ASTRAZENECA PLC AND CITIBANK, N.A., As Depositary, AND ALL HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OUTSTANDING UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 2015
ASTRAZENECA PLC
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
As Depositary,
AND
ALL HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
OUTSTANDING UNDER THE TERMS OF THE
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 2015
Amendment No. 1
to
Dated as of July 27, 2015
Table of Contents
Page
ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS
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SECTION 1.01
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Definitions
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2
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SECTION 1.02
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Effective Date
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2
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ARTICLE II
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AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
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SECTION 2.01
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Deposit Agreement
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2
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SECTION 2.02
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Change of Ratio
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2
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SECTION 2.03
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Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners
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2
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ARTICLE III
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AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
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SECTION 3.01
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ADR Amendment
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3
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SECTION 3.02
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Change of Ratio
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3
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ARTICLE IV
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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SECTION 4.01
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Representations and Warranties
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4
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ARTICLE V
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MISCELLANEOUS
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SECTION 5.01
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New ADRs
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4
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SECTION 5.02
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Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs
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5
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SECTION 5.03
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Indemnification
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5
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SECTION 5.04
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Ratification
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5
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SECTION 5.05
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Governing Law
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5
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SECTION 5.06
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Counterparts
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5
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i
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of July 27, 2015 (the “Amendment”), by and among ASTRAZENECA PLC, a company incorporated in England (the “Company”), Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America (the “Depositary”), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts outstanding under the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015.
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary entered into that certain Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015 (the “Deposit Agreement”), for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) in respect of the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to change the ADS-to-Share ratio from “one (1) ADS-to-one (1) Share” to “one (1) ADS-to-one-half of one (1/2) Share” on July 27, 2015, and desires to (x) amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding and the form of ADR annexed as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement to reflect such changes, and (y) to give notice thereof to all Holders (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) of ADSs; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary deem it necessary and desirable to amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding and the form of ADR annexed to the Deposit Agreement as Exhibit A for the purposes set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding and the form of ADR annexed as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise specified in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.02 Effective Date. The term “Effective Date” shall mean the date set forth above and as of which this Amendment shall become effective.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01 Deposit Agreement. All references in the Deposit Agreement to the terms “Deposit Agreement” shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015, as amended by this Amendment and as further amended and supplemented after the Effective Date.
SECTION 2.02 Change of Ratio. The definition of ADS in paragraph (1) (c) of the Deposit Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by deleting the last part of the second sentence and inserting the following in its stead: “each ADS represents the right to receive one-half (1/2) of one Share.”
SECTION 2.03 Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners. From and after the Effective Date, the amendments to the Deposit Agreement effected hereby shall be binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date and on all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued after the Effective Date.
2
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION 3.01 ADR Amendment. The first sentence of paragraph (1) of the form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement and in each of the ADRs issued and outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by deleting such sentence in its entirety and inserting the following in its stead:
“CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that _______ is the registered owner (a “Holder”) of _______ American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each (subject to paragraphs (10) and (13)) representing one-half of one (1/2) ordinary Share (including the rights to receive Shares described in paragraph (1), and, together with any other securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu of deposited Shares, the “Deposited Securities”), of AstraZeneca PLC, a corporation organized under the laws of England (the “Company”), deposited under the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2015 (as so amended and as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts evidencing ADSs issued thereunder (“ADRs”), each of whom by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto.”
SECTION 3.02 Change of Ratio. All references to the ADS-to-Share ratio made in the form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement and in each of the ADRs outstanding, as of July 27, 2015, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to the ADS-to-Share ratio of “one (1) ADS to one-half (1/2) of a Share.”
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners, that:
(1) This Amendment when executed and delivered by the Company will have been, and the Deposit Agreement has been, duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and
(2) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, and other document furnished hereunder or thereunder in England, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in England, nor does any stamp or similar tax need be paid in England on or in respect of such agreements; and
(3) All of the information provided to the Depositary by the Company in connection with this Amendment is true, accurate and correct.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01 New ADRs. From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs printed or amended that reflect the changes to the form of ADR effected by this Amendment. All ADRs issued hereunder after the Effective Date, once such new ADRs are available, whether upon the deposit of Shares or other Deposited Securities or upon the transfer, combination or split up of existing ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of the specimen ADR attached as Exhibit A hereto. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
4
SECTION 5.02 Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs. The Depositary has, at the direction of the Company, sent to Holders of ADSs the notice in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, informing the Holders of ADSs (i) of the terms of this Amendment, (ii) of the Effective Date of this Amendment, (iii) that Holders do not need to take any action in connection with this Amendment, and (iv) that copies of this Amendment may be retrieved from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at xxx.xxx.xxx and may be obtained from the Depositary and the Company upon request.
SECTION 5.03 Indemnification. The parties hereto accept and shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification provisions of Section 15 of the Deposit Agreement in connection with any and all liability they may incur in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION 5.04 Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms, covenants and conditions of the Deposit Agreement as originally executed shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5.05 Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed in the State of New York.
SECTION 5.06 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth above.
ASTRAZENECA PLC
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial Officer
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
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6
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF ADR]
Number |
CUSIP NUMBER:
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_____________ | |
American Depositary Shares (each American Depositary Share representing the right to receive one-half of one (1/2) fully paid ordinary share)
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AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
evidencing
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
ORDINARY SHARES
of
ASTRAZENECA PLC
(Incorporated under the laws of England)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that _______ is the registered owner (a “Holder”) of _______ American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each (subject to paragraphs (10) and (13)) representing one-half of one (1/2) ordinary Share (including the rights to receive Shares described in paragraph (1), and, together with any other securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu of deposited Shares, the “Deposited Securities”), of AstraZeneca PLC, a corporation organized under the laws of England (the “Company”), deposited under the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2015 (as so amended and as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts evidencing ADSs issued thereunder (“ADRs”), each of whom by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement and this ADR (which includes the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement, this ADR or any present or future provisions of the laws of the State of New York, the rights of holders of Shares and of any other Deposited Securities and the obligations and duties of the Company in respect of the holders of Shares and other Deposited Securities, as such, shall be governed by the laws of England (or, if applicable, such other laws as may govern the Deposited Securities). The terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference and all capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement.
A-1
(1) Issuance and Pre-Release of ADSs. This ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement to evidence ADSs outstanding thereunder. Subject to paragraph (4), the Depositary may so issue ADRs for delivery at the Transfer Office (defined in paragraph (3)) only against deposit of: (a) Shares in form satisfactory to the Custodian; (b) rights to receive Shares from the Company or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions on behalf of the Company; or, (c) in accordance with the next paragraph of this paragraph (1).
In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to paragraph 3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to paragraph (2) hereof, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a “Pre-Release”). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release will be (a) subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the “Applicant”) to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs, and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days’ notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Releases at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate.
The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Releases with any one person on a case-by-case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
A-2
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement represents and warrants that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non assessable and legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) that such Shares (A) are not “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Restricted Securities”) unless at the time of deposit the requirements of paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 shall not apply and such Shares may be freely transferred and may otherwise be offered and sold freely in the United States or (B) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. To the extent the person depositing Shares is an “affiliate” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 144, the person also represents and warrants that upon the sale of the ADSs, all of the provisions, of Rule 144 which enable the Shares to be freely sold (in the form of ADSs) will be fully complied with and, as a result thereof, all of the ADSs issued in respect of such Shares will not be, on the sale thereof, Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of ADRs. The Depositary will not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and not so registered; the Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the Company in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with such Act. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
(2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), upon surrender for cancellation of (i) a certificated ADR in form satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer Office (defined in paragraph (3)) or (ii) proper instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct Registration ADR, the Holder hereof is entitled to delivery at, or to the extent in dematerialized form from, the Custodian’s office of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at such other place as may have been requested by the Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as such instructions may be amended from time to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Transfers of ADRs. The Depositary or its agent will keep, at a designated transfer office (the “Transfer Office”), (a) a register (the “ADR Register) for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct Registration ADRs, shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all reasonable times will be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of the Company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (b) facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the Direct Registration System. Title to this ADR (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, is transferable upon the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York,; provided that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the ADR Register as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of an ADR, unless such holder is the Holder thereof. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing the aggregate number of ADSs surrendered for split-up or combination, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the ADR Register at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it or requested by the Company. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated ADR with a Direct Registration ADR, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated ADR or a Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the certificated ADR or Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, substituted.
A-3
(4) Certain Limitations. Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, and from time to time in the case of clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may require: (a) payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) of this ADR; (b) the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, as it may deem necessary or proper; and (c) compliance with such regulations as the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement. The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the Depositary.
(5) Taxes. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made. The Depositary may also deduct from any distributions on or in respect of Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or private sale for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities (after attempting by reasonable means to notify the Holder hereof prior to such sale), and may apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining liable for any deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs evidenced hereby to reflect any such sales of Deposited Securities. In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian, is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto. Each Holder of an ADR or an interest therein agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.
A-4
(6) Disclosure of Interests. To the extent that the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders, Beneficial Owners and all persons holding ADSs (or any interest therein) agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable Company instructions in respect thereof. The Company reserves the right to instruct Holders to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities so as to permit the Company to deal directly with the Holder thereof as a holder of Shares and Holders agree to comply with such instructions. The Depositary agrees to cooperate with the Company in its efforts to inform Holders of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this paragraph and agrees to consult with, and provide reasonable assistance without risk, liability or expense on the part of the Depositary, to the Company on the manner or manners in which it may enforce such rights with respect to any Holder. The Company may from time to time request Holders or beneficial owners of an interest in ADRs to provide information as to the capacity in which such Holders own or owned ADRs and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously having a beneficial interest in such ADRs and the nature of such interest and various other matters. Each Holder agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph (6). The Depositary agrees to comply with reasonable written instructions received from time to time from the Company requesting that the Depositary forward any such requests to the Holders and to forward to the Company any responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
A-5
Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or of this ADR and without limiting the foregoing, by being a Holder of an ADR, each such Holder agrees to provide such information as the Company may request in a disclosure notice (a “Disclosure Notice”) given pursuant to the United Kingdom Companies Act 1985 (as amended from time to time and including any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof, the “Companies Act”) or the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (the “Articles of Association”). By accepting or holding this ADR, each Holder and Beneficial Owner acknowledges that it understands that failure to comply with a Disclosure Notice may result in the imposition of sanctions against the holder of the Shares in respect of which the non-complying person is or was, or appears to be or has been, interested as provided in the Companies Act and the Articles of Association which currently include, the withdrawal of the voting rights of such Shares and the imposition of restrictions on the rights to receive dividends on and to transfer such Shares. In addition, by accepting or holding this ADR each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to comply with the provisions of the Companies Act with regard to, the notification to the Company of interests in Shares, which currently provide, inter alia, that any Holder who is or becomes directly or indirectly interested (within the meaning of the Companies Act) in 3% or more of the outstanding Shares, or is aware that another person for whom it holds such ADRs is so interested, must within two business days after becoming so interested or so aware (and thereafter in certain circumstances upon any change to the particulars previously notified) notify the Company as required by the Companies Act. After the relevant threshold is exceeded, similar notifications must be made in whole respect of whole percentage figure increases or decreases, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(7) ADS Fees and Charges. The following ADS fees are payable under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
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(i)
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ADS Issuance Fee: by any person depositing Shares or to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares (excluding issuances as a result of distributions described in paragraph (iv) below), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement;
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(ii)
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ADS Cancellation Fee: by any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Property or by any person to whom Deposited Property is delivered, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered;
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(iii)
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Cash Distribution Fee: by any Holder of ADSs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for the distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements);
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(iv)
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Stock Distribution /Rights Exercise Fee: by any Holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for (a) the distribution of stock dividends or other free stock distributions or (b) the exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs;
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A-6
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(v)
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Other Distribution Fee: by any Holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for the distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs; and
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(vi)
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Depositary Services Fee: by any Holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable record date(s) established by the Depositary.
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In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for issuance of ADSs, and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities will be responsible for the payment of the following ADS charges under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
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(a)
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taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
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(b)
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such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
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(c)
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such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Shares or withdrawing Deposited Securities or of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
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(d)
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the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
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(e)
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such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
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(f)
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the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian, or any nominee in connection with the delivery or servicing of Deposited Property.
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All ADS fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of ADS fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by paragraph (16) of this ADR and as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest ADS fee schedule to anyone upon request.
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ADS fees and charges payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, will be payable by the person to whom the ADSs so issued are delivered by the Depositary (in the case of ADS issuances) and by the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees and charges will be payable by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC Participant(s) as in effect at the time. ADS fees and charges in respect of distributions and the ADS service fee are payable by Holders as of the applicable ADS record date established by the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable ADS fees and charges is deducted from the funds being distributed. In the case of (i) distributions other than cash and (ii) the ADS service fee, the applicable Holders as of the ADS record date established by the Depositary will be invoiced for the amount of the ADS fees and charges and such ADS fees may be deducted from distributions made to Holders. For ADSs held through DTC, the ADS fees and charges for distributions other than cash and the ADS service fee may be deducted from distributions made through DTC and may be charged to the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of such ADS fees and charges to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs.
The Depositary may reimburse the Company for certain expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the ADR program established pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, by making available a portion of the ADS fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary agree from time to time. The Company shall pay to the Depositary such fees and charges, and reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses, as the Depositary and the Company may agree from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such fees, charges and reimbursements may from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. Unless otherwise agreed, the Depositary shall present its statement for such fees, charges and reimbursements to the Company once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners to pay ADS fees and charges shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in this ADR, the right to collect ADS fees and charges shall extend for those ADS fees and charges incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
(8) Available Information. The Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and any written communications from the Company, which are both received by the Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities, are available for inspection by Holders and Beneficial Owners at the offices of the Depositary and the Custodian and at the Transfer Office. The Depositary will distribute copies of such communications (or English translations or summaries thereof) to Holders when furnished by the Company. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and accordingly files certain reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Such reports and other information may be inspected and copied at public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at the date hereof at 000 X Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000.
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(9) Execution. This ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary.
Dated:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
By:___________________________________________
Authorized Officer
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The Depositary’s executive office is located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
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[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR]
(10) Distributions on Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), to the extent practicable and provided timely written notice is delivered to the Depositary, the Depositary will distribute to each Holder entitled thereto on the record date set by the Depositary therefor at such Holder’s address shown on the ADR Register, in proportion to the number of Deposited Securities (on which the following distributions on Deposited Securities are received by the Custodian) represented by ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs: (a) Cash. Any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (10) (“Cash”), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary’s expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a practicable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a practicable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any foreign currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practicable or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied or, in the opinion of the Depositary, not obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the Depositary may, in its discretion, (i) make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars to the Holders for whom such conversion, transfer and distribution is lawful and practicable, (ii) distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) to Holders for whom this is lawful and practicable, or (iii) hold (or cause the Custodian to hold) such foreign currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same. (b) Shares. (i) Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any Shares available to the Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of Shares (a “Share Distribution”) and (ii) U.S. dollars available to it resulting from the net proceeds of sales of Shares received in a Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash. (c) Rights. (i) Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the Depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a result of a distribution on Deposited Securities (“Rights”), to the extent that the Company timely furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has no obligation to so furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as in the case of Cash, or (iii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and such sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the nontransferability of the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, nothing (and any Rights may lapse). (d) Other Distributions. (i) Securities or property available to the Depositary resulting from any distribution on Deposited Securities other than Cash, Share Distributions and Rights (“Other Distributions”), by any means that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable, or (ii) to the extent the Depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Other Distributions as in the case of Cash. Such U.S. dollars available will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the Depositary in accordance with its then current practices.
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(11) Record Dates. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary may fix a record date (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record date set by the Company) for the determination of the Holders who shall be responsible for the fee assessed by the Depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses provided for in paragraph (7) hereof as well as for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive any distribution on or in respect of Deposited Securities, to give instructions for the exercise of any voting rights, to receive any notice or to act in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so entitled or obligated.
(12) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS record date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy in accordance with paragraph (11). The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner, at the Company’s expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, distribute to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy, (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the Depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of Deposited Securities, distribute to the Holders a notice that provides Holders with, or otherwise publicizes to Holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).
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Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt from a Holder of ADSs as of the ADS Record Date of voting instructions in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote, or cause the Custodian to vote, the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by such Holder’s ADSs in accordance with such voting instructions.
Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted (except as otherwise contemplated herein). Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs, except pursuant to and in accordance with the voting instructions timely received from Holders or as otherwise contemplated herein. If the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, the Depositary will deem such Holder (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such voting instructions.
If the Depositary (x) is notified by the Company or the Custodian that new or modified resolutions are to be, or may be, considered at a shareholders’ meeting that have not been included in the materials distributed to the Holders (i.e., resolutions that may be introduced or modified at the shareholders’ meeting), and (y) has received valid and timely instructions from Holders, such Holders shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to the Holders) be deemed to have instructed the Depositary to (i) vote the Shares represented by such Holders’ ADSs in favor of the new or modified resolutions if such resolutions have been formally approved by the Company’s board of directors or the Company’s board of directors has formally recommended a vote in favor of such resolutions, and the Company has notified the Depositary of such approval or recommendation, (ii) vote the Shares represented by such Holders’ ADSs against the new or modified resolutions if such resolutions have been formally disapproved by the Company’s board of directors or the Company’s board of directors has formally recommended a vote against such resolutions, and the Company has notified the Depositary of such disapproval or recommendation, and (iii) abstain from voting the Shares represented by such Holders’ ADSs if the Company’s board of directors has not formally approved or disapproved such resolutions, has not recommended a vote in favor or against such resolutions, or the Company has not notified the Depositary of such approval, disapproval or recommendation. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS record date) for the sole purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.
Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions reasonably requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary.
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There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(13) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the Depositary may, in its discretion, amend this ADR or distribute additional or amended ADRs or ADSs (with or without calling this ADR for exchange) or cash, securities or property on the record date set by the Depositary therefor to reflect any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of Deposited Securities, any Share Distribution or Other Distribution not distributed to Holders or any cash, securities or property available to the Depositary in respect of Deposited Securities from (and the Depositary is hereby authorized to surrender any Deposited Securities to any person and, irrespective of whether such Deposited Securities are surrendered or otherwise cancelled by operation of law, rule, regulation or otherwise, to sell by public or private sale any property received in connection with) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, and to the extent the Depositary does not so amend the terms and conditions of the ADRs or ADSs or make a distribution to Holders to reflect any of the foregoing, or the net proceeds thereof, whatever cash, securities or property results from any of the foregoing shall constitute Deposited Securities and each ADS evidenced by this ADR shall automatically represent its pro rata interest in the Deposited Securities as then constituted.
(14) Exoneration. The Depositary, the Company, their agents and each of them shall: (a) incur no liability (i) if any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, England or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities, any present or future provision of the Company’s Articles of Association, any act of God, war, terrorism or other circumstance beyond its control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the Deposit Agreement or this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it or them (including, without limitation, voting pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof), or (ii) by reason of any exercise or failure to exercise any discretion given it in the Deposit Agreement or this ADR; (b) assume no liability except to perform its obligations to the extent they are specifically set forth in this ADR and the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or bad faith; (c) in the case of the Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR; (d) in the case of the Company and its agents hereunder be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required; (e) not be liable for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, Beneficial Owner or any other, person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information; or (f) not be liable for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of Deposited Securities or otherwise. The Depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any Custodian that is not a branch of Citibank, N.A. The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in ADRs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Deposit Agreement or an ADR, the Depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any Holder or Holders, any ADR or ADRs or otherwise related hereto to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or beneficial owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax liability. The Depositary and the Company shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and beneficial owners on account of their ownership of the ADRs or ADSs. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary and its agents under certain circumstances and the Depositary has agreed to indemnify the Company under certain circumstances. Neither the Company nor the Depositary nor any of their respective agents shall be liable to Holders or beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision hereof. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a predecessor depositary whether in connection with an act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly prior to the appointment of the Depositary or after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
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(15) Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian. The Depositary may resign as Depositary by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by no less than 90 days’ prior written notice of such removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may appoint substitute or additional Custodians (to the extent multiple Custodians are permitted under law) and the term “Custodian” refers to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires.
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(16) Amendment. Subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the ADRs, the ADSs and the Deposit Agreement may be amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees for the registration of transfer of Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of Deposited Securities, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders and Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner of an ADS (or any interest therein) at the time any amendment to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS (or any interest therein), to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement and, if applicable, the ADR(s), as so amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR and receive the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders and Beneficial Owners, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such ADS and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs and the ADSs at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules and regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement and, if applicable, the ADR, in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders and Beneficial Owners or within any other period of time as required for compliance. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of ADRs shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).
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(17) Termination. The Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the Depositary shall have (i) resigned as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder within 45 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder on the 90th day after the Company’s notice of removal was first provided to the Depositary. After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall sell the Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in a segregated account the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary and its agents.
(18) Appointment. Each Holder and each person holding an interest in ADSs, upon acceptance of any ADSs, (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.
(19) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
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EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF RATIO CHANGE
To the Holders of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), representing the right to receive Deposited Securities of the Company
Company:
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ASTRAZENECA PLC, a company incorporated in England.
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Depositary:
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Citibank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”).
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Custodian:
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Citibank, N.A. (London Branch)
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Deposited Securities:
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Ordinary shares (“Shares”) of the Company.
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Deposit Agreement:
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Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2015, by and among the Company, Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) issued hereunder evidencing ADSs, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, to be dated as of July 27, 2015 (the “Amendment”).
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ADS CUSIP No.
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000000000.
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Existing ADS-to-Share Ratio:
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One (1) ADS to one (1) Share.
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New ADS-to-Share Ratio:
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One (1) ADS to one-half of one (1/2) Share.
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ADS Record Date:
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July 22, 2015.
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ADS Distribution Date:
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July 24, 2015.
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ADS Effective Date:
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July 27, 2015.
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The Company and the Depositary have agreed to amend the Deposit Agreement, the form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, and all outstanding ADRs to change the ADS-to-Share ratio from “one (1) ADS to one (1) Share” to “one (1) ADS to one-half of one (1/2) Share”, effective July 27, 2015.
A draft copy of the Amendment will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under cover of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-200202).
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No action on the part of Holders or Beneficial Owners is required. Holders of Existing ADSs, as of the close of business in NY on the ADS Record Date, should expect to receive on the ADS Distribution Date one (1) additional ADS for each ADS held as of the close of business in NY as of the ADS Record Date.
The change in ADS-to-Share Ratio will impact the fees payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs to the Depositary.
Holders of ADSs as of the ADS Record Date will be issued the applicable ADSs in uncertificated “direct registration” form (“DRS”) and should expect to receive from the Depositary a DRS account statement identifying the number of ADSs credited to their DRS accounts at the Depositary. Holders of ADSs, who do not wish to continue to hold ADSs in DRS form and wish to receive ADRs, should follow the instructions set forth on the DRS account statement they receive to request the certification of the ADSs credited to their DRS accounts.
Please note that ADRs that were issued prior to the date hereof and do not reflect the new ADS-to-Share ratio, do not need to be exchanged for new ADRs and may remain outstanding until such time the Holder chooses to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement.
Also, please note that the ADR books will be closed for cancellation from close of business in New York on July 22, 2015 through July 29, 2015.
Copies of the Deposit Agreement are available, and of the form of the Amendment will be available, prior to the ADS Effective Date, from the SEC’s website at xxx.xxx.xxx and from the Depositary’s office located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000. If you have any questions regarding the Amendment, please call Citibank, N.A. — ADS Holder Services at 0-000-000-0000.
Citibank, N.A., as Depositary
June 26, 2015
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