EXHIBIT 10.17
LICENSE AGREEMENT
This License Agreement is made the 1st day of December, 1998, between
Diversa Corporation, a Delaware corporation, having offices at 00000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 U.S.A.; and Finnfeeds International
Limited, an English company, having an address at X.X. Xxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx XX0 0XX.
Witnesseth:
Whereas, Diversa and FFI previously entered in a Collaboration Agreement
dated January 2, 1997 (the "Collaboration Agreement") for the purpose of
discovering, developing and commercializing enzyme technology for use in the
[*****], which Collaboration Agreement superseded an earlier "Phytase Developed
Agreement" between the parties dated May 17, 1996;
Whereas, Diversa has identified a certain gene and the phytase enzyme it
expresses, and owns and/or controls intellectual property rights relating
thereto;
Whereas, FFI desires to commercialize such technology, and Diversa desires
FFI to commercialize this technology, under terms and conditions established by
the Collaboration Agreement, as modified by a "Letter Agreement" between the
parties (dated December 1, 1998) amending the Collaboration Agreement (the
"Letter Agreement"),
Whereas, in accordance with this desire to commercialize, FFI wishes to
acquire from Diversa, and Diversa has agreed to grant to FFI, the within license
and rights with respect to the use of the Diversa intellectual property rights
for manufacture of phytase enzyme, and the use and/or sale of the so-
manufactured phytase enzyme and animal health and nutrition products containing
the same, as defined below, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
Now, Therefore, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 The following terms whenever used in this Agreement shall have the
meanings set forth below except when otherwise expressly stated:
(a) "Effective Date" shall mean the date set forth at the top hereof.
(b) "Affiliate" shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation,
group or trust that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is
under common control with a party to this Agreement, with "control" being the
power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies, whether
through ownership or voting of securities, by contract or otherwise. [*****].
1. *Confidential Treatment Requested
(c) "Phytase" shall mean [*****] and which is manufactured under the
licenses granted by this License Agreement.
(d) "[*****] Field" shall mean a field of activities relating to
products which [*****] and which [*****] in the United States.
(e) "[*****] Field" shall mean a field of activities relating to
products which [*****] and which [*****] in the United States.
(f) "Products" shall mean products containing Phytase.
(g) "DIVERSA Know-How" shall mean all information and data, whether
patentable or not, owned or controlled by DIVERSA as of the Effective Date,
relating to the manufacture of Phytase, the use and sale of Phytase for the
manufacture of Products for the [*****] Field and [*****] Field, and the
manufacture, use and sale of Products for the [*****] Field and [*****] Field.
(h) "DIVERSA Patent Rights" shall mean all patents and applications
for patents covering DIVERSA Know-How, including but not limited to those
identified in Appendix A of this Agreement (attached hereto and made a part
hereof), including any [*****] or the [*****] and any [*****] and [*****] of the
foregoing, that are owned or controlled by Diversa and which DIVERSA has the
right to grant licenses hereunder.
(i) "DIVERSA Technology" shall mean DIVERSA Patent Rights and DIVERSA
Know-how.
(j) "Net Sales Price" of a Product shall mean the [*****] of such
Product to the first person or entity purchasing such Product, [*****];
provided, however, that if such first person or entity is an Affiliate of FFI,
the Net Sales Price shall be deemed to be [*****] or the [*****].
(k) "Profit" for a Product sold or distributed shall mean the [*****]
less (1) [*****]; (2) [*****]; (3) [*****]; and (4) the [*****]. In the event
that Profit cannot reasonably be calculated because a Product contains [*****]
which add a significant contribution to the Net Sales Price of the Product apart
from the [*****], the parties shall in good faith negotiate the applicable
[*****] by [*****]
2. *Confidential Treatment Requested
compared to the [*****].
(l) Terms used but not otherwise defined or referenced herein shall
have the respective meanings set forth in the Collaboration Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
GRANTS
2.1 DIVERSA hereby grants to FFI an exclusive, worldwide license to use
the DIVERSA Technology for all activities relating to:
(a) [*****]
(b) [*****] and
(c) [*****]
2.2 [*****]
2.3 [*****]
ARTICLE 3
MANUFACTURE OF PHYTASE,
TRANSMISSION OF KNOW-HOW
AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
3.1 Notwithstanding paragraph 2.2 above, and in accordance with the Letter
Agreement, DIVERSA and FFI agree that FFI shall only have the right to [*****]
the DIVERSA Technology to [*****] for activities in connection with the [*****],
and then only in connection with a [*****] will [*****] to FFI at a cost [*****]
of no more than [*****] per [*****] which drops to no more than [*****] at
[*****] which further drops to [*****] at [*****] which still further drops to
[*****] at [*****] which finally drops to [*****] for [*****]. Notwithstanding,
[*****].
3. *Confidential Treatment Requested
3.2 Within a reasonable time subsequent to entry of the parties into this
License Agreement [*****], DIVERSA will (to the extent such has not already
occurred) disclose to FFI the DIVERSA Technology reasonably required for FFI to
exploit the license granted hereunder. To the extent feasible, the DIVERSA
Technology shall be disclosed in written or other tangible form.
3.3 In addition to paragraph 3.2, DIVERSA shall promptly provide to FFI
the DIVERSA Technology reasonably required for [*****], for the purpose of
[*****] [*****] for the purpose of [*****].
3.4 DIVERSA agrees to provide reasonable assistance to FFI (and FFI's
sublicensees) to facilitate the understanding of the DIVERSA Technology. During
the term of this License Agreement, the first [*****] of assistance shall be
[*****] FFI agrees to compensate DIVERSA for any assistance [*****] above this
amount at a reasonable manpower rate to be agreed upon by the parties, but in no
event shall such rate be [*****].
3.5 Notwithstanding other provisions herein to the contrary, nothing in
this Agreement shall obligate DIVERSA to provide to FFI or its sublicensees
information related to DIVERSA's [*****].
ARTICLE 4
ROYALTY AND PAYMENT
4.1 In consideration for this License Agreement and the licenses granted
under Article 2 of this License Agreement, FFI shall pay to DIVERSA for each
Product sold and/or distributed by FFI or any Affiliate or sublicensee of FFI
during the term of this License Agreement, a [*****] royalty of [*****] for such
Product.
4.2 FFI shall pay royalties to DIVERSA [*****] within [*****] after each
[*****] for Profits accruing in respect of each such [*****] (each, a "Royalty
Payment Date"). FFI shall furnish to DIVERSA, [*****], on each Royalty Payment
Date, written reports showing in reasonably specific detail, the [*****] [*****]
to DIVERSA in respect of each such [*****]. FFI shall keep complete and accurate
records in sufficient detail to properly enable the royalties payable hereunder
to be determined.
4. *Confidential Treatment Requested
4.3 (a) Upon the written request of DIVERSA and not more than [*****] FFI
shall permit an independent certified public accounting firm of nationally
recognized standing, selected by DIVERSA and reasonably acceptable to FFI, at
DIVERSA's expense, to have access during normal business hours to such records
of FFI as may reasonably be necessary to verify the accuracy of the royalty
reports hereunder for [*****] prior to the date of such request.
(b) If such accounting firm concludes that additional royalties were
owed during such period, FFI shall pay the additional royalties within [*****]
of the date DIVERSA delivers to FFI such accounting firm's written report so
concluding, except in the case of manifest calculation error, in which event,
the accounting firm shall recalculate the applicable royalty amount. The fees
charged by such accounting firm shall be paid by DIVERSA provided however, if
the audit (subject to recalculation, as aforesaid) discloses that the royalties
payable to DIVERSA for such period have been underpaid by [*****] then FFI shall
pay the reasonable fees and expenses charged by such accounting firm.
4.4 All amounts due to DIVERSA hereunder shall be paid in USA funds at a
bank to be designated by DIVERSA. All accounting hereunder is to be done in
accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
ARTICLE 5
DURATION
5.1 This term of this License Agreement shall commence [*****] and shall
continue [*****].
5.2 FFI may terminate the term of this License Agreement at any time upon
[*****] written notice to DIVERSA.
5.3 DIVERSA may terminate the term of this License Agreement upon
occurrence of one or more of the following:
(a) in the event that:
(i) FFI becomes bankrupt or insolvent or goes into any form of
liquidation (other than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction) or
suffers a receiver or trustee to be appointed of any of its assets; or
(ii) any governmental authority seizes, expropriates,
nationalizes or confiscates all or substantially all of the assets of FFI
whether with or without compensation, or assumes control over all or
substantially all of the business of FFI; or
(b) if FFI shall materially breach any of the covenants, promises,
obligations or undertakings herein contained, provided that FFI has not remedied
any such material breach within [*****] after receipt of written notice from
DIVERSA.
5.4 Upon the termination of this License Agreement under paragraphs 5.2 or
5.3, the license granted hereunder shall terminate and FFI shall cease to use
the [*****] except that FFI shall be entitled to complete any outstanding orders
for deliveries within a time limit of [*****] from the date of termination
subject to payment of royalties thereon.
5. *Confidential Treatment Requested
5.5 [*****].
5.6 Royalty obligations under this License Agreement shall commence with
the [*****] and end on the [*****] and (b) [*****].
ARTICLE 6
WARRANTIES, INDEMNIFICATION AND INFRINGEMENT
6.1 Each party represents and warrants (a) that it has the corporate
authorization to enter into and make the commitments on its behalf necessary to
satisfy the obligations of this License Agreement; and (b) that there are no
third party contractual restrictions on its ability to enter into and make the
commitments on its behalf necessary to satisfy the obligations of this License
Agreement except as may be disclosed in writing to the other party prior to the
Effective Date.
6.2 DIVERSA further represents and warrants:
(a) [*****];
6. *Confidential Treatment Requested
(b) [*****]; and
(c) [*****].
6.3 FFI represents that it shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and
sublicensees, as applicable, to, comply with all laws and regulations applicable
with its operation under the license granted hereunder.
6.4 THE FOREGOING REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF, AND THE
PARTIES HEREBY DISCLAIM AND NEGATE, ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR, PURPOSE.
6.5 Each party shall be solely responsible for damages to its own property
and injury or death of the officers, employees or agents of such party sustained
in the performance and as a result of this License Agreement, and shall
indemnify and hold the other parties harmless from and against all claims,
causes of action, loss and liability arising out of or in connection with such
responsibility.
6.6 [*****] agrees to [*****]:
(a) any [*****]; and
(b) any [*****].
6.7 FFI agrees to indemnify DIVERSA, its directors, officers and employees
and to hold such parties harmless from any action, claim, or liability,
including without limitation liability for death, personal injury, and/or
property damage (except as provided in paragraph 6.5), arising out of (i) the
manufacture, use, sale, or other disposition of Products by FFI or Affiliates or
sublicensees of FFI, or (ii) the use of the [*****] pursuant to this License
Agreement; [*****].
6.8 It shall be a condition of [*****] hereunder that the [*****]. The
[*****] shall have the right to [*****].
6.9 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (i) each party shall be
responsible and liable to the other party for any failure in the performance of
its obligations hereunder; and (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall operate or
be construed so as to limit or exclude a party from liability to the extent that
such liability results from any negligent or willful act or omission of such
party.
6.10 IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
AGENTS OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED UPON A CLAIM OR
ACTION OF CONTRACT, WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER TORT, OR
OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
6.11 FFI shall forthwith inform DIVERSA upon its becoming aware of
(a) any infringement by any third party of any DIVERSA Patent Rights,
or any misappropriation by any third party of DIVERSA Know-How; and
(b) [*****] in such way as [*****].
ARTICLE 7
CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1 Each party shall keep confidential any and all information (other than
as set forth in paragraph 7.3 hereof) revealed to it (the "Recipient") by the
other party hereto (the "Disclosing Party) during the term of this License
Agreement, or otherwise which relates to the subject matter hereof and was
previously disclosed during the term of the Collaboration Agreement or the
Phytase Development Agreement. This provision shall apply regardless of the
method of disclosure (whether written, oral or otherwise), and includes but is
not limited to information
7. *Confidential Treatment Requested
relating to the technology and intellectual property
licensed under this Licensed Agreement, developed under this License Agreement
or the previous Collaboration Agreement or Phytase Development Agreement, and
information relating to the Disclosing Party's existing or proposed business or
products; marketing and distribution data, methods, plans and efforts; and any
other materials which have not been made available by the Disclosing Party to
the general public ("Information"). Failure to xxxx any of Information as
confidential or proprietary shall not affect its status as Information under the
terms of this License Agreement.
7.2 Recipient shall maintain the confidential nature of Information and
shall, at a minimum, take those precautions that it utilizes to protect its own
confidential information. Recipient shall use Information only as necessary in
the performance of Recipient's duties, or in the exercise of the rights granted
to Recipient, hereunder.
7.3 The restrictions imposed by this Article VII shall not apply to
Information that: (i) at the time of Disclosure by the Disclosing Party is in,
or after disclosure by the Disclosing Party becomes part of, the public domain
through no improper act on the part of Recipient or on the part of any of
Recipient's employees or consultants; (ii) was in Recipient's possession at the
time of disclosure by the Disclosing Party, as shown by written evidence, and
was not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Disclosing Party; (iii)
Recipient receives from a third party, provided that such Information was not
obtained by such third party, directly or indirectly, from the Disclosing Party;
and (iv) Recipient independently develops without the benefit of any Information
by the Disclosing Party.
7.4 Disclosure of Information by Recipient that is required in a judicial,
administrative or governmental proceeding shall not constitute a breach of this
License Agreement, provided that, if the Recipient is required by legal process
to so disclose any such Information, Recipient shall timely notify the
Disclosing Party of such requirement so that the Disclosing Party is afforded an
opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 This License Agreement embodies the entire understanding between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating thereto, other than the Collaboration
Agreement and the Letter Agreement to the extent they do not conflict with the
terms of this License Agreement.
8.2 This License Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties
hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of [*****] without regard to
the principles of conflicts of laws of [*****] or any other jurisdiction.
8.3 This License Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
8.4 All amounts referred to in this License Agreement are stated in United
States dollars.
8.5 This License Agreement and any term or provision thereof may at any
time or from time to time be modified, amended or waived, or additional or
substituted terms or provisions incorporated herein, upon the unanimous written
consent of the parties.
8. *Confidential Treatment Requested
8.6 (a) The parties hereby expressly agree that any dispute, controversy
or claim arising out of, or relating to this License Agreement or the
relationship of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
including, but not limited to, any question regarding the existence, validity or
termination of this License Agreement, shall be finally resolved by arbitration
under rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") then in effect.
(b) Any such arbitration shall take place in [*****] and the language
of the arbitration shall be English. The number of arbitrators shall be three.
FFI and DIVERSA shall each appoint one arbitrator, and the two so appointed
shall appoint the third. The arbitrators shall all be fluent in the English
language and be familiar with law of the State of [*****] The arbitrators are
not authorized to decide any dispute, controversy or claim ex aequo et xxxx, but
shall strictly apply the governing law chosen by the parties. Arbitrators shall
have the authority to determine whether the issue submitted to them is
arbitrable.
(c) The arbitral tribunal shall make a written record of the basis of
its award. The arbitral tribunal shall be authorized to award costs and
attorneys' fees to the prevailing party as part of its award. Any award of the
tribunal shall be binding and enforceable against the parties in any court of
competent jurisdiction, and the parties hereby waive any right to appeal such an
award on the merits or to challenge the award except on the grounds expressly
provided for in Article V of the United Nations Convention on the Recognition
and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth above, nothing therein
shall be deemed to prohibit either party from seeking immediate injunctive
relief from any court or other forum to prevent or restrain a breach of any of
the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) Pending resolution of any dispute hereunder, each party shall use
its best efforts to minimize adverse economic consequences to the other party
which would result from non-operation, sub-capacity operation or failure to meet
payment terms under loan agreements.
8.7 Any captions in this License Agreement are for the purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
8.8 Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this License
Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms,
and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and
vice versa.
8.9 Any failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any power
or right hereunder shall not operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or partial exercise of such right or power preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or
otherwise available in law or equity.
8.10 The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall
not, except as set forth herein, without prior written consent of the other
party which shall not unreasonably be withheld, provided that no consent is
required in connection with:
(a) [*****]; or
(b) [*****].
9. *Confidential Treatment Requested
This License Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of Diversa and
IFI and their permitted successors and assigns.
8.11 In the event that performance of obligations hereunder by any party
hereto is legally excusable because of force majeure, the following terms shall
apply :
(a) Any party which believes that its performance is excused by force
majeure shall give written notice to the other as soon as possible with
sufficient detail to permit the other to minimize inconvenience and expense.
(b) The parties shall continue to operate to the maximum extent
possible.
(c) The party not affected shall have the right to terminate this
License Agreement if the event of force majeure results in a material breach of
this Agreement for more than [*****]
(d) Force majeure shall include the following: any event outside of
the control or influence of any party which results in the party's inability to
perform or meet its obligations under this License Agreement. Such events shall
include (but not be limited to) natural disasters, wars, acts of government
(including refusal to grant authorizations required to effectuate performance),
power failures or interruptions, unanticipated breakdown of equipment,
extraordinary market or supply conditions beyond the party's control, legal
restrictions on performance, and work stoppages.
8.12 Except as required to comply with law or regulation, [*****]
8.13 (a) The relationship between the parties shall be that of independent
contractors and not partners, joint venturers or otherwise. No party has the
right to bind the other party or incur obligations or liabilities on the other
party's behalf.
(b) It is the intention of the parties that no partnership be formed
for United States federal income tax purposes. However, if a partnership between
the parties is deemed to exist by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, then
[*****] shall be designated tax matters partner.
In Witness Whereof, the parties have caused their duly authorized
representatives to execute this Agreement on the day and year first above
written.
Finfeed International Limit
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
__________________
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
__________________
Title: Managing Director
_____________________
Diversa Corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
_________________________
Name: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
_________________________
Title: Chief Executive Officer
___________________________
10. *Confidential Treatment Requested
Appendix A
PATENTS
Appln. Filing Patent Grant Expiration
Country Number Date Number Date Date
[*****] [*****] [*****]
[*****] [*****]
[*****]
Appendix A-1.
*Confidential Treatment Requested
