SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, dated October 23, 2002, by and among Elite
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Elite" or the "Company"), Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Will, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Bridge Ventures, Inc., a Florida
corporation, Bridge Ventures, Inc. Employee Pension Plan, SMACS Holding Corp.,
a Florida corporation, Saggi Capital Corp., a New York corporation, Saggi
Capital Corp. Money Purchase Plan, and Saggi Capital Corp. Profit Sharing Plan
(collectively the "Xxxxxxxx Group").
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W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, on August 5, 2002 the Xxxxxxxx Group commenced a consent
solicitation to remove three of the four members of Elite's board of directors
(the "Consent Solicitation"); and
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WHEREAS, in connection with the Consent Solicitation, on August 26,
2002, the Xxxxxxxx Group filed a definitive consent solicitation statement (the
"Solicitation Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
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"Commission"); and
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WHEREAS, on September 16, 2002 Elite filed with the Commission a
definitive consent revocation statement (the "Revocation Statement"); and
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WHEREAS, Elite solicited revocations of consents (the "Revocation
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Solicitation"); and
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WHEREAS, Elite commenced litigation against the Xxxxxxxx Group in the
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in the matter
encaptioned Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. x. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, et al., bearing
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docket number 02-CV-4191 (the "New Jersey Action"), alleging, among other
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things, that the Xxxxxxxx Group had violated Sections 13(d) and 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
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and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder in connection with the
Consent Solicitation; and
WHEREAS, in the New Jersey Action, on September 6, 2002, the Court
denied the application of Elite for a temporary restraining order against the
Xxxxxxxx Group and, on October 1, 2002, denied Elite's motions for a preliminary
injunction and sanctions against the Xxxxxxxx Group; and
WHEREAS, the Consent Solicitation ended on October 4, 2002; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2002, the Xxxxxxxx Group filed a preliminary
proxy statement (the "Xxxxxxxx Proxy Statement") with the Commission proposing
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to solicit proxies from stockholders in favor of the election of three members
of the Xxxxxxxx Group and stating the intention of the Xxxxxxxx Group to contest
the election
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of directors at the next annual meeting of Elite's stockholders (the
"Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation"); and
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WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Elite has set November 1, 2002 as
the record date (the "Record Date") for the annual meeting of stockholders to be
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held on December 12, 2002 (together with any adjournments or postponements
thereof as permitted hereby, the "Annual Meeting"); and
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WHEREAS, on October 7, 2002, Elite filed a preliminary proxy statement
(the "Company Preliminary Proxy Statement") with the Commission relating to the
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election of directors at the Annual Meeting and stating the intention of Elite's
Board of Directors to contest the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation and to solicit in
favor of the election of seven individuals nominated by the Board of Directors
(the "Company Nominees") (the "Company Proxy Solicitation"); and
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WHEREAS, Elite and the Xxxxxxxx Group have agreed to resolve certain
disputes between them on the terms set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth
herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Dismissal of New Jersey Action
Section 1.1. Dismissal of Action. Not later than the end of the
business day immediately following the date on which this Agreement is executed
and delivered by all parties hereto (the "Effective Date"), Elite shall execute
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and file, or cause its counsel to execute and file, such stipulations and other
documents as may be necessary to effect the dismissal of the New Jersey Action
with prejudice and without costs to any party.
ARTICLE II
Termination of Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation
Section 2.1. Termination of Proxy Solicitation. The Xxxxxxxx Group
shall immediately terminate the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, not later than one business day after then
Effective Date, the Xxxxxxxx Group shall notify the staff of the Commission in
writing that it has terminated the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation and is
withdrawing the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Statement. Promptly following the Effective Date,
the Xxxxxxxx Group shall cause its Schedule 13D with respect to Elite to be
amended consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.2. No Solicitation at Annual Meeting and Prohibition on
Other Actions.
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No member of the Xxxxxxxx Group shall, directly or indirectly:
(a) become a "participant" (as such term is defined in
Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) in
or assist any third party in any "solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are
defined in Rule 14a-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act) for use at the Annual
Meeting (whether or not the solicitation is subject to the provisions of Rules
14a-3 to 14a-15 and specifically including any solicitation pursuant to Rule
14a-2(b)(1)), make any exempt communication pursuant to Rule 14a-1(l)(2)(iv) or
otherwise seek to advise or influence any person or entity or assist any third
party in so advising or influencing any person or entity with respect to the
giving or withholding of any proxy or vote at the Annual Meeting, other than in
favor of the election of the Company Nominees.
(b) assert, commence or maintain or assist any third party in
asserting, commencing or maintaining any claim, action or proceeding before any
court, agency or other governmental authority (including, without limitation,
the Commission and any state securities commissioner) (i) seeking to enjoin,
delay or accelerate the Annual Meeting, (ii) seeking to enjoin the solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting, or (iii)
alleging that the Company Proxy Statement, the definitive proxy statement to be
prepared by Elite for mailing to stockholders in connection with the Annual
Meeting (the "Company Proxy Statement") and any accompanying soliciting
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materials or any additional soliciting materials delivered to stockholders by
Elite violates Rule 14a-9 or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statement contained
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(c) other than as expressly provided herein, grant any proxy
with respect to the Annual Meeting or deposit any of the Elite securities held
by the Xxxxxxxx Group in a voting trust or subject them to a voting agreement or
other arrangement of similar effect with respect to the Annual Meeting.
(d) make any proposal for consideration at the Annual Meeting.
(e) participate in or assist any third party in any
solicitation of written consents with regard to Elite prior to the Annual
Meeting.
Section 2.3. No Public Statements or Other Actions. Prior to the
completion of the Annual Meeting, no member of the Xxxxxxxx Group nor any of
their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents shall make
any public announcement or statement with respect to, or submit a proposal for,
or offer of (with or without conditions) any extraordinary transaction
involving, Elite, its directors or officers, or any of its securities or assets
(including, without limitation, any plan or proposal that would relate to or
would result in any of the actions set forth in clauses (a) through (j) of Item
4 of Schedule 13D promulgated under the Exchange Act) or form, join or in any
way participate in a "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act
in connection
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with any of the foregoing. Prior to the completion of the Annual
Meeting, neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors, employees,
affiliates or agents shall make any public announcement or statement relating to
the Xxxxxxxx Group, the Consent Solicitation, the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation or
the New Jersey Action other than (i) to describe the terms of this Agreement or
(ii) as may be required to comply with applicable Federal and State securities
laws, rules and regulations or the rules and regulations of any stock exchange
or stock market on which Elite's securities are then listed, quoted or admitted
to trading.
Section 2.4. Election of Company Nominees. Each member of the Xxxxxxxx
Group shall cause all voting securities held of record by it on the Record Date
or over which it has or shares voting power (the "Securities") to be represented
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at the Annual Meeting and to be voted at the Annual Meeting in favor of the
Company Nominees.
Section 2.5. Proxy. In order to assure the performance of the
obligations of the Xxxxxxxx Group hereunder, each member of the Xxxxxxxx Group
is simultaneously herewith providing Elite with an irrevocable proxy authorizing
Elite to vote the Securities as described above at the Annual Meeting (the
"Proxy") in the form of Exhibit C hereto. Elite shall have the right to deliver
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the Proxy on behalf of the members of the Xxxxxxxx Group in the event that any
member of the Xxxxxxxx Group does not perform its obligations hereunder. Each
member of the Xxxxxxxx Group hereby agrees that the Proxy is coupled with an
interest and therefore is irrevocable. Each member of the Xxxxxxxx Group hereby
irrevocably revokes any and all proxies given or granted with regard to the
Securities other than as provided in this Agreement or the Proxy.
Article III
Exchange Offer
Section 3.1. Exchange Offer.
(a) Promptly following the Effective Date, Elite shall prepare
and disseminate to all holders of its outstanding Class A Warrants expiring
November 30, 2002 (the "Old Warrants") an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer")
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pursuant to which Elite shall offer to exchange the Old Warrants for new
warrants having the terms and conditions summarized below (the "New Warrants")
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for a price of $0.10 per share of Elite common stock (the "Common Stock")
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covered thereby. The Exchange Offer shall be made to the eligible warrantholders
irrespective of whether the Old Warrants shall have expired when the Exchange
Offer is consummated. The Exchange Offer shall be open for 20 business days (or
such longer period as the Board of Directors of Elite shall determine in its
sole discretion) and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Exchange Act and
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the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
(b) The New Warrants will (i) be exercisable for the same
number of shares of Common Stock as the Old Warrants, (ii) have an exercise
price of $5.00 per
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share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any
stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or
reclassification occurring after the date hereof in respect of the Common
Stock), (iii) expire on November 30, 2005 (the "Expiration Date"), and (iv)
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except as set forth herein will have substantially all of the same other terms
and conditions as the Old Warrants. The New Warrants shall provide that (i) if
the Warrant Shares Registration Statement (as defined below) is not effective on
any day during the thirty (30) day period immediately prior to and including the
Expiration Date (the "Thirty Day Period"), and (ii) Elite's Common Stock trades
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at a price greater than $5.00 (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of
any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or
reclassification occurring after the date hereof in respect of the Common Stock)
on any trading day on which the Warrant Shares Registration Statement is not
effective during the Thirty Day Period, then the Expiration Date shall be
extended to the 30th day after the date on which the Warrant Shares Registration
Statement is again effective and available for the exercise of the New Warrants.
Such provisions shall apply to any subsequent suspension of the Warrant Shares
Registration Statement occurring prior to the then-current Expiration Date.
(c) In connection with the Exchange Offer, promptly following
the Effective Date (but not later than forty five (45) days thereafter), Elite
shall prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on an
appropriate form registering the New Warrants and the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise thereof (the "Registration Statement") and shall use
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commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective, including to respond to all comments from the Commission and to file
all amendments to the Registration Statement so required to respond to such
comments. Except as otherwise provided below, Elite shall maintain the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement until such time as the New Warrants
are no longer outstanding (the "Effectiveness Termination Date"). In addition,
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in connection with the Exchange Offer, Elite shall comply with applicable
securities or "blue sky" laws; provided, however, that in no event shall Elite
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be obligated to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in
securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so
qualify but for this subsection (c) or (ii) file any general consent to service
of process in any jurisdiction where it is not as of the date hereof so subject.
(d) Elite shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the Registration Statement to remain effective until the termination or
expiration of the Exchange Offer. Thereafter, Elite shall not be obligated to
maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement with respect to the New
Warrants. In addition, Elite shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement with respect to the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the New Warrants (the "Warrant Shares") until the
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earlier to occur of (i) Elite becoming eligible to use Form S-3 (or any
successor "short-form" registration statement) to register the Warrant Shares
(the "S-3 Eligibility Date") or (ii) such time as the "Average Trading Price"
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(as defined below) of the Common Stock is equal to or greater than $4.00
(subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or reclassification occurring
after the date hereof in respect of the Common Stock) (the earlier of such
dates, the "Registration Event").
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(e) Promptly after the occurrence of the Registration Event
(but in no event later than 15 days thereafter), Elite shall prepare and file
with the Commission either (i) a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement, which shall be on Form S-3 (or such successor form) if the
Eligibility Date has occurred, or (ii) a new registration statement, which shall
be on Form S-3 (or such successor form) if the Eligibility Date has occurred
(such post-effective amendment or new registration statement, the "Warrant
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Shares Registration Statement") registering the Warrant Shares and shall use
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commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Warrant Shares Registration
Statement to become effective, including to respond to all comments from the
Commission and to file all amendments to the Warrant Shares Registration
Statement so required to respond to such comments. Elite shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the Warrant Shares
Registration Statement until the Effectiveness Termination Date; provided,
however, that (i) Elite shall have the right to convert any Warrant Shares
Registration Statement that is not on Form S-3 (or such successor form) to a
registration statement on Form S-3 (or such successor form) in the event that
the Registration Event occurs prior to the S-3 Eligibility Date and (ii) Elite's
obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the Warrant Shares Registration
Statement shall be suspended during any period after the occurrence of a
Registration Event and prior to the S-3 Eligibility Date during which the
Average Trading Price of the Common Stock is less than $4.00 (subject to
appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization or reclassification occurring after the date
hereof in respect of the Common Stock).
(f) As used herein "Average Trading Price" means, as of any
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date of determination, the arithmetic average of the closing prices of the
Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange, or such successor exchange or other
exchange or market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted for
exchange for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day
immediately prior to the date of determination.
(g) Prior to the S-3 Eligibility Date, Elite shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to all holders of New Warrants, (i) the information
required by Rule 14a-3(b) promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act and (ii) the
information required by Items 401, 402 and 403 of Regulation S-K promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act.
(h) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 3.1,
Elite may suspend the use of the prospectus contained in the Registration
Statement for a period not to exceed 45 days in any 180-day period or an
aggregate of 90 days in any 365 day period if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have determined in good faith that because of valid business
reasons (not including avoidance of the Company's obligations hereunder),
including the acquisition or divestiture of assets, pending corporate
developments and similar events, it is in the best interests of the Company to
suspend such use, and prior to suspending such use the Company provides
warrantholders with written notice of such suspension, which notice need not
specify the nature of the event giving rise to such suspension. Notwithstanding
the registration of the Exchange Offer,
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the New Warrants will not be transferable except by operation of law. Any Old
Warrants not exchanged pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer will expire
in accordance with their terms.
Section 3.2. Expenses. Elite will pay all expenses associated with the
Exchange Offer and the Registration Statement excluding discounts, commissions,
fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities
industry professionals.
ARTICLE IV
Additional Agreements
Section 4.1. Company Nominees. The Company shall not remove Xxxx X.
Xxxxx, Xxxx X. xx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the "New Company Nominees")
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from the slate of Company Nominees nominated by Elite's Board of Directors for
election at the Annual Meeting. In the event that any of the New Company
Nominees dies, resigns or refuses to serve as a director of Elite, Elite shall
have the right, but not the obligation, to appoint a successor nominee (a
"Replacement Nominee") reasonably satisfactory to the Xxxxxxxx Group (except as
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provided below) for election at the Annual Meeting, subject to the requirements
of applicable law. If Elite desires to appoint a Replacement Nominee, Elite
shall provide the Xxxxxxxx Group with written notice thereof, which notice shall
include disclosure of the proposed Replacement Nominee's age, background and
relevant experience. If the Xxxxxxxx Group reasonably objects to the Replacement
Nominee, the Xxxxxxxx Group shall so notify the Company in writing on or prior
to the second business day after receipt of the Company's notice. If the
Xxxxxxxx Group approves of the Replacement Nominee or does not timely object
thereto, the Replacement Nominee shall become a "New Company Nominee" and a
"Company Nominee" for all purposes hereunder. If the Xxxxxxxx Group timely
objects to the appointment of such Replacement Nominee, then Elite shall have
the right, at its option, to either (i) withdraw the Replacement Nominee's
appointment, or (ii) to proceed with the appointment of such Replacement
Nominee. In the event that Elite proceeds with the appointment of the
Replacement Nominee in accordance with clause (ii) of the preceding sentence,
Elite shall notify the Xxxxxxxx Group thereof in writing and the Xxxxxxxx Group
shall not be obligated to vote the Securities in favor of such Replacement
Nominee at the Annual Meeting and such Replacement Nominee shall not be a
Company Nominee hereunder.
Section 4.2. Restrictions on Certain Actions. Prior to the conclusion
of the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors of Elite shall not adopt or
announce the adoption of a stockholders' rights plan and shall not amend or seek
stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting for the amendment of Elite's
certificate of incorporation or by-laws; provided, however, that such
restrictions shall not apply in the event that any person or entity makes any
proposal or public announcement relating to, or seeks information that would
lead to any such proposal, or seeks to negotiate with Elite regarding, the
merger or consolidation of Elite with or into any other entity, the sale, lease,
transfer or other
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disposition of all or any substantial portion of Elite's assets, the acquisition
of any securities of Elite or any other similar extraordinary corporate
transaction.
Section 4.3. Annual Meeting. The Company shall not adjourn, delay,
postpone or otherwise fail to convene and conclude the Annual Meeting for more
than 15 days from December 12, 2002 without the prior written consent of a
majority of the New Company Nominees.
Section 4.4. Press Releases. Not later than one business day after the
Effective Date, the Xxxxxxxx Group shall issue and disseminate a press release
in the form of Exhibit A hereto and Elite shall issue and disseminate a press
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release in the form of Exhibit B hereto. Neither party shall make any public
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statement inconsistent with its respective press release.
ARTICLE V
Elite Release
Section 5.1. Elite Release. Each of the members of the Xxxxxxxx Group,
on its own behalf and on behalf of their respective officers, directors,
employees, agents, representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, and anyone
claiming by or through any of the foregoing (collectively, the "Xxxxxxxx
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Releasors"), does hereby release and forever discharge Elite and its directors,
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officers, employees, agents, representatives and attorneys (collectively, "Elite
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Releasees"), of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, suits, account
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reckonings, covenants, agreements, damages, judgments, claims and demands
whatsoever, at law or in equity arising from or relating to (i) the Consent
Solicitation, the Solicitation Statement, the Revocation Statement, the
Revocation Solicitation, the New Jersey Action, the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Statement,
the Xxxxxxxx Proxy Solicitation, the Company Preliminary Proxy Statement, the
Company Proxy Statement, the Company Proxy Solicitation (collectively, the
"Election Contest"), or (ii) the determination by the Board of Directors of
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Elite not to extend the Old Warrants other than as set forth herein, which the
Xxxxxxxx Releasors ever had, now have, or may hereafter have; provided, however,
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that this release shall not extend to the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
Section 5.2. Agreement Not to Xxx. The Xxxxxxxx Group, on its own
behalf and on behalf of the other Xxxxxxxx Releasors, covenants, to the maximum
extent permitted by law, that neither it nor any Xxxxxxxx Releasor shall at any
time hereafter file, commence or maintain or authorize or permit any third party
to file, commence or maintain on its behalf, any suit, action or proceeding
before any federal, state or local court, administrative body, agency or
authority or arbitral organization or other tribunal against the Elite Releasees
with respect to the matters covered by the release set forth in Section 5.1.
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ARTICLE VI
Xxxxxxxx Group Release
Section 6.1. Xxxxxxxx Group Release. Elite, on its own behalf and on
behalf of its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives,
successors and assigns, and anyone claiming by or through any of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Elite Releasors") does hereby release and forever discharge
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each member of the Xxxxxxxx Group and their respective directors, officers,
employees, agents, representative and attorneys (collectively, "Xxxxxxxx
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Releasees"), of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, suits, account
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reckonings, covenants, agreements, damages, judgments, claims and demands
whatsoever, at law or in equity arising from or relating to the Election
Contest, which the Elite Releasors ever had, now have, or may hereafter have;
provided, however, that this release shall not extend to the terms and
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provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.2. Agreement Not to Xxx. Elite, on its own behalf and on
behalf of the other Elite Releasors, covenants, to the maximum extent permitted
by law, that neither it nor any Elite Releasor shall at any time hereafter file,
commence or maintain or authorize or permit any third party to file, commence or
maintain on its behalf, any suit, action or proceeding before any federal, state
or local court, administrative body, agency or authority or arbitral
organization or other tribunal against the Xxxxxxxx Releasees with respect to
the matters covered by the release set forth in Section 6.1.
ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties Relating to the Xxxxxxxx Group
The members of the Xxxxxxxx Group, jointly and severally, represent and
warrant to Elite as follows:
Section 7.1. Organization. Each member of the Xxxxxxxx Group that is an
entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its jurisdiction of organization.
Section 7.2. Authorization. Each member of the Xxxxxxxx Group has full
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder, all of which have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate, partnership or limited liability company action, as the case may be.
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each member
of the Xxxxxxxx Group and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each such
member, enforceable against such member in accordance with its terms.
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ARTICLE VIII
Representations and Warranties Relating to Elite
Elite represents and warrants to the Xxxxxxxx Group as follows:
Section 8.1. Organization. Elite is duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 8.2. Authorization. Elite has full power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, all
of which have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action. This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Elite and
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Elite, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
Section 9.1. Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by
facsimile or sent by certified, registered or express air mail, or overnight
carrier, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally, or by facsimile, or if mailed, five (5) days after the date of
mailing, or if sent by overnight carrier, one (1) business day after the date of
delivery to such overnight carrier, as follows:
If to the Xxxxxxxx Group, to the address set forth on the signature pages hereto
With a copy to: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to Elite: Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx, President
With a copy to: Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx PC
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
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Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
or to such other address as any party hereto shall notify the other parties
hereto (as provided above) from time to time.
Section 9.2. Expenses. Except as expressly provided herein, each party
hereto shall pay its own expenses incident to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein.
Section 9.3. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the
State of New Jersey, without reference to the choice of law principles thereof.
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for
the District of New Jersey for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or
judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the
jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the
laying of venue in such court. Each party hereto irrevocably waives any
objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought
in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 9.4. Assignment; Successors and Assigns; Third Party Rights.
This Agreement may not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, and any
attempted assignment shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
successors, assigns and legal representatives. Except as set forth in Sections
5.1, 5.2 and 6.1 and 6.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of
the parties to this Agreement and their respective heirs, successors, assigns
and legal representatives and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give
any person, other than the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
successors, assigns and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim hereunder.
Section 9.5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original agreement, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 9.6. Titles and Headings. The headings in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only, and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 9.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Exhibit
attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect
to the matters covered hereby and supersedes all previous written, oral or
implied understandings among them with respect to such matters.
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Section 9.8. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may only be
amended or modified in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of
such amendment or modification is sought.
Section 9.9. Waiver. Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement
may be waived at any time by the party or parties entitled to the benefit
thereof, but only by a writing signed by the party or parties waiving such terms
or conditions.
Section 9.10. Severability. The invalidity of any portion hereof shall
not affect the validity, force or effect of the remaining portions hereof. If it
is ever held that any restriction hereunder is too broad to permit enforcement
of such restriction to its fullest extent, such restriction shall be enforced to
the maximum extent permitted by law.
Section 9.11. No Strict Construction. Each of the parties hereto
acknowledge that this Agreement has been prepared jointly by the parties hereto,
and shall not be strictly construed against any party.
Section 9.12. Equitable Relief. Each of the parties hereto acknowledge
that this Agreement is unique and that none of the parties hereto could be made
whole by money damages in the event of a breach of the terms and provisions
hereof. Accordingly, each of the parties hereto shall have the right, in
addition to any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity, to
equitable relief (including specific performance and temporary, preliminary and
permanent injunctive relief) in the event of any breach or threatened breach by
any party of the terms hereof and shall not be required to post any bond or
security in connection therewith.
[INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURES BEGIN ON THE NEXT PAGE]
-19-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement or caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their authorized
representative, as of the day and year first above written.
ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President
--------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
--------------------------------
Xxxxxx Will
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
--------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
BRIDGE VENTURES, INC.
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE]
-00-
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX, INC. EMPLOYEE
PENSION PLAN
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
SMACS HOLDING CORP.
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
SAGGI CAPITAL CORP.
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
SAGGI CAPITAL CORP. MONEY
PURCHASE PLAN
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE]
-21-
SAGGI CAPITAL CORP. PROFIT
SHARING PLAN
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
-22-
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DATED
OCTOBER 23, 2002
BY AND AMONG
ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.,
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXXXX WILL, XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX,
BRIDGE VENTURES, INC., BRIDGE VENTURES, INC. EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN,
SMACS HOLDING CORP., SAGGI CAPITAL CORP., SAGGI CAPITAL CORP. MONEY
PURCHASE PLAN, AND SAGGI CAPITAL CORP. PROFIT SHARING PLAN
-23-
EXHIBIT A
XXXXXXXX GROUP PRESS RELEASE
-24-
EXHIBIT B
ELITE PRESS RELEASE
-25-
EXHIBIT C
PROXY
Irrevocable Proxy
-----------------
The undersigned hereby revokes any and all prior proxies and consents
and hereby irrevocably appoints and constitutes each of Xxxx X. Xxxxx and Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx, with full power of substitution, as my proxy (a) to vote the
shares of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") Common Stock (the
-------
"Shares") held by me at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be
------
held on December 12, 2002 (including any adjournments or postponements thereof,
the "Meeting") and/or (b) to execute and deliver any stockholder consent in lieu
-------
thereof, as in either case any one of them may determine in their sole
discretion in order to (i) revoke all prior proxies or consents given by me with
respect to the Shares, and (ii) to cause the Shares to be represented at the
Meeting and to be voted at the Meeting in favor of the "Company Nominees" (as
such term is defined in the Settlement Agreement, dated of even date herewith,
among the Company, the undersigned and the other parties thereto). The proxy
authority contained herein shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest and
shall be irrevocable. This proxy shall survive my death or incapacity in the
case of an individual, and, dissolution, bankruptcy, liquidation or change in
control in the case of an entity, during the term hereof, may not be revoked by
any guardian or other personal representative in the case of an individual or
trustee or receiver in the case of an entity, for any reason whatsoever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this proxy or caused
its duly authorized representative to execute this proxy as of the date written
below.
WITNESS:
----------------------- ------------------------------
[name]
-26-
