REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [February 27], 2008, by and among Verenium Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with headquarters located at 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the “Company”), and the undersigned buyers (each, a “Buyer”, and collectively, the “Buyers”).
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) and the Senior Notes Exchange Agreements entered into by the Company with certain of the Buyers of even date herewith (the “Exchange Agreements”), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Exchange Agreements, to issue and sell to each Buyer (i) senior convertible notes of the Company (the “Notes”), which will, among other things, be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”, as converted, the “Conversion Shares”) in accordance with the terms of the Notes, and (ii) warrants (the “Warrants”), which will be exercisable to purchase shares of Common Stock (as exercised collectively, the “Warrant Shares”).
B. The Notes bear interest, which at the option of the Company, subject to certain conditions, may be paid in shares of Common Stock (the “Interest Shares”).
C. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. “Additional Effective Date” means each date any Additional Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.
b. “Additional Effectiveness Deadline” means the earlier of the date which is (i) in the event that such Additional Registration Statement is not subject to a review by the SEC, ninety (90) calendar days after such Additional Filing Date or (ii) in the event that such Additional Registration Statement is subject to a review by the SEC, one-hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after such Additional Filing Date.
c. “Additional Filing Date” means the date on which any Additional Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.
d. “Additional Filing Deadline” means if Cutback Shares are required to be included in any Additional Registration Statement, the date that is the later of (i) the date sixty (60) days after the date substantially all of the Registrable Securities registered under the immediately preceding Registration Statement are sold and (ii) the date six (6) months from the Initial Effective Date or the immediately preceding Additional Effective Date, as applicable, or, if earlier than the date determined pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) above, sixty (60) days from the date the SEC first permits the Company to file the Additional Registration Statement for the applicable Cutback Securities.
e. “Additional Registrable Securities” means (i) any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Notes, the Conversion Shares, the Interest Shares, the Warrant Shares, the Warrants or Cutback Shares, as applicable, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on conversions of the Notes.
f. “Additional Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering any Additional Registrable Securities.
g. “Additional Required Registration Amount” means any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement, all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(f), without regard to any limitations on conversions of the Notes.
h. “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
i. “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
j. “Cutback Shares” means any of the Initial Required Registration Amount (without regard to clause (II) in the definition thereof) of Registrable Securities not included in all Registration Statements previously declared effective hereunder as a result of a limitation on the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of the Company permitted to be registered by the staff of the SEC pursuant to Rule 415.
k. “Effective Date” means the Initial Effective Date and any Additional Effective Date, as applicable.
l. “Effectiveness Deadline” means the Initial Effectiveness Deadline and any Additional Effectiveness Deadline, as applicable.
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m. “Filing Date” means the Initial Filing Date and any Additional Filing Date, as applicable.
n. “Filing Deadline” means the Initial Filing Deadline and any Additional Filing Deadline, as applicable.
o. “Filing Requirement” shall mean that the Company has filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months period, other than Form 8-K reports.
p. “Initial Effective Date” means the date the Initial Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
q. “Initial Effectiveness Deadline” means the earlier of the date which is (i) in the event that the Initial Registration Statement is not subject to a review by the SEC, ninety (90) calendar days after the Closing Date or (ii) in the event that the Initial Registration Statement is subject to a review by the SEC, one-hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the Closing Date.
r. “Initial Filing Date” means the date the Initial Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC.
s. “Initial Filing Deadline” means the date forty-five (45) calendar days after the Closing Date.
t. “Initial Registrable Securities” means (i) the Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon conversion and/or redemption of the Notes, (ii) the Interest Shares issued or issuable with respect to the Notes, (iii) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and (iv) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares, the Notes, the Warrant Shares, the Warrants and the Interest Shares as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on conversions or redemptions of the Notes.
u. “Initial Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Initial Registrable Securities.
v. “Initial Required Registration Amount” means (I) 47,807,018 shares of Common Stock comprised of in part, (i) the number of Conversion Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Notes as of the Trading Day (as defined in the Notes) immediately preceding the applicable date of determination, (ii) the number of Warrant Shares issued or issuable pursuant to the Warrants, as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and (iii) the number of Interest Shares issued or issuable with respect to the Notes as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination assuming that the Notes remain outstanding through the Maturity Date (as defined in the Notes), each subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(f), without regard to any limitations on conversions or redemptions of the Notes or (II) such other amount as may be required by the staff of the SEC pursuant to Rule 415 with any cutback applied pro rata to all holders of Registrable Securities.
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w. “Investor” means a Buyer or any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights as a holder of Registrable Securities under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its rights as a holder of Registrable Securities under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
x. “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.
y. “register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the SEC.
z. “Registrable Securities” means the Initial Registrable Securities and the Additional Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) a Registration Statement registering such Security under the 1933 Act has been declared or becomes effective and such security has been sold or otherwise transferred by the holder thereof pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Security relating to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the 1933 Act or otherwise, is removed by the Company, (iii) such Security is eligible to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without condition or restriction, or (iv) such Security shall cease to be outstanding.
aa. “Registration Statement” means the Initial Registration Statement and any Additional Registration Statement, as applicable.
bb. “Required Holders” means Investors that hold at least 66.67% of the Registrable Securities.
cc. “Rule 144 Period” shall mean the period from the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date until the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date.
dd. “Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.
ee. “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Registration.
a. Initial Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Initial Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the
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Initial Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Initial Required Registration Amount determined as of date the Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e). The Initial Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Initial Required Registration Amount determined as of the date such Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC. The Initial Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the “Selling Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution” sections for the Investors in substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibit B and Exhibit C, respectively and any information provided by the Investors in a completed selling stockholder questionnaire in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Initial Effectiveness Deadline. To the extent the staff of the SEC requires that the number of Registrable Securities registered for resale on the Initial Registration Statement be reduced, the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities (reducing first from the pool of Conversion Shares (or should an Investor request otherwise, such other Registrable Securities of such Investor that such Investor shall specify)) so registered on such Registration Statement to one-third (1/3) of the Company’s non-affiliate public float on the Closing Date, and will file one or more Additional Registration Statements on Form S-3 covering the excess shares, as described in Section 2(b). By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Initial Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Initial Registration Statement.
b. Additional Mandatory Registrations. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Additional Filing Deadline, file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Additional Registrable Securities not previously registered on a Registration Statement hereunder. To the extent the staff of the SEC does not permit the Additional Required Registration Amount to be registered on an Additional Registration Statement, the Company shall file Additional Registration Statements successively trying to register on each such Additional Registration Statement the maximum number of remaining Additional Registrable Securities until the Additional Required Registration Amount has been registered with the SEC. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on a form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e). Each Additional Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Additional Required Registration Amount determined as of the date such Additional Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC (subject to reductions to the extent the staff of the SEC requires that the number of Additional Registrable Securities registered for resale on such Additional Registration Statement be reduced). Each Additional Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the “Selling Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution” sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have each Additional Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Additional Effectiveness
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Deadline for such Additional Registration Statement. By 9:30 am on the Business Day following the Additional Effective Date for each Additional Registration Statement, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Additional Registration Statement.
c. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and any increase or decrease in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase or decrease thereof is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such Investor’s Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such Registration Statement. In no event shall the Company include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement without the prior written consent of the Required Holders.
d. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Required Holders shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (“Legal Counsel”), which shall be Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the Required Holders. The Company and Legal Counsel shall reasonably cooperate with each other in performing the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.
e. Ineligibility for Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on a form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as the use of such form for such purpose is permitted, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.
f. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor’s allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall, if the Registration Statement has not been declared effective, amend the applicable Registration Statement, or, in all other cases, file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), so as to cover at least the Initial Required Registration Amount or the Additional Required Registration Amount, as applicable to the applicable Registration Statement, as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the
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filing of such amendment or new Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed “insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities” if at any time the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the Registration Statement is less than the product determined by multiplying (i) the Initial Required Registration Amount or Additional Required Registration Amount, as applicable to the applicable Registration Statement, as of such time by (ii) 0.90. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall be made without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Notes and such calculation shall assume that the Notes are then convertible into shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Conversion Rate (as defined in the Notes).
g. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement is (A) not filed with the SEC on or before the respective Filing Deadline (a “Filing Failure”) or (B) not declared effective by the SEC on or before the respective Effectiveness Deadline (an “Effectiveness Failure”) or (ii) on any day after the Effective Date sales of all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement cannot be made (other than during an Allowable Grace Period (as defined in Section 3(r)) pursuant to such Registration Statement or otherwise (including, without limitation, because of a failure to keep such Registration Statement effective, to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to such Registration Statement or to register a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or to maintain the listing of the shares of Common Stock) (a “Maintenance Failure”) then, as partial relief for the damages to any Investor by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity), the Company shall pay to each Investor relating to such Registration Statement an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate Purchase Price (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of such Investor’s Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement on the day of the respective Filing Failure, Effectiveness Failure or Maintenance Failure for the first thirty (30) days during which such Filing Failure, Effectiveness Failure or Maintenance Failure continues (pro rated for any period totaling less than thirty (30) days), and thereafter two percent (2.0%) of the aggregate Purchase Price (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of such Investor’s Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for each ensuing thirty (30) day period during which such Filing Failure, Effectiveness Failure or Maintenance Failure continues (pro rated for any period totaling less than thirty (30) days), subject to a maximum penalty of ten percent (10%) of the aggregate Purchase Price (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) paid by such Investor pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement for all Registration Delay Payments (as defined below) payable to an Investor under this Agreement. The payments to which an Investor shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(f) are referred to herein as “Registration Delay Payments.” Registration Delay Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (I) the last day of the calendar month during which such Registration Delay Payments are incurred and (II) the third Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Registration Delay Payments is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Registration Delay Payments in a timely manner, such Registration Delay Payments shall bear interest at the rate of one percent (1.0%) per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
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h. Effect of Failure to Timely File Required Reports. If at any time during the Rule 144 Period, the Company has not had declared effective a Registration Statement covering all Registrable Securities, and the Company does not meet the Filing Requirement as of the determination date, it shall pay to each Investor an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate Purchase Price (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of such Investor’s Registrable Securities on the date of such failure for the first thirty (30) days during which such failure continues (prorated for any period totaling less than thirty (30) days) and thereafter an additional (1.0%) of the aggregate Purchase Price (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of such Investor’s Registrable Securities for each ensuing thirty (30) day period (prorated for any period totaling less than thirty (30) days) until the earlier of (i) such time as all of such Investor’s Registrable Securities have been registered pursuant to an effective Registration Statement and (ii) the expiration of the Rule 144 Period.
i. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) nor affiliate thereof shall identify any Buyer as an underwriter in any public disclosure or filing with the SEC or any Principal Market (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) without the prior written consent of such Buyer or any Trading Market (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) and any Buyer being deemed an underwriter by the SEC shall not relieve the Company of any obligations it has under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from including the disclosure found in the “Plan of Distribution” section attached hereto as Exhibit B in the Registration Statement.
3. Related Obligations.
At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(b), 2(e) or 2(f), the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days after the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement, as the case may be, a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date not later than 48 hours after the submission of such request. The Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement without condition or restriction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act, (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or (iii) the date when the securities covered by the Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities as defined herein (the “Registration Period”). The Company shall ensure that each Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses
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contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-Q, Form 10-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment upon (i) a Registration Statement at least five (5) Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements (except for any reports filed under the 1934 Act which may be deemed to supplement or amend the Registration Statement, so long as such report was not filed solely for such purpose) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably and timely objects. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and all exhibits (unless such Registration Statement is available on XXXXX) and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 3.
d. The Company shall furnish each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus (unless such Registration Statement is available on XXXXX), (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (unless such amendments and supplements are
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available on XXXXX) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of the foregoing (regardless of whether such documents are available upon XXXXX) and any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.
e. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
f. The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and, subject to Section 3(r), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may reasonably request) (unless such supplements or amendments are available on XXXXX). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile no later than the next Business Day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
g. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction
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and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
h. If any Investor is deemed to be, alleged to be or reasonably believes it may be deemed or alleged to be, an underwriter or is required under applicable securities law to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter of Registrable Securities, at the reasonable request of such Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the applicable Investors, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the applicable Investors.
i. If any Investor is deemed to be, alleged to be or reasonably believes it may be deemed or alleged to be, an underwriter or is required under applicable securities law to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter of Registrable Securities, upon the request of such Investor, the Company shall make available for inspection by (i) such Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to the other Inspectors) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other Transaction Document. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investors’ ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information (other than information provided to the Company by an Investor pursuant to Section 4(a)) concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws or the rules of any exchange or other market in which the Company’s securities are then traded, listed or quoted, (ii) the disclosure of
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such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement, any other agreement to which the Company is a party, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
k. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement on The NASDAQ Global Market or (iii) if, despite the Company’s reasonable best efforts to satisfy, the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), to secure the inclusion for quotation on the The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Capital Market or the American Stock Exchange for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(k).
l. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.
m. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included in the Plan of Distribution or Selling Stockholder sections relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) as soon as practicable make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) as soon as practicable, supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any Registrable Securities.
n. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
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o. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the effective date of a Registration Statement.
p. The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.
q. Within five (5) Business Days after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company (which may be the General Counsel of the Company) to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
r. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after any Effective Date, the Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, in the best interest of the Company otherwise required or otherwise render the Registration Statement unavailable for sales to be effected thereunder (a “Grace Period”); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material, non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the Company will not disclose the content of such material, non-public information to the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin on the first day that the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is suspended, and (ii) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and, provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed twenty-five (25) consecutive days and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period such Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of sixty (60) days and the first day of any Grace Period must be at least five (5) Trading Days after the last day of any prior Grace Period (each, an “Allowable Grace Period”). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) and the date referred to in such notice. The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the prospectus included as part of the applicable Registration Statement (unless an exemption from such prospectus delivery requirement exists), prior to the Investor’s receipt of the notice of a Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
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s. If NASDR Rule 2710 requires any broker-dealer to make a filing prior to executing a sale by a Holder, the Company shall (i) make an Issuer Filing with the NASDR, Inc. Corporate Financing Department pursuant to proposed NASDR Rule 2710(b)(10)(A)(i), (ii) respond within five Trading Days to any comments received from NASDR in connection therewith, and (iii) pay the filing fee required in connection therewith.
4. Obligations of the Investors.
a. At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall send each Investor a selling stockholder questionnaire in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities within five (5) Business Days and such Investor shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor’s acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of such Investor’s election to exclude all of such Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
d. Each Investor covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it or an exemption therefrom in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.
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5. Expenses of Registration.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company. The Company shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in connection with registration, filing or qualification pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall be limited to $5,000 for each such registration, filing or qualification.
6. Indemnification.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors, officers, members, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”) incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any breach by the Company of a representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
15
such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs (A) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto, any related prospectus, or any prospectus supplement) (which information provided by the Investors includes Exhibits B and C to this Agreement), (B) failure by the Investor to comply with prospectus delivery requirements, if such prospectus, or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d), or (C) the use by such Investor of an outdated or defective prospectus after the Company has notified such Investor in writing that the prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Investor of an amended or supplemented prospectus, and (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation arises from the circumstances described in clauses (A) through (C) of Section 6(a) above; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor shall reimburse the Indemnified Party, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying
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party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnifying party, be counsel to the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party as the case may be; and after notice from the indemnifying party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person for any legal expenses of other counsel or other expenses incurred in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would likely represent a conflict of interest that would legally preclude such representation. In the case of an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least 80% interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
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7. Contribution.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees, in lieu of providing such indemnification, to contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party or Indemnifying Person as a result of such Claims or Indemnified Damages, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Investors, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Claims or Indemnified Damages, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that (i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities subject to the Claim. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Investors, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Investors agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Investors were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person as a result of the Claims or Indemnified Damages referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. The Investors’ obligations in this Section 7 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
8. Reports Under the 1934 Act.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy
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of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. Assignment of Registration Rights.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such Investor’s Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act or applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
10. Amendment of Registration Rights.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the Investors. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
11. Miscellaneous.
a. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the such record owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party) during business hours of the receiving party, otherwise on the next Business Day; or (iii) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized
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overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company: | ||
Verenium Corporation | ||
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Telephone: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Facsimile: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Attention: |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | |
Copy to: | ||
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP | ||
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000 | ||
Telephone: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Facsimile: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Attention: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | |
If to Legal Counsel: | ||
Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP | ||
0000 X. Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 | ||
Telephone: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Facsimile: |
(000) 000-0000 | |
Attention: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq. |
If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer’s representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, or to such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
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d. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).
g. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.
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h. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
i. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
j. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
k. All consents and other determinations required to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by the Required Holders.
l. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
m. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
n. The obligations of each Investor hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Investor, and no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any obligations on any Investor vis-à-vis any other Investor. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated herein.
* * * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
VERENIUM CORPORATION | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | |
Title: | President & Chief Executive Officer |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
CAPITAL VENTURES INTERNATIONAL | ||
By: |
| |
Name | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
RHP MASTER FUND, LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
CONTEXT ADVANTAGE MASTER FUND LP | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
D. E. SHAW VALENCE PORTFOLIOS, L.L.C. | ||
By: X. X. Xxxx & Co., L.P., as managing member | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
LINDEN CAPITAL L.P. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
HIGHBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL LLC | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
HIGHBRIDGE CONVERTIBLE ARBITRAGE MASTER FUND, L.P. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
INTERLACHEN CONVERTIBLE INVESTMENTS LIMITED | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
PORTSIDE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY FUND | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
BUYERS: | ||
MIDSUMMER INVESTMENT, LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
Buyer |
Buyer’s Address and Facsimile Number |
Buyer’s Representative’s Address and | ||
Capital Ventures International | c/o Heights Capital Management, Inc. 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Residence: Cayman Islands |
Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP 0000 X. Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq. Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Linden Capital L.P. | 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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RHP Master Fund, Ltd. | c/o Rock Hill Investment Management, L.P. Three Bala Plaza – East, Xxxxx 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000 |
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Context Advantage Master Fund L.P. | 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C. | 000 X 00xx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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Highbridge International LLC | c/o Highbridge Capital Management, LLC 0 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx X. Xxxxxx/Xxxx X. Chill Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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Highbridge Convertible Arbitrage Master Fund, L.P. | c/o Highbridge Capital Management, LLC 0 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx X. Xxxxxx/Xxxx X. Chill Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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Interlachen Convertible Investments Limited | c/o Goldman Sachs & Co Xxx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000 |
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Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund |
c/o Ramius Capital Group 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx Tel: 000-000-0000 Fax: 000-000-0000 |
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Midsummer Investment, Ltd. | 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxx Tel: 000-000-0000 Fax: 000-000-0000 |
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
0000 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Account Administrator
Re: Verenium Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am counsel to Verenium, a Delaware corporation, (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) entered into by and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the “Holders”) pursuant to which the Company sold to the Holders senior convertible notes (the “Notes”) convertible into the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) and warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock (as exercised, collectively, the “Warrant Shares”). Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares”), the Warrant Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable, subject to certain conditions, in payment of interest on the Notes (the “Interest Shares”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). In connection with the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on , 200 , the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333- ) (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder (the “Selling Shareholders”).
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC’s staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC’s staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC. Based on the foregoing, the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.
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Each Selling Stockholder has agreed (i) pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, that the Conversion Shares, Warrant Shares and Interest Shares may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred except in compliance with the 1933 Act and (ii) pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act applicable to such Selling Stockholder in connection with sales of the Conversion Shares, Warrant Shares and Interest Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement or the applicable requirements of any exemption from the 1933 Act. In reliance upon such representation, this letter shall serve as our standing instruction to you that the shares of Common Stock are freely transferable by the Holders pursuant to the Registration Statement subject to any stock transfer instructions that we may issue to you from time to time. You need not require further letters from us to effect any future legend-free issuance or reissuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders as contemplated by the Company’s Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated February 22, 2008, provided at the time of such issuance or reissuance, the Company has not otherwise notified you that the Registration Statement is unavailable for the resale of the Registrable Securities.
Very truly yours, | ||
VERENIUM CORPORATION | ||
By: |
| |
Its: | Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer |
CC: | Capital Ventures International | |
Linden Capital L.P. | ||
RHP Master Fund, Ltd. | ||
Context Advantage Master Fund X.X. | ||
X. X. Xxxx Valence Portfolios, L.L.C. | ||
Highbridge International LLC | ||
Highbridge Convertible Arbitrage Master Fund, L.P. | ||
Interlachen Convertible Investments Limited | ||
Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund | ||
Midsummer Investment, Ltd. |
A-2
EXHIBIT B
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The shares of Common Stock being offered by the selling stockholders are issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes and in payment of interest on the convertible notes. For additional information regarding the issuance of those convertible notes, see “Private Placement of Convertible Notes and Warrants” above. We are registering the shares of Common Stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the convertible notes and the warrants issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.
The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock by each of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder, based on its ownership of the convertible notes and warrants, as of , 200 , assuming conversion of all convertible notes and exercise of the warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, without regard to any limitations on conversions or exercise.
The third column lists the shares of Common Stock being offered by this prospectus by each selling stockholder.
In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement among the Company and the selling stockholders, this prospectus generally covers the resale of at least 47,807,018 of the sum of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable (i) upon conversion of the convertible notes as of the trading day immediately preceding the date the registration statement is initially filed with the SEC, (ii) as Warrant Shares, pursuant to the terms of the Warrants as of the trading day immediately preceding the date the registration statement is initially filed with the SEC, and (ii) as Interest Shares pursuant to the terms of the Notes as of the trading day immediately preceding the date the registration statement is initially filed with the SEC. Because the conversion price of the convertible notes may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
Under the terms of the convertible notes and the warrants, a selling stockholder may not convert the convertible notes or the warrants to the extent such conversion would cause such selling stockholder, together with its affiliates, to beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock which would exceed 9.9% of our then outstanding shares of Common Stock following such conversion, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes or the warrants which have not been converted. The number of shares in the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”
B-1
Name of Selling Stockholder |
Number of Shares Owned Prior to Offering |
Maximum Number of Shares to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus |
Number of Shares Owned After Offering | |||
(1) Capital Ventures International |
0 |
(1) | Heights Capital Management, Inc., the authorized agent of Capital Ventures International, has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares held by Capital Ventures International and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. Capital Ventures International is affiliated with one or more registered broker-dealers. Capital Ventures International purchased the shares being registered hereunder in the ordinary course of business and at the time of purchase, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any other person to distribute such shares. |
B-2
EXHIBIT C
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes and as interest on the convertible notes and issuable upon exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of Common Stock by the holders of the convertible notes and warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of Common Stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of Common Stock.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of Common Stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for paying any underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of Common Stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices or any combination of the foregoing. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve:
• | crosses or block transactions or other transaction |
• | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
• | transactions in the over-the-counter market; |
• | transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; |
• | the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
• | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
• | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
• | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
• | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
• | privately negotiated transactions; |
• | short sales; |
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• | sales pursuant to Rule 144; |
• | transactions where broker-dealers may agree with the selling securityholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
• | a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
• | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of Common Stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of Common Stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of Common Stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of Common Stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of Common Stock short and deliver shares of Common Stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of Common Stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the convertible notes or shares of Common Stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of Common Stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of Common Stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus, subject to any requirement of the SEC that we amend this prospectus to include the name of such transferee, donee, pledge or other successor-in-interest in this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of Common Stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of Common Stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of Common Stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
C-2
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of Common Stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of Common Stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of Common Stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the 1934 Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of Common Stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of Common Stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Common Stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, estimated to be $[ ] in total, including, without limitation, SEC filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreements, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreement, or we may be entitled to contribution.
Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of Common Stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
C-3
EXHIBIT D
SELLING STOCKHOLDER QUESTIONNAIRE
To: | Verenium Corporation | |
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | ||
Copy to: | Xxxxxx Godward Kronish LLP | |
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. |
Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2008 (the “Agreement”), by and between Verenium Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Buyers thereto.
Pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby furnishes to the Company the following information for use by the Company in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement contemplated by Section 4(a) of the Agreement.
(1) Name and Contact Information:
Full legal name of record holder: |
| |
Address of record holder: |
| |
| ||
Social Security Number or Taxpayer |
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identification number of record holder: |
| |
Identity of beneficial owner (if |
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different than record holder): |
| |
Name of contact person: |
| |
Telephone number of contact person: |
| |
Fax number of contact person: |
| |
E-mail address of contact person: |
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D-1
(2) Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:
(a) Number of Registrable Securities owned by Selling Stockholder: |
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(b) Number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered: |
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(3) Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder:
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (2)(a). |
Type and amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder: |
|
|
(4) Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (10% or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years. |
State any exceptions here: |
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(5) Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned intends to distribute pursuant to the Registration Statement the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (2) in accordance with the “Plan of Distribution” section set forth therein: |
State any exceptions here: |
|
|
D-2
(6) Selling Stockholder Affiliations:
(a) Is the Selling Stockholder a registered broker-dealer? |
|
(b) Is the Selling Stockholder an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer(s)? (For purposes of this response, an “affiliate” of, or person “affiliated” with, a specified person, is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.) |
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(c) If the answer to Item (6)(b) is yes, identify the registered broker-dealer(s) and describe the nature of the affiliation(s): |
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(d) If the answer to Item (6)(b) is yes, did the Selling Stockholder acquire the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business (if not, please explain)? |
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(e) If the answer to Item (6)(b) is yes, did the Selling Stockholder, at the time of purchase of the Registrable Securities, have any agreements, plans or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities (if yes, please explain)? |
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(7) Voting or Investment Control over the Registrable Securities:
If the Selling Stockholder is not a natural person, please identify any natural person or persons who have voting or investment control over the Registrable Securities listed in Item (2) above: |
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The undersigned hereby further acknowledges that pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement, the undersigned shall indemnify the Company and each of its directors and officers against, and hold the Company and each of its directors and officers harmless from, any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) to which the Company or its directors and officers may become subject by reason of any statement or omission in the Registration Statement made in reliance upon, or in conformity with, a written statement by the undersigned, including the information furnished in this Questionnaire by the undersigned.
D-3
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (7) above and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto and the related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
The undersigned has reviewed the answers to the above questions and affirms that the same are true, complete and accurate. THE UNDERSIGNED AGREES TO NOTIFY THE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CHANGES IN THE FOREGOING INFORMATION.
Dated: , 20 |
| |
Signature of Record Holder (Please sign your name in exactly the same manner as the certificate(s) for the shares being registered) |
D-4