REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit
6
This
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of October 17, 2005 (this “Agreement”),
is
made by and among Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with
headquarters located at 00000 00xx Xxxxxx X.X., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
(the
“Company”),
and
Schering AG, a German corporation (“Schering
AG”),
and
Schering Berlin Venture Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SBVC”,
and
collectively with Schering AG, the “Investor”).
RECITALS:
A. In
connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 17, 2005
between
the Investor and the Company (the “Purchase
Agreement”),
the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase
Agreement, to issue and sell to the Investor 3,900,000 shares of the Company’s
Common Stock (the “Common
Shares”)
and a
warrant to purchase up to 975,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject
to adjustment (the “Warrant”
and
collectively with the Common Shares, the “Securities”).
B. In
order
to induce Investor to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement, the Company
has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act
and
applicable state securities laws with respect to the Securities.
In
consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are
hereby acknowledged, the Company and Investor hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized
terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings
given
them set forth in the Purchase Agreement. In addition, as used in this
Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
1.1 “Closing
Date”
means
the date on which the purchase of the Securities is consummated pursuant
to the
Purchase Agreement.
1.2 “Common
Shares”
means
the shares of Common Stock sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
1.3 “Investor”
means
Investor and any of its transferees or assignees who agree to become bound
by
the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Article IX
hereof.
1.4 “Registrable
Securities”
means
the Common Shares and the Warrant Shares, and any shares of capital stock
issued
or issuable from time to time (with any adjustments) in exchange for or
otherwise with respect to the Common Shares or the Warrant Shares (including
shares issued pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof).
1.5 “Registration
Period”
means
the period between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of (i) the
date on
which (x) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by the Investor
pursuant to the Registration Statement and (y) are freely tradable under
the
Securities Act (except
1
that
this
clause (y) shall not apply with respect to Shares sold to affiliates) and
no
further Registrable Securities may be issued in the future, (ii) the second
anniversary of the last date on which Warrant Shares are purchased for cash
under the Warrant, or (iii) the date on which all the Registrable Securities
may
be immediately sold by the Investor without registration and without restriction
as to the number of Registrable Securities to be sold, pursuant to Rule 144
or
otherwise.
1.6 “Registration
Statement”
means
a
Registration Statement of the Company filed under the Securities
Act.
1.7 The
terms
“register,”
“registered,”
and
“registration”
refer
to a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement
or
statements in compliance with the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 415
and
the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement
by
the SEC.
1.8 “Rule
415”
means
Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any successor Rule providing for offering
securities on a continuous basis, and applicable rules and regulations
thereunder.
1.9 “Securities”
means
the Common Shares and the Warrant sold pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement.
1.10 “Warrant”
means
the warrant to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock sold pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement.
1.11 “Warrant
Shares”
means
the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be purchased upon exercise of
the Warrant.
ARTICLE
II
REGISTRATION
2.1 Demand
Registration.
If at
anytime prior to the expiration of the Registration Period and after the
six
month anniversary of this Agreement, any Registrable Securities shall not
have
been registered by the Company pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, then Investor
shall have the right by delivery of written notice to the Company, to request
that the Company effect a registration on Form S-3 covering the resale of
the
Registrable Securities not previously registered pursuant to Section 2.3;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any
such
registration if (i) Investor proposes to sell less than all of the Registrable
Securities held by Investor at an aggregate price to the public of less than
$5,000,000, (ii) during the period starting with the date thirty (30) days
prior
to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a
date ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated
registration; provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith
all
reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective,
(iii) in the event that the Company has, within the six (6) month period
preceding the date of such request, already effected a registration on Form
S-3
for Investor pursuant to this Section 2.1, or (iv) (A) in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, such registration would
be
seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board of Directors of the Company
concludes, as a result, that it is essential to defer the filing of such
registration statement at such time, and (B) the Company shall furnish to
Investor a certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that
in
the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would
be
seriously detrimental to the Company for such registration statement to be
filed
in the near future and
2
that
it
is, therefore, essential to defer the filing of such registration statement,
then the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of
not
more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of Investor, and,
provided further, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this
manner
more than once in any twelve-month period. The date on which the Company
receives such notice is referred to herein as the “Demand
Date.”
In
the
event that Form S-3 is unavailable and/or inappropriate for such a registration
of all the Registrable Securities, the Company shall use such other form
or
forms as are available and appropriate for such a registration, subject to
the
consent of the Investor, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
2.2 Filing
and Effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
The
Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement
registering all of the Registrable Securities requested by Investor pursuant
to
Section 2.1 for resale within 20 days after the Demand Date and to cause
the
Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as
practicable after filing, and in any event no later than the 90th day after
the
Demand Date (the “Required
Effective Date”).
However, so long as the Company filed the applicable Registration Statement
within 20 days after the Demand Date, (a) if the SEC takes the position that
registration of the resale of the Registrable Securities by Investor is not
available under applicable laws, rules and regulation and that the Company
must
register the offering of the Registrable Securities as a primary offering
by the
Company, or (b) if a Registration Statement receives SEC review, then the
Required Effective Date will be the 120th day after the Demand Date. In the
case
of an SEC response described in clause (a), the Company will, within 40 business
days after the date the Company receives such SEC response, file a Registration
Statement as a primary offering. The Company’s best efforts will include, but
not be limited to, promptly responding to all comments received from the
staff
of the SEC. If the Company receives notification from the SEC that any
Registration Statement will receive no action or review from the SEC, then
the
Company will file with the SEC a request for acceleration in accordance with
Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act and cause such Registration
Statement to become effective within five business days after such SEC
notification. Once a Registration Statement is declared effective by the
SEC,
the Company will cause such Registration Statement to remain effective
throughout the Registration Period, except as permitted under Section 3.
2.3 Piggyback
Registrations.
(a) If,
at
any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period, (i) a
Registration Statement contemplated in Section 2.1 above is not declared
effective with respect to all of the Registrable Securities to which it applies
and the Company decides to register any of its securities for its own account
or
for the account of others, or (ii) even if a Registration Statement
contemplated in Section 2.1 above is declared effective, if the Company decides
to register shares of Common Stock in an underwritten offering for its own
account, then the Company will promptly give Investor written notice thereof
and
will use its best efforts to include in such registration all or any part
of the
Registrable Securities requested by Investor to be included therein (excluding
any Registrable Securities previously included in a Registration Statement
which
has been declared effective and has not been withdrawn, unless the Company
registration is an underwritten offering). This requirement does not apply
to
Company registrations on Form S-4 or S-8 or their equivalents relating to
equity
securities to be issued solely in connection with an acquisition of any entity
or business or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option
or
other employee benefit plans. Investor must give its request for registration
under this paragraph to the Company in writing within 15 days after receipt
from
the Company of notice of such pending registration. If the registration for
which the Company gives notice is a public offering involving an underwriting,
the
3
Company
will so advise Investor as part of the above-described written notice. In
that
event, if the managing underwriter(s) of the public offering impose a limitation
on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be included in the Registration
Statement because, in such underwriter(s)’ judgment, such limitation would be
necessary to effect an orderly public distribution, then the Company will
be
obligated to include only such limited portion, if any, of the Registrable
Securities with respect to which Investor has requested inclusion hereunder.
Any
exclusion of Registrable Securities will be made pro rata among all holders
of
the Company’s securities seeking to include shares of Common Stock in proportion
to the number of shares of Common Stock sought to be included by those holders.
However, the Company will not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the
Company has first excluded all outstanding securities the holders of which
are
not entitled by right to inclusion of such securities in such Registration
Statement or are not entitled pro rata inclusion with the Registrable
Securities. No registration rights that limit or subordinate the rights of
Investor to register the Registrable Securities will be granted by the Company
until one or more registration statements covering all of the Registrable
Securities have become effective.
(b) No
right to
registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.3 limits in any
way
the registration required under Section 2.1 above. The obligations of the
Company under this Section 2.3 expire upon the earlier of (i) the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 above covering
all
of the Registrable Securities, (ii) after the Company has afforded the
opportunity for Investor to exercise registration rights under this Section
2.3
for two registrations (provided, however, that if Investor has had any
Registrable Securities excluded from any Registration Statement in accordance
with this Section 2.3, Investor may include in any additional Registration
Statement filed by the Company the Registrable Securities so excluded), (iii)
when all of the Registrable Securities held by any Investor may be sold by
Investor under Rule 144 without being subject to any volume restrictions,
or
(iv) the second anniversary of the last date on which Warrant Shares are
purchased for cash under any then outstanding portion of the
Warrant.
2.4 Eligibility
to use Form S-3.
The
Company represents and warrants that it meets the requirements for the use
of
Form S-3 for registration of the sale by the Investor of the Registrable
Securities. The Company will file all reports required to be filed by the
Company with the SEC in a timely manner so as to preserve its eligibility
for
the use of Form S-3.
ARTICLE
III
ADDITIONAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY
3.1 Continued
Effectiveness of Registration Statement.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 3.6, the Company will keep the
Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities effective under
Rule
415 at all times during the Registration Period. In the event that the number
of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities issued, the Company
will (if permitted) amend the Registration Statement or file a new Registration
Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both,
so as
to cover all of the Registrable Securities. The Company will file such amendment
or new Registration Statement as soon as practicable, but in no event later
than
20 business days after the necessity therefor arises (based upon the market
price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company
reasonably elects to rely). The Company will use its best efforts to cause
such
amendment or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as is
practicable after the filing thereof, but in no event later than 90 days
after
the date on which the Company reasonably first determines the need
therefor.
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3.2 Accuracy
of Registration Statement.
Any
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) filed by the Company covering Registrable
Securities will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to
state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make
the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not
misleading. The Company will prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement
as may be necessary to permit sales pursuant to the Registration Statement
at
all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, will comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition
of all
Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statement
until the termination of the Registration Period, or if earlier, until such
time
as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance
with
the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set
forth in the Registration Statement.
3.3 Furnishing
Documentation.
The
Company will furnish to Investor, or to its legal counsel, (a) promptly after
such document is filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement
filed pursuant to this Agreement and any amendments thereto, each preliminary
prospectus and final prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto;
and
(b) a number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus,
and
all amendments and supplements thereto, and such other documents as the Investor
may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by the Investor. The Company will promptly notify by facsimile
or email Investor of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and
any
post-effective amendment.
3.4 Additional
Obligations.
The
Company will use its best efforts to (a) register and qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities
or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as Investor reasonably requests, (b)
prepare
and file in those jurisdictions any amendments (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may
be
necessary to maintain their effectiveness during the Registration Period,
(c)
take any other actions necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and
(d)
take any other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company is not required, in connection with such obligations,
to
(i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise
be
required to qualify but for this Section 3.4, (ii) subject itself to general
taxation in any such jurisdiction, (iii) file a general consent to service
of
process in any such jurisdiction, (iv) provide any undertakings that cause
material expense or material burden to the Company, or (v) make any change
in
its charter or bylaws, which in each case the Board of Directors of the Company
determines to be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
3.5 Underwritten
Offerings.
If
Investor selects underwriters reasonably acceptable to the Company for such
offering, the Company will enter into and perform its obligations under an
underwriting agreement in usual and customary form including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with
the
managing underwriter of such offering.
3.6 Suspension
of Registration.
(a) The
Company will notify (by telephone and also by facsimile and reputable overnight
courier) Investor of the happening of any event of which the Company has
knowledge as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement as then in effect includes an
5
untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company will
make
such notification as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than two
business days) after the Company becomes aware of the event, will promptly
(but
in no event more than ten business days) prepare and file a supplement or
amendment to the Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement
or
omission, and will deliver a number of copies of such supplement or amendment
to
each Investor as Investor may reasonably request.
(b) Notwithstanding
the obligations under Section 3.6(a), if in the good faith judgment of the
Company, following consultation with legal counsel, it would be detrimental
to
the Company and its stockholders for resales of Registrable Securities to
be
made pursuant to the Registration Statement due to the existence of a material
development or potential material development involving the Company which
the
Company would be obligated to disclose in the Registration Statement, but
which
disclosure would be premature or otherwise inadvisable at such time or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the Company
and
its stockholders, the Company will have the right to suspend the use of the
Registration Statement for a period of not more than thirty (30) days, provided,
however, that the Company may so defer or suspend the use of the Registration
Statement no more than one time in any twelve-month period.
(c) Subject
to the Company’s rights under this Section 3, the Company will use its best
efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of
effectiveness of a Registration Statement and, if such an order is issued,
will
use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest
possible time and to notify Investor (or, in the event of an underwritten
offering, the managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the
resolution thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Purchase Agreement, if
the
use of the Registration Statement is suspended by the Company, the Company
will
promptly (but in no event more than two business days) give notice of the
suspension to Investor, and will promptly (but in no event more than two
business days) notify Investor as soon as the use of the Registration Statement
may be resumed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein
or in
the Purchase Agreement, the Company will cause the Transfer Agent to deliver
unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of Investor in accordance
with
the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable
Securities with respect to which Investor has entered into a contract for
sale
prior to receipt of notice of such suspension and for which Investor has
not yet
settled, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
3.7 Review
by Investor.
The
Company will permit a single firm of legal counsel, designated by Investor
(“Investor’s
Counsel”),
to
review the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto
(as
well as all requests for acceleration or effectiveness thereof) a reasonable
amount of time (not to exceed three (3) days) prior to their filing with
the
SEC, and will not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably
objects, unless otherwise required by law in the opinion of the Company’s
counsel. The sections of any such Registration Statement including information
with respect to Investor, Investor’s beneficial ownership of securities of the
Company or Investor’s intended method of disposition of Registrable Securities
must conform to the information provided to the Company by Investor or
Investor’s Counsel.
3.8 Comfort
Letter; Legal Opinion.
At the
request of Investor and on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered
to
an underwriter for sale in connection with the Registration
6
Statement,
the Company will furnish to Investor and the underwriters (i) a letter, dated
such date, from the Company’s independent certified public accountants, in form
and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public
accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed
to the
underwriters; and (ii) an opinion, dated such date, from counsel representing
the Company for purposes of the Registration Statement, in form and substance
as
is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the
underwriters and Investor.
3.9 Due
Diligence; Confidentiality.
(a) The
Company will make available for inspection by Investor any underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to the Registration Statement,
and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any Investor or underwriter
(collectively, the “Inspectors”),
all
pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”),
as
each Inspector reasonably deems necessary to enable the Inspector to exercise
its due diligence responsibility. The Company will cause its officers, directors
and employees to supply all information that any Inspector may reasonably
request for purposes of performing such due diligence.
(b) Each
Inspector will hold in confidence, and will not make any disclosure (except
to
an Investor) of, any Records or other information that the Company determines
in
good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors
are so
notified, unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid
or
correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (ii) the
release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a
court or government body of competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information
in
such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement (to the knowledge
of the
relevant Inspector), (iv) the Records or other information was developed
independently by an Inspector without breach of this Agreement, (v) the
information was known to the Inspector before receipt of such information
from
the Company, or (vi) the information was disclosed to the Inspector by a
third
party without restriction. The Company is not required to disclose any
confidential information in the Records to any Inspector unless and until
such
Inspector has entered into a confidentiality agreement (in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company) with the Company with respect thereto,
substantially in the substance of this Section 3.9(b). Each Investor will,
upon
learning that disclosure of Records containing confidential information is
sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or
through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company,
at
the Company’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of,
or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing
herein will be deemed to limit the Investor’s ability to sell Registrable
Securities in a manner that is otherwise consistent with applicable laws
and
regulations.
(c) The
Company will hold in confidence, and will not make any disclosure of,
information concerning Investor provided to the Company under this Agreement
unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal
or
state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary
to
avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement,
(iii)
the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
order
from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, (iv) information
has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure
in
violation of this Agreement or any other agreement, (v) the information was
disclosed to the Company by a third party without restriction or (vi) Investor
consents to the form and content of any such disclosure. If the Company learns
that disclosure of such information concerning Investor is sought in or by
a
court or governmental body
7
of
competent jurisdiction or through other means, the Company will give prompt
notice to Investor prior to making such disclosure and allow Investor, at
its
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to
obtain
a protective order for, such information.
3.10 Listing.
The
Company will (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by each
Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities exchange
on
which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then
listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted
under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities of
the
same class or series are not then listed on a national securities exchange,
secure the designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities
covered by each Registration Statement on Nasdaq.
3.11 Transfer
Agent; Registrar.
The
Company will provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be a single
entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date
of the
Registration Statement.
3.12 Share
Certificates.
The
Company will cooperate with Investor and with the managing underwriter(s),
if
any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not
bearing any restrictive legends) representing Registrable Securities to be
offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and will enable such certificates
to be in such denominations or amounts as the case may be, and registered
in
such names as the Investor or the managing underwriter(s), if any, may
reasonably request, all in accordance with Article V of the Purchase
Agreement.
3.13 Plan
of Distribution.
At the
request of Investor, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the
SEC
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to
the
Registration Statement, and the prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement, as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
3.14 Securities
Laws Compliance.
The
Company will comply with all applicable laws related to any Registration
Statement relating to the offer and sale of Registrable Securities and with
all
applicable rules and regulations of governmental authorities in connection
therewith (including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC).
3.15 Further
Assurances.
The
Company will take all other reasonable actions as any Investor or the
underwriters, if any, may reasonably request to expedite and facilitate
disposition by Investor of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
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ARTICLE
IV
OBLIGATIONS
OF THE INVESTOR
4.1 Investor
Information.
As a
condition to the obligations of the Company to complete any registration
pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of
Investor, Investor will furnish to the Company such information regarding
itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of
disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as is reasonably required
by the Company to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities.
At
least 10 business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a
Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company
will notify Investor of the information the Company requires from that Investor
if the Investor elects to have any of its Registrable Securities included
in the
Registration Statement. Such information, including, without limitation,
the
Investor Questionnaire attached hereto as Annex A, shall be delivered to
the
Company within five business days of such request. If, within three business
days prior to the filing date, the Company has not received the requested
information from an Investor, then the Company shall call the Investor to
notify
Investor orally that the Company may exclude Investor’s Registrable Securities
and the Company may file the Registration Statement without including
Registrable Securities of Investor.
4.2 Further
Assurances.
Investor will cooperate with the Company, as reasonably requested by the
Company, in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless Investor has notified the Company in writing
of
Investor’s election to exclude all of Investor’s Registrable Securities from the
Registration Statement.
4.3 Suspension
of Sales.
Upon
receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the
kind
described in Section 3.6, Investor will immediately discontinue disposition
of
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such
Registrable Securities until it receives copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by Section 3.6. If so directed by the Company, Investor
will deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) or destroy (and
deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction) all copies in the
Investor’s possession (other than a limited number of file copies) of the
prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time
of
receipt of such notice.
ARTICLE
V
EXPENSES
OF REGISTRATION
The
Company will bear all expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, and transfer taxes, if any, incurred in connection with
registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Articles II and III
of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements
of
counsel for the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
firm
of legal counsel selected by the Investor pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof
not to
exceed an aggregate of $10,000.
ARTICLE
VI
INDEMNIFICATION
In
the
event that any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement
under this Agreement:
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6.1 To
the
extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Investor, and agents, employees, attorneys, accountants, underwriters (as
defined in the Securities Act) for Investor and any directors or officers
of
Investor or such underwriter and any person who controls Investor or such
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
(each,
an “Investor
Indemnified Person”)
against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (collectively,
and
together with actions, proceedings or inquiries by any regulatory or
self-regulatory organization, whether commenced or threatened in respect
thereof, “Claims”)
to
which any of them become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
or
otherwise, insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon any of the
following statements, omissions or violations in a Registration Statement
filed
pursuant to this Agreement, any post-effective amendment thereof or any
prospectus included therein: (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereof or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the
statements therein not misleading, (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the prospectus or any preliminary
prospectus (as it may be amended or supplemented) or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein
were made, not misleading, or (c) any violation or alleged violation by the
Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other law, including
without limitation any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder
(the matters in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c) being, collectively,
“Violations”).
Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.4 with respect to the
number
of legal counsel, the Company will reimburse Investor and each such attorney,
accountant, underwriter or controlling person and each such other Investor
Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and
payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them
in
connection with investigating or defending any Claim. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained
in
this Section 6.1 (i) does not apply to a Claim by an Investor Indemnified
Person
arising out of or based upon a Violation that occurs in reliance upon and
in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by Investor
Indemnified Person expressly for use in the Registration Statement or any
such
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus or supplement
thereto was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3.3
hereof;
and (ii) does not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such
settlement is made without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnity obligation will
remain
in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf
of
the Indemnified Persons and will survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investor under Article IX of this Agreement.
6.2 In
connection with any Registration Statement in which Investor is participating,
absent any negligence or intentional misconduct of the Company, Investor
will
indemnify and hold harmless, to the same extent and in the same manner set
forth
in Section 6.1 above, the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers
who signs the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and
any
other stockholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement
or
any of its directors or officers or any person who controls such stockholder
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each a
“Company
Indemnified Person”)
against any Claim to which any of them may become subject under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out of or
is
based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent)
that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by Investor expressly for use in such
Registration Statement. Subject to the restrictions set
10
forth
in
Section 6.4 with respect to the number of legal counsel, Investor will promptly
reimburse each Company Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses
(promptly as such expenses are incurred and due and payable) reasonably incurred
by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. However,
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.2 does not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the
prior
written consent of Investor, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld,
and no Investor will be liable under this Agreement (including this Section
6.2
and Article VII) for the amount of any Claim that exceeds the net proceeds
actually received by Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Registration Statement. This indemnity will remain in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
a
Company Indemnified Party and will survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investor under Article IX of this Agreement.
6.3 If
any
proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any person entitled to indemnity
under Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof (an “Indemnified
Party”),
such
Indemnified Party promptly shall notify the person from whom indemnity is
sought
(the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
and
the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with
defense thereof; provided, however, that the failure of any Indemnified Party
to
give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations
or
liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that
it
shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which
determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure
shall have proximately and materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying
Party.
6.4 An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
such
proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Parties unless: (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses; (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly
to
assume the defense of such proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such proceeding; or (iii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified
Party shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely
to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and
the
Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at
the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have
the
right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the reasonable
expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that in no event shall
the
Indemnifying Party be responsible for the fees and expenses of more than
one
separate counsel). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement
of any such proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent
shall
not be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior
written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such
settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from
all
liability on Claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
6.5 Subject
to the foregoing, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party
(including fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with
investigating or preparing to defend such proceeding in a manner not
inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as
incurred, within ten (10) Business Days of written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party, which notice shall be delivered no more frequently than
on a
monthly basis
11
(regardless
of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled
to indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require
such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses
to
the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party
is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder).
ARTICLE
VII
CONTRIBUTION
To
the
extent that any indemnification provided for herein is prohibited or limited
by
law, the indemnifying party will make the maximum contribution with respect
to
any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Article VI to the
fullest extent permitted by law. However, (a) no contribution will be made
under
circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification
under the fault standards set forth in Article VI (without giving effect
to any
prohibition or limitation or indemnification under applicable law), (b) no
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (c) contribution
(together with any indemnification or other obligations under this Agreement)
by
any seller of Registrable Securities will be limited in amount to the net
amount
of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable
Securities.
ARTICLE
VIII
EXCHANGE
ACT REPORTING
In
order
to make available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 or any similar
rule
or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit Investor to sell securities
of the Company to the public without registration, the Company
will:
(a) File
with
the SEC in a timely manner, and make and keep available, all reports and
other
documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act
so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood
that nothing herein limits the Company’s obligations under Section 4.3 of the
Purchase Agreement) and file and make available of such reports and other
documents as required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144;
and
(b) Furnish
to Investor, so long as Investor holds Registrable Securities, promptly upon
the
Investor’s request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied
with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company
and such other reports and documents filed by the Company with the SEC and
(iii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor
to
sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
ARTICLE
IX
ASSIGNMENT
OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The
rights of Investor hereunder, including the right to have the Company register
Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, may be assigned by Investor
to transferees or assignees of all or any portion of the Registrable Securities,
but only if (a) Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee
to
assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company
within a reasonable time after such assignment, (b) the Company is, within
a
reasonable
12
time
after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of the name
and
address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to
which
such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, (c) after such
transfer or assignment, the further disposition of such securities by the
transferee or assignee is restricted under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws, (d) at or before the time the Company received the
written notice contemplated by clause (b) of this sentence, the transferee
or
assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions
contained herein, (e) such transfer is made in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Purchase Agreement, and (f) the transferee is an “accredited
investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D.
ARTICLE
X
AMENDMENT
OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS
This
Agreement may be amended and the obligations hereunder may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or
prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and Investor.
Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Article X is binding
upon
each Investor and the Company.
ARTICLE
XI
RESTRICTIVE
PROVISIONS
11.1 Lock-Up
Agreement.
(a) Investor
hereby agrees that it will not (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge
or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Registrable Securities
or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Registrable
Securities, (ii) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect,
(iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in
whole
or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Registrable
Securities, whether any such aforementioned transaction is to be settled
by
delivery of the Registrable Securities or such other securities, in cash
or
otherwise, or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer,
sale,
pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge
or
other arrangement (unless, without in any way limiting the restrictions in
clauses (i) through (iii) above, in the reasonable judgment of Investor,
such
disclosure is required under Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act, or by other
legal or regulatory requirement).
(b) The
restrictions set forth in Article XI, Section 11.1(a) shall lapse on the
six (6)
month anniversary of the Closing Date.
11.2 Standstill
Agreement.
For a
period commencing with the date of this Agreement and ending on the earlier
of
(i) the date two (2) years after the date of this Agreement or (ii) the
Termination Date (as defined below) (the “Standstill Period”), Investor shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Company or the Company’s Board of
Directors: (a) acquire, offer to acquire, or agree to acquire, directly or
indirectly, by purchase or otherwise, voting securities or direct or indirect
rights to acquire any voting securities (A) during such time that Investor
beneficially owns (for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) five
percent (5%) or more of the voting power of the Company, or (B) which when
added
to the Shares then owned by Investor and its subsidiaries, would result in
Investor and its subsidiaries beneficially owning (for purposes of Section
13(d)
of the Exchange Act) of more than five percent (5%) of the voting power of
the
Company; (b) make, or in any way participate, directly or indirectly, in
any
“solicitation” of “proxies” to vote (as such terms
13
are
used
in the Exchange Act), or seek to advise or influence any person or entity
with
respect to the voting of any voting securities of the Company; (c) make any
public announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer of
(with
or without conditions) any merger, business combination, recapitalization,
restructuring or other extraordinary transaction involving the Company or
any of
its securities or material assets; (d) form, join or in any way participate
in a
“group” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act in connection with
any of the foregoing; (e) otherwise act or seek to control or influence the
management, Board of Directors or policies of the Company; (f) take any action
that could reasonably be expected to require the Company to make a public
announcement regarding the possibility of any of the events described in
clauses
(a) through (e) above; or (g) publicly request the Company, directly or
indirectly, to amend or waive any provision of this paragraph. For the purposes
of this paragraph, the “Termination Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) the
date on which the Company (A) enters into a definitive agreement with an
unaffiliated third party or parties to merge, consolidate or otherwise combine,
with such third party or parties in a transaction where the holders of the
Company’s outstanding shares immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
would hold, in the aggregate, securities possessing less than fifty percent
(50%) of the total combined voting power of the combined or surviving entity
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or to sell substantially
all of
the Company’s business or assets or securities representing a majority of the
then outstanding voting power of the Company’s securities, or (B) makes a public
announcement that it is negotiating a transaction with an unaffiliated third
party or parties covered by the foregoing clause (A), or (ii) the date a
third
party or group (as defined above) (X) acquires beneficial ownership of voting
securities (including those convertible or exchangeable into such voting
securities) of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of
the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company; or (Y) announces or commences
a tender or exchange offer to acquire voting securities of the Company which,
if
successful, would result in such person or group owning, when combined with
any
other voting securities of the Company owned by such person or group, fifteen
percent (15%) or more of the then outstanding voting securities of the
Company.
11.3 Underwritten
Offerings.
Investor agrees that in the event the Company proposes to file a Registration
Statement for an underwritten public offering of its securities, upon the
request of the underwriters managing such public offering, provided Investor
beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s Common Stock as of
the date of such request, Investor will execute a customary lock-up agreement,
whereby Investor shall agree not to sell or otherwise dispose the Registrable
Shares without the prior written consent of the underwriters for a period
not to
exceed ninety (90) days from the effective date of the Registration
Statement.
ARTICLE
XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Conflicting
Instructions.
A
person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever
such person or entity owns of record such Registrable Securities. If the
Company
receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more
persons
or entities with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company
will
act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the
registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
12.2 Notices.
Any
notices required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement
will
be given as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
14
12.3 Waiver.
Failure
of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise,
or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, does not operate
as a
waiver thereof.
12.4 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws
of the
State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The
parties hereto hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United
States
federal and state courts located in the State of New York with respect to
any
dispute arising under this Agreement, the agreements entered into in connection
herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. EACH PARTY HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST,
A
JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH OR WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
12.5 Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable
statute or rule of law, then such provision will be deemed modified in order
to
conform with such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof that may prove
invalid or unenforceable under any law will not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision hereof.
12.6 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the Purchase Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits
thereto) constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
or
therein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
12.7 Successors
and Assigns.
Subject
to the requirements of Article IX hereof, this Agreement inures to the benefit
of and is binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including, without limitation,
Article IX, the rights of an Investor hereunder are assignable to and
exercisable by a bona fide pledgee of the Registrable Securities in connection
with an Investor’s margin or brokerage accounts.
12.8 Headings.
The
headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not
part
of this Agreement and do not affect its interpretation.
12.9 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which is deemed
an original but all of which constitute one and the same agreement. This
Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party
hereto
by facsimile transmission, and facsimile signatures are binding on the parties
hereto.
12.10 Further
Assurances.
Each
party will do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further
acts and things, and will execute and deliver all other agreements,
certificates, instruments and documents, as another party may reasonably
request
in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
15
12.11 Consents.
Unless
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all consents and other determinations
to
be made by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement will be made by the Investor
holding a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities.
12.12 No
Strict Construction.
The
language used in this Agreement is deemed to be the language chosen by the
parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction
will
be applied against any party.
16
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and the Company have caused this
Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above
written.
COMPANY:
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
By:
/s/
Name: Xxxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx
Title:
President and
CEO
INVESTOR:
SCHERING
AG
By:
/s/
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________
SCHERING
BERLIN VENTURE
CORPORATION
By:
/s/
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
17
ANNEX
A
Sonus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire
The
undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, $.001 par value per share (the
“Common
Stock”),
of
Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”),
(the
“Registrable
Securities”)
understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
a
registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration
Statement”)
for
the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as
amended (the “Securities
Act”),
of
the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2005 (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”),
among
the Company and the Investor named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth
below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain
legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in
the
Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and
beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their
own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus.
NOTICE
The
undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling
Securityholder”)
of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities
owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item
3)
in the Registration Statement.
18
The
undersigned hereby provides the following
information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information
is
accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1.
|
Name.
|
|
(a)
|
Full
Legal Name of Sellilng Securityholder
____________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
(b)
|
Full
Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above)
through
which
Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are held:
____________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
(c)
|
Full
Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person
who
directly
or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose
of the
securities
covered by the questionnaire):
____________________________________________________________________________________
|
2. Address
for
Notices to Selling Securityholder:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Fax:___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contact
Person:__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Beneficial
Ownership of Registrable Securities:
(a)
|
Type
and Amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|
19
4. Broker-Dealer
Status:
(a)
|
Are
you a broker-dealer?
Yes o No
o
|
Note:
|
If
Yes, the Commission's staff has indicated
that you should be identified as an
underwriter
in the Registration
Statement
|
(b)
|
Are
you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
Yes
o No
o
|
(c)
|
If
you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that
you bought
the
Registrable
Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time
of the
purchase
of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements
or
understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable
Securities?
Yes
o No
o
|
Note:
|
If
no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as
an
underwriter
in the Registration
Statement.
|
5. Beneficial
Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling
Securityholder.
Except
as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the beneficial
or
registered owner of any securities
of
the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item
3.
(a)
|
Type
and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the
Selling
Securityholder:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|
20
6. Relationships
with the Company:
Except
as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers,
directors or principal equity holders
(owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held
any
position or office or has had any
other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates)
during the past three years.
State
any exceptions
here:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The
undersigned
agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the
information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof
at any
time while the Registration Statement remains effective.
By
signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information
contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the inclusion of
such
information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. The
undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the
Company
in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement
and the related prospectus.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this
Notice
and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its
duly
authorized agent.
Dated:_____________________ Beneficial
Owner:_________________________
By:____________________________________
Name:
Title: