Exhibit 10.6
CONDITIONAL LICENSE AGREEMENT
THIS CONDITIONAL LICENSE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the 24th day of February, 2000 ("Effective Date"), by and
between, on the one hand, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Xxxxx") and CytoDyn of New
Mexico, Inc., a New Mexico corporation ("CytoDyn") (Xxxxx and CytoDyn are
individually and collectively referred to herein as "Inventor"), and, on
the other hand, Amerimmune, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Amerimmune").
RECITALS
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A. Inventor has developed certain technology that is more
specifically described on Exhibit A hereto (the "Technology") and claims
rights to the trademarks CYTODYN and CYTOLIN and the goodwill associated
therewith and registrations and applications for registration thereof (the
"Marks").
B. Inventor has previously entered into a Termination, Sale and
Shareholder Agreement dated August 1, 1998 with Three R Associates, Inc.,
a California corporation ("3R"), concerning the assignment to 3R of all
rights of Inventor in and to the Technology and the Marks.
C. Pursuant to that certain Patent and Trademark License Agreement,
dated October 24, 1998 between 3R and Amerimmune (the "3R License
Agreement"), Amerimmune has received a worldwide exclusive right and
license in and to the Technology and the Marks from 3R.
D. Inventor has represented to Amerimmune that circumstances have
arisen leading Inventor to question Inventor's transfer, if any, of the
Technology and the Marks to 3R.
E. In the event that Inventor's transfer of rights to the Technology
and the Marks to 3R was ineffective, invalid or in any manner inoperative,
or in the event that rights in and to the Technology and the Marks
otherwise revert to or are acquired by Inventor, Amerimmune desires to
obtain from Inventor, and Inventor is willing to grant to Amerimmune, an
exclusive worldwide license in and to the Technology and the Marks on the
terms contained in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the following meanings for
purposes of this Agreement:
1.1 XXXXX. "Xxxxx" shall mean Xxxxx X. Xxxxx.
1.2 AMERIMMUNE. "Amerimmune" shall mean Amerimmune, Inc., a Colorado
corporation which is a wholly owned subsidiary of API.
1.3 API. "API" shall mean Amerimmune Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
Colorado corporation.
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1.4 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. "Confidential Information" shall mean
(i) the Know-How and the Trade Secrets, as defined in Exhibit A attached
hereto, and (ii) all confidential information or trade secrets of, on the
one hand, Amerimmune or its affiliates, including without limitation API,
and, on the other hand, Inventor or its affiliates, disclosed orally, in
writing or otherwise by one party to the other party, or to their
respective affiliates, officers, agents or employees. In order to be
included in "Confidential Information" pursuant to (ii) in the preceding
sentence, the disclosing party must xxxx written disclosures as
"Confidential" or must give written notice identifying the Confidential
Information within five (5) business days after the disclosure.
"Confidential Information" shall not be deemed to include information that
is publicly known or that becomes publicly known through no fault of
Inventor (with respect to Amerimmune's Confidential Information), or
through no fault of Amerimmune (with respect to Inventor's Confidential
Information).
1.5 INVENTOR. "Inventor" shall mean Xxxxx and CytoDyn of New Mexico,
Inc. a New Mexico corporation, individually and collectively.
1.6 LICENSE. "License" shall mean the license granted pursuant to
Section 2.1 hereof.
1.7 LICENSE CONDITION. "License Condition" shall mean that
Inventor's transfer of rights to the Technology and the Marks to 3R is held
by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction, or by agreement between
Inventor and 3R, to have been ineffective, invalid or in any manner
inoperative, or the rights in and to the Technology and the Marks otherwise
revert to or are acquired by Inventor.
1.8 LICENSED PRODUCTS. "Licensed Products" shall mean all products
and/or services that (i) are developed, manufactured, marketed,
distributed, imported and/or sold by Amerimmune or its successors, assigns
and/or sublicensees, in connection with the Marks, and/or (ii) incorporate
or utilize or are manufactured using any of the Technology.
1.9 LOAN AGREEMENT. "Loan Agreement" shall mean the Amendment to
Loan Documents of even date herewith between Amerimmune and Xxxxx attached
hereto as Exhibit B.
1.10 MARKS. "Marks" shall mean all worldwide rights in and to the
marks CYTODYN and CYTOLIN and all goodwill appurtenant thereto and all
present and future U.S. and foreign registrations and applications for
registration thereof, any corporate names and trade names for terms similar
to CYTODYN and CYTOLIN, and the domain name registration for CYTOLIN.
1.11 TECHNOLOGY. "Technology" shall have the meaning set forth on
Exhibit A attached hereto.
1.12 TERM. "Term" shall mean the period set forth in Section 11 hereof.
1.13 3R. "3R" shall mean Three R Associates, Inc., a California
corporation.
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1.14 3R LICENSE AGREEMENT. "3R License Agreement" shall mean that
certain Patent and Trademark License Agreement dated October 28, 1998
between 3R and Amerimmune.
2. LICENSE OF RIGHTS TO XXXX AND TECHNOLOGY
2.1 LICENSE. In the event that the License Condition is satisfied,
Inventor shall be deemed to have granted to Amerimmune, and Amerimmune
shall be deemed to have accepted, an irrevocable (subject to the terms of
this Agreement), exclusive, worldwide right, license and privilege
(including the right to sublicense subject to the terms of this Agreement)
to use the Marks and the Technology (as now owned or hereafter acquired by
Inventor or Inventor's successors or assigns) during the Term in connection
with the development, manufacture, use, marketing, distribution, import,
offer for sale and/or sale of Licensed Products. Except as otherwise set
forth herein, the foregoing license shall be exclusive even with respect to
Inventor, and Amerimmune shall have the right to use such names and marks,
including without limitation the Marks, in connection with labeling,
packaging and advertising the Licensed Products, as Amerimmune shall
determine in its sole discretion; but (i) nothing contained herein shall be
construed to require CytoDyn to change its corporate name or to prevent
CytoDyn from utilizing "CytoDyn" as its corporate name or as an Internet
domain name, and (ii) neither Amerimmune nor Inventor shall use "cytolin"
in whole or part as an active Internet domain name, but either may use the
term "CYTOLIN" in articles and discussions appearing at their respective
web sites. Amerimmune may use Xxxxx'x name and bibliography and biography
(as permitted by law) in promoting Licensed Products, but shall take
reasonable steps to ensure that any such uses preserve Xxxxx'x good reputation.
2.2 FURTHER ASSURANCES; COOPERATION.
(a) NOTIFICATION. Inventor shall immediately notify Amerimmune
in writing in the event of the (i) transfer or reversion of any of the
Technology or Marks to, or the acquisition of any of the Technology or
Marks by, Inventor or any affiliate of Inventor, or (ii) acquisition by
Inventor or any affiliate of Inventor from 3R of any capital stock or any
proxy (including without limitation a return of any proxy previously
granted to 3R) or other right to vote the stock of API and/or Amerimmune.
(b) COOPERATION. Inventor shall execute such documents and
instruments as Amerimmune shall reasonably request from time to time to
confirm the license herein granted, and may cause such documents or
instruments to be recorded in the records of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office ("PTO") and such other offices as Amerimmune shall deem
appropriate.
(c) DOCUMENTATION. From time to time following execution of this
Agreement, Inventor shall furnish to Amerimmune all information and
documents regarding the Technology and the Marks, including without
limitation research and development reports and all other data relating to
the Technology, as shall be reasonably requested by Amerimmune.
2.3 PATENT MARKING. Amerimmune shall xxxx all Licenced Products or
the packaging for such Licensed Products with patent numbers in accordance
with statutory requirements and prudent practice pursuant to industry
standards and, pending the issue of any patents covering the Licenced
Products, shall cause the term "Patent Pending" to appear on such Licensed
Products or the packaging for such Licensed Products.
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2.4 PROTECTION OF RIGHTS.
(a) PROSECUTION. Amerimmune may apply for patent and trademark
protection for the Technology and the Marks in the name of Inventor in all
countries of the world, or Inventor shall file such applications in
Inventor's name as Amerimmune shall reasonably request, all of which shall
be subject to the License, using counsel of Amerimmune's choice. Inventor
shall diligently prosecute and maintain or, at Amerimmune's election, shall
cooperate with Amerimmune in prosecuting and maintaining all such patent
and trademark applications, patents and trademark registrations, using
counsel of Amerimmune's choice. Inventor shall execute all papers,
documents and instruments necessary to enable Amerimmune to cause to be
prepared, filed and prosecuted, such applications for letters patent and
trademark registration in such countries of the world as Amerimmune shall,
in its sole discretion, determine is advisable. Notwithstanding anything
else contained in this Agreement, neither Amerimmune/API nor a patent or
trademark attorney or agent used by Amerimmune/API pursuant to this
Agreement shall have power of attorney to assign, transfer, sell or
register, the patents or Marks owned by or applied for in the name of
Inventor. The patent attorney used by Amerimmune pursuant to this
paragraph shall possess the specialized qualifications enumerated in Exhibit F.
(b) NOTICES. Throughout the Term, Inventor shall promptly notify
Amerimmune in writing of all patent and trademark applications, patents,
and trademark registrations with respect to any of the Marks or the
Technology that are being prosecuted or maintained by Inventor, and all
changes of status of any such applications or registrations, accompanied by
complete and accurate copies of all documents pertaining thereto. Within
a reasonable period of time before deadlines or due dates relating to any
such patent and trademark applications, patents and trademark, Inventor
shall provide Amerimmune with copies of all relevant documentation so that
Amerimmune may be informed and apprised of the continuing prosecution and
maintenance, and may provide substantive comment and input thereon. In the
event that Amerimmune from time to time during the Term provides directions
to Inventor in connection with prosecution and maintenance of such patent
and trademark applications, patents and trademark registrations, Inventor
shall comply with the directions given by Amerimmune, provided such
directions are reasonable.
(c) REIMBURSEMENT. Amerimmune shall directly pay or shall
reimburse Inventor for all fees and costs (including but not limited to
attorneys', engineering and drafting fees) that are authorized in advance
by Amerimmune for preparing, filing, prosecuting and maintaining the patent
and trademark applications, patents and trademark registrations covering
the Technology and the Marks. Inventor shall provide Amerimmune with
documentation to support these costs upon request of Amerimmune. Inventor
shall provide periodic statements to Amerimmune showing the amount to be
reimbursed to Inventor under the provisions of this Section 2.4(d).
Payment to Inventor shall be due within thirty (30) days of the date of
these statements. If Amerimmune does not reimburse Inventor or notify
Inventor in writing of a good faith dispute over the amount required to be
reimbursed within thirty (30) days of receipt of a statement from Inventor,
Inventor shall have the right to give Written Notice pursuant to Section
11.2 hereof to terminate the License with respect to such patent or
trademark application, patent, or trademark registration for which
reimbursement has not been paid.
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3. CONSIDERATION
In consideration for entering into this Agreement, Amerimmune has
agreed to advance an additional $50,000 to Inventor pursuant to the terms
of the Loan Agreement. In addition, as consideration for the License, upon
Inventor's delivery to Amerimmune of evidence satisfactory to Amerimmune
that (i) the License Condition has been satisfied with respect to all of
the Technology and the Marks, and that (ii) Amerimmune's obligations under
the 3R License Agreement have terminated, Amerimmune agrees to continue to
pay to Inventor directly the consideration provided for in Section 4(b) of
the 3R License Agreement and Section 2 of Letter Agreement dated August 1,
1998 (which Section, together with the definitions for "Inventor" and
"Licensee" from the 3R License Agreement and Letter Agreement, both
attached hereto as Exhibit C and are herein incorporated by reference) and
to take such other actions as are provided for in Exhibit D attached hereto.
4. SURRENDER OF STOCK
In the event that Inventor hereafter directly or indirectly acquires,
purchases (other than bona fide cash purchases of API common stock in the
open market at prevailing market prices), is awarded or otherwise receives
from 3R, the current stockholders of 3R, or their respective affiliates or
successors in interest any shares of capital stock of API and/or
Amerimmune, Inventor shall immediately for no additional consideration
surrender to API and/or Amerimmune, as applicable, all such shares of
capital stock of API and/or Amerimmune for return to treasury stock.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
Each of Amerimmune and Inventor shall regard and preserve the
Confidential Information of the other party as secret and confidential, and
shall not publish or disclose any Confidential Information in any manner
without the prior written consent of the other party. Each of Amerimmune
and Inventor shall use the same level of care to prevent the disclosure of
the other party's Confidential Information that it exercises in protecting
its own Confidential Information and shall in any event take all reasonable
precautions to prevent the disclosure of Confidential Information to any
third party. Except as otherwise provided herein, before disclosing
Confidential Information to a third party ("Recipient"), the disclosing
party shall obtain a written commitment from the Recipient to observe the
confidentiality provisions of this Section 5. Each party acknowledges and
agrees that, in addition to any other available rights or remedies, a
disclosing party shall be entitled to specific performance, injunctive
relief and any other equitable remedy for the breach or default or
threatened breach or default of this Section 5 and waives any defense that
a remedy at law or damages is adequate. In addition to the confidentiality
provisions described above, Inventor agrees to be bound by the
confidentiality provisions contained in Exhibit G attached hereto. Neither
party shall publicize the terms of this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the other party (except as required in connection with any legal
proceeding or arbitration, as required by law, or to the extent reasonably
required in connection with any merger, acquisition, reorganization,
capital or financing transaction), but each party shall have the right to
publicize the existence of this Agreement. Inventor shall have the right
to publish the results of any studies and/or trials in connection with the
Technology that confirms (as opposed to that contradicts) information or
study results already in the public domain.
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6. QUALITY CONTROL
Amerimmune agrees to maintain reasonable quality standards common in
the industry for the Licensed Products to be distributed or sold by
Amerimmune in connection with any of the Marks or Technology, and
Amerimmune agrees to manufacture or have manufactured such Licenced
Products in accordance with such standards. Inventor or its designated
representatives shall have the right to inspect the materials,
manufacturing sites and processes employed by Amerimmune in connection
with, and samples of, such Licensed Products to assure Inventor that such
quality standards are being complied with. Any such inspection shall be
preceded by at least two (2) full business days' advance written notice,
and shall be at Inventor's sole cost and expense.
7. IMPROVEMENTS
Amerimmune shall have the right to improve the Technology through its
own research and development. All such improvements that do not infringe
the claims of the Patents shall be the property of Amerimmune, and
improvements that infringe the claims of the Patents shall be the property
of Inventor, but shall be subject to the License. Amerimmune and Inventor
shall each promptly notify the other of improvements to the Technology
which either party shall invent, create, develop or acquire during the Term.
8. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
8.1 AUTHORITY. Each party represents and warrants to the other party
that (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
it and that this Agreement is a binding obligation of it, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and to general
equitable principles, and (ii) such party's performance under this
Agreement will not violate any agreement with any third party or any
federal, state or local law or regulation.
8.2 TITLE; VALIDITY; INFRINGEMENT. Inventor represents, warrants and
covenants to Amerimmune that: (i) Inventor is the sole inventor of the
inventions included in the Technology; (ii) except for rights claimed by
3R, Inventor is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to
the Technology and the Marks; (iii) Inventor has not done or omitted any
act, nor shall Inventor do or omit any act, which would impair the validity
of the Technology or the Marks or any part thereof or Inventor's ability to
effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) all of the
statements, declarations and claims made in any application for letters
patent included in the Technology are true and correct in all respects and
Inventor knows of no prior art not disclosed in such applications; (v)
except for rights claimed by 3R, Inventor has the sole right and full power
to license the Technology and the Marks to Amerimmune, and no consent of
any other party is necessary or appropriate to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated to be performed by Inventor under this Agreement;
(vi) with the exception of rights assigned by Inventor to 3R and licenses
that have heretofore been terminated in accordance with their terms,
Inventor has not granted, nor prior to or during the Term shall Inventor
grant, any interest in or to the Technology or the Marks by way of
assignment, license, encumbrance, obligation, agreement, security interest,
lien, option or otherwise to any third party; (vii)
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to the best knowledge of Inventor and its officers and directors, the
Technology and the Marks, and Amerimmune's exploitation of the rights
licensed thereto pursuant to this Agreement, does not and will not infringe
any valid patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark or other proprietary
right of any third party; and (viii) Inventor and its officers and
directors are not aware of any present or potential third party
infringement of the Technology or the Marks, except as set forth on Exhibit
E attached hereto.
8.3 CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF AMERIMMUNE.
Amerimmune represents, warrants and covenants to Inventor that:
(i) Amerimmune has not done or omitted any act, nor shall Amerimmune do or
omit any act, which would impair the validity of the Technology or any part
thereof or Amerimmune's ability to effect the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; (ii) Amerimmune has not sublicensed any interest in or to
the Technology or the Marks to any third party; and (iii) Amerimmune and
its officers and directors are not aware of any present or potential third
party infringement of the Technology.
8.4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY AMERIMMUNE. Amerimmune acknowledges that
Inventor has advised Amerimmune that a license from Xxxxxxx Immunology,
Inc. may be required for Amerimmune to manufacture S6F1 Antibodies.
9. INFRINGEMENT
9.1 THIRD PARTY INFRINGEMENT. If Inventor learns of facts that it
concludes may constitute an infringement of any of the Technology or the
Marks by any third party, Inventor shall promptly notify Amerimmune in
writing, setting forth such facts and the basis for its conclusion, and
shall include with such notice any other reasonably available evidence in
support thereof.
(a) SUBSTANTIAL INFRINGEMENTS. Amerimmune shall take appropriate
action at Amerimmune's expense against "Substantial Infringements" of the
Technology or the Marks (including without limitation filing a lawsuit or
arbitration against such third party infringer, if necessary). For
purposes hereof, a "Substantial Infringement" shall be an infringement of
Technology or Marks (i) where failure by Amerimmune to take appropriate
action against such infringement would result in partial or total loss or
abandonment of rights to the infringed Technology and/or Marks, or (ii) if
the infringement has resulted in more than a 25% reduction in sales of
Licenced Products in any country after introduction into the market in such
country of the infringing product. Unless Inventor agrees otherwise in
writing, Amerimmune's failure to commence appropriate action against a
Substantial Infringement within thirty (30) days after learning or
receiving written notice of such infringement shall result in the
termination of the License in such country with respect to the Marks (if
one of the Marks is the subject of such Substantial Infringement) or the
infringed Technology.
(b) OTHER INFRINGEMENTS. Amerimmune shall have the right, but
not the obligation, at Amerimmune's expense to take such action against
infringements other than Substantial Infringements as Amerimmune deems
appropriate. If Amerimmune declines to take action (i.e., send demand
letter, file lawsuit) against an infringer within thirty (30) days of
receipt of notice thereof from Inventor, Inventor shall have the right to
take action against such infringer upon giving Amerimmune at least fifteen
(15) days prior written notice. Amerimmune shall have the right to
participate in such
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action, at Amerimmune's expense. Inventor shall not settle any action
against a third party infringer of the Technology or the Marks without
Amerimmune's prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
(c) RECOVERY. Amerimmune shall be entitled to any monetary
award, judgment or settlement resulting from action brought or taken by
Amerimmune against a third party infringer. Inventor shall be entitled to
any monetary award, judgment or settlement resulting from action brought or
taken by Inventor against a third party infringer. Any monetary award,
judgment or settlement resulting from action brought or taken jointly by
Amerimmune and Inventor shall be divided between Amerimmune and Inventor
PARI PASSU based on each party's financial contribution towards such result.
9.2 NOMINAL PLAINTIFF. If any infringement action, suit or
proceeding is brought hereunder by Amerimmune to enforce any rights in the
Technology or the Marks, Inventor shall upon the request and at the expense
of Amerimmune, cooperate with Amerimmune and be named, joined and
participate therein as a nominal plaintiff.
10. INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 INVENTOR INDEMNIFICATION. Inventor shall indemnify, hold
harmless and defend Amerimmune and its officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents, from and against any and all claims, demands,
lawsuits, actions, proceedings, liabilities, losses, damages, fees, costs
and expenses (including without limitation attorneys' fees and costs of
investigation and experts) resulting from or arising out of (i) any breach
by Inventor of this Agreement, including without limitation any breach of
the representations, warranties and covenants of Inventor hereunder, (ii)
any claim by 3R or any other party that this Agreement represents an
interference with a contractual relationship or otherwise violates such
party's rights, or (iii) any claim that Amerimmune's exploitation of any
rights in the Technology and the Marks herein licensed infringes or
violates any patent, copyright, trademark or other right of any third party
unless any such infringement or violation is due to actions or inactions by
Amerimmune other than by reason of Amerimmune's exercise of its rights
licensed pursuant to this Agreement; but Amerimmune shall not be entitled
to indemnification hereunder for infringement exclusively resulting from
Amerimmune's improvements to the Technology.
10.2 AMERIMMUNE INDEMNIFICATION. Amerimmune shall indemnify, hold
harmless and defend Inventor and its officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents, from and against any and all claims, demands,
lawsuits, actions, proceedings, liabilities, losses, damages, fees, costs
and expenses (including without limitation attorneys' fees and costs of
investigation and experts) resulting from or arising out of (i) any breach
by Amerimmune of this Agreement, including without limitation any breach of
the representations, warranties and covenants of Amerimmune hereunder, and
(ii) the use of the Licensed Products (including without limitations any
product liability claims) and/or the development, manufacture, marketing,
distribution and/or sale by Amerimmune of the Licensed Products (except for
infringement claims covered by Section 10.1(iii) above). In addition,
Amerimmune shall require any sublicensee to agree to indemnify Inventor
from and against all product liability claims by persons purchasing
Licensed Products from such sublicensee and/or its agents or distributors.
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11. TERM.
11.1 TERM. The term of the License shall commence as of the later of
(i) the date first above written, or (ii) the date that the License
Condition is satisfied, and shall terminate (i) with respect to the Patents
or any other patents covered by this Agreement, upon the expiration of the
last to expire of such Patents or patents; (ii) with respect to the Know-how
and Trade Secrets, and any improvements thereto, and the Marks, upon
termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 11.2 below, it being
the intent of the parties that, absent such termination, the license with
respect to such Know-how, Trade Secrets, and any improvements thereto, and
Marks shall be in perpetuity.
11.2 TERMINATION. Inventor may terminate the License for a material
breach of this Agreement by Amerimmune by delivering written notice to
Amerimmune setting forth that Amerimmune is in material breach of this
Agreement and specific statements of such material breach or breaches (the
"Written Notice"). The License will terminate (A) 30 days after the
receipt of the Written Notice (i) if material breaches capable of being
corrected within such 30 days have not been corrected, or (ii) for material
breaches not capable of being corrected within 30 days of receipt of the
Written Notice, if correction of such breach is not commenced within such
30 days and prosecuted reasonably diligently thereafter, and (B)
immediately upon receipt of the Written Notice in the case of material
breaches incapable of being corrected.
11.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Upon termination of the License,
Amerimmune shall transfer to Inventor all rights which Amerimmune may have,
if any, to the Technology and the Marks, and all rights to any sublicenses
which may have been granted pursuant to the terms hereof.
12. NOTICE
Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing
and either (i) delivered in person, (ii) transmitted by telex, facsimile or
telecopy mechanism provided that any notice so given is also mailed as
provided herein, (iii) delivered by Federal Express or similar commercial
delivery service or (iv) mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, to the party to which such notice or communication is to
be given at the address set forth on the signature page of this Agreement
or to such other address or to such other person as either party shall have
last designated by such notice to the other party. Each such notice or
other communication shall be effective (i) if given by telex, facsimile or
telecopy mechanism, when transmitted, (ii) if given by mail, two (2) days
after such communication is deposited in the mails and addressed as
aforesaid, (iii) if given by Federal Express or similar commercial delivery
service, one (1) business day after such communication is deposited with
such service and addressed as aforesaid, and (iv) if given by any other
means, when actually delivered at such address.
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13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION BY REFEREE
Amerimmune and Inventor agree to waive the right to a jury trial and
to submit any disagreement or controversy arising under or relating to this
Agreement or the subject matter hereof for resolution by a trial on Order
of Reference. Such trial shall be conducted by a retired judge or justice
having expertise in commercial disputes and who is acceptable to both
parties. The retired judge or justice shall be appointed pursuant to the
provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638(1) or any
amendment, addition or successor section thereto. If the parties are unable
to agree upon a retired judge or justice panel to act as referee, then upon
petition by either party to the presiding judge of the Superior Court of the
State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Central District (or such
other judge as the presiding judge may designate for such purpose), such
judge shall in his or her sole discretion select one retired judge or
justice who shall serve as the referee. Such referee shall hear the
dispute or controversy until the final determination thereof pursuant to
Article VI, Section 21 of the California Constitution, Section 638 ET SEQ.
of the California Code of Civil Procedure, and Rule 244.1(a) of the
California Rules of Court. The referee shall conduct such reference
proceeding, including making orders relating to discovery to take place in
connection therewith, so that the period of time from such referee's
appointment until the reference proceeding is concluded is not longer than
six (6) months (such period is directory only, and a failure to conclude
such proceeding within such period shall not result in a loss of
jurisdiction by the referee). The referee's award shall be in writing, and
shall include a statement of decision, in accordance with Section 632 of
the California Code of Civil Procedure. The parties shall pay in advance,
to the referee, the estimated reasonable fees and costs of the reference as
may be specified in advance by the referee. The parties shall share
equally, by paying their proportionate amount, the fees and costs of the
reference. The parties intend this general reference agreement to be
specifically enforceable.
14. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement and the legal relations between the parties shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
California, except where such are governed exclusively by federal law.
15. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES
Each party shall conduct all business in its own name as an
independent contractor. No joint venture, partnership, employment, agency
or similar arrangement is created between the parties. Neither party has
the right or power to act for or on behalf of the other or to bind the
other in any respect, to pledge its credit, to accept any service of
process upon it, or to receive any notices of any nature whatsoever on its
behalf.
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16. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal,
invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction
then, to that extent and within the jurisdiction in which it is illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, it shall be limited, construed or severed and
deleted from this Agreement, and the remaining extent and/or remaining
portions hereof shall survive, remain in full force and effect and continue
to be binding and shall not be affected except insofar as may be necessary
to make sense hereof, and shall be interpreted to give effect to the
intention of the parties insofar as that is possible.
17. BREACH; REMEDIES
In the event of a breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party
shall be entitled to exercise any right or remedy available to it
hereunder, at law or in equity, including without limitation specific
enforcement of the terms hereof. The exercise of any right or remedy
available to a party shall not preclude the concurrent or subsequent
exercise by it of any other right or remedy and all rights and remedies
shall be cumulative.
18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (including Exhibits A-G attached hereto which are
herein incorporated by this reference) contains the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all previous negotiations, agreements, arrangements and
understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.
19. INTERPRETATION
The normal rule of construction that an agreement shall be interpreted
against the drafting party shall not apply. In this Agreement, whenever
the context so requires, the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, and the
singular or plural number or tense, shall include the others.
20. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Neither this Agreement nor any of its provisions may be amended,
changed, modified or waived except in a writing duly executed by an
authorized officer of the party to be bound thereby.
21. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the parties and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.
11
22. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts together
shall constitute one agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands as
of the day and year first above written.
Amerimmune, Inc.
___________________________________ 00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx #000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile:_________________________
By:_____________________________
Name:___________________________
CytoDyn of New Mexico, Inc. Title:__________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Facsimile:__________________________ Consent of spouse of Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------
The undersigned, who is the wife of
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, consents to the
By:_________________________________ terms of the foregoing Agreement.
Name:_______________________________
Title:______________________________
_________________________________
EXHIBIT A
TECHNOLOGY
"Technology" shall mean the Patents, Patent Rights, Know-how, Products and
Trade Secrets, as such terms are hereafter defined, existing upon
commencement of the Term (as such term is defined in the Agreement),
together with any improvements to any of the foregoing invented, created,
developed or acquired by Inventor during the Term.
The "Patents" shall mean all right, title and interest in the inventions,
processes and improvements described and claimed in United States Patent
No. 5,424,066 entitled METHOD FOR INCREASING CD4+ CELL NUMBERS THROUGH THE
USE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES DIRECTED AGAINST SELF-REACTIVE, CD4 SPECIFIC
CYTOTOXIC T-CELLS issued June 13, 1995 and United States Patent No.
5,651,970 entitled METHOD FOR INHIBITING DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUMAN
IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS THROUGH THE USE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES DIRECTED
AGAINST ANTI-SELF CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTES OR THEIR LYTICS, issued July 29,
1997.
The "Patent Rights" shall mean foreign patent applications corresponding to
the Patents, together with any U.S. or foreign continuations, divisional or
continuation-in-part applications and all other applications relating in
any way to the subject matter described in the Patents and any letters
patent related thereto as well as any reissue and/or re-examined patents
issuing thereon, and shall include without limitation pending U.S. patent
application nos. 08/940,227 (METHOD FOR TREATING DISEASE INCLUDING
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
THROUGH THE USE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES) and 08/940,228 (TREATMENT OF HIV
INFECTION (sic) BY INFUSING A DOSE OF SELECTED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES THAT
INHIBIT PRODUCTION OF LYMPHOCYTE- ASSOCIATED MOLECULE (sic) 1 (LFA-1) ON
CD8 CELLS).
"Know-How" shall mean all know-how, intellectual property, technical
expertise, inventions, information, improvements, computer programs,
algorithms, data, discoveries, ideas, and concepts, whether or not
patentable or copyrightable, including but not limited to medical,
clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical, pharmacological, topological,
toxicological or other scientific data (including without limitation
preclinical and clinical data, notes, reports, models and samples), unique
methods, processes, techniques, designs, formulae, configurations of any
kind, computer graphics, apparatus, products, devices, software,
specifications, drawings and all testing, assaying and analysis
methodologies in any manner pertaining or relating to, resulting from or
useful in connection with the Patents or Patent Rights.
"Products" shall mean all products that embody or make use of all or any
part of the Patents or Patent Rights or Know-how.
"Trade Secrets" shall mean all documents and information in any form that
have been originated by, are peculiarly within the knowledge of or are
proprietary to Inventor in whole or in part, and are
subject to protection under recognized legal principles as trade secrets or
otherwise pertaining or relating to, resulting from or useful in connection
with the design, manufacture, installation, sales, marketing,
administration, use, repair or operation of products, processes or services
pertaining or relating to, resulting from or useful in connection with the
Patents or Patent Rights or Know-how or Products.
EXHIBIT B
LOAN AGREEMENT
See attached form of Amendment to Loan Documents.
EXHIBIT C
3R LICENSE AGREEMENT
See attached form of 3R License Agreement
EXHIBIT D
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF AMERIMMUNE
1. As promptly as reasonably possible following satisfaction of the
License Condition, Amerimmune shall: (i) pay to Inventor any payments owed
to Inventor by Amerimmune under the terms of any Agreements existing as of
the Effective Date between (A) Amerimmune and Inventor or (B) Amerimmune
and 3R, that have been refused by Inventor, but in no event shall the
foregoing be interpreted to require Amerimmune to make any double payment
of any amount owed by Amerimmune; and (ii) use commercially reasonable
efforts (which shall include, without limitation, filing either an
arbitration or a lawsuit to the extent that a claim can be made in good
faith) to cancel the shares of stock of Amerimmune and/or API owned by 3R,
its shareholders, principals, officers, directors or affiliates.
2. If Inventor acquires shares of stock of Amerimmune and/or API from 3R
or its shareholders, principals, officers, directors or affiliates, and
delivers such shares to Amerimmune pursuant to Section 4 of the Agreement,
Amerimmune shall pay to Inventor the amount of the incremental cost and
expense incurred in acquiring such shares from 3R promptly after Inventor
delivers to Amerimmune evidence reasonably satisfactory to Amerimmune of
the amount of Inventor's incremental cost and expense. If, in an action or
arbitration brought by Inventor to satisfy the License Condition, shares of
stock of API owned by Inventor are ordered to be and are canceled, then, as
additional consideration for the License, API shall issue to Inventor a
number of shares of the same class of stock of API equal to the number of
shares so canceled.
3. If the License Condition is satisfied, Amerimmune agrees not to file an
action or arbitration against Inventor seeking return or cancellation of
the shares of stock of Amerimmune and/or API owned by Inventor as of the
Effective Date based on a claim of failure or lack of consideration for
such shares.
4. If the License Condition is satisfied, Amerimmune agrees not to employ
or enter into any consulting contract with 3R and/or any persons or
entities who as of the Effective Date are shareholders, principals,
officers, directors or affiliates of 3R.
EXHIBIT E
EXCEPTIONS TO SECTION 8.2(viii)
Known to us as of February 13, 2000:
Xxxxxx Laboratories of Abbott Park, Ill., a major pharmaceutical company,
has registered the Internet domain name XXXXXXX.XXX, according to
information we received from Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx the evening of 2/13/00. It is
not clear why they did so since our trademark would presumably preclude
them from using that trade name on a product. It is not clear whether this
registration would be an infringement as opposed to an unfair business
practice since the Marks are protected as a description of products. Of
course, if they don't use the domain name actively, then there is no damage
being as how we have both agreed not to use it.
A company in Florida incorporated under the name Cytodyne Technologies and
has been advertising a nutraceutical weight loss product. This has caused
confusion in that doctors have asked us if we have entered that field. Xx.
XxXxxx sent a cease and desist letter on behalf of Amerimmune with no
apparent effect. Xx. Xxxxxx had gone so far as to prepare a complaint but
that was sabotaged by Xxx Xxxxxxxx.
EXHIBIT F
1. SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR A PATENT ATTORNEY USED TO PROSECUTE OR
DEFEND XXXXX'X PATENTS.
(a) Should have successfully prosecuted at least one patent on a
treatment method, preferably more.
(b) Should have successfully prosecuted at least one patent,
preferably more, where novelty is a challenge due to the fact that the
invention arises from a better understanding of information in the prior
art and not from new information.
(c) After conferring with Xx. Xxxxx should understand the distinction
between an infection, an infectious disease in the sense of Xxxx, and a
noninfectious disease with an infectious agent, as may be necessary to
argue for novelty.
(d) After conferring with Xx. Xxxxx should understand how the laws of
nature can be used predictively by scientists, as may be necessary to argue
for utility.
(e) Should be able and willing to advise Amerimmune of how public or
discoverable statements made by Amerimmune, or unchallenged public
statements made by others, that incorrectly characterize the Technology
could lay a foundation for a challenge to any patent licensed under this
Agreement, including but without limitation, by estoppel.
2. SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR A PATENT ATTORNEY USED TO ENFORCE AND
PREVENT INFRINGEMENTS AGAINST XXXXX'X PATENTS.
Should have extensive knowledge of the statutory and case law on
contributory infringement, the staple exception, and the reasons why a
pharmaceutical product cannot be a staple.
3. ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Inventor acknowledges and agrees that Xxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. and Xxxxx X.
Xxxxx, Esq., of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP satisfy all of the
qualifications set forth in this Exhibit F.
EXHIBIT G
PRIOR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
The term "Prior Confidential Information" refers to all data, reports,
drawings, tapes, formulae, interpretations, records, trade secrets,
documents, information regarding products, processes, research and
development, apparatus and application methods that are not and have not
been openly communicated or made accessible by Amerimmune or 3R to third
parties and that Inventor obtains or obtained from Amerimmune, 3R, their
employees, subsidiaries and affiliates, or that Inventor otherwise acquired
from Amerimmune or 3R, including information of a third party as to which
Amerimmune has a nondisclosure obligation, and including all Consultant
Innovations (as defined below). Additionally, Prior Confidential
Information shall include any and all reports to 3R made by Xxxxx in the
course of performance of that certain Consulting Agreement dated August 1,
1998 between Xxxxx and 3R (the "3R Consulting Agreement"), and the contents
thereof and any and all information developed, created, transcribed or
generated in any form in performance thereof.
"Consultant Innovations" includes, but is not limited to, all
intellectual property, technical innovations, inventions, discoveries,
ideas, concepts, know-how, technical expertise, formulae, information,
data, unique methods, improvements, new and useful art, computer programs,
processes of which any computer program constitutes a part, configuration
of any kind, algorithm, processes, techniques, designs, devices, software,
specifications and medical, clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical,
pharmacological, topological, toxicological or other scientific data
(including without limitation preclinical and clinical data, notes,
reports, models and samples), in any manner pertinent or related to,
resulting from or useful in or to the Technology and all products that
embody or make use of all or any part of the Technology that were or are
conceived (whether or not reduced to practice) or first reduced to practice
by Inventor whether solely or jointly with others, during the term of the
3R Consulting Agreement or as a result of knowledge acquired while
performing services thereunder, whether patentable or copyrightable or not.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant Innovations shall not include
inventions, any intellectual property, technical innovations, discoveries,
ideas, concepts, know-how, technical expertise, formulae, information,
data, unique methods, improvements, new and useful art, computer programs,
processes of which any computer program constitutes a part, configuration
of any kind, algorithm, processes, techniques, designs, devices, software,
specifications or other scientific data in the field of biotechnology that
are in no manner pertinent or related to, or resulting from or useful in
the Technology or medical or pharmaceutical purposes and, without
limitation, shall not include anything whatsoever related to the fields of
physics or music.
Inventor:
* shall hold the Prior Confidential Information in confidence;
* shall take or cause to be taken all reasonable precautions to prevent
the disclosure or communication of Prior Confidential Information to
third parties;
* agrees that each reproduction, duplication, or copy of any portion of
Prior Confidential Information shall be deemed Prior Confidential
Information for all purposes hereunder.
Amerimmune agrees Inventor may publish papers in peer review,
scientific and technical journals; provided that Inventor agrees (i) no
such paper will include Prior Confidential Information, (ii) Inventor will
deliver a final copy of the proposed paper to Amerimmune for its approval
no less than 30 days prior to the date he plans to deliver the paper to the
journal publisher, (iii) if Amerimmune advises Inventor that in its
reasonable judgment the paper contains, or could lead to the discovery of,
Prior Confidential Information, Inventor will delete such Confidential
Information or the means of discovering such Information, (iv) if Inventor
or the journal publisher propose to make any change to the paper previously
submitted to Amerimmune, such proposed change will be submitted to
Amerimmune for its approval before it is made and not less than 5 business
days prior to the paper being released to the printer for final printing,
and (v) Inventor will only permit a paper approved by Amerimmune to be
published. Amerimmune agrees that should it publish any articles
describing the contributions of Xxxxx under this Agreement, it will
acknowledge Xxxxx'x contribution to such results.
