Exhibit 2.1
EXECUTION VERSION
CONFIDENTIAL
BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT
by and among
HEALTHWELL ACQUISITION CORP. I,
as Purchaser,
HEALTHWELL ACQUISITION CORP. I SPONSOR LLC,
in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative,
HWEL HOLDINGS CORP.,
as Pubco,
HWEL MERGER SUB CORP.,
as Purchaser Merger Sub,
1412384 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company,
as CallCo,
1412388 B.C. LTD,
as ExchangeCo,
STARTON THERAPEUTICS, INC.,
as the Company,
and
Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis,
in the capacity as the Seller Representative
Dated as of April 27, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
Article I. MERGER | 3 |
1.1. Merger | 3 |
1.2. Effective Time | 3 |
1.3. Effect of the Merger | 3 |
1.4. Organizational Documents of Surviving Corporation | 3 |
1.5. Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation | 3 |
1.6. Effect of Merger on Issued and Outstanding Securities of Purchaser | 4 |
1.7. Effect of Merger on Purchaser Merger Sub and Pubco Capital Shares | 5 |
1.8. Exchange Procedures | 5 |
1.9. Tax Consequences | 6 |
1.10. Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action | 6 |
Article II. TRANSACTION CONSIDERATION AND PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT | 7 |
2.1. Exchange of Company Shares | 7 |
2.2. Transaction Consideration | 7 |
2.3. Company Closing Statement | 8 |
2.4. Purchaser Closing Statement | 8 |
2.5. Earnout | 8 |
Article III. ARRANGEMENT | 11 |
3.1. Arrangement | 11 |
3.2. U.S. Securities Law Matters | 15 |
Article IV. CLOSING | 16 |
4.1. Closing | 16 |
Article V. representations and warranties of purchaser | 16 |
5.1. Organization and Standing | 16 |
5.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement | 17 |
5.3. Governmental Approvals | 17 |
5.4. Non-Contravention | 17 |
5.5. Capitalization | 18 |
5.6. SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials | 19 |
5.7. Absence of Certain Changes | 20 |
5.8. Compliance with Laws | 20 |
5.9. Actions; Orders; Permits | 20 |
5.10. Taxes and Returns | 20 |
5.11. Employees and Employee Benefit Plans | 21 |
5.12. Property | 21 |
5.13. Material Contracts | 21 |
5.14. Transactions with Affiliates | 21 |
5.15. Investment Company Act | 21 |
5.16. Finders and Brokers | 22 |
5.17. Certain Business Practices | 22 |
5.18. Insurance | 22 |
5.19. Independent Investigation | 22 |
5.20. Disclosure | 23 |
5.21. Information Supplied | 23 |
i
Article VI. representations and warranties of pubco AND PUBCO SUBS | 23 |
6.1. Organization and Standing | 23 |
6.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement | 24 |
6.3. Governmental Approvals | 24 |
6.4. Non-Contravention | 24 |
6.5. Capitalization | 25 |
6.6. Issuance Shares | 25 |
6.7. Pubco and Pubco Sub Activities | 25 |
6.8. Finder and Brokers | 25 |
6.9. Investment Company Act | 26 |
6.10. Information Supplied | 26 |
6.11. Independent Investigation | 26 |
6.12. Canadian Tax Matters | 26 |
6.13. Disclosure | 26 |
Article VII. representations and warranties of THE COMPANY | 27 |
7.1. Organization and Standing | 27 |
7.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement | 27 |
7.3. Capitalization | 28 |
7.4. Subsidiaries | 29 |
7.5. Governmental Approvals | 29 |
7.6. Non-Contravention | 29 |
7.7. Financial Statements | 30 |
7.8. Absence of Certain Changes | 31 |
7.9. Compliance with Laws | 31 |
7.10. Company Permits | 32 |
7.11. Litigation | 32 |
7.12. Material Contracts | 32 |
7.13. Intellectual Property | 34 |
7.14. Taxes and Returns | 36 |
7.15. Real Property | 38 |
7.16. Personal Property | 38 |
7.17. Title to and Sufficiency of Assets | 38 |
7.18. Employee Matters | 38 |
7.19. Benefit Plans | 40 |
7.20. Environmental Matters | 42 |
7.21. Transactions with Related Persons | 43 |
7.22. Insurance | 43 |
7.23. Top Customers and Suppliers | 44 |
7.24 Certain Business Practices | 44 |
7.25. Healthcare Industry Matters | 45 |
7.26 Investment Company Act | 46 |
7.27. Finders and Brokers | 46 |
7.28. Information Supplied | 46 |
7.29. Disclosure | 47 |
7.30. Independent Investigation | 47 |
ii
Article VIII. COVENANTS | 47 |
8.1. Access and Information | 47 |
8.2. Conduct of Business of the Company, | 48 |
8.3. Conduct of Business of Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs | 51 |
8.4. Annual and Interim Financial Statements | 53 |
8.5. Purchaser Public Filings | 53 |
8.6. No Solicitation | 53 |
8.7. No Trading | 54 |
8.8. Notification of Certain Matters | 54 |
8.9. Efforts | 55 |
8.10. Further Assurances | 56 |
8.11. The Registration Statement | 56 |
8.12. Public Announcements | 58 |
8.13. Confidential Information | 58 |
8.14. Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers | 59 |
8.15. Documents and Information | 60 |
8.16. Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Tail Insurance | 60 |
8.17. Trust Account Proceeds | 61 |
8.18. Equity and Debt Investment | 61 |
8.19. Nasdaq Listing | 62 |
8.20. Company Registration Rights Agreement | 62 |
8.21. Interim Financing | 62 |
8.22. Pubco Equity Plan | 62 |
Article IX. Closing conditions | 62 |
9.1. Conditions of Each Party’s Obligations | 62 |
9.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Company | 64 |
9.3. Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs | 65 |
9.4. Frustration of Conditions | 66 |
Article X. TERMINATION AND EXPENSES | 66 |
10.1. Termination | 66 |
10.2. Effect of Termination | 67 |
10.3. Fees and Expenses | 68 |
Article XI. WAIVERs AGAINST TRUST | 68 |
11.1. Waiver of Claims Against Trust | 68 |
Article XII. MISCELLANEOUS | 69 |
12.1. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants | 69 |
12.2. Notices | 69 |
12.3. Binding Effect; Assignment | 70 |
12.4. Third Parties | 70 |
12.5. Arbitration | 70 |
12.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction | 71 |
12.7. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 71 |
12.8. Specific Performance | 71 |
12.9. Severability | 71 |
12.10. Amendment | 71 |
12.11. Waiver | 72 |
12.12. Entire Agreement | 72 |
12.13. Interpretation | 72 |
12.14. Counterparts | 73 |
12.15. Purchaser Representative | 73 |
12.16. Company Representative | 74 |
12.17. Legal Representation | 75 |
iii
Article XIII DEFINITIONS | 76 |
13.1. Certain Definitions | 76 |
13.2. Section References | 88 |
INDEX OF ANNEXES AND EXHIBITS | |
Annex I | Supporting Company Shareholders |
Exhibit | Description |
Exhibit A | Form of Sponsor Support Agreement |
Exhibit B | Form of Voting Agreement |
Exhibit C | Form of Lock-Up Agreement |
Exhibit D | Form of Non-Competition Agreement |
Exhibit E | Plan of Arrangement |
Exhibit F | Company Arrangement Resolution |
Exhibit G | Exchangeable Share Term Sheet |
iv
BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT
This Business Combination Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 27, 2023 by and among (i) Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I, a Delaware corporation (together with its successors, “Purchaser”), (ii) Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the capacity as the representative from and after the Effective Time (as defined below) for the stockholders of Pubco (as defined below) in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (the “Purchaser Representative”), (iii) HWEL Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Purchaser (“Pubco”), (iv) HWEL Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Purchaser Merger Sub”), (v) 1412384 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, a British Columbia unlimited liability company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CallCo”), (vi) 1412388 B.C. Ltd, a British Columbia corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of CallCo (“ExchangeCo” and together with Purchaser Merger Sub and CallCo, the “Pubco Subs”), (vii) Starton Therapeutics, Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), and (viii) Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis, an individual, in the capacity as the representative for the Company Shareholders in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (the “Seller Representative”). Purchaser, Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Purchaser Merger Sub, CallCo, ExchangeCo, the Company, and the Seller Representative are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company, directly and indirectly through its subsidiary is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming standard-of-care cancer products into more efficacious, better tolerated and more convenient therapies;
WHEREAS, Pubco is a newly-incorporated Delaware corporation owned entirely by Purchaser, and Pubco owns all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Purchaser Merger Sub and CallCo, which in turn owns all of the equity interests in ExhangeCo, and each of Purchaser Merger Sub, CallCo and ExchangeCo, each of which is a newly incorporated or organized entity formed for the purpose of effecting the Merger, Pubco Share Exchange, the Canadian Share Exchange and other Transactions (as such terms are defined below) ;
WHEREAS, the Parties desire and intend to effect a business combination transaction whereby (a) Purchaser will merge with and into Purchaser Merger Sub, with Purchaser continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”), as a result of which, (i) Purchaser shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco and (ii) each issued and outstanding security of Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined below) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled, in exchange for the right of the holder thereof to receive a substantially equivalent security of Pubco, and (b) immediately following the Merger, by means of an Arrangement under the BCBCA, (i) CallCo will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Company Shares held by Ineligible Holders and Eligible Holders that do not elect to receive Exchangeable Shares (the “Non-Electing Company Security Holders”) in exchange for Pubco Common Stock and the right to receive Earnout Shares as set forth in Section 2.5 herein (the “Pubco Share Exchange”), (ii) CallCo will contribute the Company Shares acquired from such holders to ExchangeCo in exchange for ExchangeCo Common Shares, (iii) following the Pubco Share Exchange, ExchangeCo will acquire of all of the issued and outstanding Company Shares held by Eligible Holders that elect to receive Exchangeable Shares (the “Electing Company Security Holders”) in exchange for Exchangeable Shares and the right to receive Earnout Shares, as set forth in Section 2.5 herein (the “Canadian Share Exchange” together with the Merger, the Pubco Share Exchange and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (as defined below), the ”Transactions”), (iv) the Company will become a wholly- owned Subsidiary of ExchangeCo, and (v) the Company Options (as defined herein) shall be assumed (with equitable adjustments to the number and exercise price of such assumed Company Options) by Pubco with the result that such assumed Company Options shall be replaced with Assumed Options (as defined herein) exercisable into shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock, in each case, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement and in accordance with the provisions of applicable law;
1
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I Sponsor LLC, a Delaware corporation (“Sponsor”), Purchaser, Pubco and the Company are entering into a sponsor support agreement, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsor has agreed to (i) vote in favor of this Agreement and the Transactions, (ii) waive the anti-dilution rights set forth in Section 4.2(b)(ii) of the Purchaser’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the shares of Purchaser Common Stock owned by the Sponsor that may be triggered by the Transactions, and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions reasonably necessary to consummate the Transactions;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Company Shareholder set forth on Annex I hereto (collectively, the “Supporting Company Shareholders”) will duly execute and deliver to Purchaser a voting and support agreement, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Voting Agreement”), pursuant to which each such Supporting Company Shareholder will agree to, among other things, support and vote in favor of the Company Arrangement Resolution (defined below);
WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions, certain significant Company Shareholders identified on Annex I shall each enter into (a) a Lock-Up Agreement with Pubco and the Purchaser Representative, substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”), and (b) a Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement in favor of Pubco, Purchaser and the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto (each, a “Non-Competition Agreement”), each of which agreements described in clauses (a) and (b) above will become effective as of the Closing;
WHEREAS, the boards of directors or sole shareholder, as the case may be, of each of the Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and the Company have each (a) determined that the Transactions are fair to their respective shareholders, advisable and in the best interests of their respective companies and shareholders, and (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and recommended that their respective shareholders vote in favor of the resolutions approving the Transactions;
WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends for Canadian tax purposes that the Canadian Share Exchange will occur on a tax deferred basis for certain Eligible Holders under subsection 85(1) or (2) of the Tax Act;
WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends for U.S. federal, and applicable state and local, income tax purposes that (i) the Pubco Share Exchange, the Merger, and the Canadian Share Exchange, viewed together, constitute one or more exchanges governed by Section 351 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; (ii) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, (iii) the Canadian Share Exchange qualifies as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; and (iv) this Agreement is and is hereby adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”); and
WHEREAS, certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Article XIII hereof.
2
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Article I
MERGER
1.1 Merger. At the Effective Time, and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended, the “DGCL”), Purchaser and Purchaser Merger Sub shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which Purchaser Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Purchaser with Purchaser being the surviving entity, following which the separate corporate existence of Purchaser Merger Sub shall cease and Purchaser shall continue as the surviving corporation. Purchaser, as the surviving corporation after the Merger, is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Corporation” (provided, that references to Purchaser for periods after the Effective Time shall include the Surviving Corporation).
1.2 Effective Time. Purchaser and Purchaser Merger Sub shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a Certificate of Merger in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company and Purchaser for the merger of Purchaser Merger Sub with and into Purchaser (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing, or such later time as may be specified in the Certificate of Merger, being the “Effective Time”).
1.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL and other applicable Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, Liabilities, duties and obligations of Purchaser Merger Sub and Purchaser shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, Liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Corporation (including all rights and obligations with respect to the Trust Account), which shall include the assumption by the Surviving Corporation of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of Purchaser Merger Sub and Purchaser set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Effective Time, and the Surviving Corporation shall continue its existence as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Pubco.
1.4 Organizational Documents of Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, each of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Purchaser Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall become the respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation in such certificate of incorporation and bylaws shall be “Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I”
1.5 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the board of directors and executive officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be the same as the board of directors and executive officers of Pubco, after giving effect to Section 8.14, each to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified.
3
1.6 Effect of Merger on Issued and Outstanding Securities of Purchaser . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or the holders of securities of Purchaser, Pubco, or Purchaser Merger Sub:
(a) Purchaser Units. At the Effective Time, every issued and outstanding Purchaser Public Unit shall be automatically detached and the holder thereof shall be deemed to hold one share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one half of one Purchaser Public Warrant in accordance with the terms of the applicable Purchaser Public Unit, and every issued and outstanding Forward Purchase Unit shall be automatically detached and the holder thereof shall be deemed to hold one share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one half of one Forward Purchase Warrant in accordance with the terms of the Forward Purchase Units, and each case the underlying Purchaser Securities shall be converted in accordance with the applicable terms of this Section 1.6 below.
(b) Purchaser Common Stock. At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock (other than those described in Section 1.6(e) below) shall be converted automatically into one (1) share of Pubco Class A Common Stock, following which, all shares of Purchaser Common Stock shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist. The holders of certificates previously evidencing shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares, except as provided herein or by Law. Each certificate previously evidencing shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock shall be exchanged for a certificate (if requested) representing the same number of shares of Pubco Common Stock upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 1.7. Each certificate formerly representing shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock (other those described in Section 1.6(e) below) shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the same number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock.
(c) Purchaser Preferred Stock. At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Purchaser Preferred Stock (other than those described in Section 1.6(e) below), if any, shall be converted automatically into one share of Pubco Preferred Stock, following which, all shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist. The holders of certificates previously evidencing shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares, except as provided herein or by Law. Each certificate previously evidencing shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock shall be exchanged for a certificate representing the same number of shares of Pubco Preferred Stock upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 1.7. Each certificate formerly representing shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock, if any (other those described in Section 1.6(e) below) shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the same number of shares of Pubco Preferred Stock.
(d) Purchaser Warrants. At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding Purchaser Public Warrant shall be converted into one Pubco Public Warrant, each issued and outstanding Purchaser Private Warrant shall be converted into one Pubco Private Warrant and each issued and outstanding Forward Purchase Warrant shall be converted into one Pubco Private Warrant. At the Effective Time, the Purchaser Warrants shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. Each of the Pubco Public Warrants shall have, and be subject to, substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the Purchaser Public Warrants, each of the Pubco Private Warrants shall have, and be subject to, substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the Purchaser Private Warrants or Forward Purchase Warrants, as applicable, except that in each case they shall represent the right to acquire shares of Pubco Common Stock in lieu of shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock. At or prior to the Effective Time, Pubco shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for future issuance, and shall maintain such reservation for so long as any of the Pubco Warrants remain outstanding, a sufficient number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock for delivery upon the exercise of such Pubco Warrants.
4
(e) Treasury Stock. At the Effective Time, if there are any shares of capital stock of Purchaser that are owned by Purchaser as treasury shares, such shares shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.
(f) No Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.6, none of the Surviving Corporation, Pubco or any Party hereto shall be liable to any Person for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
1.7 Effect of Merger on Purchaser Merger Sub and Pubco Capital Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or any equity holders of Purchaser, Pubco or Purchaser Merger Sub: (a) all of the shares of Purchaser Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into an equal number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation, with the same rights, powers and privileges as the shares so converted and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation; and (b) all of the shares of Pubco issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.
1.8 Exchange Procedures.
(a) At the Effective Time, (i) the holders of the Purchaser Common Stock will surrender their stock certificates or other instruments representing the Purchaser Common Stock (collectively, the “Purchaser Certificates”), or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed Purchaser Certificate, upon delivery of Lost Certificate Affidavit (and indemnity, if required) in the manner provided in Section 1.8(f), to Pubco for cancellation together with any related documentation reasonably requested by Pubco in connection therewith.
(b) Certificates representing the shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock shall be issued to the holders of Purchaser Common Stock upon surrender of the Purchaser Certificates as provided for herein or otherwise agreed by the Parties. Upon surrender of the Purchaser Certificates (or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed Purchaser Certificate, upon delivery of a Lost Certificate Affidavit (and indemnity, if required) in the manner provided in Section 1.8(f)) for cancellation to Pubco or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by Pubco, Pubco shall issue, or cause to be issued, to each holder of the Purchaser Certificates such certificates representing the number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock for which their shares of Purchaser Common Stock, are exchangeable at the Effective Time and any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.8(e), and the Purchaser Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.
(c) If certificates representing the shares of Pubco Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that in which the Purchaser Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor are registered, it will be a condition of the issuance thereof that the Purchaser Certificates so surrendered will be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the persons requesting such exchange will have paid to Pubco or any agent designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates representing the shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Purchaser Certificates surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of Pubco or any agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
5
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no fraction of a share of Pubco Common Stock will be issued by Pubco by virtue of this Agreement or the Transactions contemplated hereby, and each Person who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Pubco Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Pubco Common Stock that otherwise would be received by such holder) shall instead have the number of shares of Pubco Common Stock issued to such Person rounded down in the aggregate to the nearest whole share of Pubco Common Stock.
(e) No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the date of this Agreement with respect to Pubco Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time will be paid to the holders of any Company Certificates or Purchaser Certificates that have not yet been surrendered with respect to the shares of Pubco Common Stock to be issued upon surrender thereof until the holders of record of such Company Certificates or Purchaser Certificates shall surrender such certificates. Subject to applicable Law, following surrender of any such Company Certificates or Purchaser Certificates, Pubco shall promptly deliver to the record holders thereof, without interest, the certificates representing the shares of Pubco Common Stock issued in exchange therefor and the amount of any such dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such shares of Pubco Common Stock.
(f) In the event any Purchaser Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact (a “Lost Certificate Affidavit) by the Person claiming such Purchaser Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Pubco, the posting by such Person of a bond in customary amount and upon such terms as may be reasonably required by Pubco as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Purchaser Certificate, Pubco will issue or cause to be issued the number of shares of Pubco Common Stock for which such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificates or Purchaser Certificates are exchangeable at the Effective Time and any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.8(e).
1.9 Tax Consequences. The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that (i) the Pubco Share Exchange, the Merger, and the Canadian Share Exchange viewed together, are intended to qualify as one or more exchanges described in Section 351 of the Code, (ii) the Merger is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and (iii) the Canadian Share Exchange is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code. The Parties hereby agree to file all Tax and other informational returns on a basis consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment. Each of the Parties acknowledge and agree that each (i) has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal and Tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) is responsible for paying its own Taxes, including any adverse Tax consequences that may result if the Merger, the Pubco Share Exchange, the Canadian Share Exchange and the other Transactions, taken together, do not qualify under Section 351 and Section 368 of the Code, in accordance with the Intended Tax Treatment.
1.10 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, agreements, privileges, powers and franchises of Purchaser and Purchaser Merger Sub, the officers and directors of Purchaser and Purchaser Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective entities to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.
6
Article II
TRANSACTION CONSIDERATION AND PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
2.1 Exchange of Company Shares. At the Closing, Pubco, the Purchaser and the Company shall effect the Arrangement in the manner set out in Article III hereof and the Plan of Arrangement, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, upon completion of the Arrangement, Pubco, directly or indirectly, shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding Company Shares held by the Company Shareholders (collectively, the “Purchased Shares”), free and clear of all Liens (other than potential restrictions on resale under applicable securities Laws).
2.2 Transaction Consideration.
(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and under the Plan of Arrangement, in full payment for the Purchased Shares, Pubco, Callco or ExchangeCo, as applicable, shall issue and deliver to the Non-Electing Company Security Holders an aggregate number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock and to the Electing Company Security Holders an aggregate number of Exchangeable Shares (such shares, collectively, the “Consideration Shares”) with an aggregate value (such amount, the “Transaction Consideration”) equal to (a) Two Hundred and Sixty Million U.S. Dollars ($260,000,000), minus (b) the amount of Closing Net Debt, minus (c) the value of the “Company Incentive Shares” actually used as incentives to support the Equity Investment or Debt Financing as described in Section 8.18(b), with each Company Shareholder receiving for each Company Share held (but excluding any treasury shares) a number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock or Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, equal to (i) the Per Share Price, divided by (ii) the Redemption Price (the “Conversion Ratio”) (the total portion of the Transaction Consideration payable to all Company Shareholders (but excluding holders of Company Options) in accordance with this Agreement is also referred to herein as the “Shareholder Transaction Consideration”). The holders of Company Options shall receive such number of Assumed Options as described in Section 2.2(c) with such terms and conditions as described in Section 2.2(c).
(b) Concurrently with the issuance and delivery of Consideration Shares to Electing Company Security Holders, such Electing Company Security Holders shall also receive a number of shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock that is equal to the number of Electing Company Shares transferred by such Electing Company Security Holder to ExchangeCo.
(c) Each outstanding Company Option shall be assumed by Pubco and automatically converted into an option for shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock (each, an “Assumed Option”) in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement. Each Assumed Option will be subject to the same general terms and conditions set forth in the Company Equity Plan. The Assumed Options shall either be evidenced by stand-alone option award agreements on generally the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Company Equity Plan, or if the Pubco Equity Plan is approved by the Purchaser Stockholders at the Purchaser Stockholder Special Meeting, will be included within the Pubco Equity Plan. As described in the Plan of Arrangement, each Assumed Option shall: (i) have the right to acquire a number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock equal to (as rounded down to the nearest whole number) the product of (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock which the Company Option had the right to acquire immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (B) the Conversion Ratio; (ii) have an exercise price equal to (as rounded up to the nearest whole cent) the quotient of (A) the exercise price of the Company Option (in U.S. Dollars), divided by (B) the Conversion Ratio; and (iii) be subject to the same vesting schedule as the applicable Company Option. Pubco shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for future issuance and shall maintain such reservation for so long as any of the Assumed Options remain outstanding, a sufficient number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock for delivery upon the exercise of such Assumed Option. From and after the Closing, the Company and the Purchaser shall not issue any new awards under the Company Equity Plan.
7
2.3 Company Closing Statement. No later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser a statement prepared by the Company’s chief financial officer (the “Company Closing Statement”) setting forth (a) an estimated consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies as of the Reference Time, prepared in good faith and in accordance with the Accounting Principles, (b) a good faith calculation of the Company’s estimate of the Closing Net Debt, as of the Reference Time and along with reasonably detailed calculations, and (c) the resulting estimated Transaction Consideration and Pubco Common Shares to be issued by Pubco at the Closing using the formula in Section 2.2 based on such estimate of Closing Net Debt, which Company Closing Statement shall be subject to the review and the reasonable approval by Purchaser. Promptly after delivering the Company Closing Statement to Purchaser, the Company will meet with Purchaser to review and discuss the Company Closing Statement and the Company will consider in good faith Purchaser’s comments to the Company Closing Statement and make any appropriate adjustments to the Company Closing Statement prior to the Closing, as mutually approved by the Company and Purchaser both acting reasonably and in good faith, which adjusted Company Closing Statement shall thereafter become the Company Closing Statement for all purposes of this Agreement. The Company Closing Statement and the determinations contained therein shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles and otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.
2.4 Purchaser Closing Statement. No later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, Purchaser shall deliver to the Company written notice (the “Purchaser Closing Statement”) setting forth Purchaser’s good faith estimate of: (i) the amount of cash Purchaser will have on hand as of the Reference Time, and after deducting all amounts to be paid pursuant to the Redemption (without, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any transaction fees, costs and expenses paid or required to be paid in connection with the Transactions); (ii) the number of Purchaser Securities to be outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing after giving effect to the Redemption; and (iii) the amount of transaction fees, costs and expenses paid or required to be paid (or projected to be paid after the Closing Date) by Purchaser and its affiliates in connection with the Transactions (including the amount paid or required to be paid to each applicable payee thereof). Purchaser will consider in good faith the Company’s comments to the Purchaser Closing Statement, and if any adjustments are made to the Purchaser Closing Statement by Purchaser prior to the Closing, such adjusted Purchaser Closing Statement shall thereafter become the Purchaser Closing Statement for all purposes of this Agreement. The Purchaser Closing Statement shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable definitions contained in this Agreement.
2.5 Earnout.
(a) After the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company Shareholders as of immediately prior to the Closing who are Non-Electing Company Security Holders and the Company Shareholders as of immediately prior to the Closing who are Electing Company Security Holders shall have the contingent and non-transferrable right to receive their Pro Rata Share of up to an aggregate additional twenty five million (25,000,000) shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock in the case of Non-Electing Company Security Holders and Exchangeable Shares, in the case of Electing Company Security Holders, plus an aggregate amount of shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock in the case of Non-Electing Company Security Holders and Exchangeable Shares, in the case of Electing Company Security Holders, equal to the “Additional Company Incentive Shares” provided by the Company pursuant to Section 8.18(b) (subject to equitable adjustment for share splits, share dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Closing, including to account for any equity securities into which such shares are exchanged or converted) (the “Earnout Shares”), as additional consideration based on the performance of the Pubco Class A Common Stock or achievement of certain clinical milestones during the five (5) year period after the Closing (the “Earnout Period”). Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company Shareholders’ right to receive the Earnout Shares shall vest and become due and issuable as follows:
(i) the Company Shareholders shall be entitled to receive one-third (1/3) of the Earnout Shares in the event that the VWAP of the Pubco Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) (the “Tier I Share Price Target”), for twenty (20) Trading Days out of any consecutive twenty (20) Trading Day period during the Earnout Period;
8
(ii) the Company Shareholders shall be entitled to receive an additional one-third (1/3) of the Earnout Shares in the event that either (i) the VWAP of the Pubco Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $14.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) (the “Tier II Share Price Target”), for twenty (20) Trading Days out of any consecutive twenty (20) Trading Day period during the Earnout Period, or (ii) the Company successfully completes a Phase 1B clinical trial for multiple myeloma, meaning for this purpose, the completion of an interim data analysis which is sufficient to obtain an agreement with the FDA in which the FDA permits the Company to move forward to a phase 2 clinical study following a Type B End-of-Phase-1 meeting (the “First Clinical Milestone”); and
(iii) the Company Shareholders shall be entitled to receive the remaining one-third (1/3) of the Earnout Shares in the event that either (i) the VWAP of the Pubco Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $16.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) (the “Tier III Share Price Target” and, together with the Tier I Share Price Target and the Tier II Share Price Target, the “Share Price Targets”) for twenty (20) Trading Days out of any consecutive twenty (20) Trading Day period during the Earnout Period, or (ii) the Company successfully completes an FDA required bridging study in healthy volunteers that proves bioequivalence between the ambulatory subcutaneous delivery pump and either a transdermal patch or an on body subcutaneous delivery pump (the “Second Clinical Milestone”, and, together with the First Clinical Milestone, the “Clinical Milestones”).
The Share Price Targets shall be equitably adjusted for any consolidation, stock split or similar change to the Pubco Class A Common Stock during the Earnout Period.
In the event that the applicable Share Price Target or a Clinical Milestone is not met during the Earnout Period, the Company Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive the applicable portion of the Earnout Shares for such Share Price Target or Clinical Milestone. For the avoidance of doubt, Earnout Shares shall vest and be issued only in connection with the first achievement of a Share Price Target or Clinical Milestone during the Earnout Period, and the Company Shareholders shall not be entitled to Earnout Shares for any subsequent achievement of such Share Price Target. The achievement of any Share Price Target shall be deemed to include the achievement of any lower Share Price Target, and Pubco shall issue the Earnout Shares attributable to each Share Price Target together (upon which such lower included Share Price Targets shall be deemed achieved and no further Earnout Shares shall become payable upon subsequent achievements of such lower included Share Price Targets).
9
(b) Pubco’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) shall monitor the VWAP of Pubco Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day during the Earnout Period, and as soon as practicable (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) after the end of each monthly anniversary of the Closing during the Earnout Period, the CFO will prepare and deliver to the Seller Representative and the Purchaser Representative (each, a “Representative Party”) a written statement (each, an “Earnout Statement”) that sets forth (i) the VWAP of Pubco Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day for such monthly anniversary period then ended and the preceding monthly period and (ii) whether a Share Price Target has been achieved during such monthly anniversary period. Similarly, as soon as practicable, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after a Clinical Milestone has been achieved, the CFO will send an Earnout Statement to each Representative Party indicating that a Clinical Milestone has occurred, along with the details of such Clinical Milestone. Each Representative Party will have ten (10) Business Days after its receipt of an Earnout Statement to review it, and each Representative Party and its Representatives on its behalf may make inquiries to the CFO and related Purchaser and Company personnel and advisors regarding questions concerning or disagreements with the Earnout Statement arising in the course of their review thereof, and Purchaser and the Company shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection therewith. If either Representative Party has any objections to an Earnout Statement, such Representative Party shall deliver to Pubco (to the attention of the CFO) and the other Representative Party a statement setting forth its objections thereto (in reasonable detail). If such written statement is not delivered by a Representative Party within ten (10) Business Days following the date of delivery of each Earnout Statement, then such Representative Party will have waived its right to contest such Earnout Statement and the calculation of the VWAP of Pubco Class A Common Stock during the applicable portion of the Earnout Period (and whether a Share Price Target has been achieved) or whether a Clinical Milestone has occurred as set forth therein. If such written statement is delivered by a Representative Party within such ten (10) Business Day period, then the Representative Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any such objections for a period of ten (10) Business Day thereafter. If the Representative Parties do not reach a final resolution within such ten (10) Business Day period, then upon the written request of either Representative Party the Representative Parties will refer the dispute to the Independent Expert for final resolution of the dispute in accordance with Section 2.5(c). For purposes hereof, the “Independent Expert” shall mean, with respect any dispute as to the achievement of the Share Price Targets, a mutually acceptable independent (i.e., no prior material business relationship with any party for the prior two (2) years) accounting firm appointed by the Purchaser Representative and the Seller Representative, and, with respect to any dispute as to the achievement of the Clinical Milestones, a mutually acceptable expert with experience in clinical trial consulting for cancer products.
(c) If a dispute with respect to an Earnout Statement is submitted in accordance with this Section 2.5 to the Independent Expert for final resolution, the Parties will follow the procedures set forth in this Section 2.5(c). Each of the Seller Representative and the Purchaser Representative agrees to execute, if requested by the Independent Expert, a reasonable engagement letter with respect to the determination to be made by the Independent Expert. All fees and expenses of the Independent Expert, and all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by a Representative Party in connection with resolving any dispute hereunder before the Independent Expert, will be borne by the Purchaser. The Independent Expert will determine only those issues still in dispute as of the Independent Expert Notice Date and the Independent Expert’s determination will be based solely upon and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The determination by the Independent Expert will be based solely on presentations with respect to such disputed items by the Purchaser Representative and the Seller Representative to the Independent Expert and not on the Independent Expert’s independent review with the Independent Expert making its determination with respect to each issue by selecting the applicable position submitted by either the Purchaser Representative or Seller Representative in their respective presentation; provided, that such presentations will be deemed to include any work papers, records, accounts or similar materials delivered to the Independent Expert by a Representative Party in connection with such presentations and any materials delivered to the Independent Expert in response to requests by the Independent Expert. Each of the Seller Representative and the Purchaser Representative will use their commercially reasonable efforts to make their respective presentations as promptly as practicable following submission to the Independent Expert of the disputed items, and each such Representative Party will be entitled, as part of its presentation, to respond to the presentation of the other Representative Party and any questions and requests of the Independent Expert. In deciding any matter, the Independent Expert will be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, including this Section 2.5. It is the intent of the parties hereto that the activities of the Independent Expert in connection herewith are not (and should not be considered to be or treated as) an arbitration proceeding or similar arbitral process and that no formal arbitration rules should be followed (including rules with respect to procedures and discovery). The Representative Parties will request that the Independent Expert’s determination be made within forty-five (45) days after its engagement, or as soon thereafter as possible, will be set forth in a written statement delivered to the Representative Parties and will be final, conclusive, non-appealable and binding for all purposes hereunder (other than for fraud or manifest error).
10
(d) If there is a final determination in accordance with this Section 2.5 that the Company Shareholders are entitled to receive any of the Earnout Shares for having achieved a Share Price Target or a Clinical Milestone, the applicable portion of the Earnout Shares will be due upon such final determination and Pubco or ExchangeCo, as applicable, will deliver such portion of the Earnout Shares to the Company Shareholders within ten (10) Business Days thereafter, with each Company Shareholder receiving its Pro Rata Share of such Earnout Shares.
(e) Following the Closing (including during the Earnout Period), Pubco and its Subsidiaries, including the Target Companies, will be entitled to operate their respective businesses based upon the business requirements of Pubco and its Subsidiaries. Each of Pubco and its Subsidiaries, including the Target Companies will be permitted, following the Closing (including during the Earnout Period), to make changes at its sole discretion to its operations, organization, personnel, accounting practices and other aspects of its business, including actions that may have an impact on, the VWAP of Pubco Class A Common Stock and the ability of the Company Shareholders to earn the Earnout Shares, and the Company Shareholders will not have any right to claim the loss of all or any portion of any Earnout Shares or other damages as a result of such decisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pubco (i) shall authorize and devote such resources and personnel as are necessary and appropriate to pursue the Clinical Milestones during the Earnout Period, and (ii) shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries, including the Target Companies, to not, take or omit to take any action that is in bad faith and has the primary purpose of avoiding, reducing or preventing the achievement or attainment of the Share Price Targets or Clinical Milestones.
Article III
ARRANGEMENT
3.1 Arrangement. On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Parties shall proceed to effect the Arrangement under Part 9, Division 5 of the BCBCA immediately following the Effective Time (the “Arrangement Effective Time”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan of Arrangement.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within three (3) Business Days after the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall apply, pursuant to Part 9, Division 5 of the BCBCA and, in cooperation with Purchaser (which shall include the opportunity for the Purchaser and its Representatives to review all relevant documents and the incorporation of all reasonable comments from Purchaser and its Representatives thereon), prepare, file and diligently pursue an application to the Court for the Interim Order in respect of the Arrangement, which shall identify that the Voting Agreements have been executed by each of the Supporting Company Shareholders and shall provide, among other things:
(i) for the class(es) of persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect of the Arrangement and the Company Shareholders Meeting, and for the manner in which such notice is to be provided;
(ii) that the required level of approval for the Company Arrangement Resolution shall be the Required Company Approval;
(iii) that, in all other respects and subject to any variations set out in the Interim Order, the terms, restrictions and conditions of the Organizational Documents of the Company, including quorum requirements and all other matters, shall apply in respect of the Company Shareholders Meeting;
11
(iv) for the grant of the Arrangement Dissent Rights to Company Shareholders as contemplated by the Plan of Arrangement;
(v) for the notice requirements regarding the presentation of the application to the Court for the Final Order;
(vi) that it is the intention of the Parties to rely upon Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act in connection with the exchange of the Electing Company Shares for the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement, based on the Court’s approval of the Arrangement, which approval through the issuance of the Final Order will constitute its determination of the fairness of the Arrangement;
(vii) that the Company Shareholders Meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time by the Company, with the consent of the Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the Parties without the need for additional approval of the Court, and may be held virtually;
(viii) that the record date for the Company Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Company Shareholders Meeting will not change in respect of any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Company Shareholders Meeting;
(ix) confirmation of the record date for the purposes of determining the Company Shareholders entitled to receive material and vote at the Company Shareholders Meeting in accordance with the Interim Order; and
(x) for such other matters as the Parties may agree are reasonably necessary to complete the Transactions.
(b) The Company Shareholders Meeting.
(i) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Interim Order, and the provision of any information with respect to the Purchaser required to be included under applicable Laws in the Company Information Circular (the Purchaser Information”), the Company shall convene and conduct the Company Shareholders Meeting in accordance with the Organizational Documents of the Company, applicable Laws and the Interim Order as soon as reasonably practicable and shall not adjourn, postpone or cancel (or propose the adjournment, postponement or cancellation of) the Company Shareholders Meeting without the prior written consent of Purchaser, except (i) in the case of an adjournment as required for quorum purposes and (ii) if, based on the tally of proxies, the Company will not receive the Required Company Approvals; provided, that the Company shall not be permitted to postpone the Company Shareholders Meeting more than the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days prior to the Termination Date and (y) ten (10) days from the date of the first Company Shareholders Meeting without the prior written consent of Purchaser, acting reasonably. The Company shall consult with Purchaser in fixing the record date for the Company Shareholders Meeting and the date of the Company Shareholders Meeting, give notice to Purchaser of the Company Shareholders Meeting and allow Purchaser’s Representatives to attend the Company Shareholders Meeting. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Required Company Approval in respect of the Company Arrangement Resolution, including instructing the management proxyholders named in the Company Information Circular to vote any discretionary or blank proxy submitted by the Company Shareholders in favor of such action, and shall take all other action reasonably necessary or advisable to secure the Required Company Approval.
12
(ii) The Company shall provide Purchaser with (A) updates with respect to the aggregate tally of the proxies received by the Company in respect of the Company Arrangement Resolution, (B) updates with respect to any communication (written or oral) from any Company Shareholder in opposition to the Arrangement or any purported exercise or withdrawal of Arrangement Dissent Rights and written communications sent by or on behalf of the Company to any such person, and shall cooperate and consult in good faith with Purchaser in advance in connection with any discussions or communications with any person in opposition to the Arrangement, and (C) the right to review and comment on all material communications sent to the Company Shareholders regarding the Transactions and to participate in any material discussions, negotiations or Proceedings with or including any such Company Shareholders regarding the Transactions. The Company shall not (y) make any payment or settlement offer or agree to any payment or settlement prior to the Effective Time with respect to Arrangement Dissent Rights, or (z) waive any failure by any Company Shareholder to timely deliver a notice of exercise of Arrangement Dissent Rights, in each case without the prior written consent of Purchaser.
(c) The Company Information Circular.
(i) Subject to Purchaser’s compliance with Section 3.1(c)(iv), the Company shall promptly prepare and complete, in good faith consultation with Purchaser, the Company Information Circular together with any other documents required by applicable Law in connection with the Company Shareholders Meeting and the Arrangement, and the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after obtaining the Interim Order, cause the Company Information Circular and such other documents to be delivered to each Company Shareholder and other person as required by the Interim Order and applicable Law.
(ii) The Company shall ensure that the Company Information Circular (A) complies in all material respects with the Organizational Documents of the Company, the Interim Order and applicable Law, (B) does not contain any Misstatement, except with respect to Purchaser Information included in the Company Information Circular and (C) in the reasonable judgment of the Company provides the Company Shareholders with sufficient information, which is explained in sufficient detail, to permit them to form a reasoned judgment concerning the matters to be placed before the Company Shareholders Meeting.
(iii) Without limiting the generality of Section 3.1(c)(ii), the Company shall, subject to the terms of this Agreement, ensure that the Company Information Circular includes (A) a statement that the Company Board has unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair from a financial point of view to the Company Shareholders, and recommends that the Company Shareholders vote in favor of the Company Arrangement Resolution and (B) a statement that each Supporting Company Shareholder has entered into a Voting Agreement pursuant to which such Supporting Company Shareholder has agreed to support and vote in favor of the Company Arrangement Resolution.
(iv) Purchaser shall reasonably assist the Company in the preparation of the Company Information Circular, including obtaining and furnishing, on a timely basis, to the Company any Purchaser Information, and ensuring that the Purchaser Information does not contain any Misstatement. The Company shall give Purchaser and its Representatives a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts of the Company Information Circular and other related documents, and shall accept the reasonable comments made by Purchaser and its Representatives, and agrees that all information relating to the Purchaser included in the Company Information Circular must be in a form and content reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser. The Company shall provide Purchaser and its Representatives with a final copy of the Company Information Circular prior to its delivery to the Company Shareholders.
13
(v) Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party if it becomes aware that the Company Information Circular contains a Misstatement, or otherwise requires an amendment or supplement. The Parties shall reasonably cooperate in the preparation of any such amendment or supplement as required or appropriate, and the Company shall promptly deliver or otherwise disseminate any such amendment or supplement to the Company Shareholders as required by the Court or applicable Law.
(d) The Final Order. The Company shall take all steps necessary or desirable to submit the Arrangement to the Court and diligently pursue an application for the Final Order pursuant to Part 9, Division 5 of the BCBCA, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after the Required Company Approval is obtained for the Company Arrangement Resolution as provided for in the Interim Order, unless otherwise agreed, in writing, by the Company and Purchaser.
(e) Court Proceedings.
(i) In connection with all Court proceedings relating to obtaining the Interim Order and the Final Order, the Company shall: (A) diligently pursue (and Purchaser shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in diligently pursuing), the Interim Order and the Final Order; (B) provide Purchaser and its Representatives with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon drafts of all materials to be filed with the Court in connection with the Arrangement, and reasonably consider the comments of Purchaser and its Representatives, and ensure that all information relating to Purchaser included in such materials must be in a form and content reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser; (C) provide on a timely basis copies of any notice of appearance, response to petition, evidence or other documents served on the Company or its legal counsel in respect of the application for the Interim Order or the Final Order or any appeal from them, and any notice, written or oral, indicating the intention of any person to appeal, or oppose the granting of, the Interim Order or the Final Order; (D) ensure that all material filed with the Court in connection with the Arrangement is consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement; (E) not file any material with the Court in connection with the Arrangement or serve any such material, and will not agree to modify or amend any materials so filed or served, except as contemplated by this Agreement or with Purchaser’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided that Purchaser is not required to agree or consent to any increase or variation in the form of the Consideration or other modification or amendment to such materials that expands or increases Purchaser’s obligations, or diminishes or limits Purchaser’s rights, set forth in any such materials or under any such filed or served materials, this Agreement, the Arrangement, the Plan of Arrangement or the Voting Agreements (F) subject to this Agreement, oppose any proposal from any person that the Final Order contain any provision inconsistent with the Plan of Arrangement or this Agreement, and if at any time after the issuance of the Final Order and prior to the Arrangement Effective Time, the Company is required by the terms of the Final Order or by applicable Law to return to Court with respect to the Final Order, it will do so only after notice to, and in good faith consultation and cooperation with, Purchaser; and (G) not object to legal counsel to Purchaser making such submissions on the hearing of the motion for the Interim Order and the application for the Final Order as such counsel considers appropriate, provided Purchaser advises the Company of the nature of any such submissions prior to the hearing and such submissions are consistent with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement.
14
(ii) Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Section 10.3 hereof), Purchaser will reasonably cooperate with, and assist the Company in, seeking the Interim Order and the Final Order, including by providing the Company on a timely basis any material information reasonably required or reasonably requested to be supplied by Purchaser in connection therewith.
(f) U.S. Securities Law Matters. The Parties agree that the Arrangement will be carried out with the intention, and the Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to ensure, that all Exchangeable Shares issued under the Arrangement will be issued by ExchangeCo, whether in the United States, Canada or any other country, in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereunder. In order to ensure the availability of the exemption under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act and to facilitate Purchaser’s compliance with other U.S. Securities Laws, the parties agree that the Arrangement will be carried out on the following basis:
(g) the Court will be asked to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement;
(h) in accordance with Section 3.1(a)(vi), prior to the issuance of the Interim Order, the Court will be advised of the intention of ExchangeCo to rely on the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act with respect to the issuance of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, based on the Court’s approval of the Arrangement;
(i) prior to the issuance of the Interim Order, the Company will file with the Court a draft copy of the proposed text of the Company Information Circular together with any other documents required by Law in connection with the Company Shareholders Meeting;
(j) the Court will be advised prior to the hearing of the Court to give approval of the Arrangement that its approval of the Arrangement will be relied upon as a determination that the Court has satisfied itself as to the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement to all Persons who are entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement;
(k) the Company will ensure that each Company Shareholder entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will be given adequate and appropriate notice advising them of their right to attend the hearing of the Court to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and providing them with sufficient information necessary for them to exercise that right;
(l) the Final Order will expressly state that the Arrangement is approved by the Court as being procedurally and substantively fair to all Persons entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement;
(m) the Interim Order will specify that each Person entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will have the right to appear before the Court at the hearing of the Court to give approval of the Arrangement;
(n) the Court will hold a hearing before approving the fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and issuing the Final Order; and
(o) each Person entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares will be advised that Exchangeable Shares issued pursuant to the Arrangement have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act will be issued in reliance on the exemption from registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act.
15
Article IV
CLOSING
4.1 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IX, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, LLP (“EGS”), counsel to the Purchaser, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, on a date and at a time to be agreed upon by Purchaser and the Company, which date shall be no later than the third (3rd) Business Day after all the Closing conditions to this Agreement have been satisfied or waived, or at such other date, time or place (including remotely) as the Purchaser and the Company may agree (the date on which the Closing is actually held being the “Closing Date”).
Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Except as set forth in (i) the disclosure schedules delivered by Purchaser to the Company on the date hereof (the “Purchaser Disclosure Schedules”), the Section numbers of which are numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement to which they refer (provided, however, that an item disclosed in any Section of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed to have been disclosed with respect to all other Sections of this Agreement to which the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent), or (ii) the SEC Reports that are available on the SEC’s website through EDGAR (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is readily apparent from the content of such SEC Reports, but excluding disclosures referred to in “Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factors” and any other disclosures therein to the extent they are of a predictive or cautionary nature or related to forward-looking statements) (it being acknowledged that nothing disclosed in such an SEC Report will be deemed to modify or qualify the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.1 (Organization and Standing), Section 5.2 (Authorization; Binding Agreement), and Section 5.5 (Capitalization), Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:
5.1 Organization and Standing. Purchaser is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Purchaser is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Purchaser has heretofore made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents, each as currently in effect. Purchaser is not in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.
16
5.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to obtaining the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the board of directors of Purchaser and (b) other than the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval, no other corporate proceedings, other than as set forth elsewhere in the Agreement, on the part of Purchaser are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which Purchaser is a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by Purchaser and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and such Ancillary Documents by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and moratorium laws and other laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by any applicable statute of limitation or by any valid defense of set-off or counterclaim, and the fact that equitable remedies or relief (including the remedy of specific performance) are subject to the discretion of the court from which such relief may be sought (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”). The Purchaser’s board of directors, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held or by action by unanimous written consent in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions contemplated hereby are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of, the Purchaser and its stockholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with applicable Laws, (iii) directed that this Agreement be submitted to its stockholders for approval at the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting and (iv) resolved to recommend that its stockholders approve this Agreement.
5.3 Governmental Approvals. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 5.3, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, on the part of Purchaser is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or the consummation by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (a) pursuant to Antitrust Laws, (b) such filings as contemplated by this Agreement, (c) any filings required with Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to the Transactions, including with the Registration Statement, (d) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and/ or any state “blue sky” securities Laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (e) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.
5.4 Non-Contravention. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 5.4, the execution and delivery by Purchaser of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, the consummation by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by Purchaser with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 5.3 hereof, and the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to Purchaser or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by Purchaser under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Purchaser under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any Purchaser Material Contract, except for any deviations from any of the foregoing clauses (b) or (c) that would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to be material to the Purchaser or the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which it is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.
17
5.5 Capitalization.
(a) Purchaser is authorized to issue 401,000,000 shares of capital stock consisting of (i) 400,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock including (A) 380,000,000 shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and (B) 20,000,000 shares of Purchaser Class B Common Stock, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock. The issued and outstanding Purchaser Securities as of the date of this Agreement are set forth on Schedule 5.5(a). As of the date of this Agreement, there are no issued or outstanding shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock. All outstanding shares of Purchaser Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to or issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which Purchaser is a party. None of the outstanding Purchaser Securities has been issued in violation of any applicable securities Laws. Prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser does not have any Subsidiaries or own any equity interests in any other Person.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.5(a) or Schedule 5.5(b) there are no (i) outstanding options, warrants, puts, calls, convertible securities, preemptive or similar rights, (ii) bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights or that are convertible or exchangeable into securities having such rights or (iii) subscriptions or other rights, agreements, arrangements, Contracts or commitments of any character (other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents), (A) relating to the issued or unissued shares of Purchaser or (B) obligating Purchaser to issue, transfer, deliver or sell or cause to be issued, transferred, delivered, sold or repurchased any options or shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, or (C) obligating Purchaser to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, subscription or other right, agreement, arrangement or commitment for such capital shares. Other than the Redemption or as expressly set forth in this Agreement, there are no outstanding obligations of Purchaser to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Purchaser or to provide funds to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.5(b), there are no shareholders agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which Purchaser is a party with respect to the voting of any shares of Purchaser.
(c) All Indebtedness of Purchaser as of the date of this Agreement is disclosed on Schedule 5.5(c). No Indebtedness of Purchaser contains any restriction upon: (i) the prepayment of any of such Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by Purchaser or (iii) the ability of Purchaser to grant any Lien on its properties or assets.
(d) Since the date of formation of Purchaser, and except as contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser has not declared or paid any distribution or dividend in respect of its shares and has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its shares, and Purchaser’s board of directors has not authorized any of the foregoing.
(e) The Purchaser has received written confirmation from Peterson Partners that it has waived its rights under the Peterson Forward Purchase Agreement.
18
5.6 SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials.
(a) The Purchaser, since the IPO, has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents required to be filed or furnished by the Purchaser with the SEC under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement. Except to the extent available on the SEC’s web site through EDGAR, the Purchaser has delivered to the Company copies in the form filed with the SEC of all of the following: (i) the Purchaser’s annual reports on Form 10-K for each fiscal year of the Purchaser beginning with the first year the Purchaser was required to file such a form, (ii) the Purchaser’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for each fiscal quarter that the Purchaser filed such reports to disclose its quarterly financial results in each of the fiscal years of the Purchaser referred to in clause (i) above, (iii) all other forms, reports, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents (other than preliminary materials) filed by the Purchaser with the SEC since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above (the forms, reports, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, whether or not available through EDGAR, are, collectively, the “SEC Reports”) and (iv) all certifications and statements required by (A) Rules 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act, and (B) 18 U.S.C. §1350 (Section 906 of SOX) with respect to any report referred to in clause (i) above (collectively, the “Public Certifications”). Except for any changes (including any required revisions to or restatements of the Purchaser Financials (defined below) or the SEC Reports) to (A) the Purchaser’s historical accounting of the Purchaser Warrants as equity rather than as liabilities that may be required as a result of the Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies that was issued by the SEC on April 12, 2021, and related guidance by the SEC or (B) the Purchaser’s accounting or classification of Purchaser’s outstanding redeemable shares as temporary, as opposed to permanent, equity that may be required as a result of related statements by the SEC staff or recommendations or requirements of the Purchaser’s auditors (clauses (A) and (B), collectively, “SEC SPAC Accounting Changes”), the SEC Reports (x) were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder and (y) did not, as of their respective effective dates (in the case of SEC Reports that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act) and at the time they were filed with the SEC (in the case of all other SEC Reports) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Public Certifications are each true as of their respective dates of filing. As used in this Section 5.6, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner permitted by SEC rules and regulations in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC. As of the date of this Agreement, (A) the Purchaser Public Units, the shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and the Purchaser Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq, (B) the Purchaser has not received any written deficiency notice from Nasdaq relating to the continued listing requirements of such Purchaser Securities, (C) there are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority with respect to any intention by such entity to suspend, prohibit or terminate the quoting of such Purchaser Securities on Nasdaq and (D) such Purchaser Securities are in compliance with all of the applicable corporate governance rules of Nasdaq.
(b) Except for the SEC SPAC Accounting Changes, the financial statements and notes of the Purchaser contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Reports (the “Purchaser Financials”), fairly present in all material respects the financial position and the results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Purchaser at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with (i) GAAP methodologies applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and (ii) Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and for the omission of notes and audit adjustments in the case of unaudited quarterly financial statements to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable).
(c) Except for the SEC SPAC Accounting Changes or as and to the extent reflected or reserved against in the Purchaser Financials, the Purchaser is not subject to any Liabilities required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for those that are either (i) adequately reflected or reserved on or provided for in the Purchaser Financials, or (ii) not material and that were incurred since the most recent Purchaser Financials in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (other than Liabilities for breach of any Contract or violation of any law). Set forth in Section 5.6(c) of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules is an estimate of all Liabilities of Purchaser owed at the closing, whether contingent, deferred or otherwise, including Expenses (as defined in Section 10.3).
19
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes. As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in Schedule 5.6(a), Purchaser has, (a) since its formation, conducted no business other than its formation, the public offering of its securities (and the related private offerings), public reporting and its search for an initial Business Combination as described in the IPO Prospectus (including the investigation of the Target Companies and the negotiation and execution of this Agreement) and related activities (b) since December 31, 2022, not been subject to a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has not taken any action or committed or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Section 8.3 (without giving effect to Schedule 8.3) if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of the Company.
5.8 Compliance with Laws. Purchaser is, and has since its formation been, in compliance with all Laws applicable to it and the conduct of its business except for such noncompliance which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser, and Purchaser has not received written notice alleging any violation of applicable Law in any material respect by Purchaser.
5.9 Actions; Orders; Permits. There is (and since its incorporation there has been) no pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened material Action to which Purchaser is subject which if decided or resolved would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser. There is no material Action that Purchaser has pending against any other Person. Purchaser is not subject to any material Orders of any Governmental Authority, nor are any such Orders pending. Purchaser holds all material Permits necessary to lawfully conduct its business as presently conducted, and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties, all of which are in full force and effect, except where the failure to hold such Consent or for such Consent to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.
5.10 Taxes and Returns.
(a) Purchaser has or will have timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, which Tax Returns are true, accurate, correct and complete in all material respects, and has paid, collected or withheld, or caused to be paid, collected or withheld, all material Taxes required to be paid, collected or withheld, other than such Taxes for which adequate reserves in the Purchaser Financials have been established in accordance with GAAP. Schedule 5.10(a) sets forth each jurisdiction where Purchaser files or is required to file a Tax Return. There are no audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings pending against Purchaser in respect of any Tax, and Purchaser has not been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claims or assessments against Purchaser (other than, in each case, claims or assessments for which adequate reserves in the Purchaser Financials have been established in accordance with GAAP or are immaterial in amount). There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon any of Purchaser’s assets, other than Permitted Liens. Purchaser has no outstanding waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations to assess any material amount of Taxes. There are no outstanding requests by Purchaser for any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return or within which to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return.
(b) Since the date of its formation, Purchaser has not (i) changed any Tax accounting methods, policies or procedures except as required by a change in Law, (ii) made, revoked, or amended any material Tax election, (iii) filed any amended Tax Returns or claim for refund or (iv) entered into any closing agreement affecting or otherwise settled or compromised any material Tax Liability or refund.
20
5.11 Employees and Employee Benefit Plans. Purchaser does not (a) have any paid employees or (b) maintain, sponsor, contribute to or otherwise have any Liability under, any Benefit Plans.
5.12 Property. Purchaser does not own, license or otherwise have any right, title or interest in any material Intellectual Property. Purchaser does not own or lease any material real property or Personal Property.
5.13 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13(a), other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, there are no Contracts to which Purchaser is a party or by which any of its properties or assets may be bound, subject or affected, which (i) creates or imposes a Liability greater than $50,000, (ii) may not be cancelled by Purchaser on less than sixty (60) days’ prior notice without payment of a material penalty or termination fee, (iii) prohibits, prevents, restricts or impairs in any material respect any business practice of Purchaser as its business is currently conducted, any acquisition of material property by Purchaser, or restricts in any material respect the ability of Purchaser from engaging in business as currently conducted by it or from competing with any other Person, (iv) would constitute a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC) of Purchaser, or (v) is otherwise material to Purchaser and not described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (each, a “Purchaser Material Contract”). All Purchaser Material Contracts have been made available to the Company other than those that are exhibits to the SEC Reports.
(b) With respect to each Purchaser Material Contract: (i) the Purchaser Material Contract was entered into at arms’ length and in the ordinary course of business; (ii) the Purchaser Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in all material respects against Purchaser and, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, the other parties thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions); (iii) Purchaser is not in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a breach or default in any material respect by Purchaser, or permit termination or acceleration by the other party, under such Purchaser Material Contract; (iv) to the Knowledge of Purchaser, no other party to any Purchaser Material Contract is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by Purchaser under any Purchaser Material Contract; (v) the Purchaser has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, oral notice of an intention by any party to any such Purchaser Material Contract to terminate such Purchaser Material Contract or amend the terms thereof, other than modifications in the ordinary course of business that do not adversely affect Purchaser or its Subsidiaries in any material respect; and (vi) the Purchaser has not waived any rights under any such Purchaser Material Contract.
5.14 Transactions with Affiliates. Schedule 5.14 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the Contracts and arrangements that are in existence as of the date of this Agreement under which there are any existing or future Liabilities or obligations between Purchaser and any (a) present or former director, officer or employee or Affiliate of Purchaser, or any immediate family member of any of the foregoing, or (b) record or beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of Purchaser’s outstanding capital stock as of the date hereof.
5.15 Investment Company Act. As of the date of this Agreement, Purchaser is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
21
5.16 Finders and Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from Purchaser, Pubco, the Target Companies or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Purchaser.
5.17 Certain Business Practices.
(a) Neither Purchaser, nor any of its Representatives acting on its behalf, has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other local or foreign anti-corruption or bribery Law, (iii) made any other unlawful payment or (iv) since the formation of Purchaser, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any unlawful gift or similar benefit in any material amount to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder Purchaser or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction.
(b) The operations of Purchaser are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with money laundering statutes in all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority, and no Action involving Purchaser with respect to the any of the foregoing is pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened.
(c) None of Purchaser or any of its directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, any other Representative acting on behalf of Purchaser is currently identified on the specially designated nationals or other blocked person list or otherwise currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), and Purchaser has not, directly or indirectly, used any funds, or loaned, contributed or otherwise made available such funds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in connection with any sales or operations in any other country sanctioned by OFAC or for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to, or otherwise in violation of, any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC in the last five (5) fiscal years.
5.18 Insurance. Schedule 5.18 lists all insurance policies (by policy number, insurer, coverage period, coverage amount, annual premium and type of policy) held by Purchaser relating to Purchaser or its business, properties, assets, directors, officers and employees, copies of which have been provided to the Company. All premiums due and payable under all such insurance policies have been timely paid and Purchaser is otherwise in material compliance with the terms of such insurance policies. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect, and to the Knowledge of Purchaser, there is no threatened termination of, or material premium increase with respect to, any of such insurance policies. There have been no insurance claims made by Purchaser. Purchaser has reported to its insurers all claims and pending circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, except where such failure to report such a claim would not be reasonably likely to be material to Purchaser.
5.19 Independent Investigation. Purchaser has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Target Companies and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Target Companies for such purpose. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to Purchaser pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Company for the Registration Statement; and (b) neither the Company nor its Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Target Companies or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to Purchaser pursuant hereto.
22
5.20 Disclosure.. No representation or warranty by the Purchaser in this Agreement (as modified by the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) or the Ancillary Documents, (a) contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or (b) omits or will omit to state, when read in conjunction with all of the information contained in this Agreement, the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules and the Ancillary Documents, any fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained therein not materially misleading.
5.21 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Purchaser expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the mailings or other distributions to Company Shareholders, including the Company Information Circular, with respect to the consummation of the Transactions or in any amendment to any such document, will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Purchaser expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Signing Press Release or the Closing Press Release will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of Company or its Affiliates.
Article VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PUBCO AND PUBCO SUBS
Pubco and the Pubco Subs represent and warrant to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:
6.1 Organization and Standing. Pubco and Purchaser Merger Sub are both corporations duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. ExchangeCo is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Province of British Columbia and CallCo is unlimited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Province of British Columbia. Pubco and each Pubco Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Pubco and each Pubco Sub is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Pubco has heretofore made available to Purchaser and the Company accurate and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of Pubco and each Pubco Sub, each as currently in effect. Neither Pubco nor any Pubco Sub is in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.
23
6.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. Subject to filing the Amended Pubco Charter, Pubco and each Pubco Sub has all requisite corporate or other entity power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the board of directors and shareholders of Pubco and each Pubco Sub and no other corporate proceedings, other than as expressly set forth elsewhere in the Agreement (including the filing of the Amended Pubco Charter), on the part of Pubco or any Pubco Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which Pubco or any Pubco Sub is a party has been or shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and such Ancillary Documents by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
6.3 Governmental Approvals. No Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, on the part of Pubco or any Pubco Sub is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Party of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (a) pursuant to Antitrust Laws, if any, (b) such filings as contemplated by this Agreement, including the Amended Pubco Charter, (c) any filings required with Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (d) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and/ or any state “blue sky” securities Laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (e) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Pubco.
6.4 Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery by Pubco and each Pubco Sub of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by such Party with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) subject to the filing of the Amended Pubco Charter, conflict with or violate any provision of such Party’s Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 6.3 hereof, and the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to such Party or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by such Party under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of such Party under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any material Contract of such Party, except for any deviations from any of the foregoing clauses (b) or (c) that would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to be material to Pubco or a Pubco Sub or the ability of Pubco or a Pubco Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which it is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.
24
6.5 Capitalization.
(a) As of the date hereof, (i) Pubco is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Pubco Common Stock, of which 1,000 shares of Pubco Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are owned by Purchaser, (ii) Purchaser Merger Sub is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Purchaser Merger Sub Common Stock, of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and all of which are owned by Pubco, (iii) ExchangeCo is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of ExchangeCo Common Stock, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding, and all of which are owned by CallCo, and an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares, of which no Exchangeable Shares are issued and outstanding and (iv) CallCo is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of CallCo Common Stock, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding, and all of which are owned by Pubco. Prior to giving effect to the Transactions, other than Purchaser Merger Sub, CallCo and ExchangeCo, Pubco does not have any Subsidiaries or own any equity interests in any other Person.
(b) Following the Merger and the Arrangement, except as contemplated by the Arrangement, Pubco will own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding shares of the Pubco Subs other than the Exchangeable Shares to be issued to Electing Company Shareholders in the Arrangement or in connection with the Arrangement, and ExchangeCo will be a “taxable Canadian corporation” within the meaning of the Tax Act.
(c) The term sheet summarizing the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares is set forth in Exhibit G hereto (the “Exchangeable Share Term Sheet”).
6.6 Issuance of Shares. (i) All Consideration Shares and shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock to be issued and delivered in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement and this Agreement to the Company Securityholders, all shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock to be issued and delivered upon the exchange of Exchangeable Shares and all shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock to be issued and delivered upon the valid exercise of Assumed Options shall be, upon issuance and delivery of such Consideration Shares, shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock or shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock, duly authorized and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Liens, and (ii) upon issuance and delivery of such Consideration Shares, shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock or shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock each Company Securityholder shall have good and valid title to its portion of such Consideration Shares, shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock or shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), other than restrictions arising from applicable securities Laws, the Lock-Up Agreements, the provisions of this Agreement and any Liens incurred by the Company Security Holders, and (iii) the issuance and sale of such Consideration Shares, shares of Pubco Class C Common Stock or shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock pursuant hereto will not be subject to or give rise to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal.
6.7 Pubco and Pubco Sub Activities. Since their formation, Pubco and the Pubco Subs have not engaged in any business activities other than as contemplated by this Agreement, do not own directly or indirectly any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person (other than Pubco’s 100% ownership of Purchaser Merger Sub and CallCo and CallCo’s 100% ownership of ExchangeCo) and have no assets or Liabilities except those incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which they are a party and the Transactions, and, other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which they are a party, Pubco and the Pubco Subs are not party to or bound by any Contract.
6.8 Finders and Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from Purchaser, Pubco, the Target Companies or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Pubco or any Pubco Sub.
25
6.9 Investment Company Act. Pubco is not an “investment company” or, a Person directly or indirectly controlled by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meanings of the Investment Company Act.
6.10 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Pubco or any Pubco Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) in any Current Report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority (including the SEC) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents; (b) in the Registration Statement; or (c) in the mailings or other distributions to Pubco’s shareholders and/or prospective investors with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any amendment to any of documents identified in (a) through (c), will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Pubco or any Pubco Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Filing and the Closing Press Release will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Pubco nor any Pubco Sub makes any representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of Purchaser or the Target Companies, or any of their respective Affiliates.
6.11 Independent Investigation. Pubco and each Pubco Sub has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Target Companies and Purchaser and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Target Companies and Purchaser for such purpose. Pubco and each Pubco Sub acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Company and Purchaser set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules and the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to Pubco or a Pubco Sub pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Company, or Purchaser for the Registration Statement; and (b) none of the Company, Purchaser or their respective Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Target Companies, Purchaser or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules and the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to Pubco or any Pubco Sub pursuant hereto.
6.12 Canadian Tax Matters. Each of Callco and Exchangeco are and will at all material times be taxable Canadian corporations within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
6.13 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by Pubco or a Pubco Sub in this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, (a) contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or (b) omits or will omit to state, when read in conjunction with all of the information contained in this Agreement, the and the Ancillary Documents, any fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained therein not materially misleading.
26
Article VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Purchaser on the date hereof (the “Company Disclosure Schedules”), the Section numbers of which are numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement to which they refer (provided, however, that an item disclosed in any Section of the Company Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed to have been disclosed with respect to all other Sections of this Agreement to which the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser and Pubco, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:
7.1 Organization and Standing. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Province of British Columbia and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company Sub is a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each Target Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or registered and in each other jurisdiction where it does business or operates to the extent that the character of the property owned, or leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Schedule 7.1 lists all jurisdictions in which each Target Company is qualified to conduct business and all names other than its legal name under which any Target Company does business, except where the failure to be so qualified can be cured without material cost or expense. The Company has provided to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents and the Organizational Documents of the Company Sub, each as amended to date and as currently in effect. No Target Company is in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents.
7.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party, to perform the Company’s obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to obtaining the Required Company Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the board of directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents, the BCBCA, any other applicable Law and any Contract to which the Company or any of its shareholders are party or by which its securities are bound and (b) other than obtaining the Required Company Approval at the Company Shareholder Meeting, the Interim Order and the Final Order, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party has been or shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company Party and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and any such Ancillary Document by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company’s board of directors, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held or by action by unanimous written consent in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents (i) determined that this Agreement and the Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated hereby are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Company Shareholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the BCBCA, (iii) directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Company’s shareholders for approval at the Company Shareholder Meeting and (iv) resolved to recommend that the Company’s shareholders approve this Agreement. The Voting Agreements delivered by the Supporting Company Shareholders are in full force and effect.
27
7.3 Capitalization.
(a) The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Company Shares. There are 83,370,853 Company Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (including the Company Shares issued to Mr. Lichtinger that will vest upon the Closing pursuant to his Employment Agreement), and, other than the Company Options outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, there are no other issued or outstanding equity interests of the Company. The Company Shareholders are the legal (registered) and beneficial owners of all of the issued and outstanding Company Shares, with each Company Shareholder owning the Company Shares set forth on Schedule 7.3(a), all of which Company Shares are owned by the Company Shareholders free and clear of any Liens other than those imposed under the Company Organizational Documents and applicable securities Laws. All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares and other equity interests of the Company have been duly authorized, are fully paid and non-assessable and not in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the BCBCA, any other applicable Law, the Company’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its securities are bound. The Company does not, directly or indirectly, hold any of its shares or other equity interests in treasury.
(b) The Company has reserved 16,500,000 Company Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to the Company Equity Plan, which was duly adopted by the Company’s board of directors. As of the date hereof, of such Company Shares reserved for issuance under the Company Equity Plan, (x) 15,785,130 Company Shares are reserved for issuance upon exercise of currently outstanding Company Options, and (y) 714,870 Company Shares remain available for future awards permitted under the Company Equity Plan. The Company has furnished to Purchaser complete and accurate copies of the Company Equity Plan and forms of agreements used thereunder, which Company Equity Plan shall be terminated and cancelled upon the consummation of the Transactions. Schedule 7.3(b) sets forth the beneficial and record owners of all outstanding Company Options (including in each case the grant date, number and type of shares issuable thereunder, the exercise price, the expiration date and any vesting schedule), and except as set forth on Schedule 7.3(b), there are no Company Options or other convertible securities or preemptive rights or rights of first refusal or first offer, nor are there any Contracts, commitments, arrangements or restrictions to which the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective shareholders are a party or bound relating to any equity securities of the Company, whether or not outstanding. There are no outstanding or authorized equity appreciation, phantom equity or similar rights with respect to the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, except as set forth on Schedule 7.3(b), there are no voting trusts, proxies, shareholder agreements or any other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the Company’s equity interests. Except as set forth Schedule 7.3(b) or in the Company’s Organizational Documents, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity interests or securities of the Company, nor has the Company granted any registration rights to any Person with respect to the Company’s equity securities. All of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been granted, offered, sold or issued in compliance with all applicable securities Laws. Except for the Company Shares issued to Mr. Lichtinger that will vest upon the Closing pursuant to his Employment Agreement, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no equity interests of the Company are issuable and no rights in connection with any interests, warrants, rights, options or other securities of the Company accelerate or otherwise become triggered (whether as to vesting, exercisability, convertibility or otherwise).
(c) Each grant of a Company Option was duly authorized and: (i) the stock option agreement governing such grant was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto; (ii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Equity Plan and all other applicable Laws; (iii) the per share exercise price of each Company Option was equal or greater than the fair market value of a Company Share on the applicable grant date; and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company.
28
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.3(d), since January 1, 2021, the Company has not declared or paid any distribution or dividend in respect of its equity interests and has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any equity interests of the Company, and the board of directors of the Company has not authorized any of the foregoing.
7.4 Subsidiaries. Schedule 7.4 sets forth the name of the Company Sub, including: (a) its jurisdiction of organization, (b) its authorized shares or other equity interests (if applicable), and (c) the number of issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests and the record holders and beneficial owners thereof. All of the outstanding equity securities of the Company Sub are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and were offered, sold and delivered in compliance with all applicable securities Laws, and owned by one or more of the Target Companies free and clear of all Liens (other than those, if any, imposed by such Subsidiary’s Organizational Documents). There are no Contracts to which the Company or any of its Affiliates is a party or bound with respect to the voting (including voting trusts or proxies) of the equity interests of the Company Sub other than the Organizational Documents of the Company Sub. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements, subscriptions, convertible securities or commitments to which the Company Sub is a party or which are binding upon the Company Sub providing for the issuance or redemption of any equity interests of the Company Sub. There are no outstanding equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation or similar rights granted by the Company Sub. The Company Sub does not have any limitation, whether by Contract, Order or applicable Law, on its ability to make any distributions or dividends to its equity holders or repay any debt owed to the Company. Except for the equity interests of in the Company Sub, the Company does not own or have any rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, any equity interests of, or otherwise Control, any Person. No Target Company is a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of a Target Company to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.
7.5 Governmental Approvals. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 7.5, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority on the part of any Target Company is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than (a) such filings as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (b) pursuant to Antitrust Laws or (c) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
7.6 Non-Contravention. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 7.6, the execution and delivery by the Company (or the Company Sub, as applicable) of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which any Target Company is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound, and the consummation by any Target Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance by any Target Company with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of any Target Company’s Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 7.5 hereof, the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to any Target Company or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by any Target Company under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any Target Company under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Company Material Contract, except in cases of clauses (b) and (c), as would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to be material to the Target Companies or the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which it is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.
29
7.7 Financial Statements.
(a) As used herein, the term “Company Financials” means (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Target Companies (including, in each case, any related notes thereto), consisting of the consolidated balance sheets of the Target Companies as of March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2021, and the related consolidated audited income statements, changes in shareholder equity and statements of cash flows for the years then ended, each audited in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards for a privately held company by PCAOB qualified auditor, (ii) the unaudited management prepared consolidated financial statements of the Target Companies, consisting of the consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies as of December 31, 2022 (the “Interim Balance Sheet Date”) and the related consolidated income statement, changes in shareholder equity and statement of cash flows for the nine (9) months then ended, and (iii) once available and delivered by the Company, the unaudited auditor reviewed financial statements prepared pursuant to Section 8.4(b). True and correct copies of the Company Financials have been provided to Purchaser. The Company Financials (i) accurately reflect in all material respects the books and records of the Target Companies as of the times and for the periods referred to therein, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP in all material respects, consistently applied throughout and among the periods involved (except that the unaudited statements exclude the footnote disclosures and other presentation items required for GAAP and exclude year-end adjustments which will not be material in amount), (iii) comply in all material respects with all applicable accounting requirements under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (iv) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Target Companies as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of the operations and cash flows of the Target Companies for the periods indicated. No Target Company has ever been subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(b) Each Target Company maintains accurate books and records reflecting its assets and Liabilities and maintains adequate internal accounting controls that provide reasonable assurance that (i) such Target Company does not maintain any off-the-book accounts and that such Target Company’s assets are used only in accordance with such Target Company’s management directives, (ii) transactions are executed with management’s authorization, (iii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements of such Target Company and to maintain accountability for such Target Company’s assets, (iv) access to such Target Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization, (v) the reporting of such Target Company’s assets is compared with existing assets at regular intervals and verified for actual amounts, and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection of accounts, notes and other receivables on a current and timely basis. All of the financial books and records of the Target Companies are complete and accurate in all material respects and have been maintained in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and in accordance with applicable Laws. No Target Company has been subject to or involved in any material fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of any Target Company. In the past five years, no Target Company or its Representatives has received any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of any Target Company or its internal accounting controls, including any material written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that any Target Company has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices.
30
(c) The Target Companies do not have any Indebtedness other than the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 7.7(c), which schedule sets forth the amounts (including principal and any accrued but unpaid interest or other obligations with respect to such Indebtedness). Except as disclosed on Schedule 7.7(c), no Indebtedness of any Target Company contains any restriction upon (i) the prepayment of any of such Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by any Target Company, or (iii) the ability of the Target Companies to grant any Lien on their respective properties or assets.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.7(d), no Target Company is subject to any Liabilities or obligations (whether or not required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP), including any off-balance sheet obligations, except for those that are either (i) adequately reflected or reserved on or provided for in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Interim Balance Sheet Date contained in the Company Financials or (ii) not material and that were incurred after the Interim Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (other than Liabilities for breach of any Contract or violation of any Law).
(e) All financial projections with respect to the Target Companies that were delivered by or on behalf of the Company to Purchaser or its Representatives were prepared in good faith using assumptions that the Company believed to be reasonable at the time of making such projections.
(f) All accounts, notes and other receivables, whether or not accrued, and whether or not billed, of the Target Companies (the “Accounts Receivable”) arose from sales actually made or services actually performed in the ordinary course of business and represent valid obligations to a Target Company arising from its business. None of the Accounts Receivable are subject to any right of recourse, defense, deduction, return of goods, counterclaim, offset, or set off on the part of the obligor in excess of any amounts reserved therefore on the Company Financials. All of the Accounts Receivable are, to the Knowledge of the Company, fully collectible according to their terms in amounts not less than the aggregate amounts thereof carried on the books of the Target Companies (net of reserves) within ninety (90) days.
7.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.8, since December 31, 2021, each Target Company has (a) conducted its business only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) not been subject to a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has not taken any action or committed or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Section 8.2 (without giving effect to Schedule 8.2) if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of Purchaser.
7.9 Compliance with Laws. No Target Company is or has been in material conflict or material non-compliance with, or in material default or violation of, nor has any Target Company received, since January 1, 2021, any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of any material conflict or non-compliance with, or material default or violation of, any applicable Laws by which it or any of its properties, assets, employees, business or operations are or were bound or affected.
31
7.10 Company Permits. Each Target Company (and its employees who are legally required to be licensed by a Governmental Authority in order to perform his or her duties with respect to his or her employment with any Target Company), holds all Permits necessary to lawfully conduct in all material respects its business as presently conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted, and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties (collectively, the “Company Permits”). The Company has made available to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of all material Company Permits, all of which material Company Permits are listed on Schedule 7.10. All of the Company Permits are in full force and effect, and no suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened. No Target Company is in violation in any material respect of the terms of any Company Permit, and no Target Company has received any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of any Actions relating to the revocation or modification of any material Company Permit.
7.11 Litigation. Except as described on Schedule 7.11, there is no (a) Action of any nature currently pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened, nor is there any reasonable basis for any Action to be made (and no such Action has been brought or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened since January 1, 2020 or (b) Order now pending or outstanding or that was rendered by a Governmental Authority since January 1, 2020, in either case of (a) or (b) by or against any Target Company, its current or former directors, officers (provided, that any litigation involving the directors or officers of a Target Company must be related to the Target Company’s business, equity securities or assets), its business, equity securities or assets. The items listed on Schedule 7.11, if finally determined adversely to the Target Companies, will not have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect upon any Target Company. Since January 1, 2020, none of the current or former officers, senior management or directors of any Target Company have been charged with, indicted for, arrested for, or convicted of any felony or any crime involving fraud.
7.12 Material Contracts.
(a) Schedule 7.12(a) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of, and the Company has made available to Purchaser, true, correct and complete copies of, each Contract to which any Target Company is a party or by which any Target Company, or any of its properties or assets are bound or affected (each Contract required to be set forth on Schedule 7.12(a), a “Company Material Contract”) that:
(i) contains covenants that limit the ability of any Target Company (A) to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or to sell, or provide any service or product or solicit any Person, including any non-competition covenants, employee and customer non-solicit covenants, exclusivity restrictions, rights of first refusal or most-favored pricing clauses or (B) to purchase or acquire an interest in any other Person;
(ii) involves any joint venture, profit-sharing, partnership, limited liability company or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture;
(iii) involves any exchange traded, over the counter or other swap, cap, floor, collar, futures contract, forward contract, option or other derivative financial instrument or Contract, based on any commodity, security, instrument, asset, rate or index of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether tangible or intangible, including currencies, interest rates, foreign currency and indices;
(iv) evidences Indebtedness (whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset) of any Target Company having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50,000;
32
(v) involves the acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise), of assets with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000; (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or shares or other equity interests of any Target Company or another Person;
(vi) relates to any merger, consolidation or other business combination with any other Person or the acquisition or disposition of any other entity or its business or material assets or the sale of any Target Company, its business or material assets;
(vii) by its terms, individually or with all related Contracts, calls for aggregate payments or receipts by the Target Companies under such Contract or Contracts of at least $50,000 per year or $150,000; in the aggregate;
(viii) is with any Top Customer or Top Supplier;
(ix) obligates the Target Companies to provide continuing indemnification or a guarantee of obligations of a third party after the date hereof in excess of $50,000;
(x) is between any Target Company and any directors, officers or employees of a Target Company (other than at-will employment arrangements with employees entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), including all non-competition, severance and indemnification agreements, or any Related Person;
(xi) obligates the Target Companies to make any capital commitment or expenditure in excess of $200,000 (including pursuant to any joint venture);
(xii) relates to a material settlement entered into since January 1, 2021 or under which any Target Company has outstanding obligations (other than customary confidentiality obligations);
(xiii) provides another Person (other than the other Target Company or any manager, director or officer of any Target Company) with a power of attorney;
(xiv) relates to the development, ownership, licensing or use of any Intellectual Property by, to or from any Target Company, other than Off-the-Shelf Software;
(xv) will be required to be filed with the Registration Statement under applicable SEC requirements or would otherwise be required to be filed by the Company as an exhibit for a Form S-1 pursuant to Items 601(b)(1), (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act as if the Company was the registrant; or
(xvi) is otherwise material to any Target Company and not described in clauses (i) through (xv) above.
(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 7.12(b), with respect to each Company Material Contract: (i) such Company Material Contract is valid and binding and enforceable in all respects against the Target Company party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions); (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any Company Material Contract; (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Target Company is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a material breach or default by any Target Company, or permit termination or acceleration by the other party thereto, under such Company Material Contract; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to such Company Material Contract is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a material breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by any Target Company, under such Company Material Contract; (v) no Target Company has received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of an intention by any party to any such Company Material Contract to terminate such Company Material Contract or amend the terms thereof, other than modifications in the ordinary course of business that do not adversely affect any Target Company in any material respect; and (vi) no Target Company has waived any rights under any such Company Material Contract.
33
7.13 Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedule 7.13(a)(i) sets forth: (i) all Patents and Patent applications, Trademarks and service mark registrations and applications, copyright registrations and applications and registered Internet Assets and applications owned or licensed by a Target Company or otherwise used or held for use by a Target Company in which a Target Company is the owner, applicant or assignee (“Company Registered IP”), specifying as to each item, as applicable: (A) the nature of the item, including the title, (B) the owner of the item, (C) the jurisdictions in which the item is issued or registered or in which an application for issuance or registration has been filed and (D) the issuance, registration or application numbers and dates; and (ii) all material unregistered Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by a Target Company. Schedule 7.13(a)(ii) sets forth all Intellectual Property licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions (“Company IP Licenses”) (other than “shrink wrap,” “click wrap,” and “off the shelf” software agreements and other agreements for Software commercially available on reasonable terms to the public generally with license, maintenance, support and other fees of less than $20,000 per year (collectively, “Off-the-Shelf Software”), which are not required to be listed, although such licenses are “Company IP Licenses” as that term is used herein), under which a Target Company is a licensee or otherwise is authorized to use or practice any Intellectual Property, and describes (A) the applicable Intellectual Property licensed, sublicensed or used and (B) any royalties, license fees or other compensation due from a Target Company, if any. To the Knowledge of the Company, each Target Company owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), has valid and enforceable rights in, and has the unrestricted right to use, sell, license, transfer or assign, all Intellectual Property currently used, licensed or held for use by such Target Company, and previously used or licensed by such Target Company, except for the Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses, if any. To the Knowledge of the Company, no item of Company Registered IP that consists of a pending Patent application fails to identify all pertinent inventors, and for each Patent and Patent application in the Company Registered IP, the Target Companies have obtained valid assignments of inventions from each inventor. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.13(a)(iii), all Company Registered IP is owned exclusively by the applicable Target Company without obligation to pay royalties, licensing fees or other fees, or otherwise account to any third party with respect to such Company Registered IP, and such Target Company has recorded assignments of all Company Registered IP.
(b) Each Target Company has a valid and enforceable license to use all Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses, if any, applicable to such Target Company. The Company IP Licenses include all of the licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions necessary to operate the Target Companies as presently conducted. Each Target Company has performed all obligations imposed on it in the Company IP Licenses, has made all payments required to date, and such Target Company is not, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party thereto, in breach or default thereunder, nor has any event occurred that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder. The continued use by the Target Companies of the Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses in the same manner that it is currently being used is not restricted by any applicable license of any Target Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, all registrations for Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Internet Assets that are owned by or exclusively licensed to any Target Company are valid and in force, and all applications to register any Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks are pending and in good standing, all without challenge of any kind. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Target Company is party to any Contract that requires a Target Company to assign to any Person all of its rights in any Intellectual Property developed by a Target Company under such Contract.
34
(c) Schedule 7.13(c) sets forth all licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions under which a Target Company is the licensor (each, an “Outbound IP License”), and for each such Outbound IP License, describes (i) the applicable Intellectual Property licensed, (ii) the licensee under such Outbound IP License, and (iii) any royalties, license fees or other compensation due to a Target Company, if any. Each Target Company has performed all obligations imposed on it in the Outbound IP Licenses, and such Target Company is not, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party thereto, in breach or default thereunder, nor has any event occurred that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder.
(d) No Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against a Target Company that challenges the validity, enforceability, ownership, or right to use, sell, license or sublicense, or that otherwise relates to any Intellectual Property currently owned, licensed, used or held for use by the Target Companies, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is there any reasonable basis for any such Action No Target Company has received any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice or claim asserting or suggesting that any infringement, misappropriation, violation, dilution or unauthorized use of the Intellectual Property of any other Person is or may be occurring or has or may have occurred, as a consequence of the business activities of any Target Company, nor to the Knowledge of the Company is there a reasonable basis therefor. There are no Orders to which any Target Company is a party or its otherwise bound that (i) restrict the rights of a Target Company to use, transfer, license or enforce any Intellectual Property owned by a Target Company, (ii) restrict the conduct of the business of a Target Company in order to accommodate a third Person’s Intellectual Property, or (iii) other than the Outbound IP Licenses grant any third Person any right with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by a Target Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Target Company is currently infringing, or has, in the past, infringed, misappropriated or violated any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material respect in connection with the ownership, use or license of any Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by a Target Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, otherwise in connection with the conduct of the respective businesses of the Target Companies. To the Knowledge of the Company, no third party is currently, or since January 1, 2021 has been, infringing upon, has misappropriated or has otherwise violated any Intellectual Property owned, licensed by, licensed to, or otherwise used or held for use by any Target Company (“Company IP”) in any material respect.
(e) To the Knowledge of the Company, all officers, directors, managers employees and independent contractors of a Target Company have assigned to the Target Companies all Intellectual Property arising from the services performed for a Target Company by such Persons. To the Knowledge of the Company, no current or former officers, employees or independent contractors of a Target Company have claimed any ownership interest in any Intellectual Property owned by a Target Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no violation of a Target Company’s policies or practices related to protection of Company IP or any confidentiality or nondisclosure Contract relating to the Intellectual Property owned by a Target Company. The Company has made available to Purchaser true and complete copies of all written Contracts referenced in subsections under which employees and independent contractors assigned their Intellectual Property to a Target Company. To the Company’s Knowledge, none of the employees of any Target Company is obligated under any Contract, or subject to any Order, that would materially interfere with the use of such employee’s best efforts to promote the interests of the Target Companies, or that would materially conflict with the business of any Target Company as presently conducted or contemplated to be conducted. Each Target Company has taken reasonable security measures in order to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of the material Company IP.
35
(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has obtained unauthorized access to third party information or data (including personally identifiable information) in the possession of a Target Company, nor has there been any other material compromise of the security, confidentiality or integrity of such information or data, and no written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral complaint relating to an improper use or disclosure of, or a breach in the security of, any such information or data has been received by a Target Company. Each Target Company has complied with all applicable Laws and material contractual requirements relating to privacy, personal data protection, and the collection, processing and use of personal information and its own privacy policies and guidelines. The operation of the business of the Target Companies has not and does not violate any right to privacy or publicity of any third person, or constitute unfair competition or trade practices under applicable Law.
(g) To the Knowledge of the Company, the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the material breach, material modification, cancellation, termination, suspension of, or acceleration of any payments with respect to, or release of source code because of (i) any Contract providing for the license or other use of Intellectual Property owned by a Target Company, or (ii) any Company IP License, if any. Following the Closing, the Company shall be permitted to exercise, directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries, all of the Target Companies’ rights under such Contracts or Company IP Licenses, if any, to the same extent that the Target Companies would have been able to exercise had the transactions contemplated by this Agreement not occurred, without the payment of any additional amounts or consideration other than ongoing fees, royalties or payments which the Target Companies would otherwise be required to pay in the absence of such transactions.
7.14 Taxes and Returns.
(a) Each Target Company has or will have timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all material federal, provincial, state, local and foreign Tax Returns required to be filed by it (taking into account all available extensions), which Tax Returns are true, accurate, correct and complete in all material respects, and has paid, collected or withheld, or caused to be paid, collected or withheld, in all material respects, all Taxes required to be paid, collected or withheld, other than such Taxes for which adequate reserves in the Company Financials have been established. Each Target Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to Tax.
(b) There is no Action currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against a Target Company by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Target Company does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no claims, assessments, audits, examinations, investigations or other Actions pending against a Target Company in respect of any Tax, and no Target Company has been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claims or assessments against it (other than, in each case, claims or assessments for which adequate reserves in the Company Financials have been established).
(d) There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon any Target Company’s assets, other than Permitted Liens.
36
(e) No Target Company has any outstanding waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations to assess any material amount of Taxes. There are no outstanding requests by a Target Company for any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return or within which to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return.
(f) No Target Company has made any change in accounting method (except as required by a change in Law) or received a ruling from, or signed an agreement with, any taxing authority that would reasonably be expected to have a material impact on its Taxes following the Closing.
(g) No Target Company has participated in, or sold, distributed or otherwise promoted, any “reportable transaction,” as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4.
(h) No Target Company has any Liability for the Taxes of another Person (other than another Target Company) (i) under any applicable Tax Law, (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by contract, indemnity or otherwise (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which was not the sharing of Taxes). No Target Company is a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which was not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes (including advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Authority) that will be binding on such Target Company with respect to any period following the Closing Date.
(i) No Target Company has requested, or is the subject of or bound by any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar ruling, memorandum or agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, nor is any such request outstanding.
(j) No Target Company: (i) has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of securities (to any Person or entity that is not a member of the consolidated group of which the Company is the common parent corporation) qualifying for, or intended to qualify for, Tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (A) within the two-year period ending on the date hereof or (B) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) is or has ever been (A) a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code, or (B) a member of any consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated group of corporations for any Tax purposes other than a group of which the Company is or was the common parent corporation.
(k) No Target Company is aware of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no representations or warranties are intended or made with respect to the existence, amount, usability, or limitations on usage of the Tax attributes of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including net operating losses, capital loss carryforwards, foreign Tax credit carryforwards, asset bases, research and development credits, and depreciation periods, for Tax periods (or portions thereof) beginning on and after the Closing Date. Further, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the representations and warranties in this Section 7.14 may be relied upon only with respect to any Tax periods prior to the Closing Date, and not with respect to any Taxes for any other Tax period.
37
7.15 Real Property. Schedule 7.15 contains a complete and accurate list of all premises currently leased or subleased or otherwise used or occupied by a Target Company for the operation of the business of a Target Company, and of all current leases, lease guarantees, agreements and documents related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof or waivers thereto (collectively, the “Company Real Property Leases”). The Company has provided to Purchaser a true and complete copy of each of the Company Real Property Leases. The Company Real Property Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a default on the part of a Target Company or any other party under any of the Company Real Property Leases, and no Target Company has received written notice of any such condition. No Target Company owns or has ever owned any real property or any interest in real property (other than the leasehold interests in the Company Real Property Leases).
7.16 Personal Property. Each item of Personal Property which is currently owned, used or leased by a Target Company with a book value or fair market value of greater than $50,000 is set forth on Schedule 7.16, along with, to the extent applicable, a list of lease agreements, lease guarantees, security agreements and other agreements related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof or waivers thereto (“Company Personal Property Leases”). Except as set forth in Schedule 7.16, all such items of Personal Property are in good operating condition and repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted consistent with the age of such items) in all material respects, and are suitable for their intended use in the business of the Target Companies. The operation of each Target Company’s business as it is now conducted or presently proposed to be conducted is not dependent upon the right to use the Personal Property of Persons other than a Target Company, except for such Personal Property that is owned, leased or licensed by, or otherwise contracted to, a Target Company. The Company has provided to the Purchaser a true and complete copy of each of the Company Personal Property Leases. The Company Personal Property Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect in all material respects. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a material default on the part of a Target Company or any other party under any of the Company Personal Property Leases, and no Target Company has received notice of any such condition.
7.17 Title to and Sufficiency of Assets. Each Target Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, all of its material assets, free and clear of all Liens other than (a) Permitted Liens, (b) the rights of lessors under leasehold interests, (c) Liens specifically identified on the Interim Balance Sheet and (d) Liens set forth on Schedule 7.17. The material assets (including Intellectual Property rights and contractual rights) of the Target Companies constitute all of the material assets, rights and properties that are used in the operation of the businesses of the Target Companies as it is now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted or that are used or held by the Target Companies for use in the operation of the businesses of the Target Companies, and taken together, are adequate and sufficient for the operation of the businesses of the Target Companies as currently conducted.
7.18 Employee Matters.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 7.18(a), no Target Company is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract covering any group of employees, labor organization or other representative of any of the employees of any Target Company and the Company has no Knowledge of any activities or proceedings of any labor union or other party to organize or represent such employees. There has not occurred or, to the Knowledge of the Company, been threatened any strike, slow-down, picketing, work-stoppage, or other similar labor activity with respect to any such employees. Schedule 7.18(a) sets forth all unresolved labor controversies (including unresolved grievances and age or other discrimination claims), if any, that are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened between any Target Company and Persons employed by or providing services as independent contractors to a Target Company. No current officer or employee of a Target Company has provided any Target Company written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of his or her plan to terminate his or her employment with any Target Company.
38
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 7.18(b), each Target Company (i) is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, health and safety and wages and hours, and other Laws relating to discrimination, disability, labor relations, hours of work, payment of wages and overtime wages, pay equity, immigration, workers compensation, working conditions, employee scheduling, occupational safety and health, family and medical leave, and employee terminations, and has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice that there is any pending Action involving unfair labor practices against a Target Company, (ii) is not liable for any material past due arrears of wages or any material penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing, and (iii) is not liable for any material payment to any Governmental Authority with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for employees, independent contractors or consultants (other than routine payments to be made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice). There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against a Target Company brought by or on behalf of any applicant for employment, any current or former employee, any Person alleging to be a current or former employee, or any Governmental Authority, relating to any such Law or regulation, or alleging breach of any express or implied contract of employment, wrongful termination of employment, or alleging any other discriminatory, wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with the employment relationship.
(c) Schedule 7.18(c) hereto sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the date hereof of all employees of the Target Companies showing for each as of such date (i) the employee’s name, job title or description, employer, location, salary level (including any bonus, commission, deferred compensation or other remuneration payable (other than any such arrangements under which payments are at the discretion of the Target Companies)), (ii) any bonus, commission or other remuneration other than salary paid during the calendar year ending December 31, 2022, and (iii) any wages, salary, bonus, commission or other compensation due and owing to each employee during or for the calendar year ending December 31, 2023. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18(c), (A) no employee is a party to a written employment Contract with a Target Company and each is employed “at will”, and (B) the Target Companies have paid in full to all their employees all wages, salaries, commission, bonuses and other compensation due to their employees, including overtime compensation, and no Target Company has any obligation or Liability (whether or not contingent) with respect to severance payments to any such employees under the terms of any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral agreement, or commitment or any applicable Law, custom, trade or practice. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.18(c), each Target Company employee has entered into the Company’s standard form of employee non-disclosure, inventions and restrictive covenants agreement with a Target Company (whether pursuant to a separate agreement or incorporated as part of such employee’s overall employment agreement), a copy of which has been made available to Purchaser by the Company.
(d) Schedule 7.18(d) contains a list of all independent contractors (including consultants) currently engaged by any Target Company, along with the position, the entity engaging such Person, date of retention and rate of remuneration, most recent increase (or decrease) in remuneration and amount thereof, for each such Person. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18(d), all of such independent contractors are a party to a written Contract with a Target Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18(d), each such independent contractor has entered into customary covenants regarding confidentiality, non-competition and assignment of inventions and copyrights in such Person’s agreement with a Target Company, a copy of which has been provided to Purchaser by the Company. For the purposes of applicable Law, including the Code, all independent contractors who are currently, or within the last six (6) years have been, engaged by a Target Company are bona fide independent contractors and not employees of a Target Company. Each independent contractor is terminable on fewer than thirty (30) days’ notice, without any obligation of any Target Company to pay severance or a termination fee.
39
7.19 Benefit Plans.
(a) Set forth on Schedule 7.19(a) is a true and complete list of each Benefit Plan of a Target Company (each, a “Company Benefit Plan”). With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, there are no funded benefit obligations for which contributions have not been made or properly accrued and there are no unfunded benefit obligations that have not been accounted for by reserves, or otherwise properly footnoted in accordance with GAAP on the Company Financials. No Target Company is or has in the past been a member of a “controlled group” for purposes of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code, nor does any Target Company have any Liability with respect to any collectively-bargained for plans, whether or not subject to the provisions of ERISA. No statement, either written or oral, has been made by any Target Company to any Person with regard to any Company Benefit Plan that was not in accordance with the Company Benefit Plan in any material respect.
(b) Each Company Benefit Plan is and has been operated at all times in compliance with all applicable Laws in all material respects, including ERISA and the Code. Each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has been determined by the IRS to be so qualified (or is based on a prototype plan which has received a favorable opinion letter) during the period from its adoption to the date of this Agreement and (ii) its related trust has been determined to be exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code or the Target Companies have requested an initial favorable IRS determination of qualification and/or exemption within the period permitted by applicable Law. No fact exists which could adversely affect the qualified status of such Company Benefit Plans or the exempt status of such trusts.
(c) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan which covers any current or former officer, director, consultant or employee (or beneficiary thereof) of a Target Company, the Company has provided to Purchaser accurate and complete copies, if applicable, of: (i) all Company Benefit Plan texts and agreements and related trust agreements or annuity Contracts (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto); (ii) all summary plan descriptions and material modifications thereto; (iii) the three (3) most recent Forms 5500, if applicable, and annual report, including all schedules thereto; (iv) the most recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; (v) the three (3) most recent nondiscrimination testing reports; (vi) the most recent determination letter received from the IRS, if any; (vii) the most recent actuarial valuation; and (viii) all material communications with any Governmental Authority.
(d) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan: (i) such Company Benefit Plan has been administered and enforced in all material respects in accordance with its terms, the Code and ERISA; (ii) no breach of fiduciary duty has occurred; (iii) no Action is pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened (other than routine claims for benefits arising in the ordinary course of administration); (iv) no prohibited transaction, as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administration exemption; and (v) all contributions and premiums due through the Closing Date have been made in all material respects as required under ERISA or have been fully accrued in all material respects on the Company Financials.
40
(e) No Company Benefit Plan is a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Code), a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) or a “multiple employer plan” (as described in Section 413(c) of the Code) or is otherwise subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, and no Target Company has incurred any Liability or otherwise could have any Liability, contingent or otherwise, under Title IV of ERISA and no condition presently exists that is expected to cause such Liability to be incurred. No Company Benefit Plan will become a multiple employer plan with respect to any Target Company immediately after the Closing Date. No Target Company currently maintains or has ever maintained, or is required currently or has ever been required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, a multiple employer welfare arrangement or voluntary employees’ beneficiary association as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.
(f) There is no arrangement under any Company Benefit Plan with respect to any employee that would result in the payment of any amount that by operation of Sections 280G or 162(m) of the Code would not be deductible by the Target Companies and no arrangement exists pursuant to which a Target Company will be required to “gross up” or otherwise compensate any person because of the imposition of any excise tax on a payment to such person.
(g) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan which is a “welfare plan” (as described in Section 3(1) of ERISA): (i) no such plan provides medical or death benefits with respect to current or former employees of a Target Company beyond their termination of employment (other than coverage mandated by Law, which is paid solely by such employees); and (ii) there are no reserves, assets, surplus or prepaid premiums under any such plan. Each Target Company has complied with the provisions of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code.
(h) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents will not: (i) entitle any individual to severance pay, unemployment compensation or other benefits or compensation; (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of any compensation due, or in respect of, any individual; or (iii) result in or satisfy a condition to the payment of compensation that would, in combination with any other payment, result in an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. No Target Company has incurred any Liability for any Tax imposed under Chapter 43 of the Code or civil liability under Section 502(i) or (l) of ERISA.
(i) To the extent applicable, the present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Company Benefit Plan, determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year on the basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions, each of which is reasonable, did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Company Benefit Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.
(j) Except to the extent required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar state Law, no Target Company provides health or welfare benefits to any former or retired employee or is obligated to provide such benefits to any active employee following such employee’s retirement or other termination of employment or service.
(k) All Company Benefit Plans can be terminated at any time as of or after the Closing Date without resulting in any Liability to Pubco or any Surviving Subsidiary or their respective Affiliates for any additional contributions, penalties, premiums, fees, fines, excise taxes or any other charges or liabilities.
41
(l) Each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code (each, a “Section 409A Plan”) as of the Closing Date is indicated as such on Schedule 7.19(l). Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19(l)), no Company Options or other equity-based awards have been issued or granted by the Company that are, or are subject to, a Section 409A Plan. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19(l), the Company is not aware of any violation of Section 409A of the Code, the regulations thereunder and other official guidance issued thereunder with respect to any Section 409A Plan. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19(l)), no Target Company has any obligation to any employee or other service provider with respect to any Section 409A Plan that may be subject to any Tax under Section 409A of the Code. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19(l)), no payment to be made under any Section 409A Plan is, or to the Knowledge of the Company will be, subject to the penalties of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19(l), there is no Contract or plan to which any Target Company is a party or by which it is bound to compensate any employee, consultant or director for penalty taxes paid pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
7.20 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule (a):
(a) Each Target Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining in good standing, and complying in all material respects with all Permits required for its business and operations by Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”), no Action is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened to revoke, modify, or terminate any such Environmental Permit, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no facts, circumstances, or conditions currently exist that could adversely affect such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits or require capital expenditures to achieve or maintain such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.
(b) No Target Company is the subject of any outstanding Order or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person in respect of any (i) Environmental Laws, (ii) Remedial Action, or (iii) Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material. No Target Company has assumed, contractually or by operation of Law, any Liabilities or obligations under any Environmental Laws.
(c) No Action has been made or is pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against any Target Company or any assets of a Target Company alleging either or both that a Target Company may be in material violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit or may have any material Liability under any Environmental Law.
(d) No Target Company has manufactured, treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, generated, handled or Released any Hazardous Material, or owned or operated any property or facility, in a manner that has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Liability or obligation under applicable Environmental Laws. No fact, circumstance, or condition exists in respect of any Target Company or any property currently or formerly owned, operated, or leased by any Target Company or any property to which a Target Company arranged for the disposal or treatment of Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to result in a Target Company incurring any material Environmental Liabilities.
(e) There is no investigation of the business, operations, or currently owned, operated, or leased property of a Target Company or, to the Company’s Knowledge, previously owned, operated, or leased property of a Target Company pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened that could lead to the imposition of any Liens under any Environmental Law or material Environmental Liabilities.
(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, there is not located at any of the properties of a Target Company any (i) underground storage tanks, (ii) asbestos-containing material, or (iii) equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls.
42
(g) The Company has provided to Purchaser all environmentally related site assessments, audits, studies, reports, analysis and results of investigations that have been performed in respect of the currently or previously owned, leased, or operated properties of any Target Company.
7.21 Transactions with Related Persons. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.21, no Target Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any officer, director, manager, employee, trustee or beneficiary of a Target Company or any of its Affiliates, to the Knowledge of the Company, nor any immediate family member of any of the foregoing (whether directly or indirectly through an Affiliate of such Person) (each of the foregoing, a “Related Person”) is presently, or since January 1, 2021, has been, a party to any transaction with a Target Company, including any Contract or other arrangement (a) providing for the furnishing of services by (other than as officers, directors or employees of the Target Company), (b) providing for the rental of real property or Personal Property from or (c) otherwise requiring payments to (other than for services or expenses as directors, officers or employees of the Target Company in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) any Related Person or any Person in which any Related Person has an interest as an owner, officer, manager, director, trustee or partner or in which any Related Person has any direct or indirect interest (other than the ownership of securities representing no more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding voting power or economic interest of a publicly traded company). Except as set forth on Schedule 7.21, no Target Company has outstanding any Contract or other arrangement or commitment with any Related Person, and no Related Person owns any real property or Personal Property, or right, tangible or intangible (including Intellectual Property) which is used in the business of any Target Company. The assets of the Target Companies do not include any receivable or other obligation from a Related Person, and the liabilities of the Target Companies do not include any payable or other obligation or commitment to any Related Person.
7.22 Insurance.
(a) Schedule 7.22(a) lists all insurance policies (by policy number, insurer, coverage period, coverage amount, annual premium and type of policy) held by a Target Company relating to a Target Company or its business, properties, assets, directors, officers and employees, copies of which have been provided to the Purchaser. All premiums due and payable under all such insurance policies have been timely paid and the Target Companies are otherwise in material compliance with the terms of such insurance policies. Each such insurance policy (i) is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect and (ii) will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect on materially similar terms following the Closing. No Target Company has any self-insurance or co-insurance programs. Since January 1, 2021, no Target Company has received any notice from, or on behalf of, any insurance carrier relating to or involving any adverse change or any change other than in the ordinary course of business, in the conditions of insurance, any refusal to issue an insurance policy or non-renewal of a policy.
(b) Schedule 7.22(b) identifies each individual insurance claim in excess of $50,000 made by a Target Company since January 1, 2021. Each Target Company has reported to its insurers all claims and pending circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, except where such failure to report such a claim would not be reasonably likely to be material to the Target Companies. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that would reasonably be expected to (with or without notice or lapse of time) give rise to or serve as a basis for the denial of any such insurance claim. No Target Company has made any claim against an insurance policy as to which the insurer is denying coverage.
43
7.23 Top Customers and Suppliers. Schedule 7.23 lists, by dollar volume received or paid, as applicable, for each of the twelve (12) months ended on December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the ten (10) largest customers of the Target Companies (the “Top Customers”) and the ten (10) largest suppliers of goods or services to the Target Companies (the “Top Suppliers”), along with the amounts of such dollar volumes. The relationships of each Target Company with such suppliers and customers are good commercial working relationships and (i) no Top Supplier or Top Customer within the last twelve (12) months has cancelled or otherwise terminated, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, intends to cancel or otherwise terminate, any material relationships of such Person with a Target Company, (ii) no Top Supplier or Top Customer has during the last twelve (12) months decreased materially or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened to stop, decrease or limit materially, or intends to modify materially its material relationships with a Target Company or intends to stop, decrease or limit materially its products or services to any Target Company or its usage or purchase of the products or services of any Target Company, (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, no Top Supplier or Top Customer intends to refuse to pay any amount due to any Target Company or seek to exercise any remedy against any Target Company, (iv) no Target Company has within the past two (2) years been engaged in any material dispute with any Top Supplier or Top Customer, and (v) to the Company’s Knowledge, the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents will not materially adversely affect the relationship of any Target Company with any Top Supplier or Top Customer.
7.24 Certain Business Practices.
(a) Since January 1, 2020, no Target Company, nor any of their respective Representatives acting on their behalf has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other applicable Canadian or foreign anti-corruption or bribery Law or (iii) made any other unlawful payment. Since January 1, 2020, no Target Company, nor any of their respective Representatives acting on their behalf has directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any unlawful gift or similar benefit in any material amount to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder any Target Company or assist any Target Company in connection with any actual or proposed transaction.
(b) The operations of each Target Company are and have been conducted at all times since January 1, 2020 in compliance with money laundering statutes in all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority, and no Action involving a Target Company with respect to the any of the foregoing is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(c) No Target Company or any of their respective directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Representative acting on behalf of a Target Company is currently identified on the specially designated nationals or other blocked person list or otherwise currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, and no Target Company has, directly or indirectly, used any funds, or loaned, contributed or otherwise made available such funds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in connection with any sales or operations in Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar or any other country sanctioned by OFAC or for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to, or otherwise in violation of, any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC since January 1, 2020.
44
7.25 Healthcare Industry Matters.
(a) Each Target Company is, and has been since January 1, 2020, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable healthcare Laws, including the following and any applicable foreign equivalents: (i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”); (ii) all federal or state criminal or civil fraud and abuse Laws (including the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. §1320a-7(b)), the Civil Monetary Penalties Law (42 U.S.C. §1320a-7(a)), the Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. §1320a-7(h)), the Exclusion Law (42 U.S.C. §1320a-7), the Criminal False Statements Law (42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b(a), Stark Law (42 U.S.C. §1395nn), the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§3729 et seq., 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b(a)), HIPAA (42 U.S.C. §§1320d et seq.), and any comparable state or local Laws) and; (iii) any applicable state licensing, disclosure and reporting requirements (all of the foregoing, collectively, “Healthcare Laws”). No Target Company has received written notification of any pending Action from the FDA or any other similar Governmental Authority alleging that any operation or activity of any Target Company is in material violation of any applicable Healthcare Law.
(b) All material preclinical and clinical investigations conducted or sponsored by any Target Company and intended to be submitted to a Governmental Authority to support a regulatory approval have been and are being conducted in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Healthcare Laws administered or issued by the applicable Governmental Authority, including, as applicable, (i) the FDA regulations for conducting non-clinical laboratory studies contained in Title 21 part 58 of the Code of Federal Regulations and applicable foreign equivalents, (ii) applicable FDA requirements for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analysis and reporting of clinical trials contained in Title 21 parts 50, 54, 56 and 312 of the Code of Federal Regulations and applicable foreign equivalents, (iii) applicable federal, state and foreign Healthcare Laws restricting the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information, including HIPAA and applicable foreign equivalents; and (iv) for clinical investigations, in material compliance with any conditions imposed by an institutional review board or ethics committee.
(c) All material reports, documents, claims, Permits and notices (“Authorizations”) necessary to engage in the Target Company’s business, including Authorizations required to be filed, maintained or furnished to the FDA or any other Governmental Authority by each Target Company, including any owner, officer, director, partner, employee or agent of each Target Company, have been so filed, maintained or furnished. To the Knowledge of the Company, all such Authorizations were complete and accurate on the date filed (or were corrected in or supplemented by a subsequent filing), all such Authorizations are in full force and effect, and the holder of such Authorization is and has been in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Authorizations and with the rules and regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect to such Authorizations. Neither any Target Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any owner, officer, director, partner, employee or agent of any Target Company has (i) made an untrue statement of a material fact or any fraudulent statement to the FDA or any other Governmental Authority, (ii) failed to disclose a material fact required to be disclosed to the FDA or any other Governmental Authority or (iii) committed an act, made a statement, or failed to make a statement that, at the time such disclosure was made, would reasonably be expected to provide a reasonable basis for the FDA or any other Governmental Authority to invoke its policy respecting “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities”, set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) or any similar policy. Neither any Target Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any owner, officer, director, partner, employee or agent of any Target Company has been convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct for which debarment is mandated by 21 U.S.C. §335a(a) or any similar Healthcare Law or authorized by 21 U.S.C. §335a(b) or any similar Healthcare Law. Neither any Target Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any owner, officer, director, partner, employee or agent of any Target Company has been convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct for which such person could be excluded from participating in the federal health care programs under Section 1128 of the Social Security Act of 1935 or any Healthcare Law. As of the date of this Agreement, no Actions that would reasonably be expected to result in material debarment or exclusion are pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against any Target Company or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any owner, officer, director, partner, employee, contractor, supplier (in their capacities as such) or other entities or individuals performing research or work on behalf of any Target Company. No Target Company nor any owner, officer, director, partner, agent or employee of any Target Party is a party to or bound by any individual integrity agreement, corporate integrity agreements, monitoring agreements, consent decrees, settlement orders, deferred prosecution agreement, or similar agreements with or imposed by any Governmental Authority.
45
(d) No Target Company has received any written notice, correspondence or other communication from the FDA or any other Governmental Authority or from any institutional review board requiring the termination, suspension or material modification of any previous, ongoing or planned clinical trials conducted by, or on behalf of, any Target Company, or so limiting the participation of any clinical investigator that has conducted, or is conducting, such clinical trials for any Target Company.
(e) As of the date of this Agreement, no data generated by any Target Company with respect to its products is the subject of any written regulatory Action, either pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened, by any Governmental Authority relating to the truthfulness or scientific integrity of such data.
(f) To the Company’s Knowledge, no product manufactured or distributed by any Target Company is (i) adulterated within the meaning of 21 U.S.C. §351 (or any similar Healthcare Law), or (ii) misbranded within the meaning of 21 U.S.C. §352 (or any similar Healthcare Law). Since January 1, 2018, neither any Target Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of their respective contract manufacturers has received any FDA Form 483, warning letter, untitled letter, or other similar correspondence or written notice from the FDA or any other Governmental Authority alleging or asserting material noncompliance with any applicable Healthcare Laws or Permits issued to the Company by the FDA or any other Governmental Authority. No manufacturing site owned by any Target Company or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of their respective contract manufacturers, is or has been since January 1, 2018, subject to a shutdown or import or export prohibition imposed by FDA or another Governmental Authority.
7.26 Investment Company Act. No Target Company is an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
7.27 Finders and Brokers. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.27, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from Purchaser, Pubco, the Target Companies or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of any Target Company.
7.28 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) in any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority (including the SEC) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents; (b) in the Registration Statement; or (c) in the mailings or other distributions to Purchaser’s stockholders or Pubco’s shareholders and/or prospective investors with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any amendment to any of documents identified in (a) through (c), will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not materially misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release and the Closing Filing will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not materially misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of Purchaser or its Affiliates.
46
7.29 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the Company in this Agreement (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules) or the Ancillary Documents, (a) contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or (b) omits or will omit to state, when read in conjunction with all of the information contained in this Agreement, the Company Disclosure Schedules and the Ancillary Documents, any fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained therein not materially misleading.
7.30 Independent Investigation. The Company has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of Purchaser and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of Purchaser, for such purpose. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of Purchaser, set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to the Company pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of Purchaser for the Registration Statement; and (b) none of Purchaser or its Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to Purchaser or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to Company or Pubco pursuant hereto.
Article VIII
COVENANTS
8.1 Access and Information.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.1 or the Closing (the “Interim Period”), subject to Section 8.13, the Company shall give, and shall cause its Representatives to give, Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub and their respective Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all employees, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information (including Tax Returns, internal working papers, client files, client Contracts and director service agreements), of or pertaining to the Target Companies as Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs or their respective Representatives may reasonably request regarding the Target Companies and their respective businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects (including unaudited quarterly financial statements, including a consolidated quarterly balance sheet and income statement, a copy of each material report, schedule and other document filed with or received by a Governmental Authority pursuant to the requirements of applicable securities Laws, and independent public accountants’ work papers (subject to the consent or any other conditions required by such accountants, if any)) and cause each of the Representatives of the Company, to reasonably cooperate with Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub and their respective Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and their Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Target Companies.
47
(b) During the Interim Period, subject to Section 8.13, Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub shall give, and shall cause their respective Representatives to give, the Company and its Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all employees, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information (including Tax Returns, internal working papers, client files, client Contracts and director service agreements), of or pertaining to Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub, as the Company or its Representatives may reasonably request regarding Purchaser,, Pubco and each Pubco Sub and their respective businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects (including unaudited quarterly financial statements, including a consolidated quarterly balance sheet and income statement, a copy of each material report, schedule and other document filed with or received by a Governmental Authority pursuant to the requirements of applicable securities Laws, and independent public accountants’ work papers (subject to the consent or any other conditions required by such accountants, if any)) and cause each of Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub and their respective Representatives to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its respective Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that the Company and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of Purchaser, Pubco and any Pubco Sub.
8.2 Conduct of Business of the Company .
(a) Unless Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 8.2, the Company shall, and shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct their respective businesses, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) comply with all Laws applicable to the Target Companies and their respective businesses, assets and employees, and (iii) take all commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations, to keep available the services of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees and consultants, and to preserve the possession, control and condition of their respective material assets, all as consistent with past practice.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 8.2(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 8.2, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of Purchaser and Pubco (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall not, and shall cause the Company Sub to not:
(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents, except as required by applicable Law;
(ii) other than securities issued in connection with the Interim Financing or the issuance of Company Shares upon the exercise of Company Options outstanding on the date of this Agreement, authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its shares or other equity securities or securities of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;
(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its shares or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities;
48
(iv) (x) incur, create, assume, prepay or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, (y) make a loan or advance to or investment in any third party (other than advancement of expenses to employees in the ordinary course of business), or (c) guarantee or endorse any Indebtedness, Liability or obligation of any Person in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate;
(v) increase the wages, salaries or compensation of its employees other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and in any event not in the aggregate by more than five percent (5%), or make or commit to make any bonus payment (whether in cash, property or securities) to any employee, or materially increase other benefits of employees generally, or enter into, establish, materially amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan with, for or in respect of any current consultant, officer, manager director or employee, in each case other than as required by applicable Law, pursuant to the terms of any Company Benefit Plans or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(vi) make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle any claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, or make any material change in its accounting or Tax policies or procedures, in each case except as required by applicable Law or in compliance with GAAP;
(vii) transfer or license to any Person or otherwise extend, materially amend or modify, permit to lapse or fail to preserve any material Company Registered IP, Company Licensed IP or other Company IP, or disclose to any Person who has not entered into a confidentiality agreement any Trade Secrets;
(viii) terminate, or waive or assign any material right under, any Company Material Contract or enter into any Contract that would be a Company Material Contract, in any case outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(ix) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(x) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business that is material to the Company;
(xi) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force material insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage as are currently in effect;
(xii) revalue any of its material assets or make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP and after consulting with such Party’s outside auditors;
(xiii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that involve only the payment of monetary damages (and not the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, such Party or its Affiliates) not in excess of $50,000 (individually or in the aggregate), or otherwise pay, discharge or satisfy any Actions, Liabilities or obligations, unless such amount has been reserved in the Company Financials or the consolidated financial statements of Pubco, as applicable;
49
(xiv) close or materially reduce its activities, or effect any layoff or other personnel reduction or change, at any of its facilities;
(xv) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(xvi) other than in the ordinary course of business, make capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 (individually for any project (or set of related projects) or $250,000 in the aggregate);
(xvii) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;
(xviii) voluntarily incur any Liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate other than in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to the terms of a Company Material Contract or Company Benefit Plan;
(xix) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its properties, assets or rights;
(xx) enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company;
(xxi) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement;
(xxii) accelerate the collection of any trade receivables or delay the payment of trade payables or any other liabilities other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(xxiii) enter into, amend, waive or terminate (other than terminations in accordance with their terms) any transaction with any Related Person (other than compensation and benefits and advancement of expenses, in each case, provided in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); or
(xxiv) authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing actions.
50
8.3 Conduct of Business of Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs .
(a) Unless the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 8.3, Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct their respective businesses, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) comply with all Laws applicable to Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and their respective businesses, assets and employees, and (iii) take all commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations, to keep available the services of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees and consultants, and to preserve the possession, control and condition of their respective material assets, all as consistent with past practice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.3, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Purchaser from extending, in accordance with the Purchaser Charter and IPO Prospectus, the deadline by which it must complete its Business Combination (an “Extension”), and no consent of any other Party shall be required in connection therewith.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 8.3(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement (including as contemplated by any Equity Investment or Debt Financing) or as set forth on Schedule 8.3, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Purchaser and Pubco shall not, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to not:
(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents;
(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its equity securities or other security interests of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;
(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its shares or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its shares or other equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities;
(iv) incur, create, assume, prepay or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 (individually or in the aggregate), make a loan or advance to or investment in any third party, or guarantee or endorse any Indebtedness, Liability or obligation of any Person (provided, that this Section 8.3(b)(iv) shall not prevent Purchaser from borrowing funds necessary to finance its ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and Expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions, including any Equity Investment or Debt Financing, and costs and expenses necessary for an Extension (such expenses, “Extension Expenses”), up to aggregate additional Indebtedness during the Interim Period of $1,000,000);
(v) make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle any claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, or make any material change in its accounting or Tax policies or procedures, in each case except as required by applicable Law or in compliance with GAAP or IFRS, as applicable;
51
(vi) amend, waive or otherwise change the Trust Agreement in any manner adverse to Purchaser;
(vii) terminate, waive or assign any material right under any Purchaser Material Contract or other material agreement to which it is a party;
(viii) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(ix) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business;
(x) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage as are currently in effect;
(xi) revalue any of its material assets or make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP or IFRS, as applicable, and after consulting the Purchaser’s outside auditors;
(xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that involve only the payment of monetary damages (and not the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, Purchaser) not in excess of $100,000 (individually or in the aggregate), or otherwise pay, discharge or satisfy any Actions, Liabilities or obligations, unless such amount has been reserved in the Purchaser Financials;
(xiii) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets outside the ordinary course of business;
(xiv) make capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 individually for any project (or set of related projects) or $250,000 in the aggregate (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, incurring any Expenses);
(xv) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization (other than with respect to the Merger);
(xvi) voluntarily incur any Liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate (excluding the incurrence of any Expenses) other than pursuant to the terms of a Contract in existence as of the date of this Agreement or entered into in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with the terms of this Section 8.3 during the Interim Period;
(xvii) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its properties, assets or rights;
52
(xviii) enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the voting of its equity securities;
(xix) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement; or
(xx) authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing actions.
8.4 Annual and Interim Financial Statements.
(a) During the Interim Period, within forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of each three-month quarterly period and each fiscal year, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser an unaudited consolidated income statement and an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies for the period from the Interim Balance Sheet Date through the end of such quarterly period or fiscal year and the applicable comparative period in the preceding fiscal year, in each case accompanied by a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the effect that all such financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Target Companies as of the date or for the periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and excluding footnotes. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, the Company will also promptly deliver to Purchaser copies of any audited consolidated financial statements of the Target Companies that the Target Companies’ certified public accountants may issue, including without limitation the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 and the comparable period in 2022.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser, auditor reviewed financial statements for the nine-month fiscal period ended December 31, 2022, and the Company shall, reasonably cooperate with and provide all necessary materials to its auditor and, use its reasonable best efforts to cause its auditor to complete the review of the nine-months financial statements on or before April 30, 2023. Such audited financial statements shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the effect that all such financial statements fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the Company as of the date or for the periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP.
8.5 Purchaser Public Filings. During the Interim Period, Purchaser will keep current and timely file all of its public filings with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable securities Laws and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts prior to the Merger to maintain the listing of the Purchaser Units, the Purchaser Class A Common Stock and the Purchaser Public Warrants on Nasdaq; provided, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing, the Parties intend to list on Nasdaq only the shares of Pubco Common Stock and the Pubco Public Warrants.
8.6 No Solicitation.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) an “Acquisition Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer, or any indication of interest in making an offer or proposal, from any Person or group at any time relating to an Alternative Transaction, and (ii) an “Alternative Transaction” means (A) with respect to the Company and its Affiliates, a transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) concerning the sale of (x) all or any material part of the business or assets of the Target Companies (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or (y) 20% or more of the shares or other equity interests or profits of the Target Companies, in any case, whether such transaction takes the form of a sale of shares or other equity interests, assets, merger, consolidation, issuance of debt securities, management Contract, joint venture or partnership, or otherwise, in each case other than in connection with the Interim Financing and (B) with respect to Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and their respective Affiliates, a transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) concerning a Business Combination involving Purchaser.
53
(b) During the Interim Period, in order to induce the other Parties to continue to commit to expend management time and financial resources in furtherance of the Transactions, each Party shall not, and shall cause its Representatives to not, without the prior written consent of the Company, Pubco and Purchaser, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, assist, initiate or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of, or intentionally encourage, any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish any non-public information regarding such Party or its Affiliates or their respective businesses, operations, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects or employees to any Person or group (other than a Party to this Agreement or their respective Representatives) in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage or participate in discussions or negotiations with any Person or group with respect to, or that could be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (v) negotiate or enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement related to any Acquisition Proposal, or (vi) release any third Person from, or waive any provision of, any confidentiality agreement to which such Party is a party.
(c) Each Party shall notify the others as promptly as practicable (and in any event within 48 hours) orally and in writing of the receipt by such Party or any of its Representatives of (i) any bona fide inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations regarding or constituting any Acquisition Proposal or any bona fide inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations that could be expected to result in an Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) any request for non-public information relating to such Party or its Affiliates in connection with any Acquisition Proposal, specifying in each case, the material terms and conditions thereof. Each Party shall keep the others promptly informed of the status of any such inquiries, proposals, offers or requests for information. During the Interim Period, each Party shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and shall, and shall direct its Representatives to, cease and terminate any such solicitations, discussions or negotiations.
8.7 No Trading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is aware (and each of their respective Representatives is aware or, upon receipt of any material nonpublic information of Purchaser, will be advised) of the restrictions imposed by U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq promulgated thereunder or otherwise (the “Federal Securities Laws”) and other applicable foreign and domestic Laws on a Person possessing material nonpublic information about a publicly traded company. Prior to the Closing, the Company hereby agrees that, while it is in possession of such material nonpublic information, it shall not purchase or sell any securities of Purchaser, communicate such information to any third party, take any other action with respect to Purchaser in violation of such Laws, or cause or encourage any third party to do any of the foregoing.
8.8 Notification of Certain Matters. During the Interim Period, each Party shall give prompt notice to the other Parties if such Party or its Affiliates: (a) fails to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it or its Affiliates hereunder in any material respect; (b) receives any notice or other communication in writing from any third party (including any Governmental Authority) alleging (i) that the Consent of such third party is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any non-compliance with any Law by such Party or its Affiliates); (c) receives any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (d) discovers any fact or circumstance that, or becomes aware of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which, would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any of the conditions to set forth in Article IX not being satisfied or the satisfaction of those conditions being materially delayed; or (e) becomes aware of the commencement or threat, in writing, of any Action against such Party or any of its Affiliates, or any of their respective properties or assets, or, to the Knowledge of such Party, any officer, director, partner, member or manager, in his, her or its capacity as such, of such Party or of its Affiliates with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No such notice shall constitute an acknowledgement or admission by the Party providing the notice regarding whether or not any of the conditions to the Closing have been satisfied or in determining whether or not any of the representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement have been breached.
54
8.9 Efforts.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, and shall cooperate fully with the other Parties, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the receipt of all applicable Consents of Governmental Authorities) and to comply as promptly as practicable with all requirements of Governmental Authorities applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of Section 8.9(a), to the extent required under any Laws that are designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade (“Antitrust Laws”), each Party hereto agrees to make any required filing or application under Antitrust Laws, as applicable, with each of the Purchaser and the Company bearing fifty percent (50%) of the costs and expenses thereof, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, to supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be reasonably requested pursuant to Antitrust Laws and to take all other actions reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under Antitrust Laws as soon as practicable, including by requesting early termination of the waiting period provided for under the Antitrust Laws. Each Party shall, in connection with its efforts to obtain all requisite approvals and authorizations for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any Antitrust Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) cooperate in all respects with each other Party or its Affiliates in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private Person; (ii) keep the other Parties reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party or its Representatives from, or given by such Party or its Representatives to, any Governmental Authority and of any communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) permit a Representative of the other Parties and their respective outside counsel to review any communication given by it to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority or other Person, give a Representative or Representatives of the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences; (iv) in the event a Party’s Representative is prohibited from participating in or attending any meetings or conferences, the other Parties shall keep such Party promptly and reasonably apprised with respect thereto; and (v) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in the filing of any memoranda, white papers, filings, correspondence or other written communications explaining or defending the transactions contemplated hereby, articulating any regulatory or competitive argument, and/or responding to requests or objections made by any Governmental Authority.
55
(c) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use) their respective commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with Governmental Authorities requests for approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have such Governmental Authorities approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party shall give prompt written notice to the other Parties if such Party or any of its Representatives receives any notice from such Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall promptly furnish the other Parties with a copy of such Governmental Authority notice. If any Governmental Authority requires that a hearing or meeting be held in connection with its approval of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether prior to the Closing or after the Closing, each Party shall arrange for Representatives of such Party to be present for such hearing or meeting. If any objections are asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any applicable Law or if any Action is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by any applicable Governmental Authority or any private Person challenging any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document as violative of any applicable Law or which would otherwise prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any such objections or Actions so as to timely permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, including in order to resolve such objections or Actions which, in any case if not resolved, could reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. In the event any Action is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by a Governmental Authority or private Person challenging the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any Ancillary Document, the Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, reasonably cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to contest and resist any such Action and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any Order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents.
(d) Prior to the Closing, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Consents of Governmental Authorities or other third Persons as may be necessary for the consummation by such Party or its Affiliates of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or required as a result of the execution or performance of, or consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement by such Party or its Affiliates, and the other Parties shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with such efforts.
8.10 Further Assurances. The Parties hereto shall further cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, necessary, proper or advisable on their part under this Agreement and applicable Laws to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable, including preparing and filing as soon as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings.
8.11 The Registration Statement.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, Purchaser and Pubco shall prepare with the reasonable assistance of the Company, and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, and including the Proxy Statement contained therein, the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Pubco Securities to be issued under this Agreement to the holders of Purchaser Securities and the Company Security Holders pursuant to the Transactions (including the Earnout Shares,if permissible under the Form S-4), which Registration Statement will also contain a proxy statement of Purchaser (as amended, the “Proxy Statement”) for the purpose of soliciting proxies from the Purchaser Stockholders for the matters to be acted upon at the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting and providing the Public Stockholders an opportunity in accordance with Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the IPO Prospectus to have their Purchaser Class A Common Stock redeemed (the “Redemption”) in conjunction with the stockholder vote on the Stockholder Approval Matters. The Proxy Statement shall include proxy materials for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Purchaser Stockholders to vote, at an special meeting of Purchaser stockholders to be called and held for such purpose (the “Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting”), in favor of resolutions approving (A) the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Assumed Options regardless of whether the Pubco Equity Plan is approved in subsection (B) below and, to the extent required, the issuance of any PIPE Shares), by the holders of Purchaser Common Stock in accordance with Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, the DGCL and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, (B) the adoption and approval of a new omnibus equity incentive plan for Pubco, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and the Company (the “Pubco Equity Plan”), which will provide that the total awards under such Pubco Equity Plan will be a number of shares of Pubco Class A Common Stock equal to the greater of (i) the number of shares of Pubco Common Stock that are subject to the Assumed Options, and (ii) ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of shares of Pubco Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing, (C) the appointment of the members of the Post-Closing Pubco Board, in each case in accordance with Section 8.14 hereof, (D) the approval of an amendment to the Insider Letter, effective upon the Closing, to reduce the Founder Shares Lock-up Period set forth in clause (A) of Section 8(a) thereof from one year after the completion of the Business Combination and provide that (i) twenty five percent (25%) of the Founder Shares will be released upon the filing of Pubco’s first Form 10-Q or Form 10-K filing made six (6) months after the Closing and (ii) and an additional 25% of the Founder Shares will be released after each Form 10-Q or Form 10-K that is filed each quarter thereafter (in addition to the early release for stock price performance and a subsequent sale as set forth in the current Insider Letter lock-up) (the “Insider Letter Amendment Approval”); and (E) such other matters as the Company, Pubco and Purchaser shall hereafter mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate in order to effect the Transactions (the approvals described in foregoing clauses (A) through (E), collectively, the “Stockholder Approval Matters”), and (F) the adjournment of the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting, if necessary or desirable in the reasonable determination of Purchaser.
56
(b) If on the date for which the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting is scheduled, Purchaser has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares to obtain the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, Purchaser may make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting. In connection with the Registration Statement, Purchaser and Pubco will file with the SEC financial and other information about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law and applicable proxy solicitation and registration statement rules set forth in Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, the DGCL and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Purchaser and Pubco shall cooperate and provide the Company (and its counsel) with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto prior to filing the same with the SEC. The Company shall provide Purchaser with such information concerning the Target Companies and their equity holders, officers, directors, employees, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), business and operations that may be required or appropriate for inclusion in the Registration Statement, or in any amendments or supplements thereto, which information provided by the Company shall be true and correct and not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
(c) Purchaser and Pubco shall take any and all reasonable and necessary actions required to satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable Laws in connection with the Registration Statement, the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting and the Redemption. Each of Purchaser, Pubco and the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make their respective directors, officers and employees, upon reasonable advance notice, available to the Company, Pubco, Purchaser and their respective Representatives in connection with the drafting of the public filings with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Registration Statement, and responding in a timely manner to comments from the SEC. Each Party shall promptly correct any information provided by it for use in the Registration Statement (and other related materials) if and to the extent that such information is determined to have become false or misleading in any material respect or as otherwise required by applicable Laws. Purchaser and Pubco shall amend or supplement the Registration Statement and cause the Registration Statement, as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to Purchaser’s stockholders, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable Laws and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Purchaser’s Organizational Documents.
(d) Purchaser and Pubco, with the assistance of the other Parties, shall promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Registration Statement and shall otherwise use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to “clear” comments from the SEC and become effective. Purchaser and Pubco shall provide the Company with copies of any written comments, and shall inform the Company of any material oral comments, that Purchaser, Pubco or their respective Representatives receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement, the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting and the Redemption promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall give the Company a reasonable opportunity under the circumstances to review and comment on any proposed written or material oral responses to such comments.
(e) As soon as practicable following the Registration Statement “clearing” comments from the SEC and being declared effective by the SEC, Purchaser and Pubco shall distribute the Registration Statement to Purchaser’s stockholders and, pursuant thereto, shall call the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting in accordance with the DGCL.
(f) Purchaser and Pubco shall comply with all applicable Laws, any applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and this Agreement in the preparation, filing and distribution of the Registration Statement, any solicitation of proxies thereunder, the calling and holding of the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting and the Redemption.
8.12 Public Announcements.
(a) The Parties agree that, during the Interim Period, no public release, filing or announcement concerning this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be issued by any Party or any of their Affiliates without the prior written consent (not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of Purchaser, Pubco and the Company, except as such release or announcement may be required by applicable Law or the rules or regulations of any securities exchange, in which case the applicable Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow the other Parties reasonable time to comment on, and arrange for any required filing with respect to, such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.
57
(b) The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), issue a press release announcing the execution of this Agreement (the “Signing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Signing Press Release, Purchaser shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Signing Filing”) with the Signing Press Release and a description of this Agreement as required by Federal Securities Laws, which the Company shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing (with the Company reviewing, commenting upon and approving such Signing Filing in any event no later than the third (3rd) Business Day after the execution of this Agreement). The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the Closing (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), issue a press release announcing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Closing Press Release, Pubco shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Closing Filing”) with the Closing Press Release and a description of the Closing as required by Federal Securities Laws which Purchaser shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing. In connection with the preparation of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Filing, the Closing Press Release, or any other report, statement, filing notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any Governmental Authority or other third party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall, upon request by any other Party, furnish the Parties with all information concerning themselves, their respective directors, officers and equity holders, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or any other report, statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any third party and/ or any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.13 Confidential Information.
(a) The Company and the Seller Representative hereby agree that during the Interim Period and, in the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article X, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, they shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Purchaser Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, performing their obligations hereunder or thereunder or enforcing their rights hereunder or thereunder), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Purchaser Confidential Information without Purchaser’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that the Company, the Seller Representative or any of their respective Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article X, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally compelled to disclose any Purchaser Confidential Information, (A) provide Purchaser to the extent legally permitted with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Purchaser or an Affiliate thereof may seek, at Purchaser’s cost, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 8.13(a), and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or Purchaser waives compliance with this Section 8.13(a), furnish only that portion of such Purchaser Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Purchaser Confidential Information. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, the Company shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, promptly deliver to Purchaser or destroy (at Purchaser’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Purchaser Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon.
58
(b) Purchaser, Pubco, each Pubco Sub and the Purchaser Representative hereby agree that during the Interim Period and, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article X, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, it shall, and shall cause its Representatives to: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Company Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, performing its obligations hereunder or thereunder or enforcing its rights hereunder or thereunder), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Company Confidential Information without the Company’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs or any of their respective Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article X, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally compelled to disclose any Company Confidential Information, (A) provide the Company to the extent legally permitted with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek, at the Company’s sole expense, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 8.13(b) and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with this Section 8.13(b), furnish only that portion of such Company Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Company Confidential Information. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, promptly deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Company Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser and its Representatives shall be permitted to disclose any and all Company Confidential Information to the extent required by the Federal Securities Laws; provided, that, to the extent legally permissible, Purchaser and its Representatives shall give the Company prompt written notice to allow the Company to seek a protective order and Purchaser and its Representatives shall use reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment for any such Company Confidential Information.
8.14 Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers.
(a) The Parties shall take all necessary action, including causing the directors of the Pubco to resign, so that effective as of the Closing, Pubco’s board of directors (the “Post-Closing Pubco Board”) will consist of nine (9) individuals. Immediately after the Closing, the Parties shall take all necessary action to designate and appoint to the Post-Closing Pubco Board (i) six (6) persons that are designated by the Company prior to the Closing (the “Company Directors”), at least four (4) of whom shall be required to qualify as an independent director under Nasdaq rules; (ii) the two (2) persons that are designated by the Purchaser prior to the Closing (the “Purchaser Directors”), and (iii) the one (1) person that is mutually agreed upon and designated by Purchaser and the Company prior to the Closing (the “Independent Director”) whom shall be required to qualify as an independent director under Nasdaq rules. At or prior to the Closing, Pubco will provide each Company Director, Purchaser Director and the Independent Director with a customary director indemnification agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such Company Director, Purchaser Director or Independent Director. Pursuant to the Amended Pubco Charter as in effect as of the Closing, the Post-Closing Pubco Board will be a classified board with three classes of directors, with (I) one class of directors, the Class I Directors, initially serving a one (1) year term, such term effective from the Closing (but any subsequent Class I Directors serving a three (3) year term), (II) a second class of directors, the Class II Directors, initially serving a two (2) year term, such term effective from the Closing (but any subsequent Class II Directors serving a three (3) year term), and (III) a third class of directors, the Class III Directors, serving a three (3) year term, such term effective from the Closing. The Purchaser Directors shall be Class II Directors. In accordance with the Amended Pubco Charter as in effect at the Closing, no director on the Post-Closing Pubco Board may be removed without cause. At or prior to the Closing, Pubco will provide each Company Director, Purchaser Director and the Independent Director with a customary director indemnification agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such Company Director, Purchaser Director or Independent Director.
59
(b) The Parties shall take all action necessary, including causing the executive officers of Pubco to resign, so that the individuals serving as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, of Pubco immediately after the Closing will be the same individuals (in the same office) as that of the Company immediately prior to the Closing (unless, at its sole discretion, the Company desires to appoint another qualified person to either such role, in which case, such other person identified by the Company shall serve in such role).
8.15 Documents and Information. After the Closing Date, Pubco shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries (including Purchaser and the Target Companies) to, until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date, retain all books, records and other documents pertaining to the business of Purchaser and the Target Companies in existence on the Closing Date and make the same available for inspection and copying by the Purchaser Representative during normal business hours of Pubco and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, upon reasonable request and upon reasonable notice. No such books, records or documents shall be destroyed after the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date by Pubco or its Subsidiaries (including any Target Company) without first advising the Purchaser Representative in writing and giving the Purchaser Representative a reasonable opportunity to obtain possession thereof.
8.16 Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Tail Insurance.
(a) The Parties agree that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of the current or former directors and officers of Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and the Company and each Person who served as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise at the request of the applicable Party (the “D&O Indemnified Persons”) as provided in their respective Organizational Documents or under any indemnification, employment or other similar agreements between any D&O Indemnified Person and Purchaser, Pubco, the Pubco Subs or the Company, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms to the extent permitted by applicable Law. For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, Pubco shall cause the Organizational Documents of Purchaser and the Company to contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation and indemnification of and advancement of expenses to D&O Indemnified Persons than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in the Organizational Documents of Purchaser and the Company to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The provisions of this Section 8.16 shall survive the Closing and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Persons and their respective heirs and representatives.
(b) For the benefit of Purchaser’s directors and officers, Purchaser shall be permitted prior to the Effective Time to obtain and fully pay the premium for a “tail” insurance policy that provides coverage for up to a six-year period from and after the Effective Time for events occurring prior to the Effective Time (the “D&O Tail Insurance”) that is substantially equivalent to and in any event not less favorable in the aggregate than Purchaser’s existing policy or, if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the best available coverage, provided that the premium for such coverage shall not be more than 300% of the premium currently maintained. If obtained, Pubco and Purchaser shall maintain the D&O Tail Insurance in full force and effect, and continue to honor the obligations thereunder, and Pubco and Purchaser shall timely pay or cause to be paid all premiums with respect to the D&O Tail Insurance.
60
8.17 Trust Account Proceeds. The Parties agree that after the Closing, the funds in the Trust Account, after taking into account payments for the Redemption, and any proceeds received by Pubco or Purchaser from any Equity Investment or Debt Financing shall first be used to pay (i) Purchaser’s tax liabilities incurred but not paid as of the Closing, (ii) Purchaser’s accrued Expenses and the Company’s accrued Expenses, including the Company advisory fees related to the Transaction, (iii) any loans owed by Purchaser to Sponsor for Expenses (including deferred Expenses), other administrative costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Purchaser or Extension Expenses and (iv) any other Liabilities of Purchaser as of the Closing. Such amounts, as well as any Expenses that are required or permitted to be paid by delivery of Purchaser’s or Pubco Securities, will be paid at the Closing. Any remaining cash will be distributed to a Target Company and used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
8.18 Equity and Debt Investment.
(a) During the Interim Period, Purchaser, Pubco and the Company shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to (i) enter into and consummate subscription agreements with investors relating to a private equity investment in Purchaser or Pubco to purchase shares of Purchaser or Pubco (“PIPE Shares”) in connection with a private placement, or enter into non-redemption agreements with existing Purchaser Stockholders, and/or enter into backstop arrangements with potential investors, (an “Equity Investment”), or (ii) arrange debt financing in connection with the Transactions (a “Debt Financing”), in each case such that Closing Cash (as defined below) is targeted for at least Thirty Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000), in each case on terms mutually agreeable to the Company, Purchaser and Pubco, acting reasonably, and, if Purchaser elects to seek an Equity Investment or Debt Financing, Pubco, Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, cooperate with each other and their respective Representatives in connection with such Equity Investment or Debt Financing and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Equity Investment or Debt Financing to occur (including having the Company’s senior management participate in any investor meetings and roadshows as reasonably requested by Purchaser). For the avoidance of doubt, completion of an Equity Investment or a Debt Financing is not, in and of itself, a closing condition to consummate the Transactions contemplated hereunder.
(b) In connection with a PIPE investment or Debt Financing, Purchaser and the Company agree that, if the Company and the Sponsor mutually agree to provide equity incentives to support the Equity Investment and/or Debt Financing, then (i) first, the Sponsor shall provide up to 25% of the outstanding Founder Shares (the “Sponsor Incentive Shares”) to be used as incentives to support the Equity Investment or Debt Financing whether or not based on contingency or for price protection; and (ii) second, the Company shall provide Consideration Shares with a value of up to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) based on the Redemption Price (the “Company Incentive Shares”) to be used as incentives to support the Equity Investment or Debt Financing whether or not based on contingency or for price protection. The Company may, in its sole discretion, provide Consideration Shares with a value of more than Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) based on the Redemption Price (“Additional Company Incentive Shares”) as equity incentives to support the Equity Investments and/or Debt Financing. For avoidance of doubt, the Sponsor shall not be required to provide any securities as incentives beyond the Sponsor Incentive Shares.
(c) Promptly following the date hereof, Purchaser shall cause Sponsor to enter into a letter agreement with Purchaser, Pubco and the Company whereby Sponsor agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Section 8.18.
61
8.19 Nasdaq Listing. Purchaser shall use its respective reasonable its commercially reasonable efforts to cause, as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, but in no event later than the Closing Date; (a) Pubco’s initial listing application with Nasdaq in connection with the Transactions to have been approved; (b) Pubco to satisfy all applicable initial and continuing listing requirements of Nasdaq; and (c) the Pubco Class A Common Stock and Pubco Public Warrants to have been approved for listing on Nasdaq.
8.20 Company Registration Rights Agreement. As soon as practicable following the date hereof, Purchaser and Pubco shall prepare a Registration Rights Agreement, which shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser and the Company (the “Company Registration Rights Agreement”), with the key Company stakeholders, covering the registration of the Pubco Class A Common Stock to be issued to any officers, directors or other equity holders of the Company deemed “affiliates” under Rule 144 of the Securities Act in connection with the Transactions or upon the exchange of any Exchangeable Shares.
8.21 Interim Financing. Purchaser shall provide reasonable cooperation to the Company in connection with the Interim Financing.
8.22 Pubco Equity Plan. If the Pubco Equity Plan is approved by the Purchaser Stockholders at the Purchaser Stockholder Special Meeting, Pubco shall adopt the Pubco Equity Plan prior to the Effective Date.
Article IX
CLOSING CONDITIONS
9.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The obligations of each Party to consummate the Merger, the Arrangement and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where permissible) by the Company and Purchaser of the following conditions:
(a) Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval. The Stockholder Approval Matters that are submitted to the vote of the shareholders of Purchaser at the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting in accordance with the Proxy Statement (other than the Insider Letter Amendment Approval) shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the shareholders of Purchaser at the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting in accordance with Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, applicable Law and the Proxy Statement (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, the Insider Letter Amendment Approval, the “Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval”).
(b) Required Company Approval. The Company Shareholders Meeting shall have been held in accordance with the BCBCA and the Company’s Organizational Documents, and at such meeting, the requisite vote of the Company Shareholder (including any separate class or series vote that is required, whether pursuant to the Company’s Organizational Documents, the Interim Order, any purchase or subscription agreement or otherwise) shall have authorized, approved and consented to, as applicable, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is a party or bound, the Company Arrangement Resolution and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Pubco Share Exchange (the “Required Company Approval”).
(c) Antitrust Laws. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of this Agreement under any Antitrust Laws shall have expired or been terminated.
62
(d) Requisite Regulatory Approvals. All Consents required to be obtained from or made with any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained or made.
(e) Requisite Consents. The Consents required to be obtained from or made with any third Person (other than a Governmental Authority) in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are set forth in Schedule 9.1(e) shall have each been obtained or made.
(f) No Law or Order. No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or Order that is then in effect and which has the effect of making the transactions or agreements contemplated by this Agreement illegal or which otherwise prevents or prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(g) No Litigation. There shall not be any pending Action brought by a third-party non-Affiliate to enjoin or otherwise restrict the consummation of the Closing.
(h) Net Tangible Assets Test. Upon the Closing, after giving effect to the Redemption and any Equity Investment or Debt Financing, Purchaser shall have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001.
(i) Appointment to the Board. The members of the Post-Closing Pubco Board shall have been elected or appointed as of the Closing consistent with the requirements of Section 8.14.
(j) Pubco Charter Amendment. At or prior to the Closing, the shareholders of Pubco shall have amended and restated the Certificate of Incorporation of Pubco in a form to be mutually agreed to by the Company and Purchaser (the “Amended Pubco Charter”).
(k) Minimum Cash Condition. Upon the Closing, the Purchaser shall have cash and cash equivalents, including funds remaining in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the completion and payment of the Redemption) and the proceeds of any Equity Investment or Debt Financing, after giving effect to the payment of Purchaser’s unpaid Expenses or Liabilities and the Company’s unpaid Expenses, at least equal to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000).
(l) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and shall remain effective as of the Closing, and no stop order or similar order shall be in effect with respect to the Registration Statement.
(m) Interim and Final Orders. The Interim Order and the Final Order shall have been obtained on terms consistent with this Agreement and shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to either the Purchaser or the Company, each acting reasonably, on appeal or otherwise.
(n) Nasdaq Listing. Upon the Closing, Pubco’s initial listing application with Nasdaq in connection with the Transactions, which shall include a listing of all of the shares issued or to be issued under this Agreement, including all shares underlying the Assumed Options, shall have been approved and, immediately following the Closing, Pubco shall satisfy any applicable initial and continuing listing requirements of Nasdaq. In addition, Pubco shall not have received any notice of non-compliance therewith, and the Pubco Class A Common Stock and Pubco Public Warrants shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq.
63
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. In addition to the conditions specified in Section 9.1, the obligations of the Company and the to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (by the Company and Pubco) of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs set forth in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of Purchaser or Pubco pursuant hereto shall be true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date, except for (i) those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been accurate as of such date), and (ii) any failures to be true and correct that (without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on, or with respect to, Purchaser.
(b) Agreements and Covenants. Purchaser and Pubco shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations and complied in all material respects with all of its agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) No Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred with respect to Purchaser since the date of this Agreement which is continuing and uncured.
(d) Closing Deliveries.
(i) Officer Certificate. Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of Purchaser in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 9.2(a), 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) with respect to Purchaser. Pubco shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of Pubco in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 9.2(a), 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) with respect to Pubco.
(ii) Secretary Certificate. Purchaser and Pubco shall have each delivered to the Company a certificate from its secretary or other executive officer certifying as to, and attaching, (A) copies of its Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the Effective Time), (B) the resolutions of its board of directors authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (C) evidence that the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval has been obtained and (D) the incumbency of officers authorized to execute this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.
(iii) Good Standing. Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a good standing certificate (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for Purchaser certified as of a date no earlier than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Authority of Purchaser’s jurisdiction of organization and from each other jurisdiction in which Purchaser is qualified to do business as a foreign entity as of the Closing, in each case to the extent that good standing certificates or similar documents are generally available in such jurisdictions. Pubco shall have delivered to Purchaser good standing certificates (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for Pubco and each Pubco Sub certified as of a date no earlier than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Authority of Pubco’s and the applicable Pubco Sub’s jurisdiction of organization and from each other jurisdiction in which Pubco or a Pubco Sub is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity as of the Closing, in each case to the extent that good standing certificates or similar documents are generally available in such jurisdictions.
64
(iv) Founder Registration Rights Agreement Amendment. The Company shall have received a copy of an Amendment to the Founder Registration Rights Agreement to, among other matters, have Pubco assume the registration obligations of Purchaser under the Founder Registration Rights Agreement and have such rights apply to the Pubco Securities, in a form to be mutually agreed upon by Purchaser and the Company (the “Founder Registration Rights Agreement Amendment”), duly executed by Purchaser, Pubco and the holders of a majority of the “Registrable Securities” thereunder.
(v) Company Registration Rights Agreement. The Company Shareholders shall have received from Pubco the Company Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by Pubco.
(vi) Non-Competition Agreements. The Company shall have received a copy of each Non-Competition Agreement, duly executed by Pubco and the Purchaser Representative.
(vii) Lock-Up Agreements. The Company shall have received a copy of each Lock-Up Agreement, duly executed by Pubco and the Purchaser Representative.
9.3 Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser, Pubco and the Pubco Subs. In addition to the conditions specified in Section 9.1, the obligations of Purchaser, Pubco and each Pubco Sub to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (by Purchaser) of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto shall be true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date, except for (i) those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been accurate as of such date), and (ii) any failures to be true and correct that (without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on, or with respect to, any Target Company.
(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all of their respective obligations and complied in all material respects with all of their respective agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) No Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred with respect to any Target Company since the date of this Agreement which is continuing and uncured.
(d) Closing Deliveries.
(i) Officer Certificate. Purchaser shall have received a certificate from the Company, dated as the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of the Company in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 9.3(a), 9.3(b) and 9.3(c).
(ii) Secretary Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to Purchaser a certificate from its secretary or other executive officer certifying as to the validity and effectiveness of, and attaching, (A) copies of the Company’s Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the Effective Time), (B) the resolutions of its board of directors and shareholders of the Company authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or bound, and the consummation of the Transactions, and (C) the incumbency of the Company’s officers authorized to execute this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.
65
(iii) Good Standing. The Company shall have delivered to Purchaser good standing certificates (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for each Target Company certified as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Authority of the Target Company’s jurisdiction of organization and from each other jurisdiction in which the Target Company is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity as of the Closing, in each case to the extent that good standing certificates or similar documents are generally available in such jurisdictions.
(iv) Company Registration Rights Agreement. Pubco shall have received from the Company the Company Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by Company Shareholders.
(v) Non-Competition Agreements. Pubco shall have received a Non-Competition Agreement for each Significant Company Shareholder listed as a signatory on Annex I, duly executed by such Company Shareholder.
(vi) Lock-Up Agreements. Pubco shall have received a Lock-Up Agreement for each Significant Company Shareholder listed as a signatory on Annex I, duly executed by such Company Shareholder.
(vii) Termination of Certain Contracts. Purchaser shall have received evidence reasonably acceptable to Purchaser that the Contracts set forth on Schedule 9.3(e)(vii) involving any of the Target Companies and any Related Persons shall have been terminated with no further obligation or Liability of the Target Companies thereunder.
9.4 Frustration of Conditions. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Party may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article IX to be satisfied if such failure was caused by the failure of such Party or its Affiliates (or with respect to the Company, any Target Company) to comply with or perform any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement.
Article X
TERMINATION AND EXPENSES
10.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing as follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Company;
(b) by written notice by Purchaser or the Company if any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article IX have not been satisfied or waived by August 3, 2023 (the “Outside Date”) (provided, that if Purchaser seeks and obtains an Extension, Purchaser shall have the right by providing written notice thereof to the Company to extend the Outside Date for an additional period equal to the shorter of (i) three (3) additional months and (ii) the period ending on the last date for Purchaser to consummate its Business Combination pursuant to such Extension); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b) shall not be available to a Party if the breach or violation by such Party or its Affiliates of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement was the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Outside Date;
66
(c) by written notice by either Purchaser or the Company if a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such Order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(c) shall not be available to a Party if the failure by such Party or its Affiliates to comply with any provision of this Agreement has been a substantial cause of, or substantially resulted in, such action by such Governmental Authority;
(d) by written notice by the Company to Purchaser, if (i) there has been a breach by Purchaser, Pubco, any Pubco Sub of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Purchaser shall have become untrue or materially inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 9.2(a) or Section 9.2(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to Purchaser by the Company or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(d) if at such time the Company is in material uncured breach of this Agreement;
(e) by written notice by Purchaser to the Company, if (i) there has been a breach by the Company of any of its respective representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of such Parties shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 9.3(a) or Section 9.3(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to the Company by Purchaser or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that Purchaser shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(e) if at such time Purchaser, Pubco, or any Pubco Sub is in material uncured breach of this Agreement;
(f) by written notice by Purchaser to the Company, if there shall have been a Material Adverse Effect on any Target Company following the date of this Agreement which is uncured and continuing;
(g) by written notice by the Company, if there shall have been a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser, Pubco or any of the Pubco Subs; or
(h) by written notice by either Purchaser or the Company to the other if the Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting is held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and has concluded, Purchaser’s stockholders have duly voted, and the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval was not obtained.
10.2 Effect of Termination. This Agreement may only be terminated in the circumstances described in Section 10.1 and pursuant to a written notice delivered by the applicable Party to the other applicable Parties, which sets forth the basis for such termination, including the provision of Section 10.1 under which such termination is made. In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no Liability on the part of any Party or any of their respective Representatives, and all rights and obligations of each Party shall cease, except: (i) Sections 8.12, 8.13, 10.3, 11.1, Article XII and this Section 10.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any Party from Liability for any willful breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement or any Fraud Claim against such Party, in either case, prior to termination of this Agreement (in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, subject to Section 11.1).
67
10.3 Fees and Expenses. Subject to Section 11.1, all Expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such expenses, provided that if the Closing occurs then all unpaid expenses of any Party at the time of the Closing shall be paid by the Purchaser. As used in this Agreement, “Expenses” shall include all out-of-pocket expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, financial advisors, financing sources, experts and consultants to a Party hereto or any of its Affiliates and D&O Tail Insurance) incurred by a Party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document related hereto and all other matters related to the consummation of this Agreement that have accrued prior to the Closing but for which payment will be due, or deferred until after the Closing, including without limitation, any Excise Tax incurred in connection with the Redemptions or the Transactions and any payments made with respect to the exercise of Arrangement Dissent Rights by Company Shareholders. With respect to Purchaser, Expenses shall include, without limitation, any and all deferred expenses (including fees or commissions payable to the underwriters and any legal fees) of the IPO upon consummation of a Business Combination and any Extension Expenses.
Article XI
WAIVERS AGAINST
11.1 Waiver of Claims Against Trust. Reference is made to the IPO Prospectus. The Company and the Seller Representative each hereby represents and warrants that it has read the IPO Prospectus and understands that Purchaser has established the Trust Account containing the proceeds of the IPO and the overallotment shares acquired by Purchaser’s underwriters and from certain private placements occurring simultaneously with the IPO (including interest accrued from time to time thereon) for the benefit of Purchaser’s public stockholders (including overallotment shares acquired by Purchaser’s underwriters) (the “Public Stockholders”) and that, except as otherwise described in the IPO Prospectus, Purchaser may disburse monies from the Trust Account only: (a) to the Public Stockholders in the event they elect to redeem their shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock in connection with the consummation of its initial business combination (as such term is used in the IPO Prospectus) (“Business Combination”) or in connection with an amendment to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to extend Purchaser’s deadline to consummate a Business Combination, (b) to the Public Stockholders if the Purchaser fails to consummate a Business Combination within twenty four (24) months after the closing of the IPO, subject to extension by an amendment to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, (c) with respect to any interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, amounts necessary to pay for any taxes and up to $100,000 of dissolution expenses, and (d) to Purchaser after or concurrently with the consummation of a Business Combination. For and in consideration of Purchaser entering into this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the Company and the Seller Representative hereby agrees on behalf of itself and its Affiliates that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Seller Representative nor any of their respective Affiliates do now or shall at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account or distributions therefrom, or make any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom), regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, this Agreement or any proposed or actual business relationship between Purchaser or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and the Company or the Seller Representative or any of their respective Representatives, on the other hand, or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (collectively, the “Released Claims”). Each of the Company and the Seller Representative on behalf of itself and its Affiliates hereby irrevocably waives any Released Claims that any such Party or any of its Affiliates may have against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) now or in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Purchaser or its Representatives and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) for any reason whatsoever (including for an alleged breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with Purchaser or its Affiliates). The Company and the Seller Representative each agree and acknowledge that such irrevocable waiver is material to this Agreement and specifically relied upon by Purchaser and its Affiliates to induce Purchaser to enter in this Agreement, and each of the Company and the Seller Representative further intends and understands such waiver to be valid, binding and enforceable against such Party and each of its Affiliates under applicable Law. To the extent the Company or the Seller Representative or any of their respective Affiliates commences any action or proceeding based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to Purchaser or its Representatives, which proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, monetary relief against Purchaser or its Representatives, each of the Company and the Seller Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that its and its Affiliates’ sole remedy shall be against funds held outside of the Trust Account and that such claim shall not permit such Party or any of its Affiliates (or any Person claiming on any of their behalves or in lieu of them) to have any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) or any amounts contained therein. In the event that the Company or any of its Affiliates commences Action based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to Purchaser or its Representatives which proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, relief against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) or the Public Stockholders, whether in the form of money damages or injunctive relief, Purchaser and its Representatives, as applicable, shall be entitled to recover from the Company and their respective Affiliates, as applicable, the associated legal fees and costs in connection with any such Action, in the event Purchaser or its Representatives, as applicable, prevails in such Action. This Section 11.1 shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason and continue indefinitely.
68
Article XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Closing, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations and warranties, and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), and from and after the Closing, the Parties and their respective Representatives shall not have any further obligations, nor shall any claim be asserted or action be brought against the Parties or their respective Representatives with respect thereto. The covenants and agreements made by the Parties in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such covenants or agreements, shall not survive the Closing, and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for those covenants and agreements contained herein and therein that by their terms expressly contemplate performance in whole or in part after the Closing (which such covenants shall survive the Closing and continue until fully performed in accordance with their terms), and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing.
12.2 Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by facsimile or other electronic means (including by email), with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable Party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to Purchaser, Pubco or the Pubco Subs at or prior to the Closing, to: | with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: | ||
Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I | Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP | ||
1001 Green Bay Rd, #227 | 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor | ||
Winnetka, IL 60093 | New York, New York 10105 | ||
Attn: Alyssa J. Rapp, Chief Executive Officer | Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq. | ||
Telephone No.: (847) 230-9162 | Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889 | ||
Email: alyssa.rapp@healthwellspac.com | Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300 | ||
Email: sneuhauser@egsllp.com | |||
If to the Purchaser Representative, to: | with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: | ||
Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I Sponsor LLC | Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP | ||
1001 Green Bay Rd, #227 | 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor | ||
Winnetka, IL 60093 | New York, New York 10105 | ||
Attn: Alyssa J. Rapp, Manager | Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq. | ||
Telephone No.: (847) 230-9162 | Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889 | ||
Email: alyssa.rapp@healthwellspac.com | Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300 | ||
Email: sneuhauser@egsllp.com | |||
If to the Company, or the Surviving Corporation, to: | with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: | ||
Starton Therapeutics, Inc. | Fox Rothschild LLP | ||
215 College Road, Suite 300 | 2000 Market Street, 20th Floor | ||
Paramus, NJ 07652 | Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222 | ||
Attn:, Pedro Lichtinger, Chief Executive Officer | Attn: Stephen M. Cohen | ||
Telephone No.: (800) 449-5405 | Lauren W. Taylor | ||
Email: plichtinger@startontx.com | Telephone No.: (215) 299-2744;(215) 918-3625 | ||
Email: | SMCohen@foxrothschild.com | ||
LWTaylor@foxrothschild.com | |||
If to the Seller Representative to: | with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: | ||
Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis | Fox Rothschild LLP | ||
404 East 79th St. | 2000 Market Street, 20th Floor | ||
Apt. 27G | Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222 | ||
New York , NY 10075 | Attn: Stephen M. Cohen | ||
Telephone No.: (646) 510-1060 | Lauren W. Taylor | ||
Email: ckperperidis@gmail.com | Telephone No.: (215) 299-2744;(215) 918-3625 | ||
Email: | SMCohen@foxrothschild.com | ||
LWTaylor@foxrothschild.com |
69
If to the Purchaser, Pubco or the Pubco Subs after the Closing, to: | with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: | ||
Starton Holdings Corp. | Fox Rothschild LLP | ||
215 College Road, Suite 300 | 2000 Market Street, 20th Floor | ||
Paramus, NJ 07652 | Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222 | ||
Attn: Pedro Lichtinger, Chief Executive Officer | Attn: Stephen M. Cohen | ||
Telephone No.: (800) 449-4505 | Lauren W. Taylor | ||
Email: plichtinger@startontx.com | Telephone No.: (215) 299-2744;(215) 918-3625 | ||
Email: SMCohen@foxrothschild.com | |||
and | LWTaylor@foxrothschild.com | ||
the Purchaser Representative | |||
and | |||
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP | |||
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor | |||
New York, New York 10105 | |||
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq. | |||
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889 | |||
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300 | |||
Email: sneuhauser@egsllp.com | |||
12.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of Law or otherwise without the prior written consent of Purchaser, Pubco, the Company (and after the Closing, the Purchaser Representative and the Seller Representative), and any assignment without such consent shall be null and void; provided that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning Party of its obligations hereunder.
12.4 Third Parties. Except for the rights of the D&O Indemnified Persons set forth in Section 8.16, which the Parties acknowledge and agree are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any Person that is not a Party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a Party.
12.5 Arbitration. Any and all disputes, controversies and claims (other than applications for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction or other equitable relief or application for enforcement of a resolution under this Section 12.5, and any dispute to be determined by the Independent Expert in accordance with Section 2.5(c)) arising out of, related to, or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (a “Dispute”) shall be governed by this Section 12.5. A party must, in the first instance, provide written notice of any Disputes to the other parties subject to such Dispute, which notice must provide a reasonably detailed description of the matters subject to the Dispute. The parties involved in such Dispute shall seek to resolve the Dispute on an amicable basis within ten (10) Business Days of the notice of such Dispute being received by such other parties subject to such Dispute (the “Resolution Period”); provided, that if any Dispute would reasonably be expected to have become moot or otherwise irrelevant if not decided within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Dispute, then there shall be no Resolution Period with respect to such Dispute. Any Dispute that is not resolved during the Resolution Period may immediately be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration pursuant to the then-existing Expedited Procedures (as defined in the AAA Procedures) of the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “AAA Procedures”) of the AAA. Any party involved in such Dispute may submit the Dispute to the AAA to commence the proceedings after the Resolution Period. To the extent that the AAA Procedures and this Agreement are in conflict, the terms of this Agreement shall control. The arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator nominated by the AAA promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after the submission of the Dispute to the AAA and reasonably acceptable to each party subject to the Dispute, which arbitrator shall be a commercial lawyer with substantial experience arbitrating disputes under acquisition agreements. The arbitrator shall accept his or her appointment and begin the arbitration process promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after his or her nomination and acceptance by the parties subject to the Dispute. The proceedings shall be streamlined and efficient. The arbitrator shall decide the Dispute in accordance with the substantive law of the state of New York. Time is of the essence. Each party subject to the Dispute shall submit a proposal for resolution of the Dispute to the arbitrator within twenty (20) days after confirmation of the appointment of the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the power to order any party to do, or to refrain from doing, anything consistent with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and applicable Law, including to perform its contractual obligation(s); provided, that the arbitrator shall be limited to ordering pursuant to the foregoing power (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall order) the relevant party (or parties, as applicable) to comply with only one or the other of the proposals. The arbitrator’s award shall be in writing and shall include a reasonable explanation of the arbitrator’s reason(s) for selecting one or the other proposal. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York County, State of New York. The language of the arbitration shall be English.
70
12.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Subject to Section 12.5, all Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any state or federal court located in New York, New York (or in any appellate court thereof) (the “Specified Courts”). Subject to Section 12.5, each Party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party hereto and (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other Action relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such Party at the applicable address set forth in Section 12.1. Nothing in this Section 12.6 shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law.
12.7 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 12.7.
12.8 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges that the rights of each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by any Party, money damages may be inadequate and the non-breaching Parties may have not adequate remedy at law, and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by an applicable Party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each Party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which such Party may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
12.9 Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.
12.10 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by execution of a written instrument signed by Purchaser, Pubco, the Company, the Purchaser Representative and the Seller Representative.
71
12.11 Waiver. Each of Purchaser on behalf of itself, the Company on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, and the Seller Representative, may in its sole discretion (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of any other non-Affiliated Party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties by such other non-Affiliated Party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance by such other non-Affiliated Party with any covenant or condition contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the Party or Parties to be bound thereby (including the Purchaser Representative or the Seller Representative in lieu of such Party to the extent provided in this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement after the Closing by Pubco or Purchaser shall also require the prior written consent of the Purchaser Representative.
12.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents or instruments referred to herein, including any exhibits, annexes and schedules attached hereto, which exhibits, annexes and schedules are incorporated herein by reference, together with the Ancillary Documents, embody the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein or the documents or instruments referred to herein, which collectively supersede all prior agreements and the understandings among the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein.
12.13 Interpretation. The table of contents and the Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the Parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and words in the singular, including any defined terms, include the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity; (c) any accounting term used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document has the meaning assigned to such term in accordance with GAAP or IFRS, as applicable, based on the accounting principles used by the applicable Person; (d) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (f) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (g) the term “or” means “and/or”; (h) any reference to the term “ordinary course” or “ordinary course of business” shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “consistent with past practice”; (i) any agreement, instrument, insurance policy, Law or Order defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument, insurance policy, Law or Order as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes, regulations, rules or orders) by succession of comparable successor statutes, regulations, rules or orders and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein; (j) except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to the words “Section,” “Article”, “Schedule”, “Annex” and “Exhibit” are intended to refer to Sections, Articles, Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits to this Agreement; and (k) the term “Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s directors shall include any member of such Person’s governing body and any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s officers shall include any Person filling a substantially similar position for such Person. Any reference in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to a Person’s shareholders or stockholders shall include any applicable owners of the equity interests of such Person, in whatever form. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. To the extent that any Contract, document, certificate or instrument is represented and warranted to by the Company to be given, delivered, provided or made available by the Company, in order for such Contract, document, certificate or instrument to have been deemed to have been given, delivered, provided and made available to Purchaser or its Representatives, such Contract, document, certificate or instrument shall have been posted to the electronic data site maintained on behalf of the Company for the benefit of Purchaser and its Representatives and Purchaser and its Representatives have been given access to the electronic folders containing such information.
72
12.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
12.15 Purchaser Representative.
(a) Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I Sponsor LLC in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative, as each such Person’s agent, attorney-in-fact and representative, with full power of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of such Person, to act on behalf of such Person from and after the Closing in connection with: (i)) terminating, amending or waiving on behalf of such Person any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser Representative is a party; (ii) signing on behalf of such Person any releases or other documents with respect to any dispute or remedy arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser Representative is a party; (iii) employing and obtaining the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the Purchaser Representative, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable in the performance of its duties as the Purchaser Representative and to rely on their advice and counsel; (iv) incurring and paying reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including fees of brokers, attorneys and accountants incurred pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, and any other reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses allocable or in any way relating to such transaction; and (v) otherwise enforcing the rights and obligations of any such Persons under this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser Representative is a party, including giving and receiving all notices and communications hereunder or thereunder on behalf of such Person; provided, that the Parties acknowledge that the Purchaser Representative is specifically authorized and directed to act on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the holders of Pubco Securities from and after the Closing (other than the Company Security Holders and their respective successors and assigns). All decisions and actions by the Purchaser Representative, including any agreement between the Purchaser Representative and Pubco, Purchaser, the Company, the Seller Representative or any Company Shareholder, shall be binding upon Purchaser and its, successors and assigns, and neither they nor any other Party shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. The provisions of this Section 12.15 are irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Purchaser Representative hereby accepts its appointment and authorization as the Purchaser Representative under this Agreement.
(b) The Purchaser Representative shall not be liable for any act done or omitted under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document as the Purchaser Representative while acting in good faith and without willful misconduct or gross negligence, and any act done or omitted pursuant to the advice of counsel shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith. Pubco and the Company will jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser Representative from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, Actions, judgments, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees (collectively, “Losses”) incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Purchaser Representative (in its capacity as such) and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Purchaser Representative’s duties under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, including the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by the Purchaser Representative. In no event shall the Purchaser Representative in such capacity be liable hereunder or in connection herewith for any indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages. The Purchaser Representative shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, demand, certificate or document that it in good faith believes to be genuine, including facsimiles or copies thereof, and no Person shall have any Liability for relying on the Purchaser Representative in the foregoing manner. In connection with the performance of its rights and obligations hereunder, the Purchaser Representative shall have the right at any time and from time to time to select and engage, at the sole cost and expense of Purchaser, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, advisors, consultants and clerical personnel and obtain such other professional and expert assistance, maintain such records and incur other out-of-pocket expenses (including court costs and filing fees), as the Purchaser Representative may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time, and to the extent not directly paid by Purchaser, Purchaser shall promptly upon request by the Purchaser Representative advance any such costs and expenses to the Purchaser Representative in connection therewith. All of the indemnities, immunities, releases and powers granted to the Purchaser Representative under this Section 12.15 shall survive the Closing and continue indefinitely.
73
(c) The Person serving as the Purchaser Representative may resign upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice Purchaser and the Seller Representative, provided, that the Purchaser Representative appoints in writing a replacement Purchaser Representative. Each successor Purchaser Representative shall have all of the power, authority, rights and privileges conferred by this Agreement upon the original Purchaser Representative, and the term “Purchaser Representative” as used herein shall be deemed to include any such successor Purchaser Representatives.
12.16 Seller Representative.
(a) The Company has appointed Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis to act as the Seller Representative with such Seller Representative’s appointment to be submitted for approval by the Company and the Company Shareholders in the Company Arrangement Resolution and such Seller Representative to act as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the Company Security Holders with full powers of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of thereof with respect to the performance on behalf of such Persons under the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Seller Representative is a party, as the same may be from time to time amended, and to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents on behalf of such Person, if any, as the Seller Representative will deem necessary or appropriate in connection with any of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Documents to which the Seller Representative is a party, including: (i) terminating, amending or waiving on behalf of such Person any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which the Seller Representative is a party (provided, that any such action, if material to the rights and obligations of the Company Security Holders in the reasonable judgment of the Seller Representative, will be taken in the same manner with respect to all Company Security Holders unless otherwise agreed by each Company Security Holder who is subject to any disparate treatment of a potentially material and adverse nature); (ii) signing on behalf of such Person any releases or other documents with respect to any dispute or remedy arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which the Seller Representative is a party; (iii) employing and obtaining the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the Seller Representative, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable in the performance of its duties as the Seller Representative and to rely on their advice and counsel; (iv) incurring and paying reasonable costs and expenses, including fees of brokers, attorneys and accountants incurred pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, and any other reasonable fees and expenses allocable or in any way relating to such transaction, whether incurred prior or subsequent to Closing; and (v) otherwise enforcing the rights and obligations of any such Persons under this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Seller Representative is a party, including giving and receiving all notices and communications hereunder or thereunder on behalf of such Person. All decisions and actions by the Seller Representative, including any agreement between the Seller Representative and the Purchaser Representative, Purchaser, Pubco, shall be binding upon each Company Security Holder and their respective successors and assigns, and neither they nor any other Party shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. The provisions of this Section 12.16 are irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Seller Representative hereby accepts its appointment and authorization as the Seller Representative under this Agreement.
(b) Any other Person, including the Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Purchaser, and the Company may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any actions of the Seller Representative as the acts of the Company Security Holders hereunder or any Ancillary Document to which the Seller Representative is a party. The Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Purchaser, and the Company shall be entitled to rely conclusively on the instructions and decisions of the Seller Representative as to (i) any payment instructions provided by the Seller Representative or (iii) any other actions required or permitted to be taken by the Seller Representative hereunder, and no Company Security Holder shall have any cause of action against the Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Purchaser, the Company for any action taken by any of them in reliance upon the instructions or decisions of the Seller Representative. None of the Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Purchaser or the Company shall have any Liability to any Company Security Holder for any allocation or distribution among the Company Security Holders by the Seller Representative of payments or issuances made to or at the direction of the Seller Representative. All notices or other communications required to be made or delivered to a Company Security Holder under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to which the Seller Representative is a party shall be made to the Seller Representative for the benefit of such Company Security Holder, and any notices so made shall discharge in full all notice requirements of the other parties hereto or thereto to such Company Security Holder with respect thereto.
74
(c) The Seller Representative will act for the Company Security Holders on all of the matters set forth in this Agreement in the manner the Seller Representative believes to be in the best interest of the Company Security Holder, but the Seller Representative will not be responsible to the Company Security Holder for any Losses that the Company Security Holders may suffer by reason of the performance by the Seller Representative of the Seller Representative’s duties under this Agreement, other than Losses arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Seller Representative in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Company (and after the Closing Pubco) will jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold the Seller Representative harmless from and against any and all Losses reasonably incurred or suffered as a result of the performance of the Seller Representative’s duties under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, including the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by the Seller Representative, except for any liability arising out of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Seller Representative. In no event shall the Seller Representative in such capacity be liable hereunder or in connection herewith for any indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages. The Seller Representative shall not be liable for any act done or omitted under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document as the Seller Representative while acting in good faith and without willful misconduct or gross negligence, and any act done or omitted pursuant to the advice of counsel shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith. The Seller Representative shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, demand, certificate or document that it in good faith believes to be genuine, including facsimiles or copies thereof, and no Person shall have any Liability for relying on the Seller Representative in the foregoing manner. In connection with the performance of its rights and obligations hereunder, the Seller Representative shall have the right at any time and from time to time to select and engage, at the reasonable cost and expense of the Company Shareholders, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, advisors, consultants and clerical personnel and obtain such other professional and expert assistance, maintain such records and incur other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, as the Seller Representative may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. All of the indemnities, immunities, releases and powers granted to the Seller Representative under this Section 12.16 shall survive the Closing and continue indefinitely.
(d) If the Seller Representative shall die, become disabled, dissolve, resign or otherwise be unable or unwilling to fulfill its responsibilities as representative and agent of the Company Shareholders, then the Company Security Holders shall, within ten (10) days after such death, disability, dissolution, resignation or other event, appoint a successor Seller Representative (by vote or written consent of the Conpany Shareholders holding in the aggregate a Pro Rata Share in excess of fifty percent (50%)), and promptly thereafter (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after such appointment) notify the Purchaser Representative, Pubco and Purchaser in writing of the identity of such successor. Any such successor so appointed shall become the “Seller Representative” for purposes of this Agreement.
12.17 Legal Representation. The Parties agree that, notwithstanding the fact that EGS may have, prior to Closing, jointly represented Purchaser and the Purchaser Representative in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the Transactions, and has also represented Purchaser, and/or its Affiliates in connection with matters other than the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement, EGS will be permitted in the future, after Closing, to represent one or more of the Purchaser Representative, or their respective Affiliates in connection with matters in which such Persons are adverse to Pubco, Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates, including any disputes arising out of, or related to, this Agreement. The Company, Pubco, the Pubco Subs and the Seller Representative who are or have the right to be represented by independent counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, hereby agree, in advance, to waive (and to cause their Affiliates to waive) any actual or potential conflict of interest that may hereafter arise in connection with EGS’s future representation of the Purchaser Representative or its Affiliates in which the interests of such Person are adverse to the interests of Pubco, the Pubco Subs, Purchaser, the Company and/or the Seller Representative or any of their respective Affiliates, including any matters that arise out of this Agreement or that are substantially related to this Agreement or to any prior representation by EGS of the Purchaser Representative, Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, for the purposes of the attorney-client privilege, the Purchaser Representative shall be deemed the client of EGS with respect to the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents. All such communications shall remain privileged after the Closing and the privilege and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely to the Purchaser Representative, shall be controlled by the Purchaser Representative and shall not pass to or be claimed by Pubco or Purchaser; provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by Pubco, Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates (including, after the Effective Time, the Target Companies) of any applicable privileges or protections that can or may be asserted to prevent disclosure of any such communications to any third party.
75
Article XIII
DEFINITIONS
13.1 Certain Definitions. For purpose of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:
“AAA” means the American Arbitration Association or any successor entity conducting arbitrations.
“Accounting Principles” means in accordance with IFRS or GAAP, as applicable, as in effect at the date of the financial statement to which it refers or if there is no such financial statement, then as of the Closing Date, using and applying the same accounting principles, practices, procedures, policies and methods (with consistent classifications, judgments, elections, inclusions, exclusions and valuation and estimation methodologies) used and applied by the Target Companies in the preparation of the latest audited Company Financials.
“Action” means any notice of noncompliance or violation, or any claim, demand, charge, action, suit, litigation, audit, settlement, complaint, stipulation, assessment or arbitration, or any request (including any request for information), inquiry, hearing, proceeding or investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority.
“Adjusted Transaction Consideration” means an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Transaction Consideration, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of the exercise prices for all Company Shares under In-the-Money Company Options in accordance with their terms (and assuming no cashless exercise).
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, Sponsor shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Purchaser prior to the Closing.
“Ancillary Documents” means each agreement, instrument or document attached hereto as an Exhibit, including the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Voting Agreements, the Lock-Up Agreements, the Non-Competition Agreements, the Plan of Arrangement, the Company Shareholder Resolution, the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet and the other agreements, certificates and instruments to be executed or delivered by any of the Parties hereto in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement, including the Amended Pubco Charter, the Founders Registration Rights Agreement Amendment and the Company Registration Rights Agreement.
“Arrangement” means an arrangement under Part 9, Division 5 of the BCBCA on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations to the Plan of Arrangement made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in accordance with the Final Order with the prior written consent of Purchaser and the Company, each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
“Arrangement Dissent Rights” means the rights of dissent in respect of the Arrangement described in the Plan of Arrangement.
“BCBCA” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
“Benefit Plans” of any Person means any and all deferred compensation, executive compensation, incentive compensation, equity purchase or other equity-based compensation plan, employment or consulting, severance or termination pay, holiday, vacation or other bonus plan or practice, hospitalization or other medical, life or other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits, profit sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement, commitment or arrangement, and each other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including each “employee benefit plan” as such term is defined under Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by a Person for the benefit of any employee or terminated employee of such Person, or with respect to which such Person has any Liability, whether direct or indirect, actual or contingent, whether formal or informal, and whether legally binding or not.
76
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized to close for business, excluding as a result of “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems, including for wire transfers, of commercially banking institutions in New York, New York are generally open for use by customers on such day.
“Closing Cash” shall mean the funds contained in the Trust Account immediately prior to the Closing, plus any amounts received by Purchaser or Pubco pursuant to any Equity Investment or Debt Financing entered into prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing, less any amounts payable pursuant to any Redemption, less any funds held in the Trust Account that would be placed into escrow pursuant to any forward purchase agreement or redemption recapture or any similar arrangement upon Closing.
“Closing Company Cash” means, as of the Reference Time, the aggregate cash and cash equivalents of the Target Companies on hand or in bank accounts, including deposits in transit, minus the aggregate amount of outstanding and unpaid checks issued by or on behalf of the Target Companies as of such time.
“Closing Net Debt” means, as of the Reference Time, (i) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Target Companies, less (ii) the Closing Company Cash, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), on a consolidated basis and as determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code shall include such section and any valid treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.
"Company Arrangement Resolution” means the special resolution approving the Plan of Arrangement to be considered at the Company Shareholder Meeting, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
“Company Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning the Target Companies or any of their respective Representatives, furnished in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that Company Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by Purchaser or its Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by the Company or its Representatives to Purchaser, Pubco, any Pubco Sub or their respective Representatives was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Company Confidential Information.
“Company Equity Plan” means the Chemiocare Inc. 2018 Directors Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan.
“Company Option” means an option to purchase Shares of Company Common Stock that was granted pursuant to the Company Equity Plan.
“Company Securities” means, collectively, the Company Shares and the Company Options.
“Company Security Holders” means, collectively, the holders of Company Securities.
“Company Shareholder Meeting” means the special meeting of Company Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement of such special meeting in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order to consider the company Arrangement Resolution and for any other purpose as may be set out in the Company Circular and agreed to in writing by the Purchaser.
"Company Shareholders” means, collectively, the holders of Company Shares.
“Company Shares” means the common shares in the capital of the Company.
"Company Sub” means Starton Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation existing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.
77
“Consent” means any consent, approval, waiver, authorization or Permit of, or notice to or declaration or filing with any Governmental Authority or any other Person.
“Contracts” means all contracts, agreements, binding arrangements, bonds, notes, indentures, mortgages, debt instruments, purchase order, licenses (and all other contracts, agreements or binding arrangements concerning Intellectual Property), franchises, leases and other instruments or obligations of any kind, written or oral (including any amendments and other modifications thereto).
“Control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. “Controlled”, “Controlling” and “under common Control with” have correlative meanings. Without limiting the foregoing a Person (the “Controlled Person”) shall be deemed Controlled by (a) any other Person (i) owning beneficially, as meant in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, securities entitling such Person to cast ten percent (10%) or more of the votes for election of directors or equivalent governing authority of the Controlled Person or (ii) entitled to be allocated or receive ten percent (10%) or more of the profits, losses, or distributions of the Controlled Person; (b) an officer, director, general partner, partner (other than a limited partner), manager, or member (other than a member having no management authority that is not a Person described in clause (a) above) of the Controlled Person; or (c) a spouse, parent, lineal descendant, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, or brother-in-law of an Affiliate of the Controlled Person or a trust for the benefit of an Affiliate of the Controlled Person or of which an Affiliate of the Controlled Person is a trustee.
“Copyrights” means any works of authorship, mask works and all copyrights therein, including all renewals and extensions, copyright registrations and applications for registration and renewal, and non-registered copyrights.
“Court” means the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
“Electing Company Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Plan of Arrangement.
“Eligible Holder” means a Company Shareholder that is (a) a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act; or (b) a partnership, any member of which is a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act.
“Environmental Law” means any Law in any way relating to (a) the protection of human health and safety, (b) the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment and natural resources (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or (c) the exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C Section 9601 et. seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C Section 6901 et. seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C Section 2601 et. seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C Section 1151 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C Section 7401 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C Section 111 et. seq., Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C Section 651 et. seq. (to the extent it relates to exposure to Hazardous Substances), the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, 15 U.S.C Section 2601 et. seq., the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C Section 300f et. seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and analogous state acts.
“Environmental Liabilities” means, in respect of any Person, all Liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, Losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements, and expenses of counsel, experts, and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any other Person or in response to any violation of Environmental Law, whether known or unknown, accrued or contingent, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, to the extent based upon, related to, or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit, Order, or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person, that relates to any environmental, health or safety condition, violation of Environmental Law, or a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials
78
“ERISA” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchangeable Share Provisions” means the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares, which rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions shall be consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
"Exchangeable Shares” means the exchangeable shares in the capital of ExchangeCo that are exchangeable in accordance with the terms of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
“ExchangeCo Common Shares” means the shares of ExchangeCo’s non-par value common stock.
“FDA” means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or any successor Governmental Authority).
“Final Order” means the final order of the Court pursuant to Section 291 of the BCBCA, in a form acceptable to the Company and Purchaser, each acting reasonably, approving the Arrangement, as such order may be amended by the Court, provided that any such amendment is reasonably acceptable to each of the Company and Purchaser, or with the consent of both the Company and Purchaser, each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, at any time prior to the Effective Time or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn, abandoned or denied, as affirmed or as amended, on appeal, provided that any such amendment is acceptable to each of both the Company and Purchaser, each acting reasonably.
“Forward Purchase Shares” means the shares of Purchaser Class A Common underlying the Forward Purchaser Units to be issued pursuant to the Peterson Forward Purchase Agreement.
“Forward Purchase Units” means the Purchaser Units to be issued pursuant to the Peterson Forward Purchase Agreement, with each unit consisting of one share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one-half of one warrant to purchase one share of Purchaser Class A common stock.
“Forward Purchase Warrants” means the warrants underlying the Forward Purchaser Units to be issued pursuant to the Peterson Forward Purchase Agreement, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share.
“Founder Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2021, by and among Purchaser, Sponsor and the other “Holders” named therein.
“Founder Shares” shall mean the 6,250,000 shares of Purchaser Class B Common Stock originally issued to the Sponsor.
“Fraud Claim” means any claim based in whole or in part upon fraud, willful misconduct or intentional misrepresentation.
79
“Fully-Diluted Company Shares” means the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock plus all outstanding Company Options that have vested as of the Effective Time, but excluding any Company Securities held as treasury shares.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental, quasi-governmental or administrative body, instrumentality, department or agency or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.
“Hazardous Material” means any waste, gas, liquid or other substance or material that is defined, listed or designated as a “hazardous substance”, “pollutant”, “contaminant”, “hazardous waste”, “regulated substance”, “hazardous chemical”, or “toxic chemical” (or by any similar term) under any Environmental Law, or any other material regulated, or that could result in the imposition of Liability or responsibility, under any Environmental Law, including petroleum and its by-products, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, mold, and urea formaldehyde insulation.
“IFRS” means international financial reporting standards as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board.
“In-the-Money Company Option” means a vested Company Option with an exercise price less than the Per Share Price.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest), (b) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) any other indebtedness of such Person that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, credit agreement or similar instrument, (d) all obligations of such Person under leases that should be classified as capital leases in accordance with GAAP or IFRS (a applicable to such Person), (e) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any line or letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, guarantee or similar credit transaction, in each case, that has been drawn or claimed against, (f) all obligations of such Person in respect of acceptances issued or created, (g) all interest rate and currency swaps, caps, collars and similar agreements or hedging devices under which payments are obligated to be made by such Person, whether periodically or upon the happening of a contingency, (h) all obligations secured by an Lien on any property of such Person, (i) any premiums, prepayment fees or other penalties, fees, costs or expenses associated with payment of any Indebtedness of such Person and (j) all obligation described in clauses (a) through (i) above of any other Person which is directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or which such Person has agreed (contingently or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or in respect of which it has otherwise assured a creditor against loss.
“Ineligible Holder” means a Company Shareholder that is not an Eligible Holder.
“Insider Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of August 2, 2021, by and among the Purchaser, the IPO Underwriter as representative of the several underwriters, the Sponsor and certain other directors, officers or advisors of the Purchaser party thereto.
“Intellectual Property” means any and all rights (created or arising under the Laws of any jurisdiction anywhere in the world, whether statutory, common law, or otherwise) to the extent arising from or related to intellectual property, including Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, Internet Assets, Software, rights in Know-How, all actions and rights to sue at law or in equity for any past, present or future infringement, and other intellectual property, and all licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions related to the preceding property.
80
“Interim Financing” means the anticipated equity financing by the Company, during the Interim Period, of up to $10,000,000.
“Internet Assets” means any all domain name registrations, web sites and web addresses and related rights, items and documentation related thereto, and applications for registration therefor.
“Investment Canada Act” means the Investment Canada Act (Canada).
“Investment Canada Act Approval” means Pubco has notified the Minister of the Transactions and (i) the Minister has not sent to Pubco a notice under subsection 25.2(1) of the Investment Canada Act within the prescribed time period and the Governor in Council has not made an order under subsection 25.3(1) of the Investment Canada Act in respect of the Transactions within the prescribed time period; (ii) if such a notice has been sent or such an order has been made, Pubco has subsequently received (A) a notice under paragraph 25.2(4)(a) of the Investment Canada Act indicating that a review of the Transactions on grounds of national security will not be commenced, (B) a notice under paragraph 25.3(6)(b) of the Investment Canada Act indicating that no further action will be taken in respect of the Transactions, or (C) a copy of an order under paragraph 25.4(1)(b) authorizing the Transactions; or (iii) if the Minister determines that a notification is not required under sections 11 and 12 of the Investment Canada Act then 45 days have passed after notifying the Minister of the Transactions.
“Investment Company Act” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“IPO” means the initial public offering of Purchaser Units pursuant to the IPO Prospectus.
“IPO Prospectus” means the final prospectus of the Purchaser, dated as of August 2, 2021, and filed with the SEC on October 28, 2021 (File Nos. 333-253418).
“IPO Underwriter” means Jefferies LLC.
“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or any successor Governmental Authority).
“Know-How” means all confidential or proprietary information, including Trade Secrets, know-how and technical data, including any that comprise financial, business, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information and instructions, including any confidential or proprietary raw materials, material lists, raw material specifications, manufacturing or production files or specifications, plans, drawings, blueprints, design tools, quality assurance and control procedures, simulation capability, research data, manuals, compilations, reports including technical reports and research reports, analyses, formulas, formulations, designs, prototypes, methods, techniques, processes, rights in research, development, manufacturing, financial, marketing and business data, pricing and cost information, customer and supplier lists and information, procedures, inventions, and invention disclosure documents, in each case, other than Patents.
“Knowledge” means, with respect to (i) the Company, the actual knowledge of the executive officers or directors of any Target Company, after reasonable inquiry, or (ii) any other Party, (A) if an entity, the actual knowledge of its directors and executive officers, after reasonable inquiry, or (B) if a natural person, the actual knowledge of such Party after reasonable inquiry.
81
“Law” means any federal, provincial, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, principle of common law, ordinance, code, edict, decree, proclamation, treaty, convention, rule, regulation, directive, requirement, writ, injunction, settlement, Order or Consent that is or has been issued, enacted, adopted, passed, approved, promulgated, made, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.
“Liabilities” means any and all liabilities, Indebtedness, Actions or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown, whether direct or indirect, whether matured or unmatured, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP, IFRS or other applicable accounting standards), including Tax liabilities due or to become due.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, attachment, right of first refusal, option, proxy, voting trust, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), restriction (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), any subordination arrangement in favor of another Person, or any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar Law.
“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any specified Person, any fact, event, occurrence, change or effect that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect upon (a) the business, assets, Liabilities, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries on a timely basis to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party or bound or to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder; provided, however, that for purposes of clause (a) above, any changes or effects directly or indirectly attributable to, resulting from, relating to or arising out of the following (by themselves or when aggregated with any other, changes or effects) shall not be deemed to be, constitute, or be taken into account when determining whether there has or may, would or could have occurred a Material Adverse Effect: (i) general changes in the financial or securities markets or general economic or political conditions in the country or region in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries do business; (ii) changes, conditions or effects that generally affect the industries in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries principally operate; (iii) changes in IFRS, GAAP or other applicable accounting principles or mandatory changes in the regulatory accounting requirements applicable to any industry in which such Person and its Subsidiaries principally operate; (iv) conditions caused by acts of God, terrorism, war (whether or not declared) or natural disaster, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19); (v) any failure in and of itself by such Person and its Subsidiaries to meet any internal or published budgets, projections, forecasts or predictions of financial performance for any period (provided that the underlying cause of any such failure may be considered in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur to the extent not excluded by another exception herein) and (vi), with respect to Purchaser, the consummation and effects of the Redemption; provided further, however, that any event, occurrence, fact, condition, or change referred to in clauses (i) - (iv) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition, or change has a disproportionate effect on such Person or any of its Subsidiaries compared to other participants in the industries in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries primarily conducts its businesses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Purchaser, the amount of the Redemption or the failure to obtain the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval shall not be deemed to be a Material Adverse Effect on or with respect to Purchaser.
82
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the Company Information Circular or necessary to make the statements in the Company Information Circular not misleading.
“Minister” means the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.
“Order” means any order, decree, ruling, judgment, injunction, writ, determination, binding decision, verdict, judicial award or other action that is or has been made, entered, rendered, or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.
“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is an entity, its certificate of incorporation or formation, bylaws, operating agreement or limited liability company agreement or similar organizational documents, in each case, as amended.
“Patents” means any patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon) and statutory invention registrations, patents of importation, improvement, certificates of addition, design patents and utility models and the inventions, designs and improvements described and claimed therein, patentable inventions, and other patent rights (including any divisionals, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutions, reissues, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, whether or not patents are issued on any such applications and whether or not any such applications are amended, modified, withdrawn, or refiled).
“PCAOB” means the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (or any successor thereto).
Per Share Price” means an amount equal to (i) the Adjusted Transaction Consideration, divided by (ii) the Fully-Diluted Company Shares.
“Permits” means all federal, state, local or foreign or other third-party permits, grants, easements, consents, approvals, authorizations, exemptions, licenses, franchises, concessions, ratifications, permissions, clearances, confirmations, endorsements, waivers, certifications, designations, ratings, registrations, qualifications or orders of any Governmental Authority or any other Person.
“Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens for Taxes or assessments and similar governmental charges or levies, which either are (i) not delinquent or (ii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and adequate reserves have been established with respect thereto, (b) other Liens imposed by operation of Law arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts which are not due and payable and as would not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of, or materially adversely interfere with the use of, the property subject thereto, (c) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with social security, (d) Liens on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business, or (v) Liens arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership (including a general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government, domestic or foreign, or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
83
“Personal Property” means any machinery, equipment, tools, vehicles, furniture, leasehold improvements, office equipment, plant, parts and other tangible personal property.
“Peterson Forward Purchase Agreement” means the forward purchase agreement, dated August 5, 2021, between Purchaser and Peterson Partners, a member of the Sponsor, pursuant to which Peterson Partners has subscribed to purchase from Purchaser 4,000,000 units, with each unit consisting of one share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Purchaser Warrant for $10.00 per unit, or an aggregate amount of up to $40,000,000, in a private placement that will close concurrently with the closing of Purchaser’s initial business combination.
“Plan of Arrangement” means the Plan of Arrangement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E with such changes as may be mutually agreed to by Purchaser and the Company (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by either Purchaser or the Company, as applicable).
“Pro Rata Share” means with respect to each Company Shareholder, a fraction expressed a percentage equal to (i) the portion of the Shareholder Transaction Consideration payable by Pubco to such Company Shareholder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, divided by (ii) the total Shareholder Transaction Consideration payable by Pubco to all Company Shareholders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“Pubco Charter” means the certificate of incorporation of Pubco, as amended and in effect under the DGCL.
“Pubco Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Pubco.
“Pubco Class C Common Stock” means the shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Pubco.
“Pubco Common Stock” means the Pubco Class A Common Stock and the Pubco Class C Common Stock, collectively.
“Pubco Preferred Stock” means the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Pubco.
“Pubco Private Warrants” means one whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of Pubco Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
“Pubco Public Warrants” means one whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of Pubco Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
“Pubco Securities” means the Pubco Common Stock, the Pubco Preferred Stock and the Pubco Warrants, collectively.
“Pubco Share Price” means an amount equal to the VWAP of the Shares of Pubco Common Stock over the twenty (20) Trading Days ending at the close of business on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Shares of Pubco Common Stock are then traded immediately prior to the date of determination (provided, that if the date of determination within twenty (20) Trading Days after the Closing Date, the applicable period of Trading Days for the VWAP shall be the Trading Day starting immediately after the Closing Date and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination), as equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Closing.
84
“Purchaser Charter” means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Purchaser, as amended and in effect under the DGCL; provided, that references herein to the Purchaser Charter for periods after the Effective Time includes the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
“Purchaser Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Purchaser.
“Purchaser Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Purchaser.
“Purchaser Common Stock” means the shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and Purchaser Class B Common Stock, collectively.
“Purchaser Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning Purchaser, Pubco, Pubco Sub or any of their respective Representatives; provided, however, that Purchaser Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by the Company, Pubco, the Pubco Subs or any of their respective Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by Purchaser or its Representatives to the Company, the Seller Representative or any of their respective Representatives, was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Purchaser Confidential Information. For the avoidance of doubt, from and after the Closing, Purchaser Confidential Information will include the confidential or proprietary information of the Target Companies.
“Purchaser Merger Sub Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Merger Sub.
“Purchaser Preferred Stock” means shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Purchaser.
“Purchaser Private Warrant” means one whole warrant entitling the holders thereof to purchase one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share.
“Purchaser Public Warrant” means one whole warrant that was included in as part of each Purchaser Unit, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share.
“Purchaser Securities” means the Purchaser Units, the Purchaser Common Stock, the Purchaser Preferred Stock and the Purchaser Warrants, collectively.
“Purchaser Public Units” means the units issued in the IPO (including overallotment units acquired by Purchaser’s underwriter) consisting of one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Purchaser Public Warrant.
85
Purchaser Units” means the Purchaser Public Units and when issued the Forward Purchase Units, collectively.
“Purchaser Warrants” means the Purchaser Private Warrants, the Purchaser Public Warrants, and when issued the Forward Purchase Warrants, collectively.
“Redemption Price” means an amount equal to the price at which each share of Purchaser Common Stock is redeemed or converted pursuant to the Redemption (as equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Closing).
“Reference Time” means the close of business of the Company on the Closing Date (but without giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any payments by Purchaser and Pubco hereunder to occur at the Closing, but treating any obligations in respect of Indebtedness or other liabilities that are contingent upon the consummation of the Closing as currently due and owing without contingency as of the Reference Time).
“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, or leaching into the indoor or outdoor environment, or into or out of any property.
“Remedial Action” means all actions to (i) clean up, remove, treat, or in any other way address any Hazardous Material, (ii) prevent the Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care, or (iv) correct a condition of noncompliance with Environmental Laws.
“Representatives” means, as to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective managers, directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, consultants, advisors (including financial advisors, counsel and accountants), agents and other legal representatives of such Person or its Affiliates.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor Governmental Authority).
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Significant Company Holder” means any Company Shareholder who (i) is an executive officer or director of the Company or (ii) owns more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.
“Software” means any computer software programs, including all source code, object code, and documentation related thereto and all software modules, tools and databases.
“SOX” means the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
“Sponsor” means Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or will be or control the managing director, managing member, general partner or other managing Person of such partnership, association or other business entity. A Subsidiary of a Person will also include any variable interest entity which is consolidated with such Person under applicable accounting rules.
86
“Target Company” means each of the Company and the Company Sub.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, information return or other documents (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Taxes or the administration of any Laws or administrative requirements relating to any Taxes.
“Taxes” means (a) all direct or indirect federal, state, local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, value-added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, social security and related contributions due in relation to the payment of compensation to employees, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, alternative minimum, estimated, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto, (b) any Liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period or otherwise through operation of law and (c) any Liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax group, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement with, or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify, any other Person.
“Trade Secrets” means any trade secrets, confidential business information, concepts, ideas, designs, research or development information, processes, procedures, techniques, technical information, specifications, operating and maintenance manuals, engineering drawings, methods, know-how, data, mask works, discoveries, inventions, modifications, extensions, improvements, and other proprietary rights (whether or not patentable or subject to copyright, trademark, or trade secret protection).
“Trademarks” means any trademarks, certification marks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, brand names, internet domain names, favicons, social media addresses, service names, designs, logos, or corporate names (including, in each case, the goodwill associated therewith), whether registered or unregistered, and all registrations and applications for registration, reissue, extension, and renewal thereof.
“Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Pubco Common Stock are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which shares of Pubco Common Stock are then traded.
“Trust Account” means the trust account established by Purchaser with the proceeds from the IPO pursuant to the Trust Agreement in accordance with the IPO Prospectus.
87
“Trust Agreement” means that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2021, as it may be amended, by and between the Purchaser and the Trustee, as well as any other agreements entered into related to or governing the Trust Account.
“Trustee” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in its capacity as trustee under the Trust Agreement.
“VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (set to weighted average) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date(s) on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date(s) shall be the fair market value as reasonably determined by reasonably and in good faith by a majority of the disinterested independent directors of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of the applicable issuer. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.
13.2 Section References. The following capitalized terms, as used in this Agreement, have the respective meanings given to them in the Section as set forth below adjacent to such terms:
Term | Section | Term | Section | |||
AAA Procedures | 12.5 | Company Material Contract | 7.12(a) | |||
Accounts Receivable | 7.7(f) | Company Permits | 7.10 | |||
Acquisition Proposal | 8.6(a) | Company Personal Property Leases | 7.16 | |||
Agreement | Preamble | Company Real Property Leases | 7.15 | |||
Alternative Transaction | 8.6(a) | Company Registered IP | 7.13(a) | |||
Amended Pubco Charter | 9.1(j) | Company Registration Rights Agreement | 8.20 | |||
Antitrust Laws | 8.9(b) | Consideration Shares | 2.2(a) | |||
Arrangement Effective Time | 3.18.9(b) | Conversion Ratio | 2.2(a) | |||
Assumed Options | 2.2(c) | D&O Indemnified Person | 8.16(a) | |||
Authorization | 7.25(c) | D&O Tail Insurance | 8.16(b) | |||
Business Combination | 11.1 | Dispute | 12.5 | |||
CallCo | Preamble | Earnout Period | 2.5(a) | |||
Canadian Share Exchange | Recitals | Earnout Shares | 2.5(a) | |||
Certificate of Merger | 1.2 | Earnout Statement | 2.5(b) | |||
CFO | 2.5(b) | Effective Time | 1.2 | |||
Clinical Milestones | 2.5(a)(iii) | EGS | 4.1 | |||
Closing | 4.1 | Electing Company Security Holders | Recitals | |||
Closing Date | 4.1 | Enforceability Exceptions | 5.2 | |||
Closing Filing | 8.12(b) | Environmental Permit | 7.20(a) | |||
Closing Press Release | 8.12(b) | Equity Investment | 8.18 | |||
Company | Preamble | Exchangeable Share Term Sheet | 6.5(c) | |||
Company Benefit Plan | 7.19(a) | ExchangeCo | Preamble | |||
Company Closing Statement | 2.3 | Expenses | 10.3 | |||
Company Directors | 8.14(a) | Extension Expenses | 8.3(b)(iv) | |||
Company Disclosure Schedules | Article VII | First Clinical Milestone | 2.5(a)(ii) | |||
Company Financials | 7.7(a) | FDCA | 7.25(a) | |||
Company Incentive Shares | 8.18(b) | Federal Securities Laws | 8.7 | |||
Company IP | 7.13(d) | Founders Registration Rights Agreement Amendment | 9.2(d)(iv) | |||
Company IP Licenses | 7.13(a) | Healthcare Laws | 7.25(a) |
88
Term | Section | Term | Section | |||
Independent Director | 8.14(a) | Purchaser Information | 3.1(b) | |||
Independent Expert | 2.5(b) | Purchaser Material Contract | 5.13(a) | |||
Intended Tax Treatment | Recitals | Purchaser Merger Sub | Preamble | |||
Interim Balance Sheet Date | 7.7(a) | Redemption | 8.11(a) | |||
Interim Period | 8.1(a) | Registration Statement | 8.11(a) | |||
Insider Letter Amendment Approval | 8.11(a) | Related Person | 7.21 | |||
IPO Underwriter | Recitals | Released Claims | 11.1 | |||
Lock-Up Agreement | Recitals | Representative Party | 2.5(b) | |||
Losses | 12.15(b) | Required Company Approval | 9.1(b) | |||
Merger | Recitals | Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval | 9.1(a) | |||
Non-Competition Agreement | Recitals | Resolution Period | 12.5 | |||
Non-Electing Company Security Holders | Recitals | SEC Reports | 5.6(a) | |||
OFAC | 5.17(c) | SEC SPAC Accounting Changes | 5.6(a) | |||
Off-the-Shelf Software | 7.13(a) | Second Clinical Milestone | 2.5(a)(iii) | |||
Outbound IP License | 7.13(c) | Section 409A Plan | 7.19(l) | |||
Outside Date | 10.1(b) | Share Price Targets | 2.5(a)(iii) | |||
Party(ies) | Preamble | Signing Filing | 8.12(b) | |||
PIPE Shares | 8.18 | Signing Press Release | 8.12(b) | |||
Post-Closing Pubco Board | 8.14(a) | Purchaser Special Stockholder Meeting | 8.11(a) | |||
Pro Rata Share | 2.2 | Specified Courts | 12.6 | |||
Proxy Statement | 8.11(a) | Sponsor | Recitals | |||
Pubco | Preamble | Sponsor Incentive Shares | 8.18(b) | |||
Pubco Equity Plan | 8.11(a) | Sponsor Support Agreement | Recitals | |||
Pubco Share Exchange | Recitals | Stockholder Approval Matters | 8.11(a) | |||
Pubco Subs | Recitals | Supporting Company Shareholders | Recitals | |||
Public Certifications | 5.6(a) | Surviving Corporation | 1.1 | |||
Public Stockholders | 11.1 | Tier I Share Price Target | 2.5(a)(i) | |||
Purchased Shares | 2.1 | Tier II Share Price Target | 2.5(a)(ii) | |||
Purchaser | Preamble | Tier III Share Price Target | 2.5(a)(iii) | |||
Purchaser Closing Statement | 2.4 | Transaction Consideration | 2.2(a) | |||
Purchaser Directors | 8.14(a) | Top Customer | 7.23 | |||
Purchaser Disclosure Schedules | Article V | Top Supplier | 7.23 | |||
Purchaser Financials | 5.6(b) | Transactions | Recitals | |||
Voting Agreement | Recitals |
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
89
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Agreement to be signed and delivered by its respective duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.
Purchaser: | |||
HEALTHWELL ACQUISITION CORP. I | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
Purchaser Representative: | |||
HEALTHWELL ACQUISITION CORP. I SPONSOR LLC, solely in its capacity as the Purchaser Representative hereunder | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | Manager | ||
By: | /s/ John L. MacCarthy | ||
Name: | John L. MacCarthy | ||
Title: | Manager | ||
Pubco: | |||
HWEL HOLDINGS CORP. | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | President and Secretary | ||
Purchaser Merger Sub: | |||
HWEL MERGER SUB CORP. | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | President and Secretary |
{Signature Page to Business Combination Agreement}
CallCo: | |||
1412384 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | Director | ||
ExchangeCo: | |||
1412388 B.C. Ltd | |||
By: | /s/ Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Name: | Alyssa J. Rapp | ||
Title: | Director |
{Signature Page to Business Combination Agreement}
The Company: | |||
STARTON THERAPEUTICS, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Pedro Lichtinger | ||
Name: | Pedro Lichtinger | ||
Title: | Chairman and CEO | ||
Seller Representative: | |||
Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis, an individual, solely in his capacity as the Seller Representative hereunder | |||
By: | /s/ Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis | ||
Name: | Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis | ||
Title: | Seller Representative |
{Signature Page to Business Combination Agreement}
Annex I
Parties to Voting Agreement (Supporting Company Shareholders) and Lock-Up Agreement
1. | Pedro Lichtinger Waisman |
2. | Fotios Plakogiannis |
3. | Michail Plakogiannis |
4. | Rodoula Plakogiannis [Perperidis] |
5. | Kiriakos Charlie Perperidis |
6. | Litsa Perperidis |
7. | Helen Perperidis |
8. | Kiriakos Capital Ltd. |
9. | Kenneth Anderson |
10. | Eric Baum |
11. | Asher Chanan-Khan |
12. | Nitin Kaushal |
13. | Roy Waldron |
14. | Mohamad Hussein |
15. | Moses Dodo |
16. | Scott Kahn |
17. | Jamie Oliver |
18. | Andy Rensink |
19. | Stephanie Lichtinger Pinheiro GST-Exempt Irrevocable Trust Dated 8/15/2014 |
20. | Jonathan Lichtinger Pinheiro GST-Exempt Irrevocable Trust Dated 8/15/2014 |
21. | Isaac Lichtinger Waisman |
Parties to Non-Competition Agreements
1. | Pedro Lichtinger Waisman |
2. | Fotios Plakogiannis |
3. | Scott Kahn |
4. | Jamie Oliver |
5. | Andy Rensink |