Each option award of the Company (each a “Company Option”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time (except in the case of the EMI Options granted pursuant to Rule 9.8 of the F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”), which shall accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable as of three business days prior to the Initial Expiration Date). As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of the holders thereof, Parent, Purchaser or the Company, each Company Option which has a per share exercise price that is less than the Offer Price (each, an “In the Money Option”) that is then outstanding and unexercised as of immediately before the Effective Time shall be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the total number of Company Shares subject to such fully vested Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the Offer Price over (B) the exercise price payable per Company Share under such Company Option (the “In the Money Option Consideration”). As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of the holders thereof, Parent, Purchaser or Company, each Company Option which has a per share exercise price that is equal to or more than the Offer Price (each, an “Out of the Money Option”) that is then outstanding and unexercised as of immediately before the Effective Time shall be cancelled at the Effective Time without any consideration payable therefor. For the avoidance of doubt, any EMI Option that remains outstanding and unexercised as of immediately before the Effective Time shall be cancelled at the Effective Time and treated as either an In the Money Option or an Out of the Money Option.
Parent, Purchaser and the Company have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including using reasonable best efforts to take all actions, file all documents, and assist and cooperate in doing all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable antitrust and foreign investment laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable. The Company has agreed to, among other things, (i) carry on its business in all material respects in the ordinary course (subject to certain exceptions, including actions taken outside the ordinary course to the extent reasonably necessary to implement COVID-19 measures), including not taking certain specified actions prior to the consummation of the Merger, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to (a) preserve intact its material assets (including technology) and the material components of its present business organization, (b) keep available the services of its present officers and key employees in all material respects, and (c) maintain business relationships and good will with governmental bodies with jurisdiction over the operation of the Company, customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors, commercial partners and other business partners, in each case, that have material business relations with the Company.
The Company has also agreed, and is obligated to use reasonable best efforts to cause its representatives, among other things, not to directly or indirectly, (i) continue any solicitation, knowing encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any persons that may be ongoing with respect to an acquisition of the Company (an “Acquisition Proposal”); (ii) (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information) any inquiries regarding, or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other person any non-public information in connection with, or for the purpose of soliciting or knowingly encouraging or facilitating, an Acquisition Proposal or any proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (C) enter into any letter of intent, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or similar agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or any proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or (D) take any action to exempt any person (other than Parent and its subsidiaries) from the restrictions on “business combinations” or any similar provision contained in applicable takeover laws or the Company’s organizational and other governing documents; or (iii) waive or release any person from, forebear in the enforcement of, or amend any standstill agreement or any standstill provisions of any other contract, subject to certain customary exceptions, including exercising the fiduciary duties of the Company board of directors.
The Company board of directors is not permitted, among other things, to withhold, withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser, or publicly propose to withhold, withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser, its recommendation that the holders of Company Shares tender their Company Shares to Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. However, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including a match right for Parent, the Company and its board of directors, as applicable, are permitted to take certain actions, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement, which may include changing the board of directors’ recommendation following receipt of a bona fide written acquisition proposal that has not been withdrawn and did not result from any material breach of the non-solicitation obligations in the Merger Agreement, if the board of directors of the Company