EX-10.15 16 dex1015.htm TAX CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT GUARANTY
Exhibit 10.15
GUARANTY
THIS GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”) is made as of the 25th day of April, 2006 by and among XXXXXXX X. X’XXXXXXX, XX. (“X’Xxxxxxx”), XXXXXXXX X. X’XXXXXXX, TRUSTEE OF THE XXXXXXX X. X’XXXXXXX, XX. IRREVOCABLE TRUST (the “X’Xxxxxxx Trust”), XXXXXX X. XXXX (“Xxxx”), XXXXXX XXXXX (“Xxxxx”), XXXXXX X. XXXXXX (“Xxxxxx”), XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX (“Xxxxxxxxx”) and XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX, TRUSTEE OF THE XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX REVOCABLE TRUST (the “Xxxxxxxxx Trust”) ( X’Xxxxxxx, the X’Xxxxxxx Trust, Ryll, Osman, Stogel, Furgerson and the Xxxxxxxxx Trust, whether one or more, hereinafter called “Individual Guarantor” in the singular), BIOVEST INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Biovest”), ACCENTIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (“Accentia”) (Biovest and the Individual Guarantors, whether one or more, hereinafter called “Guarantor” in the singular) to and for the benefit of U.S. BANCORP COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“USB”), and with respect to the guaranty set forth in Section 2B hereof, TELESIS CDE TWO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “CDE”), and its managing member, TELESIS CDE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Telesis”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the CDE has received a sub-allocation of New Markets Tax Credits (the “Tax Credits”) under Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules an regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Code”).
WHEREAS, Biovax Investment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Fund”) has contributed equity to the CDE (the “QEI Contribution”), which equity is expected to constitute a “qualified equity investment” (“QEI”) under the New Markets Tax Credit program authorized by Section 45D of the Code (the “NMTC Program”).
WHEREAS, the QEI Contribution is being funded in part with the proceeds of equity contributed to the Fund by USB. The proceeds of the QEI Contribution will be used by the CDE to fund a loan to Biovax, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Borrower”), in the original principal amount of $11,500,000 (the “CDE Loan”), which is expected to constitute a “qualified low-income community investment” under the NMTC Program.
WHEREAS, the Tax Credits claimable by USB in connection with the QEI Contribution have allowed USB to provide the QEI Contribution to the CDE on more favorable terms, which in turn has allowed the CDE to provide the CDE Loan to Borrower on more favorable terms and, as a result, Borrower believes that it shall substantially benefit, directly or indirectly, from the making of the QEI Contribution.
WHEREAS, the Borrower is primarily engaged in the business of manufacturing an anti-cancer vaccine currently in clinical trial within a United States population census tract number which constitutes a Low-Income Community under the NMTC Program, and the proceeds of the CDE Loan will be used to finance certain activities of Borrower associated with the foregoing activities.
WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing and concurrently herewith, USB and Borrower have entered into that certain Tax Credit Reimbursement and Indemnity Agreement (the “Indemnity”).
WHEREAS, each Guarantor is an owner (directly or indirectly) of Borrower, USB’s acquisition of a membership interest in the Fund is of material benefit to each Guarantor, and without this Guaranty, USB would not acquire a membership interest in, or make its contribution to, the Fund.
WHEREAS, to induce USB to acquire a membership interest in, and make its equity contribution to, the Fund, each Guarantor has agreed to enter into this Guaranty.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, each hereby covenants and agrees to and for the benefit of USB as follows:
1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, as used herein, the terms “several”, “severally”, “joint and several” or “jointly and severally” as they relate to the Guaranteed Obligations hereunder mean:
(A) The obligation of X’Xxxxxxx and the X’Xxxxxxx Trust, collectively, as to any liability covered hereby shall be several and not joint and several with the liability of X’Xxxxxxx and the X’Xxxxxxx Trust, collectively, not to exceed 33.36% of any such liability for a maximum aggregate liability of $2,000,000, and as limited hereby may be enforced at the option of USB against each Guarantor severally;
(B) The obligation of Xxxx as to any liability covered hereby shall be several and not joint and several with the liability of Xxxx not to exceed 33.36% of any such liability for a maximum aggregate liability of $2,000,000, and as limited hereby may be enforced at the option of USB against each Guarantor severally;
(C) The obligation of Xxxxx as to any liability covered hereby shall be several and not joint and several with the liability of Xxxxx not to exceed 16.68% of any such liability for a maximum aggregate liability of $1,000,000, and as limited hereby may be enforced at the option of USB against each Guarantor severally;
(D) The obligation of Stogel as to any liability covered hereby shall be several and not joint and several with the liability of Stogel not to exceed 8.34% of any such liability for a maximum aggregate liability of $500,000, and as limited hereby may be enforced at the option of USB against each Guarantor severally;
(E) The obligation of Xxxxxxxxx and the Xxxxxxxxx Trust, collectively, as to any liability covered hereby shall be several and not joint and several with the liability of Xxxxxxxxx and the Xxxxxxxxx Trust, collectively. not to exceed 8.34% of any such liability for a maximum aggregate liability of $500,000, and as limited hereby may be enforced at the option of USB against each Guarantor severally;
(F) Biovest shall be jointly and severally liable for all of the Guaranteed Obligations hereunder.
2. A. Each Individual Guarantor severally (as more particularly defined and limited in maximum and percentage liability in Section 1 hereof) and Biovest jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably guarantees the full and prompt payment of any and all amounts which may become payable by Borrower under the Indemnity (the “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided, however, that for purpose of determining the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed by the Individual Guarantors, and for such purpose only, the Minimum Return Shortfall shall be determined: (i) as if the internal rate of return anticipated by the Investor, as reflected in the Financial Forecast, was an internal rate of return calculated without inclusion of any deductions of the Fund attributable to interest accruals in excess of payments, and (ii) without reference to any actual deductions taken by the Fund attributable to interest accruals in excess of payments. The terms “Minimum Return Shortfall”, “Investor” and
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“Financial Forecast” shall all have the meaning set forth in the Indemnity. Each Individual Guarantor severally (as more particularly defined and limited in maximum liability in Section 1 hereof) and absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably hereby also agrees to pay all reasonable costs, expenses, damages and attorneys’ fees paid or incurred by USB, the CDE and Telesis in endeavoring to collect the Guaranteed Obligations or in enforcing this Guaranty against such Individual Guarantor; provided, however, in no event shall any Individual Guarantor be required to pay any amounts required pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this sentence in excess of such Individual Guarantor’s maximum aggregate liability listed in Section 1 hereof. Biovest jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably hereby also agrees to pay all reasonable costs, expenses, damages and attorneys’ fees paid or incurred by USB, the CDE and Telesis in endeavoring to collect the Guaranteed Obligations or in enforcing this Guaranty.
B. Biovest absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably guarantees the full and prompt payment of any and all obligations of Borrower on the CDE Loan, and Accentia absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably guarantees the payment by Borrower each year of $60,000 on the CDE Loan, together with any Expenses (as such term is defined in the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the CDE ), as may be payable by Borrower to the CDE or the Fund pursuant to such Operating Agreement, and Biovest and Accentia each agree to pay all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees paid or incurred by USB and the CDE in enforcing this Guaranty. Such guarantees by Biovest and Accentia with respect to the Borrower’s payments on the CDE Loan shall be treated as and included in the term “Guaranteed Obligations”.
3. This Guaranty is an absolute, unconditional, and continuing guaranty of payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations and shall continue to be in force and be binding upon each Guarantor until all of the Guaranteed Obligations are irrevocably and indefeasibly satisfied or paid in full. This Guaranty is an agreement of payment and performance and not merely of collection.
4. Each Guarantor waives any and all defenses, claims, setoffs, and discharges of Borrower, or any other obligor, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations, except the defense of discharge by payment in full. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor will not assert, plead, or enforce against USB, the CDE or Telesis any defense available to Borrower of waiver, release, discharge, or disallowance in bankruptcy, statute of limitations, res judicata, statute of frauds, anti-deficiency statute, fraud, incapacity, minority, usury, illegality or unenforceability which may be available to Borrower or any other person liable in respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The liability of each Guarantor shall not be affected or impaired by any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshalling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar event or proceeding affecting Borrower or any Guarantor or any of their respective assets. Each Guarantor also waives promptness, diligence, and notice with respect to any Guaranteed Obligation, any change of the time, manner, or place of payment or other term of the Guaranteed Obligation, any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral securing payment of any Guaranteed Obligation, and any requirement that USB, the CDE or Telesis, as applicable, exhaust any right or take any action against the Borrower or any collateral security.
5. Each Guarantor waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor or nonpayment, and protest of any instrument evidencing the Guaranteed Obligations.
6. If any payment applied by Borrower to the Guaranteed Obligations is thereafter set aside, recovered, rescinded, or required to be returned for any reason (including, without limitation, the bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of any Guarantor or any other obligor), the Guaranteed Obligations to which such payment was applied shall for the purpose of this Guaranty be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and this Guaranty shall be enforceable as to such Guaranteed Obligations as fully as if such application had never been made.
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7. This Guaranty shall be effective upon delivery to USB, the CDE and Telesis, without further act, condition, or acceptance by USB or the CDE, shall be binding upon each Guarantor and the successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of USB, the CDE, Telesis, and their participants and their successors, and to the benefit of any assignees of the Guaranty and their successors.
8. Each Guarantor represents and warrants as follows:
(a) to the extent Guarantor is an entity, Guarantor is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state in which it is organized;
(b) it has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Guaranty;
(c) its execution, delivery, and performance of this Guaranty have been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part;
(d) it has executed and delivered this Guaranty and this Guaranty is the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Guarantor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(e) neither the execution nor delivery of this Guaranty nor compliance with or fulfillment of the terms, conditions, and provisions hereof, conflicts with, results in a material breach or violation of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitutes a material default, an event of default, or an event creating rights of acceleration, termination, or cancellation, or a loss of rights under (i) the organizational documents of Guarantor, (ii) any judgment, decree, order, contract, agreement, indenture, instrument, note, mortgage, lease, governmental permit, or other authorization, right, restriction, or obligation to which Guarantor is party or any of its property is subject or by which Guarantor is bound, or (iii) any federal, state, or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation applicable to Guarantor;
(f) no consent, authorization, approval, order, license, certificate, or permit or act of or from, or declaration of filing with, any governmental authority or any party to any contract, agreement, instrument, lease, or license to which Guarantor is a party or by which Guarantor is bound, is required for the execution, delivery, performance, or compliance with the terms hereof by Guarantor, except as have been obtained as required prior to the date hereof;
(g) there is no pending, or to the best of its knowledge, threatened, litigation against Guarantor in any court or before any commission or regulatory body, whether federal, state, or local, which challenges the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty;
(h) it is not insolvent within the meaning of applicable state laws and federal laws relating generally to bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization or relief of debtors; and
(i) The financial statements for Guarantor which have been presented to USB, the CDE and Telesis in connection with the transactions contemplated herein are true and correct and fairly present the financial condition of Guarantor for the period covered thereby; there have been no materially adverse changes in Guarantor’s financial condition since the date(s) thereof; and Guarantor has not entered into any commitments or contracts which are not reflected therein which may have a materially adverse effect upon Guarantor’s financial condition, business or operations.
9. All notices, approvals, requests, and demands to be made hereunder to any party hereto shall be made in writing and addressed to the address set forth below and shall be given by either of the following means:
(a) personal delivery or by prepaid courier, or express delivery service (including, but not limited to, Federal Express, Express Mail, or United Parcel Service); or
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(b) registered United States mail, return receipt requested, and postage prepaid.
A party’s address may be changed by notice to the other parties given in the same manner as provided above. Any notice, demand, or request sent pursuant to clause (a) shall be deemed received upon such delivery and, if sent pursuant to clause (b), shall be deemed received five (5) days following deposit in the mail.
| Biovest: | Biovest International, Inc. | |
| 000 X. Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
| Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Accentia: | Accentia Biopharmaceuticals | |
| 000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxx, XX 000000 | ||
| X’Xxxxxxx: | Xxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx, Xx., M.D. | |
| 000 Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
| Xxxx xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| X’Xxxxxxx Trust: | The Xxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx, Xx. Irrevocable Trust | |
| c/o Xxxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx, Trustee | ||
| 0000 X. Xxxxxxx | ||
| Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Xxxx: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | |
| 0000 Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Xxxxx: | Xxxxxx Xxxxx | |
| 0000 X. Xxxxxx Xx. | ||
| Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Stogel: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
| 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 0000 | ||
| Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxxx: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
| 00000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xx. Xxx 000 | ||
| Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxxx Trust: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Revocable Trust | |
| 00000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xx. Xxx 000 | ||
| Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
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| USB: | US Bancorp Community Development Corporation | |
| Attention: Xxxxxx Van’t Hof | ||
| 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xx. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
| Telephone: (000) 000-0000 | ||
| With a copy to: | Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP | |
| 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq. | ||
| Telephone: (000) 000-0000 | ||
| Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
| CDE: | Telesis CDE Two, LLC | |
| 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000 | ||
| Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
| Phone: 000-000-0000 | ||
| Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
| With copy to: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP | |
| 000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, XX | ||
| 0xx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Attention: Xxxxxx X. Breed | ||
| Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
| Telesis: | Telesis CDE Corporation | |
| 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000 | ||
| Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
| Phone: 000-000-0000 | ||
| Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
| With copy to: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP | |
| 000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, XX | ||
| 0xx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Attention: Xxxxxx X. Breed | ||
| Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
10. No transfer or assignment by any of USB, the CDE, Telesis or any Guarantor of any of its rights hereunder (whether by operation of laws or otherwise) shall relieve the transferor or assignor of any of its obligations hereunder.
11. In all respects, including, without limitation, matter of construction and performance of this Guaranty and the obligations arising hereunder, this Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts and obligations made in such state and any applicable laws of the United States of America.
12. If any term or provisions of this Guaranty or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Guaranty, or the
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application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Guaranty shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
13. The waiver of any provision of this Guaranty by USB, the CDE or Telesis, as applicable, shall constitute a waiver of this provision on that occasion only, and shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Guaranty, or that provision with respect to any other occasion. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty by USB, the CDE or Telesis, as applicable, shall be deemed effective unless contained in a writing signed by it.
14. Where two or more persons or entities have executed this Guaranty, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references herein to “Guarantor” shall mean the guarantors hereunder or either or any of them. All of the obligations and liability of said guarantors hereunder shall be several or joint and several (as further described in Section 1 of this Guaranty). Suit may be brought against said Guarantors, severally or jointly and severally (as further described in Section 1 of this Guaranty), or against any one or more of them, less than all, without impairing the rights of USB, the CDE and Telesis against the other or others of said Guarantors; and USB, the CDE or Telesis, as applicable, may compound with any one or more of said Guarantors for such sums or sum as it may see fit and/or release such of said Guarantors from all further liability to USB, the CDE and/or Telesis, as applicable, for such indebtedness without impairing the right of USB, the CDE or Telesis, as applicable, to demand and collect the balance of such indebtedness from the other or others of said Guarantors not so compounded with or released; but it is agreed among said Guarantors themselves, however, that such compounding and release shall not impair the rights of said Guarantors as among themselves.
15. Except as otherwise provided herein, the rights of USB, the CDE and Telesis are cumulative and shall not be exhausted by its exercise of any of its rights hereunder or otherwise against Guarantor or by any number of successive actions until and unless all Indebtedness has been paid and each of the obligations of Guarantor hereunder has been performed.
16. This Guaranty may only be modified, waived, altered or amended by a written instrument or instruments executed by the party against which enforcement of said action is asserted. Any alleged modification, waiver, alteration or amendment which is not so documented shall not be effective as to any party.
17. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All such counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one instrument, but in making proof hereof it shall only be necessary to produce one such counterpart.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered by each Guarantor as of the date first above written.
| BIOVEST INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||
| By: |
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| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| ACCENTIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC | ||
| By: |
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| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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| Xxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx, Xx. | ||
| XXXXXXX X. X’XXXXXXX, XX. | ||
| IRREVOCABLE TRUST | ||
| By: |
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| Xxxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx | ||
| Trustee | ||
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| Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||
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| Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
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| Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||
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| Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
| XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX REVOCABLE | ||
| TRUST | ||
| By: |
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| Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
| Trustee |
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