PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We have entered into an equity distribution agreement with William Blair & Company, L.L.C., referred to as the “Manager”, under which we may offer and sell common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $55,000,000 from time to time through the Manager. Sales of our common stock, if any, will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market” equity offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through The Nasdaq Global Market or any other trading market for our common stock. The Manager will not engage in any transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock.
Under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, we also may sell common stock to the Manager as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell common stock to the Manager as principal, we will enter into a separate agreement with the Manager, and we will describe that agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement to the extent required by law.
We will designate the maximum amount of common stock to be sold through the Manager on a daily basis or otherwise as we and the Manager agree, and the minimum price per share at which such common stock may be sold. Subject to the terms and conditions of the equity distribution agreement, the Manager will use its reasonable efforts to sell, on our behalf, all of the designated common stock. We may instruct the Manager not to sell any common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. We or the Manager may suspend the offering of common stock at any time and from time to time by notifying the other party.
If shares of our common stock are sold by the Manager in an at-the-market offering, the Manager will provide written confirmation to us promptly following the close of trading on The Nasdaq Global Market each trading day on which shares of our common stock are sold under the equity distribution agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of our common stock sold on the preceding day, the gross sales price, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to the Manager in connection with the sales.
We will pay the Manager a commission of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of common stock sold through the Manager under the equity distribution agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse the Manager for specified expenses, including certain fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $50,000. We estimate that the total expenses payable by us in connection with the establishment of the program to offer shares of our common stock described in this prospectus, excluding commissions, will be approximately $100,000.
Settlement for sales of our common stock under the equity distribution agreement will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the Manager in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The offering of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all common stock subject to the equity distribution agreement or (2) the termination of the equity distribution agreement by us, by the Manager or by its terms, as applicable.
In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the Manager may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation paid to the Manager may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Manager against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act.
Other Relationships
The Manager is a full service financial institution engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment,
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