CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.57
CONFIDENTIAL
This
Release and Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by
and between BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. (hereinafter “Claimant”), and Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc. (hereinafter “DBSI”), collectively referred to as the
“Parties.”
WHEREAS,
Claimant has maintained accounts with DBSI (the “Accounts”);
WHEREAS,
in or about February 2009, Claimant instituted an arbitration proceeding against
DBSI before FINRA Dispute Resolution, FINRA Dispute Resolution Case No.
09-00876 (the “Action”);
WHEREAS,
DBSI filed Answers
in the Action denying all allegations asserted in the Statement of Claim and
Amended Statement of Claim filed by Claimant, and DBSI denies any wrongdoing or
liability to Claimant for any alleged damages whatsoever;
WHEREAS,
the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to conclude the disputes that
exist or may exist between them and all matters which were asserted or which
could have been asserted by either Party against the other in the Action arising
on or prior to the date of this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, conditions and promises contained
in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as
follows:
1. Settlement
Payment. Within ten (10) business days of the execution of
this Agreement by both Parties, DBSI will pay Claimant by wire transfer the
amount of $7,219,270 to the account identified in the wire
instructions included in the Letter Agreement (the “Letter
Agreement”). All terms not defined herein are defined in the Letter
Agreement.
2. Dismissal with Prejudice by
Claimant. Upon full execution of this Agreement and payment of
the amounts due under paragraph 1 hereof and under the Letter Agreement dated
December 18, 2009 between the Parties, Claimant shall immediately notify FINRA
that this matter has been settled and shall promptly (i.e., not later than the
next business day) file with FINRA a formal Dismissal with Prejudice concerning
all claims asserted by Claimant in the Action. The Parties hereby
agree that if for any reason a decision is rendered by FINRA and delivered to a
Party by FINRA prior to DBSI wiring the payment set forth in paragraph 1 above
and prior to compliance with the Letter Agreement, this Agreement and the Letter
Agreement shall be deemed null and of no force and effect, and any transactions
initiated or executed hereunder or under the Letter Agreement shall be promptly
reversed.
3. Release. In
consideration for the settlement payment set forth in paragraph 1 above and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, Claimant, for itself and its present and former predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates,
parent corporations, successors, representatives, agents, independent
committees, shareholders, principals, attorneys, officers, directors, insurers,
administrators, assigns, employees, trusts, trustees, beneficiaries, and
partners, and anyone else who may claim any interest in the Accounts (the
“Claimant Releasing Parties”), does hereby remise, release, acquit, satisfy, and
forever discharge, for itself and for all persons who may claim by, through or
under it, DBSI and all present and former predecessors (including, but not
limited to, Deutsche Banc Alex. Xxxxx Inc., DB Alex. Xxxxx LLC, BT Alex. Xxxxx
Incorporated, and Alex. Xxxxx & Sons Incorporated), subsidiaries,
affiliates, parent corporations, and each of their respective present or past
officers, agents, representatives, employees (including without limitation,
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx XxXxxxxxx, and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx), account executives,
partners, shareholders, directors, attorneys, insurers, sureties, successors and
assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “DBSI Released Parties”),
of and from all, and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of
action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills,
specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises,
variances, trespasses, damages, judgments, executions, claims and demands
whatsoever, regardless of whether known or unknown, whether at law or in equity,
or whether under state or federal law or any other rule, regulation or
authority, which against DBSI or any of the DBSI Released Parties, Claimant or
any of the other Claimant Releasing Parties now has, ever had, or which can,
shall or may hereafter accrue for, upon or by reason of any matter, cause, or
thing whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the date of this Agreement
related to the Accounts, to the allegations asserted in the Action, to the Note
Obligation, and to Claimant’s financial dealings with the Deutsche Bank Alex.
Xxxxx division of DBSI. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall release DBSI or any of the DBSI
Released Parties from their obligations under this Agreement or under the Letter
Agreement.
**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
4. In
consideration of Claimant’s agreement to compromise its claims on the terms set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, DBSI, for itself and its present and former predecessors, subsidiaries,
affiliates (including
without limitation Deutsche Bank AG (Cayman Islands Branch)), parent corporations, successors,
representatives, agents, committees, shareholders, principals, attorneys,
account executives, officers, directors, insurers, administrators, assigns,
employees, trusts, trustees, beneficiaries, and partners (the “DBSI Releasing
Parties”), does hereby remise, release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge,
for itself and for all persons who may claim by, through or under it, Claimant
and all present and former subsidiaries, and affiliates and each of their
respective present or past officers, agents, representatives, employees,
shareholders, directors, attorneys, insurers, sureties, successors and assigns
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Claimant Released Parties”), of
and from all, and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action,
suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills,
specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises,
variances, trespasses, damages, judgments, executions, claims and demands
whatsoever, regardless of whether known or unknown, whether at law or in equity,
or whether under state or federal law or any other rule, regulation or
authority, which against Claimant or any of the Claimant Released Parties, DBSI
or any of the other DSBI Releasing Parties now has, ever had, or which can,
shall or may hereafter accrue for, upon or by reason of any matter, cause, or
thing whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the date of this Agreement
related to the Accounts, to the allegations asserted in the Action, to the Note
Obligation, and to Claimant’s financial dealings with the Deutsche Bank Alex.
Xxxxx division of DBSI. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, nothing in this agreement shall release Claimant or any of the
Claimant Released Parties from their obligations under this Agreement or under
the Letter Agreement.
5. Claimant
and DBSI acknowledge that each may hereafter discover facts in addition to or
different from those which it now knows or believes to be true with respect to
the subject matter of this Agreement, but that it is each Party’s intention
hereby to fully, finally and forever settle and release the claims set forth in
paragraphs 3 and 4, and that in furtherance of such intention, the releases
herein given shall be and remain in effect, notwithstanding the discovery by
Claimant or DBSI of the existence of any such additional or different
facts.
6. Covenant Not to
Xxx. Provided DBSI complies timely with its obligations under
this Agreement and under the Letter Agreement, Claimant agrees that it will not
initiate against DBSI or any of the DBSI Released Parties any complaint, or
legal, equitable, or arbitration proceeding of any nature based on any claim,
whether known or unknown, whether in law or equity, whether ex contractu or ex delicto, existing as of
the date of this Agreement related to the Accounts, to the allegations asserted
in the Action, to the Note Obligation, and/or to Claimant’s financial dealings
with the Deutsche Bank Alex. Xxxxx division of DBSI. Provided
Claimant complies timely with its obligations under this Agreement and under the
Letter Agreement, DBSI agrees that it will not initiate against Claimant or any
of the Claimant Released Parties any complaint, or legal, equitable, or
arbitration proceeding of any nature based on any claim, whether known or
unknown, whether in law or equity, whether ex contractu or ex delicto, existing as of
the date of this Agreement related to the Accounts, to the allegations asserted
in the Action, to the Note Obligation, and/or to Claimant’s financial dealings
with the Deutsche Bank Alex. Xxxxx division of DBSI.
**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
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7. Enforcement of
Agreement. In addition to any other remedy at law or in
equity, in the event any Party breaches any provision of this Agreement, then
(i) the non-breaching Party will be entitled to injunctive relief, and (ii) the
breaching Party shall indemnify the non-breaching Party against all costs and
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by reason of the
breach. Any dispute concerning the terms or enforcement of this
Agreement shall be determined by arbitration before FINRA in accordance with
FINRA’s rules. Any such arbitration proceeding shall be held in
Nashville, Tennessee.
8. Representations and
Warranties.
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a.
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No Prior Assignment or
Encumbrance: Claimant represents that it has not heretofore
assigned or transferred or purported to assign or transfer to any person
or entity: (1) any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to
the matters released herein or (2) any of the Current
ARS. Claimant further represents that as of the date of
delivery to DBSI, the Current ARS will be free of any liens or
encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances of Deutsche Bank AG
(Cayman Island Branch) or any of its affiliates in connection with the
Note Obligation.
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b.
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Full Capacity and
Authority: Claimant and DBSI each represent and warrant that (i)
the persons signing this Agreement have full authority and representative
capacity to execute the Agreement on behalf of themselves and on behalf of
all other persons, estates, corporations, or entities for whom they
purport to act as stated herein and (ii) this Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of
the Parties to this Agreement.
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c.
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No Violation:
Each of the Parties represents and warrants that such Party is not bound
by any provision of (i) any law, statute, rule, regulation, or judicial or
administrative decision, or (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction or
decree of any court, governmental body, administrative agency or
arbitrator, which would prevent or be violated by the execution, delivery
or performance of the Agreement.
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9. Settlement of Disputed
Claims. It is understood and agreed that this settlement is
the compromise of the disputed claims, and that the consideration referred to
herein is not to be construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the
part of any Party or Parties hereto, or any of their employees or agents, which
liability is expressly denied.
10. Attorneys’ Fees, Costs and
Expenses. ** DBSI will not be required to reimburse
Claimant for any arbitration fees, filing fees, or costs previously
paid. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this paragraph, the
Parties will bear their own attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses in connection
with the Action and the Agreement.
11. Integrated
Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all previous
negotiations, discussions and understandings regarding the terms of the Parties’
settlement of the Action. The Parties acknowledge and represent that
they have not relied on any promise, inducement, representation, or other
statement made in connection with this Agreement that is not expressly contained
herein. The terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere
recital.
12. No Oral
Modification. This Agreement cannot be altered, amended, or
modified in any respect, except by a writing duly executed by the
Parties.
13. Interpretation of
Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to
the Party or Parties responsible for its preparation, and shall be deemed to
have been prepared collectively by the Parties. Any ambiguity or
uncertainty arising herein shall not be interpreted or construed against any
Party hereto on the basis that a Party prepared or drafted a particular
provision of this Agreement.
14. Choice of
Law. The laws of the State of New York (without regard to its
conflict of laws provisions) shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of
this Agreement.
**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
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15. Severability of
Parts. If any portion, provision, or part of this Agreement is
held, determined or adjudicated by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any
properly constituted FINRA arbitration panel to be invalid, unenforceable or
void for any reason whatsoever, each such portion, provision, or part shall be
severed from the remaining portions, provisions or parts of the Agreement, and
such determination or adjudication shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remaining portions, provisions, or parts.
16. Confidentiality. The
Parties agree that all settlement discussions and the terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall remain strictly confidential, including all terms and
amounts discussed and any facts or circumstances of the underlying matter
(collectively referred to herein as “Confidential Information”). The
Parties may disclose the terms of this Agreement only in the following
situations: (a) to their respective attorneys, accountants, professional
advisers and/or other agents who are required to know of the Agreement or its
terms in order to carry on the business affairs of such Party in the ordinary
course of business, provided that at the time of such disclosure they are made
aware of the confidential nature of this Agreement and they agree to abide by
the provisions of this paragraph; (b) to the extent necessary to enforce the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and any modifications thereto, including
in any subsequent proceeding in which any Party alleges a breach of this
Agreement; (c) at the request of the SEC, FINRA, or any governmental or
regulatory authority; (d) as may be required by any applicable regulatory rules,
regulations, or regulatory agreements. Claimant’s obligations under
(d) shall be determined in good faith within the sole discretion of Claimant’s
legal counsel, including without limitation as required in order for Claimant to
comply with reporting requirements applicable to a company whose stock is
publicly traded that has entered into a material agreement, taking into account
the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement and Claimant’s obligations
under the Agreement; and (e) validly-issued and enforceable subpoenas by a court
of competent jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall prohibit any Party or
any Party’s attorney from responding to any request made by any regulator
concerning the Agreement or the underlying facts and circumstances.
17. Claimant
and its attorneys agree that they will not disclose any Confidential Information
to any person affiliated with any media, news, television, radio, broadcast,
telecommunications, reporting or publishing entity or organization or any other
person, organization or entity who disseminates news to the general public;
provided, however, that Claimant may (a) issue a press release stating only as
follows: “BMTI has reached a settlement of its pending claims concerning certain
securities that it purchased in 2007-2008. The terms of the
settlement are confidential at this time.”; (b) file a form 8-K indicating that
Claimant has entered into a material agreement to settle its pending claims
concerning certain securities that it purchased in 2007-2008, the terms of which
settlement are confidential at this time; and (c) include in its form 10K for
the year ended December 31, 2009 the disclosure substantially of the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and file this Agreement (in redacted form
consistent with the Confidential Treatment Request required by paragraph 18
below) as an exhibit to the Form 10-K. Statements in the 10K may also
disclose that a cash payment was received in settlement of our previously
disclosed FINRA arbitration relating to investments in certain securities
(including disclosure in the financial statement that the amount of the cash
payment was $7.2M), and the form 10K and subsequent SEC filings by the Company
may also include such other information as may be legally required to satisfy
Claimant’s disclosure obligations as determined in good faith within the sole
discretion of Claimant’s legal counsel, taking into account the confidentiality
provisions of this Agreement and Claimant’s obligations under the
Agreement. Claimant will use its best efforts not to mention
DBSI in any of its public filings.
18. Simultaneously
with the filing of its Form 10-K referenced in Paragraph 17 above, Claimant
shall file with the SEC pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, a request for confidential treatment based on competitive harm to DBSI
of specific words and phrases in this Agreement (not entire paragraphs or
information disclosed in the 10K). Claimant shall provide counsel of
record for DBSI an opportunity to review and comment upon the form of the
request at least three business days prior to the filing of the request with the
SEC.
19. Notice Prior to Required
Disclosure. If Claimant or its attorneys receive any subpoena
in any private civil matter (i.e., not from a regulator) purporting to require
or compel information that is protected from disclosure under this Agreement,
including under Paragraph 16 above, such party shall give counsel of record for
DBSI immediate written notice sufficient to allow counsel for DBSI a reasonable
opportunity to intervene or appear before any disclosure is made.
20. Return, Deletion, or
Destruction of Materials. Within 30 days of Claimant’s filing
for Dismissal of the Action, Claimant shall certify to DBSI that Claimant has
either deleted, destroyed, or returned to DBSI (a) any documents, emails, or
exhibits produced by DBSI in the Action and (b) any copies of the transcripts of
the proceedings in the Action.
21. Cooperation of
Parties. The Parties agree to cooperate to accomplish the
purpose of this Agreement and to execute any and all supplementary documents and
to take all additional actions not inconsistent with the terms set forth in this
Agreement that are necessary and appropriate to give full force and effect to
the terms and intent of this Agreement.
22. Advice of
Counsel. The Parties have been fully advised by their
respective counsel as to the legal and binding effect of the general release and
other agreements provided herein and having been so advised, freely and
voluntarily sign this Agreement.
23. Non-Disparagement. The
Parties agree that neither will disparage or make any negative statements about
the other, its employees, agents, or representatives.
**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties and their counsel hereto have caused this Agreement
to be executed.
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx | |
Name:
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Xxxxxx Xxxxx, D.M.D., X.X.Xx. | |
Title:
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President
& CEO
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Date:
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December
18, 2009
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Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc.
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name:
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Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
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Title:
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COO
and Managing Director
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Date:
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12/21/09
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By:
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/s/ X. Xxxx Ariyan | |
Name:
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X.
Xxxx Ariyan
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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Date:
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12-21-09
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Approved
as to form, and agreed to with
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respect
to Paragraphs 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
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to
which my law firm and I are hereby bound:
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/s/Xxxx X.
Xxxxx
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Xxxx
X. Xxxxx, Esq.
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Lead
Counsel for Claimant
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**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
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Exhibit
A
In
December 2009 we sold all of our ARS investments for $18.58M. We had
previously determined that our ARS investments had experienced an
other-than-temporary impairment in fair value and we had estimated the fair
value to be $___ million, representing an impairment loss of $___ million, as of
September 30, 2009. The December 2009 sale of all ARS investments has
resulted in a net realized gain of $___ million as of the twelve months ended
December 31, 2009.
In
October 2008, to address the liquidity issues associated with these ARS
investments in the short-term, we entered into a Time Promissory Note (“Note”)
credit facility enabling us to borrow up to $39.1 million with certain of
our ARS investments serving as collateral. With the sale of all our
remaining ARS investments in December 2009, we have repaid in full the remaining
balance on the Note in the amount of $15.16M and the original promissory note
has been returned to us marked “paid in full.” In addition, the
issuer of the Note has released us from and terminated our security and pledge
agreement and securities account control agreement, and has terminated any UCC
filings made with respect to the Note and security agreements.
In
February 2009, we filed an arbitration claim with the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) asserting various claims
relating to investments in certain securities made on our behalf. In
December 2009 this proceeding was settled (see Notes ___
and ___).
**
REPRESENTS MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN REDACTED AND SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.
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