REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.4
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 15, 2006, is
by and between GENVEC, INC. (the “Company”) and KINGSBRIDGE CAPITAL LIMITED, an entity
organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, with registered address Palm
Grove House, 2nd Floor, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (the “Investor”).
Section 1.1. Registration Statement.
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market value determined as of the first Trading Day following such Blackout Period equal to
the Blackout Amount (“Blackout Shares”).
Section 2.1. Filings; Information. The Company shall effect the registration with
respect to the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company in each such case will
do the following as expeditiously as possible, but in no event later than the deadline, if any,
prescribed therefor in this Agreement:
(a) Subject to Section 1.1(e), the Company shall (i) prepare and file with the Commission the
Registration Statement; (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed Registration
Statement to become and to remain effective (pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or
otherwise); (iii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement effective for the time period prescribed by Section 4.2 and in order to
effectuate the purpose of this Agreement, the Purchase Agreement, and the Warrant; and (iv) comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by such Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the Investor set forth in such Registration Statement; provided,
however, that the Investor shall be responsible for the delivery of the Prospectus to the
Persons to whom the Investor sells the Shares and the Warrant Shares, and the Investor agrees to
dispose of Registrable Securities in compliance with the plan of distribution described in the
Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities
laws.
(b) Three (3) Trading Days prior to filing the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto (excluding amendments deemed to result from the filing of documents
incorporated by reference therein), the Company shall deliver to the Investor and to counsel
representing the Investor, in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4.8, copies of the
Registration Statement,
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Prospectus and/or any amendments or supplements thereto as proposed to be filed, together with
exhibits thereto, which documents will be subject to review by the Investor and such counsel, and
thereafter deliver to the Investor and such counsel, in accordance with the notice provisions of
Section 4.8, such number of copies of the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the Prospectus (including each preliminary
prospectus) and such other documents or information as the Investor or counsel may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, provided, however,
that to the extent reasonably practicable, such delivery may be accomplished via electronic means.
(c) After the filing of the Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly notify the
Investor of any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission in connection therewith and take
all commercially reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove
it if entered.
(d) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of each jurisdiction in the
United States as the Investor may reasonably (in light of its intended plan of distribution)
request, and (ii) cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities in the United States as may be necessary by virtue of the
business and operations of the Company and do any and all other customary acts and things that may
be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Investor to consummate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 2.1(e), subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, consent
or subject itself to general service of process in any such jurisdiction, change any existing
business practices, benefit plans or outstanding securities or amend or otherwise modify the
Charter or Bylaws.
(e) The Company shall make available to the Investor (and will deliver to Investor’s counsel),
(A) subject to restrictions imposed by the United States federal government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, copies of all public correspondence between the Commission and the Company
concerning the Registration Statement and will also make available for inspection by the Investor
and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by the Investor (collectively, the
“Inspectors”), (B) upon reasonable advance notice during normal business hours all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company
(collectively, the “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise
their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any Inspectors in connection with the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that any such Inspectors must agree in writing for the benefit
of the Company not to use or disclose any such Records except as provided in this Section 2.1(f).
Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and that it notifies the
Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless the disclosure or
release of such Records is requested or required pursuant to oral questions, interrogatories,
requests for information or documents or a subpoena or other order from a court of competent
jurisdiction or other judicial or governmental process; provided, however, that
prior to any disclosure or release pursuant to the immediately preceding clause, the Inspectors
shall provide the Company with prompt notice of any such request or requirement so that the Company
may seek an appropriate protective order or waive such Inspectors’ obligation not to disclose such
Records; and, provided, further, that if failing the entry of a protective order or
the waiver by the Company permitting the disclosure or release of such Records, the Inspectors,
upon advice of counsel, are compelled to disclose such Records, the Inspectors may disclose that
portion of the Records that counsel has advised the Inspectors that the Inspectors are compelled to
disclose; provided, however, that upon any such required disclosure, such Inspector
shall use his or her best efforts to obtain reasonable assurances that confidential treatment will
be afforded such information. The Investor agrees that
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information obtained by it solely as a result of such inspections (not including any
information obtained from a third party who, insofar as is known to the Investor after reasonable
inquiry, is not prohibited from providing such information by a contractual, legal or fiduciary
obligation to the Company) shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used for any purposes
other than as indicated above or by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities
of the Company or its affiliates unless and until such information is made generally available to
the public. The Investor further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such
Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the
Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records
deemed confidential.
(f) The Company shall otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, including, without limitation, compliance with applicable reporting requirements under
the Exchange Act.
(g) The Company shall appoint a transfer agent and registrar for all of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.
(h) The Investor shall cooperate with the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company, in
connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder. The Company
may require the Investor to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information as may be
required in connection with such registration including, without limitation, all such information
as may be requested by the Commission or the NASD or any state securities commission and all such
information regarding the Investor, the Registrable Securities held by the Investor and the
intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities. The Investor agrees to provide such
information requested in connection with such registration within five (5) Business days after
receiving such written request and the Company shall not be responsible for any delays in obtaining
or maintaining the effectiveness of the Registration Statement caused by the Investor’s failure to
timely provide such information.
(i) Upon receipt of a Blackout Notice from the Company, the Investor shall immediately
discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering
such Registrable Securities until (i) the Company advises the Investor that the Blackout Period has
terminated and (ii) the Investor receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus, if
necessary. If so directed by the Company, the Investor will deliver to the Company (at the expense
of the Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction) all copies in
the Investor’s possession (other than a limited number of file copies) of the prospectus covering
such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.
Section 2.2. Registration Expenses. The Company shall pay all registration expenses
incurred in connection with the Registration Statement (the “Registration Expenses”),
including, without limitation: (i) all registration, filing, securities exchange listing and fees
required by the National Association of Securities Dealers, (ii) all registration, filing,
qualification and other fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the
Registrable Securities), (iii) all word processing, duplicating, printing, messenger and delivery
expenses, (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and
expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (v) the fees and
expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities, (vi)
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for
independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any
special audits or comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent
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certified public accountants of such special audit(s) or comfort letter(s), (vii) the fees
and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration
and amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and (viii) premiums
and other costs of the Company for policies of insurance against liabilities arising out of any
public offering of the Registrable Securities being registered. Any fees and disbursements of
underwriters, broker-dealers or investment bankers, including without limitation underwriting fees,
discounts, transfer taxes or commissions, and any other fees or expenses (including legal fees and
expenses) if any, attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities, shall be payable by each
holder of Registrable Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities of
each such holder that are included in a registration under this Agreement.
Section 3.1. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Investor, its partners, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and duly authorized agents, and
each Person or entity, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, together with the partners, affiliates, officers,
directors, employees and duly authorized agents of such controlling Person or entity (collectively,
the “Controlling Persons”), from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability, costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements and costs and
expenses of investigating and defending any such claim) (collectively, “Damages”), joint or
several, and any action or proceeding in respect thereof to which the Investor, its partners,
affiliates, officers, directors, employees and duly authorized agents, and any Controlling Person,
may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, as incurred, insofar as such Damages (or
actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, or in any
preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement relating to
the Registrable Securities or arises out of, or are based upon, any omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein under the circumstances not misleading, and shall reimburse the Investor, its partners,
affiliates, officers, directors, employees and duly authorized agents, and each such Controlling
Person, for any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by the Investor, its partners,
affiliates, officers, directors, employees and duly authorized agents, or any such Controlling
Person, as incurred, in investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such Damages
or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable
to the extent that any such Damages arise out of the Investor’s (or any other indemnified Person’s)
failure to send or give a copy of the final prospectus or supplement (as then amended or
supplemented) to the persons asserting an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of Registrable Securities
to such person if such statement or omission was corrected in such final prospectus or supplement;
provided, further, that the Company shall not be liable to the extent that any such
Damages arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, or any such preliminary prospectus, final
prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor or any other person
who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of such securities, in either case,
specifically stating that it is for use in the preparation thereof. In connection with any
Registration Statement with respect to which the Investor is participating, such Investor will
indemnify and hold harmless, to the same extent and in the same manner as set forth in the
preceding paragraph, the Company, each of its partners, affiliates, officers, directors, employees
and duly authorized agents of such controlling Person (each a “Company Indemnified Person”)
against any Damages to which any Company Indemnified Person may become subject under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Damages arise out of or are based upon (a) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, or in any
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preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement relating
to the Registrable Securities or arise out of, or are based upon, any omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein under the circumstances not misleading to the extent that such violation occurs in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Investor or on
behalf of the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement or (b) any
failure by the Investor to comply with prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or any other law or legal requirement applicable to sales under the Registration
Statement
Section 3.2. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. All claims for indemnification
under Section 3.1 shall be asserted and resolved in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.02
of the Purchase Agreement.
Section 3.3. Additional Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified in
the preceding paragraphs of this Article 3 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the
Company with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any
federal or state law or regulation of any governmental authority other than the Securities Act.
The provisions of this Article III shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification,
contribution or other remedies which an Indemnified Party or a Company Indemnified Person may have
pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.
To the extent that any indemnification provided for herein is prohibited or limited by law,
the indemnifying party will make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it
would otherwise be liable under this Article III to the fullest extent permitted by law. However,
(a) no contribution will be made under circumstances where maker of such contribution would not
have been required to indemnify the indemnified party under the fault standards set forth in this
Article III, (b) if the Investor is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) the Investor will not be entitled to contribution from any
Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (c) contribution (together with
any indemnification obligations under this Agreement) by the Investor will be limited in amount to
the proceeds received by the Investor from sales of Registrable Securities.
Section 4.1. No Outstanding Registration Rights. Except as otherwise disclosed in
accordance with the Purchase Agreement or in the Commission Documents, the Company represents and
warrants to the Investor that there is not in effect on the date hereof any agreement by the
Company pursuant to which any holders of securities of the Company have a right to cause the
Company to register or qualify such securities under the Securities Act or any securities or blue
sky laws of any jurisdiction.
Section 4.2. Term. The registration rights provided to the holders of Registrable
Securities hereunder, and the Company’s obligation to keep the Registration Statement effective,
shall terminate at the earlier of (i) such time that is two years following the termination of the
Purchase Agreement, (ii) such time as all Registrable Securities have been issued and have ceased
to be Registrable Securities, or (iii) upon the consummation of an “Excluded Merger or Sale” as
defined in the Warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, paragraph (d) of Section 1.1, Article III,
Section 4.7, Section 4.8, Section 4.9, Section 4.10 and Section 4.13 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
Section 4.3. Rule 144. The Company will, at its expense, promptly take such action as
holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request to enable such holders of Registrable
Securities
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to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule
144”), as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission. If at any time the Company is not required to file such
reports, it will, at its expense, forthwith upon the written request of any holder of Registrable
Securities, make available adequate current public information with respect to the Company within
the meaning of paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 144 or such other information as necessary to permit sales
pursuant to Rule 144. Upon the request of the Investor, the Company will deliver to the Investor a
written statement, signed by the Company’s principal financial officer, as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.
Section 4.4. Certificate. The Company will, at its expense, forthwith upon the
request of any holder of Registrable Securities, deliver to such holder a certificate, signed by
the Company’s principal financial officer, stating (a) the Company’s name, address and telephone
number (including area code), (b) the Company’s Internal Revenue Service identification number, (c)
the Company’s Commission file number, (d) the number of shares of each class of Stock outstanding
as shown by the most recent report or statement published by the Company, and (e) whether the
Company has filed the reports required to be filed under the Exchange Act for a period of at least
ninety (90) days prior to the date of such certificate and in addition has filed the most recent
annual report required to be filed thereunder.
Section 4.5. Amendment And Modification. Any provision of this Agreement may be
waived, provided that such waiver is set forth in a writing executed by both parties to this
Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may be given, only with the written consent of the Investor and the Company. No course of dealing
between or among any Person having any interest in this Agreement will be deemed effective to
modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any person
under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 4.6. Successors and Assigns; Entire Agreement. This Agreement and all of the
provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. The Company may assign this Agreement at any time in
connection with a sale or acquisition of the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of all
or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or similar transaction, without the consent of the
Investor, provided that the successor or acquiring Person or entity agrees in writing to assume all
of the Company’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. The Investor may assign its rights
and obligations under this Agreement only to (i) an affiliate that meets all applicable
requirements of federal and state securities laws, or (ii) with the prior written consent of the
Company, and any purported assignment by the Investor other than as set forth above shall be null
and void. This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Warrant sets forth the
entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and merges
and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among
them.
Section 4.7. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes
or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that such
severability shall be ineffective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement
to any party hereto.
Section 4.8. Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be given in accordance with Section 10.04 of
the Purchase Agreement.
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Section 4.9. Governing Law; Dispute Resolution. This Agreement shall be construed
under the laws of the State of New York.
Section 4.10. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect their
meaning, construction or effect.
Section 4.11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 4.12. Further Assurances. Each party shall cooperate and take such action as
may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.13. Absence of Presumption. This Agreement shall be construed without
regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party
drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.
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KINGSBRIDGE CAPITAL LIMITED | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Palm Grove House | ||||
2nd Floor | ||||
Road Town, Tortola | ||||
British Virgin Islands | ||||
GENVEC, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Ph.D. | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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