3,500,000 Shares* VOLITIONRX LIMITED Common Stock UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
3,500,000 Shares*
VOLITIONRX LIMITED
Common Stock
March 9, 2018
Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
As Representative of the Several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
c/o Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
VolitionRx Limited, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”), an aggregate of 3,500,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). The aggregate of 3,500,000 shares to be purchased from the Company are called the “Firm Shares.” In addition, the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, upon the terms and conditions stated herein, up to an additional 525,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) to cover over-allotments by the Underwriters, if any. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Shares.” Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc. is acting as the representative of the several Underwriters and in such capacity is referred to in this Agreement as the “Representative.”
The Company wishes to confirm as follows its agreement with you and the other Underwriters, on whose behalf you are acting, in connection with the purchase of the Shares from the Company.
1.Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Act”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-206781), including a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”), which registration statement has been declared effective. Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, at each time of effectiveness under the Act for purposes of Section 11 of the Act (the “Effective Time”), including any information deemed to be part thereof at the Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” The latest dated preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus that describes the Shares, and the offering and sale thereof, that is delivered or made available to investors prior to the execution of this Agreement and the filing of the Prospectus (as defined below) is called, together with the Base Prospectus, the “Preliminary Prospectus.” The term “Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Shares, together with the Base Prospectus, that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act after the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto. The term “Time of Sale Information” shall mean the Preliminary Prospectus together with the pricing information identified in Schedule II hereto. All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents incorporated by reference therein, and shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“XXXXX”). Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act, as of the date of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and any reference to any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), that, upon filing, are incorporated by reference therein, as required by paragraph (b) of Item 12 of Form S-3. As used herein, the term “Incorporated Documents” means the documents that, at the time of filing, are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in each case as applicable.
_____________________________________
* Plus an additional 525,000 shares subject to Underwriter's over-allotment option.
2.Agreements to Sell and Purchase. Upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell an aggregate of 3,500,000 Firm Shares to the Underwriters. Upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at a purchase price of $2.256 per Share (the “purchase price per Share”), the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.
The Company hereby also agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters shall have the right for 30 days from the date of the Prospectus to purchase from the Company up to 525,000 Additional Shares at the purchase price per Share for the Firm Shares. The Additional Shares may be purchased solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering and sale of the Firm Shares. If any Additional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments as you may determine to avoid fractional shares) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the total number of Firm Shares. The option to purchase Additional Shares may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus.
3.Terms of Public Offering. The Company has been advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon after this Agreement has become effective as in your judgment is advisable and initially to offer the Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.
Not later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day following the date the Shares are released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the Representative shall request in writing not later than the second full business day preceding the date of this Agreement.
0.Xxxxxxxx of the Shares and Payment Therefor. Delivery to the Underwriters of the Firm Shares and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000 at 10:00 a.m., New York time, on March 13, 2018, or such other place, time and date not later than ten (10) business days after the date of this Agreement, as the Representative shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “Closing Date”). The place of closing for the Firm Shares and the Closing Date may be varied by agreement between the Representative and the Company.
Delivery to the Underwriters of and payment for any Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be made at the offices of Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000 at 10:00 a.m., New York time, on such date (the “Additional Closing Date”) (which may be the same as the Closing Date, but shall in no event be earlier than the Closing Date nor earlier than one nor later than ten business days after the giving of the notice hereinafter referred to) as shall be specified in a written notice, from the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters to the Company, of the Underwriters’ determination to purchase a number, specified in such notice, of Additional Shares. Such notice may be given at any time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus and must set forth (i) the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option and (ii) the names and denominations in which the Additional Shares are to be issued and registered. The place of closing for the Additional Shares and the Additional Closing Date may be varied by agreement between you and the Company.
Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer of Federal (same day) funds to the Company in an amount equal to the purchase price for the Firm Shares upon delivery to you of certificates representing the Firm Shares. Certificates evidencing the Firm Shares shall be registered in such names and shall be in such denominations as the Representative shall request and shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representative through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for the account of each Underwriter. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Shares.
Payment for the Additional Shares shall be made on the Additional Closing Date by wire transfer of Federal (same day) funds to the Company in an amount equal to the purchase price for the Additional Shares being purchased upon delivery to the Underwriters of certificates representing the Additional Shares. Certificates evidencing the Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and shall be in such denominations as the Representative shall request and shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representative through the facilities of the DTC for the account of each Underwriter.
It is understood that the Representative has been authorized, for its own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price per Share for the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares, if any, that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc., individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may, but shall not be obligated to, make payment for any Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representative by the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
- 2 -
5.Covenants and Agreements.
The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters as follows:
(a)The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any amendments to the Registration Statement to become effective, and will advise you promptly and, if requested by you, will confirm such advice in writing (i) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, and of the filing of any amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, and of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) if Rule 430B under the Act is employed, when the Prospectus has been timely filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, (iii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any request by the Commission to prepare or file any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any request by the Commission to provide additional information relating to the Company or the offer and sale of the Shares, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of the suspension of qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purposes, and (v) within the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), of any change in the Company’s condition (financial or otherwise), business, prospects, properties, net worth or results of operations, or of any event that comes to the attention of any officer of the Company that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any additions thereto or changes therein in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading in any material respect, or of the necessity to amend or supplement the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) to comply with the Act or any other law. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will promptly advise the Representative and make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time. The Company will provide the Underwriters with copies of the form of Prospectus, in such number as the Underwriters may reasonably request, and file with the Commission such Prospectus in accordance with the requirements of Rule 424(b) under the Act.
(b)The Company will furnish to you, without charge, two signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and all exhibits thereto, and will also furnish to you, without charge, such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto as you may reasonably request.
(c)The Company will promptly file with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representative be required by the Act or requested by the Commission.
(d) The Company will furnish a copy of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus to you and your counsel, and obtain your consent prior to filing any of those with the Commission.
(e)The Company will not make any offer relating to the Common Stock that would constitute an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative.
(f)The Company will retain in accordance with the Act all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not required to be filed pursuant to the Act; and if at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplements, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify you and, upon your request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as they may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance.
(g)Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company has delivered or will deliver to you, without charge, in such quantities as you have or may hereafter reasonably request, copies of the Preliminary Prospectus. Consistent with the provisions of Section 5(i) hereof, the Company consents to the use, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdiction in which the Shares are offered by the several Underwriters and by dealers, prior to the date of the Prospectus, of the Preliminary Prospectus.
- 3 -
(h) During the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), the Company will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 and 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act (subject to applicable extension periods).
(i)As soon after the execution and delivery of this Agreement as is practicable, and thereafter from time to time during the period for which the Prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered in connection with sales by any Underwriter or dealer (such period, the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), and for so long a period as you may request for the distribution of the Shares, the Company will deliver to each Underwriter and each dealer, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (and of any amendment or supplement thereto prepared by the Company) as it may reasonably request. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (and of any amendment or supplement thereto prepared by the Company) in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Shares are offered by the several Underwriters and by all dealers to whom Shares may be sold, both in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares and for the Prospectus Delivery Period. If at any time prior to the later of (i) the completion of the distribution of the Shares pursuant to the offering contemplated by the Prospectus or (ii) the expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur that, in the judgment of the Company or in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, is required to be set forth in the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if the Company and the Representative determine it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act or any other law, the Company will prepare and, subject to Section 5(a) hereof, file with the Commission, an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and will furnish to the Representative, and to each Underwriter who has previously requested Prospectuses, without charge, a reasonable number of copies thereof.
(j)The Company will use reasonable best efforts to cooperate with you and counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the registration or qualification of the Shares for offering and sale by the several Underwriters and by dealers under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may reasonably designate and will file such consents to service of process or other documents as may be reasonably necessary in order to effect and maintain such registration or qualification for so long as required to complete the distribution of the Shares; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Shares, as contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. In the event that the qualification of the Shares in any jurisdiction is suspended, the Company shall so advise you promptly in writing.
(k)The Company will make generally available to its security holders a consolidated earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158), which need not be audited, covering a twelve-month period commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement and ending not later than 15 months thereafter, as soon as practicable after the end of such period, which consolidated earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.
(l)During the period ending three years from the date hereof, the Company will furnish to you and, upon your request, to each of the other Underwriters, as soon as available, a copy of each proxy statement, quarterly or annual report or other report of the Company mailed to stockholders or filed with the Commission, provided that the Company’s obligation pursuant to this Section 5(l) shall be satisfied to the extent the Company files or furnishes any such document or report on XXXXX.
(m)If this Agreement shall terminate after execution pursuant to any provision hereof, or if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to perform in all material respects any agreement herein or to comply in all material respects with any of the terms or provisions hereof or to fulfill in all material respects any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse you and the other Underwriters for expenses reasonably incurred by you in connection herewith in a manner consistent with Section 7.
(n)The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares to be sold by it hereunder in accordance in all material respects with the statements under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
- 4 -
(o)For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 90th day after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), the Company agrees not to, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person during the Lock-Up Period) any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof (the “Company Plans”) or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than the grant of options or other equity awards pursuant to Company Plans), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments (but excluding any supplements for purposes of amending the lists of selling stockholders as a result of transfers), with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Common Stock or any other securities of the Company or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case without the prior written consent of the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters, and to cause each officer, director and stockholder of the Company set forth on Schedule III hereto to execute and furnish to the Representative, not later than the second full business day preceding the date of this Agreement, a letter agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Lock-Up Agreements”).
(p)Prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company will furnish to you, upon your request, copies of any unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for any period subsequent to the periods covered by the financial statements appearing in the Prospectus.
(q)The Company will comply with all provisions of any undertakings contained Part II, Item 17 of the Registration Statement.
(r)The Company will not at any time during the one year period following the date of the Prospectus, directly or indirectly, take any action designed, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the shares of Common Stock to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares.
(s)The Company will timely file with the NYSE American (the “NYSE”) all documents and notices required by the NYSE in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares.
(t)The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of its incorporation or the rules of the NYSE, a registrar (which, if permitted by applicable laws and rules may be the same entity as the transfer agent) for the Common Stock.
6.Representations and Warranties.
The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Underwriter on the date hereof, and shall be deemed to represent and warrant to each Underwriter on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, that:
(a)The Company satisfies all of the requirements of the Act for use of Form S-3 for the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby. The Company was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement, was not at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Act) of the Common Stock, and is not on the date hereof, an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act).
(b)The Registration Statement conformed in all material respects when filed, and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects when filed, to the requirements of the Act. The Preliminary Prospectus conforms in all material respects when filed, and the Prospectus will conform in all material respects when filed, with the requirements of Rule 424(b).
(c)The Registration Statement does not 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 not misleading; provided, that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter.
- 5 -
(d)The Incorporated Documents heretofore filed, when they were filed (or, if any amendment to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), conformed in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and any Incorporated Documents filed after the date hereof will, when filed, conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act; no such Incorporated Document when it was filed (or, if an amendment to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and no Incorporated Document filed after the date hereof, when filed, will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.
(e)The Prospectus will not 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter.
(f)The Time of Sale Information does not, and will not at the time of sale of the Shares, 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter.
(g)Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act on the date of first use, and the Company has complied with all prospectus delivery and any filing requirements applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Act. The Company has not made any offer relating to the Common Stock that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives. The Company has retained in accordance with the Act all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Act.
(h)The Company has taken all actions necessary so that any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) in connection with the offering of the Common Stock will not be required to be filed pursuant to the Act.
(i)The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus as of the date thereof. All the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company have been, and as of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will be, duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, except as set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, are free of any preemptive or similar rights. Except as set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company is not a party to or bound by any outstanding options, warrants or similar rights to subscribe for, or contractual obligations to issue, sell, transfer or acquire, any of its capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of such capital stock; the Shares to be issued and sold to the Underwriters by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against full payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or similar rights; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(j)The Company and each of its subsidiaries is duly organized and validly existing as a corporation, limited liability company or other organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization with full corporate or organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto) and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure to so register or qualify has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net worth, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
(k)The issued shares of capital stock of each of the Company’s subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company free and clear of any security interests, liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. The Company does not have any subsidiaries and does not own a majority ownership interest in or control, directly or indirectly, any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, trust or other business organization, except as set forth in Exhibit 21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. As used in this Agreement, “subsidiaries” shall mean direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company.
- 6 -
(l)There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge (for purposes of this Agreement, “knowledge” means the actual knowledge of the officers of the Company as of the date of this Agreement), threatened, against the Company or its subsidiaries, or to which the Company or its subsidiaries, or any of their properties are subject, that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) that are not described as required. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor to the Company’s knowledge, is there any basis for any such action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation. There are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or other instruments that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that are not described in, filed with, or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, in each case as required by the Act. All of the agreements, contracts, indentures, leases and other documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (including those filed as exhibits to the Incorporated Documents) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party (collectively, the “Material Contracts”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company or the applicable subsidiary, constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company or the applicable subsidiary and are enforceable against the Company or the applicable subsidiary in accordance with the terms thereof, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) equitable principles being applied at the discretion of a court before which any proceeding may be brought. Neither the Company nor the applicable subsidiary has received notice or been made aware that any other party is in breach of or default to the Company under any of the Material Contracts.
(m)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of (A) its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or other organizational documents, (B) any federal, state or foreign law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) any decree of any federal, state or foreign court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) in default, in any material respect, in the performance of any obligation, agreement or condition contained in any of the Material Contracts; and to the Company’s knowledge, there does not exist any state of facts that constitutes an event of default on the part of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or that would constitute, with notice or lapse of time or both, an event of default, under any of the Material Contracts.
(n)The Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by (i) the application of bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) equitable principles being applied at the discretion of a court before which any proceeding may be brought, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws.
(o)None of the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby (i) requires any consent, approval, authorization or other order of or registration or filing with, any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, agency or official (except such as may be required for the listing of the Shares for trading on the NYSE and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions, all of which will be, or have been, obtained or effected in accordance with this Agreement, and except for such approval or clearance as may be required to complete the offering and sale of the Shares pursuant to the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)), (ii) conflicts with or will conflict with, or constitutes or will constitute, a breach of, or a default under, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or the Company’s bylaws or any of the Material Contracts, (iii) violates any statute, law, regulation, ruling, filing, judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties, (iv) results in a breach of or default under, or requires the consent of any other party to, any Material Contract, except for such breaches or defaults that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (v) results in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances that could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
- 7 -
(p)Except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and except for options to purchase capital stock issued pursuant to the Company Plans, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has outstanding, and at the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will have outstanding, any options to purchase, or any warrants to subscribe for, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants, convertible securities or obligations. Except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, no holder of securities of the Company has rights to the registration of any securities of the Company as a result of or in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby that have not been satisfied or heretofore waived in writing.
(q)Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Associates, LLC, the certified public accountants who have certified the financial statements (including the related notes thereto and supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), are independent public accountants as required by the Act and the Exchange Act.
(r)Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), since the date of the last balance sheet included in (or incorporated by reference in) the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, indirect, direct or contingent, or entered into any transaction, other than in the ordinary course of business, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any material loss or interference with its business or properties from fire, flood, windstorm, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has paid or declared any dividends or other distributions with respect to its capital stock and the Company is not in default under the terms of any class of capital stock of the Company or any outstanding debt obligations, (iv) there has not been any change in the authorized or outstanding capital stock of the Company or any material change in the indebtedness of the Company (except issuances of stock options and other equity awards pursuant to the Company Plans, and except in the ordinary course of business) and (v) there has not been any event or development involving, or that could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
(s)All offers and sales of the Company’s capital stock and other securities prior to the date hereof were made in material compliance with, or were the subject of an available exemption from, the Act and any applicable state and federal securities laws or regulations, except for such actions in respect of any such offers or sales that have been effectively barred by effective waivers or by the tolling of the applicable statutes of limitation.
(t)The Common Stock (including the Shares) is registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is listed for trading on the NYSE, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Stock from the NYSE, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the NYSE is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.
(u)Other than excepted activity pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, the Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action that constituted, or any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in or constitute, under the Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or for any other purpose.
(v)The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed, or have applied for an extension of time to file, all tax returns required to be filed (other than tax returns, as to which the failure to file, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), which returns are complete and correct in all material respects, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary is in default in the payment of any taxes that were payable pursuant to said returns or any assessments with respect thereto, except to the extent such taxes have been contested in good faith. Except as disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, all deficiencies asserted as a result of any federal, state, local or foreign tax audits have been paid or finally settled and no issue has been raised in any such audit that, by application of the same or similar principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any other period not so audited. There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the statutory period of limitation applicable to any federal, state, local or foreign tax return for any period. On the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, all stock transfer and other taxes that are required to be paid in connection with the sale of the Shares will have been fully paid by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will have been complied with in all material respects.
(w)Except as set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no transactions with any “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) of the Company that are required by the Act to be disclosed in the Registration Statement. Additionally, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any subsidiary, on the other hand, that is required by the Act to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus that is not so disclosed.
- 8 -
(x)The Company is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and will not be an investment company following the issuance and sale of the Shares.
(y)Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has good and valid title to all property (real and personal) described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus as being owned by it, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests or other encumbrances except (i) such as are described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or (ii) such as are not materially burdensome and do not have or could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All property (real and personal) leased by the Company and its subsidiaries, is leased pursuant to valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with only such exceptions as, in the aggregate, are not materially burdensome and do not have or could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(z)Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has all permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, consents and authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (hereinafter “permit” or “permits”) as are necessary to own its properties and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except where the failure to have obtained any such permit has not had and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; each of the Company and its subsidiaries has operated and is operating its business in material compliance with its obligations with respect to each such permit, and to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination of any such permit or result in any other material impairment of the rights of any such permit, subject in each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; and, except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, such permits contain no restrictions that are materially burdensome to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(aa)The consolidated financial statements of the Company, together with the related schedules and notes thereto, set forth or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects (i) the financial condition of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and (ii) the consolidated results of operations, stockholders’ equity and changes in cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods therein specified; and such financial statements and related schedules and notes thereto have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise stated therein and subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments). There are no other financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required by the Act to be included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus that are not included; and the Company does not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), required to be disclosed by the Act, that are not disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; and all disclosures contained in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable, and present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein and the Company’s basis for using such measures. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
(bb)The books, records and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries accurately and fairly reflect, in all material respects, the transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the results of operations of, the Company and its subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
- 9 -
(cc)The Company has established and maintains and evaluates “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that they are effective to perform the functions for which they were established. Except as disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company does not have knowledge of (i) any state of facts that indicate there are any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there have been no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses; the principal executive officers (or their equivalents) and principal financial officers (or their equivalents) of the Company have made all certifications required by the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”) and any related rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission, and the statements contained in each such certification were complete and correct as of the date of their execution.
(dd)The Company and the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, are each in compliance in all material respects with Section 402 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ee)The Company has not, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of securities which could be “integrated” for purposes of the Act with the offer and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and except as disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold or issued any security during the 180-day period preceding the date of the Prospectus, including but not limited to any sales pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation D or S under the Act, other than offers and sales of shares of Common Stock, options or other equity awards issued pursuant to Company Plans.
(ff)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance in all material respects therewith.
(gg) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(hh) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the “United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001” or the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency.
- 10 -
(ii)No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists, or, to the Company’s knowledge, is threatened or imminent, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no key employee or significant group of employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries plans to terminate employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any unfair labor practice, and except for matters which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (C) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, (A) no union organizing activities are currently taking place concerning the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (B) there has been no violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, any applicable wage or hour laws or any provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder concerning the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(jj)The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or other approvals could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries owns, leases or occupies any property that appears on any list of hazardous sites compiled by any state or local governmental agency. There are no costs or liabilities associated with compliance with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for the clean-up or closure of properties, or for obtaining any permit, license or approval) which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(kk)Each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns and has full right, title and interest in and to, or has valid licenses to use, each material trade name, trademark, service xxxx, patent, copyright, approval, trade secret and other similar rights (collectively “Intellectual Property”) under which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct all or any material part of their respective businesses, and the Company has not created any lien or encumbrance on, or granted any right or license with respect to, any such Intellectual Property, except where the failure to own or obtain a license or right to use any such Intellectual Property could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; there is no claim pending against the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property, and the Company and its subsidiaries have not received notice or otherwise become aware that any Intellectual Property that it uses or has used in the conduct of its business infringes upon or conflicts with the rights of any third party.
(ll)The Company has procured Lock-Up Agreements, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, from each of the persons or entities listed on Schedule III.
(mm)To the Company’s knowledge, there are no affiliations or associations between (i) on the one hand, any member of FINRA, and (ii) on the other hand, the Company, any of the Company’s officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, or any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities that were acquired at any time on or after the 180th day immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement was initially filed with the Commission, except as otherwise disclosed in the FINRA questionnaires delivered to counsel to the Representative, or in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and/or the Prospectus.
(nn)The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a comparable cost.
- 11 -
(oo)The Company and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under ERISA) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA and all other applicable state and federal laws. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group or organization described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined in ERISA). Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, that would cause the loss of such qualification.
(pp)The studies, tests and clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries were and, if still pending, are being conducted in compliance with experimental protocols, procedures and controls pursuant to accepted professional scientific standards and all applicable laws and authorizations, including, without limitation, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except where the failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; the descriptions of the results of such studies, tests and clinical trials contained in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus are accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the data derived from such studies, tests and clinical trials; except to the extent disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no studies, tests or clinical trials, the results of which the Company believes reasonably call into question the study, test, or clinical trial results described or referred to in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus when viewed in the context in which such results are described; and, except to the extent disclosed in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notices or correspondence from any applicable governmental authority requiring the termination, suspension or material modification of any studies, tests or clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries.
(qq)The Company and its subsidiaries: (A) are and at all times have been in compliance with all statutes, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to those administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) and similar governmental authorities applicable to the ownership, testing, development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, marketing, labeling, promotion, sale, offer for sale, storage, import, export or disposal of any products being developed, manufactured or distributed by the Company or its subsidiaries (“Applicable Laws”), except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (B) have not received any warning letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA, EMA or any other governmental authority alleging or asserting noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (“Authorizations”);(C) possess all material Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and are not in material violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (D) have not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any governmental authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and have no knowledge that any such governmental authority or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) have not received notice that any governmental authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and have no knowledge that any such governmental authority is considering such action; (F) have filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission); and (G) have not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, initiated, conducted, or issued or caused to be initiated, conducted or issued, any recall, market withdrawal or replacement, safety alert, or other notice or action relating to the alleged lack of safety or efficacy of any product or any alleged product defect or violation and, to the Company’s knowledge, no third party has initiated, conducted or intends to initiate any such notice or action.
(rr)The statistical and market related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate.
(ss)Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and as preapproved in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 10A of the Exchange Act, Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Associates, LLC has not been engaged by the Company to perform any “prohibited activities” (as defined in Section 10A of the Exchange Act).
- 12 -
(tt)The Company’s Board of Directors has validly appointed an audit committee whose composition satisfies the requirements of Rule 803 of the NYSE and the Board of Directors and/or the audit committee has adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of Rule 803 of the NYSE. The audit committee has reviewed the adequacy of its charter within the past twelve months.
7.Expenses. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 7, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, and of the preparation, printing and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (and any amendments and supplements thereto); (ii) the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and any other agreements as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares; (iii) consistent with the provisions of Section 5(g), all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws or Blue Sky laws, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith; (iv) the filing fees incident to securing any required review and approval by FINRA of the fairness of the terms of the sale of the Shares and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Underwriters’ counsel relating thereto; (v) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares for trading on the NYSE; (vi) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (vii) the cost of the tax stamps, if any, in connection with the issuance and delivery of the Shares to the respective Underwriters; (viii) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 13 of the Registration Statement; (ix) the transportation, lodging, graphics and other expenses incidental to the Company’s preparation for and participation in the “roadshow” for the offering contemplated hereby; (x) all costs and expenses incurred to enforce the indemnification, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in Section 8 of this Agreement and (xi) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incident to the offering and the performance of the obligations of the Representatives under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to pay the out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel) of the Underwriters for the amount not to exceed $100,000 (inclusive of, and not in addition to, the amounts referred to in clauses (i),(ii) and (v) through (ix) above) or, if this Agreement is terminated and the sale of the Shares hereunder does not occur, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 (inclusive of, and not in addition to, the amounts referred to in clauses (i),(ii) and (v) through (ix) above and in accordance with Section 5(m)).
Except as provided in this Section 7 and in Section 8 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel. In the event that the proposed offering is terminated for the reasons set forth in Section 5(m) hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters as provided in this Section 7.
8.Indemnification and Contribution. Subject to the limitations in this paragraph below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless you and each other Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees and expenses (collectively, “Damages”) arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent that any such Damages arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through you, expressly for use in connection therewith or (ii) any inaccuracy in or breach of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein or any failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law; provided, however, that with respect to any untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of any person controlling such Underwriter or to any officer, director, employee or agent of any Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such Damages purchased the Shares concerned if both (A) a copy of the Time of Sale Information was not sent or given to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Shares to such person as required by the Act and (B) the untrue statement or omission in the Preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the Time of Sale Information. This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have.
- 13 -
If any action or claim shall be brought against any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company, such Underwriter or such controlling person shall promptly notify in writing the party(s) against whom indemnification is being sought (the “indemnifying party” or “indemnifying parties”), and such indemnifying party(s) shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Underwriter or such controlling person and the payment of all reasonable fees of and expenses incurred by such counsel. Such Underwriter or any such controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person, unless (i) the indemnifying party(s) has (have) agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party(s) has (have) failed to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter or such controlling person within a reasonable period of time or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such Underwriter or such controlling person and the indemnifying party(s), and such Underwriter or such controlling person shall have been advised by its counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to the Underwriter that may not be available to the Company, or that representation of such indemnified party and any indemnifying party(s) by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which case the indemnifying party(s) shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Underwriter or such controlling person (but the Company shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the Underwriters and such controlling persons)). The indemnifying party(s) shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its (their several) written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter and any such controlling person from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment, but in the case of a judgment only to the extent stated in the first paragraph of this Section 8.
Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing several indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with respect to information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, or the Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto. If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted against the Company, any of its directors, any of its officers or any such controlling person based on the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or the Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to this paragraph, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company by the immediately preceding paragraph (except that if the Company shall have assumed the defense thereof such Underwriter shall not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at such Underwriter’s expense), and the Company, its directors, its officers and any such controlling persons, shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriters by the immediately preceding paragraph.
In any event, the indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any proceeding or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which the indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party or any person who controls the indemnified party within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of all indemnified parties and such controlling persons from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.
- 14 -
If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient for any reason whatsoever to an indemnified party in respect of any Damages referred to herein, then an indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Damages (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, from the offering and sale of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative and several fault of the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Damages as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative and several benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus; provided that, in the event that the Underwriters shall have purchased any Additional Shares hereunder, any determination of the relative benefits received by the Company or the Underwriters from the offering of the Shares shall include the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, from the sale of such Additional Shares, in each case computed on the basis of the respective amounts set forth in the notes to the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand, or by the Underwriters on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 was determined by a pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Damages referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the underwriting commissions received by such underwriter in connection with the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective numbers of Firm Shares set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto (or such numbers of Firm Shares increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) and not joint.
Notwithstanding the second paragraph of this Section 8, any Damages for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Section 8 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as Damages are incurred after receipt of reasonably itemized invoices therefor. The indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8 and representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, the Company, its directors or officers or any person controlling the Company, (ii) acceptance of any Shares and payment therefor hereunder and (iii) any termination of this Agreement. A successor to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or to the Company, its directors or officers or any person controlling the Company, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8.
It is agreed that any controversy arising out of the operation of the interim reimbursement arrangements set forth in the second and seventh paragraphs of this Section 8, including the amounts of any requested reimbursement payments and the method of determining such amounts, shall be settled by arbitration conducted pursuant to the Code of Arbitration Procedure of FINRA. Any such arbitration must be commenced by service of a written demand for arbitration or written notice of intention to arbitrate, therein electing the arbitration tribunal. In the event the party demanding arbitration does not make such designation of an arbitration tribunal in such demand or notice, then the party responding to said demand or notice is authorized to do so. Such arbitration would be limited to the operation of the interim reimbursement provisions contained in the second and fourth paragraphs of this Section 8, and would not resolve the ultimate propriety or enforceability of the obligation to reimburse expenses that is created by the provisions of the second paragraph of this Section 8.
9.Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm Shares hereunder are subject to the following conditions:
(a)All filings required by Rules 424(b) and 430B under the Act shall have been timely made.
- 15 -
(b)You shall be reasonably satisfied that since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus, (i) there shall not have been any material change in the capital stock of the Company or the outstanding indebtedness of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of business), (ii) no material oral or written agreement or other transaction shall have been entered into by the Company (other than in the ordinary course of business) that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) no loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company shall have been sustained that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) no legal or governmental action, suit or proceeding affecting the Company or any of its properties that is material to the Company or that affects or could reasonably be expected to affect the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall have been instituted, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and (v) there shall not have been any material change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, management, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries that makes it impractical or inadvisable in your judgment to proceed with the public offering or sale of the Shares as contemplated hereby.
(c)You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion and negative assurance statement of Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, P.C., counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.
(d)You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any) an opinion of Sagittarius Intellectual Property LLP, intellectual property counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.
(e)You shall have received on the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any), opinion and negative assurance statement of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., as counsel for the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.
(f)You shall have received a “comfort letter” addressed to you and dated the date hereof and the Closing Date (and the Additional Closing Date, if any), as the case may be, from the firm of Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Associates, LLC, independent certified public accountants.
(g)(i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, shall be threatened or contemplated by the Commission at or prior to the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; (ii) no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration of the Shares under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction shall be in effect and no proceeding for such purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated by the authorities of any jurisdiction; (iii) any request for additional information on the part of the staff of the Commission or any such authorities shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the staff of the Commission or such authorities; (iv) after the date hereof, no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall have been filed unless a copy thereof was first submitted to you and you did not object thereto in good faith; and (v) all of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for such representations and warranties qualified by materiality, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as if made on and as of the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and you shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company (or such other officers as are acceptable to you) certifying the matters addressed in clause (v) of this Section 9(g) and in Section 9(b) and (h).
(h)The Company shall not have failed in any material respect at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, to have performed or complied with any of its agreements herein contained and required to be performed or complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.
(i)The Company shall have furnished or caused to have been furnished to you such further certificates and documents as you shall have reasonably requested.
(j)The Company shall have procured Lock-Up Agreements, in substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, from each of the persons listed on Schedule III attached hereto.
(k)At or prior to the date of this Agreement, you shall have received a letter from the Corporate Financing Department of FINRA confirming that such Department has determined to raise no objections with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements of the offering contemplated hereby.
- 16 -
All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you and your counsel.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the satisfaction on and as of the Additional Closing Date of the conditions set forth in this Section 9, except that, if the Additional Closing Date is other than the Closing Date, the certificates, opinions and letters referred to in this Section 9 shall be dated as of the Additional Closing Date and the opinions called for by paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) shall be revised to reflect the sale of the Additional Shares.
If any of the conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section 9 shall not have been satisfied when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated by you by notifying the Company of such termination in writing at or prior to such Closing Date, but you shall be entitled to waive any of such conditions which, to the extent waived, shall be communicated to the Company in writing.
10.Effective Date of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
11.Defaulting Underwriters. If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate number of Firm Shares that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Firm Shares, each non-defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion in which the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite its name in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all non-defaulting Underwriters or in such other proportion as you may specify in the Agreement Among Underwriters, to purchase the Firm Shares that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed, but failed or refused to purchase. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case that does not result in termination of this Agreement, either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven (7) days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any such default of any such Underwriter under this Agreement.
12.Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in your absolute discretion, without liability on the part of any Underwriter to the Company by notice to the Company if, prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date (if different from the Closing Date and then only as to the Additional Shares), as the case may be, in your sole judgment, (i) trading in the Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE, (ii) trading in securities generally on the NYSE or NASDAQ shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on such exchange, or additional material governmental restrictions, not in force on the date of this Agreement, shall have been imposed upon trading in securities generally by any such exchange or by order of the Commission or any court or other governmental authority, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by either federal or New York State authorities, or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism or other international or domestic calamity, crisis or change in political, financial or economic conditions or other material event the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Shares. Notice of such cancellation shall be promptly given to the Company and its counsel by telegraph, telecopy or telephone and shall be subsequently confirmed by letter.
13.Information Furnished by the Underwriters. The Company acknowledges that the fourth and twelfth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters through you or on your behalf as such information is referred to in Sections 6(a), 6(b) and 8 hereof.
14.Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5 and 12 hereof, notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered
(i)to the Company
VolitionRx Limited
0 Xxxxxx Xxxx
#00-00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx 000000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
- 17 -
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice)
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, P.C.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
(ii)to the Underwriters
Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice)
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Chrysler Center
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the several Underwriters, the Company and its directors and officers.
15.Applicable Law; Counterparts. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to choice of law principles thereunder.
This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
This Agreement shall be effective when, but only when, at least one counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of each party hereto.
The Company and the Underwriters each hereby irrevocably waive any right they may have to a trial by jury in respect to any claim based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
00.Xx Fiduciary Duty. Notwithstanding any pre-existing relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by any of the Underwriters, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) nothing herein shall create a fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand; (ii) the Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters and are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to either the Company in connection with this offering, the sale of the Shares or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, including, without limitation, with respect to the public offering price of the Shares; (iii) the relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, is entirely and solely commercial, and the price of the Shares was established by the Company and the Underwriters based on discussions and arms’ length negotiations and the Company understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Company shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (v) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company acknowledges that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of the Offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Company for the shares and such interests may differ from the interests of the Company, and the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose, or account to the Company for any benefit they may derive from such additional financial interests. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, any claims it may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Underwriters shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company or any of its shareholders, managers, employees or creditors.
- 18 -
17.Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that (a) the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies and (b) the Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company, the value of the Common Stock and/or the offering and sale of the Shares that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by the Underwriters’ independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by any Underwriter’s investment banking division. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such, from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that are the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
- 19 -
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.
Very truly yours,
VOLITIONRX LIMITED
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name:Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:CEO
CONFIRMED as of the date first above
mentioned, on behalf of the Representative
and the other several Underwriters named in
Schedule I hereto.
XXXXXXXXXXX & CO. INC.
By:/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Authorized Representative
SCHEDULE I
Name | Number of Firm Shares | Number of Additional Shares |
Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc. | 2,625,000 | 393,750 |
National Securities Corporation | 875,000 | 131,250 |
Total | 3,500,000 | 525,000 |
SCHEDULE II
Pricing Information
Price per share to the public: $2.40
Firm Shares: 3,500,000
Additional Shares: 525,000
SCHEDULE III
Persons Subject to Lock-up
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Cotterford Company Limited
Hever Investments Limited
EXHIBIT A
Form of Lock-up Agreement
__________, 2018
Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
as Representative of the Several Underwriters
c/o Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Re:Public Offering of VolitionRx Limited
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Letter Agreement is being delivered to you, a holder of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), or rights to acquire Common Stock, of VolitionRx Limited, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Agreement”) to be entered into by and between the Company and Xxxxxxxxxxx & Co. Inc., as representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters named in Schedule I to the Agreement (the “Underwriters,” or each, an “Underwriter”), with respect to the proposed public offering of securities of the Company (the “Securities”) pursuant to a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-206781; the “Offering”).
In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to enter into the Agreement and to proceed with the Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees for the benefit of the Company and the Underwriters that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, the undersigned will not, during the period ending 90 days (the “Lock-Up Period”) after the date of the prospectus supplement relating to the Offering (the “Prospectus Supplement”), directly or indirectly (1) offer, pledge, assign, encumber, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) by the undersigned on the date hereof or hereafter acquired or (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.
The limitations set forth in the foregoing paragraph shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in the Offering or in open market transactions after the completion of the Offering, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in the Offering or in such open market transactions; (b) transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (i) as a bona fide gift or for bona fide estate planning purposes, (ii) upon death or by will, testamentary document or intestate succession, (iii) to an immediate family member of the undersigned or to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, current or former marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin), (iv) not involving a change in beneficial ownership, (v) if the undersigned is a trust, to any beneficiary of the undersigned or the estate of any such beneficiary, or (vi) to a charity or educational institution; (c) distributions or transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to stockholders, direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), current or former partners (general or limited), members or managers of the undersigned, as applicable, or to the estates of any such stockholders, affiliates, partners, members or managers; (d) sales under any existing Rule 10b5-1 plan or the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that with respect to the establishment of a plan (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of shares of Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period and (ii) no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required or shall be voluntarily made by or on behalf of the undersigned or the Company during the Lock-Up Period; and (e) sales of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, provided, in the case of clauses (b)-(c), that such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and the transferee agrees in writing with the Underwriters and the Company to be bound by the terms hereof.
A-1
Moreover, the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (i) the exercise of stock options or other equity awards granted pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans prior to the date of the Prospectus Supplement; (ii) cashless “net” exercises of options and warrants held by the undersigned; and (iii) the receipt by the undersigned of any securities of the Company directly from the Company, including, but not limited to, shares of Common Stock and stock options granted pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans, and warrants exercisable for securities of the Company; provided that any securities of the Company issued upon exercise thereof shall continue to be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that, if the Agreement does not become effective, or if the Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned, whether or not participating in the Offering, understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Agreement and proceeding with the Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.
[Signature page follows.]
A-2
This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof (other than New York General Obligations Law § 5-1401).
Very truly yours,
[STOCKHOLDER]
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
A-3
