REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
B
This
Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is
made and entered into as of March 10, 2006, among Aprecia Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
and
the purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser is a “Purchaser”
and
collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This
Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated at or
about the date hereof among the Company and the Purchasers (the “Purchase
Agreement”).
The
Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
Capitalized
terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Purchase
Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase
Agreement.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
“Advice”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Effectiveness
Date”
means,
with respect to the initial Registration Statement required to be filed
hereunder, the 150th
calendar
day following the date hereof and, with respect to any additional Registration
Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 90th
calendar
day following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should
have known, that such additional Registration Statement is required hereunder;
provided,
however,
in the
event the Company is notified by the Commission that one of the above
Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further
review and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement
shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so
notified if such date precedes the dates required above.
“Effectiveness
Period”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Event”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Event
Date”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Filing
Date”
means,
with respect to the initial Registration Statement required hereunder, the
90th
calendar
day following the date hereof and, with respect to any additional Registration
Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 30th
day
following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should have
known that such additional Registration Statement is required
hereunder.
“Holder”
or
“Holders”
means
the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable
Securities.
“Indemnified
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Losses”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Plan
of Distribution”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Proceeding”
means
an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without
limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition),
whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus”
means
the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from
a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance
upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented
by
any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement,
and
all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
“Registrable
Securities”
means
(i) all of the Underlying Shares, (ii) any securities issued or issuable upon
any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar
event with respect to the foregoing, (iii) any additional shares issuable in
connection with any anti-dilution provisions in the Transaction
documents(without giving effect to any limitations on exercise set forth in
the
Debenture), (iv) shares issuable to Palladium Capital, upon exercise of a common
stock purchase warrant issuable in connection with the sale of the Debentures
as
a part of the compensation payable to Palladium Capital, and (v) shares issuable
in connection with a proposed private placement of shares of common stock of
the
Company not to exceed $50,000 in gross proceeds at a per share price of not
less
than $0.12.
“Registration
Statement”
means
the registration statements required to be filed hereunder and any additional
registration statements contemplated by Section 3(c), including (in each case)
the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or
Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto,
and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in such registration statement.
“Rule
415”
means
Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and
effect as such Rule.
“Rule
424”
means
Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and
effect as such Rule.
“Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
2.
Shelf
Registration
(a) On
or
prior to each Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the
Commission a “Shelf” Registration Statement covering the resale of 200% of the
Registrable Securities and such shares as set forth in Schedule 6(b) on such
Filing Date for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule
415. The Registration Statement shall be on Form SB-2 (except if the Company
is
not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form
SB-2, in which case such registration shall be on another appropriate form
in
accordance herewith) and shall contain (unless otherwise directed by the
Holders) substantially the “Plan
of Distribution”
attached hereto as Annex
A.
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause
a Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act
as
promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event prior to the
applicable Effectiveness Date, and shall use its best efforts to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until
all
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold
or
may be sold without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k) as determined
by
the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect,
addressed and acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent and the affected
Holders (the “Effectiveness
Period”).
The
Company shall telephonically request effectiveness of a Registration Statement
as of 5:00 pm Eastern Time on a Trading Day. The Company shall immediately
notify the Holders via facsimile of the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement on the same Trading Day that the Company telephonically confirms
effectiveness with the Commission, which shall be the date requested for
effectiveness of a Registration Statement. The Company shall, by 9:30 am Eastern
Time on the Trading Day after the Effective Date (as defined in the Purchase
Agreement), file a Form 424(b)(5) with the Commission. Failure to so notify
the
Holder within 1 Trading Day of such notification shall be deemed an Event under
Section 2(b).
(b) If:
(i) a
Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its Filing Date (if the
Company files a Registration Statement without affording the Holders the
opportunity to review and comment on the same as required by Section 3(a),
the
Company shall not be deemed to have satisfied this clause (i)), or (ii) the
Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration in
accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act, within three
Trading Days of the date that the Company is notified (orally or in writing,
whichever is earlier) by the Commission that a Registration Statement will
not
be “reviewed,” or not subject to further review, or (iii) prior to its
Effectiveness Date, the Company fails to file a pre-effective amendment and
otherwise respond in writing to comments made by the Commission in respect
of
such Registration Statement within 15 calendar days after the receipt of
comments by or notice from the Commission that such amendment is required in
order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective, or (iv) a
Registration Statement filed or required to be filed hereunder is not declared
effective by the Commission by its Effectiveness Date, or (v) after the
Effectiveness Date, a Registration Statement ceases for any reason to remain
continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities for which it is required
to be effective, or the Holders are not permitted to utilize the Prospectus
therein to resell such Registrable Securities for 10 consecutive calendar days
but no more than an aggregate of 15 calendar days during any 12-month period
(which need not be consecutive Trading Days) (any such failure or breach being
referred to as an “Event”,
and
for purposes of clause (i) or (iv) the date on which such Event occurs, or
for
purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five Trading Day period is
exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iii) the date which such 10 calendar day
period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (v) the date on which such 10
or
15 calendar day period, as applicable, is exceeded being referred to as
“Event
Date”),
then
in addition to any other rights the Holders may have hereunder or under
applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of
each
such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such
date)
until the applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to each Holder an
amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to
2%
of the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement for any Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. If the
Company fails to pay any partial liquidated damages pursuant to this Section
in
full within seven days after the date payable, the Company will pay interest
thereon at a rate of 18% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that is
permitted to be paid by applicable law) to the Holder, accruing daily from
the
date such partial liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all such
interest thereon, are paid in full. The partial liquidated damages pursuant
to
the terms hereof shall apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a
month prior to the cure of an Event.
3.
Registration
Procedures.
In
connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company
shall:
(a) Not
less
than three Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement
or
any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any
document that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference), the Company shall, (i) furnish to each Holder copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of
such
Holders, and (ii) cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent
certified public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary,
in the reasonable opinion of respective counsel to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not
file a Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities shall reasonably object in good faith, provided that, the Company
is
notified of such objection in writing no later than three Trading Days after
the
Holders have been so furnished copies of such documents. Each Holder agrees
to
furnish to the Company a completed Questionnaire in the form attached to this
Agreement as Annex B (a “Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire”)
not
less than two Trading Days prior to the Filing Date or by the end of the fourth
Trading Day following the date on which such Holder receives draft materials
in
accordance with this Section.
(b) (i)
Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously
effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness
Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration
Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of
the
Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of
this
Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
(iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from
the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
and as promptly as reasonably possible provide the Holders true and complete
copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to a
Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance (subject to the terms of this
Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof
set
forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as
so
supplemented.
(c) If
during
the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable Securities at any time
exceeds 75% of the number of shares of Common Stock then registered in a
Registration Statement, then the Company shall file as soon as reasonably
practicable but in any case prior to the applicable Filing Date, an additional
Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of not less than
150%
of the number of such Registrable Securities.
(d) Notify
the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall, pursuant
to clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend
the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made) as
promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less
than
five Trading Days prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person)
confirm such notice in writing no later than one Trading Day following the
day
(i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the
Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such
Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such
Registration Statement (the Company shall provide true and complete copies
thereof and all written responses thereto to each of the Holders); and (C)
with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other
Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of
the
issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority
of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any
Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the
financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for
inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein
by
reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to
a
Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case
of a
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any 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
(vi) the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with
respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that,
in
the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the
Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or
Prospectus; provided that any and all of such information shall remain
confidential to each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public,
unless disclosure by a Holder is required by law; provided,
further,
notwithstanding each Holder’s agreement to keep such information confidential,
the Holders make no acknowledgement that any such information is material,
non-public information.
(e) Use
its
best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal
of
(i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or
(ii)
any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any
of
the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest
practicable moment.
(f) Furnish
to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each such
Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and
all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously
furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such
documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly
deliver to each Holder, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or
Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in connection with
resales by the Holder of Registrable Securities. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection
with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after the giving
on
any notice pursuant to Section 3(d).
(h) If
NASDR
Rule 2710 requires any broker-dealer to make a filing prior to executing a
sale
by a Holder, the Company shall (i) make an Issuer Filing with the NASDR, Inc.
Corporate Financing Department pursuant to NASDR Rule 2710(b)(10)(A)(i), (ii)
respond within five Trading Days to any comments received from NASDR in
connection therewith, (iii) and pay the filing fee required in connection
therewith.
(i) Prior
to
any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its commercially
reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders
in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the
Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale
by
the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within
the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each
registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably
necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable
Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company
shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax
in
any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent
to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(j) If
requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities
to
be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which
certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement,
of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be
in
such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may
request.
(k) Upon
the
occurrence of any event contemplated by this Section 3, as promptly as
reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account the Company’s
good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its
stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a supplement
or
amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration Statement
or
a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to
be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document
so
that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such
Prospectus will contain an 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 under which they were made,
not misleading. If
the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (ii) through (vi)
of
Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite
changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use
of
such Prospectus. The Company will use its best efforts to ensure that the use
of
the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall
be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(k) to suspend the
availability of a Registration Statement and Prospectus, subject to the payment
of partial liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(b), for a period not to
exceed 60 days (which need not be consecutive days) in any 12 month
period.
(l) Comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
(m) The
Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified
statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
such
Holder and, if required by the Commission, the person thereof that has voting
and dispositive control over the Shares. During any periods that the Company
is
unable to meet its obligations hereunder with respect to the registration of
the
Registrable Securities solely because any Holder fails to furnish such
information within three Trading Days of the Company’s request, any liquidated
damages that are accruing at such time as to such Holder only shall be tolled
and any Event that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay shall be
suspended as to such Holder only, until such information is delivered to the
Company.
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4.
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Registration
Expenses.
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with
this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether
or not
any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement.
The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall
include,
without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings
required
to be made with the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then
listed for trading, (B) in compliance with applicable state securities
or
Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including,
without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
in
connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable
Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable
Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as
requested by the Holders) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company
in
connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect to any filing that
may be
required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends
to make
sales of Registrable Securities with NASD Regulation, Inc. pursuant
to the
NASD Rule 2710, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a
customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii)
printing
expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates
for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing
of
prospectuses is reasonably requested by the holders of a majority
of the
Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement), (iii)
messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements
of
counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance,
if the
Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of
all other
Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation
of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company
shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses
of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the
expense
of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection
with
the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange
as
required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be responsible
for any
broker or similar commissions or, except to the extent provided for
in the
Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the
Holders.
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5. Indemnification
(a) Indemnification
by the Company.
The
Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify
and
hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, brokers (including
brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result
of a
pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock),
investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person who controls
any
such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, agents and employees of
each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law,
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses
(collectively, “Losses”),
as
incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or
any
form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus
or
supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made)
not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such
untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding
such
Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use
therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such
Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was
reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use
in a
Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any
amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that the Holder has
approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence
of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such
Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified
such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior
to
the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). The
Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware.
(b) Indemnification
by Holders.
Each
Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls
the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section
20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of
such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based
solely upon: (x) such Holder’s failure to comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus,
or
any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent,
that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so
furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion
in
such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that (1)
such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding
such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for
use
therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such
Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was
reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use
in a
Registration Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex
A
hereto for this purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in
any
amendment or supplement thereto or (2) in the case of an occurrence of an event
of the type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an
outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder
in
writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt
by
such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). In no event shall the
liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar
amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the
Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification
obligation.
(c) Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings.
If any
Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity
hereunder (an “Indemnified
Party”),
such
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought
(the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense
thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified
Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its
obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to
the
extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
(which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such
failure shall have prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the
defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such
Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such
Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified
Party
and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall reasonably believe
that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel
were
to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case,
if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it
elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party,
the
Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and
the reasonable fees and expenses of one separate counsel shall be at the expense
of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for
any
settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of
any
pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless
such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party
from
all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
Proceeding.
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the
Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred
in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in
a
manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified
Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly
reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses
applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is not entitled
to
indemnification hereunder, determined based upon the relative faults of the
parties.
(d) Contribution.
If the
indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified
Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses,
then
each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material
fact,
has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such
Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result
of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or
expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent
such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the
indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in
accordance with its terms.
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by
any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required
to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which
the
proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that
such
Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud
by
such Holder.
The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition
to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties.
6. Miscellaneous
(a) Remedies.
In the
event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder, of any of their obligations
under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under
this
Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific
performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each Holder
agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any
losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense
that
a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No
Piggyback on Registrations.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
6(b)
attached
hereto, neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the
Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the Company
in the initial Registration Statement other than the Registrable Securities.
Except as set forth on Schedule 6(b) attached hereto, no Person has any right
to
cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any
securities of the Company. The Company shall not file any other registration
statements until the initial Registration Statement required hereunder is
declared effective by the Commission.
(c) Compliance.
Each
Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales
of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
(d) Discontinued
Disposition.
Each
Holder agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon
receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the
kind
described in Section 3(d), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition
of
such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until such Holder’s
receipt of the copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration
Statement, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”)
by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either
case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement. The Company will use its best efforts to ensure that
the
use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as it practicable. The Company
agrees and acknowledges that any periods during which the Holder is required
to
discontinue the disposition of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 2(b).
(e) Piggy-Back
Registrations.
If at
any time during the Effectiveness Period there is not an effective Registration
Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall
determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under
the
Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form
S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents
relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any
acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in
connection with the stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the
Company shall send to each Holder a written notice of such determination and,
if
within fifteen days after the date of such notice, any such Holder shall so
request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement
all
or any part of such Registrable Securities such Holder requests to be
registered; provided,
however,
that,
the Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities
pursuant to this Section 6(e) that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act or that are the subject of a then
effective Registration Statement.
(f) Amendments
and Waivers.
The
provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may
not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from
the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing
and
signed by the Company and each Holder of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from
the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to
the
rights of Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights
of
other Holders may be given by Holders of all of the Registrable Securities
to
which such waiver or consent relates; provided,
however,
that
the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented
except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(g) Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors
and
permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of
each
Holder. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then-outstanding
Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder
in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase
Agreement.
(i) No
Inconsistent Agreements.
Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof,
nor
shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this
Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would
have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement
or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on
Schedule
6(i),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has previously entered into any
agreement granting any registration rights with respect to any of its securities
to any Person that have not been satisfied in full.
(j) Execution
and Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when
so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature
is
delivered by facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding
obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is
executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature
were the original thereof.
(k) Governing
Law.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of this Agreement shall be determined with the provisions of the Purchase
Agreement.
(l) Cumulative
Remedies.
The
remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies
provided by law.
(m) Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable
efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or
substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may
be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(n) Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not
limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(o) Independent
Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights.
The
obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the
obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible
in
any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at
any
closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall
be
deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint
venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders
are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled
to
protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising
out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to
be
joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
********************
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement
as
of the date first written above.
| APRECIA INC. | ||
| |
|
|
| By: | ||
|
Name:
Title:
|
||
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO APRECIA INC. RRA]
Name
of
Holder: ALPHA CAPITAL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Holder:
__________________________________________
Name
of
Authorized Signatory:
_____________________________________________________
Title
of
Authorized Signatory:
______________________________________________________
[SIGNATURE
PAGES CONTINUE]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO APRECIA INC. RRA]
Name
of
Holder: DOUBLE U MASTER FUND L.P.
Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Holder:
__________________________________________
Name
of
Authorized Signatory:
_____________________________________________________
Title
of
Authorized Signatory:
______________________________________________________
[SIGNATURE
PAGES CONTINUE]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO APRECIA INC. RRA]
Name
of
Holder: TOBANNA ENTERPRISES CORP.
Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Holder:
__________________________________________
Name
of
Authorized Signatory:
_____________________________________________________
Title
of
Authorized Signatory:
______________________________________________________
[SIGNATURE
PAGES CONTINUE]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO APRECIA INC. RRA]
Name
of
Holder: CMS CAPITAL
Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Holder:
__________________________________________
Name
of
Authorized Signatory:
_____________________________________________________
Title
of
Authorized Signatory:
______________________________________________________
[SIGNATURE
PAGES CONTINUE]
Plan
of Distribution
Each
Selling Stockholder (the “Selling
Stockholders”)
of the
common stock (“Common
Stock”)
of
Aprecia Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and
any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time
to
time, sell any or all of their shares of Common Stock on the Trading Market
or
any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are
traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated
prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods
when selling shares:
| · |
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
| · |
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as
agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
| · |
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for
its
account;
|
| · |
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
| · |
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
| · |
settlement
of short sales entered into after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part;
|
| · |
broker-dealers
may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number
of such
shares at a stipulated price per share;
|
| · |
a
combination of any such methods of sale;
|
| · |
through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
|
| · |
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
The
Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”),
if
available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers
engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from
the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the
purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but,
except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency
transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance
with
NASDR Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown
in compliance with NASDR IM-2440.
In
connection with the sale of the Common Stock or interests therein, the Selling
Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Common
Stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of the Common Stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the Common
Stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions
received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the
shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has informed the
Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common Stock. In
no
event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups which,
in
the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).
The
Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company
incident to the registration of the shares. The Company has agreed to indemnify
the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because
Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of
the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus
which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be
sold
under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. Each Selling Stockholder
has
advised us that they have not entered into any written or oral agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriter or broker-dealer regarding
the sale of the resale shares. There is no underwriter or coordinating broker
acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
We
agreed
to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which
the
shares may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without registration and
without regard to any volume limitations by reason of Rule 144(e) under the
Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the shares
have been sold pursuant to the prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities
Act
or any other rule of similar effect. The resale shares will be sold only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state
securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale shares may not
be
sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable
state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is
available and is complied with.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged
in
the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market
making activities with respect to the Common Stock for the applicable restricted
period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the
distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases
and
sales of shares of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other
person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling
Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this
prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale.
Annex
B
Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire
The
undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, no par value per share (the
“Common
Stock”),
of
Aprecia Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
(the
“Registrable
Securities”)
understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
a
registration statement on Form SB-2 (the “Registration
Statement”)
for
the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities
Act”),
of
the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of March ___, 2006 (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”),
among
the Company and the Purchasers named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth
below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain
legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in the
Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and
beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus.
NOTICE
The
undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling
Securityholder”)
of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities
owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item
3)
in the Registration Statement.
The
undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and
represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name.
|
(a)
|
Full
Legal Name of Selling Securityholder
|
|
(b)
|
Full
Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through
which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are held:
|
|
(c)
|
Full
Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person
who
directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or
dispose
of the securities covered by the questionnaire):
|
2.
Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
|
Telephone:
|
|
Fax:
|
|
Contact
Person:
|
3.
Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:
|
(a)
|
Type
and Principal Amount of Registrable Securities beneficially
owned:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Broker-Dealer Status:
|
(a)
|
Are
you a broker-dealer?
|
Yes
o
No
o
|
(b)
|
If
“yes” to Section 4(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as
compensation for investment banking services to the
Company.
|
Yes
o
No
o
|
Note:
|
If
no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as
an underwriter in the Registration
Statement.
|
|
(c)
|
Are
you an affiliate of a
broker-dealer?
|
Yes
o
No
o
|
(d)
|
If
you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you
bought
the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and
at the
time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold,
you had
no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any
person
to distribute the Registrable
Securities?
|
Yes
o
No
o
|
Note:
|
If
no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as
an underwriter in the Registration
Statement.
|
5.
Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling
Securityholder.
Except
as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the beneficial or
registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable
Securities listed above in Item 3.
|
(a)
|
Type
and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the Selling
Securityholder:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Relationships with the Company:
Except
as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers,
directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity
securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any
other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates)
during the past three years.
State
any
exceptions here:
The
undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes
in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof
at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective.
By
signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information
contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the inclusion of such
information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus
and
any
amendments or supplements thereto.
The
undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company
in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement
and the related prospectus.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice
and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly
authorized agent.
| Dated:_____________________ | Beneficial Owner:___________________________ |
|
By:______________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
PLEASE
FAX A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND RETURN
THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:
SCHEDULE
6(b)
REGISTRABLE
SECURITIES
| · |
__
shares issuable to the Purchasers;
|
| · |
__
shares issuable to Palladium Capital;
|
| · |
__
shares issuable in connection with a proposed private placement of
shares
of common stock of the Company not to exceed $50,000 in gross proceeds
at
an issue price of not more than $___ per
share.
|
