REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.3
EXECUTION VERSION
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 2, 2018, is by and among Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (the “Company”), and Vivo Capital, LLC and Prime Success, L.P. (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”). The Investors and any other Person who may become a party hereto pursuant to Section 11(c) are referred to individually as a “Shareholder” and collectively as the “Shareholders.”
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investors are parties to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Securities Purchase Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Investors desire to have, and the Company desires to grant, certain registration and other rights under the Securities Act with respect to the Registrable Securities on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings, and capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Securities Purchase Agreement:
“Adverse Disclosure” means public disclosure of material non-public information that the Company has determined in good faith (after consultation with legal counsel): (a) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus filed with the SEC by the Company so that such Registration Statement or Prospectus would not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (b) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement or Prospectus; and (c) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not disclosing publicly.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, (a) “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise and (b) the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. For purposes of this Agreement (but not for purposes of the definition of “Registrable Securities”), none of the Shareholders or their respective Affiliates shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 (or any successor provision) of the Securities Act.
“Common Shares” means the common shares, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such common shares are reclassified or reconstituted.
“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Company Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(e).
“Demand Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).
“Investor” and “Investors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 422 under the Securities Act, relating to an offer of the Registrable Securities.
“Long-Form Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Marketed Offering” shall mean a registered Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities (including any registered underwritten Shelf Offering) that is consummated, withdrawn or abandoned by the applicable Shareholders following formal participation by the Company’s management in a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other similar marketing effort by the Company.
“Offering Persons” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(r).
“Person” shall means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust, unincorporated organization, other entity or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act).
“Piggyback Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Piggyback Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
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“Proceeding” shall mean an action, claim, suit, charge, mediation, arbitration, audit or proceeding (including an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus” shall mean (i) the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus and (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.
“Public Offering” shall mean the sale of Common Shares to the public for cash pursuant to an effective Registration Statement (other than pursuant to Form S-4, Form F-4 or Form S-8 or any successor form) filed under the Securities Act or any comparable law or regulatory scheme of any foreign jurisdiction.
“Registrable Securities” shall mean, as of any date of determination, any Common Shares that the Shareholders have acquired and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to any such shares by way of share split, share subdivision, bonus issue, share dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation, exchange, replacement or similar event or otherwise acquired from time to time. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such securities have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a restrictive legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities by the Shareholders shall not require registration under the Securities Act; and (c) such securities shall cease to be issued and outstanding. In addition, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities with respect to any holder when such holder is able to dispose of all of its, his or her Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 without any notice requirements, volume limitations or manner of sale limitations thereunder, as reasonably determined by the holder; provided that at such time such Registrable Securities are not required to, and do not, bear any legend restricting the transfer thereof.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Restricted Period” shall have the meaning set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.
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“Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
“SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency having jurisdiction under the Securities Act.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Securities Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Shareholders” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Shareholders Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(h).
“Shelf Offering” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
“Short-Form Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity (x) of which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or (y) of which a majority of the voting securities or other voting interests, or a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or Persons performing similar functions with respect to such Person, is directly or indirectly owned by such Person and/or one or more subsidiaries thereof.
“Take-Down Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
“Transfer” shall mean, with respect to any Registrable Security, any interest therein, or any other securities or equity interests relating thereto, a direct or indirect transfer, sale, exchange, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance or other disposition thereof, including the grant of an option or other right, whether directly or indirectly, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, pursuant to judicial process or otherwise.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.
“Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 (or any successor provision) of the Securities Act.
Section 2. Holders of Registrable Securities. A Person is deemed, and shall only be deemed, to be a holder of Registrable Securities if such Person owns Registrable Securities or has a right to acquire such Registrable Securities and such Person is a Shareholder.
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Section 3. Shelf Registration; Demand Registrations.
(a) Filing and Effectiveness of Shelf Registration Statement. Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement and unless otherwise mutually agreed between the Company and the Shareholders holding a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) prepare, file and cause to be declared effective by the SEC (if such Registration Statement is not an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), (x) within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Restricted Period, a Registration Statement in the form of a Short-Form Registration (if the Company is then eligible for the same), or (y) within sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Restricted Period, a Registration Statement in the form of a Long-Form Registration (if the Company is not then eligible for a Short-Form Registration), as applicable, covering the sale or distribution from time to time by the Shareholders pursuant to a plan of distribution acceptable to Shareholders holding a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, of all of the Registrable Securities; and (ii) cause such Registration Statement (including by filing a new, replacement Registration Statement as required under the Securities Act) to remain effective under the Securities Act continuously until no Registrable Securities are outstanding.
(b) Requests for Registration.
(i) Subject to the following paragraphs of this Section 3(b), following the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Shareholders holding a majority of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities shall have the right, by delivering or causing to be delivered a written notice to the Company, to require the Company to register pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the offer, sale and distribution of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be so registered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement on Form S-3 or Form F-3 (which, unless all Shareholders delivering such notice request otherwise, shall be (A) filed pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act and (B) if the Company is a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer at the time of filing such Registration Statement with the SEC, designated by the Company as an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), if the Company is then eligible for such short-form, or any similar or successor short-form registration (“Short-Form Registrations”) or, if the Company is not then eligible for such short form registration, on Form S-1, Form F-1 or any similar or successor long-form registration (“Long-Form Registrations”) (any such written notice, a “Demand Notice” and any such registration, a “Demand Registration”), as soon as reasonably practicable after delivery of such Demand Notice, but, in any event, the Company shall be required to make the initial filing of the Registration Statement within thirty (30) days following receipt of such Demand Notice in the case of a Short-Form Registration or within sixty (60) days following receipt of such Demand Notice in the case of a Long-Form Registration; provided, however, that unless a Shareholder requests to have registered all of its Registrable Securities, a Demand Notice for a Marketed Offering may only be made if the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by such Shareholders is reasonably expected to result in aggregate gross cash proceeds in excess of $25,000,000 (without regard to any underwriting discount or commission). Following receipt of a Demand Notice for a Demand Registration in accordance with this Section 3(b), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof (if such Registration Statement is not an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement).
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(ii) No Demand Registration shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Section 3(b) or 4(c), and any Demand Notice delivered in connection therewith shall not count as a Demand Notice for purposes of Section 3(f) or 4(c), if (A) the Registration Statement relating thereto (and covering not less than all Registrable Securities specified in the applicable Demand Notice for sale in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution specified in such Demand Notice) (1) does not become effective, or (2) is not maintained effective for the period required pursuant to this Section 3; (B) the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement is subject to a stop order, injunction, or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period; or (C) the conditions to closing specified in any underwriting agreement, purchase agreement, or similar agreement entered into in connection with the registration relating to such request are not satisfied other than as a result of the Shareholders’ actions.
(iii) All requests made pursuant to this Section 3(b) must: (A) state that it is a notice to initiate a Demand Registration under this Agreement; (B) identify the Shareholders effecting the request; and (C) specify the number of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended method(s) of disposition thereof.
(iv) Except as otherwise agreed by all Shareholders with Registrable Securities subject to a Demand Registration, the Company shall maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Registration Statement with respect to any Demand Registration until such securities cease to be Registrable Securities or such shorter period upon which all Shareholders with Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement have notified the Company that such Registrable Securities have actually been sold, or, if such Demand Registration is for an Underwritten Offering, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriter or underwriters a Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer.
(v) Within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Company of a Demand Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), the Company shall deliver a written notice of any such Demand Notice to all other holders of Registrable Securities, and the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3(c), include in such Demand Registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five (5) days after the date that such notice has been delivered; provided that the Shareholders must agree to the plan of distribution proposed by the Shareholders who delivered the Demand Notice and, in connection with any Underwritten Registration, such holders (together with the Company) must enter into an underwriting agreement in the form reasonably approved by the Company and the Shareholders holding the majority of the Registrable Securities subject to such Underwritten Registration. All requests made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall specify the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities to be registered. For the avoidance of doubt, an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration may be made pursuant to an effective shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.
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(c) Priority on Demand Registration. If any of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to a Demand Registration are to be sold in an Underwritten Offering, and the managing underwriter(s) advise the holders of such securities in writing that in its good faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering (including, without limitation, securities proposed to be included by other Shareholders of securities entitled to include securities in such Registration Statement pursuant to piggyback registration rights pursuant to this Agreement) is such as to adversely affect the price, timing or distribution of such Underwritten Offering, then there shall be included in such Underwritten Offering the number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities that in the opinion of such managing underwriter(s) can be sold without adversely affecting such Underwritten Offering, and such number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated pro-rata among the Shareholders of Registrable Securities that have requested to participate in such Demand Registration on the basis of the percentage of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by such holders.
No Registrable Securities excluded from the underwriting by reason of the managing underwriter’s marketing limitations shall be included in such offering.
(d) Postponement of Registration.
(i) The Company shall be entitled to postpone the filing (but not the preparation) or the initial effectiveness of, or suspend the use of, a Registration Statement up to two times in any twelve (12) month period, in each case for a reasonable period of time that does not exceed, in the aggregate together with all other such postponements or suspensions, ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period, if the Company delivers to the Shareholders requesting registration or Shareholders named in a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3(a) a certificate signed by an executive officer certifying that such registration and offering would (A) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or (B) materially interfere with any bona fide material financing, acquisition, disposition or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries then under consideration. Such certificate shall contain a statement of the reasons for such postponement and an approximation of the anticipated delay. The Shareholders receiving such certificate shall keep the information contained in such certificate confidential subject to the same terms set forth in Section 6(r).
(ii) If the Company shall so postpone the filing of a Registration Statement pursuant to a Demand Notice, the Shareholders requesting such registration shall have the right to withdraw a request for registration pursuant to Section 3(b) by giving written notice to the Company within ten (10) days of the anticipated termination date of the postponement period, as provided in the certificate delivered to the applicable Shareholders and, for the avoidance of doubt, upon such withdrawal, the withdrawn request shall not constitute a Demand Notice; provided that in the event such Shareholders do not so withdraw the request for registration, the Company shall continue to prepare a Registration Statement during such postponement such that, if it exercises its rights under this Section 3(d), it shall be in a position to and shall, as promptly as practicable following the expiration of the applicable deferral or suspension period, file or update and use its reasonable efforts to cause the effectiveness and the use of the applicable deferred or suspended Registration Statement.
(iii) In the event the Company exercises its rights to postpone the initial effectiveness of, or suspend the use of, a Registration Statement, the Shareholders agree to suspend, promptly upon their receipt of the certificate referred to above, use of the Prospectus relating to the Demand Registration or Prospectus contained within the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3(a) in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities.
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(e) Cancellation of a Demand Registration. Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities that are to be registered in a particular offering pursuant to this Section 3 shall have the right to notify the Company that they have determined that the applicable Registration Statement be abandoned or withdrawn by giving written notice of such abandonment or withdrawal at any time prior to the effective time of such Registration Statement, in which event the Company shall abandon or withdraw such Registration Statement; provided that any Demand Notice underlying such abandonment or withdrawal shall not be deemed to be a Demand Notice for purposes of Section 3(f) if such Demand Notice is abandoned or withdrawn in response to a material adverse change regarding the Company or a material adverse change in the financial markets generally. If all Shareholders withdraw their Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration, the Company shall cease all efforts to secure registration.
(f) Number of Demand Notices. In connection with the provisions of this Section 3, the Shareholders collectively shall have the right to deliver (i) five (5) Demand Notices in connection with Marketed Offerings; provided that in connection therewith, the Company shall cause its officers to use their reasonable best efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement (including participation in “road shows”), and (ii) three (3) additional Demand Notices in connection with Underwritten Offerings (other than in connection with a Marketed Offering); provided that (A) in connection with any Demand Notice pursuant to clause (ii), the Company shall not be obligated to cause its officers to participate in any “road shows,” and (B) the Shareholders may not make more than four (4) Demand Registration requests in any 365-day period.
Section 4. Piggyback Registration; Shelf Take Down.
(a) Right to Piggyback. Except with respect to a Demand Registration, the procedures for which are addressed in Section 3, if the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of Common Shares, whether or not for sale for its own account and whether or not an Underwritten Offering or an Underwritten Registration (other than a registration statement (i) on Form S-4, Form X-0, Xxxx X-0 or any successor forms thereto or (ii) filed to effectuate an offering and sale to employees or directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement), then the Company shall give prompt written notice of such filing no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing date, or, fifteen (15) Business Days in the case of a Public Offering under a shelf registration statement, the anticipated pricing or trade date (the “Piggyback Notice”), to all of the holders of Registrable Securities. The Piggyback Notice shall offer such holders the opportunity to include (or cause to be included) in such Registration Statement, or to sell in such Public Offering, the number of Registrable Securities as each such holder may request (each, a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 4(b), the Company shall include in each such Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein (each a “Piggyback Request”) within ten (10) Business Days after notice has been given to the applicable holder. The Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for a Piggyback Registration beyond the earlier to occur of (x) one-hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date thereof and (y) consummation of the distribution by the holders of the Registrable Securities (other than those making Piggyback Requests) included in such Registration Statement.
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(b) Priority on Piggyback Registrations. If any of the Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to a Piggyback Registration are to be sold in an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter(s) of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit holders of Registrable Securities who have timely submitted a Piggyback Request in connection with such offering to include in such offering all Registrable Securities included in each holder’s Piggyback Request on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as any other shares, if any, of the Company included in the offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter(s) of such Underwritten Offering advise the Company in writing that it is their good faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of securities that such holders, the Company and any other Persons having rights to participate in such registration intend to include in such Underwritten Offering is such as to adversely affect the price, timing or distribution of the securities in such Underwritten Offering, then there shall be included in such Underwritten Offering the number or dollar amount of securities that in the opinion of such managing underwriter(s) can be sold without so adversely affecting such Underwritten Offering, and such number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, all securities proposed to be sold by the Company for its own account; (ii) second, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by the Shareholders pursuant to Section 4, pro rata among such holders on the basis of the percentage of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by such Shareholders; and (iii) third, all other securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by other holders of securities entitled to include such securities in such Registration Statement pursuant to piggyback registration rights; provided that any Shareholder may, prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, withdraw its request to be included in such Piggyback Registration pursuant to this Section 4.
(c) Shelf-Take Downs. At any time that a shelf Registration Statement covering Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 (or otherwise) is effective, if any Shareholder delivers a notice to the Company (each, a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that it intends to sell all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on the shelf Registration Statement (each, a “Shelf Offering”), then the Company shall amend or supplement the shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Offering. In connection with any Shelf Offering, including any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering (including a Marketed Offering) (i) the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of a Take-Down Notice (but in no event more than two (2) days thereafter (or such shorter period as may be reasonably requested in connection with an underwritten “block trade”)), deliver a notice to each other holder of Registrable Securities included on such shelf Registration Statement and permit each such holder to include its Registrable Securities included on the shelf Registration Statement in the Shelf Offering if such holder notifies the Company in writing within three (3) days (or such shorter period as may be reasonably requested in connection with an underwritten “block trade”) after delivery of notice to such holder; and (ii) if the Shelf Offering is underwritten, in the event that the managing underwriter(s) of such Shelf Offering advise such holders in writing that it is their good faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of securities proposed to be sold exceeds the total number or dollar amount of such securities that can be sold without having an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Registrable Securities to be included, then the managing underwriter(s) may limit the number of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be included in such Shelf Offering in the same manner as described in Section 3(c) with respect to a limitation of shares to be included in a registration; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering if a Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration was declared effective or an Underwritten Offering was consummated within the preceding ninety (90) days (unless otherwise consented to by the Company).
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Section 5. Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities.
(a) If any registration pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 of this Agreement shall be in connection with any: (i) Marketed Offering (including with respect to a Shelf Offering pursuant to Section 3(a) or 4(c) hereof), the Company will cause each of its executive officers and directors to sign a customary “lock-up” agreement containing provisions consistent with those contemplated pursuant to Section 5(b); and (ii) Underwritten Offering (including with respect to a Shelf Offering pursuant to Section 3(a) or 4(c) hereof), the Company will also not effect any public sale or distribution of any common equity (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common equity) (other than a registration statement (A) on Form S-4, Form F-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or (B) filed to effectuate an offering and sale to employees or directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement) for its own account, within ninety (90) days after the date of the Prospectus (or Prospectus supplement if the offering is made pursuant to a shelf Registration Statement) for such offering except as may otherwise be agreed with the holders of the Registrable Securities in such offering.
(b) Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees with all other holders of Registrable Securities and the Company in connection with any Underwritten Offering made pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4, as applicable, that if requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters in such Underwritten Offering, it will not (i) subject to customary exceptions, effect any public sale or distribution, of any of the Company’s securities held by such Shareholder (except as part of such Underwritten Offering) or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities during the period commencing on the date of the Prospectus pursuant to which such Underwritten Offering may be made and continuing for not more than ninety (90) days after the date of such Prospectus (or Prospectus supplement if the offering is made pursuant to a shelf Registration Statement). In connection with any Underwritten Offering made pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4, the Company, or, if Shareholders will be selling more Registrable Securities in the offering than the Company, Shareholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities subject to such Registration Statement shall be responsible for negotiating all “lock-up” agreements with the underwriters and, in addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the Shareholders agree to execute the form so negotiated; provided that the form so negotiated is reasonably acceptable to the Company or the Shareholders, as applicable, and consistent with the agreement set forth in this Section 5 and that the Company’s executive officers and directors shall also have executed a form of agreement substantially similar to the agreement so negotiated, subject to customary exceptions applicable to natural persons in the roles of executive officers and directors.
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Section 6. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 3 or Section 4, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such registration and to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof as promptly as practicable, and pursuant thereto the Company shall cooperate in all reasonable respects in the sale of the securities and shall use its reasonable best efforts, as promptly as practicable to the extent applicable, to:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on such form as shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the holders thereof or by the Company in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof and in accordance with this Agreement, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and to remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including documents that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall furnish or otherwise make available to the holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and each Prospectus included therein and such other opportunities to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act, including reasonable access to the Company’s books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors. The Company shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including such documents that, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) with respect to a Demand Registration to which the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective during the period provided herein and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement; and cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act in each case, until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement;
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(c) notify each holder of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, its counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly, and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing and provide copies of the relevant documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after notice thereof is received by the Company, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been filed or become effective, (ii) of any written comments by the SEC, or any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information (whether before or after the effective date of the Registration Statement) or any other correspondence with the SEC relating to, or which may affect, the Registration Statement, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any order by the SEC or any other regulatory authority preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary or final Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purposes, (iv) if at any time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 6(r) below cease to be true and correct, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (vi) if the Company has knowledge of the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (which notice shall notify the selling Shareholders only of the occurrence of such an event and shall provide no additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material non-public information), or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act;
(d) prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practicable;
(e) to the extent the Company is eligible under the relevant provisions of Rule 430B under the Securities Act, if the Company filed any shelf Registration Statement and if requested by a holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall include in such shelf Registration Statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to such holder of Registrable Securities) in order to ensure that such holder of Registrable Securities may be added to such shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a Prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment;
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(f) if requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the holders of a majority of the then issued and outstanding Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement such information as the managing underwriters, if any, and such holders may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 6(e) that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;
(g) furnish or make available to each holder of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, its counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, without charge, as many conformed copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and Prospectus supplements, if applicable, and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements (including those incorporated by reference) as such holder, counsel or underwriter may reasonably request; provided that the Company may furnish or make available any such documents in electronic format;
(h) deliver to each holder of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, its counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of Prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Persons may reasonably request from time to time in connection with the distribution of the Registrable Securities; provided that the Company may furnish or make available any such documents in electronic format (other than, in the case of a Marketed Offering, upon the request of the managing underwriters thereof for printed copies of any such Prospectus or Prospectuses); and the Company, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6, hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any such amendment or supplement thereto;
(i) prior to any Public Offering of Registrable Securities, register or qualify or cooperate with the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any seller or the managing underwriters reasonably requests in writing and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to this Agreement and to take any other action that may be necessary or advisable to enable such holders of Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to taxation or general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject but for this Agreement;
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(j) cooperate with, and direct the Company’s transfer agent to cooperate with, the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely settlement of any offering or sale of Registrable Securities, including the preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any legends) or book-entry (not bearing stop transfer instructions) representing Registrable Securities to be sold after receiving written representations from each holder of such Registrable Securities that the Registrable Securities represented by the certificates so delivered by such holder will be transferred in accordance with the Registration Statement and, in connection therewith, if reasonably required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company shall promptly after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement cause an opinion of counsel as to the effectiveness of any Registration Statement to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without restriction upon sale by the holder of such shares of Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement;
(k) upon the occurrence of, and the Company’s receipt of knowledge of, any event contemplated by Section 6(c)(vi) above, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus (then in effect) or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such that the Registration Statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading, and the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(l) prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities;
(m) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
(n) cause all shares of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement to be listed on a national securities exchange if shares of the particular class of Registrable Securities are at that time listed on such exchange, as the case may be, prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement;
(o) cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; provided however that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.;
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(p) enter into such agreements (including underwriting agreements in form, scope and substance as is customary in Underwritten Offerings and such other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreements, including customary legal opinions and auditor “comfort” letters) and take all such other actions reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith (including those reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any) to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(q) make such representations and warranties to the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in public offerings similar to the offering then being undertaking;
(r) in connection with a customary due diligence review, make available for inspection by a representative of the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any counsel or accountants retained by such holders or underwriter (collectively, the “Offering Persons”), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all information and participate in customary due diligence sessions in each case reasonably requested by any such Offering Person in connection with such Registration Statement; provided, however, that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Offering Persons except (i) where disclosure of such information is requested or legally compelled (in either case pursuant to the terms of a valid and effective subpoena or order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or a federal, state or local governmental or regulatory body or pursuant to a civil investigative demand or similar judicial process), (ii) where such information is or becomes generally known to the public other than as a result of a non-permitted disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Offering Persons in violation of this Agreement, (iii) where such information (A) was known to such Offering Persons on a nonconfidential basis (prior to its disclosure by the Company) from a source other than the Company that, after reasonable inquiry, is entitled to disclose such information and is not bound by any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company or any other person with respect to such information, (B) was in the possession of the Offering Persons on a nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure to the Offering Persons by the Company or (C) is subsequently developed by the Offering Persons without using all or any portion of such information or violating any of the obligations of such Persons under this Agreement or (iv) for disclosure in connection with any suit, arbitration, claim or litigation involving this Agreement or against any Offering Person under federal, state or other securities laws in connection with the offer and sale of any Registrable Securities. In the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to (i) (or, unless such Person and the Company are adversaries in such suit, arbitration, claim or litigation, (iv)) above, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure and to cooperate with the Company, at the Company’s cost, in any effort the Company undertakes to obtain a protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with this provision, the Offering Persons will furnish only that portion of such information that the Offering Persons are advised by legal counsel is legally required and will exercise their reasonable best efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such information;
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(s) comply with all securities laws and, if a Registration Statement was filed, make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(t) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act;
(u) cooperate with each holder of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA, including the use of reasonable best efforts to obtain FINRA’s pre-clearance or pre-approval of the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus upon filing with the SEC;
(v) cause its officers and employees to use their respective reasonable best efforts to support the reasonable marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, participation in, and preparation of materials for, any “road show”) in a Marketed Offering and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling efforts related thereto;
(w) take all reasonable action to ensure that any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related Prospectus, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(x) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Each holder of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected shall furnish to the Company in writing such information required in connection with such registration regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing as a condition for any Registrable Securities to be included in the applicable registration hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, failure of any holder of Registrable Securities to furnish the Company with such information as requested by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence shall relieve the Company of any obligation hereunder to include the applicable Registrable Securities of such holder in the Registration Statement with respect to which such information was requested.
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Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees if such holder has Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement that, upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 6(c)(ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), such holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(f), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus; provided, however, that the time periods under Section 3 with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a Registration Statement must be maintained shall automatically be extended by the amount of time the holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.
Section 7. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incurred by the Company and incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company (including without limitation (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees and expenses with respect to (A) all SEC, stock exchange or trading system and FINRA registration, listing, filing and qualification and any other fees associated with such filings, including with respect to counsel for the underwriters and any qualified independent underwriter in connection with FINRA qualifications, (B) rating agencies and (C) compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws, including any reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 6(i)), (ii) fees and expenses of the financial printer, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) all reasonable fees and disbursements of one legal counsel for the Shareholders with Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement, (vi) any reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, (vii) all expenses related to the “road show” for any Marketed Offering, including the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Shareholders and underwriters, if so requested, and (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants, including the expenses of any special audits and/or “comfort letters” required by or incident to such performance and compliance), shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective. All underwriters’ discounts and selling commissions, in each case related to Registrable Securities registered in accordance with this Agreement, shall be borne by the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration pro rata among each other on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.
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The Company shall not be required to pay any discounts, commissions or fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals relating to the distribution of the Registrable Securities (other than with respect to Registrable Securities sold by the Company).
Section 8. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, without limitation as to time, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of such holder, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of each such shareholder, member, limited or general partner, each of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, advisors and agents and each Person who controls each such Person (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and each of their respective Representatives from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and any legal or other fees or expenses actually incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or Proceeding and any indemnity and contribution payments made to underwriters), expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement, joint or several (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, in each case arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, any amendments or supplements thereto, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or other document (including any related Registration Statement, notification, or the like or any materials prepared by or on behalf of the Company as part of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act)) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation (or alleged violation) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state, foreign or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (without limitation of the preceding portions of this Section 8(a)) will reimburse each such holder, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of such holder, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of each such shareholder, member, limited or general partner, each of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, advisors and agents and each Person who controls each such Person (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal and any other expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating and defending or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 8(a), settling any such Loss or action; provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission by such holder, but only if such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such holder of Registrable Securities furnished to the Company by such holder of Registrable Securities or its authorized representatives expressly for inclusion therein. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such holder or any indemnified party and shall survive the Transfer of such securities by such holder and regardless of any indemnity agreed to in the underwriting agreement that is less favorable to the holders. The Company shall also indemnify the underwriters participating in the distribution of Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters to the same extent as provided above (with appropriate modification) with respect to the indemnification of the indemnified parties. It is agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
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(b) Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities. In connection with any Registration Statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder of Registrable Securities shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, severally and not jointly with any other holders of Registrable Securities, the Company, its officers, directors and managing members and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) against all Losses arising out of or based on (i) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, any amendments or supplements thereto, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or other document, or (ii) any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and to reimburse the Company or such officers, directors, managing members and control persons for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal or any other expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or action, subject to the immediately following proviso, settling any such Loss or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, any amendments or supplements thereto, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such holder of Registrable Securities furnished to the Company by such holder of Registrable Securities or its authorized representatives expressly for inclusion therein; provided, however, that the foregoing obligations shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). In no event shall the liability of any holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds from the sale of its Registrable Securities in the offering giving rise to such indemnification obligation, net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before expenses, less any amounts paid by such holder pursuant to Section 8(d) and any amounts paid by such holder as a result of liabilities incurred under the underwriting agreement, if any, related to such sale.
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(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Person shall be entitled to indemnification hereunder (each, an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the party from which such indemnity is sought (each, an “Indemnifying Party”) of any claim or of the commencement of any Proceeding with respect to which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification or contribution pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the delay or failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation or liability except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been materially prejudiced by such delay or failure. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an Indemnified Party promptly after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or Proceeding, to, unless in the Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or Proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or 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 unless: (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay such fees and expenses; or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails promptly to assume, or in the event of a conflict of interest cannot assume, the defense of such claim or Proceeding or fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to assume the defense of such claim or proceeding at the Indemnifying Party’s expense; provided, further, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or Proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related claims or Proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all of the Indemnified Parties. Whether or not such defense is assumed by the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld). The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable 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 8) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, promptly upon receipt of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party (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 under this Section 8).
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses (other than in accordance with its terms), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission.
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The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), an Indemnifying Party that is a selling holder of Registrable Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total net proceeds received by such holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation and sold by such holder, less any amounts paid by such holder pursuant to Section 8(b) and any amounts paid by such holder as a result of liabilities incurred under the underwriting agreement, if any, related to such sale exceeds the amount of any damages that such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the applicable action, statement or omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities to contribute pursuant to this Section are several and not joint.
(e) Indemnification Priority. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that any of the Persons entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 8(a) (each, a “Company Indemnitee” and collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by other sources. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to a Company Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of such other sources to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Company Indemnitee are secondary) and (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by a Company Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement without regard to any rights a Company Indemnitee may have against such other sources. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by such other sources on behalf of a Company Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Company Indemnitee has sought indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance from the Company shall affect the foregoing, and that such other sources shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Company Indemnitee against the Company.
Section 9. Rule 144. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to: (i) file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner, to the extent required from time to time to enable all holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144, Rule 144A or Regulation S (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Shareholder, make electronically available (which may include posting to a non-public, password-protected website maintained by the Company or a third party) to any holder, any bona fide prospective holder, any bona fide market maker (or person who intends to be a market maker) or securities analyst such necessary information for so long as necessary to enable all holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144, Rule 144A or Regulation S); and (ii) so long as any Registrable Securities are issued and outstanding, furnish holders thereof upon request (A) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act, and of the Exchange Act and (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company (except to the extent the same is available on XXXXX).
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Section 10. Underwritten Registrations.
(a) Selection of Underwriters; Selection of Counsel. In connection with any Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer the offering shall be selected by the Shareholders holding the majority of Registrable Securities included in any Demand Registration, including any Shelf Offering initiated by such Shareholders, subject to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company, and the counsel to such holders shall be selected by the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration.
(b) Shelf and Demand Registrations. If requested by the underwriters for any Underwritten Offering, the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriters, such agreement to be reasonably satisfactory in substance and form to each of the Company, the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities being sold and the underwriters, and to contain such representations and warranties by the Company and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including indemnities no less favorable to the recipient thereof than those provided in Section 8 of this Agreement. The holders of the Registrable Securities proposed to be distributed by such underwriters shall cooperate with the Company in the negotiation of the underwriting agreement and shall give consideration to the reasonable suggestions of the Company regarding the form thereof, and such holders shall complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney and other documents reasonably requested by the underwriters and required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
(c) Piggyback Registrations. If the Company proposes to register or sell any of its securities under the Securities Act as contemplated by Section 4 and such securities are to be distributed through one or more underwriters, the Company shall, if requested by any holder of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4(a), and subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for such underwriters to include on the same terms and conditions that apply to the other sellers in such registration or sale all the Registrable Securities to be offered and sold by such holder among the securities of the Company to be distributed by such underwriters in such registration or sale. The holders of Registrable Securities to be distributed by such underwriters shall be parties to the underwriting agreement between the Company and such underwriters and shall complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney and other documents reasonably requested by the underwriters and required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. Any such Shareholder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Shareholder, such Shareholder’s title to the Registrable Securities, such Shareholder’s intended method of distribution and any other representations to be made by the Shareholder as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, and the aggregate amount of the liability of such Shareholder shall not exceed such Shareholder’s proceeds from the sale of its Registrable Securities in the offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before expenses.
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Section 11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given without the written consent of the Company and the Shareholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other holders of Registrable Securities may be given by holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such holders pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(b) Notices. All notices required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given if personally delivered, telecopied and confirmed, emailed and confirmed or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or overnight delivery service with proof of receipt maintained, at the following address (or any other address that any such party may designate by written notice to the other parties): if to the Company, to the address of its principal executive offices; if to any Shareholder, at such Shareholder’s address as set forth on the records of the Company or such other address as such Shareholder notifies the Company in writing. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered or sent if delivered in person or sent by facsimile transmission (provided confirmation of facsimile transmission is obtained), provided that any notice received by facsimile transmission or otherwise at the addressee’s location on any Business Day after 5:00 p.m. (addressee’s local time) shall be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m. (addressee’s local time) on the next Business Day, (b) on the fifth Business Day after dispatch by registered or certified mail (provided, that such form of notice may only be used if dispatched from the country in which the recipient is located), (c) on the next Business Day if transmitted by national or international overnight courier or (d) on the date delivered if sent by email (provided confirmation of email receipt is obtained), provided that any noticed received by email at the addressee’s location on any Business Day after 5:00 p.m. (addressee’s local time) shall be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m. (addressee’s local time) on the next Business Day.
(c) Successors and Assigns; Shareholder Status. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent holders of Registrable Securities acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Shareholders in compliance with any restrictions on Transfer or assignment; provided, however, that (x) the Company may not assign this Agreement (in whole or in part) without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities and (y) (i) holders of Registrable Securities may not assign this Agreement (in whole or in part) without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and (ii) such successor or assign shall not be entitled to such rights unless the successor or assign shall have executed and delivered to the Company an Addendum Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto promptly following the acquisition of such Registrable Securities.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts and delivered by facsimile, pdf or other electronic transmission with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed and delivered the same original document, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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(e) Headings; Construction. The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the context requires otherwise: (i) pronouns in the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa; (ii) the term “including” shall be construed to be expansive rather than limiting in nature and to mean “including, without limitation,”; (iii) references to sections and paragraphs refer to sections and paragraphs of this Agreement; (iv) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including Exhibit A hereto, and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited; (v) unless otherwise specified, the term “days” shall mean calendar days; (vi) a “percentage” (or a “majority”) of the Registrable Securities (or, where applicable, any class of securities) shall be determined based on the number of shares of such securities; and (vii) unless otherwise provided, the currency for all dollar figures included in this Agreement shall be the US Dollar.
(f) Governing Law; Disputes.
(i) This Agreement (and any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(ii) Any dispute, claim, controversy or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination or any dispute regarding any noncontractual obligation arising out of or in connection with it (a “Dispute”), shall be determined by arbitration administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) in accordance with the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules then in effect. The award may be entered in any Court having competent jurisdiction thereof.
(iii) There shall be three (3) arbitrators. The Company and the Shareholder agree that one arbitrator shall be designated by the claimant side of any arbitration (whether there are one or more claimants) and one arbitrator shall be designated by the respondent side of any arbitration (whether there are one or more respondents). Such arbitrators shall be designated within twenty (20) days of receipt by respondent (or respondents as the case may be) of the notice of arbitration; the third, presiding, arbitrator shall be designated by agreement of the two (2) party-appointed arbitrators within fourteen (14) days of the selection of the party-appointed arbitrators.
(iv) The seat or place of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. The language of the arbitration shall be English.
(v) This agreement to arbitrate shall be binding upon the Company and the Shareholder, and their respective successor and assigns. The arbitrators shall have no authority to award consequential, special or punitive damages. The arbitrators shall award to the prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrators, its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
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(vi) Except as may be required by law, no party hereto may disclose the existence, content (including all submissions made to the arbitral tribunal and the transcript of any proceedings) or any and all orders, decisions, and awards issued by the arbitral tribunal without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, unless necessary to protect or pursue a legal right, including the right to seek annulment, recognition, and/or enforcement of any award.
(g) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Investors (the “Shareholders Agreement”), the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Rights Agreement Amendment and the Promissory Notes are intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement, and are intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein, with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to Registrable Securities. This Agreement, together with the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Promissory Note, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not supersede the transfer restrictions in the Shareholders Agreement.
(i) Securities Held by the Company or its Subsidiaries. Whenever the consent or approval of holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its subsidiaries shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the holders of such required percentage.
(j) Specific Performance; Further Assurances. The parties hereto recognize and agree that money damages may be insufficient to compensate the holders of any Registrable Securities for breaches by the Company of the terms hereof and, consequently, that the equitable remedy of specific performance of the terms hereof will be available in the event of any such breach. The parties hereto agree that in the event the registrations and sales of Registrable Securities are effected pursuant to the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States, such parties shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to give effect as closely as possible to the rights and obligations set forth in this Agreement, taking into account customary practices of such foreign jurisdiction, including executing such documents and taking such further actions as may be reasonably necessary in order to carry out the foregoing.
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(k) Term; Other Agreements. This Agreement shall terminate (i) with respect to a Shareholder on the date on which such Shareholder ceases to hold Registrable Securities, (ii) with respect to the Company, the date on which all equity securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities and (iii) upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company; provided that such Shareholder’s rights and obligations pursuant to Section 8, as well as the Company’s obligations to pay expenses pursuant to Section 7, shall survive with respect to any Registration Statement in which any Registrable Securities of such Shareholders were included.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
Sinovac Biotech Ltd. | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxx | ||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxx | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
Vivo Capital, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxx | ||
Name: | Xxxxxx Xxx | ||
Title: | Managing Member |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
Prime Success, L.P. | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxx Xxx | ||
Name: | Xxxx Xxx Wai | ||
Title: | Director of the general partner of Prime Success, L.P. |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
ADDENDUM AGREEMENT
This Addendum Agreement is made this [·] day of [·], 20[·], by [·], a [·] (the “New Shareholder”), pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2018 (the “Agreement”), by and between Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (the “Company”) and the Investors. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities as set forth in the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the New Shareholder has acquired Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from a Shareholder; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholders have required in the Agreement that all Persons desiring registration rights pursuant to the Agreement must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the New Shareholder to the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties, the New Shareholder acknowledges that it has received and read the Agreement and that the New Shareholder shall be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions set out in the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party to the Agreement (or as otherwise provided therein) and shall be deemed to be a Shareholder thereunder.
New Shareholder | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: | ||