Contract
Exhibit 12
Lock-Up Agreement
May 9, 2006
THINKEQUITY PARTNERS LLC
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 10019
X.X. XXXXXXXXX + CO., LLC
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
WBB SECURITIES, LLC
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that you, as Placement Agents, propose to enter into the Placement Agency Agreement (the “Placement Agency Agreement”) with Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), providing for the offering (the “Offering”) of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Placement Agency Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, and in order to induce you to participate the Offering, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of ThinkEquity Partners LLC (which consent may be withheld in its sole and reasonable discretion), the undersigned will not, during the period (the “Lock-Up Period”) beginning on the date hereof and ending on the date 90 days after the date of the final prospectus (including the final prospectus supplement) to be used in confirming the sale of the Shares (the “Final Prospectus”), (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock (including without limitation, shares of Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or (4) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specific in clause (1), (2) or (3) above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in clause (1) and (2) above shall not apply to (a) transfers (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, whether by gift, will, or intestate succession, provided that the donee or donees thereof agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, and provided further that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (iii) with the prior written consent of ThinkEquity Partners LLC, (iv) effected pursuant to any exchange of “underwater” options with the Company, or (v) to an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a) under the Securities Act of 1933) of the undersigned, provided that the transferee or transferees thereof agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein (b) the acquisition or exercise of any stock option issued pursuant to the Company’s existing stock option plan, including any exercise effected by the delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the undersigned, (c) the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities pursuant to a plan, contract or instruction that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that was in effect prior to the date hereof or (d) transactions relating to Shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after completion of the Offering. For purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin. None of the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement shall apply to shares of Common Stock acquired in open market transactions.
For the purpose of allowing you to comply with NASD Rule 2711(f)(4), if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company releases earnings results or publicly announces other material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then in each case the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the public announcement regarding the material news or the occurrence of the material event, as applicable, unless ThinkEquity Partners LLC waives, in writing, such extension, and ThinkEquity Partners LLC shall so notify the Company in writing of the extension of such restrictions imposed herein. The Company agrees not to accelerate the vesting of any option or warrant or the lapse of any repurchase right prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent or depositary for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Agreement.
The foregoing restrictions are expressly agreed to preclude the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to or reasonably expected to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of the shares of Common Stock even if such securities would be disposed of by someone other than the undersigned. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include without limitation any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including without limitation any put option or put equivalent position or call option or call equivalent position) with respect to any of the shares of Common Stock or with respect to any security that includes, relates to, or derives any significant part of its value from such shares of Common Stock.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.
The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar or depositary against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
The undersigned understands that, if the Placement Agency Agreement does not become effective, or if the Placement Agency Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Lock-Up Agreement.
This Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
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Very truly yours, Name: |
