UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2018

 

 

 

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   000-05576   52-0849320
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Em-ployer
Identification Number)

  

One Rockefeller Plaza, 11 th Floor, New York, NY   10020
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (212) 745-1374

 

Not Applicable

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Emerging growth company  

 

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

 

 

 

   

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

As previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 14, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), on March 12, 2018, Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“ Spherix ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Spherix, Spherix Merger Subsidiary Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Spherix (“ Merger Sub ”), DatChat, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ DatChat ”), and Darin Myman in the capacity as the representative from and after the effective time (the “ Effective Time ”) of the Merger (defined below) for the stockholders of DatChat as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “ Stockholder Representative ”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into DatChat (the “ Merger ”), with DatChat continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time all of the shares of capital stock of DatChat issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive an aggregate of 46,153,846 shares of Spherix common stock (the “ Stockholder Merger Consideration ”), with each share of Spherix common stock valued at $1.30 per share.

 

On May 3, 2018, Spherix, Spherix Merger Sub, DatChat and the Stockholder Representative entered into that certain First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Amendment ”), pursuant to which the Merger Agreement was amended to reduce the Stockholder Merger Consideration from 46,153,846 shares of Spherix common stock to 34,615,385 shares of Spherix common stock.

 

The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On May 7, 2018, Spherix issued a press release announcing the execution of the Amendment and the election of Greg Blattner to Spherix’s board of directors.  The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The foregoing (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and will not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

Additional Information

 

In connection with the proposed Merger, Spherix intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of Spherix. Spherix will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents to its stockholders.   Investors and security holders of Spherix are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, and amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with Spherix’s solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to be held to approve the proposed Merger because the proxy statement/prospectus will contain important information about the proposed Merger and the parties to the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of Spherix as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed Merger. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s  website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Spherix Incorporated, One Rockefeller Plaza, 11 th Floor, New York, NY 10020.

 

 

 

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

Spherix and DatChat and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Spherix’s stockholders in connection with the proposed Merger.  Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed transaction of Spherix’s directors and officers in Spherix’s filings with the SEC, including Spherix’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018, and such information will also be in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC, which will include the proxy statement/prospectus of Spherix for the proposed Merger.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “seem”, “seek”, “continue”, “future”, “will”, “expect”, “outlook” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Spherix’s and DatChat’s industry, future events, the proposed transaction between the parties to the Merger Agreement, as amended. the estimated or anticipated future results and benefits of the combined company following the transaction, including the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the proposed transaction, future opportunities for the combined company, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of Spherix’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding the businesses of Spherix and DatChat and the transaction, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in the business environment in which Spherix or DatChat operates, including inflation and interest rates, and general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which Spherix or DatChat operates; changes in taxes, governmental laws, and regulations; competitive product and pricing activity; difficulties of managing growth profitably; the loss of one or more members of Spherix’s or DatChat’s management teams; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed Merger, including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Merger or that the approval of the stockholders of Spherix or DatChat are not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, including as a result of a delay in consummating the transaction or a delay or difficulty in integrating the businesses of Spherix and DatChat; uncertainty as to the long-term value of Spherix’s common stock; those discussed in the Spherix’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents of Spherix on file with the SEC or in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will be filed with the SEC by Spherix. There may be additional risks that Spherix presently does not know or that Spherix currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Spherix’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Spherix anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Spherix’s assessments to change. However, while Spherix may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Spherix specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Spherix’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1

 

 

First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 3, 2018, by and among Spherix Incorporated, Spherix Merger Subsidiary Inc., DatChat, Inc. and Darin Myman
     
99.1   Press Release dated as of May 7, 2018.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Dated: May 7, 2018

 

  SPHERIX INCORPORATED
     
  By: /s/ Anthony Hayes
    Name: Anthony Hayes
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 Exhibit 2.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Amendment ”) is made and entered into as of May 3, 2018, by and among: (i) SPHERIX INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (“ Purchaser ”), (ii) SPHERIX MERGER SUBSIDIARY INC., a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Purchaser (“ Merger Sub ”), (iii) DATCHAT, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”) and (iv) Darin Myman in the capacity as the representative for the stockholders of the Company as of immediately prior to the effective time of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement (defined below) (the “ Stockholder Representative ”). The Company, Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Stockholder Representative are each referred to herein individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties ”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Merger Agreement (defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Parties entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 12, 2018 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), which sets forth the Parties’ rights and obligations with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby; and

 

WHEREAS , the Parties desire to amend the Merger Agreement to revise the amount of Stockholder Merger Consideration set forth therein.

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 9.6 of the Merger Agreement, the Merger Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties thereto.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Amendment to the Merger Agreement . The Parties hereby agree to amend the Merger Agreement as follows:

 

(a)        Section 1.4 of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

1.4       Merger Consideration. As consideration for the Merger, Purchaser shall deliver to the Company Stockholders an aggregate of 34,615,385 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (the “ Stockholder Merger Consideration ”), with each share of Purchaser Common Stock valued at the Purchaser Common Stock Price. Each Stockholder shall receive its pro rata share of the Stockholder Merger Consideration based on the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by such Company Stockholder as compared to the total number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by all Company Stockholders (with any shares of Company Preferred Stock calculated on an as-converted to Company Common Stock basis) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (such proportion being such Stockholder’s “ Pro Rata Share ”).

 

 

2.              Miscellaneous . Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, all of the terms and provisions in the Merger Agreement and the other Ancillary Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. This Amendment does not constitute, directly or by implication, an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document, or any other right, remedy, power or privilege of any Party, except as expressly set forth herein. Any reference to the Merger Agreement in the Merger Agreement or any other agreement, document, instrument or certificate entered into or issued in connection therewith shall hereinafter mean the Merger Agreement, as amended by this Amendment (or as the Merger Agreement may be further amended or modified after the date hereof in accordance with the terms thereof). Sections 9.1 through 9.15 of the Merger Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference and apply to this Amendment as if all references to the “Agreement” contained therein were instead references to this Amendment.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each party hereto has signed or has caused to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized this Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first above written.

 

Purchaser:

 

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

 

By: /s/ Anthony Hayes
    Name: Anthony Hayes
Title: CEO

 

Merger Sub:

 

SPHERIX MERGER SUBSIDIARY INC.

 

By: /s/ Anthony Hayes
    Name: Anthony Hayes
Title: President

 

The Company:

 

DATCHAT, INC.

 

By: /s/ Darin Myman
    Name: Darin Myman
Title: CEO

 

Stockholder Representative:

 

/s/ Darin Myman
    Name: Darin Myman

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Spherix Announces Adjustment to DatChat Acquisition Consideration

 

- Company to issue 11.5m fewer shares than initially contemplated

- Effective Purchase Price Reduction of $15m

- Renowned Cyber-Security Veteran Gregg Blattner to join the Board of Directors

 

New York, NY May 7, 2018, (PRNewswire) Spherix Inc. (NASDAQ: SPEX) (“Spherix” or the “Company”), today announced that the Company has negotiated amended terms of the pending acquisition of DatChat Inc., an encrypted personal privacy platform, focused on encrypted communication, internet privacy and digital rights management.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors determined there were material changes in the Company’s operations since the date the original merger agreement was executed. Since then, the Company has retained a computer programmer and a developer to help advance DatChat and that assistance is already being provided by Spherix. The Company has also purchased additional Etherium mining equipment to support DatChat’s efforts. Moreover, the Company now has approximately $5.2 million in cash to fund operations and further support DatChat’s development.

 

In addition to the above, the Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Greg Blattner has agreed to join the Spherix Board of Directions. Mr. Blattner is the Business Development Manager at Agio.  Agio ( www.agio.com ) is a Managed IT and Cybersecurity Services Provider that focuses on servicing finance companies. Mr. Blattner’s addition is a tremendous value to the Company, as his current company has designed, developed and commercialized cyber security services and products. Mr. Blattner’s skill set, which also includes working with developers and programmers, will help guide Spherix towards the monetization of DatChat.

 

Anthony Hayes, CEO of Spherix, stated, “Today’s announcement represents a substantial reduction in the price paid for DatChat and 11,538,479 shares in reduced dilution to our shareholders. We have already developed a strong partnership with DatChat and we thank them for agreeing to this amendment. We look forward to working together to grow this great technology. In addition, we are very pleased that Mr. Greg Blattner has agreed to join our Board of Directors. Mr. Blattner’s experience provides the knowledge and experience to build and commercialize a cyber security product.

 

Closing of the transaction is subject to usual and customary conditions for a transaction of this nature, including shareholder approval.

 

About Spherix

Spherix Incorporated was launched in 1967 as a scientific research company. Spherix is committed to advancing innovation by participation in the development of new technology.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

Contact :

 

Investor Relations: Hayden IR

Brett Maas, Managing Partner

Phone: (646) 536-7331

Email: brett@haydenir.com

www.haydenir.com

 

Spherix: Phone: 212-745-1373

Email: investorrelations@spherix.com

www.spherix.com