Exhibit 4.1
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. As of December 31, 2023, there were 2,492,531 shares of our common stock outstanding that were held of record by 188 stockholders of record.
The following description is only a summary. You should also refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, both of which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this exhibit forms a part.
Common Stock
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and each holder does not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose.
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future.
Preferred Stock
The board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without stockholder approval, to issue up to an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of INVO Bioscience. We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Series A Preferred Stock
On November 20, 2023, the Company filed with the Nevada Secretary of State a Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) which sets forth the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”). One million (1,000,000) shares of Series A Preferred with a stated value of $5.00 per share were authorized under the Series A Certificate of Designation.
Each share of Series A Preferred has a stated value of $5.00, which is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a fixed conversion price equal to $2.20 per share, subject to adjustment. The Company may not effect the conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred if, after giving effect to the conversion or issuance, the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. Moreover, the Company may not effect the conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred if, after giving effect to the conversion or issuance, the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock unless and until the Company receives the approval required by the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (or any subsequent trading market).
Each share of Series A Preferred stock shall automatically convert into Common Stock upon the closing of a merger (the “Merger”) of INVO Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), with and into NAYA Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NAYA”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended, by and among the Company, Merger Sub, and NAYA (the “Merger Agreement”).
The holders of Series A Preferred shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion, on an as-if converted basis, of any dividends payable on Common Stock.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, or sale of the Company (other than the Merger), each holder of Series A Preferred shall be entitled to receive its pro rata portion of an aggregate payment equal to (i) $5.00, multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued under the Series A Certificate of Designation.
Other than those rights provided by law, the holders of Series A Preferred shall not have any voting rights.
Series B Preferred Stock
On November 20, 2023, the Company filed with the Nevada Secretary of State a Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) which sets forth the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred”). One million two hundred (1,200,000) shares of Series B Preferred with a stated value of $5.00 per share were authorized under the Series B Certificate of Designation.
Each share of Series B Preferred has a stated value of $5.00, which is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a fixed conversion price equal to $5.00 per share, subject to adjustment. The Company may not effect the conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred if, after giving effect to the conversion or issuance, the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock unless and until the Company receives the approval required by the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq (or any subsequent trading market).
Each share of Series B Preferred stock shall automatically convert into Common Stock upon the closing of the Merger.
The holders of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion, on an as-if converted basis, of any dividends payable on Common Stock.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, or sale of the Company (other than the previously announced merger with NAYA), each holder of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive its pro rata portion of an aggregate payment equal to (i) $5.00, multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued under the Series B Certificate of Designation.
Other than those rights provided by law, the holders of Series B Preferred shall not have any voting rights.
Options
As of December 31, 2023, we have options to purchase up to 106,753 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $1.90 per share.
Unit Purchase Options
As of December 31, 2023, we have unit purchase options to purchase up to 4,649 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $64.00 per share.
Warrants
As of December 31, 2023, we have warrants to purchase up to 3,488,620 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $3.95 per share.
Effect of Certain Provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Nevada Anti-Takeover Provisions
Some provisions of Nevada law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could make our acquisition by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, and the removal of incumbent officers and directors more difficult. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to promote stability in our management. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors.
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for the following:
| | ● | Preferred Stock. The ability to authorize preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of the Company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us. |
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| | ● | Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors. |
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| | ● | Stockholder Meetings. Our charter documents provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by resolution adopted by the majority board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the chief executive officer. |
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| | ● | Amendment of Bylaws. Our board of directors have the sole power to amend the bylaws. |
Nevada Anti-Takeover Provision
Section 78.438 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) prohibits a publicly held Nevada corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder, generally a person that together with its affiliates owns or within the last two years has owned 10% of the outstanding voting stock, for a period of two years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner, or falls within certain exemptions under the NRS. As a result of these provisions in our charter documents under Nevada law, the price investors may be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock may be limited.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
We have engaged the services of Transfer Online, Inc. as our transfer agent and registrar
