b) | NSABP, in accordance with NSABP’s SOPs, will provide to Research Collaborators, and thereby to the Investigators and all Participating Sites, relevant safety information regarding the Study Drugs through the distribution of reports of SUSARs received from Genentech, safety updates, IB updates, SUSARs that emerge during the Study, and other safety related communications. NSABP will obligate Research Collaborators participating in the Study to, in accordance with their institutional policies, submit such documents to their IRB and/or communicate the safety information findings to the Subjects as directed by their IRB and/or NSABP. |
9.4 | NSABP agrees to provide Celcuity with copies of the annual reports to the IND filed for the Study. NSABP will provide Celcuity copies of reports or forms filed with the FDA related to this Agreement. All information provided under this Section 9.4 shall be subject to the provisions of Article XI and such written communications shall be marked “ Confidential ” in accordance with Article XI. NSABP agrees that it will not disclose to any third party any communications it receives from Celcuity pursuant to this Section 9.4, absent the prior consent of Celcuity, except as otherwise allowed in accordance with Article XI. |
9.5 | NSABP agrees to maintain complete and accurate records as required under 21 CFR Part 312.62 relating to the disposition of the Study Drugs and the treatment of Subjects in the Study, if applicable. Prior to discarding such records, NSABP will notify Celcuity of pending destruction and provide an opportunity for Celcuity, to elect, at its own expense, to further maintain and store the records for an additional period of time. NSABP shall provide Celcuity with interim written Study status reports ( e.g. , toxicity reports, monthly accrual reports, site status information) on a frequency reasonably requested by Celcuity. |
9.6 | NSABP shall register the Study with www.ClinicalTrials.gov, at or before the onset of Subject enrollment. |
ARTICLE
X
Financial Disclosure and
Conflict of Interest
10.1 | So that Celcuity may fulfill its certification and other financial disclosure obligations under 21 CFR Part 54 to the FDA as may be required under Applicable Law, upon reasonable request, NSABP will provide to Celcuity copies of such financial disclosures related to this Agreement, including disclosures by Investigators that NSABP receives from the Participating Sites on such forms as are customarily used in the industry. At the beginning of the Study, during the time the Study is being conducted, and for one (1) year following completion of the Study, NSABP shall provide updates of such disclosure forms upon Celcuity‘s reasonable request, or promptly after NSABP receives notice of a |
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material change in a prior disclosure. NSABP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to require that any investigator in a leadership position responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of the Study, and any Investigator, to disclose any significant private financial interests related to the Study Drugs. NSABP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to require that Investigators at Participating Sites not undertake the Study if it would prevent him/her from carrying out his/her obligations in compliance with the foregoing policy.
ARTICLE
XI
Confidential Information
11.1 | “Confidential Information” shall mean all information and materials related to the Study (whether owned by a Disclosing Party or by a third party to whom such Disclosing Party owes an obligation of confidence) disclosed by a Disclosing Party to a Receiving Party, including without limitation the Study Protocol, case report forms, the Investigator’s Brochure, proprietary technology, procedures, formulations, protocols, patient information or identifiers, know-how, clinical data, Data, Materials, Materials Data, Celcuity Results, specifications, documents and related Study materials, techniques, processes, biospecimens, products samples, apparatus, research plans, business plans, or identity of potential collaborators. |
11.2 | The Parties may disclose to each (including their respective agents and representatives and to NSABP Research Collaborators and their respective agents and representatives) Confidential Information to aid in effecting or completing performance of the Study under this Agreement. Confidential Information, whether written, electronic, or verbal, disclosed by either Party hereunder (the ”Disclosing Party”) to the other (the “Receiving Party”) shall be treated as confidential by the Receiving Party and subject to the terms of this Article XI for a period of ten (10) years following completion or closure of the Study at all Participating Sites. All such disclosures of Confidential Information shall be prominently marked with the legend “ Confidential ” or “ Confidential Information ” or the like. If disclosed orally or in other than documentary or electronic form, Confidential Information shall be reduced to a tangible form within thirty (30) days thereafter and a copy of such tangible form, bearing the foregoing confidentiality legend, shall be provided to the designated representative of the Receiving Party. The Receiving Party further agrees not to disclose to others or use for any purpose other than as reasonably necessary for performance of the Study (or enforcement or exercise of its rights under this Agreement), Confidential Information disclosed by the Disclosing Party pursuant to this Agreement. These obligations of non-disclosure and non-use shall not apply to information to the extent: |
(a) | that it is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the Receiving Party; |
(b) | that is already independently known to the Receiving Party hereunder prior to receipt from the Disclosing Party hereunder, as shown by its prior written records or is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of, or reference to, any Confidential Information received from the Disclosing Party; or |
(c) | that subsequent to its disclosure to the Receiving Party hereunder, is disclosed to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis by a third party with the legal right to do so. |
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11.3 | In the event Celcuity shall come into contact with a Subject’s Study records, Celcuity shall hold in confidence the identity of the Subject and shall comply with Applicable Law regarding the confidentiality of such records as if these records were patient medical records. |
11.4 | Receiving Party may provide Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to its directors, employees, consultants, contractors, agents, and IRBs, and, in the case of NSABP, to Research Collaborators and their Research Sites, IRBs, Study Personnel, and applicable accreditation organizations, in each case, on a need-to-know basis and provided such directors, employees, consultants, contractors, agents, Research Sites and Study Personnel are subject to written obligations, or bound by institutional policies, of confidentiality and non-use with regard to such Confidential Information that are the same or substantially the same as those of this Agreement. Research Collaborator and its Research Sites may provide Confidential Information as required to be disclosed in order to obtain informed consent from patients or subjects who may wish to enroll in the Study, provided, however, that the information will be disclosed only to the extent necessary and will not be provided in answer to unsolicited inquiries by telephone or to individuals who are not eligible Study candidates. |
11.5 | Confidential Information shall not be disclosed by the Receiving Party without prior written approval of the Disclosing Party to any third party except as set forth above, or, if required by the FDA or any other applicable regulatory or governmental agency having the authority to make such a demand, or pursuant to a subpoena, or a judicial order, or as required by Applicable Law. The Receiving Party agrees to contact the Disclosing Party prior to the release of any Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 11.5 and allow the Disclosing Party to exhaust any legal action it may take to prevent or limit the disclosure, and the Parties shall endeavor to agree upon a mutually satisfactory way to disclose such Confidential Information as is necessary for this limited purpose and required by Applicable Law. Nothing herein shall prevent a Receiving Party from complying with a legal obligation to disclose Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party so long as the Receiving Party: |
(a) | provides the Disclosing Party prompt notice of the Receiving Party’s perceived obligation of disclosure and intent to disclose (or to resist disclosure); |
(b) | cooperates with the Disclosing Party’s lawful attempts to prevent the disclosure or obtain protection for such Confidential Information; and |
(c) | only discloses that portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to disclose. |
11.6 | Receiving Party must within thirty (30) days, upon written request of a Disclosing Party (a) return all Confidential Information in its possession or control to the Disclosing Party, or (b) destroy or delete all Confidential Information in its possession or control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, one (1) copy may be kept in secure confidential files for archival and legal purposes only and any electronic back-up or archival storage copies made in accordance with Receiving Party’s standard procedures solely for purposes of disaster recovery and compliance with records retention policies. When Receiving Party has complied with its obligations described above, upon request by Disclosing Party, it shall confirm to Disclosing Party, in writing that it has returned, destroyed or deleted all Confidential Information. |
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11.7 | The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed the Confidential Information of NSABP and Celcuity and subject to this Article XI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NSABP’s disclosure of the terms of this Agreement to Research Collaborators to the extent necessary to contract with such Research Collaborators for the Study shall not be deemed a breach of this Article XI and a Research Collaborator may disclose such provisions to the extent required by a Research Collaborator’s institutional policies or by Applicable Law. |
ARTICLE
XII
Publications / Presentations
and General Publicity
12.1 | The Study is subject to the current NSABP Publication Policy (the current form of which is attached hereto as Appendix D ) with the exception that in all instances a biostatistical services contractor will perform the functions and assume the responsibilities of the NSABP Biostatistical Center. Another exception to the Policy is that invited presentations requiring submission of a manuscript involving previously unpublished Data relating to the Study conducted under this Agreement shall be submitted to Celcuity to review for Confidential Information at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to submission for publication. Celcuity shall have thirty (30) calendar days to respond with any requested revisions, including without limitation, the deletion of Celcuity’s Confidential Information, other than the results of the Study, and to protect any existing or future patents. NSABP shall act in good faith upon such requested revisions, except NSABP shall delete any Celcuity Confidential Information, other than the results of the Study, from such proposed publication. NSABP agrees not to amend its Publication Policy, as related to this Agreement, during the conduct of Study without prior written notice to Celcuity. The Parties agree that publication of a summary of the results of the Study in accordance with the Publication Policy of NSABP shall not be deemed a violation of Article XII. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that neither Celcuity nor NSABP publishes a manuscript on the primary endpoint of the Study within eighteen (18) months after the occurrence of the Study primary endpoint events or after the early termination of the Study, whichever occurs first, Participating Sites, or multiple Participating Sites, will have the right to publish or present with respect to the applicable Participating Sites’ own Study-related data. |
12.2 | Publication of the results of the Study will be made as promptly after completion of the Study, or early termination of the Study, as the case may be, as is reasonably possible. Manuscripts will be submitted to Celcuity at least fifteen (15) days prior to submission for publication. If an Invention is described in a proposed publication, which in the reasonable opinion of Celcuity should be the subject of a patent application, then, upon the request of Celcuity, NSABP will withhold publication to allow Celcuity to pursue the diligent filing of a patent application. Publication will not be withheld by NSABP beyond the time reasonably necessary to complete such diligent filing, and in no instance shall publication (or submission for publication) be withheld for more than a total of sixty (60) days after Celcuity’s receipt of any such manuscript. If Celcuity believes that any proposed publication contains any Confidential Information, other than Study results, then Celcuity shall so notify NSABP and NSABP shall remove all references to such Confidential Information. |
12.3 | Abstracts, posters, and similar presentations will be sent to Celcuity promptly after they are available to NSABP. |
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12.4 | NSABP and Celcuity agree to provide to the other for review prior to release or dissemination a copy of each press release or public announcement that references the Study. It is understood that this provision does not apply to NSABP’s communication with its Research Collaborators or Subjects. NSABP shall inform its Research Collaborators that press releases and public announcements that relate to Study results must be provided to NSABP prior to release or dissemination. NSABP agrees to provide copies of such press releases and public announcements to Celcuity. Such prior notice under this Section shall not give Celcuity the right to restrict or prevent a proposed press release or public announcement by one of the Research Collaborators, such notice being solely informational. |
12.5 | Neither Party shall mention or otherwise use (nor authorize others to use) the name, trademark, trade name, logo or names of the employees of the other Party in any publication, press release or promotional material without the prior written approval of the other Party; provided, however, that Celcuity shall have the right to identify NSABP as the group responsible for conducting the Study. Celcuity agrees that its use of the name, symbols, and/or marks of NSABP, or names of NSABP’s employees, shall be limited to identification of NSABP and its Research Collaborators and subcontractors’ staff as collaborators with NSABP. Celcuity will not use, nor authorize others to use, the name, symbols, or marks of NSABP or any Participating Site in any advertising or publicity material or make any form of representation or statement, which would constitute an express or implied endorsement by NSABP or any Participating Site of the CELx HER2 test without prior written approval from NSABP. Likewise, NSABP shall not use the name of Celcuity or the marks of Celcuity in such a manner without the written permission of Celcuity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Celcuity agrees that NSABP, Research Collaborators, and Participating Sites may use Celcuity’s name in connection with identifying the describing the Study, including on websites and in materials provided to potential Subjects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that they may issue a joint press release regarding the primary endpoint results, and shall use reasonable efforts and cooperate in good faith to do so, prior to the publication or presentation of such Study results, provided that all such releases or disclosures shall be (i) limited to non-numeric characterizations of the primary end point, and (ii) consistent with pre-release embargo restrictions of Study results by journals and/or conference organizers. |
12.6 | The Parties recognize that Celcuity shall have the right to use the Data for regulatory and commercial purposes in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world. Nothing contained within this Agreement (including any exhibits or appendices hereto) shall prohibit Celcuity from publishing regarding the results of the Study, including but not limited to, publishing regarding any subsets of Data, provided that, such publications occur after NSABP has published on the primary endpoints of the Study, and such Celcuity manuscripts are provided to NSABP for review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to submission for publication unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing. Nothing contained within this Agreement (including any exhibits or appendices hereto) shall prohibit Celcuity from discussing the results of the Study with investors or regulatory agencies under an agreement with confidentiality terms substantially the same as Article XI of this Agreement. |
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ARTICLE
XIII
Data Ownership and Inventions
13.1 | NSABP shall not acquire, as a result of the Study, any proprietary rights in the CELx HER2 test or the Study Kit other than the rights to use the same to conduct the Study. Neither NSABP nor Celcuity shall acquire, as a result of the Study, any proprietary rights in the Study Drugs, other than the right to use the Study Drugs for research and educational purposes for the Study conducted under this Agreement. |
13.2 | Subject to Article XI, Celcuity hereby grants to NSABP and each Participating Site a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual right and license to use the Celcuity Results for academic and patient treatment purposes, and for non-commercial research purposes. Celcuity shall provide NSABP with the Celcuity Results once available to Celcuity. |
13.3 | Any inventions or discoveries (whether patentable or not) solely relating to the CELx HER2 and made during the course of performing the Study (collectively, hereinafter “Invention(s)”), whether solely made by employees, contractors or other agents of NSABP, Research Collaborators and/or Participating Sites, solely by employees, contractors or other agents of Celcuity, or jointly by employees, contractors or other agents of NSABP, Research Collaborators and/or Participating Sites and employees, contractors or other agents of Celcuity, shall be solely owned by Celcuity. |
13.4 | NSABP shall, and will obligate Research Collaborators, Participating Sites and Investigators to, promptly notify Celcuity of any such Invention. NSABP shall assign or obligate Research Collaborators, Participating Sites, Investigators and their employees, contractors or other agents to assign any and all of their rights, title and interest in Inventions to Celcuity. Upon Celcuity’s request and at Celcuity’s expense, NSABP shall take such actions as Celcuity deems necessary or appropriate to obtain patent or other proprietary protection in Celcuity’s name with respect to any of the foregoing. |
13.5 | Any inventions or discoveries that are conceived or reduced to practice in the course of performing the Study, but which are not Inventions (“Other Inventions”), will be owned in accordance with U.S. patent law. Subject to the option granted below and the license grant in the following sentence, each of Research Collaborator, NSABP, and/or Celcuity, as the case may be, will have the right to use, exploit, license, transfer and/or sell its rights in jointly-made Other Inventions without the consent of and without obligation to account to the other. NSABP will obligate each Research Collaborator to grant to NSABP and Celcuity a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use Other Inventions of Research Collaborator for non-commercial purposes only. |
13.6 | The Parties agree that the Research Collaborator will have the primary right to prepare, file and prosecute any patent applications on Other Inventions made solely by Research Collaborator at Research Collaborator’s expense. If Research Collaborator and NSABP both elect not to prepare, file, prosecute or maintain an application or patent arising from any Other Invention made solely by Research Collaborator, NSABP will promptly notify Celcuity, and Celcuity will have the right, but not the obligation to prepare, file, prosecute and maintain such applications or patents at Celcuity’s expense. The Parties will work together in good faith to determine a filing and prosecution strategy (including the Party that will have primary responsibility for prosecution activities) of all Other Inventions made jointly by Research Collaborator and/or NSABP and Celcuity. |
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13.7 | NSABP shall grant, and will require Research Collaborators to grant, to Celcuity a first option to negotiate an exclusive or non-exclusive (subject to availability of such rights), royalty-bearing and sublicensable license to NSABP’s and/or Research Collaborator’s interests, if any, in any Other Inventions, to make, use and sell (or otherwise research, develop or commercialize) those inventions or any products that are covered by patent rights that claim or that include those inventions. The option will extend for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of NSABP’s or Research Collaborator’s (as applicable) full written disclosure to Celcuity of the Other Invention. In the event that NSABP or Research Collaborator cannot reach agreement with Celcuity on the terms of a license, NSABP or Research Collaborator may license its respective rights in that Other Invention to any third party. |
13.8 | All Data and as stated in the above Article VI, all Materials and Materials Data, and all proprietary rights to the foregoing, shall be the sole property of NSABP, and otherwise subject to the NSABP Ownership of Data/Materials Policy attached as Appendix C . Celcuity agrees to treat such as Confidential Information of NSABP pursuant to Article XI prior to NSABP’s public release thereof, subject to Celcuity’s right to make limited disclosures as provided in Section 12.6. Subject to Article XI, Celcuity shall have the right to use the Data for regulatory purposes. NSABP agrees not to authorize use of such Data for an IDE or any other regulatory submission relating to a regulatory approval for CELx HER2 by others. |
13.9 | Any inventions or discoveries by NSABP or its employees that are not conceived in the course of NSABP’s performance of the Study shall be (as between NSABP and Celcuity) the sole property of NSABP, even if they arise from research using Data and/or Materials, or data and/or materials derived therefrom, obtained in connection with the Study. The Parties agree that, for purposes of this Article XIII, performance of sub-studies conducted by NSABP and/or Celcuity with such Data and/or Materials shall not be deemed performance of the Study, unless any such sub-study is expressly and specifically defined in the Protocol as a sub-study within the Study. |
13.10 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, NSABP and Research Collaborators shall retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual right and license to their respective Inventions and Other Inventions to use the same for patient treatment, scientific and medical research, and academic purposes. |
ARTICLE
XIV
Notice
14.1 | Any notice required or permitted hereunder related to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given as of the date it is: (a) delivered to the recipient by hand; (b) delivered to the recipient by overnight courier; or (c) received by the Party to receive such notice by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as is subsequently specified in writing. |
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If to Celcuity : |
Brian Sullivan |
Chief Executive Officer |
Celcuity, LLC |
16305 – 36 th Avenue North, Suite 450 |
Minneapolis, MN 55446 |
14.2 | Any change(s) to the list in this Article XIV will be communicated in writing to the other Party, pursuant to the terms of this Article XIV. |
ARTICLE
XV
Indemnification; Insurance
15.1 | Celcuity shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NSABP and Participating Sites, and their respective officers, employees, contractors, and agents, and Investigators and the NSABP Principal Investigator (collectively the “NSABP Indemnitees”), from and against any and all liabilities and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, resulting from third party claims, actions, or suits, including (without limitation) those for personal injury or death (“Claims”) to the extent resulting from: |
(a) | the use of the Study Kit used in accordance with the Study and written instructions/information provided by Celcuity to NSABP or through NSABP to any third party including participants in connection with the Study; |
(b) | the use of the Study Kit in accordance with the Protocol and/or written instructions/information supplied or distributed to third parties (including the general public) by Celcuity in connection with the Study Kit; |
(c) | any claimed design defect, manufacturing defect, contamination or adulteration, or failure to warn relating to the Study Kit; |
(d) | medical procedures performed pursuant to the Protocol that are not part of routine medical care and would not have been done but for the conduct of the Study; and/or |
(e) | Celcuity’s failure to follow the Protocol, breach of this Agreement, or failure to comply with Applicable Law. |
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SAME ARE CAUSED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY THE CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF THE NSABP INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:
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(i) | the NSABP Indemnitee conducts the Study in accordance with Protocol requirements and written instructions delivered by Celcuity concerning administration of the Study Drug, use of the Study Kit, and applicable guidelines; and |
(ii) | such loss does not arise out of the gross negligence or willful malfeasance of any NSABP Indemnitees; and |
(iii) | the NSABP Indemnitee promptly notifies Celcuity in writing of any written complaint or claim, or any serious injury relating to any loss subject to this indemnification; and |
(iv) | Celcuity shall have the right to select defense counsel and to direct the defense or settlement of any such claim or suit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 15.1(iv) shall apply to state universities or institutions only to the extent permissible under applicable state law. |
Celcuity shall have no obligation to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless NSABP or the NSABP Indemnitees from and against any liability for Claims to the extent such Claims result from:
(A) | any negligence in the use or administration of the Study Drugs by NSABP or any NSABP Indemnitee in connection with the Study; and/or |
(B) | any claimed design defect, manufacturing defect, or contamination or adulteration, relating to the Study Drugs. |
Nothing contained within this Agreement (including any exhibits or appendices hereto) shall constitute a waiver by Celcuity of any rights of subrogation, contribution or similar rights that it may have against parties other than the NSABP Indemnitees.
15.2 | Celcuity shall provide diligent defense against or settlement of any Claims, whether such Claims are rightfully or wrongfully brought or filed. |
15.3 | Any Claim, to the extent found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the negligence or willful malfeasance of an NSABP Indemnitee, is excluded from Celcuity’s indemnity obligations under this Agreement to such extent. Deviations, defined as single event variations from the terms of Protocol which would not have a significant deleterious effect on the research or on the participant that may arise out of necessity, do not constitute negligence or willful malfeasance or a violation of the requirements of Section 15.1(a) and/or 15.1 (b). |
15.4 | The NSABP Indemnitee(s) shall reasonably cooperate with Celcuity and its legal representatives in the investigation and defense of any Claim covered under this Agreement. In the event a Claim is or may be asserted, NSABP, or Participating Sites, shall have the right to select and to obtain representation by separate legal counsel. Legal counsel selected by NSABP or Participating Sites may participate in any settlement negotiations or legal proceedings subject to Article XV, but Celcuity shall retain the right to direct the settlement or defense of any Claim, subject to NSABP Indemnitee’s consent and to the extent allowed under state law for Participating Sites that are state universities and institutions, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If NSABP |
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or Participating Sites that are state universities and institutions, exercises such right, all costs and expenses incurred by NSABP, or such Participating Sites, for such separate counsel shall be borne by NSABP, or such Participating Site.
15.5 | Celcuity shall maintain a policy or program of insurance or self-insurance at levels sufficient to support its liabilities and contractual obligations, including any indemnification obligation assumed herein. Upon request, Celcuity will provide evidence of its insurance. |
15.6 | NSABP shall maintain a policy or program of insurance it deems appropriate to protect its liabilities and contractual obligations assumed herein. |
15.7 | NSABP will obligate each Participating Site to obtain and maintain, at its own expense and throughout the term of this Agreement, such insurance as it deems appropriate to protect its liabilities and contractual obligations. However, failure of any Participating Site to have insurance coverage, ability to obtain insurance coverage, or any inadequacy of insurance coverage shall not relieve or decrease liabilities, if any, of NSABP or the Participating Site under this Agreement. It is understood that NSABP, including its agents, Participating Sites, and subcontractors, is not responsible for the acts or omissions of Celcuity. A program of self-insurance by a Participating Site will suffice for compliance by such Participating Site with this provision. |
15.8 | NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY BREACH THEREOF, EXCEPT FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A PARTY’S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE XI. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO RESTRICT OR LIMIT A PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE XV. |
15.9 | Attached hereto as Appendix E to this Agreement is a listing of Selected Terms of Agreement for Disclosure to Sites. NSABP may provide a copy of Appendix E potential Participating Sites as reasonably deemed necessary or helpful by NSABP in connection with negotiating the terms of agreements with potential Participating Sites for performance of the Study. |
ARTICLE
XVI
Human Subjects
16.1 | Informed consent of the Subjects shall be obtained in accordance with 45 CFR Part 46 and all Applicable Law. Related IRB review and approval of the Protocol, including the ICF, shall be obtained in accordance with 21 CFR Part 56 and Applicable Law. The ICF and/or HIPAA authorization form(s) as approved by the IRB shall disclose that documentation may be provided to representatives of Celcuity, Genentech, the FDA or other regulatory agencies and that Subjects’ identifying information will be removed prior to submission thereto. Subject to Applicable Law, during audits of the Study at NSABP, Participating Sites, or their designated agents, Celcuity shall have the right to review ICFs to assure that they conform to Applicable Law. |
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16.2 | In the event of physical injury resulting from research procedures in which the Subject will participate, no form of compensation is available from Celcuity. Medical treatment may be provided at the Subject’s own expense, or at the expense of the health care insurer ( i.e. , Medicare, Medicaid, BC/BS, or VA, if eligible, etc.), which may or may not provide coverage. NSABP acknowledges and agrees that it does not have the authority to bind Celcuity to reimburse participants for medical expenses arising from or relating to the Study. |
ARTICLE
XVII
Independent Contractor
17.1 | The relationship of the Parties to this Agreement is that of independent contractors. Neither Party is authorized or empowered to act as an agent for the other for any purpose, and shall not on behalf of the other enter into any contract, warranty, or representation as to any matter. Neither Party shall be bound by the acts or conduct of the other except as provided by the terms of this Agreement. All NSABP activities hereunder are rendered by NSABP as an independent contractor for federal, state and local income tax purposes and for all other purposes. |
ARTICLE
XVIII
Term and Termination
18.1 | This Agreement shall be effective upon the Effective Date and shall continue until the completion of the obligations of this Agreement unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Article XVIII. |
18.2 | This Agreement may be terminated by either Party, immediately upon written notice to the other Party, if any of the following conditions occur: |
(a) | If the authorization and approval to perform the Study in the United States is withdrawn by the FDA; |
(b) | If human and/or toxicology test results, in the reasonable opinion of NSABP or Celcuity are of such magnitude and/or frequency of incidence as to support termination of the Study; |
(c) | If the emergency of any adverse reaction or side-effect of any drug administered in the Study or a modification to the Protocol raises safety issues of such magnitude and/or incidence in the reasonable opinion of either NSABP or Celcuity to support termination of the Study; |
(d) | In the event a Party remains in material breach of any Section of this Agreement thirty (30) days after its receipt of notice in writing from the other Party of a material breach; or |
(e) | If Celcuity does not perform the CELx HER2 test or is unable to provide the Study Kit. |
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18.3 | Termination of Agreement by NSABP . NSABP shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement by notice to Celcuity in the event of any of the following: |
(a) | if Celcuity fails to pay an undisputed amount due to NSABP hereunder within thirty (30) days after being notified by NSABP that it is in arrears of payments due hereunder; or |
(b) | if Celcuity remains in material breach of any other Section of this Agreement thirty (30) days after its receipt of notice in writing from NSABP of such material breach; or |
(c) | if Genentech terminates the agreement to supply the Study Drugs, the manufacture of the Study Drugs ceases, and/or the Study Drug is no longer available. |
18.4 | Termination by Agreement . The Parties may, by mutual agreement, terminate this Agreement. NSABP and Celcuity shall use reasonable efforts and act in good faith to resolve any and all issues which may arise in connection with the Study, including problems with recruitment of subjects, timing, costs, supply of the Study Drug, third party participants in the Study, and the like. NSABP shall use reasonable efforts to notify Celcuity of any significant issues regarding the NSABP’s agreement with Genentech for the supply and distribution of the Study Drug. |
18.5 | Obligations Upon Termination . If this Agreement is terminated for any reason, NSABP will obligate Participating Sites to immediately stop enrolling Subjects into the Study and the Study shall be discontinued in accordance with the Protocol, this Agreement, and in a manner designed to preserve Subject safety and data integrity. NSABP shall wind-down the Study in an efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner. The need for any continued Subject safety monitoring and the appropriate manner to cease conducting Study procedures will be reasonably determined by NSABP in accordance with Applicable Law. In addition, payments will be made to NSABP by Celcuity for reasonable costs incurred for all NSABP services performed up to the time of termination in accordance with this Agreement and for any reasonable, non-cancelable expenses related to the Study. Such amounts shall take into account any payments previously made by Celcuity to NSABP under this Agreement. In the event the payments made by Celcuity exceed the final fees, NSABP shall return the excess balance to Celcuity. NSABP will promptly destroy or return to Celcuity all Confidential Information of Celcuity. |
18.6 | Survival . No expiration or termination of this Agreement will release the Parties from their rights or obligations accrued prior to expiration or effective date of termination. The rights and duties under Sections 2.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1 (d) and (e), 5.2 through 5.4, 8.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, and 17.5 and 17.6, and Articles VI, VII, IX through XVI, XVIII, XXIII through XXX, and Appendix B will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. |
ARTICLE
XIX
Severability
19.1 | If any provision(s) of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, is ruled illegal, or is held unenforceable, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the |
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invalidity, illegality or unenforceability thereof shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement and it shall remain in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms. Further, in lieu of each such provision which is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, a new valid, legal, and enforceable provision as similar as possible in economic and business objective intended by the Parties shall be substituted for such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision.
ARTICLE
XX
Waiver
20.1 | The waiver by either Party of a breach or violation of any term, provision or condition of this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, shall not operate as, or be construed to be, a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or other term, provision or condition hereof. |
ARTICLE
XXI
Debarment
21.1 | NSABP certifies that to the best of its knowledge as of the Effective Date neither NSABP nor any person employed thereby directly in the performance of the Study is (a) currently debarred under Section 306(a) or (b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; or (b) is listed by any federal or state agency as debarred or disqualified. NSABP shall obligate its Research Collaborators to certify that none of its Investigators or Participating Sites, nor any of their respective personnel conducting or engaged to conduct the Study, (i) is currently debarred; or (ii) is listed by any federal or state agency as debarred or disqualified; and (iii) to notify NSABP immediately of any such occurrence. If at any time after execution of this Agreement, NSABP becomes aware that NSABP or any person employed thereby and providing services for the Study hereunder is, or is in the process of being debarred, or any of the foregoing related to NSABP, a Research Collaborator, Investigators, Participating Site or any of their respective personnel, NSABP hereby certifies that NSABP will promptly notify Celcuity. |
ARTICLE
XXII
Force Majeure
22.1 | Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform as required by this Agreement, to the extent such delay or failure to perform is due to circumstances beyond that Party’s reasonable control, such as labor disturbances or labor disputes of any kind, accidents, failure of utilities, mechanical breakdowns, material shortages, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, electrical outages, disease, or other such unavoidable occurrences. |
ARTICLE
XXIII
Governing Law
23.1 | The construction, validity and performance of this Agreement, including any non-contractual obligations relating to this Agreement, shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without reference to its principles of conflicts of law. Each Party hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts situated in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article XXIII need not apply to those Research Collaborators which are state |
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universities or institutions, and NSABP’s agreements with such Research Collaborators may be silent as to applicable governing law.
ARTICLE
XXIV
Certain Disclosures and
Transparency
24.1 | NSABP acknowledges that Celcuity may be required to abide by federal and state disclosure laws and certain transparency policies governing its activities including, without limitation, providing reports to the government and to the public concerning financial or other relationships with healthcare providers. NSABP agrees that Celcuity may disclose information about the Agreement and about the Study, including relating to any transfers of value pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with Applicable Law. NSABP agrees to discuss with Celcuity the perceived obligations and supply mutually agreed upon required information reasonably requested by Celcuity for disclosure purposes. To the extent that NSABP, any Investigator or Participating Site is independently obligated to disclose specific information concerning the Study, including relating to transfers of value from Celcuity pursuant to this Agreement, NSABP will, and will cause Investigators and Participating Sites to make timely and accurate required disclosures. |
ARTICLE
XXV
No Transfer of Proprietary
Rights Not Specified
25.1 | It is agreed that neither NSABP nor Celcuity transfers to the other by operation of this Agreement any patent right, copyright, or other proprietary right of either Party, except to the extent expressly set forth herein. |
ARTICLE
XXVI
Conformance with Law and
Accepted Practice
26.1 | In performing their respective obligations hereunder, the Parties shall comply, as applicable, with generally accepted standards of good standard practices, with the Protocol, and with all Applicable Law governing the performance of clinical investigations as applicable to the Study. NSABP agrees to retain records resulting from the conduct of the Study for the time required by applicable federal regulations subject to Article IX herein. |
ARTICLE
XXVII
Integration
27.1 | Appendices identified within this Agreement are incorporated in this Agreement by reference. |
ARTICLE
XXVIII
Amendments
28.1 | This Agreement may be extended, renewed, or otherwise amended at any time only by a writing signed by the Parties hereto. |
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ARTICLE
XXIX
Assignment
29.1 | Neither Party hereto may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that without such consent NSABP may freely assign this Agreement in connection with the transfer or sale of all, or substantially all, of its assets or business to which this Agreement relates, or to a successor entity or acquirer in the event of its merger or consolidation, or change of control. |
29.2 | This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each Party signatory hereto, its successors, and permitted assigns. No assignment shall relieve either Party of the performance of any accrued obligation, which such Party may then have under this Agreement. Any permitted assignee will assume the rights and obligations of its assignor under this Agreement. |
ARTICLE
XXX
Entire Agreement
30.1 | This Agreement, including any Appendices hereto, represents the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, and understanding entered into orally or otherwise between the Parties in connection with the subject matter herein. Each Party confirms that it is not relying on any representations or warranties of any other Party except as specifically set forth in this Agreement. To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement, Appendices or the Protocol, the terms of this Agreement will control, except that the terms of the Protocol will nonetheless control with respect to scientific and medical issues in connection with any such conflict or inconsistency. This Agreement may only be modified by a writing duly executed by both Parties. |
ARTICLE
XXXI
Counterparts
31.1 | This Agreement and any amendments may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document, binding on all Parties notwithstanding that each of the Parties may have signed different counterparts. Facsimiles or scanned copies of signatures or electronic images of signatures shall be considered original signatures unless prohibited by Applicable Law. |
[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank]
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Binding Execution
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement in duplicate by the proper persons thereunto duly authorized.
NSABP Foundation, Inc. | Celcuity, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Joan Beyer Goldberg, MPH | By: | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | |
Authorized Signature | Authorized Signature | |||
Joan Beyer Goldberg, MPH | Brian F. Sullivan | |||
Authorized Representative | Authorized Representative | |||
Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer | |||
Title | Title | |||
May 9, 2017 | May 10, 2017 | |||
Date | Date |
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Appendix A
NSABP Protocol:
NSABP protocol entitled “An Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant ACT + Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Early Stage HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Selected with a Test Measuring Live Cell HER2 Signaling Transduction (Fact 1) (FB-12),” including the sample Informed Consent Form
Appendix A is set out on the following pages.
NSABP PROTOCOL FB-12
An Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant Doxorubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Weekly Paclitaxel Plus Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Early Stage HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Selected with a Test Measuring Live Cell HER2 Signaling Transduction (FACT 1)
NSABP Foundation, Inc.
Nova Tower 2
Two Allegheny Center – Suite 1200
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
TELEPHONE: | 1-800-270-3165 | |
E-MAIL: | industry.trials@nsabp.org | |
CLINICAL QUESTIONS: | 1-800-270-3165 |
KEY STUDY PERSONNEL
NSABP Chair: |
Norman Wolmark, MD | |
NSABP Foundation Breast Committee Chair: | Charles E. Geyer, MD | |
Protocol Chair: | Eleftherios Mamounas, MD, MPH | |
Medical Oncology Co-Chair: | Lee Schwartzberg, MD | |
Protocol Officer: | Priya Rastogi, MD | |
Protocol Statistician: | Marc Buyse, ScD |
Protocol FB-12 IND #XXXX (trastuzumab and pertuzumab),
sponsored by the NSABP Foundation, Inc.
Celcuity, LLC – Protocol FB-12
CONFIDENTIAL
1 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 8 |
9.2 | Trastuzumab | 42 | |
9.3 | Pertuzumab | 44 | |
9.4 | Transfer of trastuzumab and pertuzumab | 45 | |
9.5 | Destruction of trastuzumab and pertuzumab | 45 | |
9.6 | Drug accountability | 45 | |
10.0 | adverse event reporting | 46 | |
10.1 | Definition of an AE | 46 | |
10.2 | Definition of an SAE | 46 | |
10.3 | Events requiring expedited reporting | 47 | |
10.4 | Pregnancy | 48 | |
10.5 | Grading the severity of the AE | 48 | |
10.6 | Expedited reporting instructions | 48 | |
10.7 | Routine reporting of AEs | 49 | |
10.8 | Documentation requested following death | 49 | |
11.0 | assessment of effect | 50 | |
11.1 | Timing of clinical response assessments | 50 | |
12.0 | patient entry procedures | 51 | |
12.1 | Patient consent forms | 51 | |
12.2 | Study entry | 51 | |
12.3 | Patient study number and treatment assignment | 51 | |
12.4 | Investigator-initiated discontinuation of study therapy | 51 | |
12.5 | Patient-initiated discontinuation of study therapy | 52 | |
12.6 | Patient-initiated withdrawal from the study | 52 | |
13.0 | data handling and recordkeeping | 53 | |
14.0 | statistical considerations | 54 | |
14.1 | Study design | 54 | |
14.2 | Study endpoints | 54 | |
14.3 | Study objectives | 55 | |
14.4 | Sample size | 56 | |
14.5 | Accrual time and study duration | 56 | |
14.6 | Monitoring | 56 | |
15.0 | Device Accountability | 57 | |
16.0 | publication information | 58 | |
17.0 | references | 59 |
Appendix A | Assessment of performance status and activities of daily living | 60 |
Appendix B | Suggested procedure for evaluation of surgical specimens | 61 |
Figure 1. | NSABP FB-12 Schema | 14 |
Table 1. | Tests, exams, and other requirements for screening and prior to study entry | 27 |
Table 2. | Tests, exams, and other requirements during therapy and follow-up | 29 |
Table 3. | Treatment regimen | 32 |
Table 4. | Dose levels for paclitaxel | 37 |
Table 5. | Trastuzumab and pertuzumab management based on LVEF assessments | 39 |
Table 6. | Dose modifications and instructions for trastuzumab and pertuzumab | 40 |
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 9 |
INFORMATION RESOURCES
NSABP Department of Site and
Study Management
Nova Tower 2 Two Allegheny Center – Suite 1200 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Phone: 1-800-270-3165 E-mail: industry.trials@nsabp.org |
||
For questions regarding: · IRB review & informed consent · Submission of IRB approval · Study entry information · Eligibility · Treatment regimen · Dose modifications/delays · Other clinical aspects of the trial · Adverse event reporting including SAE reporting · eCRF completion · Trastuzumab and pertuzumab shipments |
NSABP Department of Site and Study Management (DSSM) |
Phone: 1-800-270-3165 E-mail: industry.trials@nsabp.org |
For questions regarding data management | DSSM |
Phone: 1-800-270-3165 E-mail: industry.trials@nsabp.org |
Requests for study drug (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) | DSSM | E-mail: FB12.drugorders@nsabp.org |
Requests for CELx Specimen Collection Kits and questions regarding submission of tumor samples | Celcuity |
E-mail: http://celcuity.com/contact/ Phone: 1-844-310-3900 Refer to FB-12 Pathology Instructions. |
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 10 |
GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AC | doxorubicin (Adriamycin Ò ) and cyclophosphamide |
AE | adverse event |
AJCC | American Joint Committee on Cancer |
ALT | alanine aminotransferase |
ANC | absolute neutrophil count |
ARDS | acute respiratory distress syndrome |
ASCO | American Society of Clinical Oncology |
AST | aspartate aminotransferase |
BP | blood pressure |
BSA | body surface area |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
CAP | College of American Pathologists |
CBC | complete blood count |
cCR | clinical complete response |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
CI | confidence interval |
CLIA | Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments |
CRF | case report form |
CT | computed tomography |
CTCAE v4.0 | Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 |
CTEP | Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program |
DCIS | ductal carcinoma in situ |
DSSM | NSABP Department of Site and Study Management |
ECHO | echocardiogram |
ECOG | Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group |
EGF | Epidermal growth factor |
ER | estrogen receptor |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
FISH | fluorescence in situ hybridization |
FNA | fine needle aspiration |
GCP | Good Clinical Practice |
G-CSF | granulocyte colony stimulating factor |
GM-CSF | granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor |
H&P | history and physical |
HER | human epidermal growth factor receptor |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
HR | hazard ratio |
IB | Investigator's Brochure |
ICH | International Conference on Harmonization |
IDE | Investigational Device Exemption |
IHC | immunohistochemistry |
IND | investigational new drug |
IRB | institutional review board |
ISO | International Organization for Standardization |
IV | intravenous |
LCIS | lobular carcinoma in situ |
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GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS (continued)
LLN | lower limit of normal |
LV | left ventricular |
LVEF | left ventricular ejection fraction |
mAB | monoclonal antibody |
MAPK | mitogen-activated protein kinase |
MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
MUGA | multi-gated acquisition (scan) |
NCCN | National Comprehensive Cancer Network |
NCI | National Cancer Institute |
NRG1b | Neuregulin 1 beta |
NSABP | NSABP Foundation, Inc. |
p | probability |
pCR | pathologic complete response |
PET | positron emission tomography |
PgR | progesterone receptor |
PI3K | phosphoinositide 3-kinase |
q | every |
RCB | residual cancer burden |
RT | radiation therapy |
SAE | serious adverse event |
SN | sentinel node |
ULN | upper limit of normal |
WOCBP | women of childbearing potential |
WP | weekly paclitaxel |
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1.0 | overview of study design |
1.1 | Summary |
This is a prospective, single arm, open label, multicenter interventional study designed to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anti-HER2 antibodies in patients with HER2-negative invasive breast cancer who have abnormal HER2 signaling activity determined by the Celcuity HSF testing.
Patients will be required to have a prescreening research core needle biopsy to procure a fresh tumor specimen that will be sent to Celcuity for CELx HSF testing, in order to assess the status of their HER2 signaling activity (abnormally or normally active). Patients who have abnormal HER2 signaling activity will receive weekly paclitaxel plus the anti-HER2 therapy regimen of trastuzumab and pertuzumab following completion of initial doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide.
The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate whether patients with HER2-negative breast cancers based on standard ASCO/CAP testing criteria, but with abnormal HER2-driven signaling pathways determined by the Celcuity HSF assay, and receive HER2-targeted therapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy will have a higher rate of pathological complete response in the breast and lymph nodes (pCR breast and lymph nodes) than has been found historically in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include pathologic complete response (breast), clinical complete response (cCR), residual cancer burden (RCB) 0-1 index, and relationship between quantitative CELx score and pCR rate.
It is expected that approximately 270 patients will need to be prescreened in order to enroll 54 patients (26 ER-positive/HER2-negative and 28 ER-negative/HER2-negative) who have abnormal HER2 signaling activity.
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Figure 1.
NSABP FB-12 Schema
* | Doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m 2 IV + cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m 2 IV Day 1 every 2 weeks or every 3 weeks at investigator's discretion. |
** | Weekly Paclitaxel (WP): 80 mg/m 2 IV weekly for 12 doses. |
† | Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab: Trastuzumab (administer a loading dose of 8 mg/kg IV; then 6 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks for 4 cycles) with pertuzumab (administer a loading dose of 840 mg IV; then 420 mg IV every 3 weeks for 4 cycles). |
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2.0 | background |
2.1 | CELx Signaling Function Ò Technology |
Scientists and clinicians have long sought a method to more precisely diagnose and treat patients with heterogeneous diseases. In response to this need, Celcuity, LLC (Celcuity) developed CELx Signaling Function Ò technology, a proprietary cellular functionality analysis platform that measures signaling pathway activity using live patient cells. The hypothesis of the CELx Signaling Function Ò test is that measurement of cell signaling dysfunction in a patient’s live disease cells is the most accurate method of diagnosing the presence of signaling activity of the HER2 pathway. This information can be used to determine whether a signaling pathway associated with breast cancer is abnormal in a patient’s breast cancer tissue.
Dynamic patient cell signaling quantification
The CELx platform quantifies specific dynamic signal transduction activities in a patient’s tumor cells. The complexity of signal transduction processes is immense and the permutations of the pathway variables are practically unquantifiable. Current analytical methods to assess these variables use dead (fixed or lysed) cells, measuring only a snapshot. Point-in-time measurements are limited to assessment of the compositional status (e.g., mutation), concentration level (e.g., protein amount) or activation status (e.g., phosphorylation) of a finite number of signaling pathway components. A complete diagnosis of a patient’s cancer and an assessment of the potential response to a targeted therapy requires measurement of the underlying activity of signaling pathways in live patient tumor cells.
To measure live real-time dynamic cell signaling activity, an impedance biosensor instrument is used. An impedance biosensor is an analytical platform that converts changes in cellular activity to a measurable electrical signal. This instrument measures dynamic changes in cell adhesion and morphology initiated by signal pathway activation or inhibition in live patient tumor cells.
The following schematic provides an example of impedance measurement in a single-well of the microplate. Activation or inhibition of signaling activity causes changes in cell adhesion. To measure cell adhesion changes in real-time , live patient cells are attached to a microelectrode.
As cells cover the electrodes, the current is impeded in a manner related to the number of cells. In addition, since cell signaling changes modulate a cell’s adhesion properties, the impedance biosensor also detects and quantifies these changes. When cells are stimulated and change their function, the accompanying changes in cell adhesion thus alter the impedance that is measured.
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To determine the activity of a specific signaling pathway, an activating agent specific to a pathway receptor is used to turn on the pathway and a corresponding inhibitory agent specific to the pathway receptor is used to turn signaling off. When signaling pathways are stimulated in this manner, adhesion molecules are affected and cause a change in the impedance measured in a well. By relying on the principle of detecting signaling pathway activity, we believe we can develop tests for a range of disease types and targeted therapies that affect various cellular pathways.
The output value is reported as the change in the electrical impedance measured. The change in impedance values is quantified over time and used to determine a Signaling Function Score.
An example of the data recorded is provided in the graph below. In this example, a HER family signaling pathway (HER3) in a sample of breast cancer cells is stimulated with an activating agent (NRG1b) alone and in combination with various concentrations of a dual-HER family inhibitor (lapatinib). The uppermost curve labeled “No Drug – Max Stimulation” represents the amount of HER3 signaling pathway activity that occurs over a 10-hour period when the breast cancer cells are stimulated with the NRG1b alone. The remaining curves represent the amount of pathway activity that occurs after the pathway inhibitor is added to cells. The curves with the pathway inhibitor added have lower peak and aggregate values and demonstrate that the test has an expected dose dependent response to the addition of the pathway inhibitor. The curve labeled “Max Stimulation – Max Drug” indicates that, in this example, nearly all the pathway activity stimulated with the activating agent is inhibited or blocked by the pathway inhibitor.
Typical Impedance vs. Time Data Set
2.2 | CELx HER2 Signaling Function Ò (HSF) test |
The CELx HER2 Signaling Function Test is a qualitative Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) to measure HER2-driven signaling network activity that uses viable primary cells isolated from HER2-negative breast tumor tissue specimens obtained from a patient. Specimens are collected in a Celcuity provided specimen collection kit at the clinical site and then delivered directly to Celcuity’s CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory where the test is performed and the test report is issued.
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The CELx HSF Test incorporates the following steps:
1. | Measures signaling driven by HER2 hetero-dimerization of HER1 and HER3: | |
a. Activates PI3K & MAPK with HER3 ligand (NRG1) and HER1 ligand (EGF) | ||
b. Confirms signaling is HER2-driven using HER2 dimer blocker | ||
2. | Quantifies amount of HER2 signaling anti-HER2 drugs inhibit | |
3. | Transforms quantitative result into a final qualitative result that characterizes the activity level of the HER2 signaling pathway network in the tested patient tumor cells as either normal or abnormal. |
Celcuity has completed analytical validation studies in accordance with applicable FDA guidance and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards in its CLIA/CAP certified laboratory to characterize the performance of the CELx HSF test. A summary of the results is below ( Celcuity 2017 ):
Results of analytical validation studies for CELx HSF test ( Laing a 2017 )
Performance Characteristics | Results | |
Analytical Precision (Qualitative) Analytical Sensitivity (95% CI) Analytical Specificity (95% CI) |
95.8% - 100% (88/88) 95.8% - 100% (88/88) |
|
Detection Limits Limit of Blank Limit of Detection Limit of Quantification |
0.0020 cell attachment units 0.0099 cell attachment units 0.1000 cell attachment units |
|
Cut-Off Characterization |
250 signaling units |
2.3 | Intended use of investigational device |
The CELx HER2 Signaling Function Test for specimen characterization is a qualitative laboratory developed test intended to measure HER2-driven signaling activity in tumor cells obtained from patients previously diagnosed with HER2-negative breast cancer to evaluate whether the patients have normal or abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity. The intended use of this test is to identify HER2-negative breast cancer patients with abnormal HER2-driven signaling so they may be enrolled in the proposed clinical trial.
2.4 | Justification for the design of the clinical trial |
HER2 breast cancer disease is defined at a biological level as hyperactivity of the HER2-related signaling pathways. It is currently diagnosed by measuring the amount of HER2 receptor present in the patient’s tumor cells using IHC and/or by demonstrating gene amplification by FISH testing. This approach does not identify whether the actual disease mechanism, abnormal HER2
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signaling, is present. Instead, it assumes that the HER2 receptor, one component of a complex biochemical reaction, can characterize the signaling activity of the entire HER2 pathway network. The clinical sensitivity of this approach has been called into question recently when several analyses of HER2 drug trials found that a portion of inadvertently enrolled HER2-negative patients received benefit from the HER2-directed therapy ( Paik 2008 ). From a biological and biochemical standpoint, this is not surprising. It is also consistent with the fact that many HER2-positive patients do not respond to HER2-targeted therapy. This suggests that the correlation between HER2 receptor levels and HER2 signaling activity is well below 100%. As a result, measuring only HER2 receptor levels and/or gene amplification can lead to a substantial number of false negative HER2 disease diagnoses. This would be the case with HER2-negative breast cancer patients who have abnormal HER2 signaling activity. IHC or FISH will diagnose these patients as not having HER2-driven breast cancer, when, in fact, they do.
To overcome the limitation of measuring only receptor levels to diagnose HER2 breast cancer, Celcuity described in a recently published study ( Huang 2017 ) the development of its CELx HER2 Signaling Function Test to measure functional HER2 signaling in live patient tumor cells. This test identifies patients who have abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity despite having normal HER2 receptor levels. This is currently an undiagnosable sub-type of HER2-related breast cancer.
In a recently published study ( Huang 2016 ), Celcuity found that 20% of HER2-negative breast cancer patients have the same level of abnormal HER2 signaling activity as the abnormal HER2 signaling activity found in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines. These patients may thus benefit from treatment with a HER2-directed therapy.
To assess the potential clinical benefit HER2 therapies may offer these patients, a prospective, single arm, open label neoadjuvant interventional study is proposed. Data from previous clinical trials have consistently found a significant difference in the pathological response rates (pCR) between HER2-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer patients when they receive their respective standard of care therapies. For ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, the average pCR rate is 8%, and for ER-negative/HER2-negative patients, the average pCR rate is 31% ( Cortazar 2014 ). This contrasts sharply to pCR rates of 30%-50% for ER-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer patients and 55%-80% for ER-negative/HER2-positive breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment with anti-HER2 antibodies in combination with chemotherapy ( Schneeweiss 2013 ).
This suggests that HER2-negative patients with abnormal HER2 signaling receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anti-HER2 therapy may experience pCR rates significantly higher than HER2-negative patients with normally active HER2 signaling activity and possibly comparable to the pCR rates experienced by HER2-positive patients.
Summary of CELx Studies:
Excerpts of key results from Celcuity’s published studies are provided below.
Prevalence Studies: 20% of HER2-Negative Patients Have Abnormal HER2-Signaling
To derive an initial estimate of the prevalence of abnormal HER2 signaling within the HER2-negative breast cancer population, Celcuity conducted a cell line survey, and training set and validation studies using patient tumor cells. Live cell response to specific HER2 agonists (NRG1b and EGF) and antagonist (pertuzumab) was measured.
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Key findings include:
· | Cell Line Survey Study (N=9) ( Huang 2017 ) |
o | 4 of 9 HER2+ cell lines had HER2 signaling activity above 250 signaling units. These results helped establish an initial cut-off value. |
o | Confirmed that normal HER2 signaling can occur in cells with overexpressed amounts of HER2. |
· | Training Set Study (N=50) ( Huang 2017 ) |
o | 7 of 34 HER2-negative breast cancer patients (20.5%; 95% CI = 10%–37%) had tumor cells with HER2 signaling activity that was characterized as abnormally high and consistent with the HER2 signaling found in the upper 50% of the HER2+ cell lines. |
o | The 16 healthy breast specimens had a significantly lower average and standard deviation HER2 Signaling Scores than the HER2- and HER2+ breast cancer specimens. |
· | Validation Study (N=114) ( Laing b 2017 ) |
o | 27 of 114 patients (23.7%; 95% CI = 17%–32%) had tumor cells with HER2 signaling activity that was characterized as abnormally high and consistent with the HER2 signaling found in the upper 50% of the HER2+ cell lines. |
· | The patients providing specimens in the Training Set and Validation Set studies had the following characteristics: |
Training Set | Validation Set | |||||||||||||||
Characteristic | No. | % | No. | % | ||||||||||||
No. of breast cancer patients | 34 | 100 | % | 114 | 100 | % | ||||||||||
Age, years | ||||||||||||||||
Mean | 57.5 | 58.6 | ||||||||||||||
Clinical Stage | ||||||||||||||||
I | 5 | 15 | % | 23 | 20 | % | ||||||||||
II | 22 | 65 | % | 62 | 54 | % | ||||||||||
III | 5 | 15 | % | 24 | 22 | % | ||||||||||
N/A 1 | 2 | 6 | % | 4 | 4 | % | ||||||||||
Histology | ||||||||||||||||
DCIS only | 1 | 3 | % | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||
Invasive only | 13 | 38 | % | 24 | 21 | % | ||||||||||
Invasive Ductal/DCIS mixed | 10 | 29 | % | 55 | 48 | % | ||||||||||
Lobular/other | 8 | 24 | % | 35 | 31 | % | ||||||||||
N/A 1 | 2 | 6 | % | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||
Lymph Status | ||||||||||||||||
Positive | 12 | 35 | % | 56 | 49 | % | ||||||||||
Negative | 20 | 59 | % | 46 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
pNx or N/A 1 | 2 | 6 | % | 12 | 11 | % | ||||||||||
Estrogen Receptor Status | ||||||||||||||||
ER+ | 26 | 76 | % | 96 | 84 | % | ||||||||||
ER- | 1 | 3 | % | 18 | 16 | % | ||||||||||
N/A 1 | 7 | 21 | % | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
HER2 IHC score/FACS | ||||||||||||||||
IHC 0, 1+ or FISH not amp 2 | 34 | 100 | % | 101 | 89 | % | ||||||||||
IHC 2+ and FISH not amp | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
3+ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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· | The graph below presents the data from the Cell Line, Training Set, and Validation Prevalence Studies in a Box-Whiskers plot format. |
o | The dotted line at 250 represents the cut-off value for the CELx HSF Test. The cut-off value of 250 is equivalent to the median CELx Signaling Score recorded from the sample of HER2+ cell lines. |
o | HER2-negative breast cancer patients with CELx Signaling Scores at or above 250 have abnormal HER2 signaling and meet the enrollment criteria for this study. |
o | The circled portions of the plots for the HER2- Training Set and HER2 Validation Set results represent the specimens with Abnormal HER2-driven signaling. |
Xenograft Study: Abnormal HER2 Signaling Correlates to Drug Response Better than HER2 Status ( Laing c 2017 )
Xenograft mouse models of human breast tumors to evaluate the relationship of HER2-driven signaling and response to lapatinib, a reversible dual-HER2 kinase inhibitor. Key findings:
· | The HER2 signal inhibitor shrank a HER2-negative tumor with abnormal HER2 signaling |
· | The HER2 signal inhibitor did not affect the HER2+ tumor with normal HER2 signaling |
· | Findings contradict HER2 receptor-based conclusions: |
o | Lapatinib inhibition more correlative to HER2 signaling than HER2 receptor expression |
o | HER2 signaling status independent of HER2 receptor expression |
These findings support the hypothesis that HER2-negative breast cancer patients with abnormal HER2-driven signaling may benefit from treatment with anti-HER2 drugs.
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Xenograft Study Results
Cell Line | ||||
Parameter | HCC1954 | BT483 | ||
HER2 Receptor Expression (IHC) |
HER2+
(3+) |
HER2-
(0) |
||
HER2 Signaling Status (CELx) | Normal | Abnormal | ||
Lapatinib Inhibition (Xenograft) |
13%
(p = 0.34) |
49%
(p = 0.01) |
Study of Two HER2 Antibody Therapies, Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab, in HER2- and HER2+ Cells
Celcuity conducted this study to compare the effectiveness of two anti-HER2 antibodies in blocking HER2-driven signaling in HER2+ and HER2- cells. Tumor cells from 5 HER2- primary tumors and 4 HER2+ cell lines were obtained. Real-time live cell response to NRG1, a specific HER2/HER3 agonist, with or without pertuzumab, trastuzumab, or the combination of the two, was measured and quantified. All cell samples tested had comparable, and abnormal, levels of NRG1 activated HER2-driven signaling.
Key findings are:
· | In each sample, the two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) inhibited a higher percentage of signaling in combination than either mAb alone; no interference effects between the two mAbs were detected. |
· | Pertuzumab and trastuzumab alone were each more effective in the HER2- cell samples than in the HER2+ ones. |
· | Two HER2 mAbs used to treat HER2+ breast cancer patients are as effective in blocking abnormal HER2-driven function ex vivo in HER2- primary cells as they are in HER2+ cell lines. |
Average
%
NRG1 Inhibition |
||||
HER2 mAb |
HER2+
Cell Lines |
HER2-(HER2
S
+)
Primaries |
||
Pertuzumab | 62% | 73% | ||
Trastuzumab | 19% | 44% | ||
Tz + Pz | 87% | 81% |
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3.0 | study aims and endpoints |
3.1 | Primary aim and endpoint |
Aim: Pathologic complete response (breast and lymph nodes)
Endpoint: Percentage of patients with pathologic complete response (pCR) defined as the absence of residual invasive cancer on hematoxylin and eosin evaluation of the complete resected breast specimen and all sampled regional lymph nodes following completion of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (ypT0/Tis ypN0).
3.2 | Secondary aims and endpoints |
3.2.1 | Pathologic complete response (breast) |
Aim: To determine pathologic complete response
Endpoint: Percentage of patients with pathologic complete response in the breast (ypT0/Tis).
3.2.2 | Clinical complete response (cCR) |
Aim: To determine clinical complete response (cCR)
Endpoint: Percentage of patients with clinical complete response rate based on physical examination of the breast and axilla.
3.2.3 | Residual cancer burden (RCB) |
Aim: To determine residual cancer burden (RCB)
Endpoint: Residual cancer burden 0-1 index.
3.2.4 | CELx score and pCR rate |
Aim: To determine the relationship between the qualitative score and pCR rate
Endpoint: Relationship between quantitative CELx score and pCR rate
3.2.5 | Safety and Toxicity |
Aim: To assess the safety and tolerability based on reported adverse events that were deemed to be related to the neoadjuvant therapy.
Endpoint: Frequency and severity of adverse events categorized using the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (CTCAE v4.0).
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4.0 | patient eligibility and ineligibility |
4.1 | Patient selection guidelines |
Although the guidelines in Section 4.1 are not inclusion/exclusion criteria, investigators should consider each of these factors when selecting patients for the FB-12 trial. Investigators should also consider all other relevant factors (medical and non-medical), as well as the risks and benefits of the study therapy, when deciding if a patient is an appropriate candidate for the FB-12 trial.
· | Medical oncologist has indicated the intention to administer doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel. |
· | Co-morbid conditions should be taken into consideration, but not the diagnosis of breast cancer. |
· | All patients will be required to have a research core biopsy procedure to procure fresh tumor tissue for pre-entry central HER2 signaling testing by Celcuity (see Table 1 and Section 6.2 ). |
4.2 | Conditions for patient eligibility (Screening) |
A patient cannot be considered eligible for this study unless all of the following conditions are met:
4.2.1 | The patient must have consented to participate and must have signed and dated an appropriate IRB-approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines for the pre-entry research core biopsy for CELx HSF testing and for initiating chemotherapy (see Section 6.2 ). |
4.2.2 | Patients must be female. |
4.2.3 | Patients must be ³ 18 years old. |
4.2.4 | Patient must have an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 (see Appendix A ). |
4.2.5 | The diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast must have been made by core needle biopsy . |
4.2.6 | The primary breast tumor must be palpable and measure ³ 2.0 cm on physical exam. |
4.2.7 | The regional lymph nodes can be cN0, cN1, or cN2a. |
4.2.8 | Histological grade II or III tumor. |
4.2.9 | Ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes must be evaluated by imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, and/or MRI) within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy. If suspicious or abnormal, FNA or core biopsy is recommended, also within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy. Findings of these evaluations will be used to determine the nodal status prior to initiating chemotherapy. |
· | Nodal status – negative |
- | Imaging of the axilla is negative; |
- | Imaging is suspicious or abnormal but the FNA or core biopsy of the questionable node(s) on imaging is negative; |
· | Nodal status – positive |
- | FNA or core biopsy of the node(s) is cytologically or histologically suspicious or positive. |
- | Imaging is suspicious or abnormal but FNA or core biopsy was not performed. |
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4.2.10 | Tumor specimen obtained at the time of diagnosis must have ER and PgR analysis assessed by current ASCO/CAP Guidelines (www.asco.org). Patients are eligible with either hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-negative tumors. |
4.2.11 | Tumor specimen obtained at the time of diagnosis must have been determined to be HER2-negative as follows: |
· | Immunohistochemistry (IHC) 0-1+; or |
· | IHC 2+ and ISH non-amplified with a ratio of HER2 to CEP17 < 2.0, and if reported, average HER2 gene copy number < 4 signals/cells; or |
· | ISH non-amplified with a ratio of HER2 to CEP17 < 2.0, and if reported, average HER2 gene copy number < 4 signals/cells. |
4.2.12 | Blood counts performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy must meet the following criteria: |
· | ANC must be ³ 1200/mm 3 ; |
· | platelet count must be ³ 100,000/mm 3 ; and |
· | hemoglobin must be ³ 10 g/dL. |
4.2.13 | The following criteria for evidence of adequate hepatic function performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy must be met: |
· |
total bilirubin must be
£
ULN for the lab unless the patient has a bilirubin
elevation
> ULN to 1.5 x ULN due to Gilbert’s disease or similar syndrome involving slow conjugation of bilirubin; and |
· | alkaline phosphatase must be £ 2.5 x ULN for the lab; and |
· | AST must be £ 1.5 x ULN for the lab. |
· | Alkaline phosphatase and AST may not both be > the ULN . For example, if the alkaline phosphatase is > the ULN but £ 2.5 x ULN, the AST must be £ the ULN. If the AST is > the ULN but £ 1.5 x ULN, the alkaline phosphatase must be £ ULN. |
Note: If ALT is performed instead of AST (per institution's standard practice), the ALT value must be £ 1.5 x ULN; if both were performed, the AST must be £ 1.5 x ULN.
4.2.14 | Patients with AST or alkaline phosphatase > ULN are eligible for inclusion in the study if liver imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT, or PET scan) performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy does not demonstrate metastatic disease and the requirements in criterion 4.2.13 are met. |
4.2.15 | Patients with alkaline phosphatase that is > ULN but £ 2.5 x ULN or unexplained bone pain are eligible for inclusion in the study if a bone scan, PET-CT scan, or PET scan performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy does not demonstrate metastatic disease. |
4.2.16 | Serum creatinine performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy must be £ 1.5 x ULN for the lab. |
4.2.17 | The LVEF assessment by echocardiogram or MUGA scan performed within 90 days prior to initiating chemotherapy must be ³ 55% regardless of the facility's LLN . |
4.2.18 | Patients with reproductive potential must agree to use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception during therapy, and for at least 7 months after the last dose of study therapy. |
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4.3 | Conditions for patient eligibility (Study Enrollment) |
A patient cannot be considered eligible for this study unless all of the following conditions are met:
4.3.1 | The patient must have consented to participate and must have signed and dated an appropriate IRB-approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines for the FB-12 study treatment. |
4.3.2 | Tumor determined to have abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity based on the CELx HSF test. |
4.4 | Conditions for patient ineligibility (Screening) |
Any patient with one or more of the following conditions will be ineligible for this study:
4.4.1 | T4 tumors including inflammatory breast cancer. |
4.4.2 | FNA alone to diagnose the breast cancer. |
4.4.3 | Excisional biopsy or lumpectomy performed prior to initiating chemotherapy. |
4.4.4 | Surgical axillary staging procedure prior to initiating chemotherapy. Pre-neoadjuvant therapy sentinel node biopsy is not permitted. (FNA or core biopsy is acceptable.) |
4.4.5 | Definitive clinical or radiologic evidence of metastatic disease. Required imaging studies must have been performed within 6 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy. |
4.4.6 | Synchronous bilateral invasive breast cancer. (Patients with synchronous and/or previous contralateral DCIS or LCIS are eligible.) |
4.4.7 | Any previous history of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer or ipsilateral DCIS. (Patients with synchronous or previous ipsilateral LCIS are eligible.) |
4.4.8 | Previous therapy with anthracycline, taxanes, trastuzumab, or other HER2 targeted therapies for any malignancy. |
4.4.9 | Any sex hormonal therapy, e.g., birth control pills, ovarian hormone replacement therapy, etc. (These patients are eligible if this therapy is discontinued prior to initiating chemotherapy.) |
4.4.10 | History of non-breast malignancies (except for in situ cancers treated only by local excision and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin) within 2 years prior to initiating chemotherapy. |
4.4.11 | Cardiac disease (history of and/or active disease) that would preclude the use of the drugs included in the treatment regimens. This includes but is not confined to: |
Active cardiac disease:
· | angina pectoris that requires the use of anti-anginal medication; |
· | ventricular arrhythmias except for benign premature ventricular contractions; |
· | supraventricular and nodal arrhythmias requiring a pacemaker or not controlled with medication; |
· | conduction abnormality requiring a pacemaker; |
· | valvular disease with documented compromise in cardiac function; and |
· | symptomatic pericarditis. |
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History of cardiac disease:
· | myocardial infarction documented by elevated cardiac enzymes or persistent regional wall abnormalities on assessment of LV function; |
· | history of documented CHF; and |
· | documented cardiomyopathy. |
4.4.12 | Uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained systolic BP > 150 mmHg or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg. (Patients with initial BP elevations are eligible prior to initiating chemotherapy if initiation or adjustment of BP medication lowers pressure.) |
4.4.13 | Active hepatitis B or hepatitis C with abnormal liver function tests. |
4.4.14 | Intrinsic lung disease resulting in dyspnea. |
4.4.15 | Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. |
4.4.16 | Active infection or chronic infection requiring chronic suppressive antibiotics. |
4.4.17 | Patients known to be HIV positive. |
4.4.18 | Nervous system disorder (paresthesia, peripheral motor neuropathy, or peripheral sensory neuropathy) ³ grade 2, per the CTCAE v4.0. |
4.4.19 | Malabsorption syndrome, ulcerative colitis, resection of the stomach or small bowel, or other disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function. |
4.4.20 | Other non-malignant systemic disease that would preclude treatment with any of the treatment regimens or would prevent required follow-up. |
4.4.21 | Conditions that would prohibit administration of corticosteroids. |
4.4.22 | Chronic daily treatment with corticosteroids with a dose of ³ 10 mg/day methylprednisolone equivalent (excluding inhaled steroids). |
4.4.23 | Known hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or any of the ingredients or excipients of these drugs (e.g., Cremophor ® EL), including sensitivity to benzyl alcohol. |
4.4.24 | Pregnancy or lactation at the initiation of chemotherapy. (Note: Pregnancy testing must be performed within 2 weeks prior to initiating chemotherapy according to institutional standards for women of childbearing potential.) |
4.4.25 | Psychiatric or addictive disorders or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient from meeting the study requirements. |
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5.0 | requirements for study entry, during treatment, and follow-up |
Tests, exams, and other assessments required prior to study entry are listed on Table 1 . Requirements following study entry are outlined on Table 2 .
Table 1. Tests, exams, and other requirements for screening and prior to study entry
Required Assessments a |
Screening
(prior to initiating chemotherapy) |
Prior
to
Study Entry |
|
CELx HSF test results confirmed (see Section 6.2 ) b | X | ||
Consent form signed by the patient | X | X | |
Determination of HER2 status on diagnostic biopsy specimen (Section 4.2.11) | X | ||
Determination of hormone receptor status on diagnostic biopsy specimen ( Section 4.2.10 ) | X | ||
History & physical exam c | X | Within 6 weeks | |
Performance status ( Appendix A ) | X | ||
Menopausal status | X | ||
Height & weight | X | ||
Assessment of concomitant therapies | X | ||
Assessment of BP and BP medications | X | ||
Determination of nodal status ( Sections 4.2.9 and 4.4.4 ) | X | ||
Tumor assessment ( Section 11.0 ) d | X | ||
CBC/differential/platelet count | X | ||
Total bilirubin/AST/Alkaline phosphatase e | X | ||
Serum chemistries: BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose, total protein, albumin | X | ||
Pregnancy test f | X | Within 2 weeks | |
Echocardiogram (or MUGA scan) g | X | Within 90 days | |
Chest
imaging (chest CT scan or chest
x-ray) h |
X | Within 6 weeks | |
Liver imaging i | X | ||
Bone nuclear imaging j | X | ||
Imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, and/or MRI) of ipsilateral axilla k | X |
Table continued on next page.
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Table 1. Tests, exams, and other requirements for screening and prior to study entry (continued)
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Table 2. Tests, exams, and other requirements during therapy and follow-up
Table continued on next page.
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Table 2. Tests, exams, and other requirements during therapy and follow-up (continued)
d Required assessment by physical exam to determine presence or absence of cCR. e Surgery should be performed as soon as possible after recovery from neoadjuvant therapy, final tumor assessment, and breast imaging. f Final AE assessment for preoperative therapy should be performed 2–4 weeks after completion of preoperative chemotherapy (before surgery). See Section 10.6.1 for expedited reporting requirements for AEs that occur > 30 days. g Echocardiogram is the preferred method of LVEF assessment, but MUGA scan is permitted. If possible, all LVEF assessments should be performed by the same method at the same facility. h Ipsilateral breast imaging is required for patients who will proceed with lumpectomy. |
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6.0 | PATHOLOGY AND CORRELATIVE SCIENCE STUDIES |
6.1 | Overview of requirement |
By signing the FB-12 screening consent form, the patient has agreed to the collection or tumor tissue from a research core biopsy and submission for CELx HSF testing. Follow the instructions provided with the CELx Collection Kit and the FB-12 Pathology Instructions.
6.2 | CELx HSF testing |
· | Submission of a representative tumor sample from a research core biopsy (2 core biopsies) before study enrollment is required for central HER2 signaling function testing by Celcuity to determine eligibility for FB-12. Note: If tumor tissue cannot be obtained from the primary breast tumor, samples may be obtained from a lymph node. Submission of alternative tissue samples is NOT permitted. The patient must sign the informed consent form for pre-entry HER2 signaling function testing before the submission of her tissue. |
· | Tumor tissue collected from the research core biopsy will be collected, prepared, and shipped to Celcuity for assessment using the materials provided in the CELx Specimen Collection Kit and according to the Specimen Kit instructions (refer to the FB-12 Pathology Instructions). |
· | Central testing for HER2 signaling function will be performed by Celcuity using the CELx HSF test to assess HER2 signaling activity. Patients whose tumor is determined to have abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity based on the CELx HSF test are eligible. Analysis will be performed in a real-time manner, and the results will be provided to the patient's study physician. |
· | Most Celcuity test results will be ready within 10-14 calendar days of the day that the testing is started at Celcuity. |
· | All tissue submitted will be used for the CELx HSF assay. There will be no remaining tumor tissue after the CELx HSF testing. |
· | No correlative science studies will be done for FB-12. |
6.3 | Residual cancer burden |
The local pathologist examining the specimen for pathologic response is required to generate RCB. The information (listed below) is used to calculate RCB.
· | size of the tumor bed |
· | cellularity of residual primary tumor |
· | percentage of DCIS component |
· | number of positive nodes |
· | size of macrometastasis |
For more information on RCB, refer to the publication by WF Symmans et al. ( Symmans 2007 ) or http://mdanderson.org/breastcancer_RCB. Appendix 1 of the WF Symmans et al. article provides detailed pathology methods; note that this appendix is only accessible through the online full text version of the article, published at www.jco.org.
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7.0 | study treatment |
7.1 | Treatment regimen | |
· | The first cycle of AC may be administered prior to receipt of CELx HSF test results. If the tumor is determined to have abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity based on the CELx HSF test, the patient may be enrolled on the study, and subsequent cycles of AC completed. |
· | Do NOT initiate trastuzumab/pertuzumab if post-AC LVEF is < 50%. |
· | Results of laboratory safety assessments are to be reviewed prior to administration of components of study therapy pertinent to that parameter. |
· | Central venous access is strongly recommended. |
Table 3. Treatment regimen
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7.2 | Dose determinations |
7.2.1 | Calculation of drug doses |
Recalculations of BSA and drug doses are required if the patient has a 10% or greater weight change (+/-) from baseline or from the last weight used to calculate BSA and drug doses. At the investigator's discretion, the BSA and drug doses may also be recalculated prior to each treatment.
7.2.2 | Rounding doses |
Rounding of drug doses is optional. If the treating physician decides to round the dose(s), follow these guidelines. (These also apply to dose modifications.)
· | Cyclophosphamid e (600 mg/m 2 IV) |
Doses should be rounded to the nearest 20 mg.
· | Doxorubicin (60 mg/m 2 IV) |
Doxorubicin should be rounded to the nearest 1 mg.
· | Paclitaxel (80 mg/m 2 IV ) |
Doses should be rounded to the nearest 5 mg.
· | Pertuzumab (840 mg loading total dose; 420 mg subsequent total dose) |
Fixed dose; rounding is not applicable.
· | Trastuzumab (8 mg/kg IV loading dose; 6 mg/kg IV subsequent doses) |
Doses should be rounded to the nearest 20 mg.
7.3 | Supportive therapy |
7.3.1 | G-CSF |
· | Primary prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim is required during dose-dense AC. It should be administered according to the package insert for the agent used. | |
· | Filgrastim may be used as secondary prophylaxis and to treat neutropenia associated infections during administration of paclitaxel. | |
· | Do not administer G-CSF within 24 hours of chemotherapy. | |
· | Filgrastim is recommended; however, if required by institutional standards, GM-CSF may be administered as an alternative. |
7.3.2 | Antiemetic therapy |
Antiemetic therapy should be administered according to NCCN or ASCO Clinical Practice Guidelines.
7.3.3 | Management of diarrhea |
Diarrhea is a commonly occurring toxicity during the therapy included in FB-12. Patient education should include instructions regarding the importance of reporting diarrhea, early use of antidiarrheal medication using loperamide, and non-pharmacologic interventions (e.g., increasing fluid intake, eating frequent small meals, avoiding foods that are high in lactose, etc.). Refer to ASCO Recommended Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer Treatment-Induced Diarrhea for additional recommendations regarding diarrhea ( Benson 2004 ).
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7.4 | Surgery |
7.4.1 | Marking the primary tumor site prior to initiation of therapy |
Patients who are considered potential candidates for breast conservation should have the primary tumor site marked prior to initiating chemotherapy or, at least, prior to disappearance of the tumor clinically. This can be achieved with insertion of a radiopaque marker, clip, or similar marking technique, as long as the technique provides assurance that the primary tumor site can be located and excised. If a clip is used, a specimen radiograph should be performed to confirm its removal.
7.4.2 | Breast surgery |
· | As soon as possible following recovery from neoadjuvant therapy and after the final clinical tumor assessment, the patient should undergo a lumpectomy or mastectomy. |
· | Breast conservation may be selected according to patient and surgeon preferences. |
- | Patients who are not considered candidates for breast conservation or do not desire breast conservation will undergo a total mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction. |
- | Patients who are deemed to be good candidates for breast conservation will undergo segmental excision of the primary tumor bed. If the residual tumor is non-palpable, methods to insure adequate excision of the primary tumor site should be used to guide the excision. If tumor location was marked with clips, a specimen radiograph should be obtained intraoperatively to document that the lesion has been removed including the clips. Hemoclips should be inserted at the base of the segmental mastectomy operative site to facilitate radiotherapy treatment planning of the actual tumor bed. |
- | The margins of the resected specimen of patients treated with breast conservation must be histologically free of invasive tumor and DCIS. In patients for whom pathologic examination demonstrates tumor at the margin, additional operative procedures should be performed to obtain clear margins. |
7.4.3 | Nodal staging following neoadjuvant therapy |
· | Post-neoadjuvant therapy axillary staging is required for all patients. |
· | Use of sentinel node (SN) biopsy procedure following completion of neoadjuvant therapy is at the discretion of the investigator. If SN biopsy was not performed, surgical evaluation of the axilla with axillary lymph node dissection is required. |
- | If the post-neoadjuvant therapy SN biopsy is positive, additional surgical evaluation of the axilla is required unless the patient participates in the Alliance A011202 trial. |
- | If the post-neoadjuvant therapy SN biopsy is negative, further surgical nodal staging procedure is not required. NOTE: For patients who had documented node-positive disease prior to neoadjuvant therapy, it is recommended that a minimum of 2 sentinel lymph nodes be removed. The removal of at least 3 sentinel lymph nodes and the use of dual tracer for lymphatic mapping are strongly recommended. However, if the only SN identified by isotope scan is in the internal mammary nodal chain, the axilla should be explored for a blue or suspicious node. |
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· | If axillary nodal staging procedures were performed before initiating chemotherapy (see Sections 4.2.9 and 4.4.4 ), follow these guidelines. |
- | Even if FNA or core biopsy of an axillary node(s) was performed before initiating AC , surgical evaluation of the axilla (either SN biopsy and/or axillary dissection as described in the bullet above) must be performed following completion of neoadjuvant therapy, regardless of whether FNA or core biopsy was positive or negative . |
- | Note: Performance of SN biopsy prior to initiating AC is prohibited. |
7.4.4 | Tissue processing and collection |
See Appendix B for suggested procedures for evaluation of post-neoadjuvant therapy surgical specimens.
7.5 | Prohibited therapies |
The following types of treatment, in addition to any cancer therapy other than the therapy specified in this protocol, are prohibited while on neoadjuvant study therapy.
7.5.1 | Chemotherapy |
Administration of chemotherapy other than the chemotherapy specified in this protocol is prohibited.
7.5.2 | Targeted therapy |
Administration of targeted therapy for malignancy (other than the assigned targeted therapy regimen) is prohibited.
7.5.3 | Radiation therapy |
Radiation therapy during treatment or before surgery is prohibited
7.6 | Participation in other clinical trials |
If an FB-12 patient is considering participation in another clinical trial (including supportive therapy trials), contact the DSSM (see Information Resources ).
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8.0 | treatment management |
8.1 | General instructions |
· | The NCI CTCAE v4.0 must be used to grade the severity of AEs. |
· | All treatment decisions must be based on the AE requiring the greatest modification. |
· | Paclitaxel doses that have been reduced may not be escalated. |
· | There are no dose reductions for trastuzumab and pertuzumab. |
· | Paclitaxel should be held for at least 1 week until any AE requiring dose modification returns to £ grade 1 unless indicated otherwise in the treatment management sections/tables. If recovery to £ grade 1 (or to other level specified in instructions) has not occurred after 3 weeks of delay, study therapy must be discontinued. |
· | If necessary, the timing of a treatment may be adjusted to 2 days earlier or 2 days later than the scheduled date of treatment, though paclitaxel doses should not be administered within 5 days of each other. |
· | If alternative (non-protocol) therapy is given at any time, all study therapy must be discontinued. |
· | In the event of tumor progression, study therapy must be discontinued. Further therapy is at the investigator's discretion. |
8.2 | Management of anemia |
Chemotherapy should not proceed with ³ grade 3 anemia. Transfusion is acceptable for improving the hemoglobin value to allow therapy to continue without delay. The patient should be assessed to rule out other causes of anemia. Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents is prohibited.
8.3 | Treatment management for AC |
Treatment management for AC is per institutional standards.
8.4 | Treatment decisions when components of paclitaxel, trastuzumab, or pertuzumab must be held or discontinued |
· | When paclitaxel is held, trastuzumab and pertuzumab should be continued. |
· | When paclitaxel is discontinued, trastuzumab and pertuzumab should be discontinued. |
· | If trastuzumab and pertuzumab are discontinued in the absence of progression, the remaining paclitaxel doses should be administered. |
· | If trastuzumab and pertuzumab must be held due to toxicity, maintain the paclitaxel schedule. |
8.5 | Treatment management for paclitaxel |
· | Paclitaxel must not be continued beyond 16 weeks after initiation of Cycle 1. Any of the 12 paclitaxel doses remaining after 16 weeks following the first paclitaxel dose should not be administered. |
· | Unless otherwise specified, paclitaxel that is held due to toxicity will not resume until the toxicity has resolved to £ Grade 1. |
· | All dose modifications for paclitaxel are based on the dose level changes outlined in Table 4 . |
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Table 4. Dose levels for paclitaxel
Dose Level 0 Starting Dose |
Dose Level -1 | Dose Level -2 | Dose Level -3 | |||||
Paclitaxel (mg/m 2 ) | 80 | 65 | 50 | Discontinue |
8.5.1 | Neutropenia |
· | For an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 1000/mm 3 , hold weekly paclitaxel until ³ 1000/mm 3 . |
· | If paclitaxel can be resumed in 1 week, maintain paclitaxel dose. |
· | If paclitaxel can be resumed after holding for 2-3 consecutive weeks for an ANC < 1000/mm 3 , decrease paclitaxel by one dose level. |
· | If paclitaxel cannot be resumed after holding for 3 consecutive weeks for an ANC < 1000/mm 3 , discontinue paclitaxel. |
· | For an ANC < 100/mm 3 or febrile neutropenia, at any time, paclitaxel must be decreased by one dose level for all subsequent doses. |
· | Refer to Section 7.3.1 for the use of filgrastim as secondary prophylaxis during paclitaxel. |
8.5.2 | Thrombocytopenia |
· | For platelets < 75,000/mm 3 , paclitaxel must be held until platelet count is ³ 75,000/mm 3 . |
- | If paclitaxel is held for 1 week for platelets < 75,000/mm 3 , resume paclitaxel at the current dose. |
- | If paclitaxel is held for 2-3 consecutive weeks for platelets < 75,000/mm 3 , decrease paclitaxel by one dose level for subsequent doses. |
- | If paclitaxel cannot be resumed after holding for 3 consecutive weeks for platelets < 75,000/mm 3 , discontinue paclitaxel. |
· | For platelets ³ 75,000/mm 3 and < 100,000/mm 3 , continue paclitaxel at the current dose level. |
8.5.3 | Hepatic toxicity |
· | For total bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN, ALT > 5 × ULN, or AST > 5 × ULN related to paclitaxel, hold paclitaxel until total bilirubin is < 1.5 × ULN, ALT < 5 × ULN, and AST < 5 × ULN. Recheck liver function weekly. |
· | If treatment is held for 3 consecutive weeks for hepatic dysfunction due to paclitaxel, discontinue paclitaxel. |
8.5.4 | Neurologic toxicity |
· | For Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy, decrease paclitaxel one dose level for subsequent doses. Therapy may be held one week per investigator discretion. |
· | For Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy, hold paclitaxel. |
- | When neuropathy improves to £ Grade 2, decrease paclitaxel by one dose level and resume treatment. |
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- | If Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy does not improve within 3 weeks, discontinue paclitaxel. |
- | For Grade 3 neuropathy that has recurred after recovery to £ Grade 2, discontinue paclitaxel. |
· | For Grade 4 peripheral neuropathy, discontinue paclitaxel. |
8.5.5 | Other clinically significant toxicities attributed to paclitaxel |
· | For management of anemia, see Section 8.2 . |
· | Delay all treatment for any ³ Grade 3 toxicity until toxicity improves to £ Grade 1. When treatment is resumed, if toxicity was attributable to paclitaxel, reduce the dose. |
· | If toxicity related to paclitaxel does not improve to £ Grade 1 within 3 weeks, discontinue paclitaxel. |
8.5.6 | Hypersensitivity and/or infusion reactions |
Grade 1 : Continue paclitaxel infusion. Consider more intensive premedication prior to subsequent doses.
Grade 2 : Interrupt paclitaxel infusion. Manage reaction according to institutional procedures. Resume paclitaxel when reaction has completely resolved. Consider more intensive premedication prior to subsequent doses.
Grade 3 : Stop paclitaxel infusion. Manage reaction according to institutional procedures. Do not resume paclitaxel infusion that day. It is up to the investigator to decide whether to attempt re-treatment with paclitaxel the following week with more intensive premedication or to discontinue paclitaxel.
Grade 4 : Stop paclitaxel infusion. Manage reaction according to institutional procedures. Discontinue paclitaxel.
8.6 | Treatment management for trastuzumab and pertuzumab |
· | If LVEF is < 50% following AC, do NOT initiate trastuzumab/pertuzumab. Further therapy is at the investigator's discretion. |
· | There are no reductions in the trastuzumab and pertuzumab doses. If trastuzumab or pertuzumab is held ³ 6 weeks, the loading dose followed by the maintenance dose for the remaining doses may be administered, at the investigator's discretion, when resuming therapy. |
· | If pertuzumab is held or discontinued for toxicity that does not require holding or discontinuing trastuzumab, administration of trastuzumab should continue. |
8.7 | Heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction |
8.7.1 | Symptomatic decrease in LVEF |
· | Grade 2, 3, or 4 heart failure |
Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab.
· | Grade 3 or 4 left ventricular systolic dysfunction |
Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab.
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Note: The protocol-specified schedule for obtaining LVEF assessments should continue to be followed even after the discontinuation of study therapy or occurrence of a cardiac event.
8.7.2 | Asymptomatic decrease in LVEF |
The results of the LVEF assessments will be used to determine if trastuzumab and pertuzumab can be continued (see Table 5 ).
· | Echocardiogram is the preferred method for assessment of LVEF. However, LVEF assessment by MUGA scan is permitted. |
· | All LVEF assessments should be performed by the same method (either echocardiogram or MUGA scan) that was performed at baseline. |
· | Investigators are strongly urged to schedule the LVEF assessment at the same cardiac imaging facility that performed the patient's baseline LVEF assessment. |
Table 5. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab management based on LVEF assessments
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8.8 | Other trastuzumab- and pertuzumab-specific instructions |
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab management for other adverse events is outlined on Table 6 .
Table 6. Dose modifications and instructions for trastuzumab and pertuzumab
CTCAE v4.0 Adverse Event |
CTCAE Grade |
Instructions
for each Agent
Patient is Receiving |
Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab | ||
Blood and lymphatic system disorders | ||
Cardiac Disorders | ||
Cardiac AEs listed in the
( Note: For heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, refer to Section 8.7 ) |
1 | Continue trastuzumab and pertuzumab at the discretion of the investigator. |
2 | Hold trastuzumab and pertuzumab and conduct cardiac evaluation. Based on results of this evaluation, refer to Section 8.9 for grade 2 AEs that require discontinuation of trastuzumab and pertuzumab . For other grade 2 cardiac AEs, trastuzumab and pertuzumab should be held during evaluation of the AE and until £ Grade 1; continue or discontinue at investigator's discretion. | |
3, 4 | Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab. | |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
Diarrhea Mucositis oral Nausea |
2 |
Hold trastuzumab and pertuzumab until resolved to
£ Grade 1, then resume. |
3 | Hold trastuzumab until resolved to £ Grade 1, then resume. Discontinue pertuzumab. | |
4 | Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab. | |
General Disorders | ||
Infusion-related reaction | 1, 2, 3, 4 | See instructions for allergic reaction |
Immune System Disorders | ||
Allergic reaction | 1 | Slow the infusion of and assess the patient; management is at the investigator's discretion. |
2 |
Stop infusion and administer support medications per investigator's discretion. When symptoms resolve to
£ Grade 1, infusion may be resumed later that day at a slower rate or on the next day at a slower rate with pre-meds. Pre-meds should be used for all subsequent treatments. |
|
3 | Follow instructions for Grade 2; trastuzumab and/or pertuzumab may be discontinued at the investigator's discretion. | |
4 | Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab. | |
Anaphylaxis | 3 | Follow instructions for Grade 3 allergic reactions or, at investigator's discretion, discontinue trastuzumab and/or pertuzumab. |
4 | Discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab. |
Table continued on next page.
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Table 6. Dose modifications and instructions for trastuzumab and pertuzumab (continued)
8.9 | CTCAE grade 2 cardiac disorder adverse events that prohibit trastuzumab and pertuzumab therapy |
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab will not be continued following any grade 2 cardiac AE listed below. (Trastuzumab and pertuzumab should be administered following any of the other grade 2 AEs listed in the Cardiac Disorders section of the CTCAE v4.0, but not listed below or in Section 8.7 .)
If the patient develops any of the following cardiac AEs during trastuzumab and pertuzumab, discontinue trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Further therapy is at the investigator's discretion.
· | Acute coronary syndrome |
· | Atrioventricular block complete |
· | Mobitz (type) II atrioventricular block |
· | Pericarditis |
· | Right ventricular dysfunction |
· | Sick sinus syndrome |
· | Ventricular tachycardia |
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9.0 | drug information |
9.1 | Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel |
Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel are available as commercial supply.
For further details regarding the study drug, see the doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel U.S. Package Inserts as well as local prescribing information.
9.2 | Trastuzumab |
9.2.1 | Description |
Trastuzumab is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity in a cell-based assay (Kd=5 nM) to the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein, HER2. The antibody is an IgG1 kappa that contains human framework regions with the complementarity-determining regions of a murine antibody (4D5) that binds to HER2.
The humanized antibody against HER2 is produced by a mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary [CHO]) suspension culture in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic gentamicin. Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product. Trastuzumab is a sterile, white to pale yellow, preservative-free lyophilized powder for intravenous (IV) administration. The nominal content of each trastuzumab vial is 440 mg trastuzumab, 400 mg α,α-trehalose dihydrate, 9.9 mg L-histidine HCl, 6.4 mg L-histidine, and 1.8 mg polysorbate 20, USP. Reconstitution with 20 mL of the supplied Bacteriostatic Water for Injection (BWFI), USP, containing 1.1% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, yields a multi-dose solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab, at a pH of approximately 6.
9.2.2 | Toxicity |
Refer to the current trastuzumab IB for toxicity information.
9.2.3 | Administration |
· | Reconstitution |
The diluent provided has been formulated to maintain the stability and sterility of trastuzumab for up to 28 days. Other diluents have not been shown to contain effective preservatives for trastuzumab. Each vial of trastuzumab should be reconstituted with 20 mL of BWFI, USP, 1.1% benzyl alcohol preserved, as supplied, to yield a multi-dose solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab.
Immediately upon reconstitution with BWFI, the vial of trastuzumab must be labeled in the area marked “Do not use after:” with the future date that is 28 days from the date of reconstitution. Note: When administering trastuzumab to a patient with a known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol, trastuzumab must be reconstituted with SWFI, and only one dose per trastuzumab vial should be used. Trastuzumab which has been reconstituted with SWFI must be used immediately and any unused portion must be discarded. Use of other reconstitution diluents should be avoided. Shaking the reconstituted trastuzumab or causing excessive foaming during the addition of diluent may result in problems with dissolution and the amount of trastuzumab that can be withdrawn from the vial. Use appropriate aseptic technique when performing the following reconstitution steps:
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- | Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject the 20 mL of diluent into the vial containing the lyophilized cake of trastuzumab. The stream of diluent should be directed into the lyophilized cake. |
- | Swirl the vial gently to aid reconstitution. Trastuzumab may be sensitive to shear-induced stress, e.g., agitation or rapid expulsion from a syringe. DO NOT SHAKE. |
- | Slight foaming of the product upon reconstitution is not unusual. Allow the vial to stand undisturbed for approximately 5 minutes. The solution should be essentially free of visible particulates, clear to slightly opalescent, and colorless to pale yellow. |
· | Administration |
Determine the dose (mg) of Herceptin. Calculate the volume of the 21 mg/mL reconstituted Herceptin solution needed, withdraw this amount from the vial and add it to an infusion bag containing 250 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. DO NOT USE DEXTROSE (5%) SOLUTION. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution.
Administer as an intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as an IV push or bolus. See Section 7.1 for additional information.
9.2.4 | Procurement of trastuzumab |
Trastuzumab will be supplied free of charge by Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group, and distributed via an external vendor. Trastuzumab must be requested by the principal investigator (or his/her authorized designee) at each participating institution (see Information Resources for the e-mail address to be used for ordering study drug). The initial supply of trastuzumab may be requested at the time the first patient signs the FB-12 consent form. Trastuzumab will be shipped directly to the investigator whose sites are participating in FB-12.
9.2.5 | Shipping |
Vials of trastuzumab are shipped at room temperature by overnight express delivery Monday through Thursday excluding holidays .
9.2.6 | Storage/stability |
Vials of trastuzumab are stable at 2°–8°C (36°–46°F) prior to reconstitution. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the vial. A vial of trastuzumab reconstituted with BWFI, as supplied, is stable for 28 days after reconstitution when stored refrigerated at 2°–8°C (36°–46°F), and the solution is preserved for multiple use. Discard any remaining multi-dose reconstituted solution after 28 days. If unpreserved SWFI (not supplied) is used, the reconstituted trastuzumab solution should be used immediately and any unused portion must be discarded. Do not freeze trastuzumab that has been reconstituted. The solution of trastuzumab for infusion diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, may be stored at 2°–8°C (36°–46°F) for up to 24 hours prior to use. Diluted trastuzumab has been shown to be stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature at 2°–25°C. However, because diluted trastuzumab contains no effective preservative, the reconstituted and diluted solution should be stored refrigerated 2°–8°C.
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9.3 | Pertuzumab |
9.3.1 | Description |
Pertuzumab targets the extracellular dimerization domain (Subdomain II) of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2) and, thereby, blocks ligand-dependent heterodimerization of HER2 with other HER family members, including EGFR, HER3, and HER4. As a result, pertuzumab inhibits ligand-initiated intracellular signaling through two major signal pathways, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Inhibition of these signaling pathways can result in cell growth arrest and apoptosis, respectively. In addition, pertuzumab mediates antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Pertuzumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary) culture containing the antibiotic, gentamicin. Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product. Pertuzumab has an approximate molecular weight of 148 kDa.
Pertuzumab is a sterile, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale brown liquid for intravenous infusion. It is supplied as a single-use 420 mg/14 mL vial of pertuzumab at a concentration of 30 mg/mL in 20 mM L-histidine acetate (pH 6.0), 120 mM sucrose, and 0.02% polysorbate 20. Each 20 mL vial contains 420 mg of pertuzumab (14 mL/vial).
9.3.2 | Toxicity |
Refer to the current pertuzumab IB for toxicity information.
9.3.3 | Administration |
· | Preparation: Prepare the solution for infusion, using aseptic technique, as follows: |
- | Withdraw the prescribed volume of pertuzumab solution from the vial(s). |
- | Add pertuzumab to a 250 mL non-PVC polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride IV bag of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. DO NOT USE DEXTROSE (5%) SOLUTION. |
- | Gently invert the bag to mix the solution; do not shake . |
- | Visually inspect the solution for particulates and discoloration prior to administration. |
· | Administration |
Administer as an intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. Do not mix pertuzumab with other drugs. See Section 7.1 for additional information.
9.3.4 | Procurement of pertuzumab |
Pertuzumab will be supplied free of charge by Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group, and distributed via an external vendor. Pertuzumab must be requested by the principal investigator (or his/her authorized designee) at each participating institution (see Information Resources for the e-mail address to be used for ordering study drug). The initial supply of pertuzumab may be requested at the time the first patient signs the FB-12
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consent form. Pertuzumab will be shipped directly to the investigator whose sites are participating in FB-12.
9.3.5 | Shipping |
Vials of pertuzumab will be sent on ice via FedEx Monday through Thursday for overnight delivery and must be placed in a 2°–8°C (36°–46°F) refrigerator immediately upon receipt to ensure optimal retention of physical and biochemical integrity.
9.3.6 | Storage/Stability |
Vials of pertuzumab are stable at 2°–8°C (36°–46°F). Do not freeze. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the vial. Pertuzumab solution diluted in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or non-PVC polyolefin bags containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, may be stored at 2°–8°C (36°–46°F) for up to 24 hours prior to use. CAUTION: The single-use dosage form contains no antibacterial preservatives. Puncture the seal only once. Discard the vial 8 hours after initial entry.
9.4 | Transfer of trastuzumab and pertuzumab |
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab may not be used outside the scope of FB-12, nor can trastuzumab and pertuzumab be transferred or licensed to any party not participating in this clinical trial.
9.5 | Destruction of trastuzumab and pertuzumab |
· | At the completion of study treatment for all patients, all unopened vials of trastuzumab and pertuzumab shall be destroyed by study sites in accordance with the local institution standard operating procedures after monitoring of the accountability record has been completed by DSSM. |
· | Written documentation of destruction must contain the following: |
- | identity (batch numbers) of trastuzumab or pertuzumab destroyed; |
- | quantity of trastuzumab or pertuzumab destroyed; |
- | date of destruction (date discarded in designated hazardous container for destruction); and |
- | name and signature of the person who discarded the trastuzumab or pertuzumab in a hazardous container for destruction. |
9.6 | Drug accountability |
The investigator, or a responsible party designated by the investigator, must maintain a careful record of the receipt, disposition, and return of all drug received through the FB-12 study using an investigational agent accountability record form.
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10.0 | adverse event reporting |
The investigator is responsible for the detection and documentation of events meeting the criteria and definition of an adverse event (AE) or a serious adverse event (SAE), as provided in this protocol. Routine and expedited adverse events will be entered on the eCRFs and the supporting documentation must be submitted to DSSM according to the instructions in Section 10.0 at email: industry.trials@nsabp.org .
10.1 | Definition of an AE |
An AE is any untoward, undesired, or unplanned event in the form of signs, symptoms, disease, laboratory findings, or other physiologic observations occurring in a patient participating in FB-12. The event does not need to be causally related to study therapy or other requirements of the FB-12 trial to be considered an AE.
· | Examples of an AE include, but are not limited to, the following: |
- | Any toxicity related to study therapy. |
- | Any clinically significant worsening of a pre-existing condition. |
- | An AE occurring from a symptomatic overdose of any study therapy, whether accidental or intentional. Overdose is a dose greater than that specified in the protocol. |
- | A symptomatic AE that has been associated with the discontinuation of the use of any of the agents included in the study therapy. |
- | An AE occurring during a clinical study that is not related to the study therapy, but is considered by the investigator or sponsor to be related to the study requirements, for example, an AE may be an untoward event related to a medical procedure required by the protocol. |
· | Examples of clinical events that should not be considered AEs: |
- | Medical or surgical procedure (e.g., endoscopy, appendectomy). Note, the condition that leads to the procedure may be an AE, but the procedure itself is not. |
- | Anticipated day-to-day fluctuations of pre-existing disease(s) or condition(s) present or detected at the start of the study that do not worsen. |
10.2 | Definition of an SAE |
An SAE is any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose causes one of the following:
· | Results in death |
· | Is life-threatening |
The term 'life-threatening' in the definition of 'serious' refers to an event in which the patient was at risk of death at the time of the event. It does not refer to an event, which might have caused death, if it were more severe.
· | Requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization |
Hospitalization is any inpatient admission to a health care facility even if for less than 24 hours. Hospitalization or prolongation of a hospitalization constitutes a criterion for an AE to be serious; however, it is not in itself considered an SAE. In the absence of an AE, a hospitalization or prolongation of a hospitalization should not be reported as an SAE. For example, the following hospitalizations would not require expedited reporting for an SAE:
- | a hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization needed for a procedure required by the protocol or as part of another routine procedure; or |
- | a hospitalization for a pre-existing condition that has not worsened. |
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· | Results in persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions |
This is not intended to include experiences of relatively minor medical significance such as uncomplicated headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, influenza, and accidental trauma (e.g., sprained ankle) which may interfere or prevent everyday life functions but do not constitute a substantial disruption.
· | Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect |
Also, appropriate medical judgment should be exercised in deciding whether SAE reporting is required in other situations, such as important medical events that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitalization, but may jeopardize the patient and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the other outcomes listed in the definition of an SAE ( Section 10.2 ). Examples of such events are intensive treatment in an emergency room or at home for allergic bronchospasm, blood dyscrasias or convulsions that do not result in inpatient hospitalization, or development of drug dependency or drug abuse.
10.3 | Events requiring expedited reporting |
All events listed in Section 10.3 must be reported in an expedited manner according to the instructions in Section 10.6 .
10.3.1 | SAEs |
All events meeting the definition of an SAE ( Section 10.2 ) require expedited reporting.
10.3.2 | Other events requiring expedited reporting |
Other events that must be recorded, reported, and followed up as indicated for an SAE (see Sections 10.3 and 10.6 for reporting procedures). This includes the following events:
· | Pregnancy exposure to study therapy (If a pregnancy is confirmed, use of study therapy must be discontinued immediately. See Section 10.4 .) |
· | Inadvertent or accidental exposure to study therapy, with or without an AE |
· | Medication errors involving study therapy with an AE, including overdose, product confusion, and potential product confusion. (A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate use or harm while the study therapy is in control of the healthcare professional or patient. Examples of reportable medication error include administration of unassigned treatment and administration of expired trastuzumab or pertuzumab, when associated with an AE/SAE.) |
· | Death, excluding death due to progression of breast cancer. |
10.3.3 | Clinical laboratory abnormalities |
· | Not every laboratory abnormality qualifies as an AE. A laboratory test results should be reported as an AE (and SAE) if it meets any of the following criteria: |
- | Accompanied by clinical symptoms |
- | Results in a change in study treatment (e.g., dosage modification, treatment interruption, or treatment discontinuation) |
- | Results in a medical intervention (e.g., potassium supplementation for hypokalemia) or a change in concomitant therapy |
- | Clinically significant in the investigator's judgment |
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10.3.4 | Disease-related events and/or disease-related outcomes not qualifying as SAEs |
An event which is part of the natural course of breast cancer does not need to be reported as an SAE. Progression of breast cancer will be reported on the appropriate page of the eCRF.
10.4 | Pregnancy |
· | The investigator will collect pregnancy information on any patient who becomes pregnant while participating in this study. The investigator will record pregnancy information on the FB-12 Pregnancy eCRF and submit supporting documentation to DSSM within 24 hours of learning of a patient’s pregnancy. |
· | Any serious pregnancy complication or elective termination of a pregnancy for medical reasons will be recorded as an AE or SAE. A spontaneous abortion is always considered to be an SAE and will be reported as such. |
· | Any SAE occurring in association with pregnancy brought to the investigator's attention after the patient has completed the study and considered by the investigator as possibly related to study therapy, must be reported to DSSM. |
10.5 | Grading the severity of the AE |
The NCI CTCAE v4.0 must be used to determine the grade of the AE. The CTCAE provides descriptive terminology and a grading scale for each AE listed. Information regarding the CTCAE can be found on the CTEP website at http://ctep.cancer.gov. For further assistance, contact DSSM (see Information Resources ).
10.6 | Expedited reporting instructions |
10.6.1 | Time period for reporting SAEs and other events requiring expedited reporting |
· | All SAEs and other events as noted in Section 10.2 and 10.3 regardless of relationship to study therapy will be reported in an expedited manner as described in Section 10.6.2 . Reporting SAEs (and other applicable events) regardless of relationship to study therapy begins with the first dose of study therapy and continues until 30 days after the last dose of study therapy. |
· | Any SAE assessed as related to study participation (e.g., protocol-mandated procedures) will be recorded from the time a patient consents to participate in the study up to and including the 30 day post study therapy assessment . |
· | Following the AE assessment 30 days after the last dose of study therapy, only SAEs determined to be related to study therapy will be reported in an expedited manner using FB-12 eSAE. |
· | The investigator must follow up on all SAEs until the events have subsided, until values have returned to baseline, or until the condition has stabilized. |
10.6.2 | Reporting instructions |
· | All SAEs and other events requiring expedited reporting must be reported using FB-12 SAE eCRF and source documentation submitted to DSSM within 24 hours of the study site personnel's initial notification of the event (see Information Resources ). |
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- | NSABP will forward expedited report forms and their supporting documentation for SAEs that meet reporting requirements to the FDA and also to Genentech, a Member of the Roche Group. |
- | Investigators are responsible for reporting AEs that meet specific criteria to their local IRBs. |
10.7 | Routine reporting of AEs |
10.7.1 | Time period and frequency for routine reporting of AEs |
· | Patients will be monitored for the occurrence of AEs at each scheduled assessment and during any contact with the patient during the study. |
· | All AEs, including SAEs that have been reported on the FB-12 SAE eCRF, regardless of relationship to study therapy, will be recorded on the AE eCRF from the first dose of study therapy until 30 days after the last dose of study therapy (up to the date that a new therapy begins after disease recurrence/progression, or second primary). |
· | For routine reporting during AC, see Section 10.7.2 . |
· | For routine reporting during paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab, all AEs will be reported on the AE eCRF. |
· | The investigator must follow up on all AEs until the events have subsided, until values have returned to baseline, or until the condition has stabilized. |
· | Following the AE assessment 30 days after the last dose of study therapy, routine reporting is no longer required. (See Section 10.6.1 for expedited reporting requirements.) |
10.7.2 | Exceptions to routine reporting requirements |
During treatment with AC, all ³ Grade 3 AEs will be reported on the AE eCRF.
10.8 | Documentation requested following death |
For deaths that occur within 30 days of the last dose of study therapy:
· | Autopsy reports should be secured whenever possible and should be submitted to the DSSM. | |
· | A copy of the death certificate should be forwarded to DSSM if it is readily available or if it contains important cause-of-death information that is not documented elsewhere. | |
· | Please submit the last clinic/office note made before the death or the investigator’s note summarizing events resulting in death. |
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11.0 | assessment of effect |
For the purposes of this study, all clinical response assessments will be performed by physical examination of the breast and the axilla.
11.1 | Timing of clinical response assessments |
Tumor measurement by physical exam is required at screening prior to AC. To document the presence or absence of cCR, protocol-required tumor assessments by physical exam must be performed prior to initiating paclitaxel and 2–4 weeks after the last study therapy dose (before surgery) .
It is recommended that patients also have a breast examination for tumor assessment before each cycle of preoperative therapy to ensure there has been no disease progression. In the event of disease progression (defined in Section 11.1.2 ), study therapy must be discontinued. Further therapy is at the investigator's discretion.
11.1.1 | Clinical complete response |
Complete disappearance of all clinically palpable detectable malignant disease in the breast and ipsilateral axillary nodes in patients who have completed all assigned cycles of preoperative therapy.
11.1.2 | Disease progression |
Criteria to be used for determination of disease progression are at the investigator's discretion.
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12.0 | patient entry procedures |
12.1 | Patient consent forms |
Prescreening HER2-driven signaling activity testing will be performed for all patients in order to determine eligibility for FB-12 (see the Prescreening Sample Consent Form). Tumor tissue from a pretreatment research core biopsy must be submitted to Celcuity (see Section 6.2 ). All tumor specimens will be identified by a Celcuity specimen ID for central testing. Patients eligible for, and consenting to participate in, the FB-12 treatment study, must have the Celcuity specimen ID number recorded on the screening eCRF. Patients will not be able to be enrolled in FB-12 until the investigator receives confirmation that the tumor has abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity. Before prescreening, the prescreening consent form including any addenda, must be signed and dated by the patient and the person obtaining informed consent. In addition, before prescreening entry, a copy of the signed and dated consent form must be forwarded to DSSM. All patient signatures (except initials of first, middle, and last names) should be expunged prior to submission.
Before study entry, the treatment consent form including any addenda, must be signed and dated by the patient and the person obtaining informed consent. In addition, before study entry, a copy of the signed and dated consent form must be forwarded to DSSM. All patient signatures (except initials of first, middle, and last names) should be expunged prior to submission.
12.2 | Study entry |
DSSM will verify that the institution has current IRB approval for the study. Entry will not take place if the IRB approval is not current for the institution with IRB oversight responsibility.
All patients must be enrolled through DSSM. Once the screening eCRFs have been completed, submit the redacted signed consent form, and supporting documents to industry.trials@nsabp.org.
The entry material must be received by DSSM no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays . Once received the review process will begin. When the review is complete and approved, an enrollment confirmation will be sent.
12.3 | Patient study number and treatment assignment |
After all the entry materials have been reviewed, the institution will receive the following via e-mail: 1) confirmation of registration and study entry and 2) the patient’s study number.
12.4 | Investigator-initiated discontinuation of study therapy |
In addition to the conditions outlined in the protocol, the investigator may require a patient to discontinue study therapy if one of the following occurs:
· | Progression of disease during neoadjuvant treatment |
· | Unacceptable adverse events, or change in underlying condition such that the patient can no longer tolerate therapy |
· | Patient noncompliance, defined as refusal or inability to adhere to the study schedule and/or procedures |
· | At the request of the patient, Principal Investigator, the Sponsor, or regulatory authority |
· | Pregnancy |
· | Patient is lost to follow-up |
· | Patient death |
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If study therapy is stopped, study data and other materials should be submitted according to the study schedule unless the patient withdraws from the study.
12.5 | Patient-initiated discontinuation of study therapy |
Even after a patient agrees to take part in this study, she may stop study therapy at any time. If study therapy is stopped but she still allows the study doctor to submit information, study data and other materials should be submitted according to the study schedule.
12.6 | Patient-initiated withdrawal from the study |
If a patient chooses to have no further interaction regarding the study, the investigator must provide DSSM with written documentation of the patient’s decision to fully withdraw from the study.
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13.0 | data handling and recordkeeping |
Please refer to the "FB-12 eCRF Completion Guidelines" for detailed instructions regarding data collection, AE reporting, and electronic case report form completion.
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14.0 | statistical considerations |
14.1 | Study design |
The trial is a single-arm interventional clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a neoadjuvant treatment regimen consisting of anti-HER2 targeted therapy and chemotherapy in early stage HER2-negative, HER2-abnormal breast cancer patients. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate whether patients with abnormal HER2-driven signaling pathways receiving the addition of a HER2-targeted therapy to neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a higher percentage of pathological complete response (pCR) than has been found historically in HER-negative breast patients who only receive chemotherapy.
Because of the significant difference between pCR rates found historically in ER-positive/HER2-negative and ER-negative/HER2-negative breast cancer patients, sample size calculations were derived separately for each sub-group of HER2-negative patients. The sample size calculations for the ER-positive/HER2-negative and ER-negative/HER2-negative sub-groups assumed the historical pathologic complete response rate is 11% and 34%, respectively ( Cortazar 2014 ). In each of these two sub-groups, a Sargent two-stage three-outcome optimal design has been used ( Sargent 2001 ), with the following parameter values:
· | the probability of a false positive outcome (type I error) is set at 0.05 |
· | the probability of a false negative outcome (type II error) is set at 0.1 |
· | the probabilities of a true outcome (positive or negative) are both set at 0.8. |
In the ER-positive/HER2-negative sub-group, a maximum of 26 evaluable patients are required to rule out a pCR rate of 11% or less, and to accept a pCR rate of 30% or more. In the ER-negative/HER2-negative sub-group, a maximum of 28 evaluable patients are required to rule out a pCR rate of 34% or less, and to accept a pCR rate of 58% or more.
14.2 | Study endpoints |
14.2.1 | Primary endpoint and analysis |
The primary endpoint is a demonstration that the investigational group has a higher pCR rate than the historical control group. This will be achieved using the following decision rules.
In the ER-positive/HER2-negative sub-group, the trial will proceed in two stages: 16 patients will be treated in the first stage, and the treatment will be declared insufficiently active if at most 2 pCR are reported. In the second stage, a total of 26 patients will be treated, and
· | the treatment will be declared insufficiently active if at most 3 pCR are reported |
· | the treatment will be declared active if at least 6 pCR are reported |
· | the trial is inconclusive if 4 or 5 pCR are reported |
In the ER-negative/HER2-negative sub-group, the trial will proceed in two stages: 12 patients will be treated in the first stage, and the treatment will be declared insufficiently active if at most 4 pCR are reported. In the second stage, a total of 28 patients will be treated, and
· | the treatment will be declared insufficiently active if at most 11 pCR are reported |
· | the treatment will be declared active if at least 14 pCR are reported |
· | the trial is inconclusive if 12 or 13 pCR are reported |
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If either of the sub-groups is inconclusive, the observed pCR rate in the other sub-group will inform the decision to further investigate the treatment in other trials. If both sub-groups are inconclusive, other considerations will inform the decision to further investigate the treatment in other trials.
In each sub-group and for each analysis performed, the pCR rate of the investigational group will be calculated and reported, along with 95% Wilson score confidence intervals.
14.2.2 | Secondary endpoints and analyses |
Secondary endpoints of this study are:
· | Pathologic complete response (breast) |
· | Clinical complete response (cCR) |
· | Residual cancer burden (RCB) 0-1 index |
· | Relationship between quantitative CELx score and pCR rate |
Secondary analyses will also be performed with each sub-group involving additional endpoints: pathologic complete response in the breast (ypT0/Tis), clinical complete response, residual cancer burden, CELx score (quantitative). Most of these will be performed in the same way as the primary endpoint analysis. In addition, the relationship between quantitative CELx score and pCR rate in the investigational group will be studied by logistic regression of the pCR outcomes on the CELx score. This analysis will be repeated for the categorical secondary endpoints.
An additional secondary analysis will explore different choices for the cutpoint used to define the investigational group. Cutpoints of 255, 265, 290, and 315 will be used and the calculations of the primary analysis repeated. The confidence intervals of pCR for these cutpoints will be reported.
In an exploratory calculation, the clinical complete response rate of the patients after AC chemotherapy treatment is completed and before HER2 drug treatment is started will be computed along with a 95% Wilson score confidence interval for purposes of comparing the cCR result from this study to historical cCR rates found amongst HER2-negative patients who received neoadjuvant AC chemotherapy.
14.3 | Study objectives |
14.3.1 | Primary objective |
To evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus anti-HER2 therapy in early stage breast cancer subjects with HER2-negative/HER2-abnormal tumors.
The CELx HER2 Signaling Function test (CELx HSF test) will characterize a patient's HER2-driven signaling pathways as either normal or abnormal.
14.3.2 | Secondary objective |
To compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy in early stage breast cancer patients with HER2-negative/HER2-abnormal tumors to historical data obtained from patients who were deemed HER2-negative based on IHC.
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14.4 | Sample size |
It is expected that approximately 270 patients will need to be prescreened in order to enroll 54 patients (26 ER-positive/HER2-negative and 28 ER-negative/HER2-negative) who have abnormal HER2 signaling activity. Enrolled patients will be followed until surgical resection of the breast tumor, estimated to be approximately 141 to 192 days, depending on the period of time between the end of paclitaxel treatment (day 132 or 162) and the surgical procedure.
14.5 | Accrual time and study duration |
The study is expected to take 12 months to enroll 54 patients and an additional 6 months to monitor the last enrolled patient and prepare the Final Study Report.
14.6 | Monitoring |
· | A medical review team composed of the Protocol Chair, Protocol Co-Chair, Protocol Officer, NSABP Medical Director, study statistician, designated DSSM physician(s), and designated DSSM staff will formally monitor the study on a monthly basis to identify accrual, toxicity, and any endpoint problems that might be developing. |
· | All grades for each type of toxicity will be recorded for each patient, and frequency tables will be reviewed to determine toxicity patterns. |
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15.0 | Device Accountability |
The investigator, or designee, must maintain an inventory record of CELx Specimen Collection Kits received, used for tissue sample collection, or otherwise discarded or returned. The Investigator is responsible for ensuring that the Specimen Kits are used only for patients enrolled in the study. The Specimen Kits shall be stored in a secure location with limited access. Records of shipment, receipt, disposition, and return shall be maintained by the Investigator and be available for review by NSABP, or designee, and applicable regulatory authorities.
Details and tracking of tumor tissue collected and shipped to Celcuity for analysis will be documented on the patient’s Specimen Information Form provided in each CELx Tissue Specimen Collection Kit (see the FB-12 Pathology Instructions).
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16.0 | publication information |
The publication or citation of study results will be made in accordance with the publication policy of the NSABP that is in effect at the time the information is to be made publicly available.
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 58 |
17.0 | references |
Benson AB III, Ajani JA, Catalano RB, et al. Recommended guidelines for the treatment of cancer treatment-induced diarrhea. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22(14):2918-2926.
Celcuity. Personal Communication, 2017.
Cortazar P, Zhang L, Untch M, et al. Pathological complete response and long-term clinical benefit in breast cancer: the CTNeoBC pooled analysis. Lancet 2014; 384(9938):164:172.
Huang Y, Burns DJ, Rich BE, et al. A functional signal profiling test for identifying a subset of HER2-negative breast cancers with abnormally amplified HER2 signaling activity. Oncotarget 2016; 7(48):78577-78590.
Huang Y, Burns DJ, Rich BE, et al. Development of a test that measures real-time HER2 signaling activity in live breast cancer cell lines and primary cells. BMC Cancer 2017; 17(1):199.
Laing L a , et al. Analytical validation of a live cell assay measuring HER2-driven signaling activity, manuscript in process, 2017.
Laing L b , et al. A study to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal HER2-driven signaling activity in HER2-negative breast cancer patients, manuscript in process, 2017.
Laing L c , et al. Using functional HER2-driven signaling status ex vivo to predict response to HER2 therapy: results from a mouse breast tumor xenograft study. American Society of Clinical Oncologists 2017 Annual Meeting (not released for distribution).
Paik S, Kim C, Wolmark N. HER2 status and benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab in breast cancer. N Engl J Med 2008; 358(13):1409-1411.
Sargent DJ, Chan V, Goldberg RM. A three-outcome design for phase II clinical trials. Control Clin Trials 2001; 22(2):117-125.
Schneeweiss A, Chia S, Hickish T, et al. Pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in combination with standard neoadjuvant anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free chemotherapy regimens in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer: a randomized phase II cardiac safety study (TRYPHAENA). Ann Oncol 2013; 24(9):2278-2284.
Symmans WF, Peintinger F, Hatzis C, et al. Measurement of residual breast cancer burden to predict survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25(28):4414-4422.
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 59 |
APPENDIX
A
ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE STATUS AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
1.0 | DETERMINATION OF PERFORMANCE STATUS |
ECOG or Zubrod Scale | Karnofsky Score | |||
0 | Fully active; able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction | 90–100% | ||
1 | Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory | 70–80% | ||
2 | Ambulatory and capable of self-care, but unable to carry out any work activities | 50–60% | ||
3 | Capable of only limited self-care; confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours | 30–40% | ||
4 | Completely disabled | 10–20% |
2.0 | NCI DEFINITION FOR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING |
The following definitions for activities of daily living (ADL) should be used when the CTCAE v4.0 grading criteria are based on ADL:
· | Instrumental ADL refer to preparing meals, shopping for groceries or clothes, using the telephone, managing money, etc. |
· | Self-care ADL refer to bathing, dressing and undressing, feeding self, using the toilet, taking medications, and not bedridden. |
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 60 |
APPENDIX
B
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATION OF SURGICAL SPECIMENS
The following procedures used for processing breast specimens following neoadjuvant chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center are provided as guidelines for NSABP investigators. They are provided as suggestions and may be modified as needed to make them functional in participating institutions.
Specimens should be oriented with sutures by the surgeon following removal. The surgeon and breast pathologist should confer to ensure optimal evaluation of the primary tumor site for possible pCR.
In cases showing significant clinical response in the breast:
- | The breast resection specimen is radiographed to identify metallic markers which were placed during or prior to chemotherapy. |
- | Each specimen is inked using multiple colors to identify each face of the specimen, and then sectioned into 3-5 mm slices. |
- | The sliced specimen is radiographed and a radiologist reviews the films to determine the presence and extent of residual tumor. |
- | The pathologist examines the sliced specimen grossly to identify suspicious areas and notes their proximity to margins. |
- | The radiographic and pathologic evaluation is discussed with the surgeon who decides whether additional margins should be obtained. |
- | Permanent paraffin sections of the suspicious areas and margins are obtained. The number of sections taken is based on the gross inspection, radiologic features, and size of the resection specimen. |
- | The entire radiographic abnormality as well as firm and suspicious appearing breast tissue is submitted for histologic evaluation. |
- | In general, for non-palpable (clinical complete response) cases at least 10-15 blocks are examined to assess the presence of residual microscopic disease. |
In cases with residual palpable mass (partial clinical response or no response in the breast):
- | The resection specimen is inked and sectioned into 3-5 mm slices. |
- | The pathologist examines the slices and determines the tumor size on gross evaluation and confirms the tumor size by microscopic evaluation. |
Evaluation of axillary lymph nodes regardless of response:
All axillary lymph nodes are also carefully evaluated by serial gross sectioning.
- | One or two representative histologic sections are evaluated for lymph nodes that contain grossly identifiable metastatic carcinoma. |
- | The lymph nodes that do not show grossly identifiable tumor are submitted for histologic evaluation in their entirety. One representative histologic section is evaluated per paraffin block. Immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin is not routinely performed on negative nodes. |
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NSABP FB-12 – Page 61 |
Appendix B
Budget, Payment Schedule, and Task List
1. Celcuity agrees to pay NSABP an amount not to exceed $2,640,921 as set forth in this Appendix B to perform the work under the terms of this Agreement. Such payments assume an actual enrollment of 55 patients.
2. Celcuity will make payments to NSABP in the increments and at the times indicated on the Payment Schedule in this Appendix B. Payments to NSABP shall be made in three phases as follows – Start-Up Activities, Accrual and Treatment Period, and Study Close-Out. Celcuity shall pay NSABP invoices not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of an invoice.
2.1 Start-Up Activities – $300,000 – Within thirty days after receipt of a fully executed Agreement, Celcuity will make an initial payment (“Initial Payment”) to NSABP in the amount of $300,000. The Initial Payment shall become nonrefundable upon execution of this Agreement to the extent it has been expended for costs actually reasonably incurred or committed pursuant to this Agreement. The Initial Payment supports: pre-study activities, site start-up costs, drug distributor and database start-up costs, and other initiation and administration functions, protocol education and awareness building; and site payment for the first five (5) patients enrolled.
2.2 Accrual and Treatment Period – $2,070,921 – Celcuity will pay NSABP $2,070,921 during the Accrual and Treatment Period. These payments support the costs of regulatory, administrative, and other services as anticipated in the performance of FB-12. In addition, payments include support for activities performed and costs incurred at Participating Sites, such as: patient screening, eligibility assessment and recruitment activities, patient instruction, incidental supplies and materials, tissue acquisition and storage, other unfunded costs related to the study, and the cost of patient care procedures that are considered non-routine care.
2.2.1 Per-Patient Randomized – Celcuity shall pay an amount up to $1,770,921 commencing with enrollment of the sixth (6) Subject randomized to FB-12 and in increments as indicated on the Payment Schedule contained in this Appendix B.
2.2.2 Quarterly Payments – Celcuity shall pay an amount up to $300,000 in six (6) quarterly payments of $50,000 each. Invoices for quarterly payments will be submitted at the beginning of the calendar quarters for which the payments are related.
2.3 Study Close Out - $250,000 – Celcuity will make a final payment of $250,000 upon completion of the primary endpoint analysis and submission of the primary endpoint manuscript to Celcuity.
3. Celcuity shall not be obligated to make any payments to NSABP in excess of the amounts provided herein, unless such excess amounts have been agreed upon in advance and in writing by NSABP and Celcuity.
4. If, for any reason, FB-12 is terminated, or FB-12 is closed to accrual prior to completion, or FB-12 is not completed with final analysis, in accordance with Article XVIII herein, Celcuity agrees to pay NSABP for services rendered and commitments for services rendered through the termination date. Payment of the outstanding amount due determined by the final accounting analysis and will be made by Celcuity after Celcuity has received a final report and accounting for the FB-12 Study and all queries are resolved.
5. Invoices are to be submitted to:
Brian Sullivan
Celcuity, LLC
16305 36th Ave North, Suite 450
Minneapolis, MN 55446
763-392-0767
bsullivan@celcuity.com
6. Checks shall be made payable to “NSABP Foundation, Inc.” (Tax Identification Number 25-1781357) and sent to:
Accounts Receivables
NSABP Foundation, Inc.
Nova Tower 2
Two Allegheny Center, Suite 1200
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Appendix B
FB-12
Budget
May 5, 2017
Unit Type | Unit Volume |
Cost
Per
Unit |
Total Budget | |||||||||||
Site Costs | ||||||||||||||
Site Start Up and Annual Administrative Fees | CM sites * | 15 | $ | 12,000 | $ | 180,000 | ||||||||
Pharmacy Fees | CM sites * | 15 | 2,000 | 30,000 | ||||||||||
Site IRB Fees | IRBs | 18 | 9,500 | 171,000 | ||||||||||
Participating Site Payment | Patients | 55 | 7,200 | 396,000 | ||||||||||
Non-Routine Patient Care Costs | Procedures | 275 | 1,100 | 302,500 | ||||||||||
Screen Failures | Screen Failures | 220 | 250 | 55,000 | ||||||||||
Participating Site - Tissue Samples | Samples | 330 | 300 | 99,000 | ||||||||||
Overhead on Site Payments | 308,375 | |||||||||||||
Subtotal Site Costs | Patients | 55 | $ | 28,034 | $ | 1,541,875 | ||||||||
Specimen Procurement/Storage | ||||||||||||||
NSABP Biospecimen Bank | $ | 5,500 | ||||||||||||
Subtotal Specimen Procurement/Storage | $ | 5,500 | ||||||||||||
Program and Administrative Services | ||||||||||||||
NSABP Operations Center | $ | 606,035 | ||||||||||||
Biostatistical, Data Management, EDC Support | 413,528 | |||||||||||||
Drug Distribution | 46,564 | |||||||||||||
NSABP Central IRB Fees | 7,419 | |||||||||||||
Travel Reimbursement (Pass-Through) | 20,000 | |||||||||||||
Subtotal Program and Administrative Services | $ | 1,093,546 | ||||||||||||
Total Budget | Patients | 55 | $ | 48,017 | $ | 2,640,921 |
* Central Monitored Sites
Appendix B
FB-12
Payment Schedule
May 5, 2017
PAYMENT PERIOD | PAYMENT TIMING |
PATIENT
MILESTONES |
CALENDAR
YEAR |
PAYMENT
AMOUNT |
CUMULATIVE
TOTAL |
TOTAL
AMOUNT
PER PAYMENT PERIOD |
||||||||||||
Start-Up Activities |
Initial Payment -
Within 30 days of execution of the Agreement |
0 to 5 | 2017 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | |||||||||
Accrual and Treatment Period | ||||||||||||||||||
Per-Patient Randomized | $35,418.41 | 6 - 10 | 2017 | 177,092 | 477,092 | |||||||||||||
11 - 20 | 2018 | 354,184 | 831,276 | |||||||||||||||
amount per patient to be invoiced as actual | 21 - 30 | 2018 | 354,184 | 1,185,460 | ||||||||||||||
accrual reaches enrollment milestone (projected | 31 - 40 | 2018 | 354,184 | 1,539,644 | ||||||||||||||
payment plan is based upon budgeted accrual) | 41 - 50 | 2018 | 354,184 | 1,893,829 | ||||||||||||||
51 - 55 | 2019 | 177,093 | 2,070,921 | 1,770,921 | ||||||||||||||
Quarterly Payments @ | $50,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Yr 01 - 2017 (1 quarterly payment) | 2017 | 50,000 | 2,120,921 | |||||||||||||||
Yr 02 - 2018 (4 quarterly payments) | 2018 | 200,000 | 2,320,921 | |||||||||||||||
Yr 03 - 2019 (1 quarterly payments) | 2019 | 50,000 | 2,370,921 | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||
Close Out Period | Upon completion of the primary endpoint analysis and submission of the primary endpoint manuscript to Celcuity | 2019 | 250,000 | 2,620,921 | 250,000 | |||||||||||||
Pass Through Costs | Travel Reimbursement - invoice as incurred | 2017-2019 | 20,000 | 2,640,921 | 20,000 | |||||||||||||
TOTAL CELCUITY SUPPORT | $ | 2,640,921 | $ | 2,640,921 |
Appendix B
FB-12
Task List
COMPOUND : Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab (collectively, “Study Drugs”) |
PROTOCOL: FB-12 |
VERSION DATE: 04/07/2017 |
KEY:
A = APPROVE; AC = ACCEPT |
CELCUITY | NSABP | GENENTECH | |||
1. PROTOCOL PREPARATION | ||||||
A. Approve / Accept final Study proposal | E | AC | AC | |||
B. Write draft Protocol (consultants, literature review, background research) | E | |||||
C. Review draft Protocol | R | R | ||||
D. Write final Protocol | AC | E | AC | |||
E. Write Protocol amendments | AC | E | AC | |||
F. Provide copies of Protocol | E | |||||
2. INFORMED CONSENT DOCUMENT PREPARATION | ||||||
A. Prepare informed consent template | E | |||||
B. Assist sites with informed consent modification(s) | E | |||||
C. Prepare and review translations | E | |||||
3. ECRF DEVELOPMENT & ECRF COMPLETION GUIDE | ||||||
A. Design eCRF | E | |||||
B. Write eCRF Completion Guidelines | E | |||||
C. eCRF Distribution | E | |||||
4. DESIGN SYSTEMS REQUIRED FOR DATA MANAGEMENT | ||||||
A. IT Set-Up, System Administration and Maintenance | E | |||||
5. DESIGN & IMPLEMENT PATIENT REGISTRATION | ||||||
A. Develop registration mechanism | E | |||||
6. DATABASE DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION | ||||||
A. Design clinical database | E | |||||
B. Programming and mapping of SAS datasets | E | |||||
7. DISTRIBUTION OF STUDY DOCUMENTS | ||||||
A. Distribute Protocol to Sites | E | |||||
B. Distribute amendments to Sites | E | |||||
C. Distribution of IB to NSABP | E | |||||
D. Distribution of IB to Sites | E | |||||
8. SITE QUALIFICATIONS | ||||||
A. Develop list of Sites for qualification | E | |||||
B. Site qualification | E | |||||
C. Site selection | E | |||||
9. INVESTIGATOR SITE CONTRACTS & BUDGETS | ||||||
A. Negotiate and finalize Site-specific CDAs | E |
KEY:
E = EXECUTE; R = REVIEW; S = SUPPORT A = APPROVE; AC = ACCEPT |
CELCUITY | NSABP | GENENTECH | |||
B. Negotiate and finalize Site-specific Study Agreements | E | |||||
10. SITE REGULATORY DOCUMENTS | ||||||
A. Collect the following regulatory documents for Sites: | ||||||
Ø FDA Form 1572 | E | |||||
Ø CVs for Investigators and Subinvestigators | E | |||||
Ø Medical licenses for Investigators and Subinvestigators | E | |||||
Ø Financial Disclosure for Investigators and Subinvestigators | E | |||||
Ø Protocol Signature Page signed by Investigator | E | |||||
Ø IB Acknowledgement Page signed by Investigator | E | |||||
Ø IRB-approved Institution Informed Consent Form | E | |||||
Ø IRB approval documents | S | E | ||||
Ø OHRP IRB registration | E | |||||
11. AGENCY REGULATORY DOCUMENTS | ||||||
A. IND-related filings with the FDA | S | E | S | |||
B. IDE-related filings with the FDA | E | S | ||||
C. clinicaltrials.gov registration | E | |||||
12. STUDY INITIATION VISITS (SIV) | ||||||
A. Plan, organize, manage webcast SIV | E | |||||
B. Record and post SIV content | E | |||||
C. Present Science / Protocol / Safety Profile | E | |||||
D. Present regulatory topics | E | |||||
E. Present AE / SAE reporting | E | |||||
F. Present monitoring information | E | |||||
G. Present eCRFs | E | |||||
H. Present Biologic Repository lab procedures / information | E | E | ||||
I. Present Study Drugs Ordering Process to Sites | E | |||||
13. SITE MONITORING | ||||||
A. Develop and Implement monitoring plan | E | |||||
B. Conduct monitoring (Source document verification, drug accountability, regulatory document review, eCRF review, supply inventory, etc.) | E | |||||
C. Identify and report non-compliance | E | |||||
D. Provide written monitoring reports | E | |||||
E. Conduct Site close-out procedure (final source document verification, drug accountability, regulatory document review, eCRF review, study supply disposition, etc.) | E | |||||
14 . QUALITY CONTROL & QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDITS | ||||||
A. Develop Protocol-specific Audit Plan | E | |||||
B. Perform QC review of Study Data and TMF | E | |||||
C. Perform QA audits according to Audit Plan | E | |||||
D. Perform audits of vendors | E | |||||
15. OPERATIONAL ISSUES | ||||||
A. Provide on-going Site support | E |
KEY:
A = APPROVE; AC = ACCEPT |
CELCUITY | NSABP | GENENTECH | |||
16. SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENT MANAGEMENT | ||||||
A. Receive SAE report from Sites and review | E | |||||
B. Write Protocol-specific SAE Reporting Work Instruction | E | |||||
C. Maintain a tracking log of all SAE reports from Sites | E | |||||
D. Write SAE Narrative | E | |||||
E. SAE follow-up and resolution | E | |||||
F. SAE reporting to FDA | E | |||||
G. SAE reporting to Genentech | E | |||||
H. Distribution of IND Safety Reports (expedited reports) to Investigators | E | |||||
I. SAE reconciliation | E | |||||
J. Global SUSARS reporting | E | S | ||||
17. SAMPLE MANAGEMENT | ||||||
A. Tumor Samples to determine eligibility for study | E | |||||
B. Tumor Samples to NSABP at time of progression | E | |||||
18. PROJECT MANAGEMENT | ||||||
A. Process and provide payments to Sites | E | |||||
B. Organize and participate in periodic conference calls with Celcuity (agenda, logistics, etc.) | S | E | ||||
C. Prepare meeting and conference call minutes following meeting/call completion and distribute to project team | E | |||||
D. Manage project management issues | E | |||||
19. MANAGEMENT OF STUDY KITS | ||||||
A. Supply Study Kits | E | |||||
B. Process Study Kit orders and reorders | E | |||||
C. Distribute Study Kits to Sites | E | |||||
D. Coordinate post-Study disposition of Study Kits | E | S | ||||
E. Manage general Study Kit issues | E | S | ||||
20. MANAGEMENT OF STUDY DRUGS | ||||||
A. Manufacture of the Study Drugs | E | |||||
B. Labeling (investigational use) | E | |||||
C. Distribute to the designated NSABP drug distributor | E | |||||
D. Receipt of the Study Drugs from the manufacturer | E | |||||
E. Process Site Study orders and reorders | E | |||||
F. Coordinate post-Study disposition of Study Drugs | E | |||||
G. Provide post-Study accountability of Study Drugs | E | |||||
H. Manage general Study Drugs issues | E | |||||
21. DATA MANAGEMENT | ||||||
A. Write data validation plan | E | |||||
B. Write data management plan | E | |||||
C. Write statistical analysis plan | E | |||||
D. Provide Electronic Data Capture System | E | |||||
E. Validate EDC System | E | |||||
F. Resolve queries | E | |||||
G. Perform QC review of eCRFs | E | |||||
H. Code terms | E |
KEY:
A = APPROVE; AC = ACCEPT |
CELCUITY | NSABP | GENENTECH | |||
I. Approve coding | E | |||||
22. TABLES, LISTINGS & FIGURINES | ||||||
A. Define safety listings and tables | E | |||||
B. Define efficacy listings and tables | E | |||||
C. Produce safety listings and tables | E | |||||
D. Produce efficacy listings and tables | E | |||||
E. Validate safety listings and tables | E | |||||
F. Validate efficacy listings and tables | E | |||||
23. STUDY REPORTS | ||||||
A. Provide final statistical report | R | E | ||||
B. Prepare primary publication | R | E | ||||
C. Prepare subsequent publications / abstracts | R | E |
Appendix C
NSABP OWNERSHIP OF DATA/MATERIALS POLICY
A PPENDIX C is set out on the following pages.
NSABP FOUNDATION, INC.
POLICY MANUAL
Subject: OWNERSHIP OF DATA/MATERIALS POLICY
STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING OWNERSHIP OF DATA/MATERIALS
This Statement sets forth the policy of the NSABP Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation” or “NSABP”) with respect to ownership of certain data, physical specimens and intellectual property resulting from the conduct of NSABP sponsored clinical research.
1. | It is the policy of the Foundation that the aggregate data, serum, tissues and other materials resulting from the conduct of NSABP clinical research and provided by a participating facility to the Foundation or to a participating research site or designated contracted entity at the direction of the Foundation (“Data/Materials”) constitute property entrusted to the care and management of the Foundation to be used for the benefit of the public, and that the Foundation is the owner of such Data/Materials. All worldwide right, title and interest in the intellectual property rights with respect to such Data/Materials shall be owned by NSABP, including the right of first publication as provided in the NSABP Publication Policy, all patent rights and all rights of copyright. |
2. | All Research Collaborators of the NSABP and all contracted entities of the NSABP participating in its clinical research shall be responsible for protecting and preserving the integrity of the Data/Materials in their possession and shall deliver the same to the Foundation or its designee as required by the contractual agreement and protocol. |
3. | The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing in this statement shall be construed as granting NSABP ownership of any intellectual property, including original works of authorship, inventions, discoveries or any patents or copyrights issued thereon, made by participants or their personnel independently of information, drugs or instructional materials provided by NSABP or the study sponsors. Research Collaborators and other contracted entities shall not, however, obtain intellectual property rights to any of the data, information, protocols or drugs provided by NSABP or study sponsors, nor shall Research Collaborators and other contracted entities have any interest in intellectual property rights resulting merely from their routine activities in carrying out the study protocols or other activities in accordance with instructions from NSABP or the study sponsors. Any invention or discovery made jointly by staff or employees of NSABP and Research Collaborators or contracted entities shall be jointly owned and the parties shall confer regarding patenting/licensing. |
4. | Should any applicable and controlling federal or state laws or regulations be inconsistent with the intellectual property rights and obligations of the parties as set forth in this statement, then such laws or regulations shall control in lieu of the inconsistent provisions in this statement. |
5. | Entities such as laboratories and other service providers (“Service Providers”) which are sent Data/Materials by or at the direction of the Foundation are custodians only of the Data/Materials developed or acquired during the conduct of NSABP clinical research. Service Providers have possession of Data/Materials only for the purpose of performing specific services, e.g., archiving, banking and analytical services, in some way related to the Data/Materials that enable the NSABP: (a) to reach conclusions about the safety, efficacy and comparative value in treating and preventing cancers in accordance with the various protocol studies; (b) to translate this information into medical/surgical practice standards and commercial products; and/or (c) to |
perform other specific services requested by the Foundation. Individual Service Providers do not have the right independently of the NSABP to disclose, publish or otherwise use the Data/Materials or work product produced by the Service Providers based upon the underlying Data/Materials. All work product provided to NSABP by Service Providers shall be deemed “work made for hire” pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Act.
/s/ Joan Beyer Goldberg, MPH | 3/14/16 | |
Signature | Date |
Approved: | 6/10/00 |
Revised: | November 2015 |
March 2016 |
Appendix D
NSABP P UBLICATION P OLICY
A PPENDIX D is set out on the following pages.
NSABP FOUNDATION, INC.
POLICY MANUAL
Subject: PUBLICATIONS POLICY
1. | STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES |
The NSABP Foundation recognizes the importance of the accurate and timely publication of the results of its research. This policy applies to any publications and presentations in which data from Foundation studies have been used.
1.1. | Purpose |
In addition to conducting clinical trials research, the NSABP Foundation aims to disseminate its research results to the scientific community. These include reports of primary study outcomes, secondary analyses, and ancillary studies. Peer-reviewed journals and national and international scientific meetings are the vehicles of choice for publishing and presenting the results of our research.
1.2 | Responsibilities |
The chairman and the board of directors are responsible for the following:
a) providing guidelines for publications,
b) monitoring the timeliness of the publication of study results,
c) assuring compliance with this publications policy, and
d) adjudicating disputes involving publication issues.
The NSABP Foundation will maintain an up-to-date bibliography and repository of all publications resulting from NSABP studies. It is the responsibility of the primary author to provide the Department of Scientific Publications at the Foundation with the most up-to-date version of all publications.
1.3 | Authority |
The publication of NSABP data is not permitted without prior written consent from the chairman of the Foundation.
2. | PUBLICATION OF PRIMARY STUDY OUTCOMES |
The Foundation will be the clearinghouse for all NSABP abstracts and for all manuscripts submitted for publication. This will allow a complete, accurate, and up-to- date bibliography to be maintained at all times.
2.1 | Manuscript Process |
· | When the endpoints described in the protocol document have been reached, the biostatistician will begin an initial full analysis of results, leading to manuscript development. If early stopping of a study is recommended by the Data Monitoring Committee and approved by the Chairman, data analysis will commence at that point. |
· | The evaluation of protocol records necessary for final analysis will begin when 80% of the necessary protocol events have occurred. This review will be performed by the protocol chair, protocol officer, and other members of the NSABP scientific leadership, as required. |
· | The protocol committee, consisting of the protocol chair, the protocol officer, and the protocol statistician, will be responsible for assuring the production of the initial draft of the manuscript and for submitting it for review to the chairman, the director of the Biostatistical Center and the appropriate senior scientist. |
· | The protocol committee will set a timetable for the production of the manuscript once they receive the final analysis of the data. This timetable will be conveyed in writing by the protocol officer to the chairman, who will be informed and updated on a regular basis regarding the development of the manuscript. Development of the primary manuscript is expected to proceed in a timely manner. If the manuscript is unable to be completed in a timely fashion, the protocol officer, with the agreement of the chairman, may delegate the responsibility for the manuscript to other investigators. |
· | The initial draft will be approved by the chairman, the director of the Biostatistical Center, and the senior scientist. The manuscript to be submitted will undergo review by these persons and also by all co-authors. |
· | After this review, the revised draft will be submitted to the Foundation for distribution to all other authors. Following further revisions, the protocol chair will formally submit the final manuscript to the director of the Department of Scientific Publications. The chairman and the director of the Biostatistical Center will review and approve the final manuscript before it is submitted to an appropriate publication. |
· | Copies of journal reviewers’ criticisms, responses, and the final revised manuscript will be sent to all co-authors. Copies of the published article will be maintained in the Foundation office, Department of Scientific Publications. |
2.2 | Authorship |
· | Authorship is granted to researchers who have contributed to the work in question and have fulfilled ICMJE authorship criteria. http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role- of-authors-and-contributors.html). Authorship implies responsibility and accountability for the published work. |
· | Principal authors of initial manuscripts of NSABP trials will include, but will not be restricted to, the protocol chair, the protocol officer, and the protocol statistician. |
· | Additional authors may be identified from given institutions based on contribution and involvement in the research projects, quality of data submitted, and other contributions. The principal investigator at an institution will ordinarily be an author, but he or she may defer to another investigator at the site. Additional authors may be named from the Foundation or the Biostatistical Center based on specific contributions. Each author is responsible for obtaining appropriate clearances at his/her institution. |
· | All NSABP manuscripts must acknowledge in the title, when the journal so permits, that this is a group effort of the Foundation. The manuscript cover page must acknowledge the source of financial support and include such other notices as are required by the sponsor as well as any disclaimers required by the sponsor or the Foundation. |
2.3 | Obligations to Collaborating Organizations and Companies |
· | Final manuscripts for some trials may necessitate review by a specific pharmaceutical company based on prior written agreements. It is the responsibility of the protocol chair to be aware of such arrangements and to comply with them. |
3. | PUBLICATION OF SECONDARY MANUSCRIPTS AND ANCILLARY OR CORRELATIVE STUDY RESULTS |
3.1 | Concept Development |
Proposals for ancillary or correlative studies may be submitted by standing committees or by individual investigators. A concept proposal should be developed and submitted to the NSABP internal review committee. This committee is comprised of the chairman, the director of the Biostatistical Center, and senior staff personnel, who will review these concepts rapidly. Concepts that are approved will be returned for the development of a more detailed proposal. The detailed proposal may require review by a committee of scientists having expertise in the area under consideration. Appointment to this committee will be made by the chairman.
3.2 | Concept Approval Process |
Approval of ancillary or correlative projects will be determined on a case-by-case basis. When such projects have been proposed by non-NSABP investigators or institutions, the Foundation and the Biostatistical Center will be involved in the analysis and will assist in or, if deemed necessary by the director of the Biostatistical Center, may coordinate the conduct of such studies in accordance with Sections 1.2 and 1.3. It is expected that the Foundation and Biostatistical Center personnel will share in the authorship of such manuscript, as set forth in Section 3.3.
A companion or ancillary study should not report on results of the primary study before the principal results of the primary study are published. Development of primary manuscripts is expected to proceed in a timely manner to avoid the loss of data access and to promote data access by authors of prospective secondary studies.
3.3 | Authorship |
Authorship of manuscripts from ancillary projects will be determined based on a variety of parameters, including overall contribution. Authorship is granted to researchers who fulfill ICMJE criteria.
4. | PUBLICATION OF SITE-SPECIFIC RESULTS |
4.1 | Site Specific |
· | After publication of the primary manuscript by the NSABP, an individual site may publish data related to a site-specific study conducted in connection with the protocol. Such publications will be sent to the chairman for review and comment at least 30 days before submission for publication. |
· | If the NSABP has not published the primary study within 18 months after the statistical analysis required in the protocol is completed, or within the timeframe required by a contract with a research partner, an individual site may publish data related to the site-specific study conducted in connection with the NSABP protocol. A copy of the manuscript will be sent to the chairman for review and comment at least 30 days before submission for publication. |
5. | INVITED PRESENTATIONS |
Invited presentations requiring the submission of a manuscript involving previously unpublished NSABP data must conform to NSABP publication guidelines, and the presenters must obtain permission from the chair and director of Biostatistical Center at least 30 days before submission of the abstract or talk. These requirements should be considered before one accepts such an invitation.
6. | ABSTRACTS |
The protocol committee may initiate a proposal for the submission of an abstract.
Abstracts may also be submitted by individual investigators. The concept and general content of the abstract must be approved by the chairman and director of Biostatistics before submission. Guidelines for abstracts will follow those established for manuscripts. Authors will generally include members of the protocol committee and others, based on the guidelines established for manuscripts.
7. | NSABP FOUNDATION WEBSITE |
Information appearing on the Foundation’s website in the Members’ Section is confidential and not to be distributed or divulged other than to the membership.
/s/ Joan Beyer Goldberg, MPH | 11/20/16 | |
Signature | Date |
Appendix E
S ELECTED T ERMS OF A GREEMENT FOR D ISCLOSURE TO S ITES
This is to confirm that Celcuity and NSABP have agreed to the following for the FB-12 trial:
1. | Celcuity shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NSABP and Participating Sites, and their respective officers, employees, contractors, and agents, and Investigators and the NSABP Principal Investigator (collectively the “NSABP Indemnitees”), from and against any and all liabilities and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, resulting from third party claims, actions, or suits, including (without limitation) those for personal injury or death (“Claims”) to the extent resulting from: |
(a) | the use of the Study Kit used in accordance with the Study and written instructions/information provided by Celcuity to NSABP or through NSABP to any third party including participants in connection with the Study; |
(b) | the use of the Study Kit in accordance with the Protocol and/or written instructions/information supplied or distributed to third parties (including the general public) by Celcuity in connection with the Study Kit; |
(c) | any claimed design defect, manufacturing defect, contamination or adulteration, or failure to warn relating to the Study Kit; |
(d) | medical procedures performed pursuant to the Protocol that are not part of routine medical care and would not have been done but for the conduct of the Study; and/or |
(e) | Celcuity’s failure to follow the Protocol, breach of this Agreement, or failure to comply with Applicable Law. |
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SAME ARE CAUSED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY THE CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF THE NSABP INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER , that:
(i) | the NSABP Indemnitee conducts the Study in accordance with Protocol requirements and written instructions delivered by Celcuity concerning administration of the Study Drug, use of the Study Kit, and applicable guidelines; and |
(ii) | such loss does not arise out of the gross negligence or willful malfeasance of any NSABP Indemnitees; and |
(iii) | the NSABP Indemnitee promptly notifies Celcuity in writing of any written complaint or claim, or any serious injury relating to any loss subject to this indemnification; and |
(iv) | Celcuity shall have the right to select defense counsel and to direct the defense or settlement of any such claim or suit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 1(iv) shall apply to state universities or institutions only to the extent permissible under applicable state law. |
Celcuity shall have no obligation to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless NSABP or the NSABP Indemnitees from and against any liability for Claims to the extent such Claims result from:
(A) | any negligence in the use or administration of the Study Drugs by NSABP or any NSABP Indemnitee in connection with the Study; and/or |
(B) | any claimed design defect, manufacturing defect, or contamination or adulteration, relating to the Study Drugs. |
Nothing contained within this Agreement (including any exhibits or appendices hereto) shall constitute a waiver by Celcuity of any rights of subrogation, contribution or similar rights that it may have against parties other than the NSABP Indemnitees.
2. | Celcuity shall provide diligent defense against or settlement of any Claims, whether such Claims are rightfully or wrongfully brought or filed. |
3. | Any Claim, to the extent found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the negligence or willful malfeasance of an NSABP Indemnitee, is excluded from Celcuity’s indemnity obligations under this Agreement to such extent. Deviations, defined as single event variations from the terms of Protocol which would not have a significant deleterious effect on the research or on the participant that may arise out of necessity, do not constitute negligence or willful malfeasance or a violation of the requirements of Section 1(a) and/or 1(b). |
4. | The NSABP Indemnitee(s) shall reasonably cooperate with Celcuity and its legal representatives in the investigation and defense of any Claim covered under this Agreement. In the event a Claim is or may be asserted, NSABP, or Participating Sites, shall have the right to select and to obtain representation by separate legal counsel. Legal counsel selected by NSABP or Participating Sites may participate in any settlement negotiations or legal proceedings subject to the terms of this APPENDIX E, but Celcuity shall retain the right to direct the settlement or defense of any Claim, subject to NSABP Indemnitee’s consent and to the extent allowed under state law for Participating Sites that are state universities and institutions, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If NSABP, or Participating Sites that are state universities and institutions, exercises such right, all costs and expenses incurred by NSABP, or such Participating Sites, for such separate counsel shall be borne by NSABP, or such Participating Site. |
5. | Celcuity shall maintain a policy or program of insurance or self-insurance at levels sufficient to support its liabilities and contractual obligations, including any indemnification obligation assumed herein. Upon request, Celcuity will provide evidence of its insurance. |
Celcuity, LLC | ||
/s/ Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Signature | ||
Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Printed Name | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Title | ||
May 10, 2017 | ||
Date |
Exhibit 10.14
CONFIDENTIALITY, ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
Parties:
|
|
“Company ”: |
Celcuity LLC (a Minnesota limited liability company) 2400 Bantle Farm Road Medina, MN 55340
|
“Sullivan”: |
Brian F. Sullivan [address]
|
Effective Date: | November 15, 2011 |
This Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is entered into by and between the Company and Sullivan as of the Effective Date set forth above. The parties agree as follows:
1. Purpose of Agreement; Consideration . Sullivan acknowledges and agrees that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research, development, production and marketing in connection with its business, and that it is critical for the Company to preserve and protect its confidential and proprietary information, its rights in inventions and all related intellectual property rights. Accordingly, Sullivan is entering into this Agreement as a condition to becoming a Member of the Company and providing services to the Company, whether or not he is expected to create inventions of value for the Company.
2. Term . The term of this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date set forth above and will continue for so long as Sullivan is associated with the Company as a member of the Board of Governors, officer, employee, consultant or other service provider, or owner of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding membership units of the Company (the “ Term ”).
3. Confidentiality .
3.1. Definition . “ Confidential Information ” means any proprietary, confidential and/or trade secret information that relates to the actual or anticipated business or research and development of the Company, that is commercially valuable to the Company and is not generally known. “Confidential Information” includes but is not limited to technical data, trade secrets or know-how, research, product plans, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering information, software, hardware configuration information, customer lists and customer information, supplier lists and supplier information, other information regarding the Company’s products or services and markets, and other marketing, financial or business information. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) has become publicly known and made generally available through no wrongful act of Sullivan or (ii) has been rightfully received by Sullivan from a third party who is authorized to make such disclosure.
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3.2. Non-Use and Nondisclosure . Sullivan acknowledges that in the course of his dealings with the Company, including but not limited to his role as a founder, member of the Board of Governors, officer, employee, consultant or other service provider, or owner of membership units, he will be exposed to the Company’s Confidential Information. Sullivan agrees that he will not at any time (a) use the Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company or (b) disclose the Confidential Information to any third party unless such disclosure (i) is for the benefit of the Company in the course of his services to the Company or (ii) Sullivan is authorized in writing to make such disclosure by the Chief Executive Officer (unless Sullivan is then serving as Chief Executive Officer) or the Board of Governors of the Company. Sullivan agrees that all Confidential Information will remain the sole property of the Company. Sullivan also agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of such Confidential Information.
3.3. Confidential Information Received by Company from Third-Parties . Sullivan recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Sullivan agrees that he owes the Company and such third parties a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary to assist the Company in performing its obligations to such third party and consistent with the Company’s agreement with such third party.
3.4. Confidential Information Belonging to Others . Sullivan agrees that he or she will not improperly use for the benefit of the Company or disclose to the Company any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or current employer of Sullivan or other person or entity with which Sullivan has an agreement or duty to keep such information confidential. Sullivan also agrees that he will not bring onto the Company’s premises any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity.
3.5. Return of Materials . Upon the Company’s request, Sullivan will deliver to the Company all of the Company’s Confidential Information and other Company property that Sullivan may have in his possession or control, including but not limited to all electronically stored information and passwords to access such property. Sullivan will use his best efforts to regain possession of any Company property that may be in the hands of any of his agents or any third party who received it from him, and will return such property in accordance with this Section 3.5.
4. Ownership of Work Product and Inventions .
4.1. Definitions .
(a) “ Work Product ” means any work of authorship, including any and all documents, material, notes, records, drawings, software code, tangible expressions, and designs, generated or created by Sullivan, solely or in collaboration with others, during the Term of this Agreement that relates to or is directly or indirectly
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connected with the Company’s existing, planned or reasonably foreseeable business, products, services or research and development.
(b) “ Covered Invention ” means any invention, discovery, concept, improvement, enhancement, extension, mask work, trademark, trade secret or Work Product (whether or not patentable, copyrightable or otherwise protectable) made, conceived, discovered, developed or reduced to practice by Sullivan, solely or in collaboration with others, that relates to or is directly or indirectly connected with the Company’s existing, planned or reasonably foreseeable business, products, services or research and development.
4.2. Copyrights . Sullivan acknowledges that any Work Product is a “work made for hire” under U.S. copyright laws and that, accordingly, the Company exclusively owns all copyright rights in such Work Product. Sullivan agrees that if for any reason the Work Product is not found to have been created as a “work made for hire,” he hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title, and interest in and to the Work Product.
4.3. Assignment of Covered Inventions . Sullivan hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company his entire right, title and interest in and to all Covered Inventions existing at the date of this Agreement, except for those Prior Inventions (if any) listed in Section 4.5, and agrees to contribute, convey, transfer and assign to the Company his entire right, title and interest in and to any and all Covered Inventions made, conceived, discovered, developed or reduced to practice by Sullivan, solely or in collaboration with others, during the Term of this Agreement.
4.4. Exception to Assignment . The provisions of this Agreement requiring assignment of future Covered Inventions to the Company do not apply to any invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and that was developed entirely on Sullivan’s own time, and that (a) does not relate (i) directly to the Company’s business or (ii) to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (b) does not result from any work performed by Sullivan for the Company.
4.5. Prior Inventions . Set forth below are all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade secrets that were made by Sullivan prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement (collectively, “ Prior Inventions ”) that relate to the Company’s current, proposed or reasonably foreseeable business, products or research and development and that are NOT intended to be assigned to the Company under this Agreement ( check the applicable box ):
¨ | None |
¨ | The Prior Inventions listed below: |
If “None,” or if no list of Prior Inventions is provided, Sullivan represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. Sullivan agrees that if, in the course of his association with the Company, he
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incorporates any Prior Invention into any Covered Invention, (a) Sullivan will inform the Company in writing before incorporating such Prior Invention into any Covered Invention and (b) the Company is hereby granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use and sell such item as part of or in connection with the Covered Invention. Sullivan will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other proprietary information owned by any third party into any Covered Invention without the Company’s prior written permission.
4.6. Further Assurances . Sullivan agrees to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure the Company’s rights in any Covered Invention in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect to all Covered Inventions, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments that the Company may deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to all Covered Inventions. Sullivan also agrees that his obligation to execute or cause to be executed any such instrument or papers will continue after the termination of this Agreement.
4.7. Attorney-in-Fact . Sullivan agrees that, if the Company is unable because of Sullivan’s unavailability, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Sullivan’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work, trademark or copyright registrations covering the Covered Inventions assigned to the Company in Section 4.3, Sullivan hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on behalf of Sullivan to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, mask work, trademark or copyright registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Sullivan.
5. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .
5.1. Substantially Similar Designs . In view of Sullivan’s access to the Company’s trade secrets and proprietary know-how, Sullivan agrees that during the Term of this Agreement and for a period of 24 months after the termination of this Agreement, he will not, without the Company’s prior written approval, create for any third party designs that are identical or substantially similar to the designs that are subject to this Agreement. Sullivan acknowledges that the obligations in this Section 5.1 are ancillary to his confidentiality obligations under Section 3 and are in addition to any rights the Company may have under applicable laws, including intellectual property laws.
5.2. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation . Sullivan agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, and for a period of 24 months after the termination of this Agreement, he will not directly or indirectly, either on behalf of himself or herself or any other person or entity:
(a) engage in any business activity that competes with the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this
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Agreement, or any planned business of the Company as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(b) render advice or assistance, including but not limited to financial assistance as an investor (except as permitted in Section 5.2(c)), lender or otherwise, to any business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this Agreement, or any planned business of the Company as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(c) acquire an ownership interest (except as the holder of not more than 5% of the stock of a publicly held company, provided that Sullivan does not actively participate in the business of that company or render advice or assistance to it) in any business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this Agreement, or any business of the Company planned as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(d) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any employees of or consultants to the Company to leave their employment or terminate or limit their services to the Company, or interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship between the Company and any employee or consultant; or
(e) interfere in any manner with the contractual relationship between the Company and any customer or supplier (or any prospective customer or supplier) of the Company, or cause or seek to cause any such customer or supplier to cease doing business with or reduce the amount of business it does with the Company, or cause or seek to cause any such prospective customer or supplier not to do business with the Company.
6. No Conflicting Obligations . Sullivan certifies that he has no outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement or that would preclude him from complying with the provisions of this Agreement. Sullivan will not enter into any conflicting agreement during the Term of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification . Sullivan agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers and employees from and against all taxes, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses, arising directly or indirectly from or in connection with (a) any negligent, reckless or intentionally wrongful act of Sullivan or his assistants, employees or agents, (b) any breach by Sullivan or his assistants, employees or agents of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement, or (c) any violation or claimed violation of a third party’s rights resulting in whole or in part from the Company’s use of the work product of Sullivan that is subject to this Agreement.
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior written or oral understandings, representations and agreements by or between the parties relating thereto. No amendments or supplements to this Agreement will be binding unless in
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writing and signed by both parties. None of the terms of this Agreement may be waived except by an express agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure or delay of a party in enforcing its rights under this Agreement will not be deemed a continuing waiver of such right, and the waiver of one breach hereunder will not constitute the waiver of any other or subsequent breach.
8.2. Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under applicable law by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability, without affecting the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the scope of any provisions of this Agreement is too broad in scope or long in duration to permit enforcement under applicable law, the parties agree that the court will limit such provision to the minimum extent required to be enforceable. This Agreement will be construed in a manner that renders its provisions valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law.
8.3. Assignment . Neither party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement (whether by voluntary act or by operation of law) without the prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may assign this Agreement in connection with a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s business, whether by sale of assets, merger, exchange of shares, or similar transaction. Any purported assignment of rights or delegation of obligations in violation of this section is void.
8.4. Availability of Injunctive Relief . A breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate. Sullivan agrees that the Company may petition the court for injunctive relief without having to post a bond or other security where the Company alleges or claims a violation of Section 3 (Confidentiality), Section 4 (Ownership of Work Product and Inventions), Section 5 (Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation) or Section 6 (No Conflicting Obligations) of this Agreement or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, Confidential Information, non-competition or non-solicitation.
8.5. Remedies . The remedies provided in this Agreement will be cumulative and will not limit any rights or remedies provided by law or equity.
8.6. Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the state of Minnesota, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The parties hereby expressly consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of either the federal or state district courts located in such state.
8.7. Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
8.8. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same document. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or in portable document format (.pdf) via email, and any such signatures
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will have the same legal effect as manual signatures. If a party delivers its executed copy of this Agreement by facsimile signature or email, such party will promptly execute and deliver to the other party a manually signed original if requested by the other party.
SIGNATURES
The parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date set forth above.
COMPANY:
|
SULLIVAN: | |||
CELCUITY LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ Lance G. Laing | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | ||
Name: Lance G. Laing | Name: Brian F. Sullivan | |||
Title: Vice President and Secretary |
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Exhibit 10.15
CONFIDENTIALITY, ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
Parties:
|
|
“Company ”: |
Celcuity LLC (a Minnesota limited liability company) 2400 Bantle Farm Road Medina, MN 55340
|
“Laing”: |
Lance G. Laing [address]
|
Effective Date: | November 15, 2011 |
This Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is entered into by and between the Company and Laing as of the Effective Date set forth above. The parties agree as follows:
1. Purpose of Agreement; Consideration . Laing acknowledges and agrees that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research, development, production and marketing in connection with its business, and that it is critical for the Company to preserve and protect its confidential and proprietary information, its rights in inventions and all related intellectual property rights. Accordingly, Laing is entering into this Agreement as a condition to becoming a Member of the Company and providing services to the Company, whether or not he is expected to create inventions of value for the Company.
2. Term . The term of this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date set forth above and will continue for so long as Laing is associated with the Company as a member of the Board of Governors, officer, employee, consultant or other service provider, or owner of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding membership units of the Company (the “ Term ”).
3. Confidentiality .
3.1. Definition . “ Confidential Information ” means any proprietary, confidential and/or trade secret information that relates to the actual or anticipated business or research and development of the Company, that is commercially valuable to the Company and is not generally known. “Confidential Information” includes but is not limited to technical data, trade secrets or know-how, research, product plans, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering information, software, hardware configuration information, customer lists and customer information, supplier lists and supplier information, other information regarding the Company’s products or services and markets, and other marketing, financial or business information. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) has become publicly known and made generally available through no wrongful act of Laing or (ii) has been rightfully received by Laing from a third party who is authorized to make such disclosure.
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3.2. Non-Use and Nondisclosure . Laing acknowledges that in the course of his dealings with the Company, including but not limited to his role as a founder, member of the Board of Governors, officer, employee, consultant or other service provider, or owner of membership units, he will be exposed to the Company’s Confidential Information. Laing agrees that he will not at any time (a) use the Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company or (b) disclose the Confidential Information to any third party unless such disclosure (i) is for the benefit of the Company in the course of his services to the Company or (ii) Laing is authorized in writing to make such disclosure by the Chief Executive Officer (unless Laing is then serving as Chief Executive Officer) or the Board of Governors of the Company. Laing agrees that all Confidential Information will remain the sole property of the Company. Laing also agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of such Confidential Information.
3.3. Confidential Information Received by Company from Third-Parties . Laing recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Laing agrees that he owes the Company and such third parties a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary to assist the Company in performing its obligations to such third party and consistent with the Company’s agreement with such third party.
3.4. Confidential Information Belonging to Others . Laing agrees that he or she will not improperly use for the benefit of the Company or disclose to the Company any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or current employer of Laing or other person or entity with which Laing has an agreement or duty to keep such information confidential. Laing also agrees that he will not bring onto the Company’s premises any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity.
3.5. Return of Materials . Upon the Company’s request, Laing will deliver to the Company all of the Company’s Confidential Information and other Company property that Laing may have in his possession or control, including but not limited to all electronically stored information and passwords to access such property. Laing will use his best efforts to regain possession of any Company property that may be in the hands of any of his agents or any third party who received it from him, and will return such property in accordance with this Section 3.5.
4. Ownership of Work Product and Inventions .
4.1. Definitions .
(a) “ Work Product ” means any work of authorship, including any and all documents, material, notes, records, drawings, software code, tangible expressions, and designs, generated or created by Laing, solely or in collaboration with others, during the Term of this Agreement that relates to or is directly or indirectly connected with the Company’s existing, planned or reasonably foreseeable business, products, services or research and development.
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(b) “ Covered Invention ” means any invention, discovery, concept, improvement, enhancement, extension, mask work, trademark, trade secret or Work Product (whether or not patentable, copyrightable or otherwise protectable) made, conceived, discovered, developed or reduced to practice by Laing, solely or in collaboration with others, that relates to or is directly or indirectly connected with the Company’s existing, planned or reasonably foreseeable business, products, services or research and development.
4.2. Copyrights . Laing acknowledges that any Work Product is a “work made for hire” under U.S. copyright laws and that, accordingly, the Company exclusively owns all copyright rights in such Work Product. Laing agrees that if for any reason the Work Product is not found to have been created as a “work made for hire,” he hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title, and interest in and to the Work Product.
4.3. Assignment of Covered Inventions . Laing hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company his entire right, title and interest in and to all Covered Inventions existing at the date of this Agreement, except for those Prior Inventions (if any) listed in Section 4.5, and agrees to contribute, convey, transfer and assign to the Company his entire right, title and interest in and to any and all Covered Inventions made, conceived, discovered, developed or reduced to practice by Laing, solely or in collaboration with others, during the Term of this Agreement.
4.4. Exception to Assignment . The provisions of this Agreement requiring assignment of future Covered Inventions to the Company do not apply to any invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and that was developed entirely on Laing’s own time, and that (a) does not relate (i) directly to the Company’s business or (ii) to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (b) does not result from any work performed by Laing for the Company.
4.5. Prior Inventions . Set forth below are all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade secrets that were made by Laing prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement (collectively, “ Prior Inventions ”) that relate to the Company’s current, proposed or reasonably foreseeable business, products or research and development and that are NOT intended to be assigned to the Company under this Agreement ( check the applicable box ):
¨ | None |
¨ | The Prior Inventions listed below: |
If “None,”, or if no list of Prior Inventions is provided, Laing represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. Laing agrees that if, in the course of his association with the Company, he incorporates any Prior Invention into any Covered Invention, (a) Laing will inform the Company in writing before incorporating such Prior Invention into any Covered Invention and (b) the
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Company is hereby granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use and sell such item as part of or in connection with the Covered Invention. Laing will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other proprietary information owned by any third party into any Covered Invention without the Company’s prior written permission.
4.6. Further Assurances . Laing agrees to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure the Company’s rights in any Covered Invention in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect to all Covered Inventions, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments that the Company may deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to all Covered Inventions. Laing also agrees that his obligation to execute or cause to be executed any such instrument or papers will continue after the termination of this Agreement.
4.7. Attorney-in-Fact . Laing agrees that, if the Company is unable because of Laing’s unavailability, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Laing’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work, trademark or copyright registrations covering the Covered Inventions assigned to the Company in Section 4.3, Laing hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on behalf of Laing to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, mask work, trademark or copyright registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Laing.
5. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .
5.1. Substantially Similar Designs . In view of Laing’s access to the Company’s trade secrets and proprietary know-how, Laing agrees that during the Term of this Agreement and for a period of 24 months after the termination of this Agreement, he will not, without the Company’s prior written approval, create for any third party designs that are identical or substantially similar to the designs that are subject to this Agreement. Laing acknowledges that the obligations in this Section 5.1 are ancillary to his confidentiality obligations under Section 3 and are in addition to any rights the Company may have under applicable laws, including intellectual property laws.
5.2. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation . Laing agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, and for a period of 24 months after the termination of this Agreement, he will not directly or indirectly, either on behalf of himself or herself or any other person or entity:
(a) engage in any business activity that competes with the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this Agreement, or any planned business of the Company as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(b) render advice or assistance, including but not limited to financial assistance as an investor (except as permitted in Section 5.2(c)), lender or otherwise, to
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any business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this Agreement, or any planned business of the Company as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(c) acquire an ownership interest (except as the holder of not more than 5% of the stock of a publicly held company, provided that Laing does not actively participate in the business of that company or render advice or assistance to it) in any business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term of this Agreement, or any business of the Company planned as of the date of the termination of this Agreement;
(d) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any employees of or consultants to the Company to leave their employment or terminate or limit their services to the Company, or interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship between the Company and any employee or consultant; or
(e) interfere in any manner with the contractual relationship between the Company and any customer or supplier (or any prospective customer or supplier) of the Company, or cause or seek to cause any such customer or supplier to cease doing business with or reduce the amount of business it does with the Company, or cause or seek to cause any such prospective customer or supplier not to do business with the Company.
6. No Conflicting Obligations . Laing certifies that he has no outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement or that would preclude him from complying with the provisions of this Agreement. Laing will not enter into any conflicting agreement during the Term of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification . Laing agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers and employees from and against all taxes, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses, arising directly or indirectly from or in connection with (a) any negligent, reckless or intentionally wrongful act of Laing or his assistants, employees or agents, (b) any breach by Laing or his assistants, employees or agents of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement, or (c) any violation or claimed violation of a third party’s rights resulting in whole or in part from the Company’s use of the work product of Laing that is subject to this Agreement.
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior written or oral understandings, representations and agreements by or between the parties relating thereto. No amendments or supplements to this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties. None of the terms of this Agreement may be waived except by an express agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure or delay of a party in enforcing its rights under this Agreement will not be deemed a continuing waiver of such right, and the waiver of one breach hereunder will not constitute the waiver of any other or subsequent breach.
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8.2. Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under applicable law by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability, without affecting the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the scope of any provisions of this Agreement is too broad in scope or long in duration to permit enforcement under applicable law, the parties agree that the court will limit such provision to the minimum extent required to be enforceable. This Agreement will be construed in a manner that renders its provisions valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law.
8.3. Assignment . Neither party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement (whether by voluntary act or by operation of law) without the prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may assign this Agreement in connection with a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s business, whether by sale of assets, merger, exchange of shares, or similar transaction. Any purported assignment of rights or delegation of obligations in violation of this section is void.
8.4. Availability of Injunctive Relief . A breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate. Laing agrees that the Company may petition the court for injunctive relief without having to post a bond or other security where the Company alleges or claims a violation of Section 3 (Confidentiality), Section 4 (Ownership of Work Product and Inventions), Section 5 (Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation) or Section 6 (No Conflicting Obligations) of this Agreement or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, Confidential Information, non-competition or non-solicitation.
8.5. Remedies . The remedies provided in this Agreement will be cumulative and will not limit any rights or remedies provided by law or equity.
8.6. Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the state of Minnesota, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The parties hereby expressly consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of either the federal or state district courts located in such state.
8.7. Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
8.8. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same document. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or in portable document format (.pdf) via email, and any such signatures will have the same legal effect as manual signatures. If a party delivers its executed copy of this Agreement by facsimile signature or email, such party will promptly execute and deliver to the other party a manually signed original if requested by the other party.
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SIGNATURES
The parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date set forth above.
COMPANY: | LAING: | ||||
CELCUITY LLC | |||||
By: | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | /s/ Lance G. Laing | |||
Name: Brian F. Sullivan | Name: Lance G. Laing | ||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 10.16
CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-COMPETE,
AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This, Confidentiality, Non-Compete, and Proprietary Rights Agreement, effective as of May 17, 2017, between Celcuity, LLC, having an address at 16305 36 th Avenue North, Suite 450, Plymouth, MN 55446 (hereinafter referred to as “Celcuity”), and Vicky Hahne (hereinafter referred to as “Hahne”) having an address at [address].
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS , Celcuity desires to have the benefit of Hahne’s knowledge and experience, and Hahne desires to work for Celcuity, all as hereinafter provided in this Agreement;
WHEREAS , Hahne will have access to the Company’s trade secrets and other confidential information, and she will engage in activities for the Company that create Work Product for Celcuity;
WHEREAS , Hahne will receive cash compensation and options to purchase Membership Units of Celcuity LLC, which would not be made available and on such terms but for Hahne’s willingness to enter into this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration and as a condition of Celcuity’s offer to contract with and employ Hahne, hereinafter set forth, effective the date hereof, Celcuity and Hahne hereby agree as follows:
1. Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” means any information relating to Celcuity’s business that is not generally known or publicly disclosed, including but not limited to information relating to Celcuity’s technology, trade secrets, business strategy, regulatory status, marketing practices, operations, financial and pricing data, customer lists, active prospects, and business methods, whether furnished before or after the date of this Agreement, whether furnished orally or in writing or gathered by inspection, and whether or not specifically marked or identified as “confidential”; provided , however , that Confidential Information will not include information which (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by disclosure by Hahne, (ii) was or becomes available to Hahne on a non-confidential basis from a third party who, to the best of Hahne’s knowledge, was not under an obligation of confidentiality to Celcuity or (iii) was or is independently developed by Hahne without reference to the Confidential Information.
2. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information . Hahne agrees that she will not at any time directly or indirectly disclose or make available any Confidential Information to any person. Hahne agrees to treat the Confidential Information as confidential, using the same degree of care, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, as Hahne uses to protect her own confidential information of a like nature. Hahne shall be responsible for any disclosure of the Confidential Information not permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
3. Return of Materials . Hahne hereby agrees that, when her employment with Celcuity ends, for whatever reason, she will promptly deliver to Celcuity all originals and copies of all documents, records, software programs, media and other materials containing any of Celcuity’s Confidential Information. She will also return to Celcuity all equipment, files, software programs and other personal property belonging to Celcuity.
4. Confidentiality Obligation Survives Employment . Hahne understands that her obligation to maintain the confidentiality and security of Celcuity’s Confidential Information remains binding on her
even after her employment with Celcuity ends and continues for so long as such material remains confidential.
5. Work Product, Proprietary Rights and Disclosures
(a) | Hahne agrees to disclose promptly to Celcuity all inventions, discoveries, designs, data, ideas, concepts, specifications, research, processes, techniques, methods, formulae, improvements and all other intellectual property rights (collectively referred to as "Work Product") made or perfected in the performance of, or arising out of, the work to be performed by Hahne alone or jointly with others for Celcuity during the period of this agreement or during the six-month period next succeeding the termination of her work with Celcuity, whether or not patentable or subject to copyright or trademark protection, whether or not reduced to tangible form or reduced to practice, whether or not made during regular working hours, and whether or not made on Celcuity property and will maintain adequate and current records (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, digital information and as may be specified by Celcuity), properly corroborated, to document the conception and/or first actual reduction to practice of any Work Product. Such records shall be available to and remain the sole property of Celcuity at all times. If the work provided by Hahne entail laboratory work or experiments, the details of such work or experiments performed will be recorded in laboratory notebooks (digital and/or paper) and used only for recording work done on behalf of Celcuity. This will be of sufficient detail that other skilled persons, without reference to other material, could directly repeat the experiments. Results of all experiments will be documented, whether deemed to have been successful or not. All raw data will be included in the laboratory notebooks and will be available for inspection upon request. Data will be fully annotated such that cross-reference with records in laboratory notebooks is easily achieved. At no such time, shall records, experimental results, notebooks, other data or information, be removed physically from Celcuity’s premises or transferred digitally or electronically in any manner from computers Hahne uses on Celcuity’s premises. |
(b) | Hahne agrees that all such Work Product and patents therefor shall be the sole property of Celcuity and that all Work Product shall constitute work made for hire under laws pertaining to copyright, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and other proprietary rights. Hahne agrees to waive, and hereby waive, all moral or proprietary rights which Hahne may have in or to any Work Product and, to the extent that such rights may not be waived, Hahne agrees not so assert such rights against the Company or its licensees, successors or assigns. |
(c) | Hahne hereby undertakes and agrees to execute such assignments and other papers which, in the opinion of Celcuity, are necessary at any time to permit the filing and prosecution of copyrights, applications for copyrights, applications for patents covering the Work Product or are otherwise required for compliance with the provisions of this paragraph. |
(d) | If Celcuity is unable for any reason to secure Hahne’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents, copyright or trademark registrations covering the assignments to Celcuity above, then Hahne hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Celcuity and its duly authorized officers and agents as Hahne’s agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in Hahne’s behalf and stead, to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright, mask work and trademark registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Hahne. |
(e) | Hahne agrees that (a) the work to be performed hereunder, (b) the data and Work Product generated by the said work and (c) any and all scientific, technical, trade or business |
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information, data, specifications, techniques, formulae, manufacturing processes and other information possessed or obtained by, developed for or given to Celcuity which is treated by Celcuity as confidential or proprietary, whether or not labeled “Confidential” (collectively referred to as "Confidential Information") are the property of Celcuity and are confidential and proprietary to Celcuity. Hahne agrees that she shall not use Confidential Information for any purpose other than as advised or directed by Celcuity regardless of whether such Confidential Information has been furnished or made available to Hahne by or on behalf of Celcuity or is original with Hahne. Without Celcuity' express written consent first obtained, Hahne agrees that he shall not disclose or make available any Confidential Information to any third party regardless of whether such Confidential Information has been furnished or made available to Hahne by Celcuity or is original with Hahne. Hahne shall not discuss the nature of her activities in connection with Celcuity with anyone except authorized representatives of Celcuity. At Celcuity' request, Hahne shall provide Celcuity with all Confidential Information furnished to Hahne by Celcuity or original with Hahne in connection with her services furnished hereunder which has been reduced to writing and retain no copies thereof . Hahne understands that in receiving Confidential Information, he receives no right to a license, implied or otherwise, under any patent or other rights now or hereafter owned or controlled by Celcuity. If required, Hahne may disclose Confidential Information to a governmental authority or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that such disclosure is subject to all applicable governmental or judicial protection available for like material and reasonable advance notice is given, if possible, to Celcuity.
(f) | Hahne warrants and represents that no trade secrets or other confidential information of any other person, firm, corporation, institution or other entity will be wrongfully disclosed by her to Celcuity in connection with any of the services called for hereunder. Hahne further warrants and represents that none of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the services which will be performed by Hahne pursuant to the work to be performed hereunder, contravenes or is in conflict with any agreement of Hahne with, or obligation to, any other person, firm, corporation, institution or other entity including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, employment agreements, consulting agreements, disclosure agreements or agreements for assignment of inventions. |
6. Prior Developments . As a matter of record, Hahne has identified all prior developments relevant to the subject matter of her employment by Celcuity (‘Prior Developments”) that have been conceived or reduced to practice or learned by her, alone or jointly with others, before her employment Celcuity, which she desires to remove from the operation of this Agreement. The Prior Developments consist of:
None (cross out “None” if Prior Developments are listed)
Hahne represents and warrants that this list is complete. If there is no such list, Hahne represents that she had made no such Prior Developments at the time her employment with the Company
commenced.
7. Conflict of Interest . Hahne agrees that, during her employment with the Company, she will not engage in any business activity competitive with the Company’s business activities, nor will she engage in any other activities that conflict with the Company’s best interests.
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8. Non-Competition Agreement . Hahne understands that during her work with Celcuity she will become familiar with Confidential Information of Celcuity. Celcuity therefore believes, and Hahne hereby acknowledges, that her employment by or her otherwise providing assistance to a competitor of Celcuity could cause material and irreparable damage to Celcuity. Accordingly, Hahne agrees that, for a period ending twenty-four (24) months after the end of her work with the company, she will not:
(a) | accept employment with any person or entity that is engaged in the development, offering, or sale of any product, process, service, or apparatus which is functionally similar to those under development, offered, marketed or sold by Celcuity; |
(b) | engage in, or contribute her knowledge to, any work that is functionally similar to a product, process, service, or apparatus provided by Celcuity during her period of employment; or |
(c) | divert or attempt to divert from Celcuity any suppliers to, or any customers or prospective customers (or any business from such customers or prospective customers) of, Celcuity. |
Hahne acknowledges and agrees that the services under development by Celcuity are, or are intended to be, used by customers nationally throughout the United States and internationally. Accordingly, she agrees that these restrictions on her post-employment competitive activity are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Celcuity, and shall apply throughout the entire United States and all other countries.
9. Non-Interference with Celcuity Employees . Hahne agrees that during the Term and for two (2) years thereafter, Hahne shall not directly or indirectly:
(a) | retain the services of any employees of Celcuity (including any former employees who have left the employ of Celcuity within the preceding six months) or assist anyone else doing so; or |
(b) | cause any person or entity rendering services to Celcuity to discontinue her or its relationship with Celcuity. |
10. General Provisions .
(a) | Survival of Provisions . Hahne’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination of her service to Celcuity, in any capacity, and shall inure to the benefit and shall be binding upon her heirs and personal representatives. |
(b) | Assignability and Binding Effect . This Agreement, and the rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned or transferred by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that Celcuity may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, to an affiliated company or in connection with the merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets to which this Agreement relates. |
(c) | Headings . The paragraph headings contained herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement. |
(d) | No Modification. This Agreement may be changed only by a writing signed by authorized representatives of both parties. |
(e) | Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such |
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invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held to be excessively broad, it shall be reformed and construed by limiting and reducing it so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(f) | Waiver . Celcuity and Hahne agree that either party to this Agreement may overlook violations of any part of this Agreement without waiving the right in the future to insist on strict compliance with all parts of this Agreement. |
(g) | Injunctive Relief . Hahne acknowledges and agrees that her violation of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and significant injury to Celcuity to an extent that may be extremely difficult to ascertain, and Hahne therefore agrees that, in addition to all other remedies available to Celcuity at law, in equity or otherwise, Celcuity shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief to prevent an actual or threatened violation of this Agreement. |
(h) | Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to its subject matter, and supersedes all previous written or oral representations, agreements and understandings between the parties. |
(i) | Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Minnesota applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, without giving effect to the principles thereof relating to the conflict of laws. |
(j) | Construction . The parties acknowledge that each party and its counsel have reviewed and participated in the preparation of this Agreement and that the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or any amendments hereto. As the context requires, words connoting the singular include the plural, words connoting the masculine gender include the feminine or neutral gender, and vice versa. |
(k) | Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. |
(l) | Enforcement . This Agreement, and Hahne’s obligations hereunder, shall apply to and may be enforced by Celcuity and each of its subsidiaries and affiliated entities. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement under seal effective on the day and year first above-written.
Celcuity, LLC: | Vicky Hahne: | |||
By: | /s/ Brian F. Sullivan | By: | /s/ Vicky Hahne | |
Name: | Brian F. Sullivan | Name: | Vicky Hahne | |
Title: | CEO | Title: | CFO |
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Governors and Members
Celcuity LLC.:
We consent to the use of our report dated June 9, 2017 with respect to the balance sheets of Celcuity LLC. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 contained in this registration statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
/s/ Boulay PLLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 23, 2017