REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of April
23, 1999, is entered into by and among Generex Biotechnology Corp., an Idaho
corporation, with headquarters located at 33 Harbour Square, Suite 202, Toronto,
Canada M5J 2G2 (the "COMPANY"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "BUYER" and
collectively, the "BUYERS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the
parties dated as of April 23, 1999 (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers 363,637 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "COMMON Shares"); and
B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 ACT"), and
applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Buyers hereby
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
a. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer, any transferee or assignee thereof to whom
a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound
by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any
transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its
rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
b. "PERSON" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a
governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
c. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a registration
effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined
below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933
Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
d. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means the Common Shares purchased pursuant
to the Securities Purchase Agreement and any shares of capital stock issued or
issuable with respect to the Common Shares as a result of any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, exchange, anti-dilution rights or similar event or
otherwise.
e. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement of the
Company filed under the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as
practicable but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the date of
issuance of the relevant Common Shares, file with the SEC a Registration
Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-1 covering the
resale of all of the Registrable Securities. The initial Registration Statement
prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least that number of
Company common stock shares equal to the number of Registrable Securities as of
the date immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement is initially
filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b). The
Company shall use its best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
one-hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of the relevant Common Shares.
b. Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time prior to the expiration of
the Registration Period (as defined in Section 3(a)) the Company proposes to
file with the SEC a Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own
account or the account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its securities
(other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (or their equivalents at such time) relating
to securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any
entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option
or other employee benefit plans) the Company shall promptly send to each
Investor written notice of the Company's intention to file a Registration
Statement and of such Investor's rights under this Section 2(b) and, if within
twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice, such Investor shall so request in
writing, the Company shall include in such Registration Statement all or any
part of the Registrable Securities such Investor requests to be registered,
subject to the priorities set forth in Section 2(b) below. No right to
registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2(b) shall be
construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a). The obligations
of the Company under this Section 2(b) may be waived by the Buyers. If an
offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to registration under
this Section 2(b) is an underwritten offering, then each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement shall, unless
otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such Registrable Securities in
an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other
shares of Company common stock included in such underwritten offering. If a
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registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) is to be an underwritten public
offering and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing, that in
their reasonable good faith opinion, marketing or other factors dictate that a
limitation on the number of shares of Company common stock which may be included
in the Registration Statement is necessary to facilitate and not adversely
affect the proposed offering, then the Company shall include in such
registration: (1) first, all securities the Company proposes to sell for its own
account, (2) second, up to the full number of securities proposed to be
registered for the account of the holders of securities entitled to inclusion of
their securities in the Registration Statement by reason of demand registration
rights, and (3) third, the securities requested to be registered by the
Investors and other holders of securities entitled to participate in the
registration, as of the date hereof, drawn from them pro rata based on the
number each has requested to be included in such registration.
c. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro
rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held, or
which could be held, by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement
covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is
declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise
transfers any of such Person's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be
allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any
Common Shares included in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to
any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities shall be allocated to
the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities
then held by such Investors.
d. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers shall have the
right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any offering pursuant to
this Section 2 ("LEGAL COUNSEL"), which shall be Katten Muchin & Zavis or such
other counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of a majority of
Registrable Securities. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal
Counsel in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.
e. [Reserved.]
f. Rule 416. The Company and the Investors each acknowledge that each
Registration Statement prepared in accordance hereunder shall include an
indeterminate number of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 416 under the
1933 Act so as to cover any and all Registrable Securities which may become
issuable (i) to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or
similar transactions and (ii) if permitted by law, by reason of the
anti-dilution provisions contained in Section 9 of the Securities Purchase
Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof (collectively, the "RULE 416
SECURITIES"). In this regard, the Company agrees to use all reasonable efforts
to ensure that the maximum number of Registrable Securities which may be
registered pursuant to Rule 416 under the 1933 Act are covered by each
Registration Statement and, absent guidance from the SEC or other definitive
authority to the contrary, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
affirmatively support and to not take any position adverse to the position that
each Registration Statement filed hereunder covers all of the Rule 416
Securities. If the Company
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determines that the Registration Statement filed hereunder does not cover all of
the Rule 416 Securities, the Company shall immediately (i) provide to each
Investor written evidence setting forth the basis for the Company's position and
the authority therefor and (ii) prepare and file an amendment to such
Registration Statement or a new Registration Statement in accordance with
Section 2(g).
g. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities or an Investor's
allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(c) (a
"DEFICIT FAILURE"), the Company shall amend the Registration Statement, or file
a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if
applicable), or both, so as to cover at least one hundred percent (100%) of such
Registrable Securities in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event
not later than fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefor arises. The
Company shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the
filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares
available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover
all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of Registrable
Securities is greater than the number of shares of Company common stock
available for resale under such Registration Statement.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
Whenever an Investor has requested that any Registrable Securities be
registered pursuant to Section 2(b) or at such time as the Company is obligated
to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(g),
the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition
thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (on or prior
to the ninetieth (90th) day after the date of issuance of any Common Shares for
the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)) and use its
best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable
Securities to become effective as soon as possible after such filing (but in no
event later than one-hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of any Common
Shares for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)),
and keep such Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times
until the earlier of (i) the second (2nd) annual anniversary of the date of this
Agreement or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all the
Registrable Securities (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"), which Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained
therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration
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Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration
Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated
under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed
of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall permit Legal Counsel to review and comment upon a
Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least seven
(7) days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form
to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a
request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of Legal Counsel,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall furnish to
Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) any correspondence from the SEC or the staff
of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration
Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one
copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement
and all amendments and supplements thereto.
d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of
such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and
all exhibits, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten
(10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such
Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including
copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably
request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.
e. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify
the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other
securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as
Legal Counsel or any Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in
those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to
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service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose.
f. In the event Investors who hold a majority of the Registrable
Securities being offered in the offering select underwriters for the offering,
the Company shall enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting
agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without limitation, customary
indemnification and contribution obligations, with the underwriters of such
offering.
g. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the
Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of the happening
of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such
Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each
Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may
reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and
each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such
effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile
on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any
request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or
related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable
determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would
be appropriate.
h. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any
stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or
the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to
obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible
moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold (and, in the event of an underwritten offering, the
managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.
i. At the request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish to such
Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and
thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request
(i) if required by an underwriter, a letter, dated such date, from the Company's
independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily
given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an
underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, and (ii) an
opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes
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of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily
given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters and the
Investors.
j. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any Investor,
(ii) Legal Counsel, (iii) any underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to a Registration Statement, (iv) one firm of accountants or other
agents retained by the Investors, and (v) one firm of attorneys retained by such
underwriters (collectively, the "INSPECTORS") all pertinent financial and other
records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company
(collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each
Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply
all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however,
that each Inspector shall hold in strict confidence and shall not make any
disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information
which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which
determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any
Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the
release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena
or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the
information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which
the Inspector has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning
that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body
of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the
Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action
to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records
deemed confidential.
k. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure
of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities
laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a
misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of
such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement of which the Company has knowledge. The Company agrees that it shall,
upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is
sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or
through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such
Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
l. The Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause all the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each
securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by
the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable
Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure
designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company shall pay all
fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this
Section 3(l).
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m. [Reserved.]
n. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar of all such
Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration
Statement.
o. If requested by the managing underwriters or an Investor, the Company
shall (i) immediately incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment such information as the managing underwriters and the Investors agree
should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable
Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the
number of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase
price being paid therefor by such underwriters and any other terms of the
underwritten (or best efforts underwritten) offering of the Registrable
Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement
if requested by a shareholder or any underwriter of such Registrable Securities.
p. [Reserved.]
q. [Reserved.]
r. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration
hereunder and the Company shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC in a
timely manner all reports and documents required of the Company under the 1933
Act and the 1934 Act (as defined in Section 6(a)).
s. Within two (2) business days after the Registration Statement which
includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company
shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the
transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors
whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement)
confirmation that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
t. [Reserved.]
u. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.
v. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
the Registration Statement shall register only the Registrable Securities and
the Company common stock purchased by the Other Purchasers (as defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Offering (as defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement); provided, however, that the Registration
Statement covering the resale of the Registrable Securities may register for
resale the common stock held by or issuable to Coleman & Company Securities,
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Inc. pursuant to the registration rights of such party in effect prior to the
date of this Agreement only in the event that the Company calls, redeems or
otherwise purchases all of the outstanding Company Series A Warrants (the
"WARRANTS") from the holders thereof prior to the exercise or conversion of such
Warrants by the holders thereof.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
a. At least seven (7) days prior to the first anticipated filing date of
the Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of
the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor
elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of
the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect
to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself and the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
b. Each Investor by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
c. In the event any Investor elects to participate in an underwritten
public offering pursuant to Section 2, each such Investor agrees to enter into
and perform such Investor's obligations under an underwriting agreement, in
usual and customary form, including, without limitation, customary
indemnification and contribution obligations, with the managing underwriter of
such offering and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to
expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and, in the event the Company
fails to comply with the reasonable requests of Legal Counsel made pursuant to
Section 3(c) of this Agreement, the fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel,
shall be paid by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
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a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby
does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor who holds such
Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents,
representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within
the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 ACT"), and any underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act) for the
Investors, and the directors and officers of, and each Person, if any, who
controls, any such underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934
Act (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), subject to Section 6(d) below, against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges,
costs, attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or
several, (collectively, "INDEMNIFIED DAMAGES") incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding,
investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or
governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC,
whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be
a party thereto ("CLAIMS"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as
such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the
qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of
any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered ("BLUE SKY
FILING"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of
such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or
supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material
fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading,
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities
law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any material
violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through
(iv) being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). The Company shall reimburse the
Investors and each such underwriter or controlling person, promptly as such
expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other
reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall
not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a
Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person or underwriter
for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation
of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(d); (ii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure
to the benefit of any such person from whom the person asserting any such Claim
purchased the Registrable Securities that are the subject thereof (or to the
benefit of any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d), and the
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Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it; (iii) shall not be available to
the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver properly
or to cause to be delivered properly the prospectus made available by the
Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(d); and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is
participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify,
hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set
forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers
who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (collectively and
together with an Indemnified Person, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim
or Indemnified Damages to which any Indemnified Party may become subject, under
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified
Damages arise out of or are based upon (i) any Violation, in each case to the
extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement, and (ii) any
Violation, in each case to the extent and only to the extent that such Violation
occurs as a result of the failure of an Investor to deliver properly or to cause
to be delivered properly the prospectus made available by the Company, if such
prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d);
and, subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution
contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such
Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further,
however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that
amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to
such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors
pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with
respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained
in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus,
as then amended or supplemented.
c. The Company shall be entitled to receive indemnities from
underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry
11
professionals participating in any distribution, to the same extent as provided
above, with respect to information such persons so furnished in writing
expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement.
d. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding
(including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is
to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in
the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Company shall
pay reasonable fees for only one separate legal counsel for the Investors, and
such legal counsel shall be selected by the Investors holding a majority in
interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to
which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall
cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation
or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall
furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim.
The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person
fully apprized at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement
negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any
settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written
consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably
withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without
the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of
any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff
to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability
in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided
for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms
or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
e. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
12
f. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i)
any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited
or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable
Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by
such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.
a. The Company agrees that an Investor will suffer damages if the
Company violates any provision of or fails to fulfill its obligations pursuant
to Sections 2(a), 2(b), 2(g), 3(a), 3(b), 3(e), 3(h), 3(l) and 3(v) of this
Agreement (a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT") and that it would not be possible to
ascertain the extent of such damages. Accordingly, in the event of such
Registration Default, the Company hereby agrees to pay liquidated damages
("LIQUIDATED DAMAGES") to such Investor following the occurrence of such
Registration Default in an amount determined by multiplying (i) $.11 per Common
Share then held by such Investor by (ii) the percentage derived by dividing (A)
the actual number of days elapsed from the first day of the date that an uncured
Registration Default occurred or the end of the prior 30-day period, as
applicable, to the day all Registration Defaults have been completely cured, by
(B) 30. Liquidated Damages shall be paid in cash, or at the Investor's option,
in the number of shares of Company common stock equal to the quotient of (v) the
dollar amount of the Liquidated Damages due on the Payment Date (as defined
below) divided by (w) the closing bid price of the Company's common stock (as
quoted in the Principal Market or the market or exchange where the Company's
common stock is then traded) as of the first day that an uncured Registration
Default occurred; provided, however, that if the Company timely files a
Registration Statement covering the resale of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to Sections 2(a) and 3(a) of this Agreement and the Company utilizes
its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective but
such Registration Statement has not become effective as required by Sections
2(a) and 3(a) of this Agreement, then during the first 30-day period immediately
following the occurrence of such Registration Default caused by such failure of
the Registration Statement to become effective as required pursuant to Sections
2(a) and 3(a) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Liquidated Damages to
such Investor in an amount determined by multiplying (i) $.055 per Common Share
then held by such Investor by (ii) the percentage derived by dividing (A) the
actual number of days elapsed from the first day of the date such Registration
Default occurred to the day such Registration Default has been completely cured,
13
by (B) 30. Liquidated Damages shall be paid, in cash, or at the Investor's
option, in the number of shares of Company common stock as determined by this
Section 8. The Liquidated Damages payable pursuant hereto shall be payable
within five (5) business days from the end of the 30-day period commencing on
the first 30-day period in which the Registration Default occurs (each, a
"PAYMENT DATE"). In the event the Investor elects to receive the Liquidated
Damages amount in shares of Company common stock, such shares shall also be
considered Registrable Securities and shall have the registration rights set
forth in this Agreement.
b. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8(a) above:
(i) the Company shall have the right to pay Liquidated Damages in
cash irrespective of any Investor's election to receive
shares of Company Common Stock in settlement thereof if the
closing bid price of the Company's Common Stock as determined
under clause (w) above is less than $5.50 per share.
(ii) in the event of a Registration Default under Section 2(g),
Liquidated Damages shall be payable in an amount determined
by multiplying (A) the amount of Liquidated Damages as
calculated by Section 8(a) above, by (B) a fraction, the
numerator of which fraction shall be the total number of
Common Shares held by the Investor or which the Investor is
entitled to receive and which have not been registered under
the Registration Statement, and the denominator of which
fraction shall be the total number of Common Shares held by
the Investor and which the Investor is entitled to receive.
(iii) no Registration Default shall be deemed to have occurred
hereunder:
(A) (1) under Section 2(g) if the Deficit Failure is the
result of a merger or other reorganization requiring
the amendment of the Registration Statement involving
the restatement or filing of additional or restated
financial statements, provided, however, that the
Company diligently proceeds and utilizes its best
efforts to satisfy its obligations under Section 3(b)
and Section 2(g) of this Agreement, or (2) in the event
that, pursuant to Section 2(g) of this Agreement, the
Company has reserved and registered for resale the
initial 363,637 Common Shares purchased by the Buyers
pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, under
Section 2(g) if the Deficit Failure is the result of a
failure to register a number of Common Shares which
represent 5% or less of the additional number of Common
Shares issued to such Investor pursuant to this
Agreement or the Securities Purchase Agreement in
excess of such initial 363,637 Common Shares purchased
by the Buyers, provided, however, that the Company
diligently proceeds and utilizes its best efforts to
satisfy its obligations under Section 2(g) of this
Agreement.
14
(B) under Section 3(a) or Section 3(b) for failing to keep
the Registration Statement "effective at all times" if
such failure is due to a merger or other acquisition or
reorganization, a recapitalization involving the filing
of new or restating of previously filed financial
statements, or other material corporate developments
involving any entity or business engaged in the same
industry or business of the Company, provided, however,
that the Company proceeds diligently and utilizes its
best efforts to satisfy its obligations under Section
3(a) or Section 3(b) of this Agreement.
(C) under Section 3(h) in respect of any suspension of
effectiveness or withdrawal of the Registration
Statement, or stop order relating thereto, or
suspension of sales under the Registration Statement
pending the filing and effectiveness of a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
that is made necessary by a merger or other acquisition
or reorganization, a recapitalization involving the
filing of new or restating of previously filed
financial statements, or other material corporate
developments involving any entity or business engaged
in the same industry or business of the Company,
provided, however, that the Company proceeds diligently
and utilizes its best efforts to satisfy its
obligations under Section 3(h) of this Agreement.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities if:
(i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign
such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned;
(iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition
of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933
Act and applicable state securities laws; provided, however, that the transferee
or assignee may subsequently transfer or assign all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities if an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act is
applicable to such transfer or assignment; (iv) at or before the time the
Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence
the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all
of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made
in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement.
15
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof
may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who then hold two-thirds (_) of the Registrable Securities. Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding
upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the
extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable
Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or
consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement
unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this
Agreement.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever
such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If
the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or
more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall
act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the
registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or
permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and
will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of
transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); or (iii) one business day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the
party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Generex Biotechnology Corp.
33 Harbour Square, Suite 202
Toronto, Canada M5J 2G2
Telephone: (416) 364-2551
Facsimile: (416) 364-9363
Attention: E. Mark Perri
With a copy to:
Connolly Epstein Chicco Foxman Oxholm & Ewing
1515 Market Street, 9th Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1909
Telephone: (215) 851-8400
Facsimile: (215) 851-8383
Attention: Joseph Chicco, Esq.
16
If to Legal Counsel:
Katten Muchin & Zavis
525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
Telephone: (312) 902-5521
Facsimile: (312) 577-8763
Attention: Anthony J. Ribaudo
If to a Buyer, to it at the address and facsimile number set forth on the
Schedule of Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives
as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, or at such other address and/or
facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party has specified by written notice given to each other party five days prior
to the effectiveness of such change.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects by
the internal laws of the State of Illinois (except for the proper application of
the United States federal securities laws), without giving effect to any choice
of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Illinois or
any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdictions other than the State of Illinois. Each party hereby irrevocably
submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts
sitting the City of Chicago, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder. If
any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the
validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction.
e. This Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement constitute the
entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This
Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements
and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of
each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
17
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to
the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed,
all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other
agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may
reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the Investors
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this
Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities.
k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit
of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
COMPANY: BUYERS:
GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP. CRANSHIRE CAPITAL, L.P.
By: By: Downsview Capital, Incorporated,
------------------------------- the General Partner
Name:
-----------------------------
Title: By:
----------------------------- --------------------------
Name: Mitchell Kopin
Title: President
KEEWAY INVESTMENTS LTD.
18
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
ICN CAPITAL LTD.
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
GILFORD PARTNERS, L.P.
By:
--------------------------------
By:
-----------------------------
Name:
---------------------------
Title:
--------------------------
HOWARD TODD HORBERG
------------------------------------
STEVE LEVY
------------------------------------
[Note: For additional parties joining in
this Agreement by Joinder Agreement, see
Schedule of Buyers Attached]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
Investor's Address
Investor Name and Facsimile Number
--------------------- ---------------------------------------
CRANSHIRE CAPITAL, L.P. 770 FRONTAGE ROAD, STE. 134
NORTHFIELD, ILLINOIS 60093
ATTN: MITCHELL KOPIN
(p) 847/784-1544
(f) 847/784-1546
KEEWAY INVESTMENTS LTD. 19 MOUNT HAVELOCK
DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN
UNITED KINGDOM
1M1 2QG
ATTN: MARTIN PETERS
(p)011-44-171-323-2131
(f)011-44-171-323-0773
ICN CAPITAL LTD. 19 MOUNT HAVELOCK
DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN
UNITED KINGDOM
1M1 2QG
ATTN: ANNE NICHOLSON
GILFORD PARTNERS, L.P. 2022 N. MOHAWK
CHICAGO, IL 60614
(p)312-786-2071
(f)312-664-3581
ATTENTION: H. ROBERT HOLMES
HOWARD TODD HORBERG 100 SHERIDAN ROAD
HIGHLAND PARK, IL 60035
(p)847-433-3800
STEVE LEVY 1776 CLENDENIN LANE
RIVERWOODS, IL 60015
(p)847-562-1776
(f)847-562-1415
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITONAL BUYERS BY EXECUTION OF JOINDER AGREEMENTS:
HEADWATERS CAPITAL 220 MONTGOMERY STREET
SUITE 500
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
THE ARIES MASTER FUND C/O PARAGON CAPITAL ASSET
ARIES DOMESTIC FUND, L.P. MANAGEMENT, INC.
ARIES DOMESTIOC FUND II, L.P. 787 SEVENTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10019
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[TRANSFER AGENT]
Attn:
---------------------
Re: GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Generex Biotechnology Corp., an Idaho corporation
(the "Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that
certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") entered into by
and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the "Holders")
pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of its Common Stock,
par value $.001 per share, (the "Common Shares"). Pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement
with the Holders (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the
Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the Common Shares,
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection
with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on April
23, 1999, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each
of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
[ISSUER'S COUNSEL]
By:
-----------------------
cc: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]