Exhibit 2.3
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Share Capital
Authorized Share Capital
Our authorized share capital consists of 285,000,000 ordinary shares, nominal value of €0.01 per share, and 15,000,000 financing preferred shares. The financing preferred shares are divided into five series, each consisting of 3,000,000 financing preferred shares.
The financing preferred shares may, at the request of the holder, be converted into ordinary shares pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors. The conditions for conversion and the further terms and conditions related to the financing preferred shares will be determined by our board of directors, our general meeting and the meeting of holders of the series of financing preferred shares concerned, if such series of financing preferred shares has been issued and are held by persons other than us. The preceding sentence applies by analogy to any adjustment to the conditions.
Issuance of Ordinary Shares
Under Dutch law, shares are issued and rights to subscribe for shares are granted pursuant to a resolution of our general meeting. Our articles of association provide that the general meeting may only resolve to issue shares upon the proposal of our board of directors. The general meeting may authorize our board of directors to issue new ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares. The authorization can be granted and extended, in each case for a period not exceeding five years. For as long as, and to the extent, that such authorization is effective, our general meeting will not have the power to issue ordinary shares.
Pursuant to a resolution of the general meeting dated June 30, 2020, our board of directors is irrevocably authorized to for a period of five years from July 1, 2020, to issue ordinary shares or financing preferred shares up to the amount of the authorized share capital (from time to time).
Preemptive Rights
Subject to restrictions in our articles of association, holders of ordinary shares have preemptive rights in relation to newly issued ordinary shares under Dutch law.
Under our articles of association, the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued ordinary shares may be restricted or excluded by a resolution of our general meeting upon the proposal of our board of directors, which resolution requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast if less than half of the issued share capital is present or represented at the meeting. The general meeting may authorize our board of directors to limit or exclude the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued ordinary shares, which resolution requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast if less than half of the issued share capital is present or represented at the meeting. Such authorization for our board of directors can be granted and extended, in each case for a period not exceeding five years.
Pursuant to a resolution of the general meeting dated June 30, 2020, our board of directors is irrevocably authorized for a period of five years from July 1, 2020 to limit or exclude preemptive rights on ordinary shares up to 100% of the number of ordinary shares in our authorized share capital (from time to time).
Preemptive rights do not exist with respect to (a) the issuance of ordinary shares or grant of rights to subscribe for ordinary shares to our employees or a “group” company of ours, and (b) the issuance of ordinary shares against a contribution in kind. Preemptive rights do not exist with respect to the issuance of financing preferred shares and holders of financing preferred shares have no preemptive right to acquire newly issued ordinary shares.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
Under Dutch law, transfers of ordinary shares (other than in book-entry form) require a written deed of transfer and, unless the company is a party to the deed of transfer, and acknowledgement by or proper service upon the company to be effective.
Under our articles of association, if one or more ordinary shares are admitted to trading on Nasdaq or any other regulated foreign stock exchange located in the United States, we may, by resolution of our board of directors, determine that the laws of the State of New York will apply to the property law aspects of the ordinary shares included in the part of the register of shareholders kept by the relevant transfer agent. Such resolution, as well as the revocation thereof, will be made public as required by law and will be made available for inspection at our office and the Dutch trade register. Our management has adopted such resolution effective as of the July 1, 2020.