TRANSGENOMIC, INC. SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT February 19, 2004
EXHIBIT 10.1
TRANSGENOMIC, INC.
February 19, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
1. | Agreement to Sell and Purchase | 1 | ||||
2. | Fees and Warrant | 1 | ||||
3. | Closing, Delivery and Payment. | 2 | ||||
3.1 | Closing |
2 | ||||
3.2 | Delivery |
2 | ||||
4. | Representations and Warranties of the Company | 2 | ||||
4.1 | Organization, Good Standing and Qualification |
2 | ||||
4.2 | Subsidiaries |
3 | ||||
4.3 | Capitalization; Voting Rights |
3 | ||||
4.4 | Authorization; Binding Obligations |
4 | ||||
4.5 | Liabilities |
4 | ||||
4.6 | Agreements; Action |
4 | ||||
4.7 | Obligations to Related Parties |
5 | ||||
4.8 | Changes |
6 | ||||
4.9 | Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc. |
7 | ||||
4.10 | Intellectual Property |
7 | ||||
4.11 | Compliance with Other Instruments |
8 | ||||
4.12 | Litigation |
8 | ||||
4.13 | Tax Returns and Payments |
8 | ||||
4.14 | Employees |
8 | ||||
4.15 | Registration Rights and Voting Rights |
9 | ||||
4.16 | Compliance with Laws; Permits |
9 | ||||
4.17 | Environmental and Safety Laws |
9 | ||||
4.18 | Valid Offering |
10 | ||||
4.19 | Full Disclosure |
10 | ||||
4.20 | Insurance |
10 | ||||
4.21 | SEC Reports |
10 | ||||
4.22 | Listing |
11 | ||||
4.23 | No Integrated Offering |
11 | ||||
4.24 | Stop Transfer |
11 | ||||
4.25 | Dilution |
11 | ||||
5. | Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser | 12 | ||||
5.1 | No Shorting |
12 | ||||
5.2 | Requisite Power and Authority |
12 | ||||
5.3 | Investment Representations |
12 | ||||
5.4 | Purchaser Bears Economic Risk |
13 | ||||
5.5 | Acquisition for Own Account |
13 | ||||
5.6 | Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest |
13 | ||||
5.7 | Accredited Investor |
13 | ||||
5.8 | Legends |
13 | ||||
6. | Covenants of the Company | 14 | ||||
6.1 | Stop-Orders |
14 |
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6.2 | Listing |
14 | ||||
6.3 | Market Regulations |
15 | ||||
6.4 | Reporting Requirements |
15 | ||||
6.5 | Use of Funds |
15 | ||||
6.6 | Access to Facilities |
15 | ||||
6.7 | Taxes |
15 | ||||
6.8 | Insurance |
16 | ||||
6.9 | Intellectual Property |
17 | ||||
6.10 | Properties |
17 | ||||
6.11 | Confidentiality |
17 | ||||
6.12 | Required Approvals |
17 | ||||
6.13 | Reissuance of Securities |
18 | ||||
6.14 | Opinion |
18 | ||||
7. | Covenants of the Purchaser | 18 | ||||
7.1 | Confidentiality |
18 | ||||
7.2 | Non-Public Information |
18 | ||||
8. | Covenants of the Company and Purchaser Regarding Indemnification | 18 | ||||
8.1 | Company Indemnification |
18 | ||||
8.2 | Purchaser’s Indemnification |
18 | ||||
8.3 | Procedures |
19 | ||||
9. | Conversion of Convertible Note | 19 | ||||
9.1 | Mechanics of Conversion |
19 | ||||
9.2 | Maximum Conversion |
20 | ||||
9.3 | NASDAQ Approval |
|||||
10. | Registration Rights. | 21 | ||||
10.1 | Registration Rights Granted |
21 | ||||
10.2 | Indemnification |
21 | ||||
10.3 | Offering Restrictions |
23 | ||||
11. | Miscellaneous | 23 | ||||
11.1 | Governing Law |
23 | ||||
11.2 | Survival |
24 | ||||
11.3 | Successors |
24 | ||||
11.4 | Entire Agreement |
24 | ||||
11.5 | Severability |
24 | ||||
11.6 | Amendment and Waiver |
24 | ||||
11.7 | Delays or Omissions |
24 | ||||
11.8 | Notices |
25 | ||||
11.9 | Attorneys’ Fees |
26 | ||||
11.10 | Titles and Subtitles |
26 | ||||
11.11 | Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts |
26 | ||||
11.12 | Broker’s Fees |
26 | ||||
11.13 | Construction |
26 |
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
Form of Convertible Term Note |
Exhibit A | |
Form of Warrant |
Exhibit B | |
Form of Opinion |
Exhibit C | |
Form of Escrow Agreement |
Exhibit D |
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THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 9, 2004, by and between TRANSGENOMIC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands company (the “Purchaser”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company has authorized the sale to the Purchaser of a Convertible Term Note in the aggregate principal amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,750,000.00) (the “Note”), which Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) at a fixed conversion price of $2.61 per share of Common Stock (“Fixed Conversion Price”);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to issue a warrant to the Purchaser to purchase up to 125,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with Purchaser’s purchase of the Note;
WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to purchase the Note and Warrant on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell the Note and Warrant to Purchaser on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises, representations, warranties and covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Agreement to Sell and Purchase. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3), the Company agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company a Note in the amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,750,000.00) convertible in accordance with the terms thereof into shares of the Company’s Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Note and this Agreement. The Note purchased on the Closing Date shall be known as the “Offering.” A form of the Note is annexed hereto as Exhibit A. The Note will have a Maturity Date (as defined in the Note) thirty six (36) months from the date of issuance. Collectively, the Note and Warrant (as defined in Section 2) and Common Stock issuable in payment of the Note, upon conversion of the Note and upon exercise of the Warrant are referred to as the “Securities.”
2. Fees and Warrant. On the Closing Date:
(a) The Company will issue and deliver to the Purchaser a Warrant to purchase up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with the Offering (the
“Warrant”) pursuant to Section 1 hereof. The Warrant must be delivered on the Closing Date. A form of Warrant is annexed hereto as Exhibit B. All the representations, covenants, warranties, undertakings, and indemnification, and other rights made or granted to or for the benefit of the Purchaser by the Company are hereby also made and granted in respect of the Warrant and shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (the “Warrant Shares”).
(b) Subject to the terms of Section 2(d) below, the Company shall pay to Laurus Capital Management, LLC, manager of Purchaser a closing payment in an amount equal to three and six-tenths percent (3.60%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Note. The foregoing fee is referred to herein as the “Closing Payment.”
(c) The Company shall reimburse the Purchaser for its reasonable legal fees for services rendered to the Purchaser in preparation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements (as hereinafter defined), and expenses in connection with the Purchaser’s due diligence review of the Company and relevant matters. Amounts required to be paid hereunder will be paid at the Closing and shall be $25,000 for legal expenses and for performing due diligence inquiries on the Company.
(d) The Closing Payment, legal fees and due diligence fees (net of deposits previously paid by the Company shall be paid at closing out of funds held pursuant to a Funds Escrow Agreement of even date herewith among the Company, Purchaser, and an Escrow Agent (the “Funds Escrow Agreement”) and a disbursement letter (the “Disbursement Letter”).
3. Closing, Delivery and Payment.
3.1 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”), shall take place on the date hereof, at such time or place as the Company and Purchaser may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).
3.2 Delivery. Pursuant to the Funds Escrow Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, at the Closing on the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser, among other things, a Note in the form attached as Exhibit A representing the principal amount of $2,750,000, and a Warrant in the form attached as Exhibit B in the Purchaser’s name representing 125,000 Warrant Shares and the Purchaser will deliver to the Company, among other things, the amounts set forth in the Disbursement Letter by certified funds or wire transfer.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as of the date of this Agreement as set forth below which disclosures are supplemented by, and subject to the Company’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (collectively, the “Exchange Act Filings”), copies of which have been provided to the Purchaser.
4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties
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and assets, to execute and deliver this Agreement, and the Note and the Warrant to be issued in connection with this Agreement, the Security Agreement relating to the Note dated as of February 9, 2004 between the Company and the Purchaser, the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Securities dated as of February 9, 2004 between the Company and the Purchaser and all other agreements referred to herein (collectively, the “Related Agreements”), to issue and sell the Note and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note (the “Note Shares”), to issue and sell the Warrant and the Warrant Shares, and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry on its business as presently conducted. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business.
4.2 Subsidiaries. The Company owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Annovis, Inc, a Delaware Corporation; Transgenomic Japan, Inc., a Delaware corporation; TBIO Nebraska, Inc., a Delaware Corporation; Transgenomic Ltd. a corporation organized under the laws of England & Wales; Cruachem Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Scotland; and Xxxx Campus Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Scotland. The Company does not own or control any equity security or other interest of any other corporation, limited partnership or other business entity.
4.3 Capitalization; Voting Rights.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company, as of the date hereof consists of 75 million shares, of which 60 million are shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and further of which 28,769,122 shares of which are issued and outstanding as of February 4, 2004, and 15 million are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share of which no shares of Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding.
(b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, other than: (i) the shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plans; and (ii) shares which may be granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Related Agreements, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), proxy or stockholder agreements, or arrangements or agreements of any kind for the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any of its securities. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, neither the offer, issuance or sale of any of the Note or Warrant, or the issuance of any of the Note Shares or Warrant Shares, nor the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby will result in a change in the price or number of any securities of the Company outstanding, under anti-dilution or other similar provisions contained in or affecting any such securities.
(c) All issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock: (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.
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(d) The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of the Common Stock are as stated in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”). The Note Shares and Warrant Shares have been duly and validly reserved for issuance. When issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Company’s Charter, the Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of any liens or encumbrances; provided, however, that the Securities may be subject to restrictions on transfer under state and/or federal securities laws as set forth herein or as otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer is proposed.
4.4 Authorization; Binding Obligations. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers and directors necessary for the authorization of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder at the Closing and, the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of the Note and Warrant has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. The Agreement and the Related Agreements, when executed and delivered and to the extent it is a party thereto, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except:
(a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and
(b) general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal remedies.
The sale of the Note and the subsequent conversion of the Note into Note Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with. The issuance of the Warrant and the subsequent exercise of the Warrant for Warrant Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.
4.5 Liabilities. The Company, to the best of its knowledge, has no material contingent liabilities, except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and liabilities disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings.
4.6 Agreements; Action. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 or as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings:
(a) There are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts, proposed transactions, judgments, orders, writs or decrees to which the Company is a party or to its knowledge by which it is bound which may involve: (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of $50,000 (other than obligations of, or payments to, the Company arising from purchase or sale agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business); or (ii) the transfer or license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company (other than licenses arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or other standard products); or (iii) provisions restricting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Company’s products or services; or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
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(b) Since September 30, 2003, the Company has not: (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock; (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or any other liabilities (other than ordinary course obligations) individually in excess of $50,000 or, in the case of indebtedness and/or liabilities individually less than $50,000, in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate; (iii) made any loans or advances to any person not in excess, individually or in the aggregate, of $100,000, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses; or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business.
(c) For the purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same person or entity (including persons or entities the Company has reason to believe are affiliated therewith) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsections.
4.7 Obligations to Related Parties. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, there are no obligations of the Company to officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Company other than:
(a) for payment of salary for services rendered and for bonus payments;
(b) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company;
(c) for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company); and
(d) obligations listed in the Company’s financial statements or disclosed in any of its Exchange Act Filings.
Except as described above or set forth on Schedule 4.7, none of the officers, directors or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, key employees or stockholders of the Company or any members of their immediate families, are indebted to the Company, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $50,000 or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company, other than passive investments in publicly traded companies (representing less than one percent (1%) of such company) which may compete with the Company. Except as described above, no officer, director or stockholder, or any member of their immediate families, is, directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with the Company and no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions are contemplated between the Company and any such person. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, the Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other person, firm or corporation.
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4.8 Changes. Since September 30, 2003, except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filing or in any Schedule to this Agreement or to any of the Related Agreements, there has not been:
(a) Any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition, prospects or operations of the Company, other than changes in the ordinary course of business, none of which individually or in the aggregate has had or is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on such assets, liabilities, financial condition, prospects or operations of the Company;
(b) Any resignation or termination of any officer, key employee or group of employees of the Company;
(c) Any material change, except in the ordinary course of business, in the contingent obligations of the Company by way of guaranty, endorsement, indemnity, warranty or otherwise;
(d) Any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, materially and adversely affecting the properties, business or prospects or financial condition of the Company;
(e) Any waiver by the Company of a valuable right or of a material debt owed to it;
(f) Any direct or indirect material loans made by the Company to any stockholder, employee, officer or director of the Company, other than advances made in the ordinary course of business;
(g) Any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(h) Any declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution of the assets of the Company;
(i) Any labor organization activity related to the Company;
(j) Any debt, obligation or liability incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company, except those for immaterial amounts and for current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Any sale, assignment or transfer of any patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets;
(l) Any change in any material agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound which may materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, operations or prospects of the Company;
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(m) Any other event or condition of any character that, either individually or cumulatively, has or may materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, prospects or operations of the Company; or
(n) Any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the acts described in subsection (a) through (m) above.
4.9 Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the Company has good and marketable title to its properties and assets, and good title to its leasehold estates, in each case subject to no mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, encumbrance or charge, other than:
(a) those resulting from taxes which have not yet become delinquent;
(b) minor liens and encumbrances which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company; and
(c) those that have otherwise arisen in the ordinary course of business.
All facilities, machinery, equipment, fixtures, vehicles and other properties owned, leased or used by the Company are in good operating condition and repair and are reasonably fit and usable for the purposes for which they are being used. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the Company is in compliance with all material terms of each lease to which it is a party or is otherwise bound.
4.10 Intellectual Property.
(a) The Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes necessary for its business as now conducted and to the Company’s knowledge as presently proposed to be conducted (the “Intellectual Property”), without any known infringement of the rights of others. There are no outstanding options, licenses or agreements of any kind relating to the foregoing proprietary rights, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes of any other person or entity other than such licenses or agreements arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or standard products.
(b) The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights or trade secrets or other proprietary rights of any other person or entity, nor is the Company aware of any basis therefor.
(c) The Company does not believe it is or will be necessary to utilize any inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information of any of its employees made prior to their employment by the Company, except for inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information that have been rightfully assigned to the Company.
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4.11 Compliance with Other Instruments. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11, the Company is not in violation or default of any term of its Charter or Bylaws, or of any material provision of any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, instrument or contract to which it is party or by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ. The execution, delivery and performance of and compliance with this Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is a party, and the issuance and sale of the Note by the Company and the other Securities by the Company each pursuant hereto, will not, with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, result in any such material violation, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any such term or provision, or result in the creation of any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.
4.12 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12 hereto, there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, currently threatened against the Company that prevents the Company to enter into this Agreement or the Related Agreements, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which might result, either individually or in the aggregate, in any material adverse change in the assets, condition, affairs or prospects of the Company, financially or otherwise, or any change in the current equity ownership of the Company, nor is the Company aware that there is any basis for any of the foregoing. The Company is not a party or subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company currently pending or which the Company intends to initiate.
4.13 Tax Returns and Payments. The Company has timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it. All taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, any assessments imposed, and to the Company’s knowledge all other taxes due and payable by the Company on or before the Closing, have been paid or will be paid prior to the time they become delinquent. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, the Company has not been advised:
(a) that any of its returns, federal, state or other, have been or are being audited as of the date hereof; or
(b) of any deficiency in assessment or proposed judgment to its federal, state or other taxes.
The Company has no knowledge of any liability of any tax to be imposed upon its properties or assets as of the date of this Agreement that is not adequately provided for.
4.14 Employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the Company has no collective bargaining agreements with any of its employees. There is no labor union organizing activity pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened with respect to the Company.
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Except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings or on Schedule 4.14, the Company is not a party to or bound by any currently effective employment contract, deferred compensation arrangement, bonus plan, incentive plan, profit sharing plan, retirement agreement or other employee compensation plan or agreement. To the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company, nor any consultant with whom the Company has contracted, is in violation of any term of any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or to contract with, the Company because of the nature of the business to be conducted by the Company; and to the Company’s knowledge the continued employment by the Company of its present employees, and the performance of the Company’s contracts with its independent contractors, will not result in any such violation. The Company is not aware that any of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would interfere with their duties to the Company. The Company has not received any notice alleging that any such violation has occurred. Except for employees who have a current effective employment agreement with the Company, no employee of the Company has been granted the right to continued employment by the Company or to any material compensation following termination of employment with the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the Company is not aware that any officer, key employee or group of employees intends to terminate his, her or their employment with the Company, nor does the Company have a present intention to terminate the employment of any officer, key employee or group of employees.
4.15 Registration Rights and Voting Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, the Company is presently not under any obligation, and has not granted any rights, to register any of the Company’s presently outstanding securities or any of its securities that may hereafter be issued. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, to the Company’s knowledge, no stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company.
4.16 Compliance with Laws; Permits. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16, to its knowledge, the Company is not in violation in any material respect of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties which violation would materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, operations or prospects of the Company. No governmental orders, permissions, consents, approvals or authorizations are required to be obtained and no registrations or declarations are required to be filed in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance of any of the Securities, except such as has been duly and validly obtained or filed, or with respect to any filings that must be made after the Closing, as will be filed in a timely manner. The Company has all material franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it, the lack of which would materially and adversely affect the business, properties, prospects or financial condition of the Company.
4.17 Environmental and Safety Laws. The Company is not in violation of any applicable statute, law or regulation relating to the environment or occupational health and
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safety, and to its knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply with any such existing statute, law or regulation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, no Hazardous Materials (as defined below) are used or have been used, stored, or disposed of by the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, by any other person or entity on any property owned, leased or used by the Company. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, “Hazardous Materials” shall mean:
(a) materials which are listed or otherwise defined as “hazardous” or “toxic” under any applicable local, state, federal and/or foreign laws and regulations that govern the existence and/or remedy of contamination on property, the protection of the environment from contamination, the control of hazardous wastes, or other activities involving hazardous substances, including building materials; or
(b) any petroleum products or nuclear materials.
4.18 Valid Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and will have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws.
4.19 Full Disclosure. The Company has provided the Purchaser with all information requested by the Purchaser in connection with its decision to purchase the Note and Warrant, including all information the Company believes is reasonably necessary to make such investment decision. Neither this Agreement, the exhibits and schedules hereto, the Related Agreements nor any other document delivered by the Company to Purchaser or its attorneys or agents in connection herewith or therewith or with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contain any untrue statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. Any financial projections and other estimates provided to the Purchaser by the Company were based on the Company’s experience in the industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion as to future events which the Company, at the date of the issuance of such projections or estimates, believed to be reasonable.
4.20 Insurance. The Company has general commercial, product liability, fire and casualty insurance policies with coverages which the Company believes are customary for companies similarly situated to the Company in the same or similar business.
4.21 SEC Reports. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, the Company has filed all proxy statements, reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act. The Company has furnished the Purchaser with copies of: (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; and (ii) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, and the Form 8-K filings which it has made during 2003 to date (collectively, the “SEC Reports”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, each SEC Report was, at the time of its filing, in substantial compliance with the requirements of its respective form and none of the SEC Reports, nor the
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financial statements (and the notes thereto) included in the SEC Reports, as of their respective filing dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.22 Listing. The Company’s Common Stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ National Market (“NASDAQ NM”)] and satisfies all requirements for the continuation of such listing. The Company has not received any notice that its Common Stock will be delisted from NASDAQ NM or that its Common Stock does not meet all requirements for listing.
4.23 No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security under circumstances that would cause the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling the Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions, nor will the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries take any action or steps that would cause the offering of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings.
4.24 Stop Transfer. The Securities are restricted securities as of the date of this Agreement. The Company will not issue any stop transfer order or other order impeding the sale and delivery of any of the Securities at such time as the Securities are registered for public sale or an exemption from registration is available, except as required by state and federal securities laws.
4.25 Dilution. The Company specifically acknowledges that its obligation to issue the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant is binding upon the Company and enforceable regardless of the dilution such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other shareholders of the Company.
4.26 Patriot Act. If the Company is a corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability Purchaser or other organization, the Company certifies that, to the best of Company’s knowledge, the Company has not been designated, and is not owned or controlled, by a “suspected terrorist” as defined in Executive Order 13224. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Purchaser seeks to comply with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and related activities. In furtherance of those efforts, the Company hereby represents, warrants and agrees that: (i) none of the cash or property that the Company will pay or will contribute to the Purchaser has been or shall be derived from, or related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under United States law; and (ii) no contribution or payment by the Company to the Purchaser, to the extent that they are within the Company’s control shall cause the Purchaser to be in violation of the United States Bank Secrecy Act, the United States International Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 or the United States International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001. The Company shall promptly notify the Purchaser if any of these representations ceases to be true and accurate regarding the Company. The Company agrees to provide the Purchaser any additional information regarding the
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Company that the Purchaser deems necessary or convenient to ensure compliance with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar activities. The Company understands and agrees that if at any time it is discovered that any of the foregoing representations are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law or regulation related to money laundering similar activities, the Purchaser may undertake appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to segregation and/or redemption of the Company’s investment in the Purchaser. The Company further understands that the Purchaser may release confidential information about the Company and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial owners, to proper authorities if the Purchaser, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Purchaser in light of relevant rules and regulations under the laws set forth in subsection (ii) above.
5. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows (such representations and warranties do not lessen or obviate the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement)
5.1 No Shorting. The Purchaser or any of its affiliates and investment partners has not, will not and will not cause any person or entity, directly or indirectly, to engage in “short sales” of the Company’s Common Stock or any other hedging strategies as long as the Note shall be outstanding.
5.2 Requisite Power and Authority. Purchaser has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry out their provisions. All corporate action on Purchaser’s part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. Upon their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the Related Agreements will be valid and binding obligations of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except:
(a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and
(b) as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable and legal remedies.
5.3 Investment Representations. Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon Purchaser’s representations contained in the Agreement, including, without limitation, that the Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Purchaser confirms that it has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the Note and the Warrant to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares acquired by it upon the conversion of the Note and the exercise of the Warrant, respectively. The Purchaser further confirms that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the
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Company regarding the Company’s business, management and financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Offering, the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Purchaser or to which the Purchaser had access.
5.4 Purchaser Bears Economic Risk. Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in private placement transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. Purchaser must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Securities are sold pursuant to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or (ii) an exemption from registration is available with respect to such sale.
5.5 Acquisition for Own Account. Purchaser is acquiring the Note and Warrant and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares for Purchaser’s own account for investment only, and not as a nominee or agent and not with a view towards or for resale in connection with their distribution.
5.6 Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest. Purchaser represents that by reason of its, or of its management’s, business and financial experience, Purchaser has the capacity to evaluate the merits and risks of its investment in the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, and the Related Agreements. Further, Purchaser is aware of no publication of any advertisement in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Agreement or the Related Agreements.
5.7 Accredited Investor. Purchaser represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
5.8 Legends.
(a) The Note shall bear substantially the following legend:
“THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE, STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE OR SUCH SHARES UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO TRANSGENOMIC, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
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(b) The Note Shares and the Warrant Shares, if not issued by DWAC system (as hereinafter defined), shall bear a legend which shall be in substantially the following form until such shares are covered by an effective registration statement filed with the SEC:
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE, STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO TRANSGENOMIC, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
(c) The Warrant shall bear substantially the following legend:
“THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS WARRANT OR THE UNDERLYING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO TRANSGENOMIC, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
6. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser as follows:
6.1 Stop-Orders. The Company will advise the Purchaser, promptly after it receives notice of issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission or any other regulatory authority of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending any offering of any securities of the Company, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Common Stock of the Company for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any such purpose.
6.2 Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and upon the exercise of the Warrant on the NASDAQ SC (the “Principal Market”) upon which shares of Common Stock are listed (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed. The Company will maintain the listing of its Common Stock on the Principal Market, and will comply in all material respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and such exchanges, as applicable.
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6.3 Market Regulations. The Company shall notify the SEC, NASD and applicable state authorities, in accordance with their requirements, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall take all other necessary action and proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Securities to Purchaser and promptly provide copies thereof to Purchaser.
6.4 Reporting Requirements. The Company will timely file with the SEC all reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and refrain from terminating its status as an issuer required by the Exchange Act to file reports thereunder even if the Exchange Act or the rules or regulations thereunder would permit such termination.
6.5 Use of Funds. The Company agrees that it will use the proceeds of the sale of the Note and Warrant to pay off, in its entirety, the existing mortgage on the Compnay’s Glasgow Scotland facility with Royal Bank of Scotland, with the balance being used for the general working capital purposes.
6.6 Access to Facilities. The Company will permit any representatives designated by the Purchaser (or any successor of the Purchaser), upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, at such person’s expense and accompanied by a representative of the Company, to:
(a) visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company;
(b) examine the corporate and financial records of the Company (unless such examination is not permitted by federal, state or local law or by contract) and make copies thereof or extracts therefrom; and
(c) discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with the directors, officers and independent accountants of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not provide any material, non-public information to the Purchaser unless the Purchaser signs a confidentiality agreement and otherwise complies with Regulation FD, under the federal securities laws.
6.7 Taxes. The Company will promptly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all lawful taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits, property or business of the Company; provided, however, that any such tax, assessment, charge or levy need not be paid if the validity thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto, and provided, further, that the Company will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have attached as security therefor.
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6.8 Insurance. The Company will keep its assets which are of an insurable character insured by financially sound and reputable insurers against loss or damage by fire, explosion and other risks customarily insured against by companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company; and the Company will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance against other hazards and risks and liability to persons and property to the extent and in the manner which the Company reasonably believes is customary for companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company and to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms. The Company and each of its subsidiaries set forth in Section 4.2 hereof (the “Subsidiaries”) will jointly and severally bear the full risk of loss from any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the assets pledged to the Purchaser as security for its obligations hereunder and under the Related Agreements. At the Company’s own cost and expense in amounts and with carriers reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries shall (i) keep all its insurable properties and properties in which it has an interest insured against the hazards of fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, those hazards covered by extended coverage insurance and such other hazards, and for such amounts, as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the respective Subsidiary’s including business interruption insurance; (ii) maintain a bond in such amounts as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the Subsidiary’s insuring against larceny, embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation of insured’s officers and employees who may either singly or jointly with others at any time have access to the assets or funds of the Company either directly or through governmental authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such assets; (iii) maintain public and product liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage suffered by others; (iv) maintain all such worker’s compensation or similar insurance as may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which the Company or the Subsidiary is engaged in business; and (v) furnish Purchaser with (x) copies of all policies and evidence of the maintenance of such policies at least thirty (30) days before any expiration date, (y) excepting the Company’s workers’ compensation policy, endorsements to such policies naming Purchaser as “co-insured” or “additional insured” and appropriate loss payable endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser, naming Purchaser as loss payee, and (z) evidence that as to Purchaser the insurance coverage shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of the Company or any Subsidiary and the insurer will provide Purchaser with at least thirty (30) days notice prior to cancellation. The Company and each Subsidiary shall instruct the insurance carriers that in the event of any loss thereunder, the carriers shall make payment for such loss to the Company and/or the Subsidiary and Purchaser jointly. In the event that as of the date of receipt of each loss recovery upon any such insurance, the Purchaser has not declared an event of default with respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then the Company shall be permitted to direct the application of such loss recovery proceeds toward investment in property, plant and equipment that would comprise “Collateral” secured by Purchaser’s security interest pursuant to its security agreement, with any surplus funds to be applied toward payment of the obligations of the Company to Purchaser. In the event that Purchaser has properly declared an event of default with respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then all loss recoveries received by Purchaser upon any such insurance thereafter may be applied to the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Related Agreements, in such order as the Purchaser may determine. Any surplus (following satisfaction of all Company obligations to Purchaser) shall be paid by Purchaser to the Company or applied as may be otherwise required by law. Any deficiency thereon shall be paid by the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, to Purchaser, on demand.
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6.9 Intellectual Property. The Company shall maintain in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and franchises and all licenses and other rights to use Intellectual Property owned or possessed by it and reasonably deemed to be necessary to the conduct of its business.
6.10 Properties. The Company will keep its properties in good repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and from time to time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, additions and improvements thereto; and the Company will at all times comply with each provision of all leases to which it is a party or under which it occupies property if the breach of such provision could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect.
6.11 Confidentiality. The Company agrees that it will not disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Purchaser, unless expressly agreed to by the Purchaser or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement. The Company may disclose Purchaser’s identity and the terms of this Agreement to its current and prospective debt and equity financing sources.
6.12 Required Approvals. For so long as twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount of the Note is outstanding, the Company, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, shall not:
(a) directly or indirectly declare or pay any dividends, other than dividends with respect to its preferred stock;
(b) liquidate, dissolve or effect a material reorganization;
(c) become subject to (including, without limitation, by way of amendment to or modification of) any agreement or instrument which by its terms would (under any circumstances) restrict the Company’s right to perform the provisions of this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated thereby;
(d) materially alter or change the scope of the business of the Company;
(e) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness (exclusive of trade debt and debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment (not in excess of five percent (5%) per annum of the Company’s assets) whether secured or unsecured other than the Company’s indebtedness to Laurus and as set forth on Exhibit 6.12(e) attached hereto and made a part hereof or any refinancings or replacements thereof or any debt incurred in connection with the purchase of assets or in connection with operating lines of credit as necessary to operate such assets, or any refinancings or replacements thereof; (ii) cancel any debt owing to it in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate during any 12 month period; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in connection with any obligations of any other Person, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by a Company for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business or guarantees provided to any of the lenders set forth in subparagraph (i) immediately above.
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6.13 Reissuance of Securities. The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing the Securities without the legends set forth in Section 5.7 above at such time as:
(a) the holder thereof is permitted to dispose of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act; or
(b) upon resale subject to an effective registration statement after such Securities are registered under the Securities Act.
The Company agrees to cooperate with the Purchaser in connection with all resales pursuant to Rule 144(d) and Rule 144(k) and provide legal opinions necessary to allow such resales provided the Company and its counsel receive reasonably requested representations from the selling Purchaser and broker, if any.
6.14 Opinion. On the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser an opinion acceptable to the Purchaser from the Company’s legal counsel. The Company will provide, at the Company’s expense, such other legal opinions in the future as are reasonably necessary for the conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant.
7. Covenants of the Purchaser. The Purchaser covenants and agrees with the Company as follows:
7.1 Confidentiality. The Purchaser agrees that it will not disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Company, unless expressly agreed to by the Company or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.
7.2 Non-Public Information. The Purchaser agrees not to effect any sales in the shares of the Company’s Common Stock while in possession of material, non-public information regarding the Company if such sales would violate applicable securities law.
8. Covenants of the Company and Purchaser Regarding Indemnification.
8.1 Company Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend Purchaser, each of Purchaser’s officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons, and principal shareholders, against any claim, cost, expense, liability, obligation, loss or damage (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Purchaser which results, arises out of or is based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by Company or breach of any warranty by Company in this Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or any Related Agreement; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by Company of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by Company hereunder, or any other agreement entered into by the Company and Purchaser relating hereto.
8.2 Purchaser’s Indemnification. Purchaser agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend the Company and each of the Company’s officers, directors,
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agents, affiliates, control persons and principal shareholders, at all times against any claim, cost, expense, liability, obligation, loss or damage (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Company which results, arises out of or is based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by Purchaser or breach of any warranty by Purchaser in this Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or any Related Agreement; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by Purchaser of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by Purchaser hereunder, or any other agreement entered into by the Company and Purchaser relating hereto.
8.3 Procedures. The procedures and limitations set forth in Section 10.2(c) and (d) shall apply to the indemnifications set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 above.
9. Conversion of Convertible Note.
9.1 Mechanics of Conversion.
(a) Provided the Purchaser has notified the Company of the Purchaser’s intention to sell the Note Shares and the Note Shares are included in an effective registration statement or are otherwise exempt from registration when sold: (i) Upon the conversion of the Note or part thereof, the Company shall, at its own cost and expense, take all necessary action (including the issuance of an opinion of counsel) to assure that the Company’s transfer agent shall issue shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the name of the Purchaser (or its nominee) or such other persons as designated by the Purchaser in accordance with Section 9.1(b) hereof and in such denominations to be specified representing the number of Note Shares issuable upon such conversion; and (ii) The Company warrants that no instructions other than these instructions have been or will be given to the transfer agent of the Company’s Common Stock and that after the Effectiveness Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) the Note Shares issued will be freely transferable subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and the provisions of this Agreement, and will not contain a legend restricting the resale or transferability of the Note Shares.
(b) Purchaser will give notice of its decision to exercise its right to convert the Note or part thereof by telecopying or otherwise delivering an executed and completed notice of the number of shares to be converted to the Company (the “Notice of Conversion”). The Purchaser will not be required to surrender the Note until the Purchaser receives a credit to the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker through the DWAC system (as defined below), representing the Note Shares or until the Note has been fully satisfied. Each date on which a Notice of Conversion is telecopied or delivered to the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be deemed a “Conversion Date.” Pursuant to the terms of the Notice of Conversion, the Borrower will issue instructions to the transfer agent accompanied by an opinion of counsel within one (1) business day of the date of the delivery to Borrower of the Notice of Conversion and shall cause the transfer agent to transmit the certificates representing the Conversion Shares to the Holder by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system within three (3) business days after receipt by the Company of the Notice of Conversion (the “Delivery Date”).
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(c) The Company understands that a delay in the delivery of the Note Shares in the form required pursuant to Section 9 hereof beyond the Delivery Date could result in economic loss to the Purchaser. In the event that the Company fails to direct its transfer agent to deliver the Note Shares to the Purchaser via the DWAC system within the time frame set forth in Section 9.1(b) above and the Note Shares are not delivered to the Purchaser by the Delivery Date, as compensation to the Purchaser for such loss, the Company agrees to pay late payments to the Purchaser for late issuance of the Note Shares in the form required pursuant to Section 9 hereof upon conversion of the Note in the amount equal to the greater of: (i) $500 per business day after the Delivery Date; or (ii) the Purchaser’s actual damages from such delayed delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not owe the Purchaser any late payments if the delay in the delivery of the Note Shares beyond the Delivery Date is solely out of the control of the Company and the Company is actively trying to cure the cause of the delay. The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section in immediately available funds upon demand and, in the case of actual damages, accompanied by reasonable documentation of the amount of such damages. Such documentation shall show the number of shares of Common Stock the Purchaser is forced to purchase (in an open market transaction) which the Purchaser anticipated receiving upon such conversion, and shall be calculated as the amount by which (A) the Purchaser’s total purchase price (including customary brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (B) the aggregate principal and/or interest amount of the Note, for which such Conversion Notice was not timely honored.
Nothing contained herein or in any document referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest or dividends required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum amount permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to a Purchaser and thus refunded to the Company.
9.2 Maximum Conversion. The Purchaser shall not be entitled to convert on a Conversion Date, that amount of a Note in connection with that number of shares of Common Stock which would be (a) in excess of the sum of: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Purchaser on a Conversion Date; and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Note with respect to which the determination of this proviso is being made on a Conversion Date, which would result in beneficial ownership by the Purchaser of more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company on such Conversion Date and (b) (ii) exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the aggregate dollar trading volume of the Common Stock for the ten (10) day trading period immediately preceding delivery of a Notice of Conversion to the Borrower. For the purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulation 13d-3 thereunder. Upon an Event of Default under the Note, the conversion limitation in this Section 9.2 shall become null and void.
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10. Registration Rights, Indemnification.
10.1 Registration Rights Granted. The Company hereby grants registration rights to the Purchaser pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of even date herewith between the Company and the Purchaser.
10.2 Indemnification. (a) In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, and its officers, directors and each other person, if any, who controls the Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Purchaser, or such persons may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Purchaser, and each such person for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by or on behalf of the Purchaser or any such person in writing specifically for use in any such document.
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(b) In the event of a registration of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Purchaser will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and its officers, directors and each other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company or such persons may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and each such person for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, provided, however, that the Purchaser will be liable in any such case if and only to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Purchaser specifically for use in any such document.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party other than under this Section 10.2(c) and shall only relieve it from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party under this Section 10.2(c) if and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 10.2(c) for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; if the indemnified party retains its own counsel, then the indemnified party shall pay all fees, costs and expenses of such counsel, provided, however, that, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to select one separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.
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(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in the event of joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either: (i) the Purchaser, or any controlling person of the Purchaser, makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 10.2 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 10.2 provides for indemnification in such case; or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of the Purchaser or controlling person of the Purchaser in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 10.2; then, and in each such case, the Company and the Purchaser will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so that the Purchaser is responsible only for the portion represented by the percentage that the public offering price of its securities offered by the registration statement bears to the public offering price of all securities offered by such registration statement, provided, however, that, in any such case, (A) the Purchaser will not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such securities offered by it pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 10 of the Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
10.3 Offering Restrictions. Except as previously disclosed in the SEC Reports or in the Exchange Act Filings, or stock or stock options granted to employees or directors of the Company; or shares of preferred stock issued to pay dividends in respect of the Company’s preferred stock; or equity or debt issued in connection with an acquisition of a business or assets by the Company; or the issuance by the Company of stock in connection with the establishment of a joint venture partnership or licensing arrangement (these exceptions hereinafter referred to as the “Excepted Issuances”), the Company will not issue any securities with a continuously variable/floating conversion feature which are or could be (by conversion or registration) free-trading securities (i.e. common stock subject to a registration statement) prior to the full repayment or conversion of the Note (the “Exclusion Period”).
11. Miscellaneous.
11.1 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. ANY ACTION BROUGHT BY EITHER PARTY AGAINST THE OTHER CONCERNING THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN THE STATE COURTS OF NEW YORK OR IN THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. BOTH PARTIES AND THE INDIVIDUALS EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY. IN THE EVENT THAT ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH IS INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE OR RULE OF LAW, THEN SUCH PROVISION SHALL BE DEEMED INOPERATIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT MAY CONFLICT THEREWITH AND SHALL BE DEEMED
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MODIFIED TO CONFORM WITH SUCH STATUTE OR RULE OF LAW. ANY SUCH PROVISION WHICH MAY PROVE INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE UNDER ANY LAW SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION OF ANY AGREEMENT.
11.2 Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by the Purchaser and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent provided therein. All statements as to factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.
11.3 Successors. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each person who shall be a holder of the Securities from time to time, other than the holders of Common Stock which has been sold by the Purchaser pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement. Purchaser may not assign its rights hereunder to a competitor of the Company.
11.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the exhibits and schedules hereto, the Related Agreements and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein.
11.5 Severability. In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
11.6 Amendment and Waiver.
(a) This Agreement may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the Company and the Purchaser.
(b) The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Purchaser under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Purchaser.
(c) The obligations of the Purchaser and the rights of the Company under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Company.
11.7 Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default or noncompliance by another party under this Agreement or the Related Agreements, shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. All remedies, either under this Agreement, the Note or the Related Agreements, by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
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11.8 Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given:
(a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified;
(b) when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day;
(c) three (3) business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or
(d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.
All communications shall be sent as follows:
If to the Purchaser, to: | Transgenomic, Inc. | |
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, | ||
Xxxxx, XX, 00000 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer | ||
Facsimile: 402.452.5487 | ||
with a copy to: Transgenomic Law Department | ||
Attention: Law Department | ||
Facsimile: 402.452.5487 | ||
If to the Company, to: | Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. | |
c/o Ironshore Corporate Services ltd. | ||
X.X. Xxx 0000 G.T. | ||
Queensgate House, South Church Street | ||
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
with a copy to: | ||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx , Esq. | ||
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 |
or at such other address as the Company or the Purchaser may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance herewith.
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11.9 Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any suit or action is instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation, such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.
11.10 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of the Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
11.11 Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
11.12 Broker’s Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 11.12 hereof, Each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party hereto is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a result of the representation in this Section 11.12 being untrue.
11.13 Construction. Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Agreement to favor any party against the other.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
COMPANY: |
PURCHASER: | |||||
TRANSGENOMIC, INC. |
LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD. | |||||
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Grin | |||
Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Name: |
Xxxxx Grin | |||
Title: |
CFO |
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CONVERTIBLE NOTE
A-1
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF WARRANT
B-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF OPINION
C-1
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT
D-1
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
April 15, 2004
Reference is made to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 19, 2004 by and between Transgenomic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”) and LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD., c/o Ironshore Corporate Services Ltd., X.X. Xxx 0000 G.T., Queensgate House, South Church Street, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (the “Laurus”) (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Borrower issued a note in the original principal amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,750,000) (the “Note”) to Laurus. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Borrower and Laurus have agreed to amend the Securities Purchase Agreement to each of the Borrower and Laurus desires to make certain changes to the Securities Purchase Agreement to address the comments made by the National Association of Securities Dealer Automated Quotation System market where the common stock of the Borrower is listed for trading.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Section 9.2 of the Securities Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the insert the following paragraph inserted in its stead: |
“9.2 Maximum Conversion. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Purchaser shall not be entitled to convert pursuant to the terms of a Note an amount that would be convertible into that number of shares of Common Stock which, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise beneficially owned by such Purchaser including those issuable upon exercise of warrants held by such Purchaser would exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company at the time of conversion. For the purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulation 13d-3 thereunder. The conversion limitation described in this Section 9.2 shall automatically become null and void without any notice to Company upon the occurrence and during the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of an Event of Default, or upon 75 days prior notice to the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable by the Company and acquirable by the Purchaser at a price below $2.65 per share pursuant to the terms of the Secured Convertible Term Note and/or Warrants issued by the Company to the Purchaser pursuant to this Securities Purchase Agreement (the “February Transaction Documents”), shall not exceed an aggregate of 5,776,614 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar recapitalizations affecting the Common Stock) (the “Maximum Common Stock Issuance”), unless the issuance of shares hereunder in excess of the Maximum Common Stock Issuance shall first be approved by the Company’s shareholders. If at any point in time and from time to time the number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of the February Transaction Documents, together with the
number of shares of Common Stock that would then be issuable by the Company to the Purchaser in the event of a conversion or exercise pursuant to the terms of the February Transaction Documents, would exceed the Maximum Common Stock Issuance but for this Section, the Company shall promptly call a shareholders meeting to solicit shareholder approval for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock hereunder in excess of the Maximum Common Stock Issuance.”
2. | The foregoing amendment shall be effective as of the date hereof. |
3. | There are no other amendments to the Securities Purchase Agreement, and all of the other forms, terms and provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement remain in full force and effect. |
4. | The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Laurus that as of the date hereof all representation, warranties and covenants made by Borrower in connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement are true correct and complete and all of Borrower’s covenants requirements have been met. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Borrower and Laurus has caused this Amendment No. 1 to Securities Purchase Agreement signed in its name effective as of this 15th day of April, 2004.
TRANSGENOMIC, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Title: |
VP, Secretary & Treasurer | |
LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Grin | |
Name: |
Xxxxx Grin | |
Title: |