The Purchase Agreements, Warrant, Registration Rights Agreements and Investor Rights Agreement were filed as exhibits to the Current Report on Form 8-K the Company filed with the SEC on April 8, 2021.
Under Delaware law, our stockholders will not have rights of appraisal or similar dissenters’ rights in connection with this proposal.
Reasons for Stockholder Approval
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE. NYSE Rule 312.03(c) requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in any transaction or series of related transactions if (1) the common stock has, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20 percent of the voting power outstanding before the issuance of such stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock or (2) the number of shares of common stock to be issued is, or will be upon issuance, equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock.
As of April 7, 2021, there were 21,962,118 shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding. Because the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, along with the other shares issued in connection with the Merger and the Purchased Shares, in the aggregate, is more than 19.9% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger and the Private Placement, we are asking our stockholders to approve the issuance of up to 280,428 shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrant.
We are required to use our reasonable best efforts to obtain stockholder approval to issue the Excess Warrant Shares under the terms of the Warrant. Stockholder approval of this proposal is being sought solely to comply with the terms of such Warrant and NYSE Rule 312.03(c).
Effect upon Rights of Existing Stockholders
Act III may currently exercise its purchase rights under the Warrant for 219,572 shares of the Company’s common stock (assuming no adjustments). If stockholders approve this proposal, the Warrant may be exercised for, and result in the issuance of, an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (assuming no adjustments).
If stockholders approve this proposal, the principal effect upon the rights of existing stockholders upon the exercise of the Warrant will be a dilution in their current ownership and voting interests in the Company. Assuming the exercise of the entire Warrant (with no adjustments), Act III will hold in the aggregate approximately 2.0% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of April 9, 2021. This percentage does not give effect to (i) the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to any outstanding options, or (ii) any future issuances of our common stock. Upon the effective registration of the Warrant Shares, Act III will be able to freely sell the Warrant Shares, including the Excess Warrant Shares. The issuance of the Warrant Shares and the sale of such shares by Act III into the public market could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Interests of Directors, Officers and Affiliates
Mr. Keith E. Pascal was appointed as the initial Act III Director on April 8, 2021 following the closing of the Private Placement and issuance of the Purchased Shares and the Warrant. Since March 2018, Mr. Pascal has served as a Partner at Act III Holdings, LLC, a Boston-based investment fund and an affiliate of Act III.
Registration Rights
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement with Act III, we have agreed to provide registration rights for the resale of the Warrant Shares, including the Excess Warrant Shares as more particularly described above. Upon the effectiveness of such registration, the Warrant Shares, including the Excess Warrant Shares, will be freely tradable in the public market.
Consequences of Not Approving this Proposal
In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained at the Annual Meeting or, if prior to the Annual Meeting, the Company announces a change of control event, the portion of the Warrant with respect to the Excess Warrant Shares may be exercised for a cash payment in lieu of issuance of Warrant Shares based on the