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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2019.
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Québec | 2834 | Not applicable | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Boulevard, Suite 420
Montréal, Québec CA H4M 2X6
(514) 336-0444
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Joseph Oliveto
Chief Executive Officer
Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
6000 Fairview Road, Suite 1200
Charlotte, NC 28210-2252
(514) 336-0444
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Ryan S. Sansom Marc Recht Divakar Gupta Jaime L. Chase Cooley LLP 500 Boylston Street, 14th Floor Boston, MA 02116 (617) 937-2300 |
Nathalie Beauregard Robert Lando Francois Paradis Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP 1000 De La Gauchetière Street West, Suite 2100 Montréal, Québec CA H3B 4W5 (514) 904-8100 |
Joseph Oliveto Chief Executive Officer Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 1200 Charlotte, NC 28210-2252 (514) 336-0444 |
Lisa Firenze Steven D. Singer Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP 7 World Trade Center 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 (212) 230-8800 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer ý |
Smaller reporting company ý Emerging growth company ý |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ý
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
||||
Title of each class of securities to be registered |
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price(1) |
Amount of registration fee(2) |
||
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Common Shares, no par value per share |
$86,250,000 | $10,454 | ||
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 12, 2019
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Common Shares
We are offering common shares. This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our common shares. We expect the initial public offering price to be between $ and $ per common share. We have applied to list our common shares on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MIST."
We are an "emerging growth company" under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.
Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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PER SHARE | TOTAL | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Offering Price |
$ | $ | |||||
Underwriting Discount and Commissions(1) |
$ | $ | |||||
Proceeds to Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (before expenses) |
$ | $ |
Delivery of the shares is expected to be made on or about , 2019. We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to additional common shares. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $ , and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $ .
Joint Book-Running Managers
Jefferies | Cowen | Piper Jaffray |
The date of this prospectus is , 2019
"Milestone Pharmaceuticals" and the Milestone logo appearing in this prospectus are unregistered trademarks of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus may be referred to without the ® and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert their rights thereto.
Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable free writing prospectus is current only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or any sale of common shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus and any such free writing prospectus outside of the United States.
This prospectus contains references to United States dollars and Canadian dollars. All dollar amounts referenced, unless otherwise indicated, are expressed in United States dollars. References to "$" are to United States dollars and references to "C$" are to Canadian dollars.
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our common shares, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, especially the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Milestone," "Milestone Pharmaceuticals," "the company," "we," "us," "our" and similar references in this prospectus refer to Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary.
Overview
We are a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing etripamil for the treatment of cardiovascular indications. Etripamil is a novel, potent and short-acting calcium channel blocker that we designed and are developing as a rapid-onset nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or PSVT, as they occur. PSVT is a rapid heart rate condition that starts and stops without warning, often experienced by patients with symptoms including palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting and anxiety. Calcium channel blockers have long been approved for the treatment of PSVT as well as other cardiac conditions. For episodes of PSVT, however, calcium channel blockers are administered intravenously under medical supervision, usually in the emergency department. Etripamil's combination of convenient delivery, rapid onset and short duration of action has the potential to shift the current treatment paradigm away from the burdensome and costly emergency department setting. If approved, we believe that etripamil will be the first self-administered therapy for the rapid termination of episodes of PSVT wherever and whenever they occur.
We completed our Phase 2 clinical trial of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT in the United States and Canada, with results published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Investigators reported an 87% termination rate of PSVT within 15 minutes at the dose selected for Phase 3 versus a 35% termination rate for placebo. We are actively recruiting patients for a Phase 3 clinical trial of etripamil, which may serve as a single pivotal efficacy trial, and we expect top-line data in the first half of 2020. In addition to the efficacy trial, our Phase 3 clinical program for etripamil for PSVT includes two open-label safety studies, one of which we initiated in December 2018, and the other we expect to initiate in the second half of 2019. We are also planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2019 in atrial fibrillation, another rapid heart rate condition, and expect to subsequently initiate an additional Phase 2 clinical trial in angina to establish proof-of-concept for the broader use of etripamil in 2020.
Our Pipeline
The following table sets forth the status and initial focus of etripamil.
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PSVT
PSVT is a serious and recurring disorder of the heart, which is caused by altered electrical conductivity, resulting in a rapid heart rate. PSVT originates in the heart's upper chambers, or atria, with abrupt onset and termination. There is an abnormal electrical pathway in patients with PSVT that allows the electrical signal to travel very rapidly in a circle, which sends impulses out to both the atria and the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles. The cycle continues repeatedly, resulting in the rapid heart rate, which often exceeds 200 beats per minute. Patients experiencing an episode of PSVT are usually highly symptomatic, with symptoms including palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting and anxiety.
Uncertainty of the timing and duration of episodes of PSVT can significantly impact patient quality of life. These episodes can be debilitating for patients who can be left unable to focus on family or work during an episode. The symptoms can mimic other conditions and are often mistaken for anxiety or panic attacks, especially in women, who represent approximately 60% of the PSVT patient population. Researchers have noted that up to 27% of PSVT patients stopped driving for fear of temporary loss of consciousness, fainting or passing out. Patients report that the duration of PSVT episodes varies widely from seconds to hours or more. Our market research indicates that in the year of diagnosis almost 40% of patients experience two or more episodes of PSVT per year that last more than 10 minutes each, and a similar percentage visit the emergency department at least once per year for treatment of their PSVT. We also estimate that 65% of PSVT patients have used chronic medications prophylactically to reduce episode frequency. Our market research also shows that after the first year of diagnosis the percentage of patients with PSVT episodes lasting longer than 10 minutes and the percentage visiting the emergency department for treatment decreases modestly to approximately one-third of those surveyed. Based upon our survey responses, we believe these decreases in both duration of episodes and emergency department visits are attributable to a combination of prophylactic medication use and proper implementation of vagal maneuvers. We estimate that PSVT patients experience a median of four to seven episodes of PSVT per year, approximately half suffer from other cardiovascular comorbidities, and approximately 60% are women. It is generally believed that patients are born with the anomaly that causes PSVT, and, following their first episode, will experience periodic and unpredictable episodes for the rest of their lives.
We believe that PSVT is a large and under-recognized market that we estimate affects approximately two million Americans, and results in over 600,000 healthcare claims in the United States per year, including emergency department visits, hospital admissions and ablations. Current treatment approaches for PSVT consume significant healthcare resources. An analysis of longitudinal Medicare and employer-based medical claims data from a recent peer-reviewed abstract that we sponsored has shown that mean annual costs per PSVT patient increase by more than $17,000 after diagnosis to approximately $30,000, with the largest increases coming from outpatient hospital and inpatient spending. In addition, this analysis concluded that rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations were 1.8 and 3.0 times higher, respectively, following diagnosis. We believe that, if approved, etripamil could prevent many of these healthcare encounters, saving the patient time and inconvenience, and potentially providing a cost-effective solution for the healthcare system.
Limitations of Current PSVT Treatments
Currently available pharmacological therapy for the treatment of an acute episode of PSVT includes intravenous, or IV, administration of drugs in an acute care setting. The current standard of care for treatment of episodes of PSVT is adenosine, but prior to its approval in 1990, episodes of PSVT were treated with IV calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil or diltiazem. When given as a rapid IV bolus, adenosine blocks conduction over the atrio-ventricular, or AV, node, a piece of electrical tissue in the heart, thereby interrupting the arrhythmia and restoring the heart rate back to normal, also known as sinus rhythm. Adenosine temporarily stops the heart and patients have reported experiencing chest tightness, flushing and a sense of impending death. Physicians report that patients tell them that they feel like they are going to die. Adenosine is eliminated from the body in less than one minute, but cannot be self-administered as it requires IV access. IV calcium channel blockers also slow conduction over the AV node during the course of
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several minutes. However, they are associated with the risk of excessive slowing of the heart rate and low blood pressure. In-hospital IV administrations are associated with higher health care costs, and are also unsettling and inconvenient for the patient.
In an attempt to prophylactically control the frequency and duration of future PSVT episodes, many patients will take chronic daily oral medications that modulate AV nodal conduction, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs. Despite chronic daily oral medication, breakthrough PSVT episodes that require visits to the emergency department may still occur, albeit at a reduced frequency. Chronic medication can lead to side effects such as sexual dysfunction or fatigue in the case of beta blockers and constipation in the case of verapamil. Some patients discontinue chronic oral medication due to intolerable side effects.
The only potentially curative treatment available at the present time for PSVT is ablation, an invasive procedure, which works by directly cauterizing the short circuit that is the cause of the abnormal rhythm. This is achieved via catheters that are run through the patient's groin vessels and into the heart and uses burning or freezing techniques to destroy the heart's abnormal electrical tissue. However, we estimate that less than 10% of patients with PSVT per year resort to this option.
Our Solution: Etripamil
We designed and are developing etripamil, a novel, potent, rapid-onset and short-acting calcium channel blocker, as a nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of transient cardiovascular conditions as they occur. Short pharmacological action is sufficient to resolve an episode of PSVT. Accordingly, long-lasting drugs that remain in the body at significant concentrations long after the episode is resolved subject patients to unnecessary risk, given the potential for prolonged adverse events. Currently, we are in Phase 3 clinical development for PSVT. We are also developing etripamil to provide rapid rate control and associated symptom relief for patients with acute episodes of atrial fibrillation and as an acute therapy for angina.
In our effort to develop potential therapies, we sought to create new chemical entities as analogs of known molecular classes with clinically-validated mechanisms of action. Our goal was to preserve the beneficial pharmacology of existing molecules while altering their pharmacokinetic profile with focused medicinal chemistry to produce drugs that are fast-acting and rapidly inactivated in the blood to minimize potential side effects. As a result, we created a series of novel non-dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blockers with the desired properties. Etripamil resulted from this effort as a new chemical entity with a very short effective half-life of approximately 20 minutes in humans, compared with other calcium channel blockers, which have longer half-lives of several hours.
We believe that the following qualities of etripamil make it a better treatment for certain episodic cardiovascular conditions than current standards of care:
We completed a Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the United States and Canada to evaluate the effects of four different doses of etripamil in 104 patients with PSVT. The primary objective of the trial was to demonstrate the superiority of at least one dose of etripamil over placebo in terminating PSVT. The secondary objectives included determining the Phase 3 dose of etripamil. The primary endpoint in this clinical trial was the conversion of PSVT to sinus rhythm within 15 minutes after administration of etripamil or placebo. As shown in the figure below, the percentage of patients in whom PSVT converted to sinus rhythm within 15 minutes of study drug administration was 65%
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with 35 mg etripamil, 87% with 70 mg, 75% with 105 mg and 95% with 140 mg, compared with 35% in the placebo arm.
Additional Pipeline Indications: Atrial Fibrillation and Angina
Atrial fibrillation is a common form of arrhythmia with an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. There are currently two pharmacological approaches to managing atrial fibrillation: rate control to lower a rapid heart rate and rhythm control to restore and maintain the regular rhythm between heart beats. Oral rate control drugs do not provide immediate ventricular rate control due to the delayed 30 to 60 minute onset of action by the oral route. Breakthrough episodes of symptomatic atrial fibrillation often require urgent medical treatment with IV calcium channel blockers or beta blockers, usually in the emergency department to quickly reduce heart rate. We believe that etripamil can be used by patients to rapidly reduce their heart rate in the outpatient setting in combination with the oral rate or rhythm control strategy their physician has already prescribed.
Angina is a type of chest pain caused by an imbalance between the supply of oxygen to and the demand for oxygen by the heart. It may be due to a number of factors, but is primarily caused by either occlusion or spasm of the coronary arteries. Nitrates are prescribed to provide immediate relief of angina due to occlusion. Nitroglycerin is a common form of nitrate that is available primarily in sublingual formulations. In up to 20% of patients, nitroglycerin is not tolerated and additional patients do not respond to the treatment. It can also cause severe hypotension, circulatory collapse, and death if used together with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor drugs that are prescribed for erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Calcium channel blockers are used to treat angina associated with coronary spasm, however, they do not provide immediate relief. We are not aware of any approved rapid-onset, short acting treatments for coronary spasm. We believe that etripamil can be used to rapidly reduce angina symptoms in the outpatient setting in patients with angina who cannot tolerate or do not respond to nitrates, and in patients experiencing coronary spasm.
Our Strategy
Our goal is to develop and commercialize etripamil for the treatment of PSVT and other cardiovascular indications, and to expand our pipeline to include additional clinical-stage compounds for other acute and/or episodic medical conditions. The key elements of our business strategy to achieve this goal include the following:
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Intellectual Property
We developed etripamil as a new chemical entity. Our composition-of-matter claims for etripamil provide us an intellectual property position with patents issued in the United Stated through 2028, and with patent term extensions possible to 2031. In addition, we have corresponding issued patients in Europe and other major markets. We also have an issued U.S. patent that extends the exclusivity period for the commercial formulation of etripamil to 2036 and we have corresponding pending patent applications in Europe and other major markets.
Management
We are led by a team of executives who have extensive experience in successfully developing and commercializing therapies in cardiovascular and other indications at both major pharmaceutical and emerging life sciences companies. These therapies include Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin), Ranexa (ranolazine), Effient (prasugrel), Northera (droxidopa), and Cologuard as well as several ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, and novel oral anticoagulants. We have raised approximately $139.2 million in gross proceeds from equity financings with a number of United States, Canadian and European healthcare specialist investment firms, including BDC Capital, Inc., Boxer Capital of Tavistock Group, Domain Associates, LLC, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Forbion Capital Partners, iNovia Capital, Novo Holdings A/S, Pappas Ventures, RTW Investments, LP, Tekla Capital Management LLC, and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners.
Risks Associated with Our Business
Our business is subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before making a decision to invest in our common shares. These risks are more fully described in the section titled "Risk Factors," including the following:
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Our Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the province of Québec in 2003. Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Blvd., Suite 420, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4M 2X6, and our telephone number is (514) 336-0444. In January 2017, we incorporated our wholly owned subsidiary, Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Our corporate website address is www.milestonepharma.com. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012, and we may remain an emerging company for up to five years after the completion of this offering. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and intend to rely on certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including not being required to have our internal control over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In particular, in this prospectus, we have provided only two years of audited financial statements and have not included all of the executive compensation related information that would be required if we were not an emerging growth company. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold shares.
In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of delayed adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and therefore we will be subject to the same requirements to adopt new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
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Common shares to be offered |
shares | |
Common shares to be outstanding after this offering |
shares |
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Option to purchase additional common shares |
shares |
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Use of proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to additional common shares), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
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We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as follows: |
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§ approximately $ million for our Phase 3 clinical trials of etripamil in PSVT; |
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§ approximately $ million for pre-commercialization activities; |
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§ approximately $ million for our Phase 2 clinical trials of etripamil in atrial fibrillation and angina; and |
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§ the remainder to fund other research and development activities, working capital and other general corporate purposes. |
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See "Use of Proceeds" for additional information. |
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Risk factors |
You should read the section titled "Risk Factors" for a discussion of factors to consider carefully, together with all the other information included in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our common shares. |
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Proposed Nasdaq Global Market symbol |
"MIST" |
The number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 96,532,919 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, and excludes:
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agreement related to this offering, as well as any future increases in the number of common shares reserved for issuance under our 2019 Plan; and
Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to:
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth our summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, which has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. You should read this consolidated summary financial data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes to those statements, as well as the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, |
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(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Summary of Consolidated Operations Data: |
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Operating expenses: |
|||||||
Research and development, net of tax credits |
$ | 5,636 | $ | 16,849 | |||
General and administrative |
1,502 | 3,052 | |||||
Commercial |
1,130 | 3,921 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses |
8,268 | 23,822 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(8,268 | ) | (23,822 | ) | |||
Interest income, net of bank charges |
186 | 711 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss before income taxes |
(8,082 | ) | (23,111 | ) | |||
Income tax expense |
4 | 74 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
$ | (8,086 | ) | $ | (23,185 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ | (6.42 | ) | $ | (13.65 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
1,259,346 | 1,697,935 | |||||
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| | | | | | | |
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Pro forma net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ | (11.87 | ) | ||||
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| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing pro forma net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
1,953,711 | ||||||
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| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018 | |||||||||
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(In thousands) |
ACTUAL | PRO FORMA(1) | PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED(2) |
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
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Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 85,976 | $ | 85,976 | $ | |||||
Working capital |
83,518 | 83,518 | ||||||||
Total assets |
88,081 | 88,081 | ||||||||
Preferred shares |
138,758 | | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(58,270 | ) | (58,270 | ) | ||||||
Total shareholders' (deficit) equity |
(55,210 | ) | 83,548 |
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will depend on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease each of the amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total shareholders' equity by $ million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. Each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of common shares offered by us would increase or decrease each of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and shareholders' (deficit) equity by $ million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.
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Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," before deciding whether to invest in our common shares. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common shares could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Capital Needs
We have incurred significant operating losses since inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.
Since inception in 2003, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net loss was $8.1 million and $23.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $58.3 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Since inception, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and preclinical and clinical development of etripamil, as well as to expanding our management team and infrastructure. It could be several years, if ever, before we have a commercialized drug. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if, and as, we:
To become and remain profitable, we must succeed in developing and eventually commercializing drugs that generate significant revenue. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including completing clinical trials of etripamil and any future product candidates that way may pursue, obtaining regulatory approval, procuring commercial-scale manufacturing, marketing and selling etripamil and any future products for which we may obtain regulatory approval, as well as discovering or acquiring and then developing additional product candidates. We are only in the preliminary stages of some of these activities. We may never succeed in these activities and, even if we do, may never generate revenues that are significant enough to achieve profitability.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with drug development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of expenses or when, or if, we will be able to achieve profitability.
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Our expenses could increase beyond our expectations if we are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, the European Medicines Agency or other regulatory authorities to perform studies in addition to those we currently expect, or if there are any delays in the initiation and completion of our clinical trials or the development of etripamil or any future product candidates.
Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable would decrease the value of our company and could impair our ability to raise capital, maintain our research and development efforts, expand our business or continue our operations. A decline in the value of our common shares could also cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Our limited operating history may make it difficult for you to evaluate the success of our business to date and to assess our future viability.
We are a clinical-stage company founded in 2003, and our operations to date have been largely focused on raising capital, organizing and staffing our company, and undertaking preclinical studies and conducting clinical trials for etripamil. As an organization, we have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete clinical development, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial-scale product or arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful commercialization. Consequently, any predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history.
We may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other known or unknown factors in achieving our business objectives. We will need to transition at some point from a company with a research and development focus to a company capable of supporting commercial activities. We may not be successful in such a transition.
Additionally, we expect our financial condition and operating results to continue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, you should not rely upon the results of any quarterly or annual periods as indications of future operating performance.
We will require substantial additional funding to finance our operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we could be forced to delay, reduce or terminate our development of etripamil or other operations.
Based on our research and development plans, we expect that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, will be sufficient to fund our operations through . However, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations and planned activities. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
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Identifying potential product candidates and conducting preclinical testing and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain regulatory approval and achieve product sales. In addition, etripamil and any future product candidates, if approved, may not achieve commercial success. Our commercial revenues, if any, will be derived from sales of drugs that we do not expect to be commercially available for several years, if at all. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or altogether terminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.
Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our shareholders, including purchasers of our common shares in this offering, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our product candidates.
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through public or private equity or debt financings, third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements, as well as other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements, or any combination of these approaches. We do not have any committed external source of funds. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest may be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a shareholder. Debt and equity financings, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as redeeming our shares, making investments, incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, declaring dividends or placing limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights.
If we raise additional capital through future collaborations, strategic alliances or third-party licensing arrangements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our intellectual property, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our drug development or future commercialization efforts, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise develop and market ourselves.
Our ability to use our non-capital loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.
In general, where control of a corporation has been acquired by a person or group of persons, subsection 111(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or the Canadian Tax Act, and equivalent provincial income tax legislation restrict the corporation's ability to carry forward non-capital losses from preceding taxation years. We have not performed a detailed analysis to determine whether an acquisition of control for the purposes of subsection 111(5) of the Canadian Tax Act has occurred after each of our previous issuances of common shares or preferred shares. In addition, if we undergo an acquisition of control after this public offering, our ability to utilize non-capital losses could be limited by subsection 111(5) of the Canadian Tax Act. As of December 31, 2018, we had Canadian federal and provincial non-capital loss carry forwards of $46.4 million and $45.7 million, respectively, which expire beginning in 2027 through 2038. In addition, we also have scientific research and experimental development expenditures of approximately $5.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively, for Canadian federal and provincial income tax purposes, which
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have not been deducted. These expenditures are available to reduce future taxable income and have an unlimited carry-forward period. Research and development tax credits and expenditures are subject to verification by the tax authorities, and, accordingly, these amounts may vary. Future changes in our share ownership, some of which are outside of our control, could result in an acquisition of control for the purposes of subsection 111(5) of the Canadian Tax Act. Furthermore, our ability to utilize non-capital losses (or U.S. equivalents) of companies that we may acquire in the future may be subject to limitations. As a result, even if we attain profitability, we may be unable to use a material portion of our non-capital losses and other tax attributes, which could negatively impact our future cash flows.
Risks Related to the Development of Our Product Candidates
We have only one product candidate, etripamil, for which we are currently pursuing clinical development. Our future success is substantially dependent on the successful clinical development and regulatory approval of etripamil. If we are not able to obtain required regulatory approvals for etripamil or any future product candidates, we will not be able to commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates and our ability to generate revenue will be adversely affected.
Etripamil is currently our only product candidate. We have not obtained regulatory approval for etripamil or any product candidate, and it is possible that neither etripamil nor any product candidates we may seek to develop in the future will ever obtain regulatory approval. Neither we nor any future collaborator is permitted to market any drug product candidates in the United States or abroad until we receive regulatory approval from the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory agency. The time required to obtain approval or other marketing authorizations by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of the regulatory authorities. In addition, approval policies, regulations or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidate's clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions.
Prior to obtaining approval to commercialize etripamil and any other drug product candidate in the United States or abroad, we must demonstrate with substantial evidence from well controlled clinical trials, and to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, that such product candidates are safe and effective for their intended uses. Results from nonclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA and other regulatory authorities. The FDA may also require us to conduct additional nonclinical studies, including human factor studies, or clinical trials for our product candidates either prior to or post-approval, or it may object to elements of our clinical development program. Our current Phase 3 program involves only one efficacy trial, with a threshold p-value of p<0.01 as is the common standard when single efficacy trials are used to support an NDA submission. While we believe that this is sufficient to support our NDA submission based on our end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, the typical guidelines generally involve two efficacy trials with a threshold p-value of p<0.05. Accordingly, there is a risk that additional clinical trials could be required. In addition, the FDA typically refers applications for novel drugs, like etripamil and potentially any future product candidates, to an advisory committee composed of outside experts. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of the advisory committee, but it considers such recommendation when making its decision.
Of the large number of products in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities' approval processes and are commercialized. The lengthy approval or marketing authorization process as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval or marketing authorization to market etripamil or any future product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
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We have invested a significant portion of our time and financial resources in the development of etripamil. Our business is dependent on our ability to successfully complete development of, obtain regulatory approval for, and, if approved, successfully commercialize etripamil and any future product candidates in a timely manner.
Even if we eventually complete clinical testing and receive approval of a new drug application, or NDA, or foreign marketing application for etripamil and any future product candidates, the FDA or the comparable foreign regulatory authorities may grant approval or other marketing authorization contingent on the performance of costly additional clinical trials, including post-market clinical trials. The FDA or the comparable foreign regulatory authorities also may approve or authorize for marketing a product candidate for a more limited indication or patient population that we originally request, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may not approve or authorize the labeling that we believe is necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of a product candidate. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approval or other marketing authorization would delay or prevent commercialization of that product candidate and would materially adversely impact our business and prospects.
In addition, the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities may change their policies, adopt additional regulations or revise existing regulations or take other actions, which may prevent or delay approval of our future products under development on a timely basis. Such policy or regulatory changes could impose additional requirements upon us that could delay our ability to obtain approvals, increase the costs of compliance or restrict our ability to maintain any marketing authorizations we may have obtained.
We may not be successful in our efforts to expand our pipeline of product candidates beyond etripamil for PSVT.
We intend to build a pipeline of product candidates beyond etripamil for PSVT and progress these product candidates through clinical development. We may not be able to expand the scope of cardiovascular indications for etripamil beyond PSVT, or leverage our expertise and experience with etripamil in PSVT to other product candidates. We may not be able to in-license, acquire or develop future product candidates that are safe and effective. Even if we are successful in continuing to expand etripamil to other indications and further build our pipeline, the potential product candidates that we identify may not be suitable for clinical development, including as a result of safety, tolerability, efficacy or other characteristics that indicate that they are unlikely to be drugs that will receive marketing approval, achieve market acceptance or obtain reimbursements from third-party payors. If we do not successfully execute on our strategy of expanding our product pipeline, it could significantly harm our financial position and adversely affect the trading price of our common shares.
The development of additional product candidates is risky and uncertain.
Efforts to identify, acquire or in-license, and then develop product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources, whether or not any product candidates are ultimately identified. Our efforts may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield product candidates for clinical development, approved products or commercial revenues for many reasons, including the following:
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We have limited financial and management resources and, as a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater market potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial drugs or profitable market opportunities. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in circumstances under which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate. If we are unsuccessful in identifying and developing additional product candidates or are unable to do so, our business may be harmed.
Success in preclinical studies or earlier clinical trials may not be indicative of results in future clinical trials and we cannot assure you that any ongoing, planned or future clinical trials will lead to results sufficient for the necessary regulatory approvals.
Success in preclinical testing and earlier clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will generate the same results or otherwise provide adequate data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of a product candidate. Preclinical tests and Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials are primarily designed to test safety, to study pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and to understand the side effects of product candidates at various doses and schedules. Success in preclinical studies and earlier clinical trials does not ensure that later efficacy trials will be successful, nor does it predict final results. For example, our Phase 2 clinical trial of etripamil for PSVT was conducted in an electrophysiology lab, a controlled setting, in which PSVT episodes were induced and etripamil was administered by healthcare providers. Our Phase 3 clinical trials will be conducted in an outpatient setting with patients self-administering etripamil and monitoring their cardiac activity as episodes of PSVT occur. Additionally, in our Phase 2 clinical trial, four sprays of study drug were dispensed to patients using four separate FDA-approved single-spray devices. In our Phase 3 clinical trials, patients will self-administer two sprays of study drug from an FDA-approved device that is capable of delivering two separate sprays. Accordingly, the results of our Phase 2 trial of etripamil may not be replicated in the outpatient setting of our Phase 3 clinical trials. In addition, until completion of our NODE-301 Phase 3 clinical trial, patients are in general only eligible to enroll in our open-label NODE-302 extension trial after successfully dosing in NODE-301, and therefore, enrollment is still relatively limited at this stage. Etripamil and any future product candidates may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy in clinical development despite positive results in preclinical studies or having successfully advanced through earlier clinical trials.
In addition, the design of a clinical trial can determine whether its results will support approval of a product, and flaws in the design of a clinical trial may not become apparent until the clinical trial is well advanced. Clinical trial design flaws are more likely in therapy areas, such as PSVT, where there are limited previous trials from which to learn and model clinical trials. As an organization, we have limited experience designing clinical trials and may be unable to design and execute a clinical trial to support regulatory approval. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials even after achieving promising results in preclinical testing and earlier clinical trials. Data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities are subject to varying interpretations, which may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. In addition, we may experience regulatory delays or rejections as a result of many factors, including changes in regulatory policy during the period of our product candidate development. Any such delays could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
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We may encounter substantial delays or difficulties in our clinical trials.
We may not commercialize, market, promote or sell any product candidate without obtaining marketing approval from the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, and we may never receive such approvals. It is impossible to predict when or if any of our product candidates will prove effective or safe in humans and will receive regulatory approval. Before obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of our product candidates, we must complete preclinical development and then conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidates in humans. Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and is uncertain as to outcome. A failure of one or more clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that have believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain marketing approval of their products.
We may experience numerous unforeseen events prior to, during, or as a result of, clinical trials that could delay or prevent our ability to receive marketing approval or commercialize etripamil and any future product candidates, including:
Any inability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical development could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability to generate revenue from future drug sales or other sources. In addition, if we make manufacturing or formulation changes to our product candidates, we may need to conduct additional testing to bridge our modified product candidate to earlier versions. Clinical trial delays could also shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates, if approved, or allow our competitors to bring competing drugs to market before we do, which could impair our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates and may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Additionally, if the results of our clinical trials are inconclusive or if there are safety concerns or serious adverse events associated with our product candidates, we may:
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Our product development costs will also increase if we experience delays in testing or obtaining marketing approvals. We do not know whether any of our preclinical studies or clinical trials will begin as planned, need to be restructured or be completed on schedule, if at all.
Further, we, the FDA or an IRB may suspend our clinical trials at any time if it appears that we or our collaborators are failing to conduct a trial in accordance with regulatory requirements, including the FDA's current Good Clinical Practice, or GCP, regulations, that we are exposing participants to unacceptable health risks, or if the FDA finds deficiencies in our investigational new drug applications, or INDs, or the conduct of these trials. Therefore, we cannot predict with any certainty the schedule for commencement and completion of future clinical trials. If we experience delays in the commencement or completion of our clinical trials, or if we terminate a clinical trial prior to completion, the commercial prospects of our product candidates could be negatively impacted, and our ability to generate revenues from our product candidates may be delayed.
Clinical trials are very expensive, time consuming and difficult to design and implement.
Our product candidates will require clinical testing before we are prepared to submit an NDA for regulatory approval. We cannot predict with any certainty if or when we might submit an NDA for regulatory approval for any of our product candidates or whether any such NDA will be approved by the FDA. Human clinical trials are very expensive and difficult to design and implement, in part because they are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. For instance, the FDA may not agree with our proposed endpoints for any future clinical trial of our product candidates, which may delay the commencement of our clinical trials. In addition, we may not succeed in developing and validating disease-relevant clinical endpoints based on insights regarding biological pathways for the diseases we are studying. The clinical trial process is also time consuming. We estimate that the successful completion of clinical trials for etripamil and any future product candidates will take several years to complete. Furthermore, failure can occur at any stage, and we could encounter problems that cause us to abandon or repeat clinical trials.
Enrollment and retention of patients in clinical trials is an expensive and time-consuming process and could be delayed, made more difficult or rendered impossible by multiple factors outside our control.
Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in our clinical trials is critical to our success. If the actual number of patients with PSVT, or any other indications that we may pursue for etripamil or future product candidates, is smaller than we anticipate, we may encounter difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials, thereby delaying or preventing development and approval of etripamil and any future product candidates. Even once enrolled we may be unable to retain a sufficient number of patients to complete any of our trials. Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials depends on many factors, including the size of the patient population, the nature of the trial protocol, the existing body of safety and efficacy data, the number and nature of competing treatments and ongoing clinical trials of competing therapies for the same indication, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the experience and capabilities of the clinical sites to recruit the correct patients, and the eligibility criteria for the trial. In our Phase 3 clinical trial, we are
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attempting to enroll higher risk elderly patients. We are doing this in order to obtain efficacy and safety data on patients representing the most vulnerable subset of our intended population. Such patients may be difficult to enroll in this trial, and the lack of data on these patients may negatively impact the approvability or labeling of etripamil.
In our Phase 2 clinical trial of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT, only 104 of 199 enrolled patients completed the trials, with 70 patients unable to induce or sustain PSVT during the trial period. The first Phase 3 trial of PSVT for etripamil will enroll up to 500 diagnosed PSVT patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be completed when a total of 100 to 120 adjudicated PSVT events are treated. PSVT is episodic and unpredictable, and our Phase 3 trial design depends on patients experiencing and recognizing an episode of PSVT, self-administering etripamil and monitoring their cardiac activity using a monitoring device. We cannot control the timing of these episodes or guarantee that patients will correctly recognize the episode, self-administer etripamil and use the cardiac monitor as directed. We also cannot predict with certainty the number or timing of any PSVT episodes for those patients that enroll in the trial. Conducting a Phase 3 clinical trial for a PSVT treatment in an outpatient setting is paradigm changing, and subject to a number of risks. There is limited, if any, meaningful precedent from which to inform our trial design and make assumptions about patient enrollment and compliance. Accordingly, our Phase 3 trial design is subject to significantly more risks than if there were numerous studies upon which we could model our protocols. Our efficacy and safety databases could take significantly longer to populate than projected, which would add cost to our development program and delay any potential approval of etripamil.
Furthermore, our efforts to build relationships with patient communities may not succeed, which could result in delays in patient enrollment in our clinical trials. In addition, any negative results we may report in clinical trials of etripamil and any future product candidate may make it difficult or impossible to recruit and retain patients in other clinical trials of that same product candidate. Delays or failures in planned patient enrollment or retention may result in increased costs, program delays or both, which could have a harmful effect on our ability to develop etripamil or any future product candidates or could render further development impossible. In addition, we expect to rely on CROs and clinical trial sites to ensure proper and timely conduct of our future clinical trials and, while we intend to enter into agreements governing their services, we will be limited in our ability to compel their actual performance. Similarly, our formulation of etripamil is designed to be self-administered as a nasal spray during a PSVT episode by patients enrolled in our Phase 3 trials. While we expect enrolled patients to adhere to the protocol, our ability to ensure patient compliance is limited.
Our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial potential or result in significant negative consequences following any potential marketing approval.
During the conduct of clinical trials, patients report changes in their health, including illnesses, injuries and discomforts, to their doctor. Often, it is not possible to determine whether or not the product candidate being studied caused these conditions. Regulatory authorities may draw different conclusions or require additional testing to confirm these determinations, if they occur. For example, in our Phase 2 clinical trial for PSVT, three serious adverse events, or SAEs, were considered possibly related to etripamil, including a second degree AV block that subsequently resolved. Calcium channel blockers have known side effects, such as slowing the heart rate below normal levels and hypotension, or low blood pressure. While we designed etripamil to have a short half-life to lower these risks, if etripamil is not quickly metabolized as designed, these known side effects may become more pronounced in patients who use etripamil.
In addition, it is possible that as we test etripamil or any future product candidates in larger, longer and more extensive clinical trials, such as our Phase 3 clinical trials, or as use of etripamil or any future product candidates becomes more widespread if they receive regulatory approval, illnesses, injuries, discomforts and other adverse events that were observed in earlier trials, as well as conditions that did not occur or went undetected in previous trials, will be reported by subjects or patients. Many times, side effects are only
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detectable after investigational drugs are tested in large-scale pivotal trials or, in some cases, after they are made available to patients on a commercial scale after approval. If additional clinical experience indicates that etripamil or any future product candidates have side effects or causes serious or life-threatening side effects, the development of the product candidate may fail or be delayed, or, if the product candidate has received regulatory approval, such approval may be revoked, which would harm our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.
Interim, "top-line" and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.
From time to time, we may publish interim, "top-line" or preliminary data from our clinical trials. Interim data from clinical trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Preliminary or "top-line" data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. As a result, interim and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. Differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our business prospects and may cause the trading price of our common shares to fluctuate significantly.
As an organization, we have never completed pivotal clinical trials, and we may be unable to do so for any product candidates we may develop, including our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of PSVT.
We will need to successfully complete pivotal clinical trials in order to obtain the approval of the FDA and other regulatory agencies to market etripamil or any of our other product candidates. Carrying out later-stage clinical trials and the submission of a successful NDA is a complicated process. As an organization, we have not previously completed any later stage or pivotal clinical trials and have limited experience in preparing, submitting and prosecuting regulatory filings. Consequently, we may be unable to successfully and efficiently execute and complete necessary clinical trials in a way that leads to NDA submission and approval of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT. We may require more time and incur greater costs than our competitors and may not succeed in obtaining regulatory approvals of product candidates that we develop. Failure to commence or complete, or delays in, our planned clinical trials could prevent us from or delay us in commercializing etripamil for the treatment of PSVT.
Etripamil is intended to be used with a nasal spray device, which may result in additional supply and regulatory risks.
We currently obtain the nasal spray device for administration of Etripamil from a single source supplier. Our nasal spray device supplier relies on multiple suppliers for certain components of the device, some of whom are single source suppliers. There are a limited number of device suppliers that address our particular design requirements. While we intend to explore alternative nasal spray devices for the delivery of etripamil that are produced by other suppliers to have backup sources for future commercial needs, we may not identify other nasal device suppliers that meet our requirements, and such alternative devices may not be as effective at the delivery of etripamil as our current supplier's device. We do not currently have a formal supply agreement with our current sole nasal spray device supplier, and obtain such devices as needed. Even if we reach agreement for commercial supply, if we do not have additional nasal spray device suppliers, our sole supplier may be unable to meet our demands. Unpredictability of supply could have a material adverse effect on our commercialization plans for etripamil, if approved, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our finished drug product in the nasal delivery system will be regulated as a drug/device combination product. There are additional regulatory risks for drug/device combination products. We may experience delays in obtaining regulatory approval of etripamil given the increased complexity of the review process
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when approval of the product and a delivery device is sought under a single marketing application. In the United States, each component of a combination product is subject to the requirements established by the FDA for that type of component, whether a drug, biologic or device. The delivery system device will be subject to FDA device requirements regarding design, performance and validation as well as human factors testing, among other things. Delays in or failure of the studies conducted by us, or failure of our company, our collaborators, if any, or the third-party providers or suppliers to obtain or maintain regulatory approval could result in increased development costs, delays in or failure to obtain regulatory approval, and associated delays in etripamil reaching the market.
We may explore strategic collaborations that may never materialize, or we may be required to relinquish important rights to and control over the development of our product candidates to any future collaborators.
We intend to periodically explore a variety of possible strategic collaborations in an effort to gain access to additional product candidates or resources. At the current time, we cannot predict what form such a strategic collaboration might take. We are likely to face significant competition in seeking appropriate strategic collaborators, and strategic collaborations can be complicated and time consuming to negotiate and document. We may not be able to negotiate strategic collaborations on acceptable terms, or at all. We are unable to predict when, if ever, we will enter into any strategic collaborations because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with establishing them.
Future collaborations could subject us to a number of risks, including:
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Risks Related to the Commercialization of Our Product Candidates
If we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell etripamil or any future product candidates, we may not be successful in commercializing etripamil or any future product candidates, if and when they are approved.
To successfully commercialize etripamil or any future product candidate that may result from our development programs, we will need to build out our sales and marketing capabilities, either on our own or with others. The establishment and development of our own commercial team or the establishment of a contract field force to market any product candidate we may develop will be expensive and time-consuming and could delay any drug launch. Moreover, we cannot be certain that we will be able to successfully develop this capability. We may seek to enter into collaborations with other entities to use their established marketing and distribution capabilities, but we may be unable to enter into such agreements on favorable terms, if at all. If any current or future collaborators do not commit sufficient resources to commercialize our product candidates, or we are unable to develop the necessary capabilities on our own, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue to sustain our business. We may compete with many companies that currently have extensive, experienced and well-funded marketing and sales operations to recruit, hire, train and retain marketing and sales personnel. We will likely also face competition if we seek third parties to assist us with the sales and marketing efforts of etripamil and any future product candidates. Without an internal team or the support of a third party to perform marketing and sales functions, we may be unable to compete successfully against these more established companies.
Even if etripamil or any future product candidates receive marketing approval, they may fail to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors or others in the medical community necessary for commercial success.
Even if etripamil or any future product candidates receive marketing approval, they may fail to gain market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community. If such product candidates do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate significant drug revenue and may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of etripamil or any future product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
Our efforts to educate physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community on the benefits of etripamil or any future product candidates may require significant resources and may never be successful. Such efforts may require more resources than are typically required due to the potential of etripamil to shift the treatment paradigm away from acute-care settings to self-administration. Because we
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expect sales of etripamil or any future product candidates, if approved, to generate substantially all of our revenues for the foreseeable future, the failure of these product candidates to find market acceptance would harm our business.
Even if we successfully obtain approval for etripamil, its success will be dependent on its proper use.
While we have designed etripamil to be self-administered, we cannot control the successful use of the product. While we have conducted, and intend in the future to conduct, human factors studies to determine how to optimize the instructions for use, the results in our clinical trials may not be replicated by users in the future. If we are not successful in promoting the proper use of etripamil, if approved, we may not be able to achieve market acceptance or effectively commercialize the drug. In addition, even in the event of proper use of etripamil, individual devices may fail. Increasing the scale of production inherently creates increased risk of manufacturing errors, and we may not be able to adequately inspect every device that is produced, and it is possible that individual devices may fail to perform as designed. Manufacturing errors could negatively impact market acceptance of any of our product candidates that receive approval, result in negative press coverage, or increase our liability.
If the market opportunities for etripamil and any future product candidates are smaller than we estimate, our business may suffer.
Our eligible patient population may differ significantly from the actual market addressable by our product candidates. Our projections of both the number of people who have these conditions, as well as the subset of people with these diseases who have the potential to benefit from treatment with our product candidates, are based on our beliefs and estimates. These estimates have been derived from a variety of sources, including the scientific literature, insurance claims databases or market research, and may prove to be incorrect. Further, new studies may change the estimated incidence or prevalence of these diseases. The number of patients may turn out to be lower than expected. Likewise, the potentially addressable patient population for each of our product candidates may be limited or may not be amenable to treatment with our product candidates, and new patients may become increasingly difficult to identify or access. If the market opportunities for our product candidates are smaller than we estimate, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may face substantial competition, which may result in others developing or commercializing drugs before or more successfully than us.
The development and commercialization of new drugs is highly competitive. We may face competition from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide. Potential competitors also include academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private research organizations that conduct research, seek patent protection and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and commercialization.
More established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their greater size, resources and institutional experience. In particular, these companies have greater experience and expertise in securing reimbursement, government contracts and relationships with key opinion leaders, conducting testing and clinical trials, obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals and distribution relationships to market products and marketing approved drugs. These companies also have significantly greater research and marketing capabilities than we do. If we are not able to compete effectively against existing and potential competitors, our business and financial condition may be harmed.
As a result of these factors, our competitors may obtain regulatory approval of their drugs before we are able to, which may limit our ability to develop or commercialize etripamil and any future product candidates. Our competitors may also develop therapies that are safer, more effective, more widely accepted or less expensive than ours, and may also be more successful than we in manufacturing and marketing their drugs.
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These advantages could render our product candidates obsolete or non-competitive before we can recover the costs of such product candidates' development and commercialization.
Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller and early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific, management and commercial personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and subject registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.
If we commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates outside of the United States, a variety of risks associated with international operations could harm our business.
We intend to seek approval to market etripamil outside of the United States, and may do so for future product candidates. If we market approved products outside of the United States, we expect that we will be subject to additional risks in commercialization including:
We have no prior experience in these areas. In addition, there are complex regulatory, tax, labor and other legal requirements imposed by many of the individual countries in and outside of Europe with which we will need to comply. Many biopharmaceutical companies have found the process of marketing their own products in foreign countries to be very challenging.
Coverage and adequate reimbursement may not be available for etripamil or any future product candidates, which could make it difficult for us to gain market acceptance.
Market acceptance and sales of any product candidates that we commercialize, if approved, will depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement for these drugs and related treatments will be available from third-party payors, including government health administration authorities, managed care organizations and other private health insurers. Third-party payors decide for which therapies and establish reimbursement levels. While no uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement exists in the United States, third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own coverage and reimbursement policies. However, decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided for any product candidates that we develop will be made on a payor-by-payor basis. Therefore, one payor's determination to provide coverage for a drug does not assure that other payors will also provide coverage, and adequate reimbursement, for the drug. Additionally, a third-party payor's decision
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to provide coverage for a therapy does not imply that an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved. Each payor determines whether or not it will provide coverage for a therapy, what amount it will pay the manufacturer for the therapy, and on what tier of its formulary it will be placed. The position on a payor's list of covered drugs, or formulary, generally determines the co-payment that a patient will need to make to obtain the therapy and can strongly influence the adoption of such therapy by patients and physicians. Patients who are prescribed treatments for their conditions and providers prescribing such services generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the associated healthcare costs. Patients are unlikely to use our products unless coverage is provided and reimbursement is adequate to cover a significant portion of the cost of our products.
Third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for any drug that we commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, what the level of reimbursement will be. Inadequate coverage and reimbursement may impact the demand for, or the price of, any drug for which we obtain marketing approval. If coverage and adequate reimbursement are not available, or are available only to limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates that we develop.
Product liability lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and could limit commercialization of any product candidates that we may develop.
We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of etripamil or any future product candidates in clinical trials and may face an even greater risk if we commercialize any product candidate that we may develop. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that any such product candidates caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
Although we maintain product liability insurance coverage with maximum coverage of C$10 million per incident and an aggregate loss limit of C$10 million, such insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we may incur. We anticipate that we will need to increase our insurance coverage each time we commence a clinical trial and if we successfully commercialize any product candidate. Insurance coverage is increasingly expensive. We may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in an amount adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise.
Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance
Even if we obtain and maintain approval for etripamil or any future product candidates from the FDA, we may never obtain approval of etripamil or any future product candidates outside of the United States, which would limit our market opportunities and could harm our business.
Approval of a product candidate in the United States by the FDA does not ensure approval of such product candidate by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Sales of etripamil or any future product candidates outside of the United States will be subject to foreign
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regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and marketing approval. Even if the FDA grants marketing approval for a product candidate, comparable foreign regulatory authorities also must approve the manufacturing and marketing of the product candidate in those countries. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and more onerous than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials. In many countries outside the United States, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for any product candidates, if approved, is also subject to approval. Obtaining approval for etripamil or any future product candidates in the European Union from the European Commission following the opinion of the European Medicines Agency, if we choose to submit a marketing authorization application there, would be a lengthy and expensive process. Even if a product candidate is approved, the FDA or the European Commission, as the case may be, may limit the indications for which the drug may be marketed, require extensive warnings on the drug labeling or require expensive and time-consuming additional clinical trials or reporting as conditions of approval. Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could delay or prevent the introduction of etripamil or any future product candidates in certain countries.
Further, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries. Also, regulatory approval for our product candidates may be withdrawn. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of etripamil or any future product candidates will be harmed and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be harmed.
Even if we obtain regulatory approval for etripamil or any future product candidates, they will remain subject to ongoing regulatory oversight.
Even if we obtain regulatory approvals for etripamil or any future product candidates, such approvals will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements for manufacturing, labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, sampling, record-keeping and submission of safety and other post-market information. Any regulatory approvals that we receive for etripamil or any future product candidates may also be subject to a REMS, limitations on the approved indicated uses for which the drug may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for potentially costly post-marketing testing, including Phase 4 trials, and surveillance to monitor the quality, safety and efficacy of the drug. Such regulatory requirements may differ from country to country depending on where we have received regulatory approval.
In addition, drug manufacturers and their facilities are subject to payment of user fees and continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for compliance with cGMP requirements and adherence to commitments made in the NDA or foreign marketing application. If we, or a regulatory authority, discover previously unknown problems with a drug, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the drug is manufactured or if a regulatory authority disagrees with the promotion, marketing or labeling of that drug, a regulatory authority may impose restrictions relative to that drug, the manufacturing facility or us, including requesting a recall or requiring withdrawal of the drug from the market or suspension of manufacturing.
If we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements following approval of etripamil or any future product candidates, a regulatory authority may:
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Moreover, the FDA strictly regulates the promotional claims that may be made about drug products. In particular, a product may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA as reflected in the product's approved labeling. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties.
Any government investigation of alleged violations of law could require us to expend significant time and resources in response and could generate negative publicity. The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The FDA's and other regulatory authorities' policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. For example, in December 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act, or Cures Act, was signed into law. The Cures Act, among other things, is intended to modernize the regulation of drugs and to spur innovation, but its ultimate implementation is unclear. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability, which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, certain policies of the Trump administration may impact our business and industry. Namely, the Trump administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA's ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications. It is difficult to predict how these executive actions, including the Executive Orders, will be implemented and the extent to which they will affect the FDA's ability to exercise its regulatory authority. If these executive actions impose constraints on the FDA's ability to engage in oversight and implementation activities in the normal course, our business may be negatively impacted.
Our relationships with customers, physicians, and third-party payors are subject, directly or indirectly, to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, false claims laws, health information privacy and security laws, and other healthcare laws and regulations. If we are unable to comply, or have not fully complied, with such laws, we could face substantial penalties.
Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors in the United States and elsewhere will play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our current and future arrangements with healthcare professionals, principal investigators, consultants, customers and third-party payors subject us to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws and other healthcare laws that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we research, sell, market, and distribute our products, if we obtain marketing approval. We will also be subject to healthcare regulation and enforcement by the U.S. federal government and the states and any other countries in which we conduct our business, including our research, and the sales, marketing and distribution of our product candidates and products once they have obtained marketing authorization. For additional information on the healthcare laws and regulations that we may be subject to, see "Business Government Regulation and Product Approval."
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Ensuring that our business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will likely be costly. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from participating in government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, contractual damages, reputational harm and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.
If the physicians or other providers or entities with whom we expect to do business are found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs. Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to healthcare laws and regulations may cause us to incur significant expenses and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common shares. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development, manufacturing, sales, marketing or distribution activities. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of litigation or other proceedings relating to applicable healthcare laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.
Healthcare legislative reform measures may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and continue to be, several legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities, and affect our ability to profitably sell any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or, collectively, the PPACA, was passed, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private payors in the United States. Since the PPACA's enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the PPACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the PPACA in the future. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the Tax Act, was enacted, which includes a provision repealing, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the PPACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the "individual mandate." Since the enactment of the Tax Act, there have been additional amendments to certain provisions of the PPACA, and we expect the current Trump administration and Congress will likely continue to seek to modify, repeal, or otherwise invalidate the entirety, or certain provisions, of the PPACA. Additionally, on December 15, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the PPACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the "individual mandate" was repealed by Congress as part of the Tax Act. While the Texas U.S. District Court Judge, as well as the Trump administration and CMS, have stated that the ruling will have no immediate effect pending appeal of the decision, it is unclear how this decision, subsequent appeals, and other efforts to repeal and replace the PPACA will impact the PPACA and our business.
Further, in the United States there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries
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and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under government payor programs, and review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs. While some of the proposed measures will require authorization through additional legislation to become effective, U.S. Congress and the Trump administration have indicated that they will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative measures to control drug costs. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for etripamil or any future product candidates or additional pricing pressures.
We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States or any other jurisdiction. If we or any third parties we may engage are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing or new requirements or policies, or if the we or such third parties are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, etripamil or any future product candidates we may develop may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability. For additional information on the healthcare reform, see "Business Government Regulation and Product Approval."
Our business involves the use of hazardous materials and we and our third-party manufacturers and suppliers must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business.
Our research and development activities and our third-party manufacturers' and suppliers' activities involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials owned by us, including the components of etripamil and any future product candidates and other hazardous compounds. We and our manufacturers and suppliers are subject to laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these hazardous materials. In some cases, these hazardous materials and various wastes resulting from their use are stored at our and our manufacturers' facilities pending their use and disposal. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination, which could cause an interruption of our commercialization efforts, research and development efforts and business operations, environmental damage resulting in costly clean-up and liabilities under applicable laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified waste products. Although we believe that the safety procedures utilized by our third-party manufacturers for handling and disposing of these materials generally comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee that this is the case or eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In such an event, we may be held liable for any resulting damages and such liability could exceed our resources and state or federal or other applicable authorities may curtail our use of certain materials and/or interrupt our business operations. Furthermore, environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent. We cannot predict the impact of such changes and cannot be certain of our future compliance. We do not currently carry hazardous waste insurance coverage.
Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties
We will rely on third parties to produce clinical and commercial supplies of etripamil and any future product candidates.
We do not own or operate facilities for drug manufacturing, storage and distribution, or testing. We are dependent on third parties to manufacture the clinical supplies of etripamil and any future product candidates. The facilities used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture etripamil and any future product candidates must be approved by the FDA pursuant to inspections that will be conducted after we submit our NDA to the FDA. We do not control the manufacturing process of, and are completely dependent on, our contract manufacturing partners for compliance with the regulatory requirements, known as cGMPs for manufacture of active drug substances, nasal spray device, and finished product candidates. If our
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contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or others, we will not be able to secure and/or maintain regulatory approval for our product candidates. In addition, we have no control over the ability of our contract manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. We intend to use multiple contract manufacturers for clinical and commercial supply of our drug product and drug substance. As such, we will need to demonstrate to the FDA that the drug product and drug substance from these contract manufacturers are comparable, which may include conducting additional equivalence studies. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates or if it withdraws any such approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our product candidates, if approved. Any significant delay in the supply of a product candidate, or the raw material components thereof, for an ongoing clinical trial due to the need to replace a third-party manufacturer could considerably delay completion of our clinical trials, product testing and potential regulatory approval of our product candidates.
Further, we also will rely on third-party manufacturers to supply us with sufficient quantities of etripamil and any future product candidates, if approved, for commercialization. We do not yet have a commercial supply agreement for commercial quantities of drug substance, drug product or nasal spray device. If we are not able to meet market demand for any approved product, it would negatively affect our ability to generate revenue, harm our reputation, and could have a material and adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Increasing the scale of production inherently creates increased risk of manufacturing errors, and we may not be able to adequately inspect every device that is produced, and it is possible that individual devices may fail to perform as designed. Manufacturing errors could negatively impact market acceptance of any of our product candidates that receive approval, result in negative press coverage, or increase our liability.
Further, our reliance on third-party manufacturers entails risks to which we would not be subject if we manufactured product candidates ourselves, including:
In addition, if we enter into a strategic collaboration with a third party for the commercialization of etripamil or any future product candidate, we will not be able to control the amount of time or resources that they devote to such efforts. If any strategic collaborator does not commit adequate resources to the marketing and distribution of etripamil or any future product candidate, it could limit our potential revenues.
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Any of these events could lead to clinical trial delays, failure to obtain regulatory approval or affect our ability to successfully commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates once approved. Some of these events could be the basis for FDA action, including injunction, request for recall, seizure, or total or partial suspension of production.
We rely on third parties to conduct, supervise and monitor our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and if those third parties perform in an unsatisfactory manner, it may harm our business.
We have engaged a CRO to conduct our Phase 3 clinical trials of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT, and we expect to engage a CRO for future clinical trials of etripamil and any future product candidates. We do not currently have the ability to independently conduct any clinical trials. We rely on CROs and clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and we expect to have limited influence over their actual performance. We rely upon CROs to monitor and manage data for our clinical programs, as well as the execution of future nonclinical studies. We expect to control only certain aspects of our CROs' activities. Nevertheless, we will be responsible for ensuring that each of our preclinical studies and clinical trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal, regulatory and scientific standards, and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities.
We and our CROs are required to comply with the good laboratory practices, or GLPs, and GCPs, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities in the form of International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for any of our product candidates that are in preclinical and clinical development. The regulatory authorities enforce GCPs through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators and clinical trial sites. Although we rely on CROs to conduct GCP-compliant clinical trials, we remain responsible for ensuring that each of our GLP preclinical studies and clinical trials is conducted in accordance with its investigational plan and protocol and applicable laws and regulations, and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. If we or our CROs fail to comply with GCPs, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications. Accordingly, if our CROs fail to comply with these regulations or fail to recruit a sufficient number of subjects, we may be required to repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process.
Our reliance on third parties to conduct clinical trials will result in less direct control over the management of data developed through clinical trials than would be the case if we were relying entirely upon our own staff. Communicating with CROs and other third parties can be challenging, potentially leading to mistakes as well as difficulties in coordinating activities. Such parties may:
These factors may materially adversely affect the willingness or ability of third parties to conduct our clinical trials and may subject us to unexpected cost increases that are beyond our control. If our CROs do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations, fail to meet expected deadlines, fail to comply with regulatory requirements, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for any other reasons, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, any product candidate that we develop. As a result, our financial results and the commercial prospects for any product candidate that we develop would be harmed, our costs could increase, and our ability to generate revenue could be delayed. While we will have agreements governing their activities, our CROs will not be our employees, and we will not control whether
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or not they devote sufficient time and resources to our future clinical and nonclinical programs. These CROs may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials, or other drug development activities that could harm our business. We face the risk of potential unauthorized disclosure or misappropriation of our intellectual property by CROs, which may reduce our trade secret protection and allow our potential competitors to access and exploit our proprietary technology.
If our relationship with any of these CROs terminates, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs or do so on commercially reasonable terms. Switching or adding additional CROs involves substantial cost and requires management time and focus. In addition, there is a natural transition period when a new CRO commences work. As a result, delays occur, which can negatively affect our ability to meet our desired clinical development timelines. Though we intend to manage carefully our relationships with our CROs, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
In addition, principal investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us from time to time and receive compensation in connection with such services. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to report some of these relationships to the FDA. The FDA may conclude that a financial relationship between us and a principal investigator has created a conflict of interest or otherwise affected interpretation of the trial. The FDA may therefore question the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized. This could result in a delay in approval, or rejection, of our marketing applications by the FDA and may ultimately lead to the denial of marketing approval of etripamil and any future product candidates.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for etripamil or any future product candidates, or if the scope of the patent protection obtained is not sufficiently broad, our competitors could develop and commercialize drugs similar or identical to ours, and our ability to commercialize successfully our product candidates may be impaired.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection in the United States and other countries with respect to etripamil and any future product candidates. We seek to protect our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our product candidates. To protect our proprietary positions, we file patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our product candidates that are important to our business. The patent application and prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming. We may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. We may also fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Therefore, these and any of our patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. It is possible that defects of form in the preparation or filing of our patents or patent applications may exist, or may arise in the future, such as with respect to proper priority claims, inventorship, claim scope or patent term adjustments. If any future licensors or licensees are not fully cooperative or disagree with us as to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of any patent rights, such patent rights could be compromised and we might not be able to prevent third parties from making, using and selling competing products. If there are material defects in the form or preparation of our patents or patent applications, such patents or applications may be invalid and unenforceable. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties.
The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection. In addition, the laws of
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foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents has emerged to date in the United States or in many foreign jurisdictions. In addition, the determination of patent rights with respect to pharmaceutical compounds and technologies commonly involves complex legal and factual questions, which has in recent years been the subject of much litigation. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Furthermore, recent changes in patent laws in the United States, including the America Invents Act of 2011, may affect the scope, strength and enforceability of our patent rights or the nature of proceedings that may be brought by us related to our patent rights.
We may not be aware of all third-party intellectual property rights potentially relating to etripamil or any future product candidates. Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the United States and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all. For example, U.S. applications filed before November 28, 2000 and certain U.S. applications filed after that date that will not be filed outside the United States remain confidential until a patent issues. Therefore, we cannot be certain that we were the first to make the inventions claimed in our patents or pending patent applications, or that we were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions. Similarly, should we own any patents or patent applications in the future, we may not be certain that we were the first to file for patent protection for the inventions claimed in such patents or patent applications. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity and commercial value of our patent rights cannot be predicted with any certainty. Moreover, we may be subject to a third-party preissuance submission of prior art to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, or become involved in opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review, post grant review, or interference proceedings, in the United States or elsewhere, challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, allow third parties to commercialize our technology or product candidates and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third-party patent rights.
Our pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued that protect our technology or product candidates, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies and products. Even if our patent applications issue as patents, they may not issue in a form that will provide us with any meaningful protection against competing products or processes sufficient to achieve our business objectives, prevent competitors from competing with us or otherwise provide us with any competitive advantage. Our competitors may be able to circumvent our owned or licensed patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner. Our competitors may seek to market generic versions of any approved products by submitting abbreviated new drug applications to the FDA in which they claim that patents owned or licensed by us are invalid, unenforceable and/or not infringed. Alternatively, our competitors may seek approval to market their own products similar to or otherwise competitive with our products. In these circumstances, we may need to defend and/or assert our patents, including by filing lawsuits alleging patent infringement. In any of these types of proceedings, a court or other agency with jurisdiction may find our patents invalid and/or unenforceable.
The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our owned and licensed patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or freedom to operate or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in whole or in part, which could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of our technology and products. In addition, given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized.
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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by government patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. In addition, periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other government fees on patents and/or applications will have to be paid to the USPTO and various government patent agencies outside of the United States over the lifetime of our owned patents and/or applications and any patent rights we may own or license in the future. We rely on our outside counsel to pay these fees due to non-U.S. patent agencies. The USPTO and various non-U.S. government patent agencies require compliance with several procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. We employ reputable law firms and other professionals to help us comply. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our products or technologies, we may not be able to stop a competitor from marketing products that are the same as or similar to etripamil or any future product candidates, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. In many cases, an inadvertent lapse can be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules. There are situations, however, in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, potential competitors might be able to enter the market and this circumstance could harm our business.
Patent terms may be inadequate to protect our competitive position on our product candidates for an adequate amount of time.
Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, such as etripamil, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. We expect to seek extensions of patent terms in the United States and, if available, in other countries where we are prosecuting patents. In the United States, the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 permits a patent term extension of up to five years beyond the normal expiration of the patent, which is limited to the approved indication (or any additional indications approved during the period of extension). However, the applicable authorities, including the FDA and the USPTO in the United States, and any equivalent regulatory authority in other countries, may not agree with our assessment of whether such extensions are available, and may refuse to grant extensions to our patents, or may grant more limited extensions than we request. If this occurs, our competitors may be able to take advantage of our investment in development and clinical trials by referencing our clinical and preclinical data and launch their drug earlier than might otherwise be the case.
Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our business.
The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations and may not adequately protect our business. The following examples are illustrative:
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Should any of these events occur, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or other intellectual property rights, which could be expensive, time consuming and unsuccessful.
Competitors may infringe our issued patents, future trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming and divert the time and attention of our management and scientific personnel. Any claims we assert against perceived infringers could provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe their patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, there is a risk that a court will decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue. There is also a risk that, even if the validity of such patents is upheld, the court will construe the patent's claims narrowly or decide that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the invention. An adverse outcome in a litigation or proceeding involving our patents could limit our ability to assert our patents against those parties or other competitors, and may curtail or preclude our ability to exclude third parties from making and selling similar or competitive products. Similarly, if we assert trademark infringement claims, a court may determine that the marks we have asserted are invalid or unenforceable, or that the party against whom we have asserted trademark infringement has superior rights to the marks in question. In this case, we could ultimately be forced to cease use of such trademarks.
In any infringement litigation, any award of monetary damages we receive may not be commercially valuable. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during litigation. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common shares. Moreover, there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient financial or other resources to file and pursue such infringement claims, which typically last for years before they are concluded. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources and more mature and developed intellectual property portfolios. Even if we ultimately prevail in such claims, the monetary cost of such litigation and the diversion of the attention of our management and scientific personnel could outweigh any benefit we receive as a result of the proceedings. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing, misappropriating or successfully challenging our intellectual property rights. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a negative impact on our ability to compete in the marketplace.
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Third parties may initiate legal proceedings alleging that we are infringing their intellectual property rights, the outcome of which would be uncertain and could have a negative impact on the success of our business.
Our commercial success depends, in part, upon our ability and the ability of future collaborators, if any, to develop, manufacture, market and sell etripamil and any future product candidates and use our proprietary technologies without infringing the proprietary rights and intellectual property of third parties. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by extensive and complex litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. We may in the future become party to, or be threatened with, adversarial proceedings or litigation regarding intellectual property rights with respect to etripamil and any future product candidates and technology, including interference proceedings, post grant review and inter partes review before the USPTO. Third parties may assert infringement claims against us based on existing patents or patents that may be granted in the future, regardless of their merit. There is a risk that third parties may choose to engage in litigation with us to enforce or to otherwise assert their patent rights against us. Even if we believe such claims are without merit, a court of competent jurisdiction could hold that these third-party patents are valid, enforceable and infringed, which could have a negative impact on our ability to commercialize our current and any future product candidates. In order to successfully challenge the validity of any such U.S. patent in federal court, we would need to overcome a presumption of validity. As this burden is a high one requiring us to present clear and convincing evidence as to the invalidity of any such U.S. patent claim, there is no assurance that a court of competent jurisdiction would invalidate the claims of any such U.S. patent. If we are found to infringe a third party's valid and enforceable intellectual property rights, we could be required to obtain a license from such third party to continue developing, manufacturing and marketing our product candidate(s) and technology. However, we may not be able to obtain any required license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors and other third parties access to the same technologies licensed to us, and it could require us to make substantial licensing and royalty payments. We could be forced, including by court order, to cease developing, manufacturing and commercializing the infringing technology or product candidate. In addition, we could be found liable for monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys' fees, if we are found to have willfully infringed a patent or other intellectual property right. A finding of infringement could prevent us from manufacturing and commercializing etripamil or any future product candidates or force us to cease some or all of our business operations, which could materially harm our business. Claims that we have misappropriated the confidential information or trade secrets of third parties could have a similar negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See the section herein titled "Legal Proceedings" for additional information.
We may need to license intellectual property from third parties, and such licenses may not be available or may not be available on commercially reasonable terms.
A third party may hold intellectual property rights, including patent rights, that are important or necessary to the development of etripamil or any future product candidates. It may be necessary for us to use the patented or proprietary technology of third parties to commercialize our product candidates, in which case we would be required to obtain a license from these third parties. Such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and we could be forced to accept unfavorable contractual terms. If we are unable to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms, our business could be harmed.
We may be subject to claims asserting that our employees, consultants or advisors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employers or claims asserting ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.
Many of our employees, consultants or advisors are currently, or were previously, employed at universities or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and advisors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that these individuals
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or we have used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such individual's current or former employer. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
In addition, we may in the future be subject to claims by our former employees or consultants asserting an ownership right in our patents or patent applications, as a result of the work they performed on our behalf. Although it is our policy to require our employees and contractors who may be involved in the development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that we regard as our own, and we cannot be certain that our agreements with such parties will be upheld in the face of a potential challenge or that they will not be breached, for which we may not have an adequate remedy. The assignment of intellectual property rights may not be self-executing or the assignment agreements may be breached, and we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against us, to determine the ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property.
Changes in U.S. patent law or the patent law of other countries or jurisdictions could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect etripamil and any future product candidates.
The United States has recently enacted and implemented wide ranging patent reform legislation. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on actions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce patents that we have licensed or that we might obtain in the future. Similarly, changes in patent law and regulations in other countries or jurisdictions, changes in the governmental bodies that enforce them or changes in how the relevant governmental authority enforces patent laws or regulations may weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce patents that we have licensed or that we may obtain in the future.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world, which could negatively impact our business.
Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States could be less extensive than those in the United States. In some cases, we may not be able to obtain patent protection for certain technology outside the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States, even in jurisdictions where we do pursue patent protection. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, even in jurisdictions where we do pursue patent protection or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions.
Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents, if pursued and obtained, or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other
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aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.
Reliance on third parties requires us to share our proprietary information, which increases the possibility that such information will be misappropriated or disclosed.
Because we rely on third parties to develop and manufacture etripamil and any future product candidates, or if we collaborate with third parties for the development or commercialization of etripamil or any future product candidates, we must, at times, share proprietary information with them. We seek to protect our proprietary technology in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, consulting agreements or other similar agreements with our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information. Despite the contractual provisions employed when working with third parties, the need to share confidential information increases the risk that such information become known by our competitors, is inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or is disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how, a competitor's discovery of our know-how or other unauthorized use or disclosure could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our know-how. Despite our efforts to protect our know-how, we may not be able to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our technical know-how by the parties to these agreements. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with each party that may have or have had access to our confidential information or proprietary technology and processes. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary technologies will be effective. If any of the collaborators, scientific advisors, employees, contractors and consultants who are parties to these agreements breaches or violates the terms of any of these agreements, we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach or violation. Moreover, if confidential information that is licensed or disclosed to us by our partners, collaborators, or others is inadvertently disclosed or subject to a breach or violation, we may be exposed to liability to the owner of that confidential information. Enforcing a claim that a third-party illegally obtained and is using our proprietary information, like patent litigation, is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect proprietary information.
Any trademarks we may obtain may be infringed or successfully challenged, resulting in harm to our business.
We expect to rely on trademarks as one means to distinguish any of our product candidates that are approved for marketing from the products of our competitors. We have not yet selected trademarks for etripamil and have not yet begun the process of applying to register trademarks for etripamil or any other product candidate. Once we select trademarks and apply to register them, our trademark applications may not be approved. Third parties may oppose our trademark applications or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. Our competitors may infringe our trademarks, and we may not have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
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In addition, any proprietary name we propose to use with etripamil or any future product candidate in the United States must be approved by the FDA, regardless of whether we have registered it, or applied to register it, as a trademark. The FDA typically conducts a review of proposed product names, including an evaluation of the potential for confusion with other product names. If the FDA objects to any of our proposed proprietary product names, we may be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort to identify a suitable proprietary product name that would qualify under applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights of third parties and be acceptable to the FDA.
If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information, our business and competitive position would be harmed.
In addition to seeking patent and trademark protection for etripamil and any future product candidate, we also rely on unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information, to maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect our proprietary information, in part, by entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to them, such as our employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, contract manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties. We also enter into confidentiality and invention or patent assignment agreements with our employees and consultants. Despite these efforts, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures of our intellectual property is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property will be effective. In addition, we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for any such breaches. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated proprietary information is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets.
Moreover, our competitors may independently develop knowledge, methods and know-how equivalent to our proprietary information. Competitors could purchase our products and replicate some or all of the competitive advantages we derive from our development efforts for technologies on which we do not have patent protection. If any of our proprietary information were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent them, or those to whom they communicate it, from using that technology or information to compete with us. If any of our proprietary information were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor, our competitive position would be harmed.
We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and other confidential information by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems. While we have confidence in these individuals, organizations and systems, agreements or security measures may be breached and detecting the disclosure or misappropriation of confidential information and enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated confidential information is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Further, we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for any breach. In addition, our confidential information may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors, in which case we would have no right to prevent them, or those to whom they communicate it, from using that technology or information to compete with us.
Risks Related to Our Business Operations, Employee Matters and Managing Growth
Our future success depends on our ability to retain key executives and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
We are highly dependent on our President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Oliveto, our founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Philippe Douville, our Chief Medical Officer, Francis Plat and our Chief Commercial Officer, Lorenz Muller. Each of them may currently terminate their employment with us at any time and will continue to be able to do so after the closing of this offering. The loss of the services of any of these persons could impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives. We do not currently maintain "key person" life insurance on the lives of our executives or any of our employees other than on our President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Oliveto.
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Recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and clinical personnel and, if we progress the development of any of our product candidates, commercialization, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel, will be critical to our success. The loss of the services of our executive officers or other key employees could impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives and seriously harm our ability to successfully implement our business strategy. Furthermore, replacing executive officers and key employees may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in our industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to successfully develop, gain regulatory approval of and commercialize our product candidates. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel. We also experience competition for the hiring of scientific and clinical personnel from universities and research institutions. In addition, we rely on consultants and advisors, including scientific and clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our research and development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, our ability to pursue our growth strategy will be limited.
We expect to expand our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.
As of December 31, 2018, we had 20 full-time employees. As the clinical development of etripamil progresses and as we expand our pipeline, we expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of research, drug development, regulatory affairs and, if etripamil or any future product candidates receives marketing approval, sales, marketing and distribution. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team in managing a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.
Our internal computer systems, or those of our collaborators or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, which could result in a significant disruption of our product development programs and our ability to operate our business effectively.
Our internal computer systems and those of our current and any future collaborators and other contractors or consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Cyber attacks are increasing in their frequency, sophistication and intensity, and have become increasingly difficult to detect. Cyber attacks could include the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Cyber attacks also could include phishing attempts or e-mail fraud to cause payments or information to be transmitted to an unintended recipient.
While we have not experienced any significant system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a disruption of our development programs and our business operations, whether due to a loss of our trade secrets or other proprietary information or other similar disruptions. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials by us or our CROs could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Additionally, any such event that leads to unauthorized access, use or disclosure of personal information, including personal information regarding
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our patients or employees, could harm our reputation, cause us not to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of personal information. Security breaches and other inappropriate access can be difficult to detect, and any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above. While we have implemented security measures to protect our information technology systems and infrastructure, such measures may not prevent service interruptions or security breaches that could adversely affect our business and to the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability, our competitive position could be harmed and the further development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed.
If we fail to comply with European data protection laws, including the new European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679, or GDPR, when appropriate, and any other existing or future data protection regulations, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected.
We anticipate seeking regulatory approval for, and commercialize, etripamil for the treatment of PSVT in Europe. We may also elect to do so for future product candidates. We may be required to conduct clinical trial activities in Europe, which could subject us to European data protection laws, including GDPR. The GDPR, which came into effect on May 25, 2018, establishes new requirements applicable to the processing of personal data (i.e., data which identifies an individual or from which an individual is identifiable), affords new data protection rights to individuals (e.g., the right to erasure of personal data) and imposes penalties for serious breaches of up to 4% annual worldwide turnover or €20 million, whichever is greater. Individuals (e.g., study subjects) also have a right to compensation for financial or non-financial losses (e.g., distress). There may be circumstances under which a failure to comply with GDPR, or the exercise of individual rights under the GDPR, would limit our ability to utilize clinical trial data collected on certain subjects. The GDPR will likely impose additional responsibility and liability in relation to our processing of personal data. This may be onerous and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our employees, principal investigators, consultants and commercial partners may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements and insider trading.
We are exposed to the risk of fraud or other misconduct by our employees, principal investigators, consultants and commercial partners. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional failures to comply with FDA regulations or the regulations applicable in other jurisdictions, provide accurate information to the FDA and other regulatory authorities, comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Such misconduct also could involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials or interactions with the FDA or other regulatory authorities, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from government investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could result in significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from participating in government funded healthcare programs, such
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as Medicare and Medicaid, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, contractual damages, reputational harm and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If we engage in future acquisitions or strategic collaborations, this may increase our capital requirements, dilute our shareholders, cause us to incur debt or assume contingent liabilities and subject us to other risks.
From time to time, we may evaluate various acquisitions and strategic collaborations, including licensing or acquiring complementary drugs, intellectual property rights, technologies or businesses, as deemed appropriate to carry out our business plan. Any potential acquisition or strategic partnership may entail numerous risks, including:
In addition, if we engage in future acquisitions or strategic partnerships, we may issue dilutive securities, assume or incur debt obligations, incur large one-time expenses and acquire intangible assets that could result in significant future amortization expense. Moreover, we may not be able to locate suitable acquisition opportunities, and this inability could impair our ability to grow or obtain access to technology or drugs that may be important to the development of our business.
Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Shares
No public market for our common shares currently exists, and a public market may not develop or be liquid enough for you to sell your shares quickly or at market price.
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our common shares. If an active trading market for our common shares does not develop following this offering, you may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the market price. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling our common shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our common shares as consideration. The initial public offering price of our common shares will be determined by negotiations between us and representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of the market prices of our common shares that will prevail in the trading market.
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The market price of our common shares may be volatile and fluctuate substantially, which could result in substantial losses for purchasers of our common shares in this offering.
The market price of our common shares is likely to be volatile. The stock market in general and the market for biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies in particular, has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your common shares at or above the initial public offering price. In addition to the factors discussed in this "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this prospectus, the market price for our common shares may be influenced by the following:
These and other market and industry factors may cause the market price and demand for our common shares to fluctuate substantially, regardless of our actual operating performance, which may limit or prevent investors from selling their shares at or above the price paid for the shares and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common shares. In addition, the stock market in general, and biopharmaceutical companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies.
Some companies that have experienced volatility in the trading price of their shares have been the subject of securities class action litigation. Any lawsuit to which we are a party, with or without merit, may result in an unfavorable judgment. We also may decide to settle lawsuits on unfavorable terms. Any such negative outcome could result in payments of substantial damages or fines, damage to our reputation or adverse changes to our business practices. Defending against litigation is costly and time-consuming, and could divert our management's attention and our resources. Furthermore, during the course of litigation, there could be negative public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments, which could have a negative effect on the market price of our common shares.
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Concentration of ownership of our common shares among our existing executive officers, directors and principal shareholders may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
Based upon our common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, upon the completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors and shareholders who owned more than 5% of our outstanding common shares before this offering will, in the aggregate, beneficially own shares representing approximately % of our outstanding common shares (assuming the number of shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same). If our executive officers, directors and shareholders who owned more than 5% of our outstanding common shares acted together, they may be able to significantly influence all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election and removal of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. The concentration of voting power and transfer restrictions could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company on terms that other shareholders may desire or result in the management of our company in ways with which other shareholders disagree.
If research analysts do not publish research or reports, or publish unfavorable research or reports, about us, our business or our market, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common shares will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have, and may never obtain, research coverage by industry or financial analysts. Equity research analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our common shares after the completion of this offering, and such lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our common shares. In the event we do have equity research analyst coverage, we will not have any control over the analysts or the content and opinions included in their reports. The price of our shares could decline if one or more equity research analysts downgrade our shares or issue other unfavorable commentary or research about us. If one or more equity research analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our shares could decrease, which in turn could cause the trading price or trading volume of our common shares to decline.
If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of your investment.
The initial public offering price of our common shares will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per common share. Therefore, if you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our net tangible book value per share after this offering. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, you will experience immediate dilution of $ per share, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering and the initial public offering price per share. After this offering, we will also have outstanding options to purchase common shares with exercise prices lower than the initial public offering price. To the extent these outstanding options are exercised, there will be further dilution to investors in this offering. See the section titled "Dilution" for additional information.
Because we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our share capital in the foreseeable future, capital appreciation, if any, will be your sole source of gain.
You should not rely on an investment in our common shares to provide dividend income. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our share capital. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. In addition, the terms of any future debt agreements or preferred equity may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common shares will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common shares in this offering.
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We have broad discretion in the use of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, including the net proceeds from this offering, and may use them ineffectively, in ways in which you do not agree or in ways that do not increase the value of your investment.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, including the net proceeds from this offering, and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common shares. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a negative impact on our business, cause the price of our common shares to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, including the net proceeds from this offering, in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. See the section titled "Use of Proceeds" for additional information.
A significant portion of our total outstanding shares are restricted from immediate resale but may be sold into the market in the near future, which could cause the market price of our common shares to drop significantly, even if our business is performing well.
Sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market could occur at any time, subject to certain restrictions described below. These sales, or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common shares. After this offering, we will have outstanding common shares based on the number of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares. This includes the shares that we are selling in this offering, which may be resold in the public market immediately without restriction, unless purchased by our affiliates. The remaining shares are currently restricted as a result of securities laws or lock-up agreements but will be able to be sold after the offering as described in the sections titled "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting." Moreover, upon the completion of this offering, holders of an aggregate of approximately common shares will have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other shareholders. We intend to register all common shares that we may issue under our equity compensation plans. Once we register these shares, they can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to volume limitations applicable to affiliates and the lock-up agreements described in the section titled "Underwriting."
If we are a passive foreign investment company following this offering, there could be adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.
Based on our analysis of our income, assets, activities and market capitalization for our taxable year ending December 31, 2018, we believe that we may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for our taxable year ending December 31, 2018. Based on the expected nature and composition of our income and assets for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019, we anticipate that we may be classified as a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019. If we are a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019, or any subsequent taxable years, we intend to annually furnish U.S. Holders, upon request, a "PFIC Annual Information Statement", with the information required to allow U.S. Holders to make a "qualified electing fund" election, or "QEF Election" for United States federal income tax purposes. No assurances regarding our PFIC status can be provided for any past, current or future taxable years. The determination of whether we are a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual basis and the applicable law is subject to varying interpretation. In particular, the characterization of our assets as active or passive may depend in part on our current and intended future business plans, which are subject to change. In addition, for our current and future taxable years, the total value of our assets for PFIC testing purposes may be determined in part by reference to the market price of our common shares from time to time, which may fluctuate considerably. Under the income test, our status as a PFIC depends on the composition of our income which will depend on the transactions we enter into in the future and our
45
corporate structure. The composition of our income and assets is also affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in any offering, including this offering.
If we are a PFIC, U.S. Holders of our common shares will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, such as ineligibility for any preferential tax rates for individuals on capital gains or on actual or deemed dividends, interest charges on certain taxes treated as deferred, and additional reporting requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations. For further discussion of the PFIC rules and the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in the event we are classified as a PFIC, see the section titled "Material Income Tax Considerations Material U.S. Federal Income Considerations for U.S. Holders" in this prospectus.
If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of our common shares, such holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
If a U.S. Holder (as defined below under "Material Income Tax Considerations Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders") is treated as owning (directly, indirectly or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of our common shares, such U.S. Holder may be treated as a "United States shareholder" with respect to each "controlled foreign corporation" in our group (if any). Because our group includes at least one U.S. subsidiary (Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.), if we were to form or acquire any non-U.S. subsidiaries in the future, they may be treated as controlled foreign corporations. A United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation may be required to annually report and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of "Subpart F income," "global intangible low-taxed income" and investments in U.S. property by that controlled foreign corporation, regardless of whether that controlled foreign corporation, or we, make any distributions. An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporation generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist investors in determining whether any non-U.S. subsidiaries that we may form or acquire in the future will be treated as controlled foreign corporations or whether any such investor would be treated as a United States shareholder with respect to any of such controlled foreign corporations. Further, we cannot provide any assurances that we will furnish to any investor information that may be necessary to comply with the reporting and tax paying obligations discussed above. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations may subject a U.S. Holder to significant monetary penalties and may extend the statute of limitations with respect to its U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of these rules to their investment in our common shares.
Future changes to tax laws could materially adversely affect our company and reduce net returns to our shareholders.
Our tax treatment is subject to the enactment of, or changes in, tax laws, regulations and treaties, or the interpretation thereof, tax policy initiatives and reforms under consideration and the practices of tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate, including those related to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development's, or OECD, Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, or BEPS, Project, the European Commission's state aid investigations and other initiatives. Such changes may include (but are not limited to) the taxation of operating income, investment income, dividends received or (in the specific context of withholding tax) dividends paid. We are unable to predict what tax reform may be proposed or enacted in the future or what effect such changes would have on our business, but such changes, to the extent they are brought into tax legislation, regulations, policies or practices, could affect our financial position and overall or effective tax rates in the future in countries where we have operations, reduce post-tax returns to our shareholders, and increase the complexity, burden and cost of tax compliance.
In addition, on December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law, which significantly revised the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The overall impact of the Tax Act is uncertain and our
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business and financial condition could be adversely affected by it or as a result of interpretations thereof. In addition, it is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to the Tax Act. The impact of this tax reform on holders of our common shares is also uncertain and could be adverse. We urge you to consult with your legal and tax advisors with respect to this legislation and the potential tax consequences of investing in or holding our common shares.
Tax authorities may disagree with our positions and conclusions regarding certain tax positions, resulting in unanticipated costs, taxes or non-realization of expected benefits.
A tax authority may disagree with tax positions that we have taken, which could result in increased tax liabilities. For example, the Canadian Revenue Agency, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or another tax authority could challenge our allocation of income by tax jurisdiction and the amounts paid between our affiliated companies pursuant to our intercompany arrangements and transfer pricing policies, including amounts paid with respect to our intellectual property development. Similarly, a tax authority could assert that we are subject to tax in a jurisdiction where we believe we have not established a taxable connection, often referred to as a "permanent establishment" under international tax treaties, and such an assertion, if successful, could increase our expected tax liability in one or more jurisdictions. A tax authority may take the position that material income tax liabilities, interest and penalties are payable by us, in which case, we expect that we might contest such assessment. Contesting such an assessment may be lengthy and costly and if we were unsuccessful in disputing the assessment, the result could increase our anticipated effective tax rate.
We are an "emerging growth company," and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common shares less attractive to investors.
We are an "emerging growth company," or EGC, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of some of the exemptions from reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including:
We cannot predict whether investors will find our common shares less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of some or all of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an EGC. We will remain an EGC until the earlier of (i) five years following the completion of this offering, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (iii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
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Under Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act, EGCs can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not EGCs.
We will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a public company, and particularly after we are no longer an EGC, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC have imposed various requirements on public companies, including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, we expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Section 404, we will be required to furnish a report by our management on our internal control over financial reporting, including an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. However, while we remain an EGC, we will not be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, we will be engaged in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Despite our efforts, there is a risk that neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm will be able to conclude within the prescribed timeframe that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required by Section 404. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our consolidated financial statements.
Because we are a Canadian company, it may be difficult to serve legal process or enforce judgments against us.
We are incorporated and have our corporate headquarters in Canada. In addition, while many of our directors and officers reside in the United States, several of them reside outside of the United States. Accordingly, service of process upon us may be difficult to obtain within the United States. Furthermore, because substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us, including one predicated on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible within the United States. Therefore, it may not be possible to enforce those actions against us.
In addition, it may be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Canada. Canadian courts may refuse to hear a claim based on an alleged violation of U.S. securities laws against us or these persons on the grounds that Canada is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if a Canadian court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Canadian law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure
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will also be governed by Canadian law. Furthermore, it may not be possible to subject foreign persons or entities to the jurisdiction of the courts in Canada. Similarly, to the extent that our assets are located in Canada, investors may have difficulty collecting from us any judgments obtained in the U.S. courts and predicated on the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities provisions.
We are governed by the corporate laws of Québec, which in some cases have a different effect on shareholders than the corporate laws of Delaware.
We are governed by the Business Corporations Act (Québec), or the BCA, and other relevant laws, which may affect the rights of shareholders differently than those of a company governed by the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction, and may, together with our charter documents, have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or may affect the price an acquiring party would be willing to offer in such an instance. The material differences between the BCA and Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, that may have the greatest such effect include but are not limited to the following: (i) for material corporate transactions (such as mergers and amalgamations, other extraordinary corporate transactions or amendments to our articles), the BCA generally requires a two-thirds majority vote by shareholders, whereas the DGCL generally only requires a majority vote; and (ii) under the BCA, a holder of 5% or more of our common shares can requisition a special meeting of shareholders, whereas such right does not exist under the DGCL. Refer to the section titled "Material Differences between the Business Corporations Act (Québec) and the Delaware General in Corporation Law" for more information.
Our amended and restated bylaws to be in effect following completion of this offering and certain Canadian legislation contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying or preventing certain change in control transactions or shareholder proposals.
Certain provisions of our amended and restated bylaws to be in effect following completion of this offering and certain Canadian legislation, together or separately, could discourage or delay certain change in control transactions or shareholder proposals.
Our amended and restated bylaws to be in effect following completion of this offering contain provisions that establish certain advance notice procedures for nomination of candidates for election as directors at shareholders' meetings. The BCA requires that any shareholder proposal that includes nominations for the election of directors must be signed by one or more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than 5% of the shares or 5% of the shares of a class or series of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting to which the proposal is to be presented.
The Investment Canada Act requires that a non-Canadian must file an application for review with the Minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act and obtain approval of the Minister prior to acquiring control of a "Canadian business" within the meaning of the Investment Canada Act, where prescribed financial thresholds are exceeded. Furthermore, limitations on the ability to acquire and hold our common shares may be imposed by the Competition Act (Canada). This legislation permits the Commissioner of Competition, or Commissioner, to review any acquisition or establishment, directly or indirectly, including through the acquisition of shares, of control over or of a significant interest in our company. Otherwise, there are no limitations either under the laws of Canada or Québec, or in our articles on the rights of non-Canadians to hold or vote our common shares.
Any of these provisions may discourage a potential acquirer from proposing or completing a transaction that may have otherwise presented a premium to our shareholders.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future financial condition, future operations, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "design," "due," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "predict," "positioned," "potential," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "would" and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including risks described in the section titled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus, regarding, among other things:
The foregoing list of risks is not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus may include additional factors that could harm our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements.
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In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur at all. You should refer to the section titled "Risk Factors" for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, do not protect any forward-looking statements that we make in connection with this offering.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this prospectus by these cautionary statements.
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Certain market and industry data included in this prospectus were obtained from independent third-party surveys, market research, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications and surveys as well as our own internal estimates and research, including both qualitative and quantitative market research in the United States and Europe with patients, healthcare providers, and payors, supplemented with analyses of longitudinal healthcare claims data in the United States between 2008 and 2016 for patients with claims for PSVT. All of the market and industry data used in this prospectus involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosure contained in this prospectus and we believe the information from the industry publications and other third-party sources included in this prospectus is reliable, such information is inherently imprecise. No independent sources have evaluated the reasonableness or accuracy of our internal estimates or research used in this prospectus. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled "Risk Factors." These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
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We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to additional common shares), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us from this offering by $ million, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us by $ million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility, establish a public market for our common shares and to facilitate future access to the public equity markets by us, our employees and our shareholders, obtain additional capital to support our operations and increase our visibility in the marketplace.
As of December 31, 2018, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $86.0 million. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as follows:
We may also use a portion of the remaining net proceeds to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets. However, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so.
This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based on our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. Further, due to the uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, it is difficult to estimate with certainty the exact amounts of the net proceeds from this offering that may be used for the above purposes.
Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and our investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The amounts and timing of our expenditures will depend upon numerous factors including the results of our research and development efforts, the timing and success of preclinical studies and any ongoing clinical trials or clinical trials we may commence in the future, the timing of regulatory submissions and the amount of cash obtained through current and any future collaborations.
While we anticipate that the amount of funds allocated for the Phase 3 clinical trials of PSVT will be sufficient to complete the Phase 3 clinical trials as currently planned, we expect that we will need to raise additional funds to complete the regulatory approval and commercialization of etripamil for PSVT. We also anticipate that the amount of funds allocated for the planned Phase 2 clinical trials of etripamil in atrial
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fibrillation and angina will be sufficient to complete such trials. However, we expect that we will need to raise additional capital to continue the clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization of etripamil in these or any other indications, or to pursue the development and commercialization of any other product candidates. We expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings and potential collaborations, and license and development agreements. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could expend our available capital resources at a rate greater than we currently expect.
Pending the use of the net proceeds from this offering as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. and Canadian governments.
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We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our share capital, and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our share capital in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions and capital requirements. In addition, our ability to pay cash dividends on our share capital in the future may be limited by the terms of any future debt or preferred securities we issue or any credit facilities we enter into.
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The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and our capitalization as of December 31, 2018 on:
You should read this table together with the sections titled "Selected Consolidated Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018 | |||||||||
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(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
ACTUAL | PRO FORMA | PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED(1) |
|||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 85,976 | $ | 85,976 | $ | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized; 93,358,257 shares issued and outstanding, actual; unlimited shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
$ | 138,758 | $ | | $ | | ||||
Shareholders' (deficit) equity: |
||||||||||
Preferred shares, no par value, no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual and pro forma; unlimited shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
| | | |||||||
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 3,174,662 shares issued and outstanding, actual; unlimited shares authorized, 96,532,919 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; unlimited authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
2,039 | 140,797 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
2,655 | 2,655 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
||||||||||
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(1,634 | ) | (1,634 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(58,270 | ) | (58,270 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' (deficit) equity |
(55,210 | ) | 83,548 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total capitalization |
$ | 83,548 | $ | 83,548 | $ | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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million, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of common shares offered by us would increase or decrease each of pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total shareholders' (deficit) equity and total capitalization by $ million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The number of common shares outstanding after this offering is based on 96,532,919 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, and excludes:
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If you invest in our common shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per common share and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this offering.
Our historical net tangible book deficit as of December 31, 2018 was $(55.4) million, or $(17.45) per common share. Our historical net tangible book deficit represents our total tangible assets (which excludes deferred offering costs) less total liabilities and preferred shares. Historical net tangible book deficit per share is our historical net tangible book deficit divided by the number of common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 2018 was $83.4 million, or $0.86 per common share, which gives effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding preferred shares into an aggregate of 93,358,257 common shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Pro forma net tangible book value per share is our pro forma net tangible book value divided by the number of common shares deemed to be outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
After giving effect to the sale of common shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2018 would have been $ million, or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $ per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $ per share to new investors participating in this offering.
The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:
Assumed initial public offering price per share |
$ | ||||||
Historical net tangible book deficit per share as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | (17.45 | ) | ||||
Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2018 attributable to pro forma transactions described above |
18.31 | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2018 |
0.86 | ||||||
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors participating in this offering |
|||||||
| | | | | | | |
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering |
|||||||
| | | | | | | |
Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering |
$ | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ , the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by $ per share and the dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering by $ per share, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, an increase of 1.0 million in the number of common shares offered by us would increase the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $ per share and decrease the dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering by $ per share, and a decrease of 1.0 million in the number of common shares offered by us would decrease the pro forma as adjusted net
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tangible book value by $ per share, and increase the dilution per share to new investors in this offering by $ per share, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to additional common shares, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering would be $ per share and dilution to new investors participating in this offering would be $ per share.
The following table summarizes, on the pro forma as adjusted basis described above, the differences between the number of shares purchased from us on an as converted basis, the total consideration paid and the weighted average price per share paid by existing shareholders and by investors purchasing shares in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page on this prospectus, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:
|
|
|
TOTAL CONSIDERATION |
|
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SHARES PURCHASED | |
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AVERAGE PRICE PER SHARE |
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|
NUMBER | PERCENT | AMOUNT | PERCENT | |||||||||||
Existing shareholders |
96,532,919 | % | $ | % | $ | ||||||||||
New investors |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
100 | % | $ | 100 | % | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, our existing shareholders would own % and our new investors would own % of the total number of our common shares outstanding upon the completion of this offering.
The foregoing discussion and tables are based on 96,532,919 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, which gives effect to the pro forma transactions described above and excludes:
To the extent that outstanding options are exercised, new options or other equity awards are issued under our equity incentive plans, or we issue additional shares in the future, there will be further dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering. Assuming the exercise of all of our outstanding options as of December 31, 2018, the number of shares held by existing shareholders would increase to % of the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering, and the number of shares held by investors participating in this offering would be reduced to % of the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering. Additionally, the total consideration paid to us by existing shareholders would be % of the total consideration paid for our outstanding shares, and the total consideration paid to us by investors participating in this offering would be % of the total consideration paid for our outstanding shares. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our shareholders.
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
You should read the following selected consolidated financial data together with the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data included in this section are not intended to replace the consolidated financial statements and are qualified in their entirety by the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The following tables set forth our selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, and our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, all of which has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future.
|
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Summary of Consolidated Operations Data: |
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
|||||||
Research and development, net of tax credits |
$ | 5,636 | $ | 16,849 | |||
General and administrative |
1,502 | 3,052 | |||||
Commercial |
1,130 | 3,921 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses |
8,268 | 23,822 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(8,268 | ) | (23,822 | ) | |||
Interest income, net of bank charges |
186 | 711 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss before income taxes |
(8,082 | ) | (23,111 | ) | |||
Income tax expense |
4 | 74 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
$ | (8,086 | ) | $ | (23,185 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ | (6.42 | ) | $ | (13.65 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
1,259,346 | 1,697,935 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ | (11.87 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing pro forma net loss per share:(1) |
|||||||
Basic and diluted |
1,953,711 | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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|
AS OF DECEMBER 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
|||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 26,912 | $ | 85,976 | |||
Working capital |
25,950 | 83,518 | |||||
Total assets |
27,565 | 88,081 | |||||
Convertible preferred shares |
59,104 | 138,758 | |||||
Accumulated deficit |
(35,085 | ) | (58,270 | ) | |||
Total shareholders' deficit |
(33,119 | ) | (55,210 | ) |
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed in "Risk Factors" and in other parts of this prospectus.
Overview
We are a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing etripamil for the treatment of cardiovascular indications. Etripamil is a novel, potent and short-acting calcium channel blocker that we designed and are developing as a rapid-onset nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or PSVT, as they occur. PSVT is a rapid heart rate condition that starts and stops without warning, often experienced by patients with symptoms including palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting and anxiety. Calcium channel blockers have long been approved for the treatment of PSVT as well as other cardiac conditions. For episodes of PSVT, however, calcium channel blockers are administered intravenously under medical supervision, usually in the emergency department. Etripamil's combination of convenient delivery, rapid-onset and short duration of action has the potential to shift the current treatment paradigm away from the burdensome and costly emergency department setting. If approved, we believe that etripamil will be the first self-administered therapy for the rapid termination of episodes of PSVT wherever and whenever they occur.
We completed our Phase 2 clinical trial of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT in the United States and Canada, with results published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Investigators reported an 87% termination rate of induced PSVT within 15 minutes at the dose selected for Phase 3 versus a 35% termination rate for placebo. We are actively recruiting patients for our Phase 3 clinical trial of etripamil, which may serve as a single pivotal efficacy trial, and we expect top-line data in the first half of 2020. In addition to the efficacy trial, our Phase 3 clinical program for etripamil for PSVT includes two open-label safety studies, one of which we initiated in December 2018, and the other we expect to initiate in the second half of 2019. We are also planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2019 in atrial fibrillation, another rapid heart rate condition, and expect to subsequently initiate an additional Phase 2 clinical trial in angina to establish proof-of-concept for the broader use of etripamil in 2020.
Since the commencement of our operations in 2003, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to performing research and development activities in support of our product development efforts, hiring personnel, raising capital to support and expand such activities and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We do not currently have any products approved for sale, and we continue to incur significant research and development and general administrative expenses related to our operations.
Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded net losses of $23.2 million and $8.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $58.3 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that a substantial portion of our capital resources and efforts in the foreseeable future will be focused on completing the necessary development, obtaining regulatory approval and preparing for potential commercialization of our product candidates.
We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the timing of
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our planned clinical trials and expenditures on other research and development activities. We expect our expenses will increase substantially over time as we:
Furthermore, following the closing of this offering, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company.
Components of Results of Operations
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and fees paid to external service providers and also include personnel costs, including share-based compensation expense and other related compensation expenses. We expense research and development costs in the periods in which they are incurred. Costs for certain development activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors, collaborators and third-party service providers.
To date, substantially all of our research and development expenses have been related to the preclinical and clinical development of etripamil. Historically, we have incurred research and development expenses that primarily relate to the development of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT. As we advance etripamil or other product candidates for other indications, we expect to allocate our direct external research and development costs across each of the indications or product candidates. Further, while we expect our research and development costs for the development of etripamil in atrial fibrillation and angina to increase in preparation for each of their respective Phase 2 clinical trials, we expect our research and development expenses related to the development of etripamil for PSVT to remain a large majority of our research and development expenses. The following table shows our research and development expenses by type of activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands) |
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Clinical and pre-clinical |
$ | 3,446 | $ | 12,546 | |||
Drug manufacturing and formulation |
1,661 | 3,320 | |||||
Regulatory and other costs |
1,052 | 1,240 | |||||
Less: investment tax credits |
(523 | ) | (257 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total research and development expenses |
$ | 5,636 | $ | 16,849 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially as we increase personnel costs, including share-based compensation, and as we continue the development of etripamil and pursue regulatory approval. The process of conducting the necessary clinical research to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time-consuming. As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when and to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates, if at all.
We recognize the benefit of Canadian research and development tax credits as a reduction of research and development costs for fully refundable investment tax credits.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include personnel and related compensation costs, expenses for outside professional services, rent expense and other general administrative expenses. Personnel costs consist of salaries, bonuses, benefits, related payroll taxes and share-based compensation. Outside professional services consist of legal, accounting and audit services and other consulting fees.
We expect to incur additional expenses as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those of any national securities exchange on which our securities are traded, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities, and other administrative and professional services. We also expect to increase our administrative headcount significantly to operate as public company and as we advance etripamil and any future product candidates through clinical development, which will also increase our general and administrative expenses.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest income from our cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018
The following table summarizes our results of operations:
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands)
|
2017 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||
Research and development, net of tax credits |
5,636 | 16,849 | 11,213 | 199 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative |
1,502 | 3,052 | 1,550 | 103 | % | ||||||||
Commercial |
1,130 | 3,921 | 2,791 | 247 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses |
8,268 | 23,822 | 15,554 | 188 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(8,268 | ) | (23,822 | ) | (15,554 | ) | 188 | % | |||||
Interest income, net of bank charges |
186 | 711 | 525 | 282 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and comprehensive loss before income taxes |
(8,082 | ) | (23,111 | ) | (15,029 | ) | 186 | % | |||||
Income tax expense |
4 | 74 | 70 | 1,750 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
(8,086 | ) | (23,185 | ) | (15,099 | ) | 187 | % | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased by $11.2 million, or 199%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. Approximately $8.8 million of the
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increase is related to the initiation of our Phase 3 pivotal efficacy trial of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT and increases in clinical management headcount and related costs during the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, we increased our spending on formulation and manufacturing activities in the year ended December 31, 2018 by approximately $1.7 million reflecting the manufacture and packaging of additional clinical trial materials to support our Phase 3 program as well as activities undertaken in the year ended December 31, 2018 to qualify additional manufacturing vendors. We also recognized $0.3 million and $0.5 million of research and development investment tax credits provided by the federal and provincial governments of Canada and Québec in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which is recorded as a reduction in our research and development expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million, or 103% for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. During 2018, we increased our administrative headcount and, as a result, the related personnel costs. In addition, we incurred increased spending for consulting fees, recruiting fees and professional fees, including legal and accounting services incurred to support this offering.
Commercial Expenses
Commercial expenses increased by $2.8 million, or 247%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 when compared to 2017, primarily to support increased commercial headcount and related costs, conduct additional commercial and market research, increase the scope of our patient advocacy activities and initiate a small medical affairs team focused on KOL engagement and disease awareness.
Interest Income, Net
Interest income, net of bank charges was $0.7 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which increase in 2018 reflects increased earnings on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments related to the proceeds from our October 2018 Series D preferred share financing.
Net Loss
For the foregoing reasons, we had net losses of $23.2 million and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
We have financed our operations primarily through sales of our convertible preferred shares to accredited investors generating net proceeds of approximately $138.8 million.
We have incurred operating losses and experienced negative operating cash flows since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. As of December 31, 2018, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $86.0 million and an accumulated deficit of $58.3 million.
Based on our research and development plans, we expect that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, will be sufficient to fund our operations through . We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, however, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we expect.
Funding Requirements
We use our cash primarily to fund operating expenses, primarily research and development expenditures. We plan to increase our research and development expenses and incur increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue the clinical development of our product candidate. At this time, due to the inherently unpredictable nature of clinical development, we cannot reasonably estimate the costs we will incur and the timelines that will be required to complete development, obtain marketing approval, and
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commercialize etripamil or any future product candidates, if at all. For the same reasons, we are also unable to predict when, if ever, we will generate revenue from product sales or whether, or when, if ever, we may achieve profitability. Clinical and preclinical development timelines, the probability of success, and development costs can differ materially from expectations. In addition, we cannot forecast whether current or future product candidates may be subject to future collaborations, when such arrangements will be secured, if at all, and to what degree such arrangements would affect our development plans and capital requirements.
The timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend largely on:
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenue from product sales, we expect to fund our operations and capital funding needs through equity and/or debt financing. We may also consider entering into collaboration arrangements or selectively partnering for clinical development and commercialization. The sale of additional equity would result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of debt financing would result in debt service obligations and the instruments governing such debt could provide for operating and financing covenants that restrict our operations or our ability to incur additional indebtedness or pay dividends, among other items. If we are not able to secure adequate additional funding, we may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands)
|
2017 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by: |
|||||||||||||
Operating activities |
(8,052 | ) | (21,046 | ) | (12,994 | ) | 161 | % | |||||
Investing activities |
(16,023 | ) | 15,998 | 32,021 | (200 | )% | |||||||
Financing activities |
30,722 | 80,115 | 49,393 | 161 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year |
6,647 | 75,067 | 68,420 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Operating Activities
In 2018, we used $21.0 million of cash in operating activities, which consisted of a net loss of $23.2 million offset by a net change of $1.5 million in our net operating assets and non-cash charges of $0.6 million. The non-cash charges primarily consist of share-based compensation expense for grants to employees. The change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a net increase of $2.9 million for accounts payable and accrued liabilities offset by an increase of $1.3 million for prepaid expenses and a net increase of $0.1 million for research and development tax credits, interest and sales tax receivable.
In 2017, we used $8.1 million of cash in operating activities, which consisted of a net loss of $8.1 million and a net change of $0.2 million in our net operating assets, partially offset adjusted by non-cash charges of $0.2 million. The non-cash charges primarily consist of share-based compensation expense for grants to employees. The change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a net decrease of $0.2 million for accounts payable and accrued liabilities, an increase of $0.1 million for prepaid expenses and a net decrease of $0.1 million for research and development tax credits, interest and sales tax receivable.
Investing Activities
In 2018, our investing activities provided $16.0 million of cash due to the redemption of approximately $16.0 million of short-term investments that we had acquired during the year ended December 31, 2017. In 2017, we used $16.0 million of cash in investing activities attributable to the acquisition of short-term investments that consisted of guaranteed investment certificates with maturities greater than 90 days and less than 12 months.
Financing Activities
In 2018, our financing activities provided $80.1 million of cash, primarily consisting of the proceeds from the issuance of Class D1 and Class D2 preferred shares in October 2018. During 2017, our financing activities provided $30.7 million of cash, primarily consisting of proceeds from the issuance of Class C preferred shares, and to a lesser extent, the issuance of Class B preferred shares.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018:
|
Payments due by period | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands) |
Total | Less Than 1 Year |
1 to 3 Years |
3 to 5 Years |
More than 5 Years |
|||||||||||
Operating lease commitments(1) |
$ | 380 | $ | 216 | $ | 164 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 380 | $ | 216 | $ | 164 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
We enter into contracts in the normal course of business with CROs, CMOs and other third parties for clinical trials, preclinical research studies and testing and manufacturing services. These contracts are generally cancelable at our option with various notice requirements as defined in the contract. Payments
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due upon cancellation consist of payments for services provided or expenses incurred, including noncancelable obligations of our service providers, up to and through the date of cancellation. These payments are not included in the preceding table as the amount and timing of these payments are not known.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires our management to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenue generated and expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these judgments and estimates under different assumptions or conditions and any such differences may be material. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management's judgments and estimates.
Research & Development Expenses Accruals and Tax Credits
Research and development costs are charged against income in the period of expenditure. Our research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and fees paid to contract research organizations, CROs, and to contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs.
Clinical trial expenses include direct costs associated with CROs, direct CMO costs for the formulation and packaging of clinical trial material, as well as investigator and patient-related costs at sites at which our trials are being conducted. Direct costs associated with our CROs and CMOs are generally payable on a time-and-materials basis, or when milestones are achieved. The invoicing from clinical trial sites can lag several months. We record expenses for our clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon estimates of the percentage of work completed of the total work over the life of the individual trial in accordance with agreements established with CROs and clinical trial sites. We determine the estimates through discussions with internal clinical personnel, CROs and CMOs as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services based on facts and circumstances known to us as of each consolidated balance sheet date. The actual costs and timing of clinical trials are highly uncertain, subject to risks and may change depending upon a number of factors, including our clinical development plan. If the actual timing of the performance of services of the level of effort varies from the estimate, we will adjust the accrual accordingly. Adjustments to prior period estimates have not been material. We recognize the benefit of Canadian research and development tax credits as a reduction of research and development costs for fully refundable investment tax credits and as a reduction of income taxes for investment tax credits that can only be claimed against income taxes payable when there is reasonable assurance that the claim will be recovered.
Share-Based Compensation
We recognize compensation costs related to share options granted to employees and directors based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant. We estimate the grant date fair value, and the resulting share-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This Black-Scholes option pricing model uses various inputs to measure fair value, including estimated fair value of our underlying common shares at the grant date, expected term, estimated volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yields of our common shares. The grant date fair value of the share-based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting period of the respective awards. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.
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For share-based awards granted to consultants and non-employees, we recognize compensation costs over the period during which services are rendered by such consultants and non-employees until completed. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to completion of the service, the estimated fair value of these awards is re-measured using the then-current fair value of our ordinary shares and updated assumption inputs in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
As there has been no public market for our common shares to date, the estimated fair value of our common shares has been determined by our board of directors as of the date of each option grant, with input from management, considering third-party valuations of our common shares as well as our board of directors' assessment of additional objective and subjective factors that it believed were relevant and which may have changed from the date of the most recent third-party valuation through the date of the grant. These third-party valuations were performed in accordance with the guidance outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. The assumptions underlying these valuations represent management's best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our share-based compensation expense could be materially different. After the completion of this offering, we will determine the per share fair value of our common shares based on the closing price of our common shares as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes, by grant date, the number of underlying common shares and the associated per-share exercise price, which was the fair value per share as determined by our board of directors on the applicable grant date, for share options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
Grant Date
|
Number of Common Shares Subject to Options Granted |
Exercise Price per Common Share |
Estimated Fair Value per Common Share at Grant Date |
Estimated Per-Share Fair Value of Options |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 3, 2017 |
97,783 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.144 | ||||||
December 12, 2017 |
1,385,001 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.20 | |||||||||
February 21, 2018 |
4,364,221 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.209 | |||||||||
May 31, 2018 |
356,400 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.209 | |||||||||
August 15, 2018 |
440,300 | 0.36 | 0.36 | 0.259 | |||||||||
October 26, 2018 |
1,131,666 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.358 | |||||||||
November 21, 2018 |
2,625,000 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.358 | |||||||||
November 27, 2018 |
100,000 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.358 |
The intrinsic value of all outstanding options as of December 31, 2018 was $ million, based on the estimated fair value of our common shares of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, of which approximately $ million related to vested options and approximately $ million related to unvested options.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily relate to interest rate risks. We had cash and cash equivalents of $86.0 million and $26.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which consist primarily of bank deposits and guaranteed investment certificates. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing income without significantly increasing risk. We do not enter into investments for
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trading or speculative purposes. Due to the short-term nature of our investment portfolio, we do not believe an immediate 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio, and accordingly we do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be materially affected by a sudden change in market interest rates.
We undertake certain transactions in Canadian dollars and as such are subject to risk due to fluctuations in exchange rates. Canadian dollar denominated payables are paid at the converted rate as due. We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposure to foreign exchange rate risk due to the low volume of transactions denominated in foreign currencies. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, our net monetary assets denominated in Canadian dollars was $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Our operating results and financial position are reported in U.S. dollars in our financial statements. The fluctuation of the Canadian dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar might, consequently, have an impact upon our loss and may also affect the value of our assets and the amount of shareholders' equity.
We do not believe that inflation and changing prices had a significant impact on our results of operations for any periods presented herein.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 permits an "emerging growth company" such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to "opt out" of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards when they are required to be adopted by public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
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Overview
We are a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing etripamil for the treatment of cardiovascular indications. Etripamil is a novel, potent and short-acting calcium channel blocker that we designed and are developing as a rapid-onset nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or PSVT, as they occur. PSVT is a rapid heart rate condition that starts and stops without warning, often experienced by patients with symptoms including palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting or anxiety. Calcium channel blockers have long been approved for the treatment of PSVT as well as other cardiac conditions. For episodes of PSVT, however, calcium channel blockers are administered intravenously under medical supervision, usually in the emergency department. Etripamil's combination of convenient delivery, rapid-onset and short duration of action has the potential to shift the current treatment paradigm away from the burdensome and costly emergency department setting. If approved, we believe that etripamil will be the first self-administered therapy for the rapid termination of episodes of PSVT wherever and whenever they occur.
We completed our Phase 2 clinical trial of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT in the United States and Canada, with results published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Investigators reported an 87% termination rate of PSVT within 15 minutes at the dose selected for Phase 3 versus a 35% termination rate for placebo. We are actively recruiting patients for a Phase 3 clinical trial of etripamil, which may serve as a single pivotal efficacy trial, and we expect top-line data in the first half of 2020. In addition to the efficacy trial, our Phase 3 clinical program for etripamil for PSVT includes two open-label safety studies, one of which we initiated in December 2018, and the other we expect to initiate in the second half of 2019. We are also planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2019 in atrial fibrillation, another rapid heart rate condition, and expect to subsequently initiate an additional Phase 2 clinical trial in angina to establish proof-of-concept for the broader use of etripamil in 2020.
We believe that PSVT is a large and under-recognized market that we estimate affects approximately two million Americans, and results in over 600,000 healthcare claims in the United States per year, including emergency department visits, hospital admissions and ablations. We believe that, if approved, etripamil could prevent many of these healthcare encounters, saving the patient time and inconvenience, and potentially providing a cost-effective solution for the healthcare system. It is generally believed that patients are born with the anomaly that causes PSVT, and will have life-long episodes periodically and unpredictably. Patients experiencing an episode of PSVT are usually highly symptomatic, with a rapid heart rate, often over 200 beats per minute, causing palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting and anxiety.
We currently have exclusive development and commercialization rights for etripamil for all indications that we may pursue. The composition-of-matter claims for etripamil as a new chemical entity give us a strong intellectual property position with patents issued in the United Stated through 2028, and with patent term extensions possible to 2031. In addition, we have an issued U.S. patent that extends the exclusivity period for the commercial formulation of etripamil to 2036.
We are led by a team of executives with extensive experience in successfully developing and commercializing therapies in cardiovascular and other indications at both major pharmaceutical and emerging life sciences companies. These therapies include Vytorin (ezetimibe & simvastatin), Ranexa (ranolazine), Effient (prasugrel), Northera (droxidopa), and Cologuard as well as several cardiac drugs in the classes of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and novel oral anticoagulants. We have raised approximately $139.2 million in gross proceeds from equity financings with a number of United States, Canadian and European healthcare specialist investment firms, including BDC Capital, Inc., Boxer Capital of Tavistock Group, Domain Associates, LLC, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Forbion
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Capital Partners, iNovia Capital, Novo Holdings A/S, Pappas Ventures, RTW Investments, LP, Tekla Capital Management LLC and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners.
Our Pipeline
The following table sets forth the status and initial focus of etripamil.
Our Strategy
Our goal is to develop and commercialize etripamil for the treatment of PSVT and other cardiovascular indications, and to expand our pipeline to include additional clinical-stage compounds for other acute and/or episodic medical conditions. The key elements of our business strategy to achieve this goal include the following:
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approval, faster adoption by medical professionals, nearer-term commercial value and more immediate clinical benefit for patients with significant need. Our leadership team has extensive experience in developing and commercializing successful drugs. We intend to leverage the collective talent within our organization and our network to guide our development plans and pipeline expansion.
Cardiac Conduction
Normal Conduction
Within the right atrium, one of the heart's upper chambers, sits a specialized structure called the sinus node. The sinus node generates its own electrical signal, which spreads throughout both atria and is transmitted down to the lower chambers, the ventricles, and over another piece of electrical tissue called the atrio-ventricular, or AV, node, which is shown in the figure below. Once the signal reaches the ventricles, it causes them to contract, pumping blood out to the body. Another heart beat does not occur until a new signal is generated from the sinus node and the cycle repeats. Under normal conditions, passage from the sinus node over the AV node is the only way for the electrical impulse to travel from the atria down to the ventricles.
The electrical signal of each heart beat can be detected by placing sensors known as electrodes over the skin, and recorded over time in a tracing known as an electrocardiogram, or ECG. The ECG measures signal voltage and duration. To the trained interpreter, an ECG conveys a large amount of information about the structure and function of the heart, including among other things, heart rate and rhythm. Under normal physiologic conditions, an ECG has a characteristic pattern of waves corresponding to the electrical activity, contraction and relaxation of each heart chamber. This normal functioning is referred to as sinus rhythm and occurs at a heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute at regular intervals.
As seen in the figure below, the various waves of an ECG tracing corresponding to the events of a single heart beat are named with the letters P, Q, R, S and T. The interval between the P wave and the R wave, known as the PR interval, is a measure of conduction over the AV node. A normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds in duration.
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Arrhythmias
A disruption in the heart's normal rate or rhythm is called an arrhythmia. With an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern. A faster than normal heat rate is called tachycardia; a slower than normal heart rate is called bradycardia. Symptoms of an arrhythmia can include palpitations, lightheadedness or dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating. PSVT and atrial fibrillation are two of the most commonly occurring arrhythmias. While PSVT is characterized by a faster than normal heart rate where the heart beats at regular intervals, with atrial fibrillation the heart often beats faster than normal and always with a random, irregular rhythm. Pharmacologic treatment of PSVT focuses on terminating the arrhythmia using an agent to slow conduction over the AV node. With atrial fibrillation, there are two approaches to treatment: rate control to reduce the heart rate and rhythm control to restore sinus rhythm and prevent AF recurrences.
Etripamil
We designed and are developing etripamil, a novel, potent, rapid-onset and short-acting calcium channel blocker, as a nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of transient cardiovascular conditions as they occur. Short pharmacological action is sufficient to resolve an episode of PSVT. Accordingly, long-lasting drugs that remain in the body at significant concentrations long after the episode is resolved subject patients to unnecessary risk, given the potential for prolonged adverse events. Currently, we are in Phase 3 development for PSVT. We are also developing etripamil to provide rapid rate control and associated symptom relief for patients with acute episodes of atrial fibrillation and as an acute therapy for angina.
In our effort to develop potential therapies, we sought to create new chemical entities as analogs of known molecular classes with clinically-validated mechanisms of action. Our goal was to preserve the beneficial pharmacology of existing molecules while altering their pharmacokinetic profile with focused medicinal chemistry to produce drugs that are fast-acting and rapidly inactivated. As a result, we created a series of novel non-dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blockers containing chemical ester moieties that preserved the desired pharmacology on the heart but that could be rapidly metabolized and inactivated in the blood by serum esterases. Etripamil resulted from this effort as a new chemical entity with a very short effective half-life of approximately 20 minutes in humans, compared with other calcium channel blockers that have half-lives of several hours.
We believe that the following qualities of etripamil make it a better treatment for certain episodic cardiovascular conditions than current standards of care:
To better understand the opportunity for etripamil in the United States and Europe, we have commissioned multiple market research studies. In 2017, we commissioned a study that involved qualitative in-depth interviews with 121 cardiologists, electrophysiologists, emergency medicine physicians, primary care physicians, PSVT patients and private and public payors in the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. In this research, physicians in these countries were exposed to a target product profile of etripamil based on our Phase 2 trial results and reported that they would use etripamil in 3.5 times as many PSVT patients as those receiving a catheter ablation, which they report as 10% of their PSVT patients. From the same research, PSVT patients in the United States reported going to the emergency department for approximately 10% of their PSVT episodes and anticipated being able to avoid 50% to 75%
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of these emergency department visits per year by using etripamil. PSVT patients in this market research also reported a desire to use etripamil three to five times per year.
PSVT
PSVT is a serious and recurring electrical disorder of the heart, which is caused by altered electrical conductivity over the AV node. PSVT refers to a rapid heart rate condition of the heart's upper chambers (atria) of abrupt onset and termination. In the most common form of PSVT called AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, or AVNRT, there is an extra piece of electrical tissue that allows the electrical signal to travel very rapidly in a circle. As shown in the figure below, when that extra tissue forms within or near the AV node, the signal can now travel down one part of the AV node and up the other in a small circle, sending impulses out to both the atria and ventricles along the way. The cycle continues over and over, resulting in a rapid heart rate.
In the next most common form of PSVT, called atrio-ventricular reciprocating tachycardia, or AVRT, there is an extra piece of electrical tissue that directly connects the atria and the ventricles. In AVRT, the electrical signal begins like it would in a normal heart beat by traveling from the atria to the ventricles over the AV node. However, as shown in the figure above, in AVRT, the extra piece of electrical tissue allows the signal to travel back up to the atria, creating a "short circuit." Once the signal gets back to the atria, it goes back down the AV node and the cycle continues over and over, resulting in a rapid heart rate.
Uncertainty of the timing and duration of episodes of PSVT can significantly impact patient quality of life. In 2018, we conducted a quantitative internet survey involving 256 patients with PSVT. The survey was designed to assess the impact of PSVT on patients prior to and after their diagnosis and explored the key patient drivers of disease burden, including episode frequency, duration, perceived severity of symptoms and emergency department visits. The survey included both newly-diagnosed PSVT patients and patients who had been diagnosed with PSVT for some time. The previously diagnosed patients had an average time since diagnosis of seven years. We estimate that, overall, 60% of PSVT patients are women and approximately half suffer from cardiovascular comorbidities. The figure below shows the surveyed patients' total number of PSVT episodes in the first 12 months after diagnosis.
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Total Number of Episodes in the First 12 Months After Diagnosis
Patients reported episode frequencies that vary from less than one per year to greater than 25 per year. Based on this market research, we estimate that patients with PSVT experience a median of four to seven episodes of PSVT per year. These episodes can be debilitating for patients, who can be left unable to focus on family or work during an episode. While experiencing an episode of PSVT, patients may experience symptoms including palpitations, sweating, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sudden onset of fatigue, fainting and anxiety. Symptoms commonly reported by patients with PSVT mimic other conditions and are often mistaken for anxiety or panic attacks, especially in women. Researchers have noted that up to 27% of PSVT patients stopped driving for fear of temporary loss of consciousness, fainting or passing out. Patients have reported that the duration of PSVT episodes varies widely from minutes to hours, or more. Our market research indicates that in the year of diagnosis almost 40% of patients experience two or more episodes of PSVT per year that last more than 10 minutes each, and a similar percentage visit the emergency department for treatment of their PSVT at least once per year. We also estimate that 65% of PSVT patients have used chronic medications prophylactically to reduce episode frequency. Our market research also shows that after the first year of diagnosis the percentage of patients with PSVT episodes lasting longer than 10 minutes and the percentage visiting the emergency department for treatment decreases modestly to approximately one-third of those surveyed. Based upon our survey responses, we believe these decreases in both duration of episodes and emergency department visits are attributable to a combination of prophylactic medication use and proper implementation of vagal maneuvers.
Current Treatment Options for PSVT
Treatment for PSVT depends on the frequency, duration, and severity of the episodes as well as patient preference. Current options for PSVT patients to terminate an episode include vagal maneuvers, IV medication or external shock delivered in the emergency department. Additionally, some practitioners prescribe oral medications, such as calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and anti-arryhthmic drugs to be taken at the onset of an episode. However, these interventions are generally not acutely effective. Long-term strategies include chronic drug therapy to reduce the frequency of episodes and cardiac ablation to potentially cure the disease. Patients may also elect to not treat their symptoms and simply endure episodes when they occur.
Vagal maneuvers can be attempted to terminate an episode, with low to modest success rates. These are physiological maneuvers that stimulate the vagus nerve, which can terminate a PSVT episode. These include gagging, massaging the carotid artery, holding one's breath and bearing down (Valsalva maneuver), immersing one's face in ice-cold water, or coughing.
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Currently approved acute pharmacological therapy for the treatment of an acute episode of PSVT includes IV administration of approved AV nodal-blocking agents in an acute care setting. The current standard of care for treatment of episodes of PSVT is adenosine, but prior to its approval in 1990, episodes of PSVT were treated with IV calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil or diltiazem. When given as a rapid IV bolus, adenosine blocks conduction over the AV node, thereby interrupting the arrhythmia circuit and restoring the heart back to sinus rhythm. Adenosine temporarily stops the heart and patients have reported experiencing chest tightness, flushing and a sense of impending death. Physicians report that patients tell them that they feel like they are going to die. Adenosine is eliminated from the body in less than one minute, but cannot be self-administered as it requires IV access. In-hospital IV administrations are associated with higher healthcare costs, and are also unsettling and inconvenient for the patient. IV calcium channel blockers also slow conduction over the AV node during the course of several minutes. However, they are associated with the risk of excessive slowing of the heart rate and low blood pressure. According to treatment guidelines, patients in the acute care setting who fail pharmacologic treatment for PSVT could then receive direct current cardioversion, where an electric shock is applied to the heart to return it to sinus rhythm.
In an attempt to prophylactically control the frequency and duration of future PSVT episodes, many patients will take chronic daily oral medications that modulate AV nodal conduction, such as beta blockers, L-type non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, or anti-arrhythmic drugs. Despite chronic daily oral medication, breakthrough PSVT episodes that require visits to the emergency department may still occur, albeit at a reduced frequency. Chronic medication can lead to side effects such as sexual dysfunction or fatigue in the case of beta blockers and constipation in the case of verapamil. Some patients discontinue chronic oral medication due to intolerable side effects. Based on our market research, we estimate that approximately two-thirds of PSVT patients have been prescribed chronic medications such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers to prevent PSVT episodes.
The only potentially curative treatment available at the present time for PSVT is ablation, an invasive procedure, which works by directly cauterizing or freezing the short circuit that is the cause of the abnormal rhythm. This is achieved in an electrophysiology lab via catheters that are run through the patient's groin vessels and into the heart and uses burning or freezing techniques to destroy the heart's abnormal electrical tissue. Ablation single-procedure success rates for PSVT are reported to be 91% to 96%. However, we estimate that less than 10% of patients with PSVT per year choose this option, which we believe is due primarily to anxiety related to the procedure. Although ablations are generally considered to be safe by the treating community, as with any invasive procedure there are potential complications, which include bleeding, blood clots, pericardial tamponade, and transient or permanent heart block, with the latter requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.
Market Opportunity
We believe that PSVT is a large and under-recognized market that we estimate affects approximately two million Americans and results in over 600,000 healthcare claims in the United States alone per year, including more than 150,000 emergency department visits and hospital admissions and up to 80,000 ablations. Published sources documenting the epidemiology of PSVT rely on a single medical encounter that is confirmed by an ECG to estimate incidence and prevalence, which we believe significantly underestimates the prevalence due to the episodic nature of the disease as well as the variability in the duration of the episodes. Our use of longitudinal claims data has identified a larger prevalence of PSVT in the United States. Based on an analysis of longitudinal Medicare claims data for patients age 65 and older and employer-based medical claims data for patients under age 65 between 2012 and 2016, we project prevalence for all ages to be approximately two million, with approximately 300,000 new PSVT patients being diagnosed each year in the United States. The prevalence analyses were recently published and presented at the 2018 International Academy of Cardiology's Scientific Sessions. From market research conducted in 2017 and 2018, we estimate a target addressable market of approximately 40-65% of the prevalent population that we estimate has a higher burden of PSVT as measured by episode duration, emergency department visits and prophylactic use of chronic medications to reduce episode frequency.
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Current treatment approaches for PSVT consume significant healthcare resources. Our longitudinal analysis has shown that mean annual costs per PSVT patient increase by more than $17,000 after diagnosis to approximately $30,000, with the largest increases coming from outpatient hospital and inpatient spending. In addition, this analysis concluded that rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations were 1.8 and 3.0 times higher, respectively, following diagnosis. In total, we estimate from these claims data that approximately $3 billion is spent each year in the United States on treatments for PSVT.
Our Clinical Development Program for the Treatment of PSVT
Current treatments do not address the unmet medical need for a rapidly-acting, effective, and safe patient-administered treatment that can be taken outside of a hospital or acute care setting at the onset of a PSVT episode to restore the heart back to sinus rhythm. We believe that etripamil fills this need. We completed a Phase 1 clinical trial, which supported the selection of four doses of etripamil for Phase 2 development, followed by a Phase 2 clinical trial in adult patients to evaluate the effects of those four doses in patients with PSVT. Both trials were conducted to assess nasally-administered etripamil compared to placebo. Based on discussions with the FDA, we initiated a single pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in July 2018 to assess the efficacy and safety of etripamil in the outpatient setting, and expect top-line data in the first half of 2020. We also intend to conduct two open label safety trials. The FDA agreed that our Phase 3 clinical trial and these safety trials could support an NDA filing in the United States.
Phase 1 Clinical Data
We completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers, which was designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetic, or PK, profile, and cardiac pharmacology of intra-nasally administered etripamil in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose trial. The primary objective of this trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose or maximum feasible dose of two different etripamil formulations administered via the nasal route in healthy, adult male subjects. All etripamil doses were generally well tolerated, and there was no difference in the safety profile and PK between the two etripamil formulations, referred to as MSP-2017A and MSP-2017B. The study of MSP-2017A was stopped at 60 mg and MSP-2017B was further studied at higher doses (105 mg and 140 mg). The Phase 1 results supported the selection of four doses of etripamil for Phase 2 development. We are using this Phase 1 data to support further clinical development of etripamil in three indications: PSVT, atrial fibrillation and angina.
Following nasal administration of etripamil, PK analyses demonstrated rapid absorption and elimination, a dose-proportional systemic exposure, or area under the curve, and maximum plasma concentration for etripamil and its primary inactive metabolite. These findings were consistent across a range of six doses tested up to 140 mg, i.e., two sprays of 100 µL of solution of 35 mg of etripamil in each nostril. The 140 mg dose was the maximal feasible dose because neither the concentration (350 mg/mL) nor the volume (200 µL) of solution administered in each nostril could be increased. Due to these characteristics of formulation and delivery, a maximum tolerated dose of etripamil was not established. The figure below shows the rapid absorption via the nasal route and the rapid decrease in plasma concentration of etripamil.
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Pharmacokinetic Profile of Etripamil Plasma Concentrations in Phase 1
Prolongation of the PR interval as measured by ECGs was taken as the pharmacodynamic measure. A linear relationship was observed between the etripamil dose and prolongation of the PR interval. The 60 mg, 105 mg, and 140 mg doses demonstrated a 10% or greater PR prolongation, which is shown in the figure below. This correlates with the reported slowing of conduction over the AV node that is necessary to convert a PSVT episode to sinus rhythm. Such slowing of conduction has already been observed clinically with IV AV nodal agents such as adenosine, verapamil and tecadenoson.
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Phase 2 Clinical Data
We completed a Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the United States and Canada to evaluate the effects of four different doses of etripamil in patients with PSVT. In order to demonstrate the ability of etripamil to terminate PSVT in a controlled setting, we conducted the study in the electrophysiology, or EP, laboratory setting, where the PSVT episode could be induced in patients scheduled to undergo an EP study and ablation. The primary objective of this trial was to demonstrate the superiority of at least one dose of etripamil over placebo in terminating PSVT. The secondary objectives were to determine the minimally effective dose of etripamil, to establish a dose-related efficacy trend for etripamil, and to evaluate the safety of etripamil in a clinical setting. The trial was statistically powered at more than 80% to show a 50% absolute difference of etripamil versus placebo.
The trial enrolled 199 patients, of which 95 withdrew prior to dosing: 70 due to inability to induce (n=42) or sustain (n=28) PSVT, 5 based on physician discretion, 1 lost to follow up, 1 due to withdrawal of consent, and 18 for other reasons. The mean age of patients was 52.2 years, with the study enrolling patients as young as 19 and as old as 85. As shown in the figure below, PSVT was induced and sustained for ³5 minutes in 104 patients, who were then randomized into one of five dosing cohorts. Four cohorts received active doses of etripamil (35 mg, 70 mg, 105 mg or 140 mg) and one cohort received placebo. All doses of the study drug were delivered in a blind randomized fashion in which healthcare providers administered four 100 µL sprays from four different single-spray devices. There were no imbalances in baseline characteristics across the five treatment groups. The mean heart rate in PSVT at time 0 was 177 bpm in the placebo group and 168 bpm, 173 bpm, 180 bpm and 155 bpm in the etripamil 35 mg, 70 mg, 105 mg and 140 mg groups, respectively.
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The primary endpoint in this clinical trial was the conversion of PSVT to sinus rhythm within 15 minutes after administration of etripamil or placebo. As shown in the figure below, the percentage of patients in whom PSVT converted to sinus rhythm within 15 minutes of study drug administration was 65% with 35 mg etripamil, 87% with 70 mg, 75% with 105 mg and 95% with 140 mg, compared with 35% in the placebo arm. The three highest doses of etripamil showed statistically significant conversion rates compared with placebo. Statistical significance expresses the probability that the results of a particular study could have occurred purely by chance. Statistical significance is assessed by the FDA and other health regulatory agencies in evaluating marketing approval applications. FDA and other regulatory agencies review the strength of the statistical evidence and whether it supports the claims of the applicant. The primary endpoint, statistical methods for the trial and a p-value boundary for achieving statistical significance for a clinical trial are typically defined before the trial begins. If the probability of observing the calculated statistic is smaller than the p-value boundary, the primary endpoint is considered statistically significant. P-value is a conventional statistical method for measuring the statistical significance of clinical results. A p-value of 0.05 or less represents statistical significance, meaning there is a less than 1-in-20 likelihood that the observed results occurred by chance. The FDA utilizes statistical significance, as measured by p-value, as an evidentiary standard of efficacy and typically requires a p-value of 0.05 or less to demonstrate statistical significance.
Etripamil Conversion Rates from PSVT to Sinus Rhythm in Phase 2
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In a post-hoc analysis conducted to help inform our Phase 3 trial design, the patients' time to conversion to sinus rhythm was examined. As shown in the following Kaplan-Meier plot of patients successfully converting to sinus rhythm during the 15 minute study window, the three highest etripamil doses of 140 mg, 105 mg and 70 mg showed statistically significant shorter time to conversion compared with placebo. The 70 mg dose showed a rapid onset of action with a median time to conversion of less than three minutes after nasal administration of etripamil.
Etripamil Time to Conversion from PSVT to Sinus Rhythm in Phase 2
|
Patients Converting at Each Time Interval | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 min | 5 min | 10 min | 15 min | |||||||||||
Placebo |
20 | 4 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Etripamil |
35 mg | 20 | 11 | 13 | 14 | |||||||||||
Etripamil |
70 mg | 23 | 19 | 20 | 21 | |||||||||||
Etripamil |
105 mg | 20 | 13 | 15 | 16 | |||||||||||
Etripamil |
140 mg | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
Overall, etripamil was well tolerated, and the most common adverse events were related to the nasal route of administration, e.g., nasal irritation or nasal congestion, reported by up to 60% and 45% of patients, respectively, after etripamil versus none after placebo administration. The 70 mg dose was reported to have 48% nasal irritation and 26% nasal congestion. However, these were transient. Most adverse events were mild (44.2%) or moderate (24.0%) across all treatment groups. At least one adverse event considered related to the study drug, according to the investigator assessment, was reported in 17 (85.0%) patients in the etripamil 35 mg group, 18 (78.3%) in the 70 mg group, 15 (75.0%) in the 105 mg group, 20 (95.2%) in the 140 mg group and 4 (20.0%) in the placebo group. The incidence of adverse events was not dose dependent. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, was reported as an adverse event in two patients, one in the etripamil 105 mg dose group and one in the 140 mg group.
A total of three patients experienced severe adverse events that were considered possibly related to etripamil. One patient who received an etripamil dose of 35 mg experienced facial flushing, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. One patient who received an etripamil dose of 105 mg had nausea and
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vomiting, as well as a severe and serious cough. One patient who received an etripamil dose of 140 mg experienced a severe adverse event of second degree AV block with hypotension beginning five minutes after conversion to sinus rhythm. The AV block resolved after 43 minutes and ablation was subsequently performed. There were no adverse events that led to study discontinuation or death.
Calcium channel blockers have the potential to cause hypotension as a side effect. In our Phase 2 clinical trial, we recorded vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure, before induction of PSVT and every two minutes for 30 minutes after study drug was given. We observed no meaningful reduction in mean blood pressure in the 35 mg or 70 mg etripamil cohorts, but observed a transient decrease in the mean blood pressure in the two highest cohorts, 105 mg and 140 mg. Due to the induction of PSVT, the mean systolic blood pressure decreased at time 0 compared to the average at 20 and 10 minutes before PSVT induction. Compared to baseline and time 0, systolic blood pressure measurements recorded from 2 minutes to 16 minutes post study drug administration showed no decrease in mean systolic blood pressure in the placebo or 35 mg groups, and maximum mean decreases of 2 mmHg four minutes post-dose in the 70 mg group, 17 mmHg six minutes post-dose in the 105 mg group, and 20 mmHg six minutes and eight minutes post-dose in the 140 mg group.
Based on the combination of efficacy and safety data from our Phase 2 trial, we selected the 70 mg dose for our subsequent clinical trials. There was no decrease in mean systolic blood pressure compared to baseline from 16 to 30 minutes post-study drug administration.
Ongoing and Planned Clinical Development of PSVT
We had an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in September 2017 to review our Phase 2 clinical trial results and to discuss our proposed Phase 3 clinical program. The FDA agreed with our proposal to assess the efficacy of etripamil in PSVT patients in the outpatient setting and suggested that we consider conducting a single pivotal trial to assess the efficacy of etripamil, followed by two open label safety trials. The FDA further confirmed that a large outcome trial would not be required for etripamil and that the total NDA safety database could consist of up to 1,500 patients. Finally, the FDA agreed that our upcoming Phase 3 program, if successful, could support efficacy claims in an NDA filing in the United States. We also had a meeting to obtain Scientific Advice from the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, in April 2018. The EMA agreed that our planned Phase 3 program could support a registration in the European Union but recommended additional safety data in non-induced episodes of PSVT.
Based on our interactions with the regulatory agencies, our planned Phase 3 clinical program includes:
Phase 3 Clinical Trials
NODE-301. NODE-301 is our ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial being conducted in the United States and Canada to evaluate etripamil 70 mg versus placebo in terminating a PSVT episode in the outpatient setting. As shown in the figure below, the primary endpoint is the time to conversion over a five-hour monitoring period following the start of the episode. Prior to randomization, eligible patients are administered a test dose of 70 mg etripamil in the investigators' office while in sinus rhythm in order to ensure tolerability. Patients successfully completing the test dose are randomly assigned to the etripamil or placebo cohorts (2:1 randomization) and sent home with the study drug and a small portable cardiac monitor that can be used during the patient's subsequent PSVT episode. Upon experiencing their next PSVT episode, patients are instructed to first apply the cardiac monitoring device to record ECG data, then attempt a vagal maneuver, and if that is not successful in terminating the episode, to then dose the drug. The ECG data will be reviewed by an adjudication committee to determine the type of arrhythmia during the
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episode and the time to conversion to sinus rhythm. NODE-301 will enroll up to 500 diagnosed PSVT patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be completed when a total of 100 to 120 adjudicated PSVT events are treated.
In moving from the monitored setting of our Phase 2 trial to the outpatient setting of NODE-301, we conducted several human factor studies to optimize the operational parameters, such as use of the cardiac monitoring device, how to conduct vagal maneuvers and how to correctly use the nasal spray device. We plan to conduct additional human factor studies to evaluate the final commercial instructions for use for etripamil. The results of these studies will be submitted with the NDA for etripamil.
Each patient will stay in the NODE-301 trial until one episode of PSVT is treated with etripamil or placebo. All the patients completing a study closure visit for the NODE-301 trial will have the opportunity to continue in the open-label NODE-302 clinical trial and self-manage subsequent episodes of PSVT with etripamil. Topline results from NODE-301 are expected in the first half of 2020.
NODE-302. NODE-302 is the open-label extension trial of NODE-301. We designed NODE-302 to evaluate the safety of etripamil when self-administered without medical supervision and to monitor the safety and efficacy of etripamil for the treatment of multiple episodes of PSVT.
Patients who have successfully dosed with the study drug in NODE-301 and completed a study closure visit will be eligible to enroll in NODE-302 to manage any subsequent episodes of PSVT. Patients who were randomized in NODE-301, but did not experience any PSVT episode, or had not used the study drug at the time of the NODE-301 trial completion, will also be eligible for NODE-302. Eligibility will also be contingent on satisfying all inclusion and exclusion criteria, including not experiencing a serious adverse event related to the study drug or the study procedure that precludes the self-administration of etripamil.
We initiated NODE-302 in December 2018, the trial is ongoing and enrollment is still relatively limited at this stage. Trial safety results will contribute to the etripamil safety database.
NODE-303. NODE-303 will be an open-label global safety trial consisting of up to 1,500 patients who did not participate in NODE-301 or NODE-302. We designed NODE-303 to evaluate the safety of etripamil when self-administered without medical supervision, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of etripamil on multiple PSVT episodes. The patients have the opportunity to manage several episodes of PSVT in NODE-303.
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We expect to initiate NODE-303 in the second half of 2019.
Etripamil in Other Indications
Our goal in expanding our pipeline is to apply the same treatment paradigm-changing aspiration that we have for PSVT to other cardiac conditions where we believe that a rapid-onset, short-acting calcium channel blocker could potentially deliver significant clinical and quality of life benefits for patients. We believe that the same insights that led to the development of etripamil for the treatment of PSVT are relevant in other indications in which AV-nodal blocking agents and vasodilators have demonstrated clinical utility. Both calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are indicated to manage not only PSVT, but also to provide temporary control of rapid ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and acute relief of angina symptoms.
Atrial Fibrillation
Overview
Atrial fibrillation is a common form of arrhythmia with an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers, the atria, beat chaotically and irregularly out of coordination with the two lower chambers, the ventricles, of the heart. Atrial fibrillation symptoms often include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. Episodes of atrial fibrillation can come and go, or patients may have atrial fibrillation that does not go away and may require treatment. Although the heart arrhythmia in atrial fibrillation itself usually is not life-threatening, it is a serious medical condition that sometimes requires emergency treatment. Prevalence estimates range from four to six million patients suffering from atrial fibrillation in the United States. Approximately 25% of these patients have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, another 25% have persistent atrial fibrillation, while 50% have permanent atrial fibrillation.
Acute episodes of symptomatic atrial fibrillation are often treated with IV calcium channel blockers and beta blockers under medical supervision, usually in the emergency department to quickly reduce heart rate before transitioning a patient back to oral therapy.
Our Solution
There are currently two pharmacological approaches to managing atrial fibrillation: rate control to lower a rapid heart rate and rhythm control to restore and maintain a regular rhythm. For rate control, the rapid heart rate of atrial fibrillation is often treated with calcium channel blockers or beta blockers to control symptoms and improve cardiac function. Oral rate control drugs do not provide immediate ventricular rate control due to the delayed 30 to 60 minute onset of action by the oral route. Breakthrough episodes of symptomatic atrial fibrillation often require urgent medical treatment with IV calcium channel blockers and beta blockers under medical supervision, usually in the emergency department to quickly reduce heart rate before transitioning a patient back to oral therapy. We believe that etripamil can be used by patients to rapidly reduce their heart rate in the outpatient setting on top of the oral rate or rhythm control strategy their physician has already prescribed. We believe that the combination of convenient delivery, potency, rapid-onset, and short duration of action of etripamil has the potential to move the current treatment setting for some acute symptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation out of the burdensome and costly emergency department.
Clinical Development Plan for Atrial Fibrillation
We are using the Phase 1 clinical trial data regarding the safety, PK profile and cardiac pharmacology of etripamil (see "PSVTOur Clinical Development Program of the Treatment of PSVTPhase 1 Clinical Data"), to pursue clinical development of etripamil in atrial fibrillation. We believe this Phase 1 clinical trial data is sufficient to support Phase 2 development of etripamil for this additional indication. We are planning a small Phase 2 trial in patients with atrial fibrillation as a proof-of-concept to test the efficacy of one or two doses of etripamil against placebo in reducing heart rate and to test the onset and duration of effect. We expect to initiate this trial in the second half of 2019 after submission of the appropriate regulatory filing (IND or equivalent) in the country where the trial is planned to be conducted.
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Angina
Overview
Angina is chest pain caused by an imbalance between the supply of oxygen to and the demand for oxygen by the heart. It can feel like pain, pressure or squeezing in the chest, but the discomfort also can occur in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina may be due to a number of factors, but is primarily caused by either occlusion or spasm of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries sit on the surface of the heart muscle and supply it with oxygen and nutrients with each heart beat. Coronary occlusion is most often caused by the deposition of fatty plaques that narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow, a condition known as coronary artery disease, or CAD, which can lead to a heart attack. Coronary spasm is the sudden and involuntary tightening of the muscles within the coronary arteries, which narrows them and reduces blood flow to the heart. It may be due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain drugs. The coronary spasm form of angina, also known as variant or Prinzmetal's angina, represents two out of every hundred cases of angina. Angina from CAD is characterized as one of two forms: stable or unstable. Stable angina is the most common form, affecting approximately 3% of the adult population, or almost approximately nine million patients in the United States. It manifests when the heart works harder than usual to pump blood through narrowed coronary arteries and can be triggered by physical exertion or other factors such as emotional stress. Episodes are typically short-lasting, five minutes or less, and disappear soon after exercise is terminated or after using angina medication. Symptoms resolve with rest. Unstable angina is new onset chest pain or angina that gets worse or becomes more frequent, and can be a sign of an impending heart attack.
Our Solution
There are several medical treatments available to treat stable angina caused by CAD, including nitrates, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Only nitrates provide immediate relief, but all three classes of drug are indicated for prophylactic use. Nitrates work by dilating or widening coronary blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the heart muscle. Short-acting nitrates are used acutely to relieve angina-related chest discomfort, or prophylactically before doing something that normally triggers angina, such as physical exertion. Nitroglycerin is a common form of nitrate that is available primarily in sublingual formulations for rapid symptom relief. It is also available as a cream or patch that can be applied to the skin. In up to 20% of patients, nitroglycerin is not tolerated and additional patients do not respond to the treatment. For example, nitroglycerin can cause severe headaches that necessitate analgesic intervention for pain relief, the painful nature of which can have a marked negative effect on patient compliance. Nitroglycerin also can cause severe hypotension, circulatory collapse, and death if used together with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor drugs that are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra (sildenafil), Adcirca and Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra and Staxyn (vardenafil). In addition to their use in CAD, calcium channel blockers are also prescribed for coronary spasm, however, they do not provide immediate relief. We are not aware of any approved rapid-onset, short acting treatments for coronary spasm.
We believe that etripamil can be used to rapidly reduce or relieve angina symptoms in the outpatient setting in both patients with stable angina who cannot tolerate or do not respond to nitrates, and in patients experiencing coronary spasm.
Clinical Development Plan for Angina
We are using the Phase 1 clinical trial data regarding the safety, PK profile and cardiac pharmacology of etripamil (see "PSVTOur Clinical Development Program of the Treatment of PSVTPhase 1 Clinical Data"), to pursue clinical development of etripamil in angina. We believe this Phase 1 clinical trial data is sufficient to support Phase 2 development of etripamil for this additional indication. We are in the early stages of planning small Phase 2 clinical trials as proof-of-concepts to test the efficacy and safety of etripamil in various forms of angina. We expect to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in angina in 2020 after submission of the appropriate regulatory filing (IND or equivalent) in the country where the trial is planned to be conducted.
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Sales and Marketing
Given our stage of development, we have not yet established a commercial sales and marketing organization or distribution capabilities. We currently have exclusive global development and commercialization rights for etripamil for all indications that we may pursue and believe that we can maximize the value of etripamil by retaining commercialization rights in the United States and entering into collaboration agreements for certain territories outside the United States. Our current strategy is to market etripamil in the United States for the treatment of PSVT using a targeted direct sales force focused on clinical cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and high-volume primary care physicians who have a history of prescribing anti-arrhythmic therapies. We believe that a majority of PSVT patients are managed by these cardiovascular specialists and that a targeted sales force will be able to reach a substantial portion of the market for etripamil.
Manufacturing
We currently rely on third-party contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, for all of our required raw materials, nasal spray device, API and finished product for our clinical trials and for our preclinical research. We require all of our CMOs to conduct manufacturing activities in compliance with current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, requirements. We have assembled a team of experienced employees and consultants to provide the necessary technical, quality and regulatory oversight over our CMOs and have implemented a comprehensive plan for audits of our CMOs. Currently, we have development contracts and quality agreements with our CMOs for the manufacturing of etripamil drug substance and drug product. We currently have enough manufactured supply of etripamil to complete our ongoing NODE-301 and NODE-302 trials. We also may elect to pursue additional CMOs for manufacturing supplies of regulatory starting materials in the future and for the filling of the nasal spray device, labeling, packaging, storage and distribution of investigational drug products. We plan to continue to rely on third-party manufacturers for any future trials and commercialization of etripamil, if approved. We anticipate that these CMOs will have capacity to support commercial scale production, but we do not have any formal agreements at this time with these CMOs to cover commercial production. We believe we can identify and establish additional CMOs to provide API and finished drug product without significant disruption to our business or clinical development timelines. If etripamil is approved by any regulatory agency, we intend to enter into agreements with a third-party contract manufacturer and one or more backup manufacturers for the commercial production of etripamil.
Competition
Drug development is highly competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological advancements. Our ability to compete will significantly depend upon our ability to complete necessary clinical trials and regulatory approval processes, and effectively market any drug that we may successfully develop. Our current and potential future competitors include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions and government agencies. The primary competitive factors that will affect the commercial success of etripamil or any other product candidate for which we may receive marketing approval include efficacy, safety, tolerability, dosing convenience, price, coverage and reimbursement. Many of our existing or potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we do and significantly greater experience in the discovery and development of product candidates, as well as in obtaining regulatory approvals of those product candidates in the United States and in foreign countries.
Our current and potential future competitors may also have significantly more experience commercializing drugs that have been approved for marketing. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries could result in even more resources being concentrated among a small number of our competitors.
Accordingly, our competitors may be more successful than us in obtaining regulatory approval for therapies and in achieving widespread market acceptance of their drugs. It is also possible that a competitor may
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develop a cure or more effective treatment method for the diseases we are targeting, which could render our current or future product candidates non-competitive or obsolete, or reduce the demand for our product candidates before we can recover our development and commercialization expenses.
We are not aware of any approved drug or drug in clinical development for a patient self-administered treatment to terminate PSVT episodes. InCarda Therapeutics, Inc., or InCarda, is developing InRhythm, an inhaled version of flecainide, in preclinical development. To our knowledge, there are no other treatments in development for acute episodic treatment of PSVT. In the acute setting, IV treatments of generic drugs such as adenosine, verapamil and diltiazem, are routinely given. Additionally, some practitioners prescribe oral medications, such as calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and anti-arrhythmics to be taken at the onset of an episode. However, these interventions are not acutely effective.
For atrial fibrillation, there are a number of marketed generic anti-arrhythmic drugs that are used for chronic and/or acute rate control, such as metoprolol, propranolol, esmolol, pindolol, atenolol, nadolol, verapamil and diltiazem. There are also several drugs under development for atrial fibrillation, including: Ranexa (ranolazine), a sodium channel blocker in Phase 2 (ex-U.S.) from Gilead Sciences, Inc., or Gilead; Gencaro (bucindolol hydrochloride), a beta blocker in Phase 2 from ARCA biopharma, Inc..
For acute relief of angina symptoms, approved drugs include short-acting nitrates such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and pentaerythritol. We are not aware of any approved drug or drug in clinical development for rapid-onset, short-acting treatment for coronary spasm.
Intellectual Property
We have filed numerous patent applications pertaining to etripamil and possible future product candidates, formulations containing etripamil, methods of making such formulations and clinical use. We strive to protect and enhance the proprietary technology, invention and improvements that are commercially important to the development of our business by seeking, maintaining, and defending our intellectual property. We also rely on know-how, continuing technological innovation and potential in-licensing opportunities to develop, strengthen and maintain our position in the field of cardiac arrhythmias, such as PSVT, and immediate rate control in atrial fibrillation, as well as other medical conditions affecting the cardiovascular system. Additionally, we intend to rely on regulatory protection afforded through data exclusivity and market exclusivity, as well as patent term extensions, where available.
As of March 31, 2019, our patent portfolio as it pertains to etripamil included:
The terms of individual patents may vary based on the countries in which they are obtained. Generally, patents issued for applications filed in the United States are effective for 20 years from the earliest effective non-provisional filing date in the absence, for example, of a terminal disclaimer shortening the term of the patent or patent term adjustment increasing the term of the patent. In addition, in certain instances, a patent term can be extended to recapture a portion of the term effectively lost as a results of FDA regulatory review periods. The restoration period cannot be longer than five years and the total term,
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including the restoration period, must not exceed 14 years following FDA approval. The duration of patents outside the United States varies in accordance with provisions of applicable local law, but typically is also 20 years from the earliest non-provisional filing date.
In addition to patents and patent applications that we own, we rely on know-how to develop and maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect our proprietary technology and processes, and obtain and maintain ownership of certain technologies, in part, through confidentiality agreements and invention assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, contractors and commercial partners.
Our future commercial success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain and maintain patent and other proprietary protection for commercially important technology, inventions and know-how related to our business; defend and enforce our patents; and operate without infringing valid enforceable patents and proprietary rights of third parties. Our ability to stop third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing our products may depend on the extent to which we have rights under valid and enforceable patents that cover these activities. With respect to our owned intellectual property, we cannot be sure that patents will issue from any of the pending patent applications to which we own or from any patent applications that we may file in the future, nor can we be sure that any patents that may be issued in the future to us will be commercially useful in protecting etripamil or any future product candidates and methods of using or manufacturing the same. Moreover, we may be unable to obtain patent protection for certain aspects of etripamil or future product candidates generally, as well as with respect to certain indications. See the section entitled "Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property" for a more comprehensive description of risks related to our intellectual property.
Government Regulation and Product Approval
Government authorities in the United States, at the federal, state and local levels, and in other countries, extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, packaging, storage, recordkeeping, labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution, marketing, import and export of pharmaceutical products, such as those we are developing. The processes for obtaining regulatory approvals in the United States and in foreign countries, along with subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.
United States Government Regulation
In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, and its implementing regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations requires the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable United States requirements at any time during the drug development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as the FDA's refusal to approve a pending New Drug Application, or NDA, withdrawal of an approval, imposition of a clinical hold, issuance of warning or untitled letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement or civil or criminal penalties.
The process required by the FDA before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally involves:
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Preclinical Studies
Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies to assess potential safety and efficacy. An IND sponsor must submit the results of the nonclinical tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data and any available clinical data or literature, among other things, to the FDA as part of an IND. Some nonclinical testing may continue even after the IND is submitted. An IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions related to one or more proposed clinical trials and places the clinical trial on a clinical hold.
In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. As a result, submission of an IND may not result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to commence.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational new drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCP requirements, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent in writing for their participation in any clinical trial. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. A protocol for each clinical trial and any subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. In addition, an IRB at each institution participating in the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that institution, and the IRB must continue to oversee the clinical trial while it is being conducted. Information about certain clinical trials must be submitted within specific timeframes to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, for public dissemination on their ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, which may overlap or be combined. In Phase 1, the drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients with the target disease or condition and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution, excretion and, if possible, to gain an initial indication of its effectiveness. In Phase 2, the drug typically is administered to a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases and to determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage. In Phase 3, the drug is administered to an expanded patient population, generally at geographically dispersed clinical trial sites, in well-controlled clinical trials to generate enough data to statistically evaluate the safety and efficacy of the product for approval, to establish the overall risk-benefit profile of the product and to provide adequate information for the labeling of the product.
Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted, at least annually, to the FDA, and more frequently if serious adverse events occur. Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials may not be completed successfully within any specified period, or at all. Furthermore, the FDA or the sponsor may
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suspend or terminate a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB's requirements, or if the drug has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients.
Marketing Approval
Assuming successful completion of the required clinical testing, the results of the preclinical and clinical studies, together with detailed information relating to the product's chemistry, manufacture, controls and proposed labeling, among other things, are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA requesting approval to market the product for one or more indications. In most cases, the submission of an NDA is subject to a substantial application user fee. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, guidelines that are currently in effect, the FDA has a goal of ten months from the date of "filing" of a standard NDA for a new molecular entity to review and act on the submission. This review typically takes twelve months from the date the NDA is submitted to the FDA because the FDA has approximately two months to make a "filing" decision.
In addition, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act, certain NDAs or supplements to an NDA must contain data that are adequate to assess the safety and effectiveness of the drug for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations, and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. The FDA may, on its own initiative or at the request of the applicant, grant deferrals for submission of some or all pediatric data until after approval of the product for use in adults, or full or partial waivers from the pediatric data requirements. Unless otherwise required by regulation, the pediatric data requirements do not apply to products with orphan designation.
The FDA also may require submission of a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, plan to ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks. The REMS plan could include medication guides, physician communication plans, assessment plans, and/or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries or other risk minimization tools.
The FDA conducts a preliminary review of all NDAs within the first 60 days after submission, before accepting them for filing, to determine whether they are sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accept an NDA for filing. In this event, the application must be resubmitted with the additional information. The resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth substantive review. The FDA reviews an NDA to determine, among other things, whether the drug is safe and effective and whether the facility in which it is manufactured, processed, packaged or held meets standards designed to assure the product's continued safety, quality and purity.
The FDA may refer an application for a novel drug to an advisory committee. An advisory committee is a panel of independent experts, including clinicians and other scientific experts, that reviews, evaluates and provides a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.
Before approving an NDA, the FDA typically will inspect the facility or facilities where the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical trial sites to assure compliance with GCP requirements.
The testing and approval process for an NDA requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and takes several years to complete. Data obtained from preclinical and clinical testing are not always
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conclusive and may be susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. The FDA may not grant approval of an NDA on a timely basis, or at all.
After evaluating the NDA and all related information, including the advisory committee recommendation, if any, and inspection reports regarding the manufacturing facilities and clinical trial sites, the FDA may issue an approval letter, or, in some cases, a complete response letter. A complete response letter generally contains a statement of specific conditions that must be met in order to secure final approval of the NDA and may require additional clinical or preclinical testing in order for FDA to reconsider the application. Even with submission of this additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval. If and when those conditions have been met to the FDA's satisfaction, the FDA will typically issue an approval letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications.
Even if the FDA approves a product, it may limit the approved indications for use of the product, require that contraindications, warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling, require that post-approval studies, including Phase 4 clinical trials, be conducted to further assess a drug's safety after approval, require testing and surveillance programs to monitor the product after commercialization, or impose other conditions, including distribution and use restrictions or other risk management mechanisms under a REMS, which can materially affect the potential market and profitability of the product. The FDA may prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results of post-marketing studies or surveillance programs. After approval, some types of changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes, and additional labeling claims, are subject to further testing requirements and FDA review and approval.
Special FDA Expedited Review and Approval Programs
The FDA has various programs, including fast track designation, accelerated approval, priority review, and breakthrough therapy designation, which are intended to expedite or simplify the process for the development and FDA review of drugs that are intended for the treatment of serious or life threatening diseases or conditions and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. The purpose of these programs is to provide important new drugs to patients earlier than under standard FDA review procedures.
To be eligible for a fast track designation, the FDA must determine, based on the request of a sponsor, that a product is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need. The FDA will determine that a product will fill an unmet medical need if it will provide a therapy where none exists or provide a therapy that may be potentially superior to existing therapy based on efficacy or safety factors. The FDA may review sections of the NDA for a fast track product on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted. If the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the NDA, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the NDA and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the NDA.
The FDA may give a priority review designation to drugs that are designed to treat serious conditions, and if approved, would provide a significant improvement in treatment, or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. A priority review means that the goal for the FDA to review an application is six months, rather than the standard review of ten months under current PDUFA guidelines. Under the current PDUFA agreement, these six and ten month review periods are measured from the "filing" date rather than the receipt date for NDAs for new molecular entities, which typically adds approximately two months to the timeline for review and decision from the date of submission. Most products that are eligible for fast track designation are also likely to be considered appropriate to receive a priority review.
In addition, products studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening illnesses and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments may be eligible for accelerated approval and may be approved on the basis of adequate and well-controlled clinical trials
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establishing that the drug product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, or on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity or mortality, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. As a condition of approval, the FDA may require a sponsor of a drug receiving accelerated approval to perform post-marketing studies to verify and describe the predicted effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical endpoint, and the drug may be subject to accelerated withdrawal procedures.
Breakthrough therapy designation is for a drug that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. The FDA must take certain actions, such as holding timely meetings and providing advice, intended to expedite the development and review of an application for approval of a breakthrough therapy.
Even if a product qualifies for one or more of these programs, the FDA may later decide that the product no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. We may explore some of these opportunities for our product candidates as appropriate.
Rare pediatric disease designation by the FDA enables priority review voucher, or PRV, eligibility upon U.S. market approval of a designated drug for rare pediatric diseases. The RPD-PRV program is intended to encourage development of therapies to prevent and treat rare pediatric diseases. The voucher, which is awarded upon NDA or BLA approval to the sponsor of a designated RPD can be sold or transferred to another entity and used by the holder to receive priority review for a future NDA or BLA submission, which reduces the FDA review time of such future submission from ten to six months.
Post-Approval Requirements
Drugs manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to recordkeeping, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, advertising and promotion and reporting of adverse experiences with the product. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes or other labeling claims, are subject to further testing requirements and prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing annual user fee requirements for any marketed products and the establishments at which such products are manufactured, as well as application fees for supplemental applications with clinical data.
Even if the FDA approves a product, it may limit the approved indications for use of the product, require that contraindications, warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling, including a boxed warning, require that post-approval studies, including Phase 4 clinical trials, be conducted to further assess a drug's safety after approval, require testing and surveillance programs to monitor the product after commercialization, or impose other conditions, including distribution restrictions or other risk management mechanisms under a REMS, which can materially affect the potential market and profitability of the product. The FDA may prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results of post-marketing studies or surveillance programs.
In addition, drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation requirements upon the sponsor and any
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third-party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMP compliance.
Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory requirements and standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market.
Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in mandatory revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical trials to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, among other things:
The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of products that are placed on the market. Drugs may be promoted only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label, although physicians, in the practice of medicine, may prescribe approved drugs for unapproved indications. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting their promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative liability.
In addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, or PDMA, which regulates the distribution of drugs and drug samples at the federal level, and sets minimum standards for the registration and regulation of drug distributors by the states. Both the PDMA and state laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical product samples and impose requirements to ensure accountability in distribution.
Federal and State Fraud and Abuse, Data Privacy and Security, and Transparency Laws and Regulations
In addition to FDA restrictions on marketing of pharmaceutical products, federal and state healthcare laws and regulations restrict business practices in the biopharmaceutical industry. These laws may impact, among other things, our current and future business operations, including our clinical research activities, and proposed sales, marketing and education programs and constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships with healthcare providers and other parties through which we market, sell and distribute our products for which we obtain marketing approval. These laws include anti-kickback and false claims laws and regulations, data privacy and security, and transparency laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those laws described below.
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits any person or entity from, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for or recommending the purchase, lease or order of any item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. The term "remuneration" has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers, purchasers and formulary managers on the other. Although there are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from prosecution, the exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly. Practices that involve remuneration that may be alleged to be intended to induce prescribing, purchases or recommendations may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe
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harbor. Several courts have interpreted the statute's intent requirement to mean that if any one purpose of an arrangement involving remuneration is to induce referrals of federal healthcare covered business, the statute has been violated.
A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal civil False Claims Act or the civil monetary penalties laws.
Federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalties laws, including the federal civil False Claims Act, which can be enforced by individuals through civil whistleblower and qui tam actions, prohibits any person or entity from, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government or knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. A claim includes "any request or demand" for money or property presented to the U.S. government. Several pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for allegedly providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product. Other companies have been prosecuted for causing false claims to be submitted because of the companies' marketing of products for unapproved, and thus non-reimbursable, uses.
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created additional federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services. Also, many states have similar fraud and abuse statutes or regulations that apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor.
In addition, we may be subject to data privacy and security regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and their respective implementing regulations, impose specified requirements on certain types of individuals and entities relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information. Among other things, HITECH makes HIPAA's security standards directly applicable to "business associates," defined as independent contractors or agents of covered entities, which include certain healthcare providers, healthcare clearinghouse and health plans, that create, receive, maintain or transmit individually identifiable health information in connection with providing a service for or on behalf of a covered entity. HITECH also increased the civil and criminal penalties that may be imposed against covered entities, business associates and possibly other persons, and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce HIPAA and seek attorney's fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions. In addition, state laws govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which are not pre-empted by HIPAA, differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts.
The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals, and applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations to report annually to CMS ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members.
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We may also be subject to state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry's voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government, state laws that require drug manufacturers to report information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians and other healthcare providers or marketing expenditures, state laws that require drug manufacturers to report information on the pricing of certain drugs, and state and local laws that require the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives.
Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the federal and state laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties including damages, fines, individual imprisonment, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. To the extent that any of our products are sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws, implementation of corporate compliance programs, reporting of payments or transfers of value to healthcare professionals, and additional data privacy and security requirements.
Coverage and Reimbursement
The future commercial success of our, or any of our collaborators', product candidates, if approved, will depend in part on the extent to which third-party payors, such as governmental payor programs at the federal and state levels, including Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers and other third-party payors, provide coverage of and establish adequate reimbursement levels for our product candidates. Third-party payors generally decide which products they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels for those products. In particular, in the United States, no uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement exists. Private health insurers and other third-party payors often provide coverage and reimbursement for products based on the level at which the government, through the Medicare program, provides coverage and reimbursement for such products, but also have their own methods and approval process apart from Medicare determinations. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement can differ significantly from payor to payor.
In the United States, the European Union, or EU, and other potentially significant markets for our product candidates, government authorities and third-party payors are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the price of products, particularly for new and innovative products, which often has resulted in average selling prices lower than they would otherwise be. Further, the increased emphasis on managed healthcare in the United States and on country and regional pricing and reimbursement controls in the EU will put additional pressure on product pricing, reimbursement and usage. These pressures can arise from rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical coverage and reimbursement policies and pricing in general.
Third-party payors are increasingly imposing additional requirements and restrictions on coverage and limiting reimbursement levels for products. For example, federal and state governments reimburse products at varying rates generally below average wholesale price. These restrictions and limitations influence the purchase of products. Third-party payors may limit coverage to specific products on an approved list, or formulary, which might not include all of the FDA-approved products for a particular indication. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price and examining the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of products , in addition to their safety and efficacy. We may need to conduct expensive pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of our product candidates, in addition to the costs required to obtain the FDA approvals. Our product candidates may not be considered
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medically necessary or cost-effective. A payor's decision to provide coverage for a product does not imply that an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved. Adequate third-party payor reimbursement may not be available to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development. Legislative proposals to reform healthcare or reduce costs under government insurance programs may result in lower reimbursement for our product candidates, if approved, or exclusion of our product candidates from coverage and reimbursement. The cost containment measures that third-party payors and providers are instituting and any healthcare reform could significantly reduce our revenues from the sale of any approved product candidates.
Healthcare Reform
The United States and some foreign jurisdictions are considering enacting or have enacted a number of additional legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system in ways that could affect our ability to sell our product candidates profitably, if approved. Among policy makers and payors in the United States and elsewhere, there is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare systems with the stated goals of containing healthcare costs, improving quality and expanding access. In the United States, the pharmaceutical industry has been a particular focus of these efforts, which include major legislative initiatives to reduce the cost of care through changes in the healthcare system, including limits on the pricing, coverage, and reimbursement of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, especially under government-funded health care programs, and increased governmental control of drug pricing.
There have been several U.S. government initiatives over the past few years to fund and incentivize certain comparative effectiveness research, including creation of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or collectively the PPACA. It is also possible that comparative effectiveness research demonstrating benefits in a competitor's product could adversely affect the sales of our product candidates
The PPACA became law in March 2010 and substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both third-party payors. Among other measures that may have an impact on our business, the PPACA establishes an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports specified branded prescription drugs and biologic agents; a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program; and a new formula that increases the rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Additionally, the PPACA extends manufacturers' Medicaid rebate liability, expands eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs, and expands entities eligible for discounts under the Public Health Service Act. At this time, we are unsure of the full impact that the PPACA will have on our business.
Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the PPACA, as well as recent efforts by the Trump administration to repeal or replace certain aspects of the PPACA, and we expect such challenges and amendments to continue. Since January 2017, President Trump has signed two Executive Orders and other directives designed to delay the implementation of certain provisions of the PPACA or otherwise circumvent some of the requirements for health insurance mandated by the PPACA. Concurrently, Congress has considered legislation that would repeal or repeal and replace all or part of the PPACA. While Congress has not passed comprehensive repeal legislation, two bills affecting the implementation of certain taxes under the PPACA have been signed into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or Tax Act, includes a provision repealing, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the PPACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the "individual mandate." On January 22, 2018, President Trump signed a continuing resolution on appropriations for fiscal year 2018 that delayed the implementation of certain PPACA-mandated fees, including the so-called "Cadillac" tax on certain high cost employer-sponsored insurance plans, the annual fee imposed on certain health insurance providers based on market share, and the medical device excise tax on non-exempt medical devices. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, or the BBA, among other things, amended the PPACA, effective January 1, 2019, to increase from 50% to 70% the point-of-sale discount that is owed by pharmaceutical manufacturers who
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participate in Medicare Part D and to close the coverage gap in most Medicare drug plans, commonly referred to as the "donut hole." In July 2018, CMS published a final rule permitting further collections and payments to and from certain PPACA qualified health plans and health insurance issuers under the PPACA adjustment program in response to the outcome of federal district court litigation regarding the method CMS uses to determine this risk adjustment. On December 14, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the PPACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the "individual mandate" was repealed by Congress as part of the Tax Act. While the Texas U.S. District Court Judge, as well as the Trump administration and CMS, have stated that the ruling will have no immediate effect pending appeal of the decision, it is unclear how this decision, subsequent appeals, and other efforts to repeal and replace the PPACA will impact the PPACA.
In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the PPACA was enacted. In August 2011, the President signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended, which, among other things, included aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which began in 2013 and, following passage of subsequent legislation, including the BBA, will continue through 2027 unless additional Congressional action is taken. In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted and, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.
Further, there has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. At the federal level, the Trump administration's budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 contains further drug price control measures that could be enacted during the 2019 budget process or in other future legislation, including, for example, measures to permit Medicare Part D plans to negotiate the price of certain drugs under Medicare Part B, to allow some states to negotiate drug prices under Medicaid, and to eliminate cost sharing for generic drugs for low-income patients. Additionally, the Trump administration released a "Blueprint" to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs of drugs that contains additional proposals to increase manufacturer competition, increase the negotiating power of certain federal healthcare programs, incentivize manufacturers to lower the list price of their products and reduce the out of pocket costs of drug products paid by consumers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, has already started the process of soliciting feedback on some of these measures and, at the same, is immediately implementing others under its existing authority. For example, in September 2018, CMS announced that it will allow Medicare Advantage plans the option to use step therapy for Part B drugs beginning January 1, 2019, and in October 2018, CMS proposed a new rule that would require direct-to-consumer television advertisements of prescription drugs and biological products, for which payment is available through or under Medicare or Medicaid, to include in the advertisement the Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or list price, of that drug or biological product. On January 31, 2019, the HHS Office of Inspector General proposed modifications to federal Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbors that among other things, may affect rebates paid by manufacturers to Medicare Part D plans, the purpose of which is to further reduce the cost of drug products to consumers. Although a number of these, and other proposed measures will require authorization through additional legislation to become effective, Congress and the Trump administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative measures to control drug costs. At the state level, legislatures have increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing.
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Additionally, on May 30, 2018, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, or the Right to Try Act, was signed into law. The law, among other things, provides a federal framework for certain patients to access certain investigational new drug products that have completed a Phase I clinical trial and that are undergoing investigation for FDA approval. Under certain circumstances, eligible patients can seek treatment without enrolling in clinical trials and without obtaining FDA permission under the FDA expanded access program. There is no obligation for a drug manufacturer to make its drug products available to eligible patients as a result of the Right to Try Act.
Foreign Regulation
In order to market any product outside of the United States, we would need to comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries regarding safety and efficacy and governing, among other things, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of our product candidates. For example, in the EU, we must obtain authorization of a clinical trial application, or CTA, in each member state in which we intend to conduct a clinical trial. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a drug, we would need to obtain the necessary approvals by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the drug in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in other countries might differ from and be longer than that required to obtain FDA approval. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may negatively impact the regulatory process in others.
Employees
As of March 31, 2019, we had 23 full-time employees, 15 of whom were primarily engaged in research and development activities and 8 of whom had an M.D. or Ph.D. degree. None of our employees is represented by a labor union and we consider our employee relations to be good.
Facilities
Our headquarters is currently located in Montréal (Québec), Canada and consists of 7,700 square feet of leased office space under a lease that expires in November 2020. We also have a U.S. subsidiary in Charlotte, North Carolina. We believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our current needs.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings, and we are not aware of any pending or threatened legal proceeding against us that we believe could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
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The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors, including their ages as of March 31, 2019:
NAME
|
AGE | POSITION(S) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Officers | ||||
Joseph Oliveto | 51 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Lorenz Muller | 55 | Chief Commercial Officer | ||
Francis Plat, M.D. | 61 | Chief Medical Officer | ||
Philippe Douville, Ph.D. | 57 | Founder and Chief Scientific Officer | ||
Timothy L. Maness | 58 | Vice President, Finance | ||
Non-Employee Directors |
||||
Paul Edick(2)(3) | 63 | Director and Chairperson of the Board | ||
Marco Boorsma(1)(3) | 44 | Director | ||
Nilesh Kumar, Ph.D.(2) | 43 | Director | ||
Debra K. Liebert(2) | 62 | Director | ||
Michael Tomsicek(1) | 53 | Director | ||
Paul Truex(1)(3) | 50 | Director |
Executive Officers
Joseph Oliveto has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2017 and as a member of our board of directors since July 2017. Prior to becoming our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oliveto served as a consultant to the company from September 2016 to March 2017. Mr. Oliveto served as Chief Executive Officer at Galleon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from July 2015 to June 2016. From June 2008 to June 2014, Mr. Oliveto was at Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd., where he held various roles, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors from January 2014 to June 2014, overseeing the company's sale to Lundbeck, Inc., following which he served as an Executive Advisor from July 2014 to July 2015. Mr. Oliveto received his B.A. degree in Chemistry and his M.B.A. degree from Rutgers University. We believe that Mr. Oliveto's significant experience in the areas of drug development, commercialization and manufacturing as well as business development, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Philippe Douville, Ph.D., is our founder and has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since March 2017. Dr. Douville was a member of our board of directors from our inception in 2005 to 2017, including serving as Chairman from 2011 to 2012, and as our President and Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to March 2017. Prior to founding our company, Dr. Douville was the co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Galileo Genomics (later Genizon Biosciences), a population genomics company. Dr. Douville received his Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from McGill University, Canada, and later pursued several years of post-doctoral research activities at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He later received his M.B.A degree from the HEC at the University of Montréal, Canada.
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Timothy L. Maness has served as our Vice President, Finance, since February 2018. Mr. Maness provided consulting services to several publicly-held life sciences companies with development and/or commercial activities. Prior to that, Mr. Maness served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ballantyne Therapeutics, Inc. a pharmaceutical company, from May 2015 to April 2016. From 2006 to 2014, Mr. Maness served as the Senior Director of Finance and Corporate Controller at Chelsea Therapeutics International Inc. until the sale of the company to Lundbeck, Inc. Prior to Chelsea Therapeutics, Mr. Maness provided consulting services and held a variety of senior financial management roles, primarily in software and technology services. Mr. Maness received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and as a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Lorenz Muller has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since October 2017. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Muller served as the Vice President of Marketing at Exact Sciences Corporation, a molecular diagnostics company, from June 2016 through July 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Muller served as the Executive Director, Thrombosis at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. from July 2008 through December 2015. Mr. Muller received his B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences and his M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his M.B.A degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
Francis Plat, M.D., has served as our Chief Medical Officer since June 2015. Prior to joining our company, Dr. Plat was a clinical consultant from August 2013 to May 2015. From August 2009 to July 2013, Dr. Plat served as the Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head, Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular, at Merck Research Laboratories. Prior to that, Dr. Plat was the Vice President of Cardiovascular Clinical Development at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., a global pharmaceutical company. Dr. Plat received his M.D. from the University of Paris and is a board-certified cardiologist in France, where he spent 10 years practicing medicine, including post-cardiovascular surgery at the intensive care unit in the Hopital Marie Lannelongue and in cardiac rehabilitation at Broussais Hospital.
Non-Employee Directors
Marco Boorsma, Ph.D., has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2017. Dr. Boorsma served as a Partner of Forbion Capital Partners from October 2014 through April 2017, and has served as its General Partner since April 2017. Dr. Boorsma has served on the board of directors of various privately held life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Boorsma received his Master's degree in molecular biology from the University of Groningen in Netherlands. He received his Ph.D. degree in biotechnology from the ETH Institute for Technology in Zürich, Switzerland, and completed part of his research at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, United Kingdom. We believe that Dr. Boorsma's extensive experience in life science investments and serving on the boards of directors of a number of life sciences and pharmaceutical companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Paul R. Edick has served as a member and Chairperson of our board of directors since March 2019. Since January 2017, Mr. Edick has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the board of directors of Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, and as its Chairman since June 2018. Previously, Mr. Edick served as founding partner of 3G Advisors, LLC, a consultancy to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and healthcare investor communities from November 2014 to January 2017. From July 2010 to November 2014, Mr. Edick served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the board of directors of Durata Therapeutics, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company, prior to its acquisition in November 2014. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Edick served as Chief Executive Officer of GANIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Warburg Pincus investment search vehicle. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Edick served in a variety of roles at MedPointe, including as its president of pharmaceutical operations from 2006 to 2008. Mr Edick currently serves on the board of directors for Iterum Therapeutics Limited, a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company. In addition, Mr. Edick has previously served as a member of the board of directors of Newlink Genetics Corporation, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Neos Therapeutics, Inc., PDL BioPharma, Inc., and Circassia Pharmaceuticals plc. Mr. Edick holds a B.A. in psychology from Hamilton
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College in Clinton, New York. We believe Mr. Edick's management and industry experience, including his experience serving on public company boards of directors, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Nilesh Kumar, Ph.D., has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2017. Dr. Kumar has served as a Partner at Novo Ventures since January 2017. Prior to that, Dr. Kumar was Senior Investment Director at Merck Serono Ventures from June 2009 through March 2015. Dr. Kumar has served on the board of directors of various privately held life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Kumar received his B.A. degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and his Ph.D. and M.B.A degrees from Harvard University. We believe that Dr. Kumar's financial expertise and experience as both an investor in and member of the board of directors at numerous life sciences companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Debra K. Liebert has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2015. Ms. Liebert served as a Principal of Domain Associates, LLC, a healthcare venture capital firm with an exclusive focus on life sciences, since 2007, and has served as a Managing Director since January 2014. Ms. Liebert previously served in various positions at CancerVax Corporation, Atairgin Technologies and Trega Biosciences. Ms. Liebert received her B.S. degree in chemistry from Clarion University, her M.S. degree in pharmacology/toxicology from Duquesne University, and her M.B.A degree from University of California, Los Angeles. We believe that Ms. Liebert's over 35 years of scientific, strategic and management experience in the healthcare industry qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Michael Tomsicek has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2019. Mr. Tomsicek has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics AG, a Nasdaq-listed gene editing company, since November 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Tomsicek served as Chief Financial Officer of Abiomed, a Nasdaq-listed medical device company, from July 2015 to August 2017. Before that, he was Chief Financial Officer at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company. He was at Cubist from August 2010 to January 2015, through the company's sale to Merck, and held a series of roles of increasing responsibility leading finance, investor relations and strategic sourcing. Prior to Cubist, Mike spent nearly eight years at General Electric Healthcare, ultimately as Chief Financial Officer of the global ultrasound business. Mike holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Engineering, both from the University of Wisconsin. We believe Mr. Tomsicek's management and industry experience, including his public company management experience, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Paul Truex has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2012. From June 2012 to October 2018, Mr. Truex was the Chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Truex founded Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a currently publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, in September 2004 and has served as the Executive Chairman of the board of directors of Anthera since December 2016. He previously served as the President of Anthera from its inception in September 2004 until January 2016 and as its Chief Executive Officer from September 2004 to December 2016. Prior to founding Anthera, Mr. Truex served as a founder, director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from the commencement of its operations in October 2001 until December 2005 after which Peninsula was acquired in a series of transactions by Johnson and Johnson and Forest Laboratories. Mr. Truex is currently a director at CymaBay Therapeutics Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company, where he has served since April 2016. From May 2012 to September 2013, he served on the board of directors of Trius Therapeutics Inc. (acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in July 2013). Mr. Truex obtained his M.B.A. in marketing and finance from Indiana University and his B.A. in economics from the University of Waterloo. We believe that Mr. Truex's extensive experience at both public and private pharmaceutical companies qualify him to serve on our board of directors.
Family Relationships and Other Arrangements
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers. Marco Boorsma, Nilesh Kumar and Debra K. Liebert were each designated as a director to our board of directors by Forbion Capital
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Fund III Cooperatief U.A., Novo Holdings A/S and Domain Partners VIII, L.P., respectively, in connection with a shareholders agreement, which will terminate upon the closing of this offering
Board Composition
Our board of directors currently consists of seven members. Our amended articles of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that the number of directors shall be a maximum of members and will be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. Our board of directors are elected at each annual meeting of our shareholders and serve until their successors are elected or appointed, unless their office is vacated earlier. The term of office for each of the directors will expire at the time of our next annual shareholder's meeting.
Director Independence
Under The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, Marketplace Rules, or the Nasdaq Listing Rules, independent directors must comprise a majority of our board of directors as a public company within one year of listing.
Our board of directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our board of directors has determined that all of our directors except Joseph Oliveto do not have any relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is "independent" as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Our board of directors has determined that Joseph Oliveto, by virtue of his employment with us, is not independent under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In making this determination, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our share capital by each non-employee director.
Board Committees
Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Each committee has adopted a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq Listing Rules, which we will post on our website at www.milestonepharmaceuticals.com upon completion of this offering.
Audit Committee
The audit committee is responsible for assisting our board of directors in its oversight of the integrity of our consolidated financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors and our internal financial and accounting controls. The audit committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention (including termination) and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm, and our independent auditors report directly to the audit committee. The audit committee also prepares the audit committee report that the SEC requires to be included in our annual proxy statement.
Our audit committee consists of Marco Boorsma, Paul Truex and Michael Tomsicek. Our board of directors has determined that all members are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The chair of our audit committee is Michael Tomsicek. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Tomsicek is an "audit committee financial expert" as such term is currently defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulations S-K. Our board of
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directors has also determined that each member of our audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements, in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, the board of directors has examined each audit committee member's scope of experience and the nature of their employment in the corporate finance sector.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee approves the compensation objectives for the company, the compensation of the chief executive officer and approves, or recommends to our board of directors for approval, the compensation for other executives. The compensation committee reviews all compensation components, including base salary, bonus, benefits and other perquisites.
Our compensation committee consists of Nilesh Kumar, Paul Edick and Debra Liebert. Our board of directors has determined that all members are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Rules and are "non-employee directors" as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The chair of our compensation committee is Debra Liebert.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee makes recommendations regarding corporate governance, the composition of our board of directors, identification, evaluation and nomination of director candidates and the structure and composition of committees of our board of directors. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for developing and recommending corporate governance guidelines to our board of directors, as applicable to the company.
Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Marco Boorsma, Paul Truex and Paul Edick. The chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee is Paul Edick. Each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee is a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, an independent director as defined by the Nasdaq Listing Rules and is free from any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment, as determined by the board of directors in accordance with the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of the compensation committee is currently, or has been at any time, one of our executive officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or on our compensation committee.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Effective upon completion of this offering, we will adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and agents and representatives. The full text of our code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on our website at www.milestonepharmaceuticals.com upon completion of this offering. The nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors will be responsible for overseeing our code of business conduct and ethics and any waivers applicable to any director, executive officer or employee. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of such provisions applicable to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and agents and representatives, on our website identified above.
In addition, under the Civil Code of Québec, to which we are subject as a legal person incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Québec) (L.R.Q., c. S-31), or the BCA, and under the BCA, a director must
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immediately disclose to the board any situation that may place him or her in a conflict of interest. Any such declaration of interest is recorded in the minutes of proceeding of the board of directors. The director abstains, except if required, from the discussion and voting on the question. In addition, it is our policy that an interested director recuse himself or herself from the decision-making process pertaining to a contract or transaction in which he or she has an interest.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters
Under the BCA and our amended and restated bylaws, we must indemnify our current or former directors and officers, agents or any other individuals who act or has acted at our request as a director or officer of a related entity, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by such individual in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which such individual is involved because of his or her association with us or a related entity. The BCA also provides that we may, with the approval of the court, also make an advance payment to such individual for costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding, provided, however, that such individual shall repay such payment if he or she does not fulfill the conditions described below.
Indemnification is prohibited under the BCA unless the individual:
In addition, we have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnity agreements with each of our directors and officers. These indemnity agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and officers for certain expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as a director or officer, or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.
We maintain a directors' and officers' insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacities as directors and officers. We believe that these provisions in our amended articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and these indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers or control persons, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy, as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2018, which consist of our principal executive officer and our next two most highly compensated executive officers, are:
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the compensation provided to our named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION
|
YEAR | SALARY ($)(1)(2) |
NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN COMPENSATION ($)(2)(3) |
OPTION AWARDS ($)(4) |
ALL OTHER COMPENSATION ($)(5) |
TOTAL ($) |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joseph Oliveto |
2018 | 360,000 | 190,000 | 866,653 | 20,184 | 1,436,837 | |||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2017 | 364,166 | (6) | 180,000 | 283,597 | 23,175 | 850,938 | ||||||||||||
Francis Plat |
2018 |
330,000 |
83,000 |
223,609 |
|
636,609 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Medical Officer |
2017 | 296,933 | (7) | 66,000 | | | 362,933 | ||||||||||||
Lorenz Muller |
2018 |
300,000 |
87,000 |
248,183 |
10,534 |
645,717 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Commercial Officer |
Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table
Our board of directors reviews compensation annually for all employees, including our named executive officers. In setting executive base salaries and bonuses and granting equity incentive awards, we consider compensation for comparable positions in the market, the historical compensation levels of our executives, individual performance as compared to our expectations and objectives, our desire to motivate our
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employees to achieve short- and long-term results that are in the best interests of our shareholders and a long-term commitment to our company.
Either our board of directors or the compensation committee has historically determined our executive officers' compensation and has typically reviewed and discussed management's proposed compensation with our chief executive officer for all executives other than our chief executive officer. Based on those discussions and its discretion, the compensation committee and our full board of directors then approved the compensation of each executive officer. Upon the completion of this offering, the compensation committee will determine our executive officers' compensation and follow this process, but the compensation committee itself, rather than our board of directors, will approve the compensation of each executive officer.
Annual Base Salary
Base salaries for our executive officers are initially established through arm's-length negotiations at the time of the executive officer's hiring, taking into account such executive officer's qualifications, experience, the scope of his or her responsibilities and competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions within the industry and geography. Base salaries are reviewed annually, typically in connection with our annual performance review process, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. For each of 2017 and 2018, the base salaries of Mr. Oliveto and Dr. Plat were $360,000 and $330,000, respectively. Mr. Muller's base salary for 2018 was $300,000. In making decisions regarding salary increases, we may also draw upon the experience of members of our board of directors with executives at other companies.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
In accordance with the terms of their employment agreements, our named executive officers are eligible to receive discretionary annual bonuses of up to a percentage of each executive's gross base salary based on individual performance, company performance or as otherwise determined appropriate, as determined by our board of directors. The target bonus percentage for each of Mr. Oliveto and Dr. Plat in 2018 and 2017 were: Mr. Oliveto, 50% (2017 and 2018); and Dr. Plat, 20% (2017) and 25% (2018). Mr. Muller's target bonus percentage for 2018 was 25%.
Equity-Based Incentive Awards
Our equity-based incentive awards are designed to align our interests and those of our shareholders with those of our employees and consultants, including our executive officers. The board of directors is responsible for approving equity grants. As of the date of this prospectus, share option awards were the only form of equity awards we have granted to any of our executive officers.
We have historically used share options as an incentive for long-term compensation to our executive officers because the share options allow our executive officers to profit from this form of equity compensation only if our share price increases relative to the share option's exercise price, which exercise price is set at the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant. We may grant equity awards at such times as our board of directors determines appropriate. Our executives generally are awarded an initial grant in the form of a share option in connection with their commencement of employment with us. Additional grants may occur periodically in order to specifically incentivize executives with respect to achieving certain corporate goals or to reward executives for exceptional performance.
Prior to this offering, we have granted all share options pursuant to our Stock Option Plan, or the 2011 Plan. Following this offering, we will grant equity incentive awards under the terms of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2019 Plan. The terms of our equity plans are described below under " Equity Incentive Plans."
All options are granted with an exercise price per share that is no less than the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant of such award. Our share option awards generally vest over a four-year period and may be subject to acceleration of vesting and exercisability under certain termination and change in control events. See " Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End."
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information regarding the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2018. All awards were granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. See " Equity Incentive Plans 2011 Plan" below for additional information.
|
|
|
OPTION AWARDS | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION
|
GRANT DATE |
VESTING COMMENCEMENT DATE |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS (#) (EXERCISABLE) |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS (#) (UNEXERCISABLE)(1) |
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) |
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE |
|||||||||||||
Joseph Oliveto |
10/27/2016 | 9/19/2016 | 56,222 | 590,468 | 0.21 | 09/19/2026 | |||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
1/3/2017 | 9/19/2016 | 4,903 | 42,763 | 0.21 | 1/3/2027 | |||||||||||||
|
12/12/2017 | 9/19/2016 | 56,551 | 588,450 | (2) | 0.29 | 12/12/2027 | ||||||||||||
|
10/26/2018 | 9/19/2016 | 572,917 | 445,619 | 0.50 | 10/25/2028 | |||||||||||||
|
11/21/2018 | 11/21/2018 | | 1,400,000 | 0.50 | 11/20/2028 | |||||||||||||
Francis Plat |
2/28/2014 |
12/18/2013 |
138,711 |
|
C0.18 |
12/18/2024 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Medical Officer |
11/11/2014 | 7/25/2014 | 26,813 | | C0.18 | 7/25/2024 | |||||||||||||
|
08/26/2015 | 8/26/2015 | 87,456 | 17,493 | 0.21 | 8/26/2025 | |||||||||||||
|
2/21/2018 | 10/15/2018 | | 283,000 | 0.29 | 10/15/2028 | |||||||||||||
|
2/21/2018 | 7/21/2017 | 157,307 | 286,860 | 0.29 | 7/21/2027 | |||||||||||||
|
11/21/2018 | 11/21/2018 | | 200,000 | 0.50 | 11/20/2028 | |||||||||||||
Lorenz Muller |
2/21/2018 |
10/11/2017 |
|
527,879 |
0.29 |
10/11/2027 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Commercial Officer |
2/21/2018 | 10/15/2018 | | 271,000 | 0.29 | 10/15/2028 | |||||||||||||
|
11/21/2018 | 11/21/2018 | | 100,000 | 0.50 | 11/20/2028 |
Employment Arrangements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The agreements generally provide for at-will employment without any specific term and set forth the named executive officer's initial base salary, bonus potential, eligibility for employee benefits and severance benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment, subject to certain non-solicitation and non-competition provisions. Any potential payments and benefits due upon a qualifying termination of employment or a change in control are further described below under " Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control."
In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into new employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that will replace and supersede the agreements described below.
Agreement with Joseph Oliveto
We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Oliveto, our President and Chief Executive Officer, in March 2017 that governs the current terms of his employment with us. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Oliveto is entitled to an annual base salary of $360,000, is eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to 50% of his gross base salary, and was granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1,345,001 common shares.
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Agreement with Francis Plat
We entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Plat, our Chief Medical Officer, in April 2014 that governs the current terms of his employment with us. Pursuant to his agreement, Dr. Plat is entitled to an annual base salary C$300,000, is eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to, as a percentage of his gross base salary, 20% for 2017 and 25% for 2018, and was granted an option to purchase 184,948 common shares. In May 2017, our board of directors approved an increase to Dr. Plat's annual base salary to $330,000.
Agreement with Lorenz Muller
We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Muller, our Chief Commercial Officer, in October 2017 that governs the current terms of his employment with us. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Muller is entitled to an annual base salary of $300,000, is eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to 25% of his gross base salary, and was granted an option to purchase 1,012,317 common shares.
Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control
Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer's employment with us terminates, the named executive officer is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of service, including salary and accrued unused vacation pay. In addition, each of our named executive officers is eligible to receive certain benefits pursuant to his employment agreement with us as follows:
Joseph Oliveto
If Mr. Oliveto is terminated by us without cause or if Mr. Oliveto resigns for good reason, he is entitled to salary continuation and benefits coverage for a period of 12 months or until Mr. Oliveto becomes eligible for group health insurance coverage under another employer's plan, whichever occurs first, subject to his execution of a general release in favor of our company. In addition, if Mr. Oliveto is terminated without cause within the 12-month period following a change in control, he is entitled to receive (i) a one-time bonus equal to his then-current gross base salary and (ii) accelerated vesting of any outstanding and unvested share options.
Francis Plat
If Dr. Plat is terminated by us without cause or if Dr. Plat resigns for good reason, he is entitled to salary continuation for at least one month and up to seven months, based on the length of his employment; however, Dr. Plat is not entitled to the salary continuation such a termination is in connection with a sale of our Company and Dr. Plat is offered a position of senior management with the acquiror with an equivalent base salary and Dr. Plat is based at the same location as of the date of his employment agreement or in a location within 75 kilometers of our corporate offices. If an offer to purchase is made to all holders of our common shares, the offer is accepted by the required majority of shareholders and Dr. Plat's employment is terminated, notice of the offer must be given to Dr. Plat and all unexercised options held by Dr. Plat will become exercisable at the exercise price effective as of the date upon which the acquisition occurs, but only to the extent necessary to enable Dr. Plat to tender his common shares in response to the offer.
Lorenz Muller
If Mr. Muller is terminated by us without cause or if Mr. Muller resigns for good reason, he is entitled to salary continuation for at least three months and up to nine months, based on the length of his employment. Upon a liquidity event, any outstanding and unexercised options held by Mr. Muller will vest in full, provided that Mr. Muller's employment is terminated in connection with the liquidity event.
Health and Welfare and Retirement Benefits; Perquisites
Prior to 2018, we did not provide any health or welfare benefits to our U.S. employees. We did provide reimbursements or extra salary payments for employees, including Mr. Oliveto and Mr. Muller, to purchase personal health and welfare insurance. In 2018, our chief executive officer received medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance generally made available to all of our U.S.
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employees. Our Chief Commercial Officer was provided reimbursement of personal health and welfare insurance through December 31, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2019, all employees either receive insurance coverage made available to the U.S. employees or group benefits insurance coverage made available to the Canadian employees. We do not provide a 401(k) plan or any other retirement plan to our employees in the United States or Canada. We generally do not provide perquisites or personal benefits to our named executive officers, except in limited circumstances. Our board of directors may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified benefit plans in the future, if it determines that doing so is in our best interests.
Equity Incentive Plans
2019 Plan
Our board of directors adopted and our shareholders approved the 2019 Plan in April 2019. Our 2019 Plan is a successor to and continuation of our 2011 Plan. The 2019 Plan will become effective upon, and no share awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan until, the date of the underwriting agreement related to this offering. Once the 2019 Plan is effective, no further grants will be made under the 2011 Plan.
Awards. Our 2019 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, to employees, including employees of any parent or subsidiary, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs, share appreciation rights, restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards, performance share awards, performance cash awards and other forms of share awards to employees, directors and consultants, including employees and consultants of our affiliates.
Authorized Shares. Initially, the maximum number of our common shares that may be issued under our 2019 Plan after it becomes effective will be shares, which is the sum of (1) new shares, plus (2) the number of shares (not to exceed shares) (i) that remain available for the issuance of awards under our 2011 Plan at the time our 2019 Plan becomes effective, and (ii) any shares subject to outstanding options or other share awards that were granted under our 2011 Plan that terminate or expire prior to exercise or settlement; are forfeited because of the failure to vest; or are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation or the purchase or exercise price. In addition, the number of our common shares reserved for issuance under our 2019 Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year, starting on January 1, 2020 (assuming the 2019 Plan becomes effective in 2019) through January 1, 2029, in an amount equal to % of the total number of our capital shares outstanding on the last day of the calendar month before the date of each automatic increase, or a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors. The maximum number of our common shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs under our 2019 Plan is shares.
Shares subject to share awards granted under our 2019 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under our 2019 Plan. If any common shares issued pursuant to a share award are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest, the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the 2019 Plan. Any shares subject to an award that are surrendered in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a share award will again become available for issuance under the 2019 Plan.
The maximum number of common shares subject to share awards granted under the 2019 Plan or otherwise during any one calendar year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid by us to such non-employee director during such calendar year for service on the board of directors, will not exceed $ in total value (calculating the value of any such share awards based on the grant date fair value of such share awards for financial reporting purposes), or, with respect to the calendar year in which a non-employee director is first appointed or elected to our board of directors, $ .
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Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, will administer our 2019 Plan and is referred to as the "plan administrator" herein. Our board of directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified share awards and (2) determine the number of shares subject to such share awards. Under our 2019 Plan, our board of directors has the authority to determine award recipients, grant dates, the numbers and types of share awards to be granted, the applicable fair market value, and the provisions of each share award, including the period of exercisability and the vesting schedule applicable to a share award.
Under the 2019 Plan, the board of directors also generally has the authority to effect, with the consent of any adversely affected participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase, or strike price of any outstanding award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding award and the grant in substitution therefore of other awards, cash, or other consideration; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.
Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted under option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for options, within the terms and conditions of the 2019 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2019 Plan vest at the rate specified in the option agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term of options granted under the 2019 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of an optionholder's option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than disability, death, or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be extended in the event that exercise of the option is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an optionholder's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 18 months following the date of death. If an optionholder's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate upon the termination date. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common shares issued upon the exercise of an option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, or (4) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.
Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to approval of the plan administrator or a duly authorized officer in each case, (i) an option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement, or other divorce or separation instrument and (ii) an optionholder may designate a beneficiary who may exercise the option following the optionholder's death.
Tax Limitations on ISOs. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common shares with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an award holder during any calendar year under all of our equity benefit plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own shares possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market
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value of the shares subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Restricted Share Unit Awards. Restricted share unit awards are granted under restricted share unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted share unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. A restricted share unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of shares, a combination of cash and shares as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator, or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted share unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted share unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted share unit awards that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant's continuous service ends for any reason.
Restricted Share Awards. Restricted share awards are granted under restricted share award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. A restricted share award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past or future services to us, or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. The plan administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted share awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant's service relationship with us ends for any reason, we may receive any or all of the common shares held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.
Share Appreciation Rights. Share appreciation rights are granted under share appreciation right agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a share appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant. A share appreciation right granted under the 2019 Plan vests at the rate specified in the share appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term of share appreciation rights granted under the 2019 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. If a participant's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested share appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be further extended in the event that exercise of the share appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If a participant's service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested share appreciation right for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, share appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a share appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Performance Awards. The 2019 Plan permits the grant of performance-based share and cash awards. Our compensation committee may structure awards so that the share or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period.
The performance goals that may be selected include one or more of the following: (i) sales; (ii) revenues; (iii) assets; (iv) expenses; (v) market penetration or expansion; (vi) earnings from operations; (vii) earnings before or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, incentives, service fees or extraordinary or special items, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or per share basis; (viii) net income or net income per common share (basic or diluted); (ix) return on equity, investment, capital or assets; (x) one or more operating ratios; (xi) borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit
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rating; (xii) market share; (xiii) capital expenditures; (xiv) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment, or net cash provided by operations; (xv) share price, dividends or total shareholder return; (xvi) development of new technologies or products; (xvii) sales of particular products or services; (xviii) economic value created or added; (xix) operating margin or profit margin; (xx) customer acquisition or retention; (xxi) raising or refinancing of capital; (xxii) successful hiring of key individuals; (xxiii) resolution of significant litigation; (xxiv) acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); (xxv) joint ventures and strategic alliances; (xxvi) spin-offs, split-ups and the like; (xxvii) reorganizations; (xxviii) recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity) or refinancings; (xxix) or strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on the following goals: achievement of timely development, design management or enrollment, meeting specified market penetration or value added, payor acceptance, patient adherence, peer reviewed publications, issuance of new patents, establishment of or securing of licenses to intellectual property, product development or introduction (including, without limitation, any clinical trial accomplishments, regulatory or other filings, approvals or milestones, discovery of novel products, maintenance of multiple products in pipeline, product launch or other product development milestones), geographic business expansion, cost targets, cost reductions or savings, customer satisfaction, operating efficiency, acquisition or retention, employee satisfaction, information technology, corporate development (including, without limitation, licenses, innovation, research or establishment of third-party collaborations), manufacturing or process development, legal compliance or risk reduction, patent application or issuance goals, or goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures or other business combinations (in whole or in part), joint ventures or strategic alliances; and (xxx) other measures of performance selected by the board of directors.
The performance goals may be based on company-wide performance or performance of one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and may be either absolute or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Our board of directors is authorized at any time in its sole discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a performance goal for such performance period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, (a) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development; (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting us, or our financial statements in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions; or (c) in view of the board of director's assessment of our business strategy, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, and any other circumstances deemed relevant. Specifically, the board of directors is authorized to make adjustment in the method of calculating attainment of performance goals and objectives for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (ii) to assume that any business divested by us achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; and (iii) to exclude the effect of any change in our outstanding common share by reason of any share dividend or split, share repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common shareholders other than regular cash dividends. In addition, the board of directors is authorized to make adjustment in the method of calculating attainment of performance goals and objectives for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (iv) to exclude the effects of any items that are "unusual" in nature or occur "infrequently" as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (v) to exclude the effects to any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (vi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the board of directors.
Other Share Awards. The plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common shares. The plan administrator will set the number of shares under the share award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
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Changes to Capital Structure. In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a share split, reverse share split, or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (3) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs, (4) the class and maximum number of shares that may be awarded to any non-employee director and (5) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding share awards.
Corporate Transactions. Our 2019 Plan provides that in the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions (or a change in control, as defined below), unless otherwise provided in an award agreement or other written agreement between us and the award holder, the plan administrator may take one or more of the following actions with respect to such share awards:
The plan administrator is not obligated to treat all share awards or portions of share awards in the same manner and is not obligated to take the same actions with respect to all participants.
Under the 2019 Plan, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of: (1) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) the sale or disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction, or (4) a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but our common shares outstanding immediately before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.
Change in Control. In the event of a change in control, the plan administrator may take any of the above-mentioned actions. Awards granted under the 2019 Plan may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a change in control as may be provided in the applicable share award agreement or in any other written agreement between us or any affiliate and the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will automatically occur. Under the 2019 Plan, a change in control is generally (1) the acquisition by any person or company of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding shares, (2) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction in which our shareholders immediately before the transaction do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such transaction, (3) a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets other than to an entity more than 50% of the combined voting power of which is owned by our shareholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction, (4) a complete dissolution or liquidation of the company or (5) when a majority of our board of directors becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our board of directors on the date of the underwriting agreement related to this offering, or the incumbent board, or
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whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the incumbent board still in office.
Plan Amendment or Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2019 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant's written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our shareholders. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopts our 2019 Plan. No share awards may be granted under our 2019 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.
2011 Plan
General. Our board of directors originally adopted and our shareholders initially approved our 2011 Plan in August 2011. We have subsequently amended and restated our 2011 Plan, most recently in October 2018, the purpose of which was to increase the number of shares available for issuance under our 2011 Plan. Our shareholders approved this recent amendment and restatement in October 2018. Our 2011 Plan will terminate upon the adoption of our 2019 Plan; however, awards outstanding under our 2011 Plan will continue in full effect in accordance with their existing terms.
Share Reserve. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under our 2011 Plan is 17,228,914. As of December 31, 2018, options to purchase 12,208,435 common shares, at exercise prices ranging from $0.132 to $0.50 per share, or a weighted-average exercise price of $0.333 per share, were outstanding under our 2011 Plan.
Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors administers our 2011 Plan. Our board of directors has full authority and discretion to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of our 2011 Plan. Our board of directors may cancel, amend, adjust or otherwise change any outstanding options under such circumstances as it may consider appropriate in accordance with the provisions of the 2011 Plan.
Types of Awards. Our 2011 Plan provides for the grant of incentive share options and nonstatutory share options to purchase common shares of our share capital to employees, members of our board of directors and consultants. Incentive share options may be granted only to employees.
Options. The exercise price of options granted under our 2011 Plan will be equal to or exceed the fair market value of a common share of our share capital on the grant date. Options expire at the time determined by the administrator, but in no event more than ten years after they are granted, and generally expire earlier if the optionholder's service terminates.
Capital Reorganization. If we effect a subdivision, consolidation, or similar reorganization, or any other change in capitalization that, in the option of the administrator, warrants the replacement or amendment of any existing options, the administrator may adjust: (i) the number of common shares that may be acquired on the exercise of any options; and/or (ii) the exercise price of any outstanding options, as necessary.
Other Events Affecting the Corporation. In the event of an amalgamation, combination, merger or other reorganization involving the exchange of our common shares, by sale or lease of assets or otherwise, that, in the opinion of the administrator, in its discretion, warrants the replacement or amendment of any existing options in order to adjust: (a) the number of common shares that may be acquired on the exercise of any outstanding options; and/or (b) the exercise price of any outstanding options in order to preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the optionees, the administrator will authorize such steps to be taken as may be equitable and appropriate to that end.
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Liquidity Event. Notwithstanding anything else provided in the 2011 Plan or any option agreement, upon a liquidity event, our board of directors (or a committee thereof) may:
In general, a "liquidity event" means the acquisition of the company by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions, which results in one person, together with any related entities of such person, acquiring beneficial ownership, or exercising direction or control, over more than 50% of the combined voting power attached to all of our outstanding securities; a sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; our adoption of a plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of our assets; or any other event so specified by our board of directors, subject to certain exceptions.
Transferability. A participant may not transfer options under our 2011 Plan other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as otherwise provided under our 2011 Plan.
Plan Amendment or Termination. Subject to any shareholders agreement, our board of directors may terminate the 2011 Plan at any time without shareholder approval. Our board of directors has the authority to amend our 2011 Plan, provided that such action is approved by our shareholders to the extent shareholder approval is necessary. As described above, our 2011 Plan will terminate upon the effective date of our 2019 Plan.
2019 Employee Share Purchase Plan
Our board of directors adopted and our shareholders approved the 2019 Employee Share Purchase Plan, or the ESPP, in April 2019. The ESPP will become effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the date of the underwriting agreement related to this offering. The purpose of the ESPP is to secure the services of new employees, to retain the services of existing employees, and to provide incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates. The ESPP is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code for U.S. employees. In addition, the ESPP authorizes grants of purchase rights that do not comply with Section 423 of the Code under a separate non-423 component. In particular, where such purchase rights are granted to employees who are employed or located outside the United States, our board of directors may adopt rules that are beyond the scope of Section 423 of the Code.
Share Reserve. Following this offering, the ESPP authorizes the issuance of common shares of our share capital under purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our share capital reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year, beginning on January 1, 2020 (assuming the ESPP becomes effective in 2019) through January 1, 2029, by the lesser of (1) % of the total number of shares of our share capital outstanding on the last day of the calendar month before the date of the automatic increase and (2) shares; provided that before the date of any such increase, our board of directors may determine that such increase will be less than the amount set forth in clauses (1) and (2). As of the date hereof, no shares of our share capital have been purchased under the ESPP.
Administration. Our board of directors administers the ESPP and may delegate its authority to administer the ESPP to our compensation committee. The ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings under which eligible employees are granted purchase rights to purchase shares of our share capital on specified dates during such offerings. Under the ESPP, we may specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or
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more purchase dates on which shares of our share capital will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. An offering under the ESPP may be terminated under certain circumstances.
Payroll Deductions. Generally, all regular employees, including executive officers, employed by us or by any of our designated affiliates, may participate in the ESPP and may contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to 15% of their earnings (as defined in the ESPP) for the purchase of our share capital under the ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, common shares will be purchased for the accounts of employees participating in the ESPP at a price per share that is at least the lesser of (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our share capital on the first date of an offering or (2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our share capital on the date of purchase.
Limitations. Employees may have to satisfy one or more of the following service requirements before participating in the ESPP, as determined by our board of directors, including: (1) being customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week, (2) being customarily employed for more than five months per calendar year or (3) continuous employment with us or one of our affiliates for a period of time (not to exceed two years). No employee may purchase shares under the ESPP at a rate in excess of $25,000 worth of our common shares based on the fair market value per share of our common shares at the beginning of an offering for each calendar year such a purchase right is outstanding. Finally, no employee will be eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the ESPP if immediately after such rights are granted, such employee has voting power over 5% or more of our outstanding capital shares measured by vote or value under Section 424(d) of the Code.
Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there occurs a change in our capital structure through such actions as a share split, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or similar transaction, the board of directors will make appropriate adjustments to: (1) the class(es) and maximum number of shares reserved under the ESPP, (2) the class(es) and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (3) the class(es) and number of shares subject to and purchase price applicable to outstanding offerings and purchase rights and (4) the class(es) and number of shares that are subject to purchase limits under ongoing offerings.
Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain significant corporate transactions, any then-outstanding rights to purchase our shares under the ESPP may be assumed, continued, or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue, or substitute for such purchase rights, then the participants' accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our share capital within 10 business days before such corporate transaction, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately.
Under the ESPP, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of: (1) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) the sale or disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction and (4) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our share capital outstanding immediately before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.
Amendment or Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate our ESPP, provided that except in certain circumstances such amendment or termination may not materially impair any outstanding purchase rights without the holder's consent. We will obtain shareholder approval of any amendment to our ESPP as required by applicable law or listing requirements
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Non-Employee Director Compensation
We have not historically had a formal compensation policy with respect to service on our board of directors, but we have reimbursed our non-employee directors for direct expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of our board of directors or its committees, and occasionally granted share options.
In April 2019, our board of directors approved a non-employee director compensation policy that will be effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Under this policy, we will pay each of our non-employee directors a cash retainer for service on the board of directors and for service on each committee on which the director is a member. The chairperson of each committee will receive a higher retainer for such service. These retainers are payable in arrears in four equal quarterly installments on the last day of each quarter, provided that the amount of such payment will be prorated for any portion of such quarter that the director is not serving on our board of directors or the applicable committee. No retainers will be paid in respect of any period prior to the completion of this offering. The retainers to be paid to non-employee directors for service on the board of directors and for service on each committee of the board of directors on which the director is a member are as follows:
Position
|
Annual Service Retainer |
Chairperson Additional Annual Retainer |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Board of directors |
$ | 35,000 | $ | 30,000 | |||
Audit committee |
7,500 | 7,500 | |||||
Compensation committee |
6,000 | 6,000 | |||||
Nominating and corporate governance committee |
4,000 | 4,000 |
In addition, under our non-employee director compensation policy, each non-employee director elected to our board of directors after the completion of this offering will receive an option to purchase shares of our common stock. The shares subject to each such stock option will vest annually over a three-year period, subject to the director's continued service as a director. Further, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders held after the completion of this offering, each non-employee director that continues to serve as a non-employee member on our board of directors will receive an option to purchase shares of our common stock. The shares subject to each such stock option will vest in full on the date that is 12 months after the grant date, subject to the director's continued service as a director. The exercise price per share of these options will equal the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
This policy is intended to provide a total compensation package that enables us to attract and retain qualified and experienced individuals to serve as directors and to align our directors' interests with those of our stockholders.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our board of directors by our non-employee directors and for their service as a consultant to us, if applicable, during the year ended December 31, 2018. Joseph Oliveto also served on our board of directors, but did not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director and therefore is not included in the table below. The compensation for Joseph Oliveto as a named executive officer is set forth above under " Summary
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Compensation Table." Messrs. Edick and Tomsicek joined our board of directors in March 2019 and did not receive any compensation from us in the year ended December 31, 2018.
NAME
|
FEES EARNED OR PAID IN CASH ($) |
OPTION AWARDS ($)(1)(2) |
TOTAL ($) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marco Boorsma. |
| | | |||||||
Nilesh Kumar |
| | | |||||||
Debra K. Liebert |
| | | |||||||
Dion Madsen(3) |
| | | |||||||
Paul Truex |
50,000 | 80,267 | 130,267 | |||||||
Scott Weiner(3) |
| | |
NAME
|
OPTION AWARDS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR-END |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Truex |
423,197 |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2016 and any currently proposed transactions, to which we were or are to be a participant, in which (1) the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years, and (2) any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our share capital, or any affiliate or member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation and other arrangements that are described under the section titled "Executive and Director Compensation."
We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that we would pay or receive, as applicable, in arm's-length transactions.
Preferred Financings
Class B Preferred Share Financing
In various closings throughout 2016 and 2017, we issued an aggregate of 8,695,653 Class B preferred shares at a price per share of $1.15 in a private placement to accredited investors, raising aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $10.0 million.
The table below sets forth the number of our Class B preferred shares purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our share capital and their affiliated entities or immediate family members. Each Class B preferred share in the table below will automatically convert into one common share upon the completion of this offering.
NAME
|
CLASS B PREFERRED SHARES (#) |
AGGREGATE CASH PURCHASE PRICE ($) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fonds de Solidarité des Travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.) |
1,774,623 | 2,040,816 | |||||
Entities affiliated with A.M. Pappas Life Science Ventures IV, LP(1) |
1,252,675 | 1,440,576 | |||||
Entities affiliated with BDC Capital, Inc.(2) |
2,087,792 | 2,400,961 | |||||
Domain Partners VIII, L.P.(3) |
3,580,563 | 4,117,647 |
Class C Preferred Share Financing
In July 2017, we issued an aggregate of 20,143,569 Class C preferred shares at a price per share of $1.3652 in a private placement to accredited investors for aggregate gross cash proceeds of $27.5 million.
The table below sets forth the number of Class C preferred shares purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our share capital and their affiliated entities or immediate family
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members. Each Class C preferred share in the table below will automatically convert into one common share upon the completion of this offering.
NAME
|
CLASS C PREFERRED SHARES (#) |
AGGREGATE CASH PURCHASE PRICE ($) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Novo Holdings A/S(1) |
7,324,934 | 10,000,000 | |||||
Forbion Capital Fund III Cooperatief U.A.(2) |
3,662,467 | 5,000,000 | |||||
Fonds de Solidarité des Travailleurs du Québec |
2,325,618 | 3,174,934 | |||||
Entities affiliated with A.M. Pappas Life Science Ventures IV, L.P.(3) |
1,083,353 | 1,478,994 | |||||
Entities affiliated with BDC Capital, Inc.(4) |
1,790,943 | 2,444,995 | |||||
Domain Partners VIII, L.P.(5) |
1,758,775 | 2,401,080 |
Class D Preferred Share Financing
In October 2018, we issued an aggregate of 43,176,235 Class D preferred shares at a price per share ranging from $1.7727 to $2.3045 in a private placement to accredited investors for aggregate gross cash proceeds of $80.0 million.
The table below sets forth the number of Class D preferred shares purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our share capital and their affiliated entities or immediate family
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members. Each Class D preferred share in the table below will automatically convert into one common share upon the completion of this offering.
NAME
|
CLASS D PREFERRED SHARES (#) |
AGGREGATE CASH PURCHASE PRICE ($) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Novo Holdings A/S(1) |
5,128,283 | 9,090,907 | |||||
Entities affiliated with RTW Master Fund Ltd. |
15,187,615 | 27,500,000 | |||||
Entities affiliated with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners III, L.P. |
9,655,004 | 20,000,000 | |||||
Forbion Capital Fund III Cooperatief U.A.(2) |
2,564,142 | 4,545,455 | |||||
Fonds de Solidarité des Travailleurs du Québec |
1,628,196 | 2,886,303 | |||||
Entities affiliated with A.M. Pappas Life Science Ventures IV, L.P.(3) |
758,470 | 1,344,540 | |||||
Entities affiliated with BDC Capital, Inc.(4) |
1,253,864 | 2,222,725 | |||||
Domain Partners VIII, L.P.(5) |
1,231,342 | 2,182,800 |
Registration Rights Agreement
We are party to a third amended and restated registration rights agreement, dated October 15, 2018, with all holders of our preferred shares. This agreement provides that these holders are entitled to certain registration rights, including the right to demand that we file a registration statement or request that their shares be covered by a registration statement that we otherwise file. The registration rights will terminate upon the earliest of (i) the occurrence of certain mergers or consolidations of the company, (ii) the date on which the shares that are the subject to the agreement are publicly sold, or if they may be publicly sold: (x) pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act and (y) Section 2.5 of Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities, as adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators of and (iii) five years after the completion this offering. For a description of the registration rights, see the section titled "Description of Share Capital Registration Rights."
Shareholders' Agreement
We are party to a fourth amended and restated shareholders' agreement, dated October 15, 2018, with the holders of our preferred shares and certain holders of our common shares. This agreement provides that these holders will vote in accordance with the terms of the agreement, including in matters related to the composition of our board of directors. In addition, this agreement provides for certain transfer restrictions, information rights and preemptive rights in favor of certain holders of our preferred shares with regard to certain issuances of our share capital. This agreement will terminate upon the completion of this offering.
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Other Transactions
We have entered into various employment-related agreements with our executive officers that, among other things, provide for compensatory and certain change in control benefits. For a description of these agreements and arrangements, see the section titled "Executive and Director Compensation Employment Arrangements."
We have also granted options to purchase shares of our common shares to our executive officers and directors. For a description of these options, see the section titled "Executive and Director Compensation."
Indemnity Agreements
We have entered or intend to enter, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnity agreements with some of our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws. These indemnity agreements provide our directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification and, in some cases, expense advancement in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or executive officers or as a director or executive officer of any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. For more information regarding these indemnity agreements, see "Management Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters."
Related Party Transaction Policy
In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt a written related party transaction policy that sets forth our procedures for the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of related party transactions. This policy will become effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For purposes of this policy only, a "related person transaction" is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any related person are participants involving an amount that exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A "related person" is any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director or a holder of more than 5% of our share capital, or any affiliate or member of the immediate family of the foregoing.
Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our audit committee or, where review by our audit committee would be inappropriate due to a conflict of interest, to another independent body of our board of directors, for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, all of the parties, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the purpose of the transaction, the material facts, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available, an assessment of whether the terms are comparable to the terms available from unrelated third parties and management's recommendation. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant shareholders. In considering related-person transactions, our audit committee or another independent body of our board of directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
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All of the transactions described in this section were entered into prior to the adoption of this policy. Although we have not had a written policy for the review and approval of transactions with related persons, our board of directors has historically reviewed and approved any transaction where a director or officer had a financial interest, including the transactions described above. Prior to approving such a transaction, the material facts as to a director's or officer's relationship or interest in the agreement or transaction were disclosed to our board of directors. Our board of directors took this information into account when evaluating the transaction and in determining whether such transaction was fair to us and in the best interest of all our shareholders.
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The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our share capital as of March 31, 2019 by:
The percentage ownership information under the column titled "Before Offering" is based on 96,629,494 common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019, assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding preferred shares into an aggregate of 93,358,257 common shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The percentage ownership information under the column titled "After Offering" is based on the sale of common shares in this offering (assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). The percentage ownership information assumes no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares and no purchases of any common shares in this offering by the beneficial owners identified in the table below.
Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common shares. We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include common shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of options that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2019. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
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Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Blvd., Suite 420, Montréal, Québec CA H4M 2X6.
|
|
PERCENTAGE OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED |
|||||||
|
BEFORE OFFERING |
AFTER OFFERING |
||||||
Greater than 5% Shareholders: |
||||||||
RTW Investments, LP(1) |
15,187,615 | 15.7 | % | |||||
Novo Holdings A/S(2) |
12,453,217 | 12.9 | % | |||||
Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.)(3) |
12,165,165 | 12.6 | % | |||||
BDC Capital, Inc. and affiliates(4) |
11,638,747 | 12.1 | % | |||||
Entities affiliated with Venrock(5) |
9,655,004 | 10.0 | % | |||||
Domain Associates, L.L.C. and affiliates(6) |
9,077,074 | 9.4 | % | |||||
Pappas Capital, LLC and affiliates.(7) |
6,998,186 | 7.3 | % | |||||
Entities affiliated with Forbion(8) |
6,226,609 | 6.5 | % | |||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
|
|||||||
Joseph Oliveto(9) |
2,540,595 | 2.6 | % | |||||
Lorenz Muller(10) |
294,990 | * | ||||||
Francis Plat(11) |
528,430 | * | ||||||
Marco Boorsma |
| * | ||||||
Paul Edick |
| * | ||||||
Nilesh Kumar |
| * | ||||||
Debra K. Liebert |
| * | ||||||
Michael Tomsicek |
| * | ||||||
Paul Truex(12) |
239,786 | * | ||||||
All current executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons) |
4,983,885 | 5 | % |
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decisions being approved, depending on their quantum and potential impact, by either senior management at BDC Capital or by BDC Capital's investment committee. The address for BDC Capital and its affiliates is 5 Place Ville-Marie, Suite 400, Montréal, Québec, H3B 5E7, Canada.
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The following is a description of the material terms of our common shares and preferred shares as will be set forth in our amended articles of incorporation as expected to be amended in connection with this offering. The following description of our share capital is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and amendments thereto, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the applicable provisions of the BCA. The following also assumes the conversion of all of our preferred shares into common shares in accordance with their terms.
General
Following the completion of this offering, based upon shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, our share capital will consist of an unlimited number of common shares, no par value per share, of which shares will be issued and outstanding, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, no par value per share, none of which will be issued and outstanding.
Common Shares
Outstanding Shares
As of December 31, 2018, we had 96,532,919 common shares outstanding, which were held by approximately 42 shareholders of record, assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding preferred shares into 93,358,257 common shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.
Voting Rights
Under our amended articles of incorporation to be in effect following the completion of this offering, the holders of common shares will be entitled to one vote for each share held at any meeting of the shareholders.
Dividends
Subject to the prior rights of the holders of our preferred shares, the holders of common shares will be entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by our board of directors. See "Dividend Policy."
Liquidation
Subject to the prior payment to the holders of our preferred shares, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up or other distribution of our assets among our shareholders, the holders of common shares will be entitled to share pro rata in the distribution of the balance of our assets.
Rights and Preferences
The holders of common shares will have no preemptive, conversion rights or other subscription rights. There will be no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common shares. There will be no provision in our amended articles of incorporation to be in effect following the closing of this offering requiring the holders of common shares to contribute additional capital or permitting or restricting the issuance of additional securities or any other material restrictions. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common shares will be subject to and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred shares that we may designate in the future.
Preferred Shares
We will not have any preferred shares outstanding following the completion of this offering. Under our amended articles of incorporation to be in effect following the completion of this offering, we will be authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in one or more series, and, subject to the provisions of the BCA, having such designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including dividend and voting rights, as our board of directors may determine,
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and such rights and privileges, including dividend and voting rights, may be superior to those of the common shares. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company and might adversely affect the market price of our common shares and the voting and other rights of the holders of common shares. We have no current plans to issue any preferred shares following the completion of this offering.
Options
As of December 31, 2018, 12,208,435 common shares were issuable upon the exercise of 12,208,435 outstanding share options, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.333 per common share. For additional information regarding terms of our equity incentive plans, see the section titled "Executive and Director Compensation Equity Incentive Plans."
Registration Rights
Following the completion of this offering, holders of the common shares issued upon the conversion of our preferred shares, including any accrued dividends thereon upon the completion of this offering will be entitled to certain rights with respect to registration of any securities held by such investors, as well as any under the Securities Act. These shares are referred to as registrable securities. The holders of these registrable securities possess registration rights pursuant to the terms of our third amended and restated registration rights agreement and are described in additional detail below. The registration of common shares pursuant to the exercise of the registration rights described below would enable the holders to trade these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective. We will pay the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts, selling commissions and share transfer taxes for the shares registered pursuant to the demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registrations described below. Expenses relating to underwriting discounts, selling commissions and share transfer taxes for the shares registered will be borne by us and the participating holders in proportion to the number of common shares sold by each, or, as between the participating holders, as such participating holders may otherwise agree.
Generally, in an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions, to limit the number of shares the holders may include. The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described below will expire upon the earliest of (i) the occurrence of certain mergers or consolidations of the company, (ii) the date on which the shares that are the subject to the agreement are publicly sold, or if they may be publicly sold: (x) pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act and (y) Section 2.5 of Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities, as adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators, and (iii) five years after the completion of this offering.
Demand Registration Rights
Upon the earlier of the one year anniversary of the completion of this offering, or October 15, 2021, holders of 93,358,257 common shares issuable upon conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, including the accrued dividends, if any, will be entitled to certain demand registration rights. At any time beginning on the earlier of the one year anniversary of the completion of this offering, or October 15, 2021, the holders of at least 25% of registrable securities then outstanding may, on not more than two occasions, request that we register all or a portion of their shares, subject to certain specified exceptions, pursuant to either the Securities Act, Regulation 41-101 respecting General Prospectus Requirements, as adopted by Canadian Securities Administrators or both.
Piggyback Registration Rights
Following the completion of this offering, holders of 93,358,257 common shares issuable upon conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, including the accrued dividends, will be entitled to include their shares of registrable securities in any registration statement we file in the event that we propose to register
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any of our securities under the Securities Act in an offering, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, subject to specified conditions and limitations.
S-3 Registration Rights
Following the completion of this offering, holders of 93,358,257 common shares issuable upon conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, including the accrued dividends, will initially be entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. The holders of at least 25% of registrable securities then outstanding may, on not more than two occasions within any 12-month period, request that we register all or a portion of their shares on Form S-3 or a form under the Canada-United States Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, or the MJDS, if we are qualified to file a registration statement on Form S-3 or the MJDS, as applicable, subject to specified exceptions. Such request for registration on Form S-3 must cover securities with an aggregate offering price which equals or exceeds $10.0 million. The right to have such shares registered on Form S-3 is further subject to other specified conditions and limitations.
Indemnification
The third amended and restated registration rights agreement contains customary cross-indemnification provisions, pursuant to which we are obligated to indemnify the selling shareholders in the event of material misstatements or omissions in the registration statement attributable to us, and they are obligated to indemnify us for material misstatements or omissions in the registration statement attributable to them.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc., with an address of 1500 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, 7th Floor, Montréal, Quebec H3A 3S8.
Nasdaq Global Market Listing
We have applied to list our common shares on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol "MIST."
Advance Notice Procedures and Shareholder Proposals
Under the BCA, shareholders may make proposals for matters to be considered at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Such proposals must be sent to us in advance of any proposed meeting by delivering a timely written notice in proper form to our registered office in accordance with the requirements of the BCA. The notice must include information on the business the shareholder intends to bring before the meeting.
In addition, our amended and restated bylaws are expected to require that shareholders provide us with advance notice of their intention to nominate any persons, other than those nominated by management, for election to our board of directors at a meeting of shareholders.
These provisions could have the effect of delaying the nomination of certain persons for director that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
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MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (QUÉBEC) AND THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
We are governed by the Business Corporations Act (Québec), or the BCA, which is generally similar to laws applicable to U.S. corporations. Significant differences between the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, which governs companies incorporated in the State of Delaware, include the differences summarized below. This summary is not an exhaustive review of the two statutes, and reference should be made to the full text of both statutes for particulars of the differences.
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Number and Election of Directors |
Under the DGCL, the board of directors must consist of at least one director. The number of directors shall be fixed by the bylaws of the corporation, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number of directors shall only be made by an amendment of the certificate of incorporation. Under the DGCL, directors are elected at annual stockholder meetings by plurality vote of the stockholders, unless a shareholder-adopted bylaw prescribes a different required vote. | Under the BCA, the board of directors of a corporation must consist of at least three members, at least two of whom must not be officers or employees of the corporation or an affiliate of the corporation, so long as the corporation remains a "reporting issuer" for purposes of the BCA, which includes a corporation that has made a distribution of securities to the public. Under the BCA, directors are elected by the shareholders, in the manner and for the term, not exceeding three years, set out in the corporation's bylaws. Our bylaws provide that our directors are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders at which such an election is required. | ||
Removal of Directors |
Under the DGCL, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except (i) unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, in the case of a corporation whose board of directors is classified, stockholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board of directors is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he is a part. |
Under the BCA, unless the articles of a corporation provide for cumulative voting (which is not the case for us), shareholders of the corporation may, by resolution passed by a majority of the vote cast thereon at a special meeting of shareholders, remove any or all directors from office and may elect any qualified person to fill the resulting vacancy. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Vacancies on the Board of Directors |
Under the DGCL, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director unless (i) otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or (ii) the certificate of incorporation directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such director, in which case a majority of the other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director elected by such class, will fill such vacancy. |
Under the BCA, vacancies that exist on the board of directors may generally be filled by the board if the remaining directors constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the remaining directors shall call a meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancy. |
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Board of Director Quorum and Vote Requirements |
Under the DGCL, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business unless the certificate
of incorporation or bylaws require a greater number. The bylaws may lower the number required for a quorum to one-third the number of directors, but no less. |
Under the BCA, subject to the corporation's bylaws, a majority of the directors in office constitutes a quorum at any meeting of the board.
Our bylaws also provide that a majority of the directors in office constitutes a quorum at any meeting of the board. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Transactions with Directors and Officers |
The DGCL generally provides that no transaction between a corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between a corporation and any other corporation or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers, are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board or committee which authorizes the transaction, or solely because any such director's or officer's votes are counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts as to the director's or officer's interest and as to the transaction are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum (ii) the material facts as to the director's or officer's interest and as to the transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors, a committee or the stockholders. |
Under the BCA, every director or officer of a corporation must disclose the nature and value of any interest he or she has in a contract or transaction to which the corporation is a party. For the purposes of this rule, "interest" means any financial stake in a contract or transaction that may reasonably be considered likely to influence decision-making. Furthermore, a proposed contract or a proposed transaction, including related negotiations, is considered a contract or transaction. In addition, a director or an officer must disclose any contract or transaction to which the corporation and any of the following are a party: (i) an associate of the director or officer; (ii) a group of which the director or officer is a director or officer; or (iii) a group in which the director or officer or an associate of the director or officer has an interest. Such disclosure is required even for a contract or transaction that does not require approval by the board of directors. If a director is required to disclose his or her interest in a contract or transaction, such director is not allowed to vote on any resolution to approve, amend or terminate the contract or transaction or be present during deliberations concerning the approval, amendment or termination of such contract or transaction, unless the contract or transaction (i) relates primarily to the remuneration of the director or an associate of the director as a director, officer, employee or mandatory of the corporation or an affiliate of the corporation, (ii) is for indemnity or liability insurance under the BCA, or (iii) is with an affiliate of the corporation, and the sole interest of the director is as a director or officer of the affiliate. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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If a director or officer does not disclose his or her interest in accordance with the BCA, or (in the case of a director) votes in respect of a resolution on a contract or transaction in which he or she is interested contrary to the BCA, the corporation or a shareholder may ask the court to declare the contract or transaction null and to require the director or officer to account to the corporation for any profit or gain realized on it by the director or officer or the associates of the director or officer, and to remit the profit or gain to the corporation, according to the conditions the court considers appropriate. However, the contract or transaction may not be declared null if it was approved by the board of directors and the contract or transaction was in the interest of the corporation when it was approved, nor may the director or officer concerned, in such a case, be required to account for any profit or gain realized or to remit the profit or gain to the corporation. In addition, the contract or transaction may not be declared null if it was approved by ordinary resolution by the shareholders entitled to vote who do not have an interest in the contract or transaction, the required disclosure was made to the shareholders and the contract or transaction was in the best interests of the corporation when it was approved, and if the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith, he or she may not be required to account for the profit or gain realized and to remit the profit or gain to the corporation. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Limitation on Liability of Directors |
Under the DGCL, a corporation's certificate of incorporation may include a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation and its stockholders for damages arising from a breach of fiduciary duty as a
director. However, no provision can limit the liability of a director for: § breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; § acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; § intentional or negligent payment of unlawful dividends or stock purchases or redemptions; or § for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
The BCA does not permit the limitation of a director's liability as the DGCL does. |
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
The DGCL permits indemnification for derivative suits only for expenses (including legal fees) and only if the person is not found liable, unless a court determines the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to the indemnification. |
Under the BCA, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the corporation's request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity of another group (who
is referred to in this document as an indemnifiable person) against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the indemnifiable person on the exercise of the person's
functions or arising from any investigative or other proceeding in which the person is involved if: § the person acted honestly and loyalty in the interest of the corporation or other group, and § in the case of a proceeding enforceable by a monetary penalty, the person had reasonable grounds for believing the person's conduct was lawful. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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An indemnifiable person is also entitled to indemnity for reasonable defense costs and expenses if the person fulfills the above-mentioned requirements and was not judged to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything the person ought to have done. In the case of a derivative action, indemnity may be made only with court approval. |
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Call and Notice of Shareholder Meetings |
Under the DGCL, an annual or special stockholder meeting is held on such date, at such time and at such place as may be designated by the board of directors or any other person authorized to call such meeting under the corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws. If an annual meeting for election of directors is not held on the date designated or an action by written consent to elect directors in lieu of an annual meeting has not been taken within 30 days after the date designated for the annual meeting, or if no date has been designated, for a period of 13 months after the later of the last annual meeting or the last action by written consent to elect directors in lieu of an annual meeting, the Delaware Court of Chancery may summarily order a meeting to be held upon the application of any stockholder or director. |
Under the BCA, an annual meeting of shareholders must be held no later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting. Under the BCA, the directors of a corporation may call a special meeting at any time. In addition, holders of not less than 10% of the issued shares of a corporation that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition the directors to call a meeting of shareholders. |
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Shareholder Action by Written Consent |
Under the DGCL, a majority of the stockholders of a corporation may act by written consent without a meeting unless such action is prohibited by the corporation's certificate of incorporation. |
Under the BCA, a written resolution signed by all the shareholders of a corporation who would have been entitled to vote on the resolution at a meeting is effective to approve the resolution. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Shareholder Nominations and Proposals |
Not applicable. |
Under the BCA, a shareholder entitled to vote at a shareholders' meeting may submit a shareholder proposal relating to matters which the shareholder wishes to propose and discuss at an annual shareholders' meeting and, subject to such shareholder's compliance with the prescribed time periods and other requirements of the BCA pertaining to shareholder proposals, the corporation is required to include such proposal in the information circular pertaining to any annual meeting at which it solicits proxies, subject to certain exceptions. Notice of such a proposal must be provided to the corporation at least 90 days before the anniversary date of the notice of meeting for the last annual shareholders' meeting. |
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In addition, the BCA requires that any shareholder proposal that includes nominations for the election of directors must be signed by one or more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than five per cent of the shares or five per cent of the shares of a class or series of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting to which the proposal is to be presented. |
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We also expect that our amended and restated bylaws to be adopted upon consummation of this offering will require shareholders wishing to nominate directors or propose business for a meeting of shareholders to give timely advance notice in writing, as described in our bylaws. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Shareholder Quorum and Vote Requirements |
Under the DGCL, quorum for a stock corporation is a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws specify a different quorum, but in no event may a quorum be less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote. Unless the DGCL, certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide for a greater vote, generally the required vote under the DGCL is a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy, except for the election of directors which requires a plurality of the votes cast. |
Under the BCA, unless the bylaws otherwise provide, the holders of a majority of the shares of a corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether present in person or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum. |
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Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation |
Generally, under the DGCL, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote is required to approve a proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation, following the adoption of the amendment by the board of directors of the corporation, provided that the certificate of incorporation may provide for a greater vote. Under the DGCL, holders of outstanding shares of a class or series are entitled to vote separately on an amendment to the certificate of incorporation if the amendment would have certain consequences, including changes that adversely affect the rights and preferences of such class or series. |
Under the BCA, amendments to the articles of incorporation generally require the approval of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution. Specified amendments may also require the approval of other classes of shares. If the amendment is of a nature affecting a particular class or series in a manner requiring a separate class or series vote, that class or series is entitled to vote on the amendment whether or not it otherwise carries the right to vote. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Amendment of Bylaws |
Under the DGCL, after a corporation has received any payment for any of its stock, the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws shall be vested in the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that any corporation nay, in its certificate of incorporation, provide that bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors. The fact that such power has been conferred upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws. |
Under the BCA, the directors may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any bylaws that regulates the business or affairs of the corporation. Where the directors make, amend or repeal a bylaw, they are required under the BCA to submit that action to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders and the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend that action by simple majority, or ordinary resolution. If the action is rejected by shareholders, or the directors of a corporation do not submit the action to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, the action will cease to be effective, and no subsequent resolution of the directors to make, amend or repeal a bylaw having substantially the same purpose or effect will he effective until it is confirmed. |
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Votes on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets |
The DGCL provides that, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the adoption of a merger agreement requires the approval of a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon. |
Under the BCA, certain extraordinary corporate actions, such as amalgamations (other than with certain affiliated corporations), continuances and sales, leases or exchanges of the property of a corporation if as a result of such alienation the corporation would be unable to retain a significant part of its business activities, and other extraordinary corporate actions such as liquidations, dissolutions and (if ordered by a court) arrangements, are required to be approved by "special resolution." A "special resolution" is a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution or signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution. In specified cases, a special resolution to approve the extraordinary corporate action is also required to be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares, including in certain cases a class or series of shares not otherwise carrying voting rights. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Dissenter's Rights of Appraisal |
Under the DGCL, a stockholder of a Delaware corporation generally has the right to dissent flume, merger or consolidation in which the Delaware corporation is participating, subject to specified procedural requirements, including that such dissenting stockholder does not vote in favor of the merger or consolidation. However, the DGCL does not confer appraisal rights, in certain circumstances, including if the dissenting stockholder owns shares traded on a national securities exchange and will receive publicly traded shares in the merger or consolidation. Under the DGCL, a stockholder asserting appraisal rights does not receive any payment for his or her shares until the court determines the fair value or the parties otherwise agree to a value. The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the court and assessed against the parties as the court deems equitable under the circumstances. |
The BCA provides that shareholders of a corporation are entitled to exercise dissent rights (called "the right to demand the repurchase of shares") and to be paid the fair value of their shares in connection with specified matters, including: § any amalgamation with another corporation (other than with certain affiliated corporations);
§ an amendment to the corporation's articles to add, change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the transfer of shares;
§ an amendment to the corporation's articles to add. change or remove any restriction upon the businesses or businesses that the corporation may carry on;
§ a continuance under the laws of another jurisdiction;
§ a sale, lease or exchange of the property of the corporation or of its subsidiaries if, as a result of such alienation, the corporation is unable to retain a significant part of its business activity;
§ a court order permitting a shareholder to exercise his right to demand the repurchase of his shares in connection with an application to the court for an order approving an arrangement proposed by the corporation;
§ the carrying out of a going-private transaction; and certain amendments to the articles of a corporation which require a separate class or series vote by a holder of shares of any class or series. However, a shareholder is not entitled to dissent if an amendment to the articles is effected by a court order approving reorganization or by a court order made in connection with an action for an oppression remedy. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Oppression Remedy |
The DGCL does not provide for a similar remedy. |
The BCA provides an oppression remedy (called "rectification of abuse of power or iniquity") that enables a court to make any order, whether interim or final, to rectify matters that are oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to the interests of any
securityholder, director or officer of the corporation if an application is made to a court by an "applicant". An "applicant" with respect to a corporation means any of the following: § a present or former registered holder or beneficiary of securities of the corporation or any of its affiliates; § a present or former officer or director of the corporation or any of its affiliates; and § any other person who in the discretion of the court has the interest to make the application. |
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The oppression remedy provides the court with very broad and flexible powers to intervene in corporate affairs to protect shareholders and other complainants. While conduct that is in breach of fiduciary duties of directors or that is contrary to the legal right of a complainant will normally trigger the court's jurisdiction under the oppression remedy, the exercise of that jurisdiction does not depend on a finding of a breach of those legal and equitable rights. Furthermore, the court may order a corporation to pay the interim expenses of an applicant seeking an oppression remedy, but the applicant may be held accountable for interim costs on final disposition of the complaint (as in the case of a derivative action as described in "Shareholder Derivative Actions" below). |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Shareholder Derivative Actions |
Under the DGCL, stockholders may bring derivative actions on behalf of, and for the benefit of the corporation. The plaintiff in a derivative action on behalf of the corporation either must be or have been a stockholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction or must be a stockholder who became a stockholder by operation of law in the transaction regarding which the stockholder complains. A stockholder may not sue derivatively on behalf of the corporation unless the stockholder first makes demand on the corporation that it bring suit and the demand is refused, unless it is shown that making the demand would have been a futile act. |
Under the BCA, a shareholder of a corporation may apply to a Québec court for leave to bring an action in the name of, and on behalf of, the corporation or any subsidiary, or to intervene in an existing action to which the corporation or any
of its subsidiaries is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing an action on behalf of the corporation or its subsidiary. Under the BCA, no action may be brought and no intervention in an action may be made unless a court
is satisfied that: § the shareholder has given the required 14-day notice to the directors of the corporation or the subsidiary of the shareholder's intention to apply to the court if the directors do not bring, diligently prosecute or defend or discontinue the action;
§ the shareholder is acting in good faith; and
§ it appears to be in the interests of the corporation or the relevant subsidiary that the action be brought. prosecuted, defended or discontinued. Under the BCA, the court in a derivative action may make any order it thinks fit. In addition, under the BCA, a court may order the corporation or its relevant subsidiary to pay the shareholder's interim costs, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements. Although the shareholder may he held accountable for the interim costs on final disposition of the complaint, the shareholder is not required to give security for costs in a derivative action. |
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Delaware | BCA | ||
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Anti-Takeover and Ownership Provisions |
Unless an issuer opts out of the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with a holder of 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock (as defined in Section 203), referred to as an interested stockholder, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, except as otherwise provided in Section 203. For these purposes, the term "business combination" includes mergers, assets sales and other similar transactions with an interested stockholder. |
While the BCA does not contain specific anti- takeover provisions with respect to "business combinations," rules and policies of certain Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, or Multilateral Instrument 61-101, contain requirements in connection with, among other things, 'related party transactions" and "business combinations", including, among other things, any transaction by which an issuer directly or indirectly engages in the following with a related party: acquires, sells, leases or transfers an asset, acquires the related party, acquires or issues treasury securities, amends the terms of a security if the security is owned by the related party or assumes or becomes subject to a liability or takes certain other actions with respect to debt. |
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The term "related party" includes directors, senior officers and holders of more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the issuer or holders of a sufficient number of any securities of the issuer to materially affect control of the issuer. |
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Multilateral Instrument 61-101 requires, subject to certain exceptions, the preparation of a formal valuation relating to certain aspects of the transaction and more detailed disclosure in the proxy material sent to security holders in connection with a related party transaction including related to the valuation. Multilateral Instrument 61-101 also requires, subject to certain exceptions, that an issuer not engage in a related party transaction unless the shareholders of the issuer, other than the related parties, approve the transaction by a simple majority of the votes cast. |
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common shares, and a liquid trading market for our common shares may not develop or be sustained after this offering. Future sales of our common shares, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common shares from time to time or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. As described below, only a limited number of our common shares will be available for sale in the public market for a period of several months after the completion of this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below. Future sales of our common shares in the public market either before or after restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common shares at such time and our ability to raise equity capital at a time and price we deem appropriate.
Sale of Restricted Shares
Based on the number of common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, upon the closing of this offering and assuming (i) the automatic conversion of our outstanding preferred shares into an aggregate of 93,358,257 common shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares, and (iii) no exercise of outstanding options, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately common shares. Of these shares, all of the common shares to be sold in this offering will be freely tradable in the public market without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless the shares are held by any of our "affiliates" as such term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or Rule 144 or subject to lock-up agreements. All remaining common shares held by existing shareholders immediately prior to the consummation of this offering will be "restricted securities," as such term is defined in Rule 144. These restricted securities were issued and sold by us in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or Rule 701 of the Securities Act, or Rule 701, which rules are summarized below.
As a result of the lock-up agreements referred to below and the provisions of Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act, based on the number of our common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, the common shares (excluding the shares sold in this offering) that will be available for sale in the public market are as follows:
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF SHARES
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FIRST DATE AVAILABLE FOR SALE INTO PUBLIC MARKET | |
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shares | 181 days after the date of this prospectus, upon expiration of the lock-up agreements referred to below, subject in some cases to applicable volume, manner of sale and other limitations under Rule 144 and Rule 701. |
We may issue common shares from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions, investments or other corporate purposes. In the event that any such acquisition, investment or other transaction is significant, the number of common shares that we may issue may in turn be significant. We may also grant registration rights covering those common shares issued in connection with any such acquisition and investment.
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In addition, the common shares reserved for future issuance under our 2019 Plan will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting schedules, the lock-up agreements, a registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration, including Rule 144 and Rule 701.
Rule 144
In general, persons who have beneficially owned restricted common shares for at least six months, and any affiliate of the company who owns common shares, are entitled to sell their securities without registration with the SEC under an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144.
Under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, and we are current in our Exchange Act reporting at the time of sale, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated) who is not deemed to have been one of our "affiliates" for purposes of Rule 144 at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our "affiliates," is entitled to sell those shares in the public market (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to below, if applicable) without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitations or notice provisions of Rule 144, but subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than "affiliates," then such person is entitled to sell such shares in the public market without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144 (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to below, if applicable).
In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, our "affiliates," as defined in Rule 144, who have beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, are entitled to sell in the public market, upon expiration of any applicable lock-up agreements and within any three-month period, a number of those common shares that does not exceed the greater of:
Such sales under Rule 144 by our "affiliates" or persons selling shares on behalf of our "affiliates" are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. Notwithstanding the availability of Rule 144, the holders of substantially all of our restricted securities have entered into lock-up agreements as referenced below and their restricted securities will become eligible for sale (subject to the above limitations under Rule 144) upon the expiration of the restrictions set forth in those agreements.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who acquired common shares from us in connection with a written compensatory share or option plan or other written agreement in compliance with Rule 701 before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (to the extent such common shares are not subject to a lock-up agreement) and who are not our "affiliates" as defined in Rule 144 during the immediately preceding 90 days, is entitled to rely on Rule 701 to resell such shares beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus in reliance on Rule 144, but without complying with the notice, manner of sale, public
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information requirements or volume limitation provisions of Rule 144. Persons who are our "affiliates" may resell those shares beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus without compliance with Rule 144's minimum holding period requirements (subject to the terms of the lock-up agreement referred to below, if applicable).
Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with this offering, we, our directors, our executive officers and holders of all of our other outstanding common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares outstanding upon the completion of this offering, have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, with the underwriters not to directly or indirectly offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of or hedge any common shares or any options to purchase common shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares during the period from the date of the lock-up agreement continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters, and certain other exceptions. These agreements are described in the section titled "Underwriting."
In addition to the restrictions contained in the lock-up agreements described above, we have entered into agreements with certain security holders, including the third amended and restated registration rights agreement and our standard form of option agreement, that contain market stand-off provisions imposing restrictions on the ability of such security holders to offer, sell or transfer our equity securities for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus.
Prior to the completion of the offering, certain of our employees, including our executive officers, and/or directors, may enter into written trading plans that are intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. Sales under these trading plans would not be permitted until the expiration of the lock-up agreements relating to the offering described above.
Following the lock-up periods set forth in the agreements described above, and assuming that the representatives of the underwriters do not release any parties from these agreements and that there is no extension of the lock-up period, all of the common shares that are restricted securities or are held by our affiliates as of the date of this prospectus will be eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule 144.
Registration Rights
Upon the completion of this offering, the holders of 93,358,257 common shares will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the lock-up agreements described under " Lock-Up Agreements" above. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates, immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any sales of securities by these shareholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common shares. See the section titled "Description of Share Capital Registration Rights."
Equity Incentive Plans
We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering the common shares reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plans. The registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the completion of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under the registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations and the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR U.S. HOLDERS
The following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of our common shares. It is not a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular U.S. Holder. This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds our common shares as a capital asset for U.S. federal tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder's particular circumstances, including state and local tax consequences, estate tax consequences, alternative minimum tax consequences, and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:
If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding common shares and partners in such partnerships are encouraged to consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of common shares.
U.S. Holders that own (directly, indirectly, or constructively) 10% or more of our total combined voting power or value could be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences pursuant to the controlled foreign corporation rules due to our ownership of a U.S. subsidiary. Such prospective U.S. Holders should consult with their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common shares.
The discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing, proposed and temporary U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof and the income tax treaty between Canada and the United States, or the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which may affect the tax consequences described herein possibly with retroactive effect. There can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not take a position concerning the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common shares or that such a position would not be sustained by a court.
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A "U.S. Holder" is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of common shares who is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, including meeting the Limitation on Benefits article thereof, and is:
U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning and disposing of our common shares in their particular circumstances.
THESE PARAGRAPHS ARE ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON SHARES BY U.S. PERSONS, AND ARE INTENDED AS A GENERAL GUIDE ONLY. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL POTENTIAL U.S. PERSONS WHO MAY PURCHASE OUR COMMON SHARES TO OBTAIN ADVICE IN ADVANCE OF DOING SO FROM THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON SHARES IN THEIR OWN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Based on our analysis of our income, assets, activities and market capitalization for our taxable year ending December 31, 2018, we believe that we may be classified as a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2018. Based on the expected nature and composition of our income and assets for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019, we anticipate that we may be classified as a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019. The application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects, and therefore, no assurances can be provided with respect to our PFIC status for our taxable year ending December 31, 2018 or with regard to our PFIC status in the past or in the future.
A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we are a PFIC for that year. As a result, our PFIC status may change from year to year. The total value of our assets for purposes of the asset test generally may be determined in part by reference to the market price of the common shares, which may fluctuate considerably. Fluctuations in the market price of the common shares may result in our being a PFIC for any taxable year. Because of the uncertainties involved in establishing our PFIC status, our United States tax counsel expresses no opinion regarding our PFIC status.
If we are classified as a PFIC in any year with respect to which a U.S. Holder owns common shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder in all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owns the common shares, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above unless (i) we cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. Holder has made a valid "deemed sale" election under the PFIC rules, (ii) we cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. Holder has a valid mark-to-market election in effect (as described below) or (iii) the U.S. Holder makes a valid QEF Election with respect to all taxable years during such U.S. Holders holding period in which we are a PFIC. However, a U.S. Holder may make a QEF Election with respect to our common shares only if we annually provide such U.S. Holder with certain tax information.
If we are a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2019, or any subsequent taxable years, we expect to provide U.S. Holders, upon request, a "PFIC Annual Information Statement", with the information required to allow U.S. Holders to make a QEF Election for United States federal income tax purposes.
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If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC, in lieu of the tax consequences described below, the U.S. Holder will be subject to current taxation on its pro rata share of the PFIC's ordinary earnings and net capital gain for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election with respect to us, any distributions paid by us out of our earnings and profits that were previously included in the U.S. Holder's income under the QEF Election would not be taxable to the holder. A U.S. Holder will increase its tax basis in its common shares by an amount equal to any income included under the QEF Election and will decrease its tax basis by any amount distributed on the common shares that is not included in the holder's income. In addition, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss on the disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares. U.S. Holders should note that if they make QEF Elections with respect to us and lower-tier PFICs, they may be required to pay U.S. federal income tax with respect to their common shares for any taxable year significantly in excess of any cash distributions (which are expected to be zero) received on the common shares for such taxable year. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding making QEF Elections in their particular circumstances. If a U.S. Holder does not make and maintain a QEF election for the U.S. Holder's entire holding period for our common shares by making the election for the first year in which the U.S. Holder owns our common shares pursuant to this offering, the U.S. Holder will be subject to the adverse PFIC rules discussed above unless the U.S. Holder can properly make a "purging election" with respect to our common shares in connection with the U.S. Shareholder's QEF Election. A purging election may require the U.S. Holder to recognize taxable gain on the U.S. Holder's shares. No purging election is necessary for a U.S. Holder that timely makes a QEF election for the first year in which the U.S. Holder acquired our common shares.
If the "deemed sale" election is made, a U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold the common shares the U.S. Holder holds at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described below. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the U.S. Holder's common shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and the U.S. Holder will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any "excess distribution" the U.S. Holder receives from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the common shares. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we cease to be a PFIC and such election becomes available.
For each taxable year we are treated as a PFIC with respect to U.S. Holders, U.S. Holders will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any "excess distribution" such U.S. Holder receives and any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of common shares, unless (i) such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election with respect to all taxable years of a U.S. Holder's holding period during which we are a PFIC or makes a purging election to cause a deemed sale of the common shares at their fair market value in conjunction with a QEF election or (ii) our common shares constitute "marketable" securities, and such U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election as discussed below. Distributions a U.S. Holder receives in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions a U.S. Holder received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or the U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares will be treated as excess distributions; in addition, any gain recognized from the disposition of our common shares will constitute an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
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The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or the year of an "excess distribution" cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the common shares cannot be treated as capital, even if a U.S. Holder holds the common shares as capital assets.
If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will generally be subject to similar rules with respect to distributions we receive from, and our dispositions of the shares of, any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries that also are PFICs, as if such distributions were indirectly received by, and/or dispositions were indirectly carried out by, such U.S. Holder.
If we are a PFIC, U.S. Holders can avoid the interest charge on excess distributions or gain relating to the common shares by making a mark-to-market election with respect to the common shares, provided that the common shares are "marketable." Common shares will be marketable if they are "regularly traded" on certain U.S. stock exchanges or on a foreign stock exchange that meets certain conditions. For these purposes, the common shares will be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Any trades that have as their principal purpose meeting this requirement will be disregarded. Our common shares will be listed on Nasdaq, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes. Consequently, if our common shares remain listed on Nasdaq and are regularly traded, and you are a U.S. Holder that holds our common shares, we expect the mark-to-market election would be available to you if we are a PFIC. Each U.S. Holder should consult its tax advisor as to whether a mark-to-market election is available or advisable with respect to the common shares.
A U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election must include as ordinary income for each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares. Accordingly, such mark-to-market election may accelerate the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash. An electing holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the common shares over the fair market value of the common shares at the close of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years. Gains from an actual sale or other disposition of the common shares will be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred on a sale or other disposition of the common shares will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years. Once made, the election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS, unless the common shares cease to be marketable. However, a mark-to-market election generally cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFICs that we own, unless shares of such lower-tier PFIC are themselves "marketable." As a result, even if a U.S. Holder validly makes a mark-to-market election with respect to our common shares, the U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to its indirect interest in any of our investments that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.
Unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury, each U.S. Holder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require. A U.S. Holder's failure to file the annual report will cause the statute of limitations for such U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax return to remain open with regard to the items required to be included in such report until three years after the U.S. Holder files the annual report, and, unless such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, the statute of limitations for the U.S. Holder's entire U.S. federal income tax return will remain open during such period.
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WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE IMPACT OF OUR PFIC STATUS ON YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON SHARES AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF THE PFIC RULES TO YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON SHARES.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the discussion above under "Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules," to the extent the PFIC rules do not apply otherwise, distributions paid on common shares (including any amounts withheld in respect of foreign taxes), other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares, will generally be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because we may not calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, we expect that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at preferential rates applicable to "qualified dividend income." However, the qualified dividend income treatment will not apply if we are treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder for the taxable year in which a dividend is paid or the preceding year. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will generally be included in a U.S. Holder's income on the date of the U.S. Holder's receipt of the dividend. The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt. Such gain or loss would generally be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash (and other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares or rights to acquire common shares) will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.
For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, our dividends will generally be treated as passive category income. A U.S. Holder generally may claim the amount of any Canadian withholding tax as either a deduction from gross income or a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability. However, the foreign tax credit is subject to numerous complex limitations that must be determined and applied on an individual basis.. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Subject to the discussion above under "Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules," to the extent the PFIC rules do not apply otherwise, gain or loss realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares will be capital gain or loss, and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the common shares for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. This gain or loss will generally be U.S. source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
If the consideration received by a U.S. Holder is not paid in U.S. dollars, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of the payment received determined by reference to the spot rate of exchange on the date of the sale or other disposition. However, if the common shares are treated as traded on an "established securities market" and a U.S. Holder is either a cash basis taxpayer or an accrual basis taxpayer that has made a special election (which must be applied consistently from year to year and cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS), such U.S. Holder will determine the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized in a non-U.S. dollar currency by translating the amount received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale. If a U.S. Holder is an accrual basis taxpayer that is not eligible to or does not elect to determine the amount realized using the spot rate on the settlement date, such U.S. Holder will recognize foreign currency gain or loss to the extent of any difference between the U.S. dollar amount
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realized on the date of sale or disposition and the U.S. dollar value of the currency received at the spot rate on the settlement date.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% U.S. federal income tax on all or a portion of their "net investment income," which generally includes dividends on the common shares and net gains from the disposition of the common shares. U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to them.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding (generally, by providing an IRS Form W-9).
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and, under regulations, certain entities) may be required to report information relating to the common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for common shares held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). Such U.S. Holders who fail to timely furnish the required information may be subject to a penalty. Additionally, if a U.S. Holder does not file the required information, the statute of limitations with respect to tax returns of the U.S. Holder to which the information relates may not close until three years after such information is filed.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and, under regulations, certain entities) may be required to report information relating to the common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for common shares held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). Such U.S. Holders who fail to timely furnish the required information may be subject to a penalty. Additionally, if a U.S. Holder does not file the required information, the statute of limitations with respect to tax returns of the U.S. Holder to which the information relates may not close until three years after such information is filed. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to their ownership and disposition of the common shares.
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MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is, as of the date hereof, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, collectively the Tax Act, to a purchaser who acquires, as beneficial owner, the common shares under this offering, and who, for purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times, (i) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, (ii) holds the common shares as capital property, (iii) deals at arm's length with, and is not affiliated with, the company or the underwriters, and (iv) does not use or hold and will not be deemed to use or hold, the common shares in a business carried on in Canada, hereinafter, a Non-Resident Holder. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Holder that is an "authorized foreign bank" within the meaning of the Tax Act or an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere. Any such Non-Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisor.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof, or the Proposed Amendments, the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, or the Treaty, and an understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency, or the CRA, published in writing by it prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in their current form, or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or any changes in the CRA's administrative policies or assessing practices, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action or decision, nor does it take into account or anticipate any other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.
This summary is not applicable to a Non-Resident Holder who makes or has made a "functional currency" reporting election; or that has entered or enters into a "derivative forward agreement" with respect to the common shares (each as defined in the Tax Act). Any such Non-Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisor with respect to an investment in the common shares.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any prospective purchaser or holder of the common shares, and no representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any prospective purchaser or holder are made. Consequently, prospective purchasers or holders of the common shares should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
A Non-Resident Holder who acquires the common shares will be required to allocate the purchase price between the common shares on a reasonable basis in order to determine their respective costs for purposes of the Tax Act. Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisers in this regard.
Currency Conversion
Generally, for purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of the common shares must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rates as determined in accordance with the Tax Act. The amounts subject to withholding tax and any capital gains or capital losses realized by a Non-Resident Holder may be affected by fluctuations in the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate.
Dispositions
A Non-Resident Holder generally will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition or deemed disposition of a common share, unless the common share constitutes "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of
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disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention. In addition, capital losses arising on the disposition or deemed disposition of a common share will not be recognized under the Tax Act, unless the common share constitutes "taxable Canadian property" to the Non-Resident Holder thereof for purposes of the Tax Act.
Provided the common shares are listed on a "designated stock exchange," as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the Nasdaq Stock Market), at the time of disposition, the common shares will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions are satisfied concurrently: (i) (a) the Non-Resident Holder; (b) persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm's length; (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships; or (d) any combination of the persons and partnerships described in (a) through (c), owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the shares of the company; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the shares of the company was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of: real or immovable property situated in Canada, "Canadian resource properties", "timber resource properties" (each as defined in the Tax Act), and options in respect of, or interests in or for civil law rights in, such properties, whether or not such properties exist. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in the Tax Act, the common shares could be deemed to be taxable Canadian property. Even if the common shares are taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder, such Non-Resident Holder may be exempt from tax under the Tax Act on the disposition of such common shares by virtue of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. A Non-Resident Holder contemplating a disposition of common shares that may constitute taxable Canadian property should consult a tax advisor prior to such disposition.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited on the common shares or deemed to be paid or credited on the common shares to a Non-Resident Holder by the Company are subject to Canadian withholding tax under the Tax Act at the rate of 25%, although such rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder's country of residence. For example, under the Treaty, the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited to a beneficially entitled Non-Resident Holder who is resident in the U.S. for purposes of the Treaty and who is fully entitled to the benefits of the Treaty (a "U.S. Holder") is generally limited to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5% in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation beneficially owning at least 10% of the Company's voting shares). Non-Resident Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to relief under an applicable income tax treaty.
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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated , 2019, among us and Jefferies LLC, Cowen and Company, LLC and Piper Jaffray & Co., as the representatives of the underwriters named below and the joint book-running managers of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of common shares shown opposite its name below:
Underwriter
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Number of Shares |
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Jefferies LLC |
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Cowen and Company, LLC |
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Piper Jaffray & Co. |
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Total |
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| | | | |
| | | | |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the common shares if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common shares, that you will be able to sell any of the common shares held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.
The underwriters are offering the common shares subject to their acceptance of the common shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. In addition, the underwriters have advised us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Commission and Expenses
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the common shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per common share. The underwriters may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession not in excess of $ per common share to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representatives. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
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The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.
|
Per Share | Total | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Without Option to Purchase Additional Shares |
With Option to Purchase Additional Shares |
Without Option to Purchase Additional Shares |
With Option to Purchase Additional Shares |
|||||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us |
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds to us, before expenses |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $ . We have also agreed to pay the filing fees incident to, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with, the required review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Determination of Offering Price
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our common shares. Consequently, the initial public offering price for our common shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors to be considered in these negotiations will be prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant.
We offer no assurances that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the common shares will trade in the public market subsequent to the offering or that an active trading market for the common shares will develop and continue after the offering.
Listing
We have applied to have our common shares listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol "MIST."
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of shares from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above. This option may be exercised only if the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
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No Sales of Similar Securities
We, our officers, directors and holders of our outstanding share capital and other securities have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:
This restriction terminates after the close of trading of the common shares on and including the 180th day after the date of this prospectus.
The representatives may, in their sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 180-day period release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.
Stabilization
The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales.
"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional common shares or purchasing common shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.
"Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional common shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common shares. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter's purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common shares originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.
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Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common shares. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common shares on The Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of common shares in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of common shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters' web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Activities and Relationships
The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common shares offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Canada
The common shares offered by this prospectus have not been qualified by prospectus for distribution in Canada, and may not be, directly or indirectly, offered or sold in Canada or to any residents of Canada, except in compliance with an exemption from Canadian prospectus requirements. Any sales of our common
158
shares in any province of Canada will only be made by a securities dealer appropriately registered in that province to make such sales, which may include a Canadian affiliate of one of the underwriters using a separate Canadian Offering Memorandum that will include a copy of this prospectus. Any common shares acquired may not be sold in Canada, except in compliance with Canadian prospectus requirements or an exemption therefrom.
Australia
This prospectus is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:
You confirm and warrant that you are either:
To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.
You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the shares issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.
European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, each referred to herein as a Relevant Member State, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, referred to herein as the Relevant Implementation Date, no offer of any securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus has been or will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than any offer where a prospectus has been or will be published in relation to such securities that has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the relevant competent authority in that Relevant Member State in accordance with the Prospectus
Directive, except that with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, an offer of such securities may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State:
provided that no such offer of securities shall require the company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Hong Kong
No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong, or SFO, and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, or CO, or which do not constitute an offer to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.
This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.
Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In the State of Israel, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with section 15A of the Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals", each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors will be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
Japan
The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the Initial Purchaser will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means, unless otherwise provided herein, any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly
160
or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Singapore
This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or the invitation for subscription or purchase of the securities may not be issued, circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person as defined under Section 275(2), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the common shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, or FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
161
United Kingdom
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, referred to herein as the Order, and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated. Each such person is referred to herein as a Relevant Person.
This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
162
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering relating to U.S. law will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP. The validity of the issuance of our common shares offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Montréal, Canada. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, New York, New York, with respect to U.S. law, and by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, with respect to Canadian law.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 included in this registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES
We are incorporated under the laws of Canada. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, several of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets may be located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce against them or against us, judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. In addition, investors should not assume that the courts of Canada (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us, our officers or directors, or other said persons, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or such directors, officers or experts predicated upon the United States federal securities laws or any securities or other laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States.
In addition, there is doubt as to the applicability of the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities law to original actions instituted in Canada. It may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities laws claims in original actions instituted in Canada.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act, with respect to the common shares being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the common shares offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.
You may read our SEC filings, including this registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Upon the completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available on the website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.milestonepharmaceuticals.com, at which, following the completion of this offering, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiary (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the related consolidated statements of loss, comprehensive loss, shareholders' deficit and convertible preferred shares and cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements").
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of 2018 and 2017 and its results of operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP(1)
Montréal, Québec, Canada
February 18, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016.
F-2
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of US dollars, except share data)
|
Years Ended December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Assets |
|||||||
Current assets |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 10,880 | $ | 85,947 | |||
Short-term investments (note 13) |
16,032 | 29 | |||||
Research and development tax credits receivable |
427 | 290 | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
100 | 1,398 | |||||
Other receivables (note 3) |
116 | 387 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
27,555 | 88,051 | |||||
Property and equipment (note 4) |
35 |
30 |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
Total assets |
$ | 27,590 | $ | 88,081 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities |
|||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 5) |
$ | 1,601 | $ | 4,477 | |||
Income taxes payable |
4 | 56 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
1,605 | 4,533 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Convertible Preferred Shares (note 6) |
|||||||
Class A1 preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 1,979,924 shares issued |
2,027 | 2,027 | |||||
Class A2 preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 13,000,000 shares issued |
12,643 | 12,643 | |||||
Class B preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 15,058,529 shares issued |
17,198 | 17,198 | |||||
Class C preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 20,143,569 shares issued |
27,236 | 27,236 | |||||
Class D1 preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 36,667,231 shares issued |
| 64,719 | |||||
Class D2 preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 6,509,004 shares issued |
| 14,935 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total convertible preferred shares |
59,104 | 138,758 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Shareholders' Deficit (note 7) |
|||||||
Share capital |
|||||||
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, |
1,228 | 2,039 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital |
2,372 | 2,655 | |||||
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(1,634 | ) | (1,634 | ) | |||
Accumulated deficit |
(35,085 | ) | (58,270 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' deficit |
(33,119 | ) | (55,210 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities, convertible preferred shares and shareholders' deficit |
$ | (27,590 | ) | $ | 88,081 | ||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Commitments (note 11) |
|||||||
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
|
Years Ended December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||
Research and development, net of tax credits (note 10) |
$ | 5,636 | $ | 16,849 | |||
General and administrative |
1,502 | 3,052 | |||||
Commercial activities |
1,130 | 3,921 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(8,268 | ) | (23,822 | ) | |||
Interest income, net of bank charges |
186 |
711 |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
Loss and comprehensive loss before income taxes |
(8,082 | ) | (23,111 | ) | |||
Income tax expense (note 9) |
4 |
74 |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year |
$ | (8,086 | ) | $ | (23,185 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
1,259,346 | 1,697,935 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (note 8) |
$ | (6.42 | ) | $ | (13.65 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit and Convertible Preferred Shares
(in thousands of US dollars, except share data)
|
Common Shares | Convertible Preferred Shares | |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Class A1 | Class A2 | Class B | Class C | Class D1 | Class D2 | |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Additional paid-in capital |
Cumulative translation adjustment |
Accumulated deficit |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
1,176,973 | $ | 1,191 | 1,979,924 | $ | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | $ | 12,643 | 12,015,050 | $ | 13,732 | | | | | | | $ | 2,199 | $ | (1,634 | ) | $ | (26,999 | ) | $ | 3,159 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (8,086 | ) | (8,086 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class B preferred shares, net of share issuance costs (note 5) |
| | | | | | 3,043,479 | 3,466 | | | | | | | | | | 3,466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class C preferred shares, net of share issuance costs (note 5) |
| | | | | | | | 20,143,569 | $ | 27,236 | | | | | | | | 27,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options (note 6) |
99,705 | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | | (17 | ) | | | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation (note 6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | 190 | | | 190 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
1,276,678 | $ | 1,228 | 1,979,924 | $ | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | $ | 12,643 | 15,058,529 | $ | 17,198 | 20,143,569 | $ | 27,236 | | | | | $ | 2,372 | $ | (1,634 | ) | $ | (35,085 | ) | $ | 25,985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transactions in 2018 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (23,185 | ) | (23,185 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class C preferred shares, net of share issuance costs (note 6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class D1 preferred shares, net of share issuance costs (note 6) |
| | | | | | | | | 36,667,231 | $ | 64,719 | | | | | | 64,719 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class D2 preferred shares, net of share issuance costs (note 6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6,509,004 | $ | 14,935 | | | | 14,935 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options (note 7) |
1,897,984 | 811 | | | | | | | | | | | | (350 | ) | | | 461 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation (note 7) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | 633 | | | 633 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
3,174,662 | $ | 2,039 | 1,979,924 | $ | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | $ | 12,643 | 15,058,529 | $ | 17,198 | 20,143,569 | $ | 27,236 | 36,667,231 | $ | 64,719 | 6,509,004 | $ | 14,935 | $ | 2,655 | $ | (1,634 | ) | $ | (58,270 | ) | $ | 83,548 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of US dollars)
|
Years Ended December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
Cash flows from |
|||||||
Operating activities |
|||||||
Net loss for the year |
$ | (8,086 | ) | $ | (23,185 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|||||||
Amortization of property and equipment |
8 | 10 | |||||
Share-based compensation expense (note 7) |
190 | 633 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||||||
Other receivables |
(86 | ) | (271 | ) | |||
Research and development tax credits receivable |
233 | 137 | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
(93 | ) | (1,298 | ) | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(222 | ) | 2,876 | ||||
Income taxes payable |
4 | 52 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities |
(8,052 | ) | (21,046 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Investing activities |
|||||||
Acquisition of property and equipment |
(36 | ) | (5 | ) | |||
Redemption of short-term investments |
45 | 19,032 | |||||
Acquisition of short-term investments |
(16,032 | ) | (3,029 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
(16,023 | ) | 15,998 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Financing activities |
|||||||
Issuance of Class B preferred shares (note 6) |
3,500 | | |||||
Issuance of Class C preferred shares (note 6) |
27,500 | | |||||
Issuance of Class D1 preferred shares (note 6) |
| 65,000 | |||||
Issuance of Class D2 preferred shares (note 6) |
| 15,000 | |||||
Issuance of common shares on exercise of share options (note 7) |
20 | 461 | |||||
Share issuance costs (note 6) |
(298 | ) | (346 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
30,722 | 80,115 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year |
6,647 | 75,067 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of year |
4,233 |
10,880 |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents End of year |
$ | 10,880 | $ | 85,947 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
1 Organization and nature of operations
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Milestone or the Company) is a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act of Québec. Milestone is dedicated to developing and commercializing etripamil for the treatment of cardiovascular indications. Etripamil is a novel, potent short-acting calcium channel blocker that the Company designed and is developing as a rapid-onset nasal spray to be administered by the patient to terminate episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia as they occur.
2 Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. was incorporated on March 3, 2017. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Basis of presentation and use of accounting estimates
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, research and development tax credits recoverable, research and development expenses, and share-based compensation. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences may be material.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements through February 18, 2019, the date at which the consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we reclassified $1,130 of expenses to commercial activities that had previously been classified as general and administrative expenses for comparative purposes. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders' deficit.
Segment information
The Company manages its operations as a single operating segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions. As of December 31, 2018, all of the Company's long-lived assets were domiciled in Canada.
F-7
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash with original maturities of three months or less at acquisition date.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments are recorded at fair value and are comprised of guaranteed investment certificates with a maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year and, as such, are classified as current assets. It is the Company's intent to hold these investments to maturity.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities classified as held to maturity. The Company maintains deposits in federal financial institutions. Management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. Additionally, the Company has adopted an investment policy that includes guidelines relative to credit quality, diversification of maturities and liquidity.
Currency Risk
The Company is exposed to currency risk due to financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies. The Company is exposed to the Canadian dollar currency risk and does not enter into arrangements to hedge its currency risk exposure.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated amortization. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are recorded to expense as incurred. The Company reviews its property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of certain assets might not be recoverable and recognizes an impairment loss when it is probable that an asset's realizable value is less than the carrying value. To date, no such impairment losses have been recorded. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
Computer hardware and software |
3 years | |
Office equipment |
5 years | |
Furniture and fixtures |
5 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
3 years |
Share issuance costs
Share issuance costs applicable to the issuance of equity instruments are recorded as a reduction of the financing equity proceeds.
F-8
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Research and development and investment tax credits
Research and development costs are charged against income in the period of expenditure. The Company's research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and fees paid to contract research organizations (CROs) and to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).
Clinical trial expenses include direct costs associated with CROs, direct CMO costs for the formulation and packaging of clinical trial material, as well as investigator and patient-related costs at sites at which the Company's trials are being conducted. Direct costs associated with the Company's CROs and CMOs are generally payable on a time-and-materials basis, or when milestones are achieved. The invoicing from clinical trial sites can lag several months. The Company records expenses for its clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon estimates of the percentage of work completed of the total work over the life of the individual study in accordance with agreements established with CROs and clinical trial sites. The Company determines the estimates through discussions with internal clinical personnel, CROs and CMOs as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services based on facts and circumstances known to the Company as of each consolidated balance sheet date. The actual costs and timing of clinical trials are highly uncertain, subject of risks and may change depending upon a number of factors, including the Company's clinical development plan. If the actual timing of the performance of services of the level of effort varies from the estimate, the Company will adjust the accrual accordingly. Adjustments to prior period estimates have not been material.
The Company recognizes the benefit of Canadian research and development tax credits as a reduction of research and development costs for fully refundable investment tax credits and as a reduction of income taxes for investment tax credits that can only be claimed against income taxes payable when there is reasonable assurance that the claim will be recovered.
Income taxes
The provision for income taxes is computed using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. Tax benefits related to tax positions not deemed to meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold are not permitted to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
Foreign currency translations
The functional currency of the Company is the US dollar. Accordingly, transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are measured and recorded in the functional currency at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the transactions. At each consolidated balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured using the exchange rate in effect at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities and revenue and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the dates of the respective transactions. Any gains or losses arising on remeasurement are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
F-9
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Share-based compensation
The Company has a share-based compensation plan which is described in detail in note 6 and records all share-based payments, including grants of employee share options, at their fair values. The fair value of share options granted to employees and non-employees is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which equals the vesting period, using the straight-line method. Forfeitures, if any, are recorded as they occur. Any consideration paid by employees on exercising share options and the corresponding portion previously credited to contributed surplus are credited to share capital. The Black-Scholes option pricing model used by the Company to calculate option values was developed to estimate fair value.
Redeemable convertible preferred shares
The Company classifies shares that are redeemable at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date outside of permanent equity. The redeemable convertible preferred shares are classified outside of shareholders' deficit because the shares contain certain redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company. The Company records convertible preferred shares at fair value upon issuance, net of any issuance costs or discounts.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other standards-setting bodies, and they are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date.
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases. Under the new standard, lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs.
For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance.
Operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current operating leases) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current capital leases). Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. Extensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, will be required to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing contracts. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and provides for certain practical expedients. Transition will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB amended the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to non-employees. Under the revised guidance, the accounting for awards issued to non-employees will be
F-10
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Recently issued accounting pronouncements (Continued)
similar to the accounting for employee awards. This includes allowing for the measurement of awards at the grant date and recognition of awards with performance conditions when those conditions are probable both of which are earlier than under current guidance for non-employee awards. The new standard maintains or establishes certain specific guidance for non-employee awards on attribution of cost, requiring that an asset or expense be recognized in the same period and in the same manner as if the grantor had paid cash equal to the value of the award; and inputs to the option pricing model, providing an entity a policy choice to use the contractual term of an award as the expected term assumptions. The changes should reduce complexity and may also reduce volatility in the recognition of compensation cost for non-employee awards. The new guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
3 Other receivables
Other receivables at December 31 are comprised of:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Interest receivable |
$ | 44 | $ | 178 | |||
Sales tax receivable |
72 | 209 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
$ | 116 | $ | 387 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
4 Property and equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer hardware and software |
$ | 4 | $ | 9 | |||
Office equipment |
28 | 28 | |||||
Leasehold improvements |
4 | 4 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 36 | $ | 41 | |||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
1 | 11 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net |
$ | 35 | $ | 30 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not record any write off (in 2017, the Company wrote off fully amortized assets with a cost of $35). For the year ended December 31, 2018, amortization expense was $10 (in 2017, amortization expense was $8) and was included in research and development expense.
F-11
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
5 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities comprised the following as of December 31:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade accounts payable |
$ | 819 | $ | 2,603 | |||
Accrued research and development liabilities |
132 | 1,012 | |||||
Other accrued liabilities |
156 | 164 | |||||
Accrued compensation and benefits payable |
494 | 698 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
$ | 1,601 | $ | 4,477 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
6 Convertible preferred shares
The Company's Class A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2 redeemable convertible preferred shares (collectively known as "Convertible Preferred Shares") allow the holders to redeem their shares upon a change in control in the Company. As a result, the Company classifies its Convertible Preferred Shares as mezzanine equity. The Company charges specific incremental issuance costs incurred in the offering of Convertible Preferred Shares against the gross proceeds of the Convertible Preferred Shares.
Authorized
An unlimited number of Class A1 preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, annual non-cumulative dividend of 8% in preference to the holders of common shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class A1 preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any dividend paid on common shares. The Class A1 preferred shares are subject to a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than C$1.00
An unlimited number of Class A2 preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, preferential non-cumulative dividend of 8% pari passu with the Class B preferred shares and in preference to the holders of Class A1 preferred shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class A2 preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any dividend paid on common shares. The Class A2 preferred shares are subject to a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than C$1.00
An unlimited number of Class B preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, preferential non-cumulative dividend of 8% pari passu with the Class A2 preferred shares and in preference to the holders of Class A1 preferred shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class B preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any dividend paid on common shares. The Class B preferred shares are subject to
F-12
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
6 Convertible preferred shares (Continued)
a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than $1.15
An unlimited number of Class C preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, preferential non-cumulative dividend of 8% to the Class B and A2 preferred shares and in preference to the holders of Class A1 preferred shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class B preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any dividend paid on common shares. The Class C preferred shares are subject to a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than $1.3652
An unlimited number of Class D1 preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, preferential non -cumulative dividend of 8% pari passu with the Class D2 preferred shares, and in preference to the holders of the Class C, Class B, Class A2 and Class A1 preferred shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class D1 preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any non-cumulative dividend paid on common shares. The Class D1 preferred shares are subject to a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than $1.7727.
An unlimited number of Class D2 preferred shares, voting based on the number of common shares into which they could be converted, preferential non-cumulative dividend of 8% pari passu with the Class D1 preferred shares, and in preference to the holders of the Class C, Class B, Class A2 and Class A1 preferred shares calculated on their issue price. In addition, the Class D2 preferred shares are eligible to their pro rata shares, on an as-converted basis, to any non-cumulative dividend paid on common shares. The Class D2 preferred shares are subject to a weighted average antidilution adjustment in the event of a common share issuance at a price per share lower than $2.3045.
The Company has early adopted the guidance on down round features from ASU 2017-11 with respect to the antidilution adjustments for the Class A1, Class A2, Class B, Class C, Class D1 and D2 preferred shares.
The Class A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2 preferred shares are automatically converted into common shares at the applicable conversion price upon (i) closing of a qualified initial public offering at a price per share based on a pre-money valuation of the Company of at least $250,000 and resulting in gross proceeds of at least $60,000, whereby the shares would be listed on one or more Recognized Stock Exchanges; and (ii) the election to convert by a majority of the Class A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2 preferred shares. The current conversion rate of Class A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2 preferred shares into common shares is 1:1.
The holders of the Company's Convertible Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive non-cumulative dividends at the rate of 8% of the purchase price per annum in preference to any dividends to the holders of the common shares, payable as and if when declared by the Board of Directors. The Board has not declared any dividends as of December 31, 2018. The holders of the Convertible Preferred Shares also will be entitled to participate pro rata in any dividends paid to the holders of the common shares on an as-converted basis.
Upon the liquidation of the Company, the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, as of December 31, 2018, in preference to the holders of the common stock and in order of priority, an
F-13
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
6 Convertible preferred shares (Continued)
amount equal to $2.34 per share for Series D2 Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.80 per share for Series D1 Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.49 per share for Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.38 per share for Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.45 per share for Series A2 Convertible Preferred Stock and $1.66 per share for Series A1 Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Liquidation Preference"). Following payment in full to the holders of preferred shares of all amounts distributable to them, the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of the Company's share capital shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among (i) the holders of any preferred shares convertible into common shares of the Company on an as if converted basis; and (ii) the holders of the common shares.
The holders of 70% of Class A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2 preferred shares, voting as a single class, may require that the Company redeem the preferred shared at the earlier of a sale or an exclusive license of all or substantially all intellectual property of the Company or all of the assets and the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Class D preferred shares. The redemption price will be the higher of the liquidation preference or the fair market value of such preferred shares. Class A1 preferred shares may only be redeemed once Class A2, B, C, D1 and D2 preferred shares are fully redeemed.
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Company issued the following Convertible Preferred Shares:
F-14
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
6 Convertible preferred shares (Continued)
|
Preferred shares | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Class A1 | Class A2 | Class B | Class C | Class D1 | Class D2 | |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Number of shares |
Amount | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
1,979,924 | $ | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | $ | 12,643 | 12,015,050 | $ | 13,732 | | | | | | | $ | 28,402 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Class B preferred shares, net of share issuance costs |
| | | | 3,043,479 | 3,466 | | | | | | | 3,466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class C preferred shares, net of share issuance costs |
| | | | | | 20,143,569 | $ | 27,236 | | | | | 27,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
1,979,924 | $ | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | $ | 12,643 | 15,058,529 | $ | 17,198 | 20,143,569 | $ | 27,236 | | | | | $ | 59,104 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuances in 2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class D1 preferred shares, net of share issuance costs |
| | | | | | | | 36,667,231 | $ | 64,719 | | | 64,719 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class D2 preferred shares, net of share issuance costs |
| | | | | | | | | | 6,509,004 | $ | 14,935 | 14,935 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
1,979,924 | 2,027 | 13,000,000 | 12,643 | 15,058,529 | 17,198 | 20,143,569 | 27,236 | 36,667,231 | $ | 64,719 | 6,509,004 | $ | 14,935 | 138,758 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
7 Shareholders' deficit
Authorized share capital
An unlimited number of common shares, voting and participating, without par value.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued a total of 1,897,984 common shares (in 2017, 99,705) for a total cash consideration of $461 (in 2017, $20) pursuant to the exercise of 1,897,984 stock options (in 2017, 99,705) at an average exercise price of $0.242 per option (in 2017, $0.20 per option). As a result, an amount of $350 (in 2017, $17) previously included in additional paid-in capital related to the exercised options has been credited to share capital and deducted from additional paid-in capital.
Additional paid-in capital
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opening balance |
$ | 2,199 | $ | 2,372 | |||
Share-based compensation expense |
190 | 633 | |||||
Exercise of stock options |
(17 | ) | (350 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Closing balance |
$ | 2,372 | $ | 2,655 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Share-based compensation
On October 15, 2018, the Company amended for a third time and restated the share option plan (the 2011 Plan) whereby options to purchase common shares of the Company's shares may be granted to directors, officers, employees, consultants and members of the scientific advisory board. The 2011 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors determines the number of options to be granted, the vesting period and the exercise price of new options. It is the Company's policy to establish the
F-15
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
7 Shareholders' deficit (Continued)
exercise price at an amount that approximates the fair value of the underlying shares on the date of grant as determined by the Board of Directors.
Under the 2011 Plan, unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, options vest and are exercisable as follows: 25% are exercisable from the first anniversary of grant date and 2.0833% become available at the end of each month after the first anniversary of grant date.
As of December 31, 2018, there were 15,558,515 options available for awards under the 2011 Plan, of which 12,208,435 options were granted, leaving 3,350,080 available for future grant. The outstanding and exercisable options at December 31 were as follows:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number of shares |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of shares |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||||
Outstanding at beginning of period |
3,770,639 | $ | 0.201 | 5,153,718 | $ | 0.213 | |||||||
Forfeited/expired |
| | (64,886 | ) | 0.206 | ||||||||
Granted |
1,482,784 | 0.285 | 9,017,587 | 0.383 | |||||||||
Exercised |
(99,705 | ) | 0.200 | (1,897,984 | ) | 0.242 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at end of period |
5,153,718 | $ | 0.213 | 12,208,435 | $ | 0.333 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at end of period |
2,754,109 | $ | 0.190 | 3,132,099 | $ | 0.247 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average remaining contractual life was 8.6 years (for 2017, 7.9 years). The weighted average remaining contractual life was 6.6 years for vested options (for 2017, 7.0 years). 64,886 options were forfeited for the year ended December 31, 2018 (for 2017, zero).
Options granted are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Amortization of the fair value of the options over vesting years has been expensed and credited to additional paid-in capital in shareholders' deficit. The weighted average fair values of options granted in 2018 was $0.275 per share (for 2017, $0.197). Share-based compensation expense recognized for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $633 (in 2017, $190).
As of December 31, 2018, there was $2,402 (for 2017, $651) of total unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested share options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 3.1 years (for 2017, 2.5 years).
F-16
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
7 Shareholders' deficit (Continued)
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number of options |
Weighted average fair value |
Number of options |
Weighted average fair value |
|||||||||
Non-vested share options at beginning of period |
2,217,035 | $ | 0.178 | 2,399,609 | $ | 0.193 | |||||||
Forfeited/expired |
| | (64,886 | ) | 0.200 | ||||||||
Granted |
1,482,784 | 0.197 | 9,017,587 | 0.275 | |||||||||
Vested, outstanding |
(1,300,210 | ) | $ | 0.173 | (2,275,974 | ) | $ | 0.278 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-vested share options at end of period |
2,399,609 | $ | 0.193 | 9,076,336 | $ | 0.253 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
The following table summarizes information with respect to share options outstanding as of December 31, 2018:
|
Options outstanding | Options exercisable | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise price
|
Number of options |
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of options |
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||||||||
C$0.18 |
1,279,977 | 4.2 | $ | 0.132 | 1,279,977 | 4.2 | $ | 0.132 | |||||||||||
$0.21 |
1,443,229 | 7.3 | 0.210 | 660,739 | 6.9 | 0.210 | |||||||||||||
$0.29 |
5,188,263 | 9.1 | 0.290 | 618,466 | 8.6 | 0.290 | |||||||||||||
$0.36 |
440,300 | 9.6 | 0.360 | | | | |||||||||||||
$0.50 |
3,856,666 | 9.9 | 0.500 | 572,917 | 9.8 | 0.500 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
12,208,435 | 8.6 | $ | 0.333 | 3,132,099 | 6.6 | $ | 0.247 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
The fair value of share-based payment transaction is measured using Black-Scholes valuation model. This model also requires assumptions, including expected option life, volatility, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield, which greatly affect the calculated values.
F-17
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
7 Shareholders' deficit (Continued)
The fair value of options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, resulting in the following weighted average assumptions for the options granted for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise price |
$ | 0.285 | $ | 0.383 | |||
Share price |
$ | 0.285 | $ | 0.383 | |||
Volatility |
82 | % | 82 | % | |||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.90 | % | 2.84 | % | |||
Expected life |
5.72 years | 6.25 years | |||||
Dividend |
0 | % | 0 | % | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Expected volatility is determined using comparable companies for which the information is publicly available. The risk-free interest rate is determined based on the US sovereign rates benchmark in effect at the time of grant with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. Expected option life is determined based on the simplified method as the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The simplified method is an average of the contractual term of the options and its ordinary vesting period. Dividend yield is based on the share option's exercise price and expected annual dividend rate at the time of grant.
Share-based payment awards with performance targets attainable after the requisite service period are treated as performance conditions that affect vesting. No compensation expense is recorded related to an award for which the transfer to the employee is contingent on the attainment of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met.
The Company recognized share-based compensation expense as follows at December 31, 2017 and 2018:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Administration |
$ | 83 | $ | 209 | |||
Research and development |
107 | 371 | |||||
Commercial activities |
| 53 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
$ | 190 | $ | 633 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
8 Net loss per share
Basic and diluted net loss per common share is determined by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares during the period. The outstanding convertible preferred shares and share-based compensation have been excluded from the calculation because their effects would be anti-dilutive. Therefore the weighted average number of shares used to calculate both basic and diluted loss per share are the same.
F-18
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
8 Net loss per share (Continued)
The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, as they would be anti-dilutive:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redeemable convertible preferred shares |
50,182,022 | 93,358,257 | |||||
Share options and unvested restricted share awards |
5,153,718 | 12,208,435 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
55,335,740 | 105,566,692 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Amounts in the table above reflect the common share equivalents of the noted instruments.
9 Income taxes
A reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting income multiplied by the basic income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 is as follows:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss before income taxes |
$ | (8,082 | ) | $ | (23,111 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Basic income tax rate |
26.79 | % | 26.67 | % | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Computed income tax recovery |
(2,165 | ) | (6,164 | ) | |||
Effect on income tax rate resulting from |
|||||||
Accounting charges not deductible for tax purposes |
10 | 12 | |||||
Non-deductible share-based compensation |
51 | 169 | |||||
Unrecorded potential tax benefits of current period losses and other tax assets |
2,103 | 6,183 | |||||
Non-refundable investment tax credit used (earned) in the year |
17 | (145 | ) | ||||
Other |
(12 | ) | 19 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Income tax expense reported in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss |
$ | 4 | $ | 74 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
The Company has incurred Canadian federal and provincial net operating losses (NOL) from inception. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has NOL carry-forwards of approximately $46,355 and $45,704, respectively, for Canadian federal and Québec purposes, available to reduce future taxable income, which expire beginning in 2027 through 2038. The Company has no NOLs for U.S. tax purposes. The Company also has scientific research and experimental development expenditures of approximately $5,828 and $7,972, respectively, for Canadian federal and Québec income tax purposes, which have not been deducted. These expenditures are available to reduce future taxable income and have an unlimited carry-forward period. Research and development tax credits and expenditures are subject to verification by the tax authorities, and, accordingly, these amounts may vary.
F-19
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
9 Income taxes (Continued)
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The net deferred tax assets have not been recognized in these financial statements because the criteria for recognition of these assets were not met.
The Company's deferred tax assets consist of the following for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net operating loss carry-forwards |
6,621 | 12,209 | |||||
Tax basis of property and equipment in excess of carrying values |
91 | 93 | |||||
Federal SR&ED investment tax credits |
128 | 273 | |||||
Taxation of federal SR&ED investment tax credits |
(33 | ) | (72 | ) | |||
Research and development expenditures |
1,378 | 1,791 | |||||
Financing costs |
82 | 138 | |||||
Others |
3 | 21 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total gross deferred tax assets |
8,270 | 14,453 | |||||
Valuation allowance |
(8,270 | ) | (14,453 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax assets |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
The Company files income tax returns in Canada and the United States. The Company is subject to Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec examination for fiscal years 2014 to 2018 due to unexpired statute of limitation periods and is subject to US Federal and state income tax examination for fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
10 Government assistance
The Company incurred research and development expenditures that are eligible for investment tax credits. The investment tax credits recorded are based on management's estimates of amounts expected to be recovered and are subject to audit by the taxation authorities. These amounts (expressed in thousands of US dollars) have been recorded as a reduction of research and development expenditures for an amount of $257 for the year ended December 31, 2018 (for 2017, $523).
F-20
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
11 Commitments
Facility lease
The Company has a lease commitment for its headquarters located in Ville Saint-Laurent, Quebec, expiring on November 30, 2020 with an option to renew for an additional three years and a commitment for its office located in Charlotte, North Carolina, expiring on July 30, 2019. The minimum lease payments for the next two years are as follows:
|
Lease operating expenses |
Lease base rent expenses |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 |
$ | 86 | $ | 130 | |||
2020 |
79 | 85 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
$ | 165 | $ | 215 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Total rental expense under operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $232 (for 2017, $77).
12 Currency risk
The Company is exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates and the degree of volatility of those rates. The foreign currency risk is limited to the portion of the Company's business transactions denominated in currency other than US dollars. The following table provides an indication of the Company's exposure to the Canadian dollar, which is expressed in US dollars as of December 31:
|
2017 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash |
$ | 149 | $ | 246 | |||
Short-term investments |
32 | 29 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
470 | 538 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net financial position exposure |
$ | 651 | $ | 813 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
The Company does not enter into arrangements to hedge its currency risk exposure.
13 Fair value of financial instruments
Pursuant to the accounting guidance for fair value measurement and its subsequent updates, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring the use of observable market data when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on active market data. Unobservable
F-21
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)
13 Fair value of financial instruments (Continued)
inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The fair value hierarchy is broken down into the three input levels summarized below:
Level 1 | | Valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and readily accessible by the Company at the reporting date. | ||
Level 2 |
|
Valuations based on inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly in active markets. |
||
Level 3 |
|
Valuations based on unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. |
The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for all its financial assets (by major security type measured at fair value on a recurring basis) for the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2018:
December 31, 2018
|
Estimated fair value $ |
Level 1 $ |
Level 2 $ |
Level 3 $ |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||||||
Guaranteed investment certificates |
29 | 29 | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
December 31, 2017
|
Estimated fair value $ |
Level 1 $ |
Level 2 $ |
Level 3 $ |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||||||
Guaranteed investment certificates |
16,032 | 16,032 | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
F-22
Common Shares
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Joint Book-Running Managers
Jefferies
Cowen
Piper Jaffray
, 2019
Through and including , 2019 (the 25th day after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that buy, sell or trade common shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the sale of our common shares being registered. All amounts are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee and The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, listing fee.
ITEM
|
AMOUNT | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
SEC registration fee |
$ | 10,454 | ||
FINRA filing fee |
13,438 | |||
Nasdaq listing fee |
125,000 | |||
Printing expenses |
* | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
Transfer agent fees and expenses |
* | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
* | |||
| | | | |
Total |
$ | * | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Under the Business Corporations Act (Québec), or the BCA, and our amended and restated by-laws, we must indemnify our current or former directors and officers, agents or any other individuals who act or has acted at our request as a director or officer of a related entity, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by such individual in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which such individual is involved because of his or her association with us or a related entity. The BCA also provides that we may, with the approval of the court, also make an advance payment to such individual for costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding, provided, however, that such individual shall repay such payment if he or she does not fulfill the conditions described below.
Indemnification is prohibited under the BCA unless the individual:
The BCA and our by-laws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of each of our current or former directors or officers and other agents and each person who acts or acted at our request as a director, officer or other agents or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.
In addition, we have entered, or intend to enter, into separate indemnity agreements with each of our directors and officers pursuant to which we agree to indemnify and hold harmless our directors and officers
II-1
against any and all liability, loss, damage, cost or expense in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BCA and our by-laws.
The Registrant has purchased and currently intends to maintain insurance on behalf of each and every person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.
The form of Underwriting Agreement for this initial public offering provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers and directors who sign this Registration Statement for specified liabilities, including matters arising under the Securities Act.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
The following list sets forth information as to all securities we have sold since January 1, 2016 up to the date of the prospectus that is a part of this registration statement:
The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraph (1) were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 in that the transactions were under compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of such securities were employees, directors or bona fide consultants of the Registrant and received the securities under the 2011 Plan. Appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about the Registrant.
The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraphs (2) through (4) above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about the Registrant. No underwriters or placement agents were involved in these transactions.
II-2
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this registration statement.
II-3
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada on April 12, 2019.
|
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | |||
|
By: |
/s/ JOSEPH OLIVETO |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph Oliveto and Timothy L. Maness, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with the full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
|
TITLE
|
DATE
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ JOSEPH OLIVETO Joseph Oliveto |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 12, 2019 | ||
/s/ TIMOTHY L. MANESS Timothy L. Maness |
Vice President, Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
April 12, 2019 |
||
/s/ MARCO BOORSMA Marco Boorsma |
Director |
April 12, 2019 |
||
/s/ PAUL EDICK Paul Edick |
Director |
April 12, 2019 |
SIGNATURE
|
TITLE
|
DATE
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ NILESH KUMAR Nilesh Kumar |
Director | April 12, 2019 | ||
/s/ DEBRA K. LIEBERT Debra K. Liebert |
Director |
April 12, 2019 |
||
/s/ MICHAEL TOMSICEK Michael Tomsicek |
Director |
April 12, 2019 |
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/s/ PAUL TRUEX Paul Truex |
Director |
April 12, 2019 |
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the Securities Act, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto on the 12th day of April, 2019.
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MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS USA, INC. | |||
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By: |
/s/ JOSEPH OLIVETO |
ARTICLES
OF
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTIQUES INC.
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
(the Corporation)
SCHEDULE 1
The Articles of the Corporation are amended as follows:
The provisions relating to the authorized share capital of the Corporation, as provided for in the Articles of the Corporation, are amended:
a) by creating an unlimited number of Class D1 Preferred Shares with an issuance price of $1.7727 per Class D1 Preferred Share and an unlimited number of Class D2 Preferred Shares with an issuance price of $2.3045 per Class D2 Preferred Share; and
b) by repealing the current share capital of the Corporation and replacing same with Schedule 1A attached to these articles of amendment, in order to provide for the existing shares and the newly created Class D1 Preferred Shares and Class D2 Preferred Shares, such that upon the issuance of a Certificate of Amendment in respect of these articles of amendment, the Corporation will be authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares, an unlimited number of Class A1 Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class A2 Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class B Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class C Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class D1 Preferred Shares and an unlimited number of Class D2 Preferred Shares, having the rights and restrictions substantially as described in Schedule 1A attached hereto.
SCHEDULE 1A
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
The authorized share capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares, an unlimited number of Class A1 Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class A2 Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class B Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class C Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class D1 Preferred Shares and an unlimited number of Class D2 Preferred Shares, all without par value, having the following rights and restrictions:
1. DEFINITIONS
Act means the Business Corporations Act (Québec), as amended from time to time;
Additional Common Shares means all Shares issued or deemed (including, under Section 3.9.2) to be issued by the Corporation after the Effective Date, other than:
(a) Common Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of Preferred Shares;
(b) Common Shares issuable under any employee stock option plan, share purchase plan or similar incentive plan, in each case as adopted by the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the shareholders agreement then in force;
(c) Shares issued or issuable in connection with bona fide (i) business acquisitions by the Corporation, (ii) loans, equipment leases or other debt financing transactions, (iii) technology licenses, vendor or customer relationships or (iv) similar non-equity financing transactions approved by the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the shareholders agreement then in force;
(d) Common Shares issuable upon a QIPO;
(e) Shares issued or issuable pursuant to the Subscription Agreement; and
(f) Shares issued or issuable in connection with any transaction for which adjustment is made under Section 3.9.6, 3.9.7 or 3.9.8 hereof;
Articles means the articles of amendment of the Corporation dated as of the Effective Date, as amended or restated from time to time;
As-Converted Basis means that all Shares (including Preferred Shares) convertible into Common Shares outstanding at that time are deemed to have been fully converted, at the then applicable Conversion Price and in accordance with the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached thereto, into Common Shares and the Common Shares issuable as a result thereof are deemed to have been issued and to form part of the holdings of the person entitled to receive such Common Shares. For greater certainty, As-Converted Basis does not include Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of any Options issued under the Corporations stock option plan or any Convertible Securities (other than Preferred Shares);
Asset Sale means a sale or exclusive license of all or substantially all intellectual property of the Corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or enterprise of the Corporation;
Automatic Conversion Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.8.2;
Available Proceeds means the proceeds of any Change of Control, or Asset Sale, as applicable, available for distribution, directly or indirectly (including, via dividend, redemption of shares, reduction of stated capital or otherwise), to the shareholders or the Corporation;
Board means the Corporations board of directors;
Change of Control means, unless a Preferred Majority elects otherwise, (i) any acquisition of the Corporation by means of merger, amalgamation, arrangement, compromise or other form of corporate reorganization as a result of which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such event do not hold a majority of the outstanding shares or interest of the surviving company or entity and as a result of which outstanding Shares are exchanged for securities or other consideration issued (or caused to be issued) by the acquiring company, entity or its subsidiary (other than a mere re-incorporation transaction), or any transaction or series of transactions to which the Corporation is a party in which in excess of 50% of the then-outstanding voting power in the Corporation is transferred to any person or entity that was not a shareholder of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction(s), (ii) any issuance, sale or other disposition (or series of related sales or dispositions) of Shares in which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such event do not hold a majority of the outstanding Shares immediately after such event other than: (A) an event occurring under Section 3.8; (B) an event occurring in the course of a corporate reorganization which has been approved by a Preferred Majority; or (C) an issuance of Shares or Convertible Securities concurrent to a financing; or (iii) an Asset Sale;
Class A Preferred Shares means, collectively, the Class A1 Preferred Shares and the Class A2 Preferred Shares;
Class A1 Liquidation Preference has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.4;
Class A1 Original Issue Date means May 31, 2011;
Class A1 Preferred Dividend Obligation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.4;
Class A1 Preferred Share Redemption Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12.4;
Class A1 Preferred Shares means the Class A1 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Class A2 Liquidation Preference means the per share Class A2 Dividend Obligation payable as of the applicable date of determination, if any, plus the Issue Price then in effect for the Class A2 Preferred Shares, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends payable on the Class A2 Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 3.10.3;
Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.3;
Class A2 Preferred Shares means the Class A2 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Class B & Class A2 Distributable Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.3;
Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.3;
Class B & Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.3;
Class B & Class A2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12.2.2;
Class B Liquidation Preference means the per share Class B Preferred Dividend Obligation payable as of the applicable date of determination, if any, plus the Issue Price then in effect for the Class B Preferred Shares, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends payable on the Class B Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 3.10.3;
Class B Preferred Shares means the Class B Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Class C Liquidation Preference has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.2;
Class C Preferred Dividend Obligation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.1;
Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12.3.1;
Class C Preferred Shares means the Class C Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Class D Preferred Shares means, collectively, the Class D1 Preferred Shares and the Class D2 Preferred Shares;
Class D1 Liquidation Preference means the per share Class D1 Dividend Obligation payable as of the applicable date of determination, if any, plus the Issue Price then in effect for the Class D1 Preferred Shares, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends payable on the Class D1 Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 3.10.1;
Class D1 Preferred Dividend Obligations has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.3;
Class D1 Preferred Shares means the Class D1 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Class D1 & Class D2 Distributable Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.1;
Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10.1;
Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.1;
Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12.1;
Class D2 Liquidation Preference means the per share Class D2 Dividend Obligation payable as of the applicable date of determination, if any, plus the Issue Price then in effect for the Class D2 Preferred Shares, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends payable on the Class D2 Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 3.10.1;
Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligations has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.4.3;
Class D2 Preferred Shares means the Class D2 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Common Shares means the common shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
Consideration per Share has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.9.5;
Control means with respect to any company or other person, the ownership, beneficially and legally, of voting securities or interests in the capital of such company or other person, to which are attached more than 50% of the votes that may be cast to elect the directors or directing managers of such company or other person and such votes are sufficient to elect a majority of the directors or directing managers thereof, and Controlled has a corresponding meaning;
Conversion Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.7;
Conversion Price means the conversion price at which Common Shares are deliverable upon conversion of a Preferred Share, without payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof;
Convertible Securities means any evidence of indebtedness, Shares, Options, warrants, subscription rights or other securities directly or indirectly (and with or without consideration) convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares;
Distribution of Assets means a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation or any other distribution to its shareholders of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, including in connection with and following an Asset Sale;
Effective Date means the date of filing of these articles;
Fair Market Value means the fair market value of a Share, without a discount for a minority position or premium for a majority position, established at the relevant date, by a nationally recognized Canadian firm of independent chartered accountants or business valuators chosen by the Board with valuation costs being assumed by the Corporation; provided that the existing auditors or consultants of the Corporation at that time may not be retained for the purposes of determining the Fair Market Value;
Initial Public Offering means a distribution of Common Shares to members of the public pursuant to an effective prospectus or registration statement as contemplated in the applicable securities laws;
Issue Price means (i) in respect of the Class A1 Preferred Shares and the Class A2 Preferred Shares, CDN$1.00, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Class A1 Preferred Shares or Class A2 Preferred Shares, as applicable, (ii) in respect of the Class B Preferred Shares, US$1.15, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Class B Preferred Shares, (iii) in respect of the Class C Preferred Shares, US$1.3652, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization and similar events with respect to the Class C Preferred Shares, (iv) in respect of the Class D1 Preferred Shares, US$1.7727, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Class D1 Preferred Shares and (v) in respect of the Class D2 Preferred Shares, US$2.3045, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Class D2 Preferred Shares;
Liquidation Preference has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.10;
Optional Redemption Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12;
Options means rights, options or warrants, in all cases whether conditional or not, to subscribe for or otherwise acquire Common Shares or Convertible Securities;
Pappas means A.M. Pappas Life Science Ventures IV, LP and PV IV CEO Fund, L.P. collectively;
Preferred Majority means the approval by the holders of at least 70% in voting power of the then-outstanding Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and Class D Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, on an As-Converted Basis;
Preferred Share Redemption Amount means the Class A1 Preferred Share Redemption Amount, the Class B & Class A2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount, the Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount or the Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount, as applicable;
Preferred Shares means, collectively, the Class A Preferred Shares, the Class B Preferred Shares, the Class C Preferred Shares and the Class D Preferred Shares;
Qualified Initial Public Offering or QIPO means any firm commitment Initial Public Offering at a price per share based on a pre-money valuation of the Corporation of at least $250,000,000 and resulting in gross proceeds of at least US$60 million, whereby the Shares would be listed on one or more Recognized Stock Exchanges;
Recognized Stock Exchange means the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, and such other exchange approved by a Preferred Majority;
Redemption Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12.5.1;
Shareholders Agreement means the Fourth Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement between the Corporation and its shareholders dated on or about the Effective Date, as amended and/or restated from time to time;
Shares means shares in the capital of the Corporation;
Subscription Agreement means the Class D Preferred Share subscription agreement between the Corporation, RTW Investments, LP, Boxer Capital, LLC, MVA Investors, LLC, Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners III, L.P., VHCP Co-Investment Holdings III, LLC, Novo Holdings A/S, Forbion Capital Fund III Cooperatief U.A., Tekla Healthcare Investors, Tekla Life Sciences Investors, Domain Partners VIII, L.P., Pappas, BDC Capital Inc., GO Capital L.P., and Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q), dated on or about the Effective Date; and
Subsidiary means any legal entity currently or in the future Controlled by the Corporation, including Milestone Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
2. COMMON SHARES
2.1 Voting Right. The holders of Common Shares have the right to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, to attend such meeting and to vote thereat on the basis of one vote per Common Share, with the exception of meetings at which only holders of other classes of shares are entitled to vote.
2.2 Single Class. Except as otherwise provided in these provisions or required by applicable law, the holders of Common Shares will vote together with the holders of Preferred Shares as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote or consent of shareholders.
2.3 Dividend. Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Preferred Shares, the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled, rateably and pari passu with one another on an As-Converted Basis, to receive non-cumulative dividends if, as and when declared by the directors of the Corporation out of the monies of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, the amount of which the directors, in their absolute discretion may from time to time or at any time determine in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement.
2.4 Liquidation. Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Preferred Shares, any residual assets of the Corporation in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among the shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs shall be distributed rateably and pari passu among the holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, on an As-Converted Basis.
3. PREFERRED SHARES
A. Rights Pertaining to Votes and Dividends
3.1 Voting Right. The holders of Preferred Shares have the right to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, to attend such meeting and to vote thereat.
3.2 Single Class. Except as otherwise provided in these provisions, in the Shareholders Agreement, or required by applicable law, the holders of Preferred Shares will vote together with the holders of Common Shares as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote or consent of shareholders.
3.3 Number of Votes. Each Preferred Share entitles its holder to the number of votes per share equal to the number of Common Shares into which such Preferred Share is convertible under these articles (without regard as to whether or not such Preferred Share is then convertible at the holders option under Section 3.6) as of the record date for the determination of shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, or if no record date is established, the date such vote is taken or any consent of shareholders is solicited.
3.4 Dividends.
3.4.1 The holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, during each fiscal year, rateably and pari passu with one another, when, as and if declared by the Board and out of the monies legally available for that purpose, a non-cumulative dividend in preference to the holders of Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, at the rate of 8% of the applicable Issue Price; calculation of such dividend rate starts as at the date of issuance of the
relevant Class D1 Preferred Share or Class D2 Preferred Share, as applicable, (the amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.1 on any Class D1 Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class D1 Preferred Dividend Obligation and the amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.1 on any Class D2 Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligation and the sum of the total amount of the Class D1 Preferred Dividend Obligation under this Section 3.4.1 and the total amount of the Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligation payable under this Section 3.4.1 at any time is referred to as the Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligation).
3.4.2 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, during each fiscal year, rateably and pari passu with one another, when, as and if declared by the Board and out of the monies legally available for that purpose, a non-cumulative dividend in preference to the holders of Class B Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, at the rate of 8% of the applicable Issue Price; calculation of such dividend rate starts as at the date of issuance of the relevant Class C Preferred Share (the total amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.2 on any Class C Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class C Preferred Dividend Obligation).
3.4.3 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares and Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, during each fiscal year, rateably and pari passu with one another, when, as and if declared by the Board and out of the monies legally available for that purpose, a non-cumulative dividend in preference to the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, at the rate of 8% of the applicable Issue Price; calculation of such dividend rate starts as at the date of issuance of the relevant Class B Preferred Share or Class A2 Preferred Share, as applicable, (the amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.3 on any Class A2 Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation and the amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.3 on any Class B Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class B Preferred Dividend Obligation and the sum of the total amount of the Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation payable under this Section 3.4.3 on the Class A2 Preferred Shares and the total amount of the Class B Preferred Dividend Obligation payable under this Section 3.4.3 on Class B Preferred Shares at any time is herein referred to as the Class B & Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation).
3.4.4 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred
Shares and Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares are entitled to receive during each fiscal year, rateably and pari passu with one another, when, as and if declared by the Board and out of the monies legally available for that purpose, a non-cumulative dividend in preference to the holders of Common Shares at the rate of 8% of the Issue Price; calculation of such dividend rate starts as of the Class A1 Original Issue Date (the total amount of dividends payable under this Section 3.4.4 on any Class A1 Preferred Share at any time is herein referred to as the Class A1 Preferred Dividend Obligation).
3.4.5 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Preferred Shares, the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, rateably and pari passu with one another, on an As-Converted Basis, non-cumulative dividends if, as and when declared by the Board out of the monies of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, the amount of which the Board, in its absolute discretion may from time to time or at any time determine in accordance with the provisions of the shareholders agreement then in force.
3.4.6 Upon conversion of a Preferred Share into Common Shares, any declared but unpaid applicable Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Dividend Obligation, Class C Preferred Dividend Obligation, Class B & Class A2 Preferred Dividend Obligation or Class A1 Preferred Dividend Obligation on such Preferred Share will convert into Common Shares at the then applicable Conversion Price for such Preferred Share.
B. Conversion Rights and Anti-dilution Provisions
3.5 Conversion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each class of Preferred Shares is convertible into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares as determined by dividing the applicable Issue Price for such class of Preferred Shares by the applicable Conversion Price for such class of Preferred Shares in effect at the time of conversion, which is at the outset equal to the applicable Issue Price for each class of Preferred Shares (the Initial Conversion Price). Each such Initial Conversion Price is subject to adjustment from time to time to reflect any shares split, subdivisions, recapitalization or the like with respect to such Preferred Share or as otherwise set forth in this Section B.
3.6 Optional Conversion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each holder of Preferred Shares has the right, at the holders discretion, to convert its Preferred Shares, at any time and from time to time, including, without limitation, in connection with a Distribution of Assets or a Change of Control in which the holder of such Preferred Shares would otherwise be entitled to its respective Liquidation Preference.
3.7 Mechanics of Optional Conversion. The conversion privilege may be exercised by notice in writing given to the Corporation accompanied by a certificate or certificates representing the Preferred Shares in respect of which the holder
thereof desires to exercise such right of conversion (or the holder notifies the Corporation that such certificates have been lost, stolen, or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation for any loss incurred by it in connection therewith and, if the Corporation so elects, provides an appropriate indemnity bond). Such notice shall be signed by the holder of Preferred Shares in respect of which such right is being exercised and shall specify the number of Preferred Shares which the holder of Preferred Shares desires to have converted. Upon receipt of such notice by the Corporation, the Preferred Shares specified in the notice shall be irrevocably cancelled and the corresponding Common Shares issued, and the Corporation shall promptly issue certificates representing fully paid Common Shares upon the basis herein prescribed and in accordance with the provisions hereof to such holder. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice and certificate or certificates (the Conversion Date), and the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion will be treated for all purposes as the holder or holders of record of such Common Shares as of such date. If the conversion is in connection with (i) any Initial Public Offering (other than a QIPO), or (ii) a Change of Control, the conversion may, at the option of the holder of Preferred Shares tendering the Preferred Shares for conversion, be conditional upon the closing of the sale of securities under such public offering or under such Change of Control, as the case may be, in which event the person entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion of Preferred Shares will not be deemed to have converted such Preferred Shares until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of securities under such public offering or under such Change of Control. If fewer than all of the Preferred Shares represented by any certificate are to be converted, the holder of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a new certificate for the Preferred Shares representing the shares comprised in the original certificate which are not to be converted.
All Preferred Shares that have been surrendered for conversion will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights with respect to such shares, including the rights, if any, to receive notices and to vote, will immediately cease and terminate on the Conversion Date, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive Common Shares in exchange therefor. Any Preferred Share so converted shall be retired and cancelled.
No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay in cash an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the then effective Conversion Price.
3.8 Automatic Conversion.
3.8.1 Each Preferred Share will be converted automatically into a number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares at the then applicable Conversion Price (a) upon a QIPO or (b) with the written consent of a Preferred Majority.
3.8.2 Mechanics of Automatic Conversion. Upon the occurrence of an automatic conversion as set out in Section 3.8.1, all the then outstanding Preferred Shares will be converted automatically without any further action by the holders thereof and whether or not the certificates representing such Shares are surrendered to the Corporation or its transfer agent; provided, however, that all holders of Preferred Shares being converted shall be given written notice of the occurrence of an event specified in Section 3.8.1 including the date such event occurred. Such automatic conversion will be deemed to have occurred (i) immediately prior to the closing of the sale of securities under the QIPO or (ii) on the time and date specified in the written consent of a Preferred Majority (the Automatic Conversion Date). The Corporation will not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion unless certificates evidencing the Preferred Shares being converted are either delivered to the Corporation or its transfer agent, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen, or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation for any loss incurred by it in connection therewith and, if the Corporation so elects, provides an appropriate indemnity bond. On the Automatic Conversion Date, all rights with respect to the Preferred Shares will terminate, except for any of the rights of the holder thereof, upon surrender of the holders certificate or certificates therefor, to receive certificates for the number of Common Shares into which such Preferred Shares have been converted. If so required by the Corporation, certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or by the holders attorney duly authorized in writing. Upon surrender of such certificates, the Corporation shall promptly issue and deliver to such holder, in such holders name as shown on such surrendered certificate or certificates, a certificate or certificates for the number of Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares surrendered were converted on the Automatic Conversion Date. The person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon conversion will be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Shares as of the Automatic Conversion Date.
3.8.3 No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon the conversion of any Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.8. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay in cash an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the then effective Conversion Price.
3.9 Adjustment to Conversion Price (Anti-Dilution Adjustments)
3.9.1 No Adjustment in Conversion Price. No adjustment in the number of Common Shares into which a Preferred Share is convertible shall be made by adjustment to the applicable Conversion Price thereof pursuant to the
terms of Section 3.9 unless the Consideration per Share (determined under Section 3.9.5) for an Additional Common Share issued or deemed to be issued by the Corporation is less than the applicable Conversion Price in effect on the date of, and immediately prior to, the issue of such Additional Common Shares or unless specifically provided in these articles.
3.9.2 Issue of Options and Convertible Securities Deemed Issued as Additional Common Shares. If the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date issues any Options or Convertible Securities or fixes a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of Common Shares (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities, will be deemed to be Additional Common Shares issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date has been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date; provided, however, that Additional Common Shares will not be deemed to have been issued unless the Consideration per Share (determined under Section 3.9.5 hereof) of such Additional Common Shares is less than the applicable Conversion Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, or such record date, as the case may be, and further provided that in any such case in which Additional Common Shares are deemed to be issued:
3.9.2.1 no further adjustment in the applicable Conversion Price will be made upon the subsequent issue of Convertible Securities or Common Shares upon the exercise of such Options or conversion or exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities and, upon the expiration of any such Option or the termination of any such right to convert or exchange or exercise such Convertible Securities, without such right being exercised, the applicable Conversion Price then in effect hereunder will forthwith be increased to the applicable Conversion Price which would have been in effect at the time of such expiration or termination had such Option or Convertible Securities, to the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or termination, never been issued, and the Common Shares issuable thereunder will no longer be deemed to be outstanding; and
3.9.2.2 if such Options or Convertible Securities by their terms provide, with the passage of time or otherwise, for any increase in the consideration payable to the Corporation, or decrease in the number of Common Shares issuable, upon the exercise,
conversion or exchange thereof, the applicable Conversion Price computed upon the original issue thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon, shall, upon any such increase or decrease becoming effective, be recomputed to reflect such increase or decrease insofar as it affects such Options or the rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities, provided that no readjustment under this Section 3.9.2.2 will have the effect of increasing the applicable Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the applicable Conversion Price on the original adjustment date, or (ii) the applicable Conversion Price that would have resulted from any other issuance of Additional Common Shares between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.
3.9.3 Adjustment of Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Common Shares. If the Corporation issues Additional Common Shares (including Additional Common Shares deemed to be issued under Section 3.9.2), without consideration or for a Consideration per Share less than the applicable Conversion Price for a Preferred Share in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issuance, then and in such event, the applicable Conversion Price for such Preferred Share will be reduced, concurrently with such issuance, to a price determined by multiplying the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale by a fraction (A) the numerator of which will be (i) the number of Common Shares deemed outstanding (as determined below) immediately prior to such issue or sale, plus (ii) the number of Common Shares which the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation for the total number of Additional Common Shares so issued would purchase at such then-existing Conversion Price, and (B) the denominator of which will be the number of Common Shares deemed outstanding (as determined below) immediately prior to such issue or sale plus the total number of Additional Common Shares so issued. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the number of Common Shares deemed to be outstanding as of a given date will be the sum of (X) the number of Common Shares outstanding, (Y) the number of Common Shares into which the then outstanding Preferred Shares could be converted if fully converted immediately prior to such issuance or transaction and (Z) the number of Common Shares into which the then outstanding Convertible Securities are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.
3.9.4 Adjustment for Change of Control. In the event (a) of a Change of Control, where (b) each holder of an applicable class of Preferred Shares does not or would not, pursuant to the application of Section 3.10 or otherwise, receive from such Change of Control with respect to such applicable class of Preferred Shares an amount which, or a number of shares the value of which, is at least equal to the amount it would have
received with respect to such applicable class of Preferred Shares under Section 3.10 had the consideration paid for the Change of Control been paid as a Distribution of Assets to the shareholders of the Corporation, the applicable Conversion Price for each Preferred Share in such applicable class of Preferred Shares will be adjusted so as to ensure that the holders of such Preferred Shares receive, prior to or contemporaneously with the Change of Control, upon conversion thereof, that number of Common Shares which will provide to such holders of such Preferred Shares participating in the Change of Control, upon the Change of Control, that amount which the holders of such Preferred Shares would have received under Section 3.10 if the Change of Control had been a Distribution of Assets. The Corporation shall give each holder of Preferred Shares of record written notice 15 days prior to the closing of such Change of Control. Such notice shall describe the provisions of this Section 3.9.4.
3.9.5 Determination of Consideration. For the purposes of this Section 3.9, the Consideration per Share means the per share consideration received by the Corporation for the issue of any Additional Common Share and shall be computed as follows:
3.9.5.1 Cash and Property. Such consideration:
a) insofar as it consists of cash, shall be computed at the aggregate of cash received by the Corporation;
b) insofar as it consists of property other than cash, shall be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith by the Board; and
c) in the event Additional Common Shares are issued together with other shares or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which covers both, shall be the proportion of such consideration so received, computed as provided in clauses a) and b) above, as determined in good faith by the Board;
provided, however, that if a Preferred Majority objects to any determination by the Board within ten days of receiving notice of such determination, the fair market value shall be determined by an independent appraiser mutually agreeable to the Board and a Preferred Majority whose decision is final and binding on all shareholders of the Corporation.
3.9.5.2 Options and Convertible Securities. The Consideration per Share received by the Corporation for Additional Common Shares deemed to have been issued under Section 3.9.2, relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by dividing:
(x) the total amount, if any, received by the Corporation as consideration for the issue of such Options or Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities,
by:
(y) the maximum number of Common Shares (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange or exercise of such Convertible Securities.
3.9.6 Adjustment for Consolidation of Common Shares. Notwithstanding Section 3.9.1 if, at any time after the Effective Date the number of Common Shares outstanding is decreased by a consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares, then on the date of such combination, the applicable Conversion Price shall be increased so that the number of Common Shares issuable on conversion of each Preferred Share will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Common Shares.
3.9.7 Adjustment for Splits, Other Distributions, Etc. If the Corporation at any time after the Effective Date fixes a record date for the subdivision or split-up of Common Shares, then on the date of such subdivision or split-up, the applicable Conversion Price will be appropriately decreased so that the number of Common Shares issuable on conversion of each Preferred Share will be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding shares. In the event the Corporation after the Effective Date declares a distribution payable in securities of other persons, evidences of indebtedness issued by the Corporation or other persons, assets (excluding dividends), options or rights not referred to in Section 3.9.2 in accordance with the provisions of the shareholders agreement then in force, then, in each such case for the purposes of this Section 3.9.7, but subject to Section 3.4, the holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to a proportionate share of any such distribution as though they were the holders of the number of Common Shares into which their Preferred
Shares are convertible as of the record date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution.
3.9.8 Adjustment for Merger or Reorganization, Etc. In case of any consolidation, recapitalization or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation (other than a subdivision or combination provided for elsewhere in this Section 3.9), each Preferred Share will thereafter be convertible into the kind and number of shares of stock or other securities or property to which a holder of the number of Common Shares deliverable upon conversion of such Preferred Share would have been entitled upon such consolidation, recapitalization or merger; and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board) shall be made in the application of the provisions in this Section 3.9 set forth with respect to the rights and interest thereafter of the holders of Preferred Shares, to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section 3.9 (including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the applicable Conversion Price) will thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any shares or other property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares.
3.9.9 Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the applicable Conversion Price under this Section 3.9, the Corporation at its expense shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Preferred Shares a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the written request at any time of a holder of Preferred Shares, furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a similar certificate setting forth (i) such adjustments and readjustments, (ii) the applicable Conversion Price then in effect, and (iii) the number of Common Shares which then would be received upon the conversion of the applicable class of Preferred Shares.
3.9.10 Notice of Record Date. In the event:
3.9.10.1 that the Corporation takes a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend (other than a cash dividend) or any other distribution, any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of any class or any other securities or property, or to receive any other right;
3.9.10.2 that the Corporation subdivides or combines its outstanding Common Shares;
3.9.10.3 of any reclassification of the Common Shares (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Shares or a share dividend or share distribution thereon), or of any consolidation or merger of the Corporation into or with another
corporation, or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or the enterprise of the Corporation; or
3.9.10.4 of the involuntary or voluntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding-up of the Corporation;
then the Corporation shall cause to be filed at its registered office and shall cause to be mailed to the holders of Preferred Shares at their last addresses as shown on the records of the Corporation, at least 10 days prior to the record date specified in a) below or 20 days before the date specified in b) below, a notice stating:
a) the record date of such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination are to be determined, or
b) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares for securities or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
3.9.11 No Impairment. The Corporation shall not, by amendment of its Articles or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 3.9 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the conversion rights of the holders of Preferred Shares against impairment. This obligation shall not be interpreted as preventing the Corporation from complying with any decision taken in accordance with the shareholders agreement then in force.
3.10 Liquidation Preference/Distribution of Assets. In the event of a Distribution of Assets, the property or assets of the Corporation shall be distributed as follows (the Liquidation Preference):
3.10.1 For each Class D Preferred Share held, the holders of Class D Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares, but in priority to any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation to the holders of the other classes of Shares ranking
junior to the Class D Preferred Shares, out of the property or assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Corporations capital stock, an amount per share equal to, in the case of the Class D1 Preferred Shares, the Class D1 Liquidation Preference and, in the case of the Class D2 Preferred Shares, the Class D2 Liquidation Preference (the sum of (i) the total amount of the Class D1 Liquidation Preference for all Class D1 Preferred Shares and (ii) the total amount of the Class D2 Liquidation Preference for all Class D2 Preferred Shares, is herein referred to as the Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference). If, in the event of a Distribution of Assets, the property or assets of the Corporation are insufficient to permit the payment of the full Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference to the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares, then (a) the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the total of the property or assets legally available for distribution towards the full Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference (the Class D1 & Class D2 Distributable Amount) multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class D1 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class D1 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class D 1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class D1 Preferred Shares and (b) the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the Class D1 & Class D2 Distributable Amount multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class D2 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class D2 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class D 1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class D2 Preferred Shares; and
3.10.2 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares, for each Class C Preferred Share held, the holders of the Class C Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, in priority to any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation to the holders of the other classes of Shares ranking junior to the Class C Preferred Shares, out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Corporations capital stock, an amount equal to the Issue Price applicable to the Class C Preferred Shares plus the Class C Preferred Dividend Obligation, if any, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends on the Class C Preferred Shares (the Class C Liquidation Preference). If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Class C Preferred Shares are insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the full amounts specified in this Section 3.10.2, then the entire assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of Class C Preferred Shares shall be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of
the Class C Preferred Shares in proportion to the full amounts they would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 3.10.2; and
3.10.3 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares and the Class C Preferred Shares, for each Class B Preferred Share and Class A2 Preferred Share held, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, but in priority to any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation to the holders of the other classes of Shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Shares and the Class A2 Preferred Shares, out of the property or assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Corporations capital stock, an amount per share equal to, in the case of the Class A2 Preferred Shares, the Class A2 Liquidation Preference and, in the case of the Class B Preferred Shares, the Class B Liquidation Preference (the sum of (i) the total amount of the Class A2 Liquidation Preference and (ii) the total amount of the Class B Liquidation Preference, is herein referred to as the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference). If, in the event of a Distribution of Assets, the property or assets of the Corporation are insufficient to permit the payment of the full Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference to the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, then (a) the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the total of the property or assets legally available for distribution towards the full Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference (the Class B & Class A2 Distributable Amount) multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class A2 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class A2 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class A2 Preferred Shares and (b) the holders of Class B Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the Distributable Amount multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class B Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class B Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class B Preferred Shares; and
3.10.4 Subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Class D Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares and Class A2 Preferred Shares, for each Class A1 Preferred Share held, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, in priority to any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation to the holders of the other classes of Shares ranking junior to the Class A1
Preferred Shares out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Corporations capital stock, an amount equal to the Issue Price applicable to the Class A1 Preferred Shares plus the Class A1 Preferred Dividend Obligation for such Class A1 Preferred Share, if any, plus any other declared but unpaid dividends on the Class A1 Preferred Shares (the Class A1 Liquidation Preference); and
3.10.5 After payment has been made in full as provided in Sections 3.10.1, 3.10.2, 3.10.3 and 3.10.4, then any assets remaining available for distribution shall be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Preferred Shares, on an As-Converted Basis.
3.11 Liquidation Preference on Change of Control. For greater certainty and without affecting the application of Section 3.9.4, in the event of a Change of Control, the shareholders of the Corporation will be entitled to the following distributions:
3.11.1 for each Class D Preferred Share held, the holders of Class D Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares and Class D2 Preferred Shares, out of the Available Proceeds, regardless of any other dispositions among the parties, prior to and in preference to any distribution to the holders of Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, an amount per share equal to, in the case of the Class D1 Preferred Shares, the Class D1 Liquidation Preference and, in the case of the Class D2 Preferred Shares, the Class D2 Liquidation Preference. If, in the event of a Change of Control, the Available Proceeds are insufficient to permit the payment of the full Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference to the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares, then (a) the holders of Class D1 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the total Available Proceeds for distribution towards the full Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference (Change in Control Distributable Amount Balance I) multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class D1 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class D1 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class D1 Preferred Shares, and (b) the holders of Class D2 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the Change of Control Distributable Amount Balance I multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) total number of Class D2 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class D2 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class D1 & Class D2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate
amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class D2 Preferred Shares.
3.11.2 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares under Section 3.11.1 have been paid, for each Class C Preferred Share held, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, out of the Available Proceeds, regardless of any other dispositions among the parties, prior to and in preference to any distribution to the holders of Class B Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, an amount per share equal to the Class C Liquidation Preference. If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of the Class C Preferred Shares are insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the full amounts specified in this Section 3.11.2, then the entire assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to the holders of Class C Preferred Shares shall be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class C Preferred Shares in proportion to the full amounts they would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 3.11.2.
3.11.3 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares under Section 3.11.1 and the holders of Class C Preferred Shares under Section 3.11.2 have been paid, for each Class B Preferred Share and Class A2 Preferred Share held, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, out of the Available Proceeds, regardless of any other dispositions among the parties, prior to and in preference to any distribution to the holders of Class A1 Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares, an amount per share equal to, in the case of the Class A2 Preferred Shares, the Class A2 Liquidation Preference and, in the case of the Class B Preferred Shares, the Class B Liquidation Preference. If, in the event of a Change of Control, after payment in full of the Class D Liquidation Preference and Class C Liquidation Preference, the remaining Available Proceeds are insufficient to permit the payment of the full Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference to the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, then (a) the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the total of the remaining Available Proceeds towards the full Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference (Change in Control Distributable Amount Balance II) multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class A2 Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class A2 Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class A2 Preferred Shares, and (b) the holders of Class B Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the Change in Control Distributable Amount Balance II
multiplied by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is (A) the total number of Class B Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding multiplied by (B) the then applicable Class B Liquidation Preference and (2) the denominator of which is the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference, such aggregate amount to be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of the Class B Preferred Shares.
3.11.4 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares under Sections 3.11.1, 3.11.2 and 3.11.3 have been paid, each holder of Class A1 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, out of the Available Proceeds, regardless of any other dispositions among the parties, prior to and in preference to any distribution to the holders of Common Shares, an amount equal to the Class A1 Liquidation Preference for each Class A1 Preferred Share then held;
3.11.5 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class A2 Preferred Shares and Class A1 Preferred Shares under Sections 3.11.1, 3.11.4, 3.11.4 and 3.11.4 have been paid, then any remaining Available Proceeds received as part of the Change of Control will be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Preferred Shares, on an As-Converted Basis; and
3.11.6 if any portion of the consideration payable to the shareholders of the Corporation is placed into escrow and/or is payable to the shareholders of the Corporation subject to contingencies, the agreement related to such Change of Control shall provide that (a) the portion of such consideration that is not placed in escrow and not subject to any contingencies (the Initial Consideration) shall be allocated among the shareholders of the Corporation as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such Change of Control and (b) any additional consideration which becomes payable to the shareholders of the Corporation upon release from escrow or satisfaction of contingencies shall be allocated among the shareholders of the Corporation after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transaction.
C. Optional Redemption of Preferred Shares
3.12 Optional Redemption of Preferred Shares. From the earlier of: (i) the closing of an Asset Sale and (ii) the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, a Preferred Majority may require the Corporation to redeem Preferred Shares upon a 30 day prior written notice in case of (i) of this Section 3.12 and a 90 day prior written notice in case of (ii) of this Section 3.12 (each an Optional Redemption Notice). For clarity purposes, no holder of Preferred Shares may require the Corporation to redeem any or all of its Preferred Shares if an Optional Redemption
Notice has not been sent to the Corporation. The redemption amount to be paid by the Corporation to a holder of:
3.12.1 Class D1 Preferred Shares or Class D2 Preferred Shares is equal to:
3.12.1.1 in case of paragraph (i) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class D1 Preferred Share or Class D2 Preferred Share, as applicable, to which such holder would be entitled pursuant to Section 3.10; and
3.12.1.2 in case of paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class D1 Preferred Share or Class D2 Preferred Share that is equal to the higher of: (A) the applicable Class D1 or D2 Liquidation Preference and (B) the applicable Fair Market Value of such applicable Class D1 Preferred Share or Class D2 Preferred Share as of the date of the Optional Redemption Notice,
(each a Class D1 & Class D2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount).
3.12.2 Class C Preferred Shares is equal to:
3.12.2.1 in case of paragraph (i) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class C Preferred Share to which such holder would be entitled pursuant to Section 3.10; and
3.12.2.2 in case of paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class C Preferred Share that is equal to the higher of: (A) the Class C Liquidation Preference and (B) the Fair Market Value of such Class C Preferred Share as of the date of the Optional Redemption Notice,
(each a Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount).
3.12.3 Class B Preferred Shares or Class A2 Preferred Shares, as applicable, is equal to:
3.12.3.1 in case of paragraph (i) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class B Preferred Share and/or Class A2 Preferred Share to which such holder would be entitled pursuant to Section 3.10; and
3.12.3.2 in case of paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class B Preferred Share and/or Class A2 Preferred Share that is equal to the higher of: (A) the Class B & Class A2 Liquidation Preference and (B) the Fair Market Value of such Class B Preferred Share or Class A2 Preferred Share, as applicable, as of the date of the Optional Redemption Notice,
(each a Class B & Class A2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount); and
3.12.4 Class A1 Preferred Shares is equal to:
3.12.4.1 in case of paragraph (i) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class A1 Preferred Share to which such holder would be entitled pursuant to Section 3.10; and
3.12.4.2 in case of paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.12, an amount per Class A1 Preferred Share that is equal to the higher of: (A) the Class A1 Liquidation Preference and (B) the Fair Market Value of such Class A1 Preferred Share as of the date of the Optional Redemption Notice,
(each a Class A1 Preferred Share Redemption Amount).
3.12.5 Method of Redemption of Preferred Shares. The Optional Redemption Notice shall be signed by at least the Preferred Majority and given to the secretary of the Corporation. The Corporation shall forward the Optional Redemption Notice to all other holders of Preferred Shares within three business days and deliver notice to all of the holders of Preferred Shares of the expected Redemption Date (as defined below). If such holders wish to have their Preferred Shares redeemed by the Corporation, they shall deliver their certificates reflecting such Preferred Shares to be redeemed to the Corporation prior to the proposed Redemption Date.
3.12.5.1 at the latest, 30 days (in case of a redemption pursuant to paragraph (i) of Section 3.12) or 90 days (in case of a redemption pursuant to paragraph (ii) of Section 3.12) following the day of the receipt of Optional Redemption Notice by the Corporation referred to in Section 3.12, as applicable, (the Redemption Date), the Corporation shall proceed first with the redemption of all of the Class D Preferred Shares, and the holders thereof shall receive payment of the entire portion of the Class D Preferred Share Redemption Amount for each Class D Preferred Share that the Corporation may pay without contravening the provisions of Section 95 of the Act;
3.12.5.2 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares under Section 3.12.5.1 have been made, the redemption of all of the Class C Preferred Shares and the holders thereof shall receive payment of the entire portion of the Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount for each Class C Preferred Share that the Corporation may pay without contravening the provisions of Section 95 of the Act;
3.12.5.3 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares and the holders of Class C Preferred Shares under Sections 3.12.5.1 and 3.12.5.2 have been made, the redemption of all of the Class B Preferred Shares and Class A2 Preferred Shares, with equal priority and pro rata among the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares shall receive payment of the entire portion of the Class B & Class A2 Preferred Share Redemption Amount for each Class B Preferred Share and Class A2 Preferred Share that the Corporation may pay without contravening the provisions of Section 95 of the Act;
3.12.5.4 once all amounts payable to the holders of Class D Preferred Shares, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares under Sections 3.12.5.1, 3.12.5.2 and 3.12.5.3 have been made, the redemption of all of the Class A1 Preferred Shares, and the holders thereof shall receive payment of the entire portion of the Class A1 Preferred Share Redemption Amount for each Class A1 Preferred Share redeemed that the Corporation may pay without contravening the provisions of Section 95 of the Act;
3.12.5.5 failure to pay the requisite portion of the applicable Preferred Share Redemption Amount on or prior to the Redemption Date will result in the Preferred Share Redemption Amount increasing by an amount equal to 5% calculated on an annual basis, compounded monthly; and
3.12.5.6 the right to convert the Preferred Shares to Common Shares will survive the delivery of the Optional Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 3.12.5.1 up until the day that such Preferred Shares have actually been redeemed and the Preferred Share Redemption Amounts have been paid in full to the holders of such Preferred Shares.
3.12.6 On the Redemption Date, other than as set forth in Section 3.12.5.5, all of the Preferred Shares redeemed will be deemed to be irrevocably cancelled, and their holders will cease to benefit from the rights attached to such Shares, except the right to receive payment of their Preferred Share Redemption Amount (as adjusted pursuant to Section 3.12.5.5).
3.12.7 Notwithstanding any other provisions, at any time after receipt by the Corporation of an Optional Redemption Notice, (i) as long as the holders of Class D Preferred Shares have not received all of their Class D Preferred Share Redemption Amount, no dividends, redemptions, or repurchases of Class C Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares or Class A2 Preferred Shares will be paid or made by the Corporation, (ii) as long
as the holders of Class D Preferred Shares and the holders of Class C Preferred Shares have not received all of their Class D Redemption Amount and Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount, no dividends, redemptions, or repurchases of Class B Preferred Shares or Class A2 Preferred Shares will be paid or made by the Corporation, and (iii) as long as the holders of Class D Preferred Shares, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares and the holders of Class A2 Preferred Shares have not received, as applicable, all of their Class D Preferred Shares Redemption Amount, Class C Preferred Share Redemption Amount or Class B & Class A2 Preferred Share Redemption Amounts, no dividends, redemptions, or repurchases of Class A1 Preferred Shares or Common Shares will be paid or made by the Corporation.
SCHEDULE
RESTRICTIONS ON SECURITY TRANSFERS
The securities of the Corporation (including shares), other than non-convertible debt securities, shall not be transferred without the approval of the board of directors or of the holder or holders of more than 50% of the voting shares of the Corporation, to be evidenced in either case by a resolution of such directors or shareholders.
SCHEDULE
OTHER PROVISIONS
1. The annual meeting of the shareholders may be held at any place, in or outside of the Province of Québec, as may be determined by the directors.
2. In the event the corporation becomes a reporting issuer (as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Québec) (the Act)) in any province or territory of Canada or has more than 50 shareholders, the directors may appoint from time to time one or more additional directors within the limits provided in the Act.
BY-LAW NO. 2017-1
a by-law relating generally to the transaction of the business and affairs of
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTIQUES INC.
(the Corporation)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 - DEFINITIONS |
1 | |
|
| |
1.1 |
Definitions |
1 |
1.2 |
Interpretation |
1 |
1.3 |
Execution in Counterpart, by Facsimile and by Electronic Signature |
1 |
1.4 |
Unanimous Shareholder Agreement |
2 |
|
|
|
2 - GENERAL BUSINESS |
2 | |
|
| |
2.1 |
Head Office |
2 |
2.2 |
Seal |
2 |
2.3 |
Financial Year |
2 |
2.4 |
Execution of Instruments |
2 |
2.5 |
Banking Arrangements |
2 |
2.6 |
Voting Rights in Other Bodies Corporate |
3 |
|
|
|
3 - DIRECTORS |
3 | |
|
| |
3.1 |
Duties of Directors |
3 |
3.2 |
Qualifications of Directors |
3 |
3.3 |
Number of Directors |
3 |
3.4 |
Quorum |
3 |
3.5 |
Election and Term |
3 |
3.6 |
Removal of Directors |
4 |
3.7 |
Cessation of Office |
4 |
3.8 |
Resignation |
4 |
3.9 |
Vacancies |
4 |
3.10 |
Borrowings |
5 |
3.11 |
Action by the Board |
5 |
3.12 |
Delegation |
5 |
3.13 |
Resolution in writing |
5 |
3.14 |
Meetings by Telephone, Electronic or other Communication Facility |
5 |
3.15 |
Place of Meetings |
6 |
3.16 |
Calling of Meetings |
6 |
3.17 |
Notice of Meetings |
6 |
3.18 |
First Meeting of New Board |
6 |
3.19 |
Adjourned Meeting |
6 |
3.20 |
Votes to Govern |
6 |
3.21 |
Chairperson and Secretary |
6 |
3.22 |
Remuneration and Expenses |
7 |
3.23 |
Duty of Loyalty and Conflict of Interest |
7 |
3.24 |
Contracts or Transactions - Disclosure of Interest |
7 |
3.25 |
Contracts or Transactions Votes |
8 |
3.26 |
Dissent |
8 |
|
|
|
4 - COMMITTEES |
9 | |
|
| |
4.1 |
Committees of the Board |
9 |
4.2 |
Transaction of Business |
10 |
4.3 |
Procedure |
10 |
|
|
|
5 - OFFICERS |
10 | |
|
| |
5.1 |
Appointment of Officers |
10 |
5.2 |
Agents and Attorneys |
10 |
5.3 |
Disclosure of Interest |
10 |
5.4 |
Mandate |
11 |
5.5 |
Employment Conditions and Remuneration |
11 |
|
|
|
6 - PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
11 | |
|
| |
6.1 |
Indemnity of Directors and Officers |
11 |
6.2 |
Insurance |
12 |
|
|
|
7 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS |
12 | |
|
| |
7.1 |
General Business |
12 |
7.2 |
Annual Meetings |
12 |
7.3 |
Special Meetings |
12 |
7.4 |
Resolution in Lieu of Meeting |
13 |
7.5 |
Place of Meetings |
13 |
7.6 |
Participation in Meetings by Electronic Means |
13 |
7.7 |
Notice of Meetings |
13 |
7.8 |
Waiver of Notice |
14 |
7.9 |
Record Date for Notice |
14 |
7.10 |
Chairperson and Secretary |
14 |
7.11 |
Persons Entitled to be Present |
14 |
7.12 |
Quorum |
15 |
7.13 |
Right to Vote |
15 |
7.14 |
Proxies and Representatives |
15 |
7.15 |
Time for Deposit of Proxies |
15 |
7.16 |
Joint Shareholders |
15 |
7.17 |
Votes to Govern |
16 |
7.18 |
Casting Vote |
16 |
7.19 |
Show of Hands |
16 |
7.20 |
Ballots |
16 |
7.21 |
Adjournment |
16 |
7.22 |
One Shareholder |
16 |
7.23 |
Storage of Ballots and Proxies |
17 |
|
|
|
8 - SHARES AND CERTIFICATES |
17 | |
|
| |
8.1 |
Issuance of Shares |
17 |
8.2 |
Payment of Shares |
17 |
8.3 |
Unpaid Shares |
17 |
8.4 |
Commissions |
18 |
8.5 |
Securities Records |
18 |
8.6 |
Register of Transfer |
19 |
8.7 |
Registration of Transfer |
19 |
8.8 |
Non-recognition of Trusts |
20 |
8.9 |
Share Certificates |
20 |
8.10 |
Certificated Shares |
20 |
8.11 |
Uncertificated Shares |
20 |
8.12 |
Replacement of Share Certificates |
21 |
8.13 |
Joint Shareholders |
21 |
8.14 |
Deceased Shareholders |
21 |
|
|
|
9 - DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS |
21 | |
|
| |
9.1 |
Dividends |
21 |
9.2 |
Dividend Cheques |
22 |
9.3 |
Non-receipt or Loss of Cheques |
22 |
9.4 |
Record Date for Dividends and Rights |
22 |
9.5 |
Unclaimed Dividends |
22 |
|
|
|
10 - NOTICES |
22 | |
|
| |
10.1 |
Method of Giving Notices |
22 |
10.2 |
Notice to Joint Shareholders |
23 |
10.3 |
Computation of Time |
23 |
10.4 |
Undelivered Notices |
23 |
10.5 |
Omissions and Errors |
23 |
10.6 |
Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law |
23 |
10.7 |
Waiver of Notice |
23 |
1 - DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
In this by-law, and all other by-laws of the Corporation, unless the context indicates otherwise:
a) Act means the Business Corporations Act (Québec), or any statute which may be substituted therefor, including the regulations made thereunder as amended from time to time;
b) Articles shall mean original or restated articles of constitution, of amendment, of amalgamation, of continuance, of dissolution and any other documents by which the Corporation is formed;
c) Board means the board of directors of the Corporation;
d) Director means a member of the board;
e) Person includes an individual, a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an association, a labour organization, an organization, a trust, a body corporate and all individuals acting as a trustee, executor, curator or as any other legal representative;
f) Shareholders Meeting means an annual shareholders meeting or a special meeting of shareholders; and
g) Unanimous Shareholder Agreement means an agreement referred to in section 213 of the Act among all the shareholders of the Corporation.
1.2 Interpretation
a) words importing the singular number also include the plural and vice-versa; words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and vice-versa;
b) all words used in this by-law and defined in the Act shall have the meanings given to such words in the Act or in the related parts thereof.
1.3 Execution in Counterpart, by Facsimile and by Electronic Signature
Subject to the Act, any notice, resolution, requisition, statement or other document required or permitted to be executed for the purposes of the Act, may be signed by way of electronic signature, by way of a facsimile signature or by way of signing several similar documents by one or more persons, and those documents, when duly signed by all persons required or permitted to sign, as appropriate, shall constitute a single document for the purposes of the Act.
1.4 Unanimous Shareholder Agreement
Where any provision in this by-law conflicts with any provision of a unanimous shareholder agreement, the provision of such unanimous shareholder agreement shall govern to the extent permitted by the Act.
2 - GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1 Head Office
The head office of the Corporation must be permanently located in Québec. The Corporation may relocate its head office in accordance with the Act.
2.2 Seal
The Corporation may have a seal, which shall be adopted and may be changed by the board. The absence of a seal on a document of the Corporation does not render the document invalid.
2.3 Financial Year
Until changed by the board, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day of December in each year.
2.4 Execution of Instruments
Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations, certificates and other instruments shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any director or officer of the Corporation. In addition, the board may from time to time direct the manner in which, and the person or persons by whom, any particular instrument or class of instruments may or shall be signed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the secretary or any other officer or any director may sign certificates and similar instruments (other than share certificates) on the Corporations behalf with respect to any factual matters relating to the Corporations business and affairs, including certificates verifying copies of the articles, by-laws, resolutions and minutes of meetings of the Corporation.
2.5 Banking Arrangements
The banking business of the Corporation, or any part or division of the Corporation, shall be transacted with such bank, trust company or other firm or body corporate as the board may designate, appoint or authorize from time to time and all such banking business, or any part thereof, shall be transacted on the Corporations behalf by such one or more officers or other persons as the board may designate, direct or authorize from time to time and to the extent thereby provided.
2.6 Voting Rights in Other Bodies Corporate
Except as otherwise provided by the board, the president has the full power to represent the Corporation, and more particularly to vote all of the shares or other securities carrying voting rights of any other entity held from time to time by the Corporation, at any and all meetings of shareholders, bondholders, debentureholders or holders of other securities (as the case may be) of such other entity and exercise all other rights attached to the said shares or securities as if he were the owner thereof. The board may, from time to time, appoint any other officer for the same purpose.
3 - DIRECTORS
3.1 Duties of Directors
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board exercises all the powers necessary to manage, or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
3.2 Qualifications of Directors
Any natural person may be a director of the Corporation unless such a person is less than 18 years of age, is under guardianship or curatorship, is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere, is a person for whom the court prohibits the exercise of this function, or has the status of bankrupt. A director is not required to hold shares of the Corporation.
3.3 Number of Directors
The board is composed of one or more directors. The board will consist of the number of directors as required by the articles or will be fixed pursuant to the Act.
If the Corporation is a reporting issuer, the board is composed of not fewer than three directors, at least two of whom must not be officers or employees of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation.
3.4 Quorum
A majority of the directors in office constitutes a quorum at any meeting of the board. In the absence of a quorum within the first fifteen (15) minutes following the start of the meeting, the directors may only deliberate on the meetings adjournment. A quorum of directors may exercise all the powers of the board despite any vacancy on the board.
3.5 Election and Term
Directors shall be elected by the shareholders at the first meeting of shareholders and at each subsequent annual meeting at which an election of directors is required, by an ordinary resolution adopted by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders able to vote on such resolution, and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or, if elected for an expressly stated term, for a term expiring no later than three (3) years following the election. The
election need not be by ballot unless a ballot is demanded by any shareholder or required by the chairperson in accordance with section 7.20. If an election of directors is not held at an annual meeting of shareholders at which such election is required, the incumbent directors shall continue in office until their resignation, replacement or removal.
3.6 Removal of Directors
Subject to the Act, the shareholders may, by ordinary resolution passed by a majority of votes cast at a special meeting of shareholders duly called for that purpose, remove any director or directors and may at that meeting elect a qualified person for the remainder of such term.
If shareholders holding a certain class or series of shares have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director so elected may only be removed by ordinary resolution passed at a meeting of the shareholders holding such class or series of shares.
A director whose removal is to be proposed at a shareholders meeting must be informed of the time and place of the meeting within the same delays as those prescribed for the calling of such meeting. Such director may attend the meeting and be heard or, if not in attendance, may explain, in a written statement read by the person presiding over the meeting or made available to the shareholders before or at the meeting, why he or she opposes the resolution proposing his or her removal. In addition, any vacancy created by the removal of a director may be filled by a resolution of the shareholders at the shareholders meeting at which the director is removed or, if it is not, at a subsequent meeting of the board.
3.7 Cessation of Office
A director ceases to hold office when he dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified from holding office.
3.8 Resignation
A director may resign from office by delivering or sending a written notice to the Corporation and such resignation becomes effective at the time the directors written resignation is received by the Corporation or at the time specified in the notice, whichever is later. A director will immediately cease to hold office when such director no longer meets the requirements to hold office as specified by the Act.
3.9 Vacancies
Subject to the Act or to the articles, a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy on the board.
If there is no quorum of directors, or if there has been a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by the articles, the directors then in office must without delay call a special shareholders meeting to fill the vacancies on the board. If the directors refuse or fail to call a meeting or if there are no directors then in office, the meeting may be called by any shareholder.
A director appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor and remains in office until his successor is elected or nominated.
3.10 Borrowings
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may, on behalf of the Corporation:
a) borrow money;
b) issue, reissue, sell or hypothecate its debt obligations;
c) enter into a suretyship to secure performance of an obligation of any person; and
d) hypothecate all or any of its property, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation.
3.11 Action by the Board
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement and the Act, the board shall exercise its powers by or pursuant to a resolution passed at a meeting of the board at which a quorum is present or approved in writing by all directors in office. The sole director of the Corporation may regularly constitute a meeting.
3.12 Delegation
Subject to the Act, the articles, any by-laws and any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may from time to time delegate to a director, a committee of the board or an officer or such other person or persons so designated by the board all or any of the powers conferred on the board by the Act to such extent and in such manner as the board shall determine at the time of each such delegation.
3.13 Resolution in writing
A resolution in writing, signed by all the directors entitled to vote thereon is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the board or, as the case may be, of a committee of the board. If the Corporation has only one director, such director may pass a resolution in lieu of holding a meeting. A copy of the resolution must be kept with the minutes of the meetings of the board.
3.14 Meetings by Telephone, Electronic or other Communication Facility
A director may, if all of the directors present or participating at a meeting consent, participate in a meeting of the board or of a committee of the board by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting. A director who participates in such meeting by such means is deemed to be present at that meeting.
3.15 Place of Meetings
Meetings of the board are held at the registered office of the Corporation or at any other place within or outside of Québec.
3.16 Calling of Meetings
Meetings of the board shall be held from time to time at such place, on such day and at such time as the board, the chairperson of the board, the president, the secretary or any two directors may determine. Meetings are called by the chairperson of the board, the president or two directors or by the secretary upon being asked to call such a meeting by the chairperson of the board, the president or two directors.
3.17 Notice of Meetings
The notice stating the time and place of the meeting and specifying any matter to be dealt with relating to powers which the board may not delegate, shall be given to each director at least 48 hours before the meeting is to occur. This notice does not have to be given in writing.
Any director may waive a notice of a meeting of the board. Attendance of a director at a meeting of the board constitutes a waiver of notice of such meeting unless the director attends such meeting for the sole purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting on the grounds that it was not duly called.
3.18 First Meeting of New Board
Provided a quorum of directors is present, each newly elected board may without notice hold its first meeting following the meeting of shareholders at which such board is elected.
3.19 Adjourned Meeting
Notice of an adjourned meeting of the board is not required if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the original meeting.
3.20 Votes to Govern
Subject to the Act or any unanimous shareholders agreement, at all meetings of the board, any question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the question and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. Any question at a meeting of the board shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot is required or demanded.
3.21 Chairperson and Secretary
The chairperson of the board or, in the chairpersons absence, the president or, in the presidents absence, a vice-president shall be chairperson of any meeting of the board. If none of these officers are present, the directors present shall choose one of their number to be chairperson. The secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at any meeting of the board and, if the
secretary of the Corporation is absent, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint a person, who need not be a director, to act as secretary of the meeting.
3.22 Remuneration and Expenses
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors shall be paid such remuneration for their services as directors as the board may from time to time authorize. In addition, the board may authorize, by resolution, a special remuneration to a director who executes specific or additional duties on behalf of the Corporation. The directors shall also be entitled to be paid in respect of travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending meetings of the board or any committee thereof or in otherwise serving the Corporation. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving remuneration therefor.
3.23 Duty of Loyalty and Conflict of Interest
Subject to the Act, the directors are bound by the same obligations as are imposed by the Civil Code of Québec (Québec) on any director of a legal person. Consequently, in the exercise of their functions, the directors are duty-bound toward the Corporation to act with prudence and diligence, honesty and loyalty and in the interest of the Corporation.
In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a director may not mingle the property of the Corporation with his own property nor may he use for his own profit or that of a third person any property of the Corporation or any information he obtains by reason of his duties, unless he is authorized to do so by the shareholders of the Corporation. Directors shall avoid placing themselves in any situation where their personal interests would be in conflict with their obligations as a director.
3.24 Contracts or Transactions - Disclosure of Interest
A director must disclose the nature and value of any interest he or she has in a contract or transaction to which the Corporation is a party. Interest means any financial stake in a contract or transaction that may reasonably be considered likely to influence decision-making. Furthermore, a proposed contract or a proposed transaction, including related negotiations, is considered a contract or transaction.
A director must also disclose any contract or transaction to which the Corporation and any of the following are a party:
a) an associate of the director or officer;
b) a group of which the director or officer is a director or officer; or
c) a group in which the director or officer or an associate of the director or officer has an interest.
The director satisfies the requirement if he or she discloses, in a case specified in subparagraph b) above, the directorship or office held within the group or, in a case specified in subparagraph c) above, the nature and value of the interest he or she or his or her associate has in the group.
Unless it is recorded in the minutes of the first meeting of the board at which the contract or transaction is discussed, the disclosure of an interest, contract or transaction must be made in writing to the board as soon as the director becomes aware of the interest, contract or transaction.
The disclosure must be made even in the case of a contract or transaction that does not require approval by the board.
3.25 Contracts or Transactions Votes
No director may vote on a resolution to approve, amend or terminate a contract or transaction described in section 3.24 or be present during deliberations concerning the approval, amendment or termination of such a contract or transaction, unless the contract or transaction:
a) relates primarily to the remuneration of the director or an associate of the director as a director of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation;
b) relates primarily to the remuneration of the director or an associate of the director as an officer, employee or mandatary of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation, if the Corporation is not a reporting issuer;
c) is for indemnity or liability insurance; or
d) is with an affiliate of the Corporation, and the sole interest of the director is as a director or officer of the affiliate.
If no quorum exists for the purpose of voting on a resolution to approve a contract or transaction only because a director is not permitted to be present during deliberations, the other directors present are deemed to constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on the resolution.
If all the directors are required to abstain from voting, the contract or transaction may be approved solely by the shareholders entitled to vote, by ordinary resolution. The disclosure required by section 3.24 must be made to the shareholders in a sufficiently clear manner before the contract or transaction is approved.
3.26 Dissent
A director who is present at a meeting of the board or a committee of the board is deemed to have consented to any resolution passed at the meeting unless:
a) the directors dissent has been entered in the minutes;
b) the director sends a written dissent to the secretary of the meeting before the meeting is adjourned; or
c) the director delivers a written dissent to the chair of the board, sends it to the chair by any means providing proof of the date of receipt or delivers it to the head office of the Corporation immediately after the meeting is adjourned.
A director is not entitled to dissent after voting for or consenting to a resolution.
A director who was not present at a meeting at which a resolution was passed is deemed to have consented to the resolution unless he delivers a written dissent to the chair of the board, sends it to the chair of the board by any means providing proof of the date of receipt or delivers it to the head office of the Corporation within seven days after becoming aware of the resolution.
4 - COMMITTEES
4.1 Committees of the Board
The board may, by resolution, appoint one or more committees composed of directors and delegate to any such committee any of the powers of the board, except for the following powers which, in accordance with the Act, must be exclusively exercised by the board:
a) submit to the shareholders any question or matter requiring their approval;
b) fill a vacancy among the directors or in the office of auditor, or appoint additional directors;
c) appoint the president of the Corporation, the chair of the board, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer or the chief financial officer, regardless of their title, and to determine their remuneration;
d) authorize the issue of shares;
e) approve the transfer of unpaid shares;
f) declare dividends;
g) acquire, including by purchase, redemption or exchange, shares issued by the Corporation;
h) split, consolidate or convert shares;
i) authorize the payment of a commission to a person who purchases shares or other securities of the Corporation, or procures or agrees to procure purchasers for those shares or securities;
j) approve the financial statements presented at the annual shareholders meeting;
k) adopt, amend or repeal by-laws;
l) authorize calls for payment;
m) authorize the confiscation of shares;
n) approve an amendment to the articles allowing a class of unissued shares to be divided into series, and to determine the designation of and the rights and restrictions attaching to those shares; or
o) approve a short-form amalgamation.
4.2 Transaction of Business
The powers of a committee of the board may be exercised by a meeting at which a quorum is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the members of such committee who would have been entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the committee. Meetings of such committee may be held at any place in or outside of Québec and, subject to the provisions of paragraph 3.14 which apply with the necessary modifications, the meetings may be held by telephone, electronic or other communication facility.
4.3 Procedure
Unless otherwise determined by a resolution of the board, each committee shall have the power to fix its quorum at not less than a majority of its members, to elect its chairperson and to regulate its procedure. Each committee must provide the board with a report concerning its activities if the board makes such a request. The board may cancel or modify any decision made by the committee.
5 - OFFICERS
5.1 Appointment of Officers
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may from time to time appoint a chairperson of the board, a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as the board may determine, including one or more assistants to any of the officers so appointed. The board may specify the duties of and, in accordance with this by-law and subject to the Act, delegate to such officers powers to manage, or supervise the management of, the business and affairs of the Corporation other than any of the powers listed in section 4.1. An officer may but need not be a director and any person may hold more than one office.
5.2 Agents and Attorneys
The board shall have the power from time to time to appoint agents or attorneys for the Corporation in or out of the Province of Québec with such powers of management or otherwise (including the power to sub-delegate) as the board may determine.
5.3 Disclosure of Interest
An officer must disclose the nature and value of any interest he or she has in a contract or transaction to which the Corporation is a party, in the same way that a director must disclose
such an interest pursuant to section 3.24. In the case of an officer who is not a director, disclosure must be made as soon as:
a) the officer becomes an officer;
b) the officer becomes aware that the contract or transaction is to be discussed or has been discussed at a meeting of the board; or
c) the officer or the officers associate acquires an interest in the contract or transaction, if it was entered into earlier.
5.4 Mandate
The board may, at its own discretion, remove any officer of the Corporation, without harming his rights under his terms of employment. Each officer appointed by the board will remain in office until his resignation, replacement or removal.
5.5 Employment Conditions and Remuneration
Subject to a unanimous shareholders agreement, the board shall fix, from time to time, by resolution, the terms of employment and the remuneration of the officers it appoints.
6 - PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
6.1 Indemnity of Directors and Officers
Subject to the following, the Corporation must indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation, a former director or officer of the Corporation, a mandatary, or any other person who acts or acted at the Corporations request as a director or officer of another group, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in the exercise of their functions, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, or arising from any investigative or other proceeding in which the person is involved if:
a) the person acted with honesty and loyalty in the interest of the Corporation or, as the case may be, in the interest of the other group for which the person acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the Corporations request; and
b) in the case of a proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the person had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.
The Corporation must also advance moneys to such a person for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in the above paragraph.
However, in the event that a court or any other competent authority judges that the conditions set out in subparagraphs 1 and 2 above are not fulfilled, the Corporation may not indemnify the person and the person must repay to the Corporation any moneys advanced. In addition, the Corporation is not required to indemnify the person if a court has judged that the person
committed an intentional or gross fault. The person will then be required to repay to the Corporation any moneys advanced.
The Corporation may, with the approval of the court, in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Corporation or other group referred to above, against a person referred to above, advance the necessary monies to the person or indemnify the person against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, if the person fulfills the conditions set out above.
6.2 Insurance
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of its directors, officers and other mandataries against any liability they may incur as such or in their capacity as directors, officers or mandataries of another group, if they act or acted in that capacity at the Corporations request.
7 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
7.1 General Business
The Corporation must hold an annual shareholders meeting; if necessary, the Corporation may also hold one or more special shareholder meetings.
7.2 Annual Meetings
An annual shareholders meeting of shareholders entitled to vote at such a meeting must be held not later than 18 months after the Corporation is constituted and, subsequently, not later than 15 months after the last preceding annual shareholders meeting, for the purpose of:
a) considering the financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending within six (6) months preceding the date of such meeting and the auditors report thereon, if any;
b) considering any other financial information presentation of which is required by the articles, the by-laws or a unanimous shareholder agreement;
c) electing directors;
d) appointing the auditor, if any; and
e) deliberating with respect to all other matters which may be presented at the meeting.
The board calls the annual shareholders meeting. Otherwise, the meeting may be called by the shareholders in accordance with the Act or with section 7.3 below.
7.3 Special Meetings
The board may at any time call a special shareholders meeting.
The holders of not less than 10% of the issued shares that carry the right to vote at a shareholders meeting sought to be held may requisition the board to call a shareholders meeting for the purposes stated in the requisition. The requisition, signed by at least one shareholder, must state the business to be transacted at the meeting and must be sent to each director and to the head office of the Corporation. On receiving the requisition, the board calls a shareholders meeting to transact the business stated in the requisition. If the board does not within 21 days after receiving the requisition call a meeting, any shareholder who signed the requisition may call the meeting. Unless the shareholders otherwise resolve at a meeting called by shareholders, the Corporation must reimburse the shareholders for the expenses reasonably incurred by them in requisitioning, calling and holding the meeting.
7.4 Resolution in Lieu of Meeting
A resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of shareholders is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the shareholders.
A copy of the resolution must be kept with the minutes of the shareholders meetings.
7.5 Place of Meetings
Subject to the articles or any unanimous shareholder agreement, shareholders meetings must be held in Québec at the place determined by the board. If the articles so allow, or in the absence of such a provision, if all the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting agree, the meeting may be held at a place outside of Québec.
7.6 Participation in Meetings by Electronic Means
A meeting may be held solely by means of equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another.
In addition, any person entitled to attend a shareholders meeting may participate in the meeting by means of any equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed present at the meeting.
Any shareholder participating in a shareholders meeting by means of equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another may vote by any means enabling votes to be cast in a way that allows them to be verified afterwards and protects the secrecy of the vote when a secret ballot has been requested.
7.7 Notice of Meetings
Any notice of a meeting of shareholders specifying the time and place of the meeting must be sent, in writing and by any means providing proof of the date of receipt, to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, not less than 10 days before the meeting; in the case of a reporting issuer, the notice must be sent not less than 21 days and not more than 60 days before the meeting.
Notice of a meeting of shareholders at which special business is to be transacted shall state the nature of that business in sufficient detail to permit the shareholder to form a reasoned judgment thereon, and contain the text of any special resolution to be submitted to the meeting. All business transacted at a special meeting of the shareholders and all business transacted at an annual shareholders meeting, except consideration of the financial statements and auditors report, the appointment of the auditor and the election of directors, is deemed to be special business.
If a director or a shareholder entitled to vote at a shareholders meeting gives written notice not less than 10 days before the meeting to the auditor or a former auditor of the Corporation, the auditor or former auditor attends the meeting at the Corporations expense and answers any question relating to their duties as auditor.
7.8 Waiver of Notice
A shareholder or director may waive notice of a shareholder meeting; the waiver may be given either before or after the meeting. Their attendance at the meeting is a waiver of notice of the meeting unless they attend the meeting for the sole purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting on the grounds that it was not lawfully called or held.
7.9 Record Date for Notice
If the Corporation is a reporting issuer or has 50 or more shareholders, the board may fix in advance, not less than 21 days and not more than 60 days before the meeting, a record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to receive a notice of the meeting or entitled to vote at the meeting. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to receive a notice or entitled to vote shall be the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice of the meeting is given.
7.10 Chairperson and Secretary
The chairperson of the board or, in the chairpersons absence, the president or, in the presidents absence, a vice-president shall be chairperson of any meeting of shareholders. If none of these officers are present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the persons present and entitled to vote shall choose a chairperson from amongst themselves. The secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at any meeting of shareholders or, if the secretary of the Corporation is absent, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint some person, who need not be a shareholder, to act as secretary of the meeting. If desired, one or more scrutineers, who need not be shareholders, may be appointed by resolution or by the chairperson with the consent of the meeting in accordance with the procedure set out in section 7.17.
7.11 Persons Entitled to be Present
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders shall be those entitled to vote thereat, the directors and auditors of the Corporation and others who, although not entitled to vote, are entitled or required under any provision of the Act or the articles or by-laws to be present at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the
chairperson of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting in accordance with the procedure set out in section 7.17.
7.12 Quorum
A quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting of shareholders irrespective of the number of persons actually present at the meeting, if the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. A quorum need not be present throughout the meeting provided a quorum is present at the opening of the meeting.
7.13 Right to Vote
Subject to a record date established in accordance with section 7.9, at a shareholders meeting, the shareholders registered on the securities register of the Corporation are entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the shares in their name.
7.14 Proxies and Representatives
Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by means of a proxy, appoint a proxyholder, or one or more alternate proxyholders, who need not be shareholders, to attend and act at the meeting in the manner and to the extent authorized and with the authority conferred by the proxy. A proxy shall be signed in writing or by electronic signature by the shareholder or the shareholders representative authorized in writing or by electronic signature.
Unless otherwise indicated, a proxy lapses one year after the date it is given. It may be revoked at any time.
A proxyholder has the same rights as the shareholder represented to speak at a shareholders meeting in respect of any matter and to vote at the meeting. However, a proxyholder who has conflicting instructions from more than one shareholder may not vote by a show of hands.
7.15 Time for Deposit of Proxies
The board may specify in a notice calling a meeting of shareholders a time, preceding the time of such meeting by not more than 48 hours exclusive of non-business days, before which proxies to be used at such meeting must be deposited. A proxy shall be acted upon only if, prior to the time so specified, it shall have been deposited with the Corporation or an agent thereof specified in such notice or, if no such time is specified in such notice, it shall have been received prior to the time of voting by the secretary of the Corporation or by the chairperson of the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
7.16 Joint Shareholders
If two or more persons hold shares jointly, one of those holders present at a meeting of shareholders may in the absence of the others vote the share, but if two or more of those persons who are present, in person or by proxy, vote, they shall vote as one on the shares jointly held by them.
7.17 Votes to Govern
Except as otherwise required by the Act, the articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement, all questions proposed for the consideration of shareholders at a meeting of shareholders shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast by all who are entitled to vote.
7.18 Casting Vote
In case of an equality of votes at any meeting of shareholders, regardless of the manner of voting, the chairperson of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
7.19 Show of Hands
Any question at a meeting of shareholders shall be decided by a show of hands, unless a ballot thereon is required or demanded as hereinafter provided. Every person who is present and entitled to vote thereon shall have one vote. Whenever a vote by any means other than by ballot is taken, a declaration by the chairperson of the meeting that the vote upon the question has been carried or carried by a particular majority or not carried and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against any resolution or other proceeding in respect of the said question, and the result of the vote so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question.
7.20 Ballots
On any question proposed for consideration at a meeting of shareholders, and whether or not a show of hands has been taken thereon, the chairperson may require, or any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting may demand, a ballot. A ballot so required or demanded shall be taken in such manner as the chairperson shall direct. A requirement or demand for a ballot may be withdrawn at any time prior to the taking of the ballot. If a ballot is taken each person present shall be entitled, in respect of the shares which the person is entitled to vote at the meeting upon the question, to that number of votes provided by the Act or the articles, and the result of the ballot so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question.
7.21 Adjournment
If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned for less than 30 days, it shall not be necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the earliest meeting that is adjourned. If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as for an original meeting.
7.22 One Shareholder
Where the Corporation has only one shareholder or only one holder of any class or series of shares, the shareholder present in person or by proxy constitutes a meeting.
7.23 Storage of Ballots and Proxies
The Corporation must, for at least three months after a shareholders meeting, keep at its head office the ballots cast and the proxies presented at the meeting. Any shareholder or proxyholder who was entitled to vote at the meeting may, without charge, inspect the ballots and proxies kept by the Corporation.
8 - SHARES AND CERTIFICATES
8.1 Issuance of Shares
Subject to any provision providing otherwise in the articles or in a unanimous shareholder agreement, including a provision granting pre-emptive rights to shareholders, shares may be issued at the times, to the persons, including directors and officers, and for the consideration that the board determines. The board may, by resolution, accept subscriptions, issue and allot unissued shares from the Corporations share capital and grant exchange rights, options or acquisition rights with respect to those shares.
8.2 Payment of Shares
Shares may be issued whether or not they are fully paid. However, shares may only be considered paid if consideration equal to the issue price determined by the board has been paid to the Corporation.
Consideration for the shares issued by the Corporation is payable in money, or in property or past services determined by the board to be the fair equivalent of the money consideration, considering all the circumstances.
A promissory note or a promise to pay made by a person to whom shares are issued, or a person who does not deal at arms length, within the meaning of that expression in the Taxation Act (Québec), with a person to whom shares are issued does not constitute consideration for the shares.
8.3 Unpaid Shares
Unless the terms of payment for shares are determined by contract, the board may call for payment of all or part of the unpaid amounts on shares subscribed or held by the shareholders.
A call for payment is deemed to be made on the day the board passes a resolution providing for it. Notice of the call for payment stating the amount due and the time for payment must be sent to the shareholders.
If a shareholder does not make the required payment following a call for payment, the board may confiscate, without further formality, the shares for which payment has not been made. The confiscation is recorded in the securities register.
The board may transfer the shares so confiscated to a new acquirer, register their transfer and, if applicable, cancel the certificates representing them, whether or not the shareholder has returned the endorsed certificates to the Corporation, and issue a new certificate to the acquirer.
If the terms of payment for shares are determined by contract, the board may, after sending a demand letter, confiscate the shares without further formality if the shareholder who subscribed for or acquired them has failed to comply with such terms.
If the acquirer is not bound by a contract with the Corporation with respect to payment of the shares, the provisions relating to a call for payment apply to the acquirer.
Within 10 days after disposing of the confiscated shares, the Corporation must inform the shareholder of the proceeds obtained from the disposition and remit any surplus to the shareholder. The shareholder is liable for the unpaid balance on the shares if the proceeds of disposition do not cover the amounts payable.
Instead of confiscating shares, the Corporation may apply to the court in order to recover the amounts due from defaulting shareholders.
A shareholder who is in arrears with respect to a call for payment or has defaulted on payment of shares in accordance with the contract between the shareholder and the Corporation may not vote at any shareholders meeting.
The unpaid amounts on shares subscribed to by shareholders exercising with respect to those shares a right to demand repurchase of shares pursuant to section 372 and following of the Act become payable from the moment the shareholder sends a notice to the Corporation pursuant to section 376 of the Act.
8.4 Commissions
The board may, from time to time, authorize the Corporation to pay a reasonable commission to any person in consideration of the persons purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares or other securities of the Corporation from the Corporation, or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for any such shares or securities.
8.5 Securities Records
The securities register of the Corporation must contain the following information with respect to its shares:
a) the names, in alphabetical order, and the addresses of present and past shareholders;
b) the number of shares held by each such shareholder;
c) the date and details of the issue and transfer of each share; and
d) any amount due on any share.
The register must contain, if applicable, the same information with respect to the Corporations debentures, bonds, notes and other securities, with the necessary modifications.
8.6 Register of Transfer
The Corporation shall cause to be kept a register of transfers in which all transfers of securities issued by the Corporation in registered form and the date and other particulars of each transfer shall be set out.
Subject to the Act, the transfer of shares is governed by the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements (Québec).
8.7 Registration of Transfer
If an endorsed share certificate in registered form is presented to the Corporation with a request to register a transfer of the certificated share or an instruction is presented to the Corporation with a request to register a transfer of an uncertificated share, the Corporation registers the transfer as requested if:
a) under the terms of the share, the purchaser is eligible to have the share registered in that persons name;
b) the endorsement or instruction is made by the appropriate person or by that persons representative;
c) reasonable assurance is given that the endorsement or instruction is neither forged nor counterfeited and is authorized;
d) any applicable fiscal law that imposes duties on the Corporation at the time of the transfer has been complied with;
e) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable against the purchaser or imposed by law; and
f) the transfer is rightful or is to a protected purchaser, pursuant to the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements (Québec).
Shares that are not fully paid but for which no instalment is payable may only be transferred with the authorization of the board. The directors must reasonably verify the acquirers ability to pay for the shares before authorizing the transfer.
A share may not be transferred until all instalments payable up to the time of transfer have been fully paid.
8.8 Non-recognition of Trusts
Subject to the Act, the Corporation may treat the registered owner of a share as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notices, to receive any dividend or other payments in respect thereof and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of a share.
8.9 Share Certificates
A share issued by the Corporation may be a certificated share or an uncertificated share. A certificated share is represented by a paper certificate in registered form, and an uncertificated share is represented by an entry in the securities register in the name of the shareholder.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of the Corporation, shares are issued as certificated shares unless the board determines, by resolution, that the shares of any class or series or certain shares of a class or series are to be issued as uncertificated shares.
The board may also, by resolution, determine that a certificated share becomes an uncertificated share as soon as the paper certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.
Inversely, the board may, by resolution, determine that an uncertificated share becomes a certificated share on delivery to the shareholder of a certificate in the shareholders name or, in the case of a control agreement under the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements (Québec), on delivery to the purchaser, within the meaning of the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements (Québec), of a certificate in the purchasers name, unless there are provisions inconsistent with such a control agreement, in which case those provisions apply. The board must give notice of the resolution to the shareholders of the classes or series of shares concerned.
8.10 Certificated Shares
In the case of certificated shares, the Corporation must issue to the shareholder, without charge, a certificate in registered form.
Share certificates shall be in such form as the board may from time to time approve.
Subject to any resolution of the board providing otherwise, the share certificates of the Corporation must be signed by any one of the Corporations directors or officers or by a person acting in their name. The signature may be affixed by an automatic device or electronic process.
In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the certificate is proof of the shareholders title to the shares represented by the certificate.
Share certificates need not be under corporate seal.
8.11 Uncertificated Shares
In the case of uncertificated shares, the Corporation must send the shareholder a written notice containing the information required under the Act.
8.12 Replacement of Share Certificates
If the shareholder of a certificated share claims that the certificate has been lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed, the Corporation must issue a new certificate if the shareholder:
a) so requests before the Corporation has notice that the lost, wrongfully taken or allegedly destroyed certificate has been delivered to a protected purchaser, as such term is defined in the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements (Québec);
b) provides security sufficient in the Corporations judgment to protect the Corporation from any loss that the Corporation may suffer by issuing a new certificate; and
c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.
8.13 Joint Shareholders
If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, the Corporation shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate in respect thereof, and delivery of such certificate to one of such persons shall be sufficient delivery to all of them. Any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for the certificate issued in respect thereof or for any dividend, bonus, return of capital or other money payable or warrant issuable in respect of such share.
8.14 Deceased Shareholders
In the event of the death of a holder, or of one of the joint holders, of any share, the Corporation shall not be required to make any entry in the securities register in respect thereof or to make payment of any dividends thereon except upon production of all such documents as may be required by the Act and upon compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Corporation.
9 - DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS
9.1 Dividends
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may from time to time declare dividends payable to the shareholders according to their respective rights and interests in the Corporation. Dividends may be paid in money or property or by issuing fully paid shares or options or rights to acquire fully paid shares of the Corporation.
If shares of the Corporation are issued in payment of a dividend, the Corporation may add all or part of the value of those shares to the appropriate issued and paid-up share capital account.
The Corporation may not declare and pay a dividend, except by issuing shares or options or rights to acquire shares, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the Corporation is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due.
The Corporation may deduct from the dividends payable to a shareholder any amount due to the Corporation by the shareholder, on account of calls for payment or otherwise.
9.2 Dividend Cheques
A dividend payable in cash shall be paid by cheque drawn on the Corporations banks or one of them to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by prepaid ordinary mail to such registered holder at such holders address recorded in the Corporations securities register, unless in each case such holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders the cheque shall, unless such joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders and, if more than one address is recorded in the Corporations securities register in respect of such joint holding, the cheque shall be mailed to the first address so appearing. The mailing of such cheque, in such manner, unless the cheque is not paid on due presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend to the extent of the sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Corporation is required to and does withhold.
9.3 Non-receipt or Loss of Cheques
In the event of non-receipt or loss of any dividend cheque by the person to whom it is sent, the Corporation shall issue to such person a replacement cheque for a like amount on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of non-receipt or loss and of title as the board may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case.
9.4 Record Date for Dividends and Rights
If the Corporation is a reporting issuer or has 50 or more shareholders, the board may fix in advance, in a specified manner, a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, participate in a liquidation distribution or for any other purpose. If no record date is fixed in advance, the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution relating to such dividend is passed by the board.
9.5 Unclaimed Dividends
Any dividend unclaimed after a period of two years from the date on which the dividend has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.
10 - NOTICES
10.1 Method of Giving Notices
Any notice, communication or document (notice) to be given or sent pursuant to the Act, the articles, a unanimous shareholder agreement, the by-laws or otherwise to a shareholder, director, officer or auditor shall be sufficiently given or sent if given or sent by prepaid mail, prepaid transmitted, recorded, or electronic communication capable of providing a written copy of such notice, or delivered personally to such persons latest address as shown on the securities register of the Corporation or, in the case of a director, if more current, the address as shown in the most recent declaration filed under the Act Respecting the Legal Publicity of Enterprises (Québec). A notice shall be deemed to have been received on the date when it is delivered personally, or on the fifth day after mailing, or on the date of dispatch of a transmitted or recorded electronic
communication. The secretary may change or cause to be changed the recorded address of any shareholder, director, officer or auditor in accordance with any information believed by the secretary to be reliable.
10.2 Notice to Joint Shareholders
If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any notice shall be addressed to all of such joint holders but notice to one of such persons shall be sufficient notice to all of them.
10.3 Computation of Time
In computing the date when notice must be sent under any provision requiring a specified period of days notice of any meeting or other event, the period of days shall commence on the day following the sending of such notice and shall terminate on the day preceding the date of the meeting or other event provided that the last day of the period shall not be a non-business day.
10.4 Undelivered Notices
If any notice given to a shareholder pursuant to section 10.1 is returned on two consecutive occasions because the shareholder cannot be found, the Corporation shall not be required to give any further notice to such shareholder until such shareholder informs the Corporation in writing of the shareholders new address.
10.5 Omissions and Errors
The accidental omission to give or send any notice to any shareholder, director, officer or auditor, or the non-receipt of any notice by any such person or any error in any notice not affecting the substance thereof, shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice or otherwise based thereon.
10.6 Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law
Every person who, by operation of law, transfer, death of a shareholder or any other means whatsoever, shall become entitled to any share, shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which shall have been duly given or sent to the shareholder from whom the person derives title to such share prior to that persons name and address being entered on the securities register (whether such notice was given or sent before or after the happening of the event upon which that person becomes so entitled) and prior to that person furnishing to the Corporation the proof of authority or evidence of entitlement prescribed by the Act.
10.7 Waiver of Notice
Any shareholder (or shareholders duly appointed proxyholder), director, officer or auditor may at any time waive the giving or sending of any notice, or waive or abridge the time for any notice, required to be given to that person under any provision of the Act, the articles, a unanimous shareholder agreement, the by-laws or otherwise and such waiver or abridgement shall cure any default in the giving or sending or in the time of such notice, as the case may be.
Any such waiver or abridgement shall be in writing or given by electronic signature except a waiver of notice of a meeting of shareholders or of the board which may be given in any manner.
THE PRESENT BY-LAW WAS ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTORS AND SANCTIONED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CORPORATION ON JULY 14, 2017 AND REPLACES THE GENERAL BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION.
BY-LAW 2019-1
A by-law relating generally to the transaction of the business and affairs of
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTIQUES INC.
(the Corporation)
A. INTERPRETATION
1. Definitions
In these by-laws, unless the context indicates otherwise,
Act means the Business Corporations Act, CQLR, c. S-31.1. Any reference to that statute or any provisions thereof in the Corporations by-laws is interpreted as a reference to any amended or substituted provisions thereof;
affairs means the relationships among the Corporation, its affiliates and the shareholders, directors and officers of the Corporation and its affiliates but does not include the business carried on by the Corporation or its affiliates;
affiliates: means legal persons one of whom is a subsidiary of the other, or legal persons who are controlled by the same person;
Applicable Securities Laws means the applicable securities legislation of each relevant province and territory of Canada, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commission and similar regulatory authority of each province and territory of Canada.
associates means, in relation to a person:
(a) the persons spouse, children and relatives, and the children and relatives of the persons spouse;
(b) a partner of the person;
(c) a succession or trust in which the person has a substantial interest similar to that of a beneficiary or in respect of which the person serves as liquidator, trustee or other administrator of the property of others, mandatary or depositary; or
(d) a legal person of whom the person owns securities making up more than 10% of a class of shares carrying voting rights at any shareholders meeting or the right to receive any declared dividend or a share of the remaining property of the legal person in the event of liquidation.
group: means any legal person, any group of persons or any group of properties, including an organization, joint venture or trust;
officer means a person referred to in section 47 of these by-laws;
public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com
resolution or ordinary resolution means a resolution that requires a majority of the votes cast at a shareholders meeting by the shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution, or a resolution that requires the signature of all such shareholders;
reporting issuer means a reporting issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act (CQLR, chapter V-1.1);
security means a share, debenture, bond or note that is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or financial market;
shareholder means a shareholder who is registered in the securities register of the Corporation, and includes a shareholders representative;
special resolution means a resolution that requires at least two thirds of the votes cast at a shareholders meeting by the shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution, or a resolution that requires the signature of all such shareholders;
2. Interpretation
(a) the powers of the directors, shareholders and officers of the Corporation are subject to the Act and by-laws of the Corporation and any reference to the exercise of any of these powers in the by-laws of the Corporation is subject to the limits, restrictions or conditions that are expressed therein;
(b) the masculine gender includes both sexes, unless the contrary intention is evident by the context;
(c) the singular number extends to more than one person or more than one thing of the same sort, whenever the context admits of such extension. The plural number can apply to one person only or to one thing only if the context so permits; and
(d) the headings used in these by-laws are for ease of reference only and do not form part of them.
B. HEAD OFFICE, ESTABLISHMENT AND SEAL
3. Head office
The head office of the Corporation shall be established in the judicial district of Montréal, in the Province of Québec. The Corporation may relocate its head office in compliance with the Act.
4. Establishment
In addition to its head office, the Corporation may have other establishments, offices or agencies both within and outside Québec.
5. Seal
The Board of Directors may adopt a seal but is not required to. The fact that a document of the Corporation is not sealed does not invalidate the document.
C. CORPORATE RECORDS
6. Records
The Corporation maintains, at its head office or at any other place designated by the Board of Directors, records containing:
(a) the articles and the by-laws;
(b) minutes of meetings of the shareholders and written resolutions of shareholders;
(c) the names and domicile of the directors, and the dates of the beginning and end of their term of office; and
(d) the securities register.
The secretary keeps such records up-to-date.
The shareholders may examine these records during its regular office hours, and obtain extracts from them. They may also, on request and without charge, obtain a copy of the articles and by-laws.
7. Accounting and Board records
The Corporation also maintains accounting records and books containing the minutes of meetings and written resolutions of the Board of Directors. The Corporation also maintains books for all the committees of the Board of Directors. These records and books are kept at the Corporations head office or at any other place designated by the Board of Directors.
The Corporation is required to retain all accounting records for a period of six years after the end of the fiscal year to which they relate.
Only the directors and the auditor may have access to the accounting records and books containing the minutes of the meetings as well as the written resolutions of the Board of Directors and of its committees. However, the shareholders may examine, during the
Corporations regular office hours, any part of the minutes of the deliberations of the Board of Directors or any other document in which a director or officer makes the disclosure of interest referred to in sections 23 and 53 below.
8. Securities register
The securities register of the Corporation contains the following information with respect to its shares:
(a) the names, in alphabetical order, and the addresses of present and past shareholders;
(b) the number of shares held by each such shareholder;
(c) the date and details of the issue and transfer of each share; and
(d) any amount due on any share.
The register must contain, if applicable, the same information with respect to the Corporations debentures, bonds and notes, with the necessary modifications. Any person may examine the Corporations securities register if that person complies with the provisions of the Act in this regard. Any person may, on request and on payment of a reasonable fee established by the Corporation, obtain a copy of the list of the Corporations shareholders as provided for in the Act.
9. Transfer Agents and Registrars
The Board of Directors may at any time, by resolution, appoint and replace the Corporations transfer agent(s) and registrar(s) for the Corporations shares and, subject to the laws that govern the Corporation, generally enact by-laws from time to time for the transfer and transmission of the Corporations shares. All shares certificates representing shares of the Corporation issued after such an appointment must be countersigned by an authorized representative of those transfer agent(s) or registrar(s) and are only valid once so countersigned.
D. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
10. Functions and powers
The Board of Directors exercises all necessary powers to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Except to the extent provided by law, such powers may be exercised without shareholder approval.
Generally, the Board of Directors exercises the powers and takes the actions which the Corporation is authorized to take; it may also enter into any contract on behalf of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may, on behalf of the Corporation:
(a) borrow money;
(b) issue, reissue, sell or hypothecate its debt obligations;
(c) enter into a suretyship to secure performance of an obligation of any person; and
(d) hypothecate all or any of its property, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation.
11. Delegation of powers
The Board of Directors may create one of several committees composed of directors and may delegate certain powers to this or these committees. It can also delegate its powers to a director or an officer. However, the Board of Directors may not delegate its power:
(a) to submit to the shareholders any question or matter requiring their approval;
(b) to fill a vacancy among the directors or in the office of auditor;
(c) to appoint or dismiss the president of the Corporation, the Chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer or the chief financial officer regardless of their title, and to determine their remuneration;
(d) to authorize the issue of shares;
(e) to approve the transfer of unpaid shares;
(f) to declare dividends;
(g) to acquire, including by purchase, redemption or exchange, shares issued by the Corporation;
(h) to split, consolidate or convert shares;
(i) to authorize the payment of a commission to a person who purchases shares or other securities of the Corporation, or procures or agrees to procure purchasers for those shares or securities;
(j) to approve the financial statements presented at the annual meetings of shareholders;
(k) to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws;
(l) to authorize calls for payment;
(m) to authorize the confiscation of shares;
(n) to approve articles of amendment allowing a class of unissued shares to be divided into series, and to determine the designation of and the rights and restrictions attaching to those shares or securities; or
(o) to approve a short-form amalgamation.
12. Contracts
All contracts, deeds, agreements, documents, bonds, debentures and other instruments requiring execution by the Corporation may be signed by any director or officer of the Corporation or by such persons as the Board of Directors may otherwise authorize from time to time by resolution. Any such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
13. Proceedings
Any director or officer of the Corporation, or any other person appointed for that purpose by any director or officer of the Corporation, is authorized to bring any action, proceeding, motion, civil, criminal, administrative or other legal procedure, in the name of the Corporation or to appear and to answer on behalf of the Corporation to any writ, to any order or injunction issued by any court, to any examination on the facts relating to any litigation or any examination on discovery, as well as to any action, proceeding, motion or other legal procedure in which the Corporation is involved; to respond in the name of the Corporation to any garnishment in which the Corporation is garnishee and to prepare any affidavit or any solemn declaration related to such a garnishment or to any other legal procedure to which the Corporation is a party; to make any application for the assignment of property or any petitions for a receiving order against any debtor of the Corporation; to attend and to vote in any meeting of the creditors of debtors of the Corporation; to grant proxies and, in respect of any such action, proceeding, motion or other legal procedure, to take any other action which he or she deems to be in the best interests of the Corporation.
14. Number
The exact number of directors is determined by the Board of Directors as provided in the articles of the Corporation.
The directors in office do not cease to hold their position as a result of an amendment of the articles which reduces their number.
15. Qualifications
Any natural person may be a director of the Corporation, except:
(a) a minor;
(b) a person of full age under tutorship or curatorship;
(c) a bankrupt;
(d) a person prohibited by the court from holding such office;
(e) a person declared incapable by decision of a court of another jurisdiction.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles, a director is not required to be a shareholder.
16. Election and term of office
The directors are elected each year at the annual shareholders meeting by a simple majority of the votes and remain in office until the next annual shareholders meeting or until their successors are appointed. Voting for the election of directors is conducted by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by a shareholder entitled to vote.
In conformity with the Articles of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may, at its discretion, appoint one (1) or more directors, who shall hold office for a term expiring no later than the close of the annual meeting of shareholders following their appointment, but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one-third (1/3) of the number of directors elected at the annual meeting of shareholders preceding their appointment.
17. Cessation of office
A director ceases to hold office when he dies, becomes disqualified from being a director, resigns or is removed from office.
18. Resignation
A director may resign at any time. The resignation of a director becomes effective at the time the directors written resignation is received by the Corporation, or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. The reason for the resignation need not be given.
19. Removal
The shareholders may by ordinary resolution at a special meeting remove any director or directors. If certain shareholders have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director so elected may only be removed by ordinary resolution of those shareholders.
A director whose removal is to be proposed at a shareholders meeting may attend the meeting and be heard or, if not in attendance, may explain, in a written statement read by the person presiding over the meeting or made available to the shareholders before or at the meeting, why he opposes the resolution proposing his removal.
A vacancy created by the removal of a director may be filled at the shareholders meeting at which the director is removed or, if it is not, at a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors.
20. Vacancy
A quorum of directors may fill any vacancy on the board unless there has been a failure to elect the fixed number or minimum number of directors required by the articles.
However, the directors then in office must without delay call a special shareholders meeting to fill the vacancies resulting from the lack of quorum or the failure to elect the fixed or minimal number of directors set out in the articles. If the directors refuse or fail to call a meeting, the meeting may be called by any shareholder.
A director appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
21. Retiring director and updating declaration
A director who leaves office is authorized to sign on behalf of the Corporation and file in accordance with the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises (CQLR, chapter P- 44.1) an updating declaration indicating such change, unless he has received, within thirty (30) days of the date on which such change took effect, proof that the Corporation has filed such declaration.
22. Duties of directors
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the directors are bound by the same obligations as are imposed by the Civil Code of Québec on any director of a legal person. Consequently, in the exercise of their functions, the directors are duty-bound toward the Corporation to act with prudence and diligence, honesty and loyalty and in the interest of the Corporation.
More specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) no director may mingle the property of the Corporation with his own property nor may he use for his own profit or that of a third person any property of the Corporation or any information he obtains by reason of his duties, unless he is authorized to do so by the shareholders of the Corporation;
(b) unless he has obtained the express consent of the Board of Directors, a director must keep confidential the deliberations of the Board of Directors, any internal document and any other information to which he has access in the performance of his duties which is not publicly known and which has not been publicly disclosed by the Corporation;
(c) a director must avoid placing himself in any situation where his personal interest would be in conflict with his obligations as a director of the Corporation;
(d) a director must declare to the legal person any interest he has in an enterprise or association that may place him in a situation of conflict of interest and of any right he may set up against it, indicating their nature and value, where applicable.
23. Contracts or transactions disclosure of interest
A director must disclose the nature and value of any interest he has in a contract or transaction to which the Corporation is a party. Interest means any financial stake in a contract or transaction that may reasonably be considered likely to influence decision-
making. Furthermore, a proposed contract or a proposed transaction, including related negotiations, is considered a contract or transaction.
A director must also disclose a contract or transaction to which the Corporation and any of the following are a party:
(a) an associate of the director;
(b) a group of which the director is a director;
(c) a group in which the director or an associate of the director has an interest.
The director satisfies the requirement if he discloses, in a case specified in subparagraph (b), the directorship or office held within the group or, in a case specified in subparagraph (c), the nature and value of the interest he or his associate has in the group.
Unless it is recorded in the minutes of the first meeting of the Board of Directors at which the contract or transaction is discussed, the disclosure of an interest, contract or transaction must be made in writing to the Board of Directors as soon as the director becomes aware of the interest, contract or transaction.
The disclosure must be made even in the case of a contract or transaction that does not require approval by the Board of Directors.
24. Contracts or transactions voting
No director may vote on a resolution to approve, amend or terminate the contract or transaction described in the foregoing section, or be present during deliberations concerning the approval, amendment or termination of such a contract or transaction unless the contract or transaction:
(a) relates primarily to the remuneration of the director or an associate of the director as a director of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation;
(b) relates primarily to the remuneration of the director or an associate of the director as an officer, employee or mandatary of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation, if the Corporation is not a reporting issuer;
(c) is for the indemnification of the directors in certain circumstances or liability insurance taken out by the Corporation;
(d) is with an affiliate of the Corporation, and the sole interest of the director is as a director or officer of the affiliate.
If no quorum exists for the purpose of voting on a resolution to approve a contract or transaction only because a director is not permitted to be present during deliberations, the other directors present are deemed to constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on the resolution.
If all the directors are required to abstain from voting, the contract or transaction may be approved solely by the shareholders entitled to vote, by ordinary resolution. The disclosure must be made to the shareholders in a sufficiently clear manner before the contract or transaction is approved.
25. Remuneration
The Board of Directors determines the remuneration of the directors from time to time, by resolution. The directors are also entitled to be reimbursed for travel costs and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
E. NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS
26. Nomination procedures
Subject only to the Act and the Articles of the Corporation, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders, if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called is the election of directors. Such nominations may be made in the following manner:
(a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;
(b) by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Act, or a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or
(c) by any person (a Nominating Shareholder): (A) who, at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided for below and on the record date for notice of such meeting, is entered in the securities register as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting; and (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth below.
27. Timely notice
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.
28. Manner of timely notice
To be timely, a Nominating Shareholders notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation must be made:
(a) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (including an annual and special), not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the Notice Date) on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the Notice Date; and
(b) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made.
In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholders notice as described above.
29. Proper form of timely notice
To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholders notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation must set forth:
(a) as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residential address of the person; (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person; (C) the class or series and number of shares in the capital of the Corporation which are controlled or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a dissidents proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws (as defined below); and
(b) as to the Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Nominating Shareholder has a right to vote any shares of the Corporation and any other information relating to such Nominating Shareholder that would be required to be made in a dissidents proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws.
The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information, including a written consent to act, as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable shareholders understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.
30. Eligibility for nomination as a director
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws; provided, however, that nothing in the by-laws shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which it would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Act. The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
31. Delivery of notice
Notwithstanding any other provision of the by-laws, notice given to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation pursuant to this section E may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile transmission or by email (at such email address as stipulated from time to time by the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery, email (at the aforesaid address) or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received) to the Corporate Secretary at the address of the principal executive offices of the Corporation; provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the subsequent day that is a business day.
32. Board Discretion
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this section E.
F. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
33. Place
The Board of Directors meets at the head office of the Corporation or at any other place within or outside Québec which the Chair of the Board of Directors may choose.
34. Calling of meeting
The Board of Directors meets as often as the Chair of the Board considers necessary. Board meetings are called by the Chair of the Board, or by the Vice-Chair of the Board if any is appointed among the directors, or by the secretary at the request of the Chair of the Board or by the Vice-Chair of the Board or in the absence or in case of incapacity to act as Chair of the Board or the Vice-Chair of the Board, at the request of two (2) directors. At least two (2) days notice must be given.
In the event that the Chair of the Board or the Vice-Chair of the Board (or the secretary, at the request of the Chair of the Board or the Vice-Chair of the Board or in the absence or in case of incapacity to act as Chair of the Board or the Vice-Chair of the Board, of two directors) considers, at his discretion, that it is deemed urgent to call a meeting of the Board of Directors, he must see that the notice of the meeting be sent out using any possible means at least two (2) hours before the meeting and such notice shall be deemed sufficient for the meeting to be called.
The notice must state the time and place of the meeting and, where applicable, specify any matter referred to in section 11 of these by-laws.
A notice of meeting must be sent to each director, at his last known civic or electronic address, by any means providing proof of its sending.
A meeting may be held without notice if all the directors are present or if the absent directors agreed to the holding of such meeting. The meeting of the Board of Directors immediately following the annual shareholders meeting may take place without notice.
35. Waiver of notice
A director may, in writing, waive notice of a meeting; waiver of the notice may be validly given before or after the meeting. However, attendance of a director at a meeting of the board is a waiver of notice of the meeting unless the director attends the meeting for the sole purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting on the grounds that it was not lawfully called.
36. Participation by any means of communication
A director may participate in a meeting of the board by means of equipment - telephone, electronic or other - enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another. In such a case, the director is deemed to be present at the meeting.
37. Attendance
Only the directors may attend board meetings. Other persons may also attend as needed, with the authorization of the Chair of the Board or the majority of the directors present.
38. Quorum
A majority of the directors in office constitutes a quorum. A quorum of directors may validly exercise all the powers of the directors, despite any vacancy on the board.
39. Chair and secretary of the meeting
Meetings of the Board of Directors are chaired by the Chair of the Board or, by default, by the vice-chair of the board or by default by a director assigned by the other participating directors. The secretary acts as meeting secretary, drafts the minutes of the meeting and co-signs the minutes with the Chair of the meeting.
40. Procedure
The Chair of the Board directs the meeting and ensures that it is conducted in an orderly manner. He submits the business to be discussed to the board. A director may also submit business to be discussed.
41. Voting
Unless otherwise provided in the articles, the Board of Directors decides any issue by a majority of the votes. Each director is entitled to one vote. Voting by proxy is not permitted.
Voting is by a show of hands or, at the request of the Chair of the Board or a director, by secret ballot. A vote by secret ballot may be requested before or after a vote by a show of hands.
If voting is by secret ballot, the secretary acts as scrutineer and counts the ballots. The Chair of the Board does not have a tie-breaking vote in the case of a tie.
42. Dissent
A director who is present at a meeting of the board or a committee of the board is deemed to have consented to any resolution passed at the meeting unless:
(a) the directors dissent has been entered in the minutes;
(b) the director sends a written dissent to the secretary of the meeting before the meeting is adjourned; or
(c) the director delivers a written dissent to the Chair of the Board, sends it to the Chair of the Board by any means providing proof of the date of receipt or delivers it to the head office of the Corporation immediately after the meeting is adjourned.
A director is not entitled to dissent after voting for or consenting to a resolution.
43. Dissent of an absent director
A director who was not present at a meeting of the board or a committee of the board at which a resolution was passed is deemed to have consented to the resolution unless the director records his dissent within seven (7) days after becoming aware of the resolution, by written notice delivered to the Chair of the Board, or sent to the Chair of the Board by any means providing proof of the date of receipt or delivered to the head office of the Corporation.
44. Adjournment
The Chair of the Board or failing him, the Vice-Chair of the Board may, with the consent of the majority of the directors present, adjourn a meeting of the Board of Directors to a specified date, time and place without a new notice of meeting being required. The Chair
of the Board or failing him, the Vice-Chair of the Board may also adjourn a meeting ex officio if he considers it impossible to conduct it in an orderly manner.
The meeting is validly resumed if it is held on the specified date and at the specified place and if a quorum is present. If a quorum does not exist when the meeting resumes, the initial meeting is deemed to have ended immediately after it was adjourned.
45. Signed resolution
A resolution in writing, signed by all the directors entitled to vote on the resolution, has the same force as if it had been passed at a meeting of the board or, as the case may be, of a committee of the Board of Directors. These resolutions are kept with the minutes of meetings and the written resolutions of the Board of Directors.
The written resolutions that are signed electronically are as legally valid as a written signature.
46. Recording of deliberations
Only the secretary may record the deliberations of the Board of Directors, for the purpose of preparing the minutes. The secretary must destroy the recording once the concerned minutes have been approved.
G. OFFICERS
47. General
The officers of the Corporation are the Chair of the Board, the vice-chair of the board (if applicable), the president and chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the vice- presidents, the secretary, the treasurer and/or the assistant-secretary(ies). The Board of Directors may designate another person as an officer by resolution.
48. Qualifications
The officers need not be directors or shareholders of the Corporation except for the Chair of the Board of Directors who must be a director. The same person may hold more than one position as officer.
49. Term of office
Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise when he is appointed, an officer holds office from his appointment until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting or until a replacement has been named.
50. Cessation of office
An officer may resign at any time. The resignation of an officer takes effect on the date the Corporation receives the written notice he gives or on the later date indicated therein.
The Board of Directors or the president and chief executive officer may remove an officer at any time and the reason for the removal is not required to be given. However, the removal of the president, the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, or the chief financial officer regardless of their title, as their appointment, is the responsibility of the Board of Directors.
51. Vacancy
The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy in an office at any time.
52. Powers of officers
An officer exercises the powers attached to his position. He also exercises all the powers which the Board of Directors can delegate to him. In the event an officer is unable to act, the powers of such officer are exercised by any other person designated by the Board of Directors.
53. Duties of officers
The officers are mandataries of the Corporation. In this capacity, in the exercise of their functions, the officers are bound, among other things, toward the Corporation to act with prudence and diligence, honesty and loyalty and in the interest of the Corporation.
An officer must disclose the nature and value of any interest he has in a contract or transaction to which the Corporation is a party. An officer must disclose any contract or transaction to which the Corporation and any of the following are a party:
(a) an associate of the director or officer;
(b) a group of which the director or officer is a director or officer;
(c) a group in which the director or officer or an associate of the director or officer has an interest.
The officer satisfies the requirement if he discloses, in a case specified in subparagraph (b), the directorship or office held within the group or, in a case specified in subparagraph (c), the nature and value of the interest he or his associate has in the group.
In the case of an officer who is not a director, the disclosure must be made as soon as:
(d) the officer becomes an officer;
(e) the officer becomes aware that the contract or transaction is to be discussed or has been discussed at a meeting of the board; or
(f) the officer or the officers associate acquires an interest in the contract or transaction, if it was entered into earlier.
The disclosure must be made even in the case of a contract or transaction that does not require approval by the Board of Directors.
54. Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board
The Chair of the Board or if necessary, the Vice-Chair of the Board, shall be chosen from among the directors. The Chair of the Board or failing him, the Vice-Chair of the Board presides over all the meetings of the directors and all shareholders meetings at which he is present and as such has all the powers and fulfils all his responsibilities that the Board of Directors may determine from time to time.
55. President
The president and chief executive officer controls and supervises the management of the activities and affairs of the Corporation. He signs the documents which require his signature. He also has the powers and fulfills all the responsibilities that the Board of Directors determines from time to time.
56. Vice-president
The vice-president (or vice presidents), exercises the powers and assumes the obligations that the Board of Directors determines from time to time. In the event of an absence, inability, refusal or omission to act as the president, the vice-president assigned by the directors can exercise his powers and fulfill all his responsibilities.
57. Secretary
The secretary is responsible for safekeeping the records and documents of the Corporation. He acts as secretary of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the board as well as the meetings of shareholders. He signs the share certificates and other documents that require his signature and sends the directors and shareholders notice of meetings and other notices which may be required. He has all the powers and fulfills all the functions that the Board of Directors determines from time to time.
The assistant secretary fulfills all responsibilities assigned to him from time to time by the secretary.
58. Chief Financial Officer and/or Treasurer
He is in charge of the financial management of the Corporation. He oversees the financial situation of the Corporation and sees to the management of its property and the keeping of its accounting records. He reports periodically to the audit committee and to the Board of Directors on the financial situation of the Corporation. He signs the documents which require his signature.
59. Remuneration
The Board of Directors determines, from time to time, the remuneration of the president and chief executive officer, the Chair of the Board, the chief operating officer and of the chief financial officer, regardless of their title. The remuneration of the other officers is determined by management, subject to the powers devolved to the committee acting as the remuneration committees.
The officers are also entitled to be reimbursed the travel costs and all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
H. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
60. Creation
The Board of Directors may, by resolution, create one or more committees made up of directors. The resolution creating the committee sets out the number of directors making it up.
61. Powers
A committee of the Board of Directors exercises the powers delegated to it by the Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors may not delegate the powers which it must exercise exclusively, according to the Act or section 11 of these by-laws.
A committee reports on its activities to the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of third parties, the Board of Directors may overrule or modify a committees decisions.
62. Cessation of office
A director may resign from a committee of the Board of Directors at any time. The resignation of a director becomes effective at the time the directors written resignation is received by the Corporation, or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. The reason for the resignation is not required to be given.
The Board of Directors may, by resolution, replace a member of a committee of the board.
63. Vacancy
The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy on a committee of the board.
64. Meetings
Meetings of a committee of the board are called in the same manner as meetings of the Board of Directors.
65. Quorum
Unless otherwise provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, the majority of the members of a committee of the board in office constitute a quorum.
66. Chair and secretary
Meetings of a committee of the board are chaired by the Chair of the committee; in his absence, the members present choose a meeting Chair from among themselves. The secretary of the Corporation acts as secretary of any committee of the board. The members present at a meeting can, if necessary, choose another person as meeting Chair or secretary.
67. Procedure
Meetings of committees of the Board of Directors are held in the same manner as the meetings of the Board of Directors.
68. Written resolution
A written resolution, signed by all the members of the committee entitled to vote on this resolution has the same force as if it had been passed at a meeting of the committee. The resolutions are kept with the minutes of the meetings and the written resolutions of the Board of Directors.
The written resolutions that are signed electronically are as legally valid as a written signature.
69. Remuneration
The members of a committee of the board may, as such, receive the remuneration set by resolution of the Board of Directors.
I. PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
70. Presumption
A director is presumed to have fulfilled the obligation to act with prudence and diligence if the director relied, in good faith and based on reasonable grounds, on a report, information or an opinion provided by one of the following persons:
(a) an officer of the Corporation who the director believes to be reliable and competent in the functions performed;
(b) legal counsel, professional accountants or other persons retained by the Corporation as to matters involving skills or expertise the director believes are matters within the particular persons professional or expert competence or as to which the particular person merits confidence; or
(c) a committee of the Board of Directors of which the director is not a member if the director believes the committee merits confidence.
71. Relief Provided by the Act
A director cannot be held liable under sections 154, 155, 156, 287 or 392 of the Act if the director acted with a reasonable degree of prudence and diligence in the circumstances. Furthermore, for the purposes of sections 155, 156, 287 and 392 of the Act, the court may, after considering all the circumstances and on the terms the court considers appropriate, relieve a director, either wholly or partly, from the liability the director would otherwise incur if it appears to the court that the director has acted reasonably, honestly and loyally, and ought fairly to be excused.
J. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE
72. Indemnification
Subject to the following, the Corporation must indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation, a former director or officer of the Corporation, a mandatary, or any other person who acts or acted at the Corporations request as a director or officer of another group against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in the exercise of their functions, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, or arising from any investigative or other proceeding in which the person is involved if
(a) the person acted with honesty and loyalty in the interest of the Corporation or, as the case may be, in the interest of the other group for which the person acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the Corporations request; and
(b) in the case of a proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the person had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
The Corporation must also advance monies to such a person for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in the first paragraph.
However, in the event that a court or any other competent authority judges that the conditions set out in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above are not fulfilled, or that the person has a committed intentional or gross fault, the Corporation may not indemnify the person and the person must repay to the Corporation any monies advanced.
The indemnity provided for in the preceding paragraphs can be obtained even if a person has ceased being a director, officer or representative of the Corporation. In case of death, the indemnity can be paid to the heirs, legatees, liquidators, assignees, authorized representants or beneficiaries of this person.
73. Actions by or on behalf of the Corporation
The Corporation may, with the approval of the court, in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Corporation or other group referred to in the preceding section against a person referred to in the preceding section, advance the necessary monies to the person or indemnify the person against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, if the person fulfills the conditions set out in the preceding section.
74. Liability insurance
The Corporation must purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of its directors, officers and other mandataries against any liability they may incur as such or in their capacity as directors, officers or mandataries of another group, if they act or acted in that capacity at the Corporations request.
K. SHAREHOLDERS MEETINGS
75. General
The Corporation must hold an annual meeting of shareholders; it may hold one or more special meetings of shareholders as needed.
76. Annual meeting
An annual meeting must be held fifteen (15) months after the last preceding annual meeting. The following business is discussed at the annual meeting:
(a) the presentation and examination of the financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended within six months of the date of the meeting;
(b) the presentation and examination of any other financial information required by the articles or the by-laws to be presented to the shareholders;
(c) the presentation and examination of the auditors report, where applicable;
(d) the renewal of the auditors term, where applicable;
(e) the election of directors.
The annual meeting may also examine and discuss any other business.
The Board of Directors calls the annual shareholders meeting. Otherwise, the meeting may be called by the shareholders in accordance with the rules for calling special meetings at the request of the shareholders as provided in the Act.
77. Place
A meeting is held within the province of Québec at the place determined by the Board of Directors.
78. Calling of meeting
Notice of a shareholders meeting must be sent to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting and to each director at least twenty-one (21) days, but at the most sixty (60) days before the meeting.
If a director or a shareholder entitled to vote at a shareholders meeting gives written notice not less than ten (10) days before the meeting to the auditor or a former auditor of the Corporation, the auditor or former auditor attends the meeting at the Corporations expense and answers any question relating to their duties as auditor.
79. Notice of meeting
Subject to the Securities Act and the applicable securities regulations, the notice of a shareholders meeting must be sent to each shareholder able to vote and to each director, in writing, by any means providing proof of the date of sending. It is sent to such persons at the address indicated in the Corporations records. If a persons address is not indicated in the Corporations records, the notice of meeting must be sent to the address where, in the opinion of the person sending such notice, it is the most likely to reach the person the quickest.
The notice of meeting is sent to the shareholders entered in the securities register at the record date.
A certificate from the secretary or any other duly authorized officer of the Corporation in office at the time of the preparation of such certificate, or any officer, transfer agent, or share transfer registrar of the Corporation constitutes proof of the sending of the notice of meeting and ties in each shareholder.
The notice of meeting indicates the date, time and place of the meeting as well as the business on the agenda. It also states, where applicable, the date by which the proxies of the shareholders wishing to be represented at the meeting must be received by the Corporation; such date may not be more than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays and holidays, before the date of the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The notice of meeting must state the business on the agenda in sufficient detail to permit the shareholders to form a reasoned judgment on it, and contain the text of any special resolution to be submitted to the meeting.
Irregularities in the notice of meeting or in its sending do not affect the validity of the meeting. Similarly, the unintentional failure to send a notice of meeting to a person entitled to it, or the failure to receive it by a person entitled to the notice, does not invalidate the resolutions passed at the meeting. In addition, the unintentional failure to include a matter to be discussed at the meeting in the notice does not prevent the meeting from discussing such business, unless the interests of a shareholder or director are or could be affected thereby.
80. Record Date
The Board of Directors may fix, in conformity with the applicable requirements of the securities regulations, before any annual shareholders meeting of special shareholders meeting, the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive notice of any such meeting.
81. Waiver
A shareholder or director may, in writing, waive notice of a shareholders meeting; waiver of the notice may be validly given before or after the meeting. Their attendance at the meeting is a waiver of notice of the meeting unless they attend the meeting for the sole purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting on the grounds that it was not lawfully called or held.
82. Holding of or participation in meeting by electronic means
A shareholders meeting may be held solely by means of equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another.
Furthermore, any person entitled to attend a shareholders meeting may participate in the meeting by means of any equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting.
Any shareholder participating in a shareholders meeting by means of equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another may vote by any means enabling votes to be cast in a way that allows them to be verified afterwards and protects the secrecy of the vote when a secret ballot has been requested.
83. Quorum
Two persons representing at least twenty-five per cent (25%) of votes cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the Corporation, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, constitute the quorum for any annual meeting and any special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.
The actions taken by holders of the majority of shares so represented, which entitle their holders to vote, are considered as actions taken by all shareholders, unless the vote or consent of holders of a greater number of shares is required or prescribed by the applicable legislation, the articles or the by-laws of the Corporation.
In the absence of the quorum at a shareholders meeting, shareholders present in person who can be accounted for to constitute the quorum have the power to adjourn the meeting at any time and in any place, with no further notice other than mentioning it at the meeting, until the quorum is obtained. Any matter that could have been brought before the adjourned meeting may then be brought before any adjournment thereof provided the quorum is duly constituted.
84. Meeting Chair and secretary
The Chair of the Board of the Corporation or, in his absence, the Vice-Chair of the Board, if any, or in his absence, the president and chief executive officer of the Corporation or any other person that may be named by the Board of Directors from time to time chairs a shareholders meeting. The secretary of the Corporation acts as meeting secretary.
If the person who is to chair the meeting is not present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the shareholders present choose one of their own to chair of the Board the meeting.
85. Procedure
The Chair of the meeting directs the meeting and ensures its orderly conduct. His decisions, including those relating to the validity of proxies, are final and binding on all the shareholders.
The Chair of a shareholders meeting must allow shareholders to raise and discuss, for a reasonable period of time, any matter the primary purpose of which relates to the business or affairs of the Corporation and which is not to enforce a personal claim or redress a personal grievance against the Corporation or its directors, officers or shareholders.
At a shareholders meeting, unless a vote is demanded, a declaration by the Chair of the meeting that a resolution of the shareholders has been carried and that an entry to that effect has been made in the minutes of the meeting is, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, proof of that fact, without it being necessary to prove the number or proportion of the votes recorded for and against the resolution.
86. Voting
Unless otherwise provided in the articles, each share of the Corporation entitles the holder to one vote.
87. Majority decision
Unless otherwise provided in the law, the articles or the by-laws, a decision of the shareholders is adopted by ordinary resolution.
88. Tie-breaking vote
In the case of a tie, the Chair of the meeting has a tie-breaking vote.
89. Voting
Voting is conducted by a show of hands, open voice or secret ballot.
90. Voting by a show of hands
Except for the voting for the election of directors, which shall be cast by secret ballot, voting is conducted by a show of hands unless an open voice vote or a ballot is demanded. In such a case, the shareholders or proxies vote by raising their hand and the number of votes is calculated according to the number of hands raised.
A proxyholder who has conflicting instructions from more than one shareholder may not vote by a show of hands.
91. Open voice voting
The Chair of the meeting, a shareholder or a proxyholder may demand an open voice vote unless a ballot has been demanded. In such a case, each shareholder or proxyholder verbally states his name, that of the shareholder or shareholders whose proxy he holds, the number of votes he holds and the breakdown of such votes.
92. Voting by secret ballot
Except for the voting for the election of directors, which shall be cast by secret ballot, voting is conducted by secret ballot if the Chair of the meeting, a shareholder or a proxyholder so requests, in the manner indicated by the Chair of the meeting. Each shareholder or proxyholder gives the scrutineers a ballot indicating his name, that of the shareholder whose proxy he holds, the number of votes he holds and the breakdown of such votes.
A shareholder may demand a ballot either before or after a vote by show of hands. A demand for a secret ballot may be withdrawn any time before voting begins.
When voting is conducted by secret ballot, the meeting appoints one person to act as scrutineer.
93. Scrutineer
The Chair of any shareholder meeting can appoint one or two persons to act as scrutineers.
94. Voting by a group
A natural person authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the management of a shareholder who is a group may participate in and vote at a shareholders meeting.
95. Voting by the administrator of the property of others
A person acting for a shareholder as administrator of the property of others may participate in and vote at a shareholders meeting.
96. Voting by joint shareholders
If two or more persons hold shares jointly, one of those shareholders present at a shareholders meeting may, in the absence of the others, exercise the voting right attached to those shares. If more than one (1) shareholder are present, they shall vote as one shareholder.
97. Proxies
A shareholder may be represented at a shareholders meeting by a proxyholder. A shareholder so represented is deemed to be present at the meeting. Any person, whether or not a shareholder of the Corporation, may be appointed a proxyholder. A proxyholder has
the same rights as the shareholder represented to speak at a shareholders meeting in respect of any matter and to vote at the meeting.
A proxy must be in writing and signed by the shareholder. In addition to the date, the proxy must include the name of the proxyholder and, if applicable, revoke any former proxy.
A proxy may also contain voting instructions which the proxyholder is required to follow. A proxy is not required to be witnessed.
Unless otherwise indicated, a proxy lapses one year after the date it is given. It may be revoked at any time.
A proxy may be filed with the secretary of the Corporation or any authorized person. A proxy mechanically reproduced or sent by fax or any other means of communication providing proof of the date of receipt is valid.
98. Preservation of ballots and proxies
The Corporation must, for at least three months after a shareholders meeting, keep at its head office the ballots cast and the proxies presented at the meeting. Any shareholder or proxyholder who was entitled to vote at the meeting may, without charge, inspect the ballots and proxies kept by the Corporation.
99. Adjournment
The Chair of the meeting may adjourn any shareholders meeting, with the consent of the shareholders present or represented by proxy. The Chair of the meeting may also adjourn a meeting ex officio if he believes it is impossible to conduct it in an orderly manner.
If a shareholders meeting is adjourned for less than thirty (30) days, it is not necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting other than by announcement at the original meeting. If a shareholders meeting is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of thirty (30) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as for an original meeting.
The meeting is validly resumed if it is held on the date and at the time and place announced and if there is a quorum. In the absence of a quorum at the resumed meeting, the original meeting is deemed to have terminated immediately after its adjournment.
100. Signed resolution
A resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution is as valid as if it had been passed at a shareholders meeting. The resolution must be kept with the minutes of the shareholders meetings and written resolutions.
The written resolutions that are signed electronically are as legally valid as a written signature.
L. SHARES AND CERTIFICATES
101. Issue of shares
Subject to the existence of a pre-emptive right granted to the shareholders, shares may be issued at the times, to the persons, including the directors or officers of the Corporation, and for the consideration the Board of Directors determines. In exercising this power, the Board of Directors may, by resolution, accept subscriptions, issue the unissued shares of the Corporations share capital and grant an exchange right, option or right to acquire shares of the Corporation.
102. Payment of shares
The shares of the Corporation may be issued whether or not they are fully paid. However, shares may only be considered paid if consideration equal to the issue price (which may not be less than the par value, if any, of the shares) determined by the Board of Directors has been paid to the Corporation.
Consideration for the shares issued by the Corporation is payable in money, or in property or past services determined by the Board of Directors to be the fair equivalent of the money consideration, considering all the circumstances.
A promissory note or a promise to pay made by a person to whom shares are issued, or a person who does not deal at arms length, within the meaning of that expression in the Taxation Act (CQLR, chapter I-3), with a person to whom shares are issued does not constitute consideration for the shares.
103. Share certificates
Shares issued by the Corporation may be certificated shares or uncertificated shares. A certificated share is represented by a paper certificate in registered form, and an uncertificated share is represented by an entry in the securities register in the name of the shareholder.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of the Corporation, shares are issued as certificated shares unless the Board of Directors determines, by resolution, that the shares of any class or series of shares or certain shares of a class or series are to be issued as uncertificated shares.
The Board of Directors may also, by resolution, determine that certificated shares become uncertificated shares as soon as the paper certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.
104. Certificated shares
In the case of certificated shares, the Corporation must issue to the shareholder, without charge, a certificate in registered form. The Corporation is not required to issue more than one certificate for shares held jointly by two or more persons.
The Board of Directors adopts the form of the share certificate by resolution, as governed by the Act.
The share certificates of the Corporation must be signed by the secretary or by any director or any officer. This signature may be affixed by an automatic device or electronic process.
In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the certificate is proof of the shareholders title to the shares represented by the certificate.
The seal is not required to be affixed to the share certificate.
105. Uncertificated shares
In the case of uncertificated shares, the Corporation must send the shareholder a written notice containing the information prescribed by the Act.
106. Damaged, lost or destroyed certificates
If a shareholder claims that a share certificate has been lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed, the Corporation must issue a new certificate if the shareholder:
(a) so requests before the Corporation has notice that the lost, wrongfully taken or allegedly destroyed share certificate has been delivered to a protected purchaser within the meaning of the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements CQLR, chapter T-11);
(b) provides security sufficient in the Corporations judgment to protect the Corporation from any loss that the Corporation may suffer by issuing a new certificate; and
(c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.
107. Unpaid shares
Unless the terms of payment for shares are determined by contract, the Board of Directors may call for payment of all or part of the unpaid amounts on shares subscribed or held by the shareholders, the whole as provided by the Act.
108. Transfer of shares
The transfer of shares of the Corporation is governed by the Act respecting the transfer of securities and the establishment of security entitlements.
Shares that are not fully paid but for which no instalment is payable may only be transferred with the authorization of the Board of Directors. The directors must reasonably verify the acquirers ability to pay for the shares before authorizing the transfer.
A share may not be transferred until all instalments payable up to the time of transfer have been fully paid.
109. Transmission of shares
In the event of a transfer of shares by will, the Corporation may consider as entitled to exercise the rights of a deceased shareholder, an heir or personal representative of the heirs or of the succession of that shareholder, upon reception of sufficient proof of their appointment. That person is entitled to become the registered holder of the shares of the deceased or to designate those holders upon delivery to the Corporation of an affidavit or declaration setting out the conditions of the transfer and, as the case may be, of (a) an original of the decision concerning the probate of the will or the notarized minutes of the probate, or a copy of one of the aforementioned documents certified by the Court which rendered the decision or by the notary who prepared the minutes, or by a trust company constituted under provincial or federal legislation or by an attorney or notary acting on behalf of that person, (b) a certified true copy of the notarial will.
M. DIVIDENDS
110. Declaration of dividends
Unless otherwise provided in the articles, the Board of Directors may declare and the Corporation may pay a dividend either in money or property or by issuing fully paid shares or options or rights to acquire fully paid shares of the Corporation.
The Corporation may not declare and pay a dividend, except by issuing shares or options or rights to acquire shares, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the Corporation is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due.
The Corporation may deduct from the dividends payable to a shareholder any amount due to the Corporation by the shareholder, on account of calls for payment or otherwise.
111. Record Date
The Board of Directors may fix, in advance, in accordance with applicable securities regulations, a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive dividends.
N. FISCAL YEAR AND AUDITOR
112. Fiscal year
The fiscal year of the Corporation ends on December 31st or on the date set by resolution of the Board of Directors.
113. Auditor
The shareholders of the Corporation appoint an auditor at each annual shareholders meeting. The auditor is appointed by ordinary resolution. The term of the auditor begins on appointment. The auditors remuneration is fixed by ordinary resolution of the
shareholders at the time of appointment. If it is not fixed at that time, it is fixed by the Board of Directors.
The shareholders may, by ordinary resolution at a special meeting, remove the auditor from office. They may appoint a new auditor by ordinary resolution at the same meeting.
Subject to the shareholders right to fill the vacancy after removing an auditor, the Board of Directors fills a vacancy in the office of auditor without delay for the unexpired term.
O. NOTICE
114. Shares registered in the name of more than one person (joint shareholders)
Subject to the Securities Act and the applicable securities regulations, if two or more persons hold shares jointly, any notice or other document relating to such shares is sent to the first shareholder indicated in the Corporations securities register. Such notice or other document is deemed to have been sent to all the other shareholders.
115. Registered shareholder
Before due presentation for registration of transfer of a certificated share or the receipt of an instruction for registration of transfer of an uncertificated share, the Corporation may treat the shareholder registered in the securities register as the person exclusively entitled to receive notices or other documents.
116. Address of shareholders
A shareholder must provide the Corporation with an address to which all notices or documents for him are sent.
117. Signing of notices
Notices sent by the Corporation are signed by a director, officer or any other authorized person. Their signature may be affixed by an automatic device or electronic process.
118. Calculation of time limits
Unless otherwise provided in these by-laws, in computing any time limit fixed by the articles or these by-laws:
(a) the day which marks the start of the time limit is not counted, but the terminal day is counted;
(b) non-juridical days within the meaning of the Code of Civil Procedure are counted; but when the last day is a non-juridical day, the time limit is extended to the next following juridical day;
(c) Saturday is considered a non-juridical day.
P. OTHER PROVISIONS
119. Declarations in the enterprise register
A director, officer or any authorized person signs the declarations which must be sent by the Corporation to the enterprise registrar under the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises.
120. Conflict with the Act and the articles
In the event of a contradiction between the Act, the articles and the by-laws, the Act shall prevail over the articles and the by-laws and the provisions of the articles shall take precedence over the by-laws.
121. By-laws
The Board of Directors adopts the Corporations by-laws. The by-laws are effective as of the date of the resolution of the board. The by-laws must be submitted to the shareholders for approval at the next shareholders meeting, and the shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, ratify, reject or amend them. They cease to be effective at the close of the meeting if they are rejected by or not submitted to the shareholders.
The rules of this section apply, with the necessary modifications to the amendment or repeal of by-laws.
Any new by-law adopted by the Board of Directors that has substantially the same purpose or effect as a by-law previously rejected by or not submitted to the shareholders at the meeting is not effective until confirmed by the shareholders.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on , 2019 and ratified by the shareholders on , 2019.
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Secretary |
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
THIRD AMENDED & RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 15, 2018
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
THIRD AMENDED & RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS THIRD AMENDED & RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made as of October 15, 2018 between Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Corporation), a legal person existing under the laws of the Province of Québec, represented herein by Joseph Oliveto, its Chief Executive Officer, duly authorized for the purposes hereof as he so declares, and the holders of Class A Preferred Shares, the holders of Class B Preferred Shares, the holders of Class C Preferred Shares and the holders of Class D Preferred Shares of the Corporation listed on Schedule A, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time (collectively, the Investors).
In consideration of the agreement by the Investors to purchase Class D Preferred Shares of the Corporation pursuant to the Subscription Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the Subscription Agreement), and as an inducement to the Investors to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement and ancillary agreements, the Corporation agrees with the Investors to enter into this Agreement and make certain arrangements with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities (as defined below) held by the Investors under the 1933 Act (as defined below) and/or the qualification of such shares for distribution under the securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada, as set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) 1933 Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) Articles means the articles of continuance of the Corporation as amended from time to time.
(c) As-Converted Basis has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Shareholders Agreement.
(d) Canadian Prospectus means a (final) Prospectus filed by the Corporation under Canadian Securities Laws.
(e) Canadian Securities Commissions means the securities commissions or other securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.
(f) Canadian Securities Laws means the securities legislation of the applicable provinces or territories of Canada, and the rules, regulations, blanket orders,
blanket rulings under such laws and published policies, policy statements and notices of the applicable Canadian Securities Commissions.
(g) Canadian Short Form Qualification Procedure means the procedures for the distribution of securities by way of a short form Prospectus available under Canadian Securities Laws, including Regulation 44-101 respecting Short Form Prospectus Distributions.
(h) Common Shares means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation.
(i) Class A1 Preferred Shares means the Class A1 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation.
(j) Class A2 Preferred Shares means the Class A2 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation.
(k) Class A Preferred Shares means the Class A1 Preferred Shares or the Class A2 Preferred Shares.
(l) Class B Preferred Shares means the Class B Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation.
(m) Class C Preferred Shares means the Class C Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation.
(n) Class D Preferred Shares means, collectively, the Class D1 Preferred Shares and the Class D2 Preferred Shares.
(o) Class D1 Preferred Shares means the Class D1 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
(p) Class D2 Preferred Shares means the Class D2 Preferred Shares in the capital of the Corporation;
(q) Closing has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Subscription Agreement.
(r) Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(s) Fully Diluted Basis has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Shareholders Agreement.
(t) Holder means any Investor owning of record Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class D Preferred Shares or Registrable Securities that have not been sold to the public, or any assignee or transferee (in accordance with Section 10.2) of such Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class D Preferred Shares, or Registrable Securities, or, with respect to Article 8, any seller of Registrable
Securities.
(u) Initial Public Offering means the Corporations first underwritten public offering of its Common Shares registered under the 1933 Act or qualified pursuant to a Canadian Prospectus, or both.
(v) Preferred Majority means the holders of at least 70% of all then issued and outstanding Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and Class D Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, on an As-Converted Basis.
(w) MJDS means the Canada-United States Multijurisdictional Disclosure System.
(x) Passport Receipt means a receipt of the principal regulator pursuant to the passport system procedures provided for under Policy Statement 11-202 respecting Process for Prospectus Reviews in Multiple Jurisdictions and Regulation 11-102 respecting Passport System, adopted by certain Canadian Securities Commissions, as amended or replaced from time to time.
(y) Prospectus means, with respect to a public offering or distribution in the United States, the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, or, with respect to a public offering or distribution in Canada, a Canadian Prospectus, in each case, as such documents may be amended or supplemented by an amendment or prospectus supplement, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
(z) Qualified Public Offering or QIPO means any firm commitment Initial Public Offering at a price per share based on a pre-money valuation of the Corporation of at least $250,000,000 and resulting in gross proceeds of at least $60 million, whereby the Shares would be listed on one or more Recognized Stock Exchanges;
(aa) Recognized Stock Exchange means the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ and such other exchange approved by a Preferred Majority.
(bb) Registrable Securities means:
(i) any Common Shares of the Corporation issued or issuable that are held by the Investors or that could be held by the Investors from time to time;
(ii) any Common Shares of the Corporation issued or issuable in respect of the conversion of the Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares or Class D Preferred Shares (whether acquired before or after the date of this Agreement); and
(iii) any Common Shares of the Corporation issued or issuable in respect of share splits, share dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations or other similar events affecting such Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred
Shares, Class C Preferred Shares, Class D Preferred Shares or Common Shares of the Corporation held by the Investors from time to time; excluding in all cases, however, any Registrable Securities sold or transferred in a transaction in which the rights herein are not assigned or any shares for which registration rights have terminated pursuant to Section 6.4 of this Agreement.
Whenever reference is made in this Agreement to a request or consent of holders of a certain percentage of Registrable Securities, the determination of such percentage shall include Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Shares, Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and Class D Preferred Shares even if such conversion has not been effected.
(cc) Registration Statement means with respect to a public offering in the United States, a registration statement filed by the Corporation with the SEC for a public offering and sale of securities of the Corporation for cash, other than a registration statement on Form S-8, Form S-4 or Form F-4, or their successors, or any form for a similar limited purpose, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another corporation.
(dd) Regulation 45-102 means Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities adopted by the Canadian Securities Commissions, as amended or replaced from time to time.
(ee) SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the 1933 Act.
(ff) Shareholders Agreement means the Fourth Amended & Restated Shareholders Agreement dated on or about the date hereof between the Corporation and its Shareholders, as further amended from time to time.
(gg) Subscription Agreement means the Subscription Agreement dated on or about the date hereof between the Corporation and some of the Investors in respect of the issuance of Class D Preferred Shares.
1.2 Certain Rules of Interpretation
In this Agreement:
(a) Currency Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
(b) Governing Law This Agreement is a contract made under and is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Province of Québec and the federal laws of Canada applicable in the Province of Québec.
(c) Headings Headings of Articles and Sections are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Including Where the word including or includes is used in this Agreement, it means including (or includes) without limitation.
(e) Number and Gender Unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing gender include all genders.
(f) Severability If, in any jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement or its application to any party or circumstance is restricted, prohibited or unenforceable, such provision is, as to such jurisdiction, ineffective only to the extent of such restriction, prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or without affecting its application to other parties or circumstances.
(g) Statutory references A reference to a statute includes all regulations and rules made pursuant to such statute and, unless otherwise specified, the provisions of any statute or regulation that amends, supplements or supersedes any such statute or any such regulation.
(h) Time Periods Unless otherwise specified, time periods within or following which any act is to be done are calculated by excluding the day on which the period commences and including the day on which the period ends and by extending the period to the next business day if the last day of the period is not a business day.
1.3 Entire Agreement
This Agreement and the agreements and other documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and set out all the covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions, understandings and agreements between the parties pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written. There are no covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions, understandings or other agreements, oral or written, express, implied or collateral between the parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement except as specifically set forth in this Agreement and any document required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
CROSS BORDER ISSUES
2.1 Jurisdiction of Initial Public Offering
Subject to Section 2.2, if the Corporation proposes to undertake an Initial Public Offering, the Corporation may determine, in its sole discretion (subject to the applicable provisions of the Shareholders Agreement, if any), whether such Initial Public Offering will be made in both the United States and Canada, or in only one of such jurisdictions.
2.2 Initial Public Offering
If the Initial Public Offering is made:
(a) under the 1933 Act only and not under Canadian Securities Laws, the Corporation will, concurrently with the filing of the Registration Statement for the Initial Public Offering, file a Canadian Prospectus under the securities laws of Québec, and the Corporation will use its best efforts to obtain a receipt or Passport Receipt for the Canadian Prospectus;
(b) under Canadian Securities Laws only and not under the 1933 Act, the Corporation will (i) file the Canadian Prospectus for the Initial Public Offering under the securities laws of Québec (which filing may be made concurrently with the filing of a Canadian Prospectus under the securities laws of any other province or territory of Canada), and the Corporation will use its best efforts to obtain a receipt or Passport Receipt for such Canadian Prospectus, (ii) file a Registration Statement under the 1933 Act, in respect of all of the Registrable Securities then held by residents of the United States in the event such U.S. residents are not otherwise permitted, in the opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to both the Corporation and such U.S. residents, to sell their Registrable Securities in Canada in reliance on an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, including, without limitation pursuant to Regulation S thereunder (provided that such Registration Statement may be in the nature of a shelf registration), and the Corporation shall use its best efforts to have such Registration Statement declared effective, and (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange or another designated offshore securities market within the meaning of Rule 902 of Regulation S under the 1933 Act until such time as the Registrable Securities become freely tradable in the United States by persons other than affiliates pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act; and
(c) concurrently under the 1933 Act and under Canadian Securities Laws, the Corporation will file the Canadian Prospectus for the Initial Public Offering under the securities laws of Québec (which filing may be made concurrently with the filing of a Canadian Prospectus under the securities laws of any other province or territory of Canada), and the Corporation will use its best efforts to obtain a receipt or Passport Receipt for such Canadian Prospectus.
ARTICLE 3
DEMAND REGISTRATIONS
3.1 Required Registration Statement
(a) At any time and from time to time after the earlier of (i) the date that is one year after the closing date of a Qualified Public Offering, or (ii) October 15, 2021, Holder(s) holding at least 25% of the outstanding Registrable Securities (the Initiating Holders) may by written notice to the Corporation (the Demand Notice) request the Corporation to prepare and to file with respect to all or any portion of such Holders Registrable Securities:
(i) a Registration Statement under the 1933 Act;
(ii) a Canadian Prospectus prepared in accordance with Regulation 41-101 respecting General Prospectus Requirements or similar long form Prospectus; and
(iii) a Registration Statement under the 1933 Act and a Canadian Prospectus in accordance with Regulation 41-101 respecting General Prospectus Requirements or similar long form prospectus.
(b) Within ten days of the receipt of the Demand Notice, the Corporation will give written notice of such request to all other Holders of Registrable Securities.
(c) Subject to the limitations of this Article 3, the Corporation will as soon as possible, but in any event within 90 days after the date of the Demand Notice, prepare and file the required Registration Statement and/or Canadian Prospectus and will use its best efforts to effect, as soon as practicable, the requested registration or qualification under the 1933 Act and/or Canadian Securities Laws, as applicable, of all Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders desire to be registered or qualified as specified in the initial Demand Notice and any additional Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration in all notices received by the Corporation from other Holders within 20 days after the giving of the notice by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 3.1.
(d) Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Company may include securities for its own account in such registration if the number of Registrable Securities that would otherwise have been included in such registration and underwriting will not thereby be limited.
3.2 Underwriting
(a) If the Initiating Holders intend to dispose of the Registrable Securities covered by the Demand Notice by means of an underwriting, they must so advise the Corporation as a part of the Demand Notice, and the Corporation will include such information in the written notice to Holders referred to in Section 3.1(b). In such event, the right of any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in such
registration or qualification is conditional upon such Holders participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise agreed by the Initiating Holders). All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting (together with the Corporation and any officers, directors or other security holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) must enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Initiating Holders and approved by the Corporation, acting reasonably.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the underwriter advises the Initiating Holders that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten (including Registrable Securities), then the number of Registrable Securities to be included in the underwriting shall be reduced and such reduced number of shares will be allocated to the Holders requesting registration or qualification (including the Initiating Holders) on a pro rata basis based on the number of Registrable Securities requested by each such Holder to be included in such underwriting. However, Registrable Securities requested to be registered or qualified under this Article 3 may only be excluded from such underwriting, registration and/or qualification if all securities held by holders (for certainty, including securities to be offered for sale by the Corporation) other than the Holders of Registrable Securities are first excluded. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting will be withdrawn from the registration or qualification. No securities of the Corporation or any other security holder will be included in such registration or qualification if, in the sole opinion of the underwriter, such inclusion would adversely affect the marketing or the price of the Registrable Securities to be sold.
3.3 No Other Filings
Except for registration statements in the United States on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor to them (or the equivalent form for foreign private issuers as defined under the 1933 Act), the Corporation will not file with the SEC any other Registration Statement with respect to its securities or any Canadian Prospectus, whether for its own account or that of other security holders, from the date of the Demand Notice until the completion of the period of distribution of the registration and/or qualification contemplated by the Demand Notice (unless all of the Initiating Holders withdraw their request for registration or qualification of their Registrable Securities).
3.4 Number of Registrations
The Corporation is not required to register and/or qualify Registrable Securities pursuant to this Article 3 on more than two occasions, but:
(a) the Corporations obligation to effect a registration or qualification is deemed satisfied only when (i) the required Registration Statement has become effective or, in the case of a Canadian Prospectus, receipts have been obtained or deemed to
have been obtained from all applicable Canadian jurisdictions, with respect to all Registrable Securities as specified in the Demand Notice and notices of other Holders requesting registration or qualification under Section 3.1 for sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified by the Initiating Holders or (ii) a majority of the Initiating Holders withdraw their request for registration or qualification of their Registrable Securities other than as a result of a material adverse change affecting the Corporation that was unknown at the time of the demand; and
(b) a concurrent registration in the U.S. and qualification in Canada is deemed to be one occasion of registration and qualification only.
3.5 Other Restrictions
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no request for registration or qualification of Registrable Securities may be made under this Article 3 within ninety days after the effective date of a Registration Statement or the date of the final receipt for a Canadian Prospectus filed by the Corporation.
(b) In addition to the terms of Section 6.3 hereof, the Corporation may delay the registration or qualification of Registrable Securities for a period of up to 90 days after the date of a Demand Notice if:
(i) at the time of such request, the Corporation is engaged, or has fixed plans to engage, within 90 days of the date of such request, in an underwritten public offering of Common Shares; or
(ii) at the time of such request, the Corporation is engaged in a self-tender or exchange offer and the filing of a Prospectus would cause a violation of the Exchange Act or applicable Canadian Securities Laws.
(c) No request for registration or qualification of Registrable Securities may be made under this Article 3 if the anticipated gross proceeds from the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered or qualified is less than $10,000,000 or if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form S-3, F-3 or MJDS form pursuant to a request made under Article 4.
ARTICLE 4
SHORT FORM DEMAND REGISTRATIONS
4.1 Corporation Obligations
If the Corporation receives from Holder(s) holding at least 25% of the outstanding Registrable Securities a written request that the Corporation prepare and file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or F-3 or any similar form under the 1933 Act that may be applicable to foreign issuers (or any successor to such forms) (Form S-3), or a form under the MJDS, and/or a short form prospectus under the Canadian short form
qualification procedure under Regulation 44-101 respecting Short Form Prospectus Distributions (the Canadian Short Form Qualification Procedure), and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder(s), the Corporation will:
(a) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration or qualification, and any related compliance, to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, which Holders are entitled to join in such registration and/or qualification if each Holder wishing to do so notifies the Corporation in writing within 20 days after receipt of the written notice from the Corporation; and
(b) as soon as practicable (but in all instances in compliance with the timelines contained in Section 4.3), use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration and/or qualification and all such compliances as may be so requested by the requesting Holder or Holders as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of the requesting Holders Registrable Securities as are specified in the request.
4.2 Exceptions
The Corporation is not required to effect any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Article 4:
(a) if, as applicable, Form S-3, MJDS or the Canadian Short Form Qualification Procedure is not available for such an offering by the Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities;
(b) if the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the holders of any other securities of the Corporation participating in such registration and/or qualification, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at an aggregate price to the public of less than $10,000,000;
(c) in any particular state of the United States in which the Corporation would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance, or to register or qualify any securities for sale under state blue sky securities laws; or
(d) if the Corporation has effected two such qualifications or demands within the previous 12-month period.
4.3 Time of Filing
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Article 4, the Corporation will use its best efforts to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or, if available, on MJDS form and/or a Canadian Prospectus under the Canadian Short Form Qualification Procedure covering the Registrable Securities and other securities so requested to be registered or qualified as soon as practicable after receipt of all written requests from the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article 4 but in any event within
45 days of the final date for receipt of all written requests from the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Article 4. The Corporation may delay any registration or qualification of Registrable Securities required under this Article 4 in accordance with Section 3.5(b) of this Agreement.
4.4 Number of Short Form Demand Registrations
Subject to the limitations set out in Section 4.2, the Holders may make an unlimited number of short form demand requests but the Corporation is only required to effect two such registrations within any 12-month period.
ARTICLE 5
PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION
5.1 Piggyback Right
(a) If the Corporation at any time proposes to file a Registration Statement or a Canadian Prospectus, whether for its own account or for the account of other security holders or both on each such occasion it will promptly give written notice (the Piggyback Notice) to all Holders of outstanding Registrable Securities of its intention to do so.
(b) Upon the written request of any Holder (a Requesting Holder) of Registrable Securities received by the Corporation within 20 days after the giving of the Piggyback Notice or within two days if the Piggyback Notice is in relation to a bought deal, the Corporation will cause the Registrable Securities requested to be registered and/or qualified by the Requesting Holder or Requesting Holders, as applicable, to be included in the Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus (or both the Registration Statement and Canadian Prospectus, in the event of a concurrent offering under the 1933 Act and Canadian Securities Laws) proposed to be filed by the Corporation, all to the extent necessary to permit the sale or other disposition by the Requesting Holder or Requesting Holders of such Registrable Securities, and all subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 5.
5.2 Underwritten Public Offerings
(a) If any registration and/or qualification pursuant to this Article 5 is, in whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of Common Shares, the Corporation will so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities as part of the Piggyback Notice given pursuant to Section 5.1. In such event, the right of any such Holder to include its Registrable Securities in the Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus pursuant to this Article 5 is conditional upon such Holders participation in such underwriting. All Holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting will (together with the Corporation and any officers, directors or other security holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected by the Corporation.
(b) The number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such an underwriting may be reduced if and to the extent that the managing underwriter advises the Holders that such inclusion would adversely affect the number, marketing or price of the securities to be sold by the Corporation in such underwriting. However, Registrable Securities requested to be registered or qualified under this Article 5 may only be excluded from such underwriting, registration and/or qualification if all securities held by holders (for certainty, excluding securities to be offered for sale by the Corporation) other than the Holders of Registrable Securities are first excluded and in no event, other than in respect of the Corporations Initial Public Offering, will the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting be reduced below 30% of the aggregate number of securities included in the Registration Statements or the Canadian Prospectus.
In any case where the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwriting is reduced in accordance with the foregoing, the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be included in the underwriting is to be allocated to the Requesting Holders on a pro rata basis based on the number of Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be included in such underwriting.
(c) If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus filed under this Article 5, such Holder continues to have the right to include its Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration or qualification, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
5.3 Withdrawal, etc.
The Corporation may terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement referred to in this Article 5 without incurring any liability to the Holders (provided however that the Corporation is not entitled to terminate or withdraw a Registration Statement filed following a request pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4). Any Holder may elect to withdraw from such underwriting by written notice to the Corporation and the underwriter, delivered at least 5 business days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, without incurring any liability to the Corporation or the other Holders. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting will be excluded and withdrawn from the registration and/or qualification.
ARTICLE 6
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
6.1 Corporation Obligations and Other Agreements
If and whenever the Corporation is required by the provisions of Article 3, Article 4 or Article 5 to use its best efforts or commercially reasonable efforts (as the case may be) to effect the registration and/or qualification of any Registrable Securities, the Corporation
will, where not inconsistent with the terms of such articles, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) in the case of a registration in the United States, prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts or commercially reasonable efforts (as the case may be) to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for a period of 120 days or until the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution described in the Registration Statement relating thereto, whichever first occurs. However:
(i) such 120-day period is extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such registration at the request of an underwriter of the Corporation; and
(ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or F-3, or a registration form under MJDS (or any successor to such forms) that are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, subject to compliance with applicable SEC rules, such 120-day period is extended, if necessary, to keep the Registration Statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold, but only if:
(A) Rule 415, or the applicable form under MJDS, or any successor rule under the 1933 Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis; and
(B) applicable rules under the 1933 Act governing the obligation to file a post effective amendment permit, in lieu of filing a post effective amendment that includes any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act or reflects facts or events representing a material or fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement, the incorporation by reference of such information contained in periodic reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(b) in the case of a registration in the United States, prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the period specified in Subsection (a) and comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(c) in the case of a registration in the United States, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the sellers of Registrable Securities or, in the case of an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter, reasonably requests, but the Corporation is not, for any such purpose, required to qualify generally to transact business as a foreign corporation in any state of the United States where it
is not so qualified or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(d) in the case of an offering in Canada, prepare and file with the Canadian Securities Commission in each province and territory in which selling Holders of Registrable Securities are then resident (or, in the case of a qualification pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of Article 2, in Québec only), a Canadian Prospectus with respect to the distribution of such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts or commercially reasonable efforts (as the case may be) to obtain a receipt or a Passport Receipt from such Canadian Securities Commissions in respect of such Canadian Prospectus;
(e) in the case of an offering in Canada, prepare and file with the Canadian Securities Commissions with whom a Canadian Prospectus has been filed pursuant to Subsection (d) such amendments and supplements to such Canadian Prospectus as may be necessary to comply with the applicable provisions of Canadian Securities Laws with respect to the distribution of all securities qualified by such Canadian Prospectus (provided that all Registrable Securities qualified by such Canadian Prospectus are distributed within 90 days of the date of such final Canadian Prospectus);
(f) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities or, if the offering is to be underwritten, to each underwriter such number of copies of the Prospectus and/or the Canadian Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act or Canadian Securities Laws, as applicable, and such other documents as such persons reasonably may request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus;
(g) use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus with any securities exchange or quotation system on which the shares of the Corporation are then listed (or if similar securities issued by the Corporation are not yet listed or quoted, then on such exchange or quotation system as the Company shall determine) and pay all fees associated with such listing;
(h) promptly provide a transfer agent, registrar and CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement or the date of the final Canadian Prospectus;
(i) promptly notify each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter under such Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered, of the happening of any event of which the Corporation has knowledge as a result of which such Prospectus, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing and/or, in the case of a Canadian Prospectus, omits to provide full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the Registrable Securities;
(j) if the offering is underwritten and is an offering in the United States, at the request of any seller of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration:
(i) an opinion dated such date of counsel representing the Corporation for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the underwriters and to such seller, in form and substance as is customarily given by company counsel to the underwriters in an underwritten public offering; and
(ii) a letter dated such date from the independent public accountants retained by the Corporation, addressed to the underwriters and to such seller, in form and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, provided that such seller has made such representations and furnished such undertakings as the independent public accountants may reasonably require;
(k) make available for inspection by each seller of Registrable Securities or, if the offering is to be underwritten, any underwriter participating in any distribution pursuant to a Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, and, in either case, any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Corporation, and use its best efforts to cause the Corporations officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus;
(l) promptly notify each seller of Registrable Securities:
(i) that any supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed; and
(ii) promptly after it receives notice thereof, in the case of an offering in the United States, of the time when such Registration Statement has become effective, or in the case of offering in Canada, of the time when a receipt from the Canadian Securities Commissions has been received;
(m) promptly notify each seller of Registrable Securities of any request by the SEC or any Canadian Securities Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus; and
(n) upon the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any Prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Registrable Securities included
in the Prospectus for sale in any jurisdiction, use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order.
In addition, the Corporation shall ensure that, at all times after any Registration Statement filed with the SEC shall have become effective, its insider trading policy shall provide that the Corporations directors may implement a trading program under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act.
6.2 Seller Obligations and Other Agreements
(a) Information. In connection with each registration or qualification under this Agreement, the selling Holders of Registrable Securities will furnish to the Corporation in writing such information with respect to themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is necessary to effect the registration or qualification of the Registrable Securities. The provision of such information by a selling Holder is a condition of the Corporations obligation to include any Registrable Securities of such selling Holder in the registration or qualification.
(b) Escrow and Other Requirements. In connection with an Initial Public Offering in Canada, the Corporation and the Holders will use their best efforts to agree to provisions that are acceptable to Holders in their sole discretion to comply with any escrow requirement imposed under applicable Canadian Securities Laws and/or the Toronto Stock Exchange, and to execute all undertakings and agreements as are customary and reasonably required in connection with such escrow requirements.
(c) Market Stand-Off Agreement. If requested by the underwriters for the Initial Public Offering of the Corporation, each Holder of Registrable Securities will agree not to sell, offer, pledge, 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 any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares held immediately prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of the final Canadian Prospectus relating to such offering, either directly or indirectly (other than Registrable Securities being registered in such offering), without the prior written consent of such underwriters, for a period not to exceed 180 days following the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of the final Canadian Prospectus relating to such offering or, if required by such underwriter, such longer period of time as is necessary to enable such underwriter to issue a research report or make a public appearance that relates to an earnings release or announcement by the Corporation within 18 days before or after the date that is 180 days after the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to such offering, but in any event not to exceed 210 days following such effective date. Any discretionary waiver or termination of the restrictions of such agreements by the Corporation or the underwriters shall apply to all Holders of Registrable Securities pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities held
by such Holders. Each Holder of Registrable Securities will agree to sign the managing underwriters lock-up agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to such Holder, reflecting the provisions of this Section 6.2(c) and any necessary changes to address regulatory restrictions under the Canadian Securities Laws or the 1933 Act.
6.3 Permitted Delays
The Corporations obligation to register or qualify Registrable Securities, or cause a Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus to become and remain effective for the periods of time specified in Subsection 6.1(a), may be suspended for a period not to exceed 120 days by the delivery of a certificate signed by the Corporations chief executive officer to the Holders of Registrable Securities stating that effecting the filing would (i) materially impede the ability of the Corporation to consummate a material transaction, (ii) there exists at the time material non-public information relating to pending material developments or other events at the Corporation as to which the Board of Directors of the Corporation reasonably believes public disclosure would be seriously detrimental to the Corporation, or (iii) render the Corporation unable to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the 120-day period provided for above:
(a) such suspension will immediately terminate 10 days following the date upon which such material non-public information is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material; and
(b) such right may only be exercised once in any twelve-month period.
The Corporation will notify each Holder of the existence and nature of any suspension event, subject to such Holders express written agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such information.
6.4 Termination of Registration Rights
The registration and qualification rights of a Holder under this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities expire upon the earliest to occur:
(a) if such Registrable Securities are publicly sold, or if they may be publicly sold:
(i) pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act without limitation within any 90-day period or pursuant to Regulation S under the 1933 Act; and
(ii) pursuant to Section 2.5 of Regulation 45-102;
(b) five years after the date of the closing of a Qualified Public Offering of the Corporation; or
(c) upon the occurrence of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity in which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to
such merger or consolidation own less than 25% of the voting securities of the surviving entity, or (ii) any other transaction or series of transactions as a result of which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions own less than 25% of the voting securities of the Corporation or other surviving entity following such transaction (other than the sale of equity securities by the Corporation in a capital raising transaction), or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the Corporations assets.
ARTICLE 7
EXPENSES
7.1 Definitions
(a) All expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Article 2 (Cross Border Issues), Article 3 (Demand Registrations), Article 4 (Short Form Demand Registrations), or Article 5 (Piggyback Registrations), including all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Corporation, fees and expenses (including counsel fees) incurred in connection with complying with state securities or blue sky laws, stock exchange or NASDAQ fees, FINRA fees, fees of transfer agents and registrars, costs of insurance and reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for the selling Holders of Registrable Securities, but excluding any Selling Expenses are called Registration Expenses.
(b) All underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and the securities transfer taxes are called Selling Expenses.
7.2 Corporation Obligation
The Corporation will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each Registration Statement and Canadian Prospectus under Article 2, Article 3, Article 4 or Article 5; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of participating Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities other than as a result of a material adverse change affecting the Corporation that was unknown to the participating Holders at the time of the demand (in which case all selling Holders shall bear such expense pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that were to be included in the withdrawn registration) unless such holders agree to forfeit their right to one registration pursuant to Article 3. All Selling Expenses in connection with each Registration Statement and Canadian Prospectus under Article 2, Article 3, Article 4 or Article 5 will be borne by the Corporation and each of the participating Holders in proportion to the number of shares sold by each or, as between the participating Holders, as such participating Holders may otherwise agree.
ARTICLE 8
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
8.1 Indemnification by Corporation
In the event of a registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities under the 1933 Act or Canadian Securities Laws pursuant to Article 2 (Cross Border Issues), Article 3 (Demand Registrations), Article 4 (Short Form Demand Registrations), or Article 5 (Piggyback Registrations), to the extent permitted by law, the Corporation will indemnify and hold harmless each seller of such Registrable Securities thereunder, each officer, director, employee, partner, member, shareholder or legal counsel of each seller, each signatory of the Prospectus on behalf of such seller, each underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act) of such Registrable Securities thereunder and each other person, if any, who controls such seller or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, solidary (joint) or several, to which any such person may become subject under the 1933 Act, the Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky laws, Canadian Securities Laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:
(a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission of a Canadian Prospectus to provide full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts related to the Registrable Securities under which such Registrable Securities were registered or qualified pursuant to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4 or Article 5 and any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof;
(b) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or any violation or alleged violation by the Corporation of the 1933 Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable state securities or blue sky laws, or any Canadian Securities Laws; or
(c) any violation by the Corporation of any applicable securities law in connection with the qualification or sale of shares thereunder,
and will reimburse each such person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred. However, the Corporation is not liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in conformity with or in reliance upon information furnished by any such party seeking indemnification hereunder in writing specifically for use in such Registration Statement (including the Prospectus comprised therein) or Canadian Prospectus (preliminary or final) or any amendment or supplement thereof.
8.2 Indemnification by Sellers
(a) In the event of a registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities under the 1933 Act or Canadian Securities Laws pursuant to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, or Article 5, to the extent permitted by law, each seller of such Registrable Securities thereunder, severally and not solidarily (jointly), will indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation, each person, if any, who controls the Corporation within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Corporation who signs the Registration Statement, each director of the Corporation, each underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act) and each person, if any, who controls any underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Exchange Act and each other seller of Registrable Securities thereunder and its officers and directors, against all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, solidary (joint) or several, to which the Corporation or such officer, director, underwriter or controlling person, or other seller or officer or director of such other seller, may become subject under the 1933 Act, the Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky laws, Canadian Securities Laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission of a Canadian Prospectus to provide full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts related to the Registrable Securities under which such Registrable Securities were registered or qualified under the 1933 Act or Canadian Securities Laws pursuant to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, or Article 5, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof; or
(ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or any violation or alleged violation by the seller of the 1933 Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable state securities or blue sky laws, or any Canadian Securities Laws,
and will reimburse the Corporation and each such officer, director, underwriter and controlling person, and each other seller of Registrable Securities thereunder and its officers and directors, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, but such seller is liable hereunder in any such case if and only to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information pertaining to such seller, furnished in writing to the Corporation by or on behalf of such seller specifically for use in such Registration Statement (including the Prospectus comprised therein) or Canadian
Prospectus (preliminary or final), or any amendment or supplement thereof.
(b) The liability of each selling Holder hereunder is limited to the proportion of any such loss, claim, damage or liability that is equal to the proportion that the public offering price of the shares sold by such selling Holder under such Registration Statement and/or Canadian Prospectus bears to the total public offering price of all securities sold thereunder, and such liability does not in any event exceed the net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and/or Canadian Prospectus.
8.3 Indemnification Procedures
(a) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action for which a party may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party does not relieve it from any liability that it may have to such indemnified party other than under this Article 8, and only relieves it from any liability that it may have to such indemnified party under this Article 8 if and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission.
(b) In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party is entitled to participate in and, to the extent it wishes, to assume and undertake the defence thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defence thereof, the indemnifying party is not liable to such indemnified party under this Article 8 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defence thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected.
(c) If the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party reasonably concludes that there may be reasonable defences available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party may select one separate counsel and assume such legal defences and otherwise participate in the defence of such action, with the expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.
(d) No indemnifying party, in the defence of any such claim or litigation, may, except with the prior written consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation, and no indemnified
party may consent to entry of any judgment or settle such claim or litigation without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party.
8.4 Contribution
(a) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to solidary (joint) liability in circumstances in which the indemnification provided in this Article 8 is due in any case in which either:
(i) any party otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder, makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Article 8 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Article 8 provides for indemnification in such case; or
(ii) contribution under the 1933 Act or Canadian Securities Laws may be required on the part of any party hereto for which indemnification is provided under this Article 8,
then, and in each such case, the parties will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic benefit first and then only if it is unenforceable according to the relative fault of each of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements, omissions or other actions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, as well as to reflect any other relevant equitable considerations.
(b) In any such case:
(i) no such Holder is required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by it pursuant to such Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus, and in no event shall a Holders liability pursuant to this Section 8.4, when combined with the amounts paid or payable by such Holder pursuant to Section 8.3, exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder, except in the case of willful misconduct or fraud by such Holder; and
(ii) no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) is entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(c) Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under
this Article 8, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought does not relieve such party from any other obligation it or they may have otherwise under this Article 8.
(d) No party is liable for contribution with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or claim settled without its prior written consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
8.5 Survival
Unless otherwise superseded by an underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering, this Article 8 will survive the completion of any and all distributions of securities under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
ADDITIONAL TERMS
9.1 Changes to Registrable Securities
For greater certainty, if, and as often as, there is any change in Registrable Securities by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment will be made in the provisions of this Agreement so that the rights and privileges granted by this Agreement continue with respect to the Registrable Securities as so changed.
9.2 Rule 144 Reporting
With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, at all times after 90 days after the effective date of a Registration Statement for its Initial Public Offering, the Corporation will:
(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act;
(b) use its best efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Corporation under the 1933 Act and the Exchange Act; and
(c) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request a written statement by the Corporation as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the 1933 Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Corporation, and such other reports and documents so filed by the Corporation as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any
rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration.
9.3 Representation and Warranty of the Corporation
The Corporation represents and warrants to the Holders of Registrable Securities that, except as contemplated in this Agreement, the Corporation is not as of the date hereof under any obligation to register or qualify, nor has it agreed to grant registration or qualification rights with respect to, any presently outstanding securities, or securities which may be issued after the date of this Agreement, under the 1933 Act or under Canadian Securities Laws.
9.4 Limitation on Subsequent Registration and Qualification Rights
Without the prior written consent of the Preferred Majority (Holder Consent), the Corporation will not grant or agree to grant to any third party or parties any registration or qualification or other similar rights, more favourable than, on parity with or inconsistent with any of the rights contained herein, or any other rights that would result in a reduction of the number of Registrable Securities includable in any Registration Statement or Canadian Prospectus filed under to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, or Article 5, all so long as any of the registration or qualification rights under this Agreement remain in effect. If Holder Consent is obtained by the Corporation, to the extent that the registration or qualification or other similar rights granted to such third party or parties are more favourable than the entitlements of the Holders under this Agreement, the Holders will be given the benefit of such more favourable rights with respect to all of their Registrable Securities.
9.5 Canadian Securities Laws Requirements
With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Canadian Securities Laws that may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without the filing of a prospectus, if the Corporation becomes a reporting issuer under Canadian Securities Laws and once a public market exists for the Common Shares, the Corporation agrees to use all reasonable efforts to:
(a) comply with all applicable requirements under Canadian Securities Laws, at all times after the date the Corporation becomes a reporting issuer under Canadian Securities Laws; and
(b) file with the appropriate Canadian Securities Commissions in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Corporation under Canadian Securities Laws (at any time after the date that the Corporation becomes a reporting issuer under Canadian Securities Laws).
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Amendment
This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any provision of this Agreement may be waived, with the prior written consent of the Corporation and a Preferred Majority.
10.2 Assignment of Rights
The Holders may assign their rights to cause the Corporation to register or qualify Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement:
(a) to an Affiliate, as such term is defined in the Shareholders Agreement as if such Holders were Major Investors under the Shareholders Agreement;
(b) to any other permitted transferees of Investors (as provided for in the Shareholders Agreement) of Registrable Securities as if such Holders were Major Investors under the Shareholders Agreement; or
(c) without further limitation to any entity who acquires at least 10% of the Registrable Securities (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, consolidations and the like) then held by the Holder,
provided, however, that in each case the Corporation is promptly furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred, and such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If those conditions are met, Schedule A will be updated by the Corporation to add the name of the transferee and remove the name of the transferor.
No rights under this Agreement may be transferred except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities and only in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities transferred.
10.3 Benefit of Agreement
This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted transferees and assigns of Holders of Registrable Securities, but only if such permitted transferee or assign executes an acknowledgement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (except for such covenants and agreements contained in Article 8 with respect to Registration Statements previously filed which are not susceptible to transfer or assignment by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto).
10.4 Notices
All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement
as follows:
(a) if to the Corporation or the Investors, at the address for notice of such party set forth in the Shareholders Agreement;
(b) if to any subsequent Holder of Registrable Securities, to it at such address as may have been furnished to the Corporation in writing by such Holder; or
(c) in any case, at such other address or addresses furnished in writing to the Corporation (in the case of a Holder of Registrable Securities) or to the Holders of Registrable Securities (in the case of the Corporation) in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection.
10.5 Remedies
In addition to any and all other remedies that may be available at law in the event of any breach of this Agreement, each party is entitled to specific performance of the agreements and obligations of the other parties and to such other injunctive or other equitable relief as may be granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
10.6 Language
The parties hereto confirm that they have agreed that this Agreement and all documents relating hereto be drafted in English. Les parties aux présentes confirment quelles ont accepté que la présente convention de même que tous les documents sy rattachant soient rédigés en anglais. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties agree that any and all arbitration or litigation proceedings, together with all pleadings and exchanges of documents and all matters ancillary thereto, shall be conducted only in the English language unless otherwise required by law or judicial determination.
10.7 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties in separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, is deemed to constitute an original, but all of which together constitute one agreement.
10.8 Execution by Facsimile and by Electronic Transmission
This Agreement may be delivered by fax or by electronic transmission and the delivery by fax or electronic transmission of signed copies of this Agreement is deemed to be delivery of the original signatures of the parties. The parties agree to exchange manually executed originals in due course if requested by any party.
10.9 Tekla
A copy of the Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated, for each of Tekla Healthcare Investors and Tekla Life Sciences Investors (collectively, the Tekla Funds) is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice
is hereby given that this Agreement is executed on behalf of the Tekla Funds by an officer or trustee of the Tekla Funds in his or her capacity as an officer or trustee of the Tekla Funds, and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of each of the respective Tekla Funds.
[Signature Pages Follows]
IN WITNESS OF WHICH the parties have duly executed this Agreement.
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MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Joseph G. Oliveto | |
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Name: |
Joseph G. Oliveto |
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Title: |
President and CEO |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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RTW Master Fund, Ltd. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Roderick Wong | |
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Name: |
Roderick Wong |
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Title: |
Director |
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RTW Innovation Master Fund, Ltd. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Roderick Wong | |
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Name: |
Roderick Wong |
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Title: |
Director |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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BOXER CAPITAL, LLC | ||
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By: |
/s/ Christopher Fuglesang | |
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Name: |
Christopher Fuglesang |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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MVA INVESTORS, LLC | ||
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By: |
/s/ Christopher Fuglesang | |
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Name: |
Christopher Fuglesang |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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VENROCK HEALTHCARE CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P. | ||
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By: VHCP Management III, LLC, its general partner | ||
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By: |
/s/ David L. Stepp | |
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Name: |
David L. Stepp |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
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VHCP CO-INVESTMENT HOLDINGS III, LLC | ||
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By: VHCP Management III, LLC, its manager | ||
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By: |
/s/ David L. Stepp | |
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Name: |
David L. Stepp |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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TEKLA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS | ||
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By: |
/s/ Daniel R. Omstead | |
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Name: |
Daniel R. Omstead |
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Title: |
President |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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NOVO HOLDINGS A/S | |
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By: |
/s/ Thomas Dyrberg |
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Novo Holdings A/S |
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Thomas Dyrberg MD |
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Managing Partner |
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Novo Ventures |
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Tuborg Havnevej 19 |
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DK-2900 Hellerup |
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Denmark |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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PV IV CEO FUND, L.P. By: AMP&A Management IV, LLC Its: General Partner | ||
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By: |
/s/ Ford S. Worthy | |
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Name: |
Ford S. Worthy |
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Title: |
Partner & CFO |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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DOMAIN PARTNERS VIII, L.P. By: One Palmer Square Associates VIII, L.L.C. Its: General Partner | ||
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By: |
/s/ Lisa A. Kraeutler | |
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Name: |
Lisa A. Kraeutler |
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Title: |
Attorney in Fact |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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FORBION CAPITAL FUND III COOPERATIEF U.A. By: Forbion III Management B.V. Its: Director | ||
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By: |
/s/ H.A Slootwag | |
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Name: |
H.A Slootwag |
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Title: |
Partner |
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By: |
/s/ G. J. Mulder | |
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Name: |
G. J. Mulder |
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Title: |
Partner |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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TEKLA LIFE SCIENCES INVESTORS * * The name Tekla Life Sciences Investors is the designation of the Trustees for the time being under a Declaration of Trust dated February 20, 1992, as amended, and all persons dealing with Tekla Life Sciences Investors must look solely to the trust property for the enforcement of any claim against Tekla Life Sciences Investors, as neither the Trustees, officers nor shareholders assume any personal liability for the obligations entered into on behalf of Tekla Life Sciences Investors. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Daniel R. Omstead | |
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Name: |
Daniel R. Omstead |
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Title: |
President |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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BDC CAPITAL INC. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Dion Madsen | |
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Name: |
Dion Madsen |
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Title: |
Partner, Amplitude Venture Capital |
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By: |
/s/ Jean-Francois Pariseau | |
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Name: |
Jean-Francois Pariseau |
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Title: |
Partner, Amplitude Ventures |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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A.M. PAPPAS LIFE SCIENCE VENTURES IV, L.P. By: AMP&A Management IV, LLC Its: General Partner | ||
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By: |
/s/ Ford S. Worthy | |
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Name: |
Ford S. Worthy |
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Title: |
Partner & CFO |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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GO CAPITAL L.P. By: Business Development Bank of Canada Its: General Partner | ||
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By: |
/s/ Dominique Bélanger | |
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Name: |
Dominique Bélanger |
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Title: |
Managing Partner |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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FONDS DE SOLIDARITÉ DES TRAVAILLEURS DU QUÉBEC (F.T.Q.) | ||
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By: |
/s/ Didier Leconte | |
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Name: |
Didier Leconte |
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Title: |
Vice President, Investments Life Sciences |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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TOWNSHEND/LAMARRE FAMILY TRUST UDT DATED 7/25/2001, by its trustee | ||
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By: |
/s/ Brent Townshend | |
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Name: |
Brent Townshend |
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Title: |
Trustee |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
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MSBi INVESTMENT FUND, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, herein represented hereby by its general partner, MSBi Management, Limited Partnership, itself represented by its general partner, iNovia Capital Inc. | ||
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By: |
/s/ Chris Arsenault | |
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Name: |
Chris Arsenault |
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Title: |
President & CEO |
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By: |
/s/ François Gauvin | |
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Name: |
François Gauvin |
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Title: |
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
SCHEDULE A
INVESTORS
RTW MASTER FUND, LTD.
RTW INNOVATION MASTER FUND LTD
BOXER CAPITAL, LLC
MVA INVESTORS, LLC
VENROCK HEALTHCARE CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.
VHCP CO-INVESTMENT HOLDINGS III, LLC
NOVO HOLDINGS A/S
FORBION CAPITAL FUND III COOPERATIEF U.A.
TEKLA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS
TEKLA LIFE SCIENCES INVESTORS
DOMAIN PARTNERS VIII, L.P.
A.M. PAPPAS LIFE SCIENCE VENTURES IV, L.P.
PV IV CEO FUND, L.P.
BDC CAPITAL INC.
GO CAPITAL, L.P.
FONDS DE SOLIDARITÉ DES TRAVAILLEURS DU QUÉBEC (F.T.Q.)
MSBi INVESTMENT FUND, L.P.
MSBi VALORISATION INC.
TOWNSHEND/LAMARRE FAMILY TRUST UDT DATED 7/25/2001
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE
1.1 Purpose of this Plan
The purpose of this Plan is to assist the Corporation in attracting, retaining and motivating key employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Corporation or of a Related Entity by granting to them options to purchase Common Shares in the capital of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 2
INTERPRETATION
2.1 Definitions
When used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the following meanings, respectively:
10% Stockholder has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12 of this Plan;
Board means the board of directors of the Corporation;
Cause means, in addition to such meaning as shall have been or shall hereafter be ascribed to such term or similar terms from time to time by the jurisprudence or law: a failure or refusal by the Participant to perform his or her customary duties or services for the Corporation or any Related Entity without lawful justification after being provided with 10 business days notice from the Corporation and an opportunity to cure such failure to perform, in a manner satisfactory to the Corporation or any Related Entity; the Participants conviction for a criminal act or other indictable offence pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Code or of any other criminal or penal statute of any jurisdiction which the Corporation or any Related Entity reasonably determines may have an adverse effect upon the reputation or good will of the Corporation or any Related Entity or on the performance of the Participants duties, the commission by the Participant of any indictable or criminal offence or act which denotes moral turpitude, whether relating or not to the course of employment; a breach by the Participant of, or his or her failure or refusal to perform, in any material respect, any of his or her obligations under any employment agreement, employee invention and confidentiality agreement or such other material written agreement between Participant and the Corporation or any Related Entity; wanting in adequate capacity or qualification to fulfil the Participants employment functions; habitual inability to carry out functions of employment due to alcohol or drug related causes; any breach of any non-compete or non-solicitation covenant of the Participant; or any dishonest or fraudulent act relating directly or indirectly to the course of employment;
Code has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12 of this Plan;
Committee has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2;
Common Share means a common share in the share capital of the Corporation;
Consultant Participant means an individual or a consultant company, other than an Employee Participant, a Director Participant or an Executive Participant, that:
(a) is engaged to provide services on a bona fide basis to the Corporation or a Related Entity, other than services provided in relation to a distribution of securities of the Corporation or a Related Entity;
(b) provides the services under a written contract with the Corporation or a Related Entity; or
(c) spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Corporation or a Related Entity;
and includes a Consultant Participants Permitted Assigns. For the purposes of this definition, consultant company means, with respect to an individual consultant, either (i) a company of which the individual consultant is an employee or shareholder; or (ii) a partnership of which the individual consultant is an employee or partner;
Convertible Securities means any right, unit, option, warrant or any other security, including, without limitation, any debenture, note or any other instrument or agreement evidencing indebtedness of the Corporation, which may be converted, exchanged into or exercised for shares of the Corporation or which carries a right to acquire shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
Corporation means Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.;
Date of Grant means, for any Option, the date specified by the Plan Administrator at the time it grants the Option (provided, however, that such date shall not be prior to the date the Plan Administrator acts to grant the Option) or, if no such date is specified, the date upon which the Option is granted;
Director means a member of the Board or the board of directors of a Related Entity;
Director Participant means a Director, who is not an officer or employee of the Corporation or of a Related Entity, and includes a Director Participants Permitted Assigns;
Disability means the circumstance whereby the Optionee is permanently or substantially incapacitated so as to be prevented from properly and continuously performing in full his/her duties to the Corporation for a substantially continuous period of four months or more or for a cumulative six month period in any consecutive 12 month period;
Disqualifying Disposition has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12 of this Plan;
Employee Participant means a current employee (other than an Executive Participant or Consultant Participant) of the Corporation or of a Related Entity and includes an Employee Participants Permitted Assigns;
Executive Participant means an officer of the Corporation or of a Related Entity and includes an Executive Participants Permitted Assigns;
Exercise Notice means the subscription form and undertaking in writing, in the form set out in Schedule B, signed by an Optionee and stating the Optionees intention to exercise a particular Option;
Exercise Period means the period of time (commencing at the Vesting Commencement Date) during which an Option granted under this Plan may be exercised in accordance with this Plan;
Exercise Price means the price at which an Option Share may be purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option;
Fair Market Value means the fair market value of the security, as determined in good faith by the Plan Administrator;
Fully Diluted Basis means in reference to a number of shares, a number calculated taking into account all of the issued and outstanding voting and participating shares of the share capital of the Corporation and the conversion, exercise or exchange of all Convertible Securities into such shares based on the applicable conversion, exchange or exercise rate, including any warrants and any options granted by the Corporation (including those options available for issuance under the Stock Option Plan or any future stock option plan);
Good Reasons means the termination by the Executive Participant of his employment if there is: (a) a material reduction by the Corporation in his salary or remuneration (other than a proportional decrease applicable to all Executive Participants); (b) the failure of the Corporation to pay the Executive Participant any portion of his salary or remuneration at the time such payment is due, which breach is not cured within 30 days after such Executive Participant provides written notice to the Corporation thereof; or (c) a material unilateral reduction in the responsibilities or duties of such Executive Participant;
Individual Optionee means an Optionee who is an individual or a Person who is a Permitted Assign of an Optionee, as the case may be;
Initial Public Offering means any initial public offering of Common Shares under a receipted prospectus or other similar document filed under applicable securities laws in Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, pursuant to which Common Shares are offered for sale and sold to the public and pursuant to which the Common Shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, or the main market of the London Stock Exchange or are quoted on the NASDAQ national market system or any combination thereof;
ISOs has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12 of this Plan;
Liquidity Event means:
(a) an event, in one transaction or a series of transactions, including any amalgamation, arrangement, merger, consolidation, tender offer, exchange offer, share acquisition, binding share exchange, business combination, recapitalization or similar transaction, which results in one Person, together with any Related Entities of such Person, acquiring beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, or exercising direction or control, over more than 50% of the combined voting power attached to all of the Corporations outstanding Securities;
(b) a sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation except where such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition is to a Related Entity of the Corporation;
(c) the adoption by the Corporation of a plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the Corporations assets; or
(d) any event specified from time to time by the Board;
provided however, unless otherwise determined by the Board, that the following events shall not constitute a Liquidity Event: (i) an amalgamation, merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into a Related Entity of the Corporation; (ii) a transaction undertaken solely for the purpose of changing the Corporations place of domicile or jurisdiction of incorporation; (iii) an equity financing of the Corporation; or (iv) an Initial Public Offering;
NI 45-106 means National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators, as amended from time to time;
Notice of Grant means the form of notice of grant in writing, in the form set out in Schedule A, signed by Corporation stating the intention to grant Options to the Optionee;
Notice of Surrender of Vested Options means the form of surrender of the vested Options in writing, in the form set out in Schedule D, permitting the Optionee to exercise the vested Options without payment;
Option means a right to purchase Common Shares under this Plan that is non- assignable and non-transferable other than to a Permitted Assign or unless otherwise approved by the Plan Administrator;
Option Agreement means a signed, written agreement between an Optionee and the Corporation, in the form attached as Schedule C, subject to any amendments or additions thereto as may, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be necessary or advisable, evidencing the terms and conditions on which an Option has been granted under this Plan;
Optionee means a Participant who has been granted one or more Options;
Option Shares means Common Shares that will be issued by the Corporation upon the exercise of outstanding Options;
Participant means an Employee Participant, a Director Participant, an Executive Participant or a Consultant Participant;
Permitted Assign has the meaning assigned to the term permitted assign in Section 2.22 of NI 45-106 other than RRSPs and RRIFs;
Person includes an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, limited liability company, and a natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative;
Plan means this Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan as set out herein and as amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof;
Plan Administrator means the Board or, if the administration of this Plan has been delegated by the Board to the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2, the Committee;
Related Corporations has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12 of this Plan;
Related Entity has the meaning assigned to the term related entity in Section 2.22 of NI 45-106;
Retirement means retirement from active employment with the Corporation or a Related Entity at or after age 65 or, with the consent for purposes of this Plan of such officer of the Corporation as may be designated by the Plan Administrator, at or after such earlier age and upon the completion of such years of service as the Plan Administrator may specify;
Security has the meaning assigned to the term security in the Securities Act (Québec), and Securities has a corresponding meaning;
Shareholders Agreement means the shareholders agreement with respect to the Corporation, as the same may be amended, restated or replaced from time to time;
Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement between the Corporation and certain investors dated as of October 15, 2018 as amended and restated from time to time;
Termination Date means:
(a) in the case of an Employee Participant or Executive Participant whose employment or term of office, as the case may be, with the Corporation or a Related Entity terminates in the circumstances set out in Section 4.7(b) or Section 4.7(c), the later of: (i) the date that is the last day of any statutory notice period applicable to the Optionee pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation; and (ii) the date that is designated by the Corporation or a Related Entity, as the case may be, as the last day of the Optionees employment or term
of office with the Corporation or the Related Entity, as the case may be, provided that in the case of termination of employment by voluntary resignation by the Optionee, such date shall not be earlier than the date upon which a notice of resignation was given, and Termination Date specifically does not mean the date on which any period of reasonable notice that the Corporation or the Related Entity (as the case may be) may be required at law or under the terms of an employment agreement to provide to the Optionee expires;
(b) in the case of a Director Participant who ceases to hold office in the circumstances set out in Section 4.7(d) or Section 4.7(e), the date upon which the Optionee ceases to hold office; or
(c) in the case of a Consultant Participant whose consulting agreement or arrangement with the Corporation or a Related Entity, as the case may be, terminates in the circumstances set out in Section 4.7(e) or Section 4.7(f), the date that is designated by the Corporation or the Related Entity, as the case may be, as the date on which the Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated, provided that in the case of voluntary termination by the Optionee of the Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement, such date shall not be earlier than the date notice of voluntary termination was given, and Termination Date specifically does not mean the date on which any period of notice of termination that the Corporation or the Related Entity (as the case may be) may be required to provide to the Optionee under the terms of the consulting agreement or arrangement expires; and
Vesting Commencement Date means, for any Option, the date for vesting of such Option to commence, as specified by the Plan Administrator at the time it grants such Option, or, if no such date is specified, the Date of Grant.
2.2 Interpretation
(a) This Plan is created under and is to be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the Province of Québec and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
(b) Whenever the Plan Administrator is to exercise discretion in the administration of the terms and conditions of this Plan, the term discretion means the sole and absolute discretion of the Plan Administrator.
(c) As used herein, the terms Article, Section and Schedule mean and refer to the specified Article, Section and Schedule of this Plan, respectively.
(d) Where the word including or includes is used in this Plan, it means including (or includes) without limitation.
(e) Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
(f) Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to Canadian currency.
ARTICLE 3
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Plan Administration
This Plan will be administered by the Plan Administrator and the Plan Administrator has sole and complete authority, in its discretion, to:
(a) determine the individuals and entities (from among the Participants) to whom Options may be granted;
(b) grant Options in such amounts and, subject to the provisions of this Plan, on such terms and conditions as it determines including:
(i) the time or times at which Options may be granted;
(ii) the Exercise Price;
(iii) the time or times when each Option becomes exercisable and, subject to Section 4.3, the duration of the Exercise Period;
(iv) whether restrictions or limitations are to be imposed on the Option Shares and the nature of such restrictions or limitations, if any;
(v) any acceleration of exercisability or waiver of termination regarding any Option, based on such factors as the Plan Administrator may determine;
(vi) to cancel, amend, adjust or otherwise change any Option under such circumstances as the Plan Administrator may consider appropriate in accordance with the provisions of this Plan; and
(vii) the Vesting Commencement Date;
(c) interpret this Plan and adopt, amend, prescribe and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to this Plan; and
(d) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of this Plan.
The Plan Administrators determinations and actions within its authority under this Plan are conclusive and binding on the Corporation and all other persons.
3.2 Delegation of Plan Administration
(a) The initial Plan Administrator shall be the Board.
(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may, from time to time, delegate to a committee of the Board (the Committee) all or any of the powers conferred on the Plan Administrator pursuant to this Plan. In such event, the Committee will exercise the powers delegated to it by the Board in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Board. Any decision made or action taken by the Committee arising out of or in connection with the administration or interpretation of this Plan in this context shall be made as Plan Administrator and is final and conclusive.
(c) The day-to-day administration of this Plan may be delegated to such officers and employees of the Corporation or a Related Entity as the Plan Administrator determines.
3.3 Eligibility
All Employee Participants, Director Participants, Executive Participants and Consultant Participants are eligible to participate in this Plan, subject to Sections 4.6(b) and 4.7(g). Eligibility to participate does not confer upon any Participant any right to be granted Options pursuant to this Plan. The extent to which any Participant is entitled to be granted Options pursuant to this Plan will be determined in the discretion of the Plan Administrator.
3.4 Total Common Shares Subject to Options
(a) The aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Options, including Options intended to be ISOs pursuant to Section 4.12 will be equal to, upon completion of the Closing (as defined in the Subscription Agreement), 17,228,914 Common Shares. No Option may be granted if such grant would have the effect of causing the total number of Common Shares subject to Options to exceed the above-noted total number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Options.
(b) To the extent Options terminate for any reason prior to exercise in full or are cancelled, the Common Shares subject to such Options shall be added back to the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan and such Common Shares will again become available for grant under this Plan. In addition, any Common Shares which are retained by the Corporation upon exercise of an Option in order to satisfy the exercise or purchase price for such Option or any withholding taxes due with respect to such exercise or purchase shall be treated as not issued and shall continue to be available under the Plan. Common Shares repurchased by the Corporation pursuant to any repurchase right which the Corporation may have shall be available for future grant under the Plan.
(c) Subject to applicable law and any shareholder or other approvals which may be required, the Board may in its discretion amend the Plan to increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance without any notice to Participants.
3.5 Notice of Grant
All grants of Options under this Plan will be evidenced by the Notice of Grant (as set forth in Schedule A). Such Notice of Grant will be subject to the applicable provisions of this Plan and will contain such provisions as are required by this Plan and any other provisions that the Plan Administrator may direct. The Board of Directors shall authorize and empower any director or officer of the Corporation to execute and deliver, for and on behalf of the Corporation, a Notice of Grant to each Optionee.
3.6 Non-Transferability
Subject to Section 4.6 and the rules and policies of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, if applicable, and applicable law, Options granted under this Plan may only be exercised by the Individual Optionee personally during the Optionees lifetime. Except to the extent permitted by the Plan Administrator, no assignment or transfer of Options, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, vests any interest or right in such Options whatsoever in any assignee or transferee and immediately upon any assignment or transfer, or any attempt to make the same, such Options will terminate and be of no further force or effect. If an Individual Optionee (the Original Optionee) has transferred Options to a corporation pursuant to this Section 3.6 when such transfer is permitted by the Plan Administrator and such applicable rules, policies and law, such Options will terminate and be of no further force or effect if at any time the Original Optionee should cease to own all of the issued shares of such corporation.
ARTICLE 4
GRANT OF OPTIONS
4.1 Grant of Options
The Plan Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may prescribe, grant Options to any Participant. Such Options granted to the Participant shall be described in the Notice of Grant.
4.2 Exercise Price
(a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the Exercise Price per Option Share purchasable under an Option will be equal to or will exceed the Fair Market Value as determined by the Board and in effect on the Date of Grant.
(b) After an Initial Public Offering, the Board shall establish the Exercise Price at the time each Option is granted, which Exercise Price must in all cases be not less than the price required by applicable regulatory authorities and will reflect the Fair Market Value of the Option Share.
4.3 Term of Options
Subject to any accelerated termination as set forth in this Plan, each Option, unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator, expires on the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided that in no event will the Exercise Period of an Option exceed ten years from the Date of Grant.
4.4 Exercise Period
(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator at the time of granting an Option and except as otherwise provided in this Plan, each Option will vest and be exercisable as follows:
Percentage of Total Number |
|
Vesting Date |
25% |
|
From the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date. |
|
|
|
2.0833% |
|
At the end of each month after the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date. |
(b) Once an Option becomes vested, it shall remain vested and shall be exercisable until expiration or termination of the Option, subject to Section 4.9. Each Option may be exercised at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, for up to the total number of Option Shares with respect to which it is then exercisable. The Plan Administrator has the right, including those as set forth in Sections 4.9 and 5.4, to accelerate the vesting of any Option.
(c) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and any Option Agreement, Options shall be exercised by means of a fully completed Exercise Notice delivered to the Corporation.
4.5 Payment of Exercise Price
(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator at the time of granting an Option, the Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price for the Option Shares to be purchased. The Exercise Price shall be fully paid in cash, or by certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the Corporation or by such other means as might be specified from time to time by the Plan Administrator. No Common Shares shall be issued or transferred until full payment therefor has been received by the Corporation. Until the occurrence of a Liquidity Event or Initial Public Offering, any certificate or certificates representing the acquired Common Shares shall be either held by the Corporation or in escrow by the Escrow Agent (as such term is defined in the Option Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement, on behalf of the Optionee, with the Corporations corporate records.
(b) The Plan Administrator may, at any time, grant the Optionee the right to cause the Corporation to accept the surrender of the vested Options held by the Optionee in consideration for a cash payment. To surrender those Options, the Optionee shall send a notice (in the form set out in Schedule D) requesting that the Corporation terminate the vested Options held by the Optionee in exchange for a cash payment to the Optionee for an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the
Common Shares underlying those vested Options, as determined by the Board as of the date of the surrender of the vested Options, over the Exercise Price of the vested Options. The Corporation shall in its sole and entire discretion decide whether it renounces its right to claim the cash payment as a deductible expense for tax purposes and its decision will be final and conclusive. Nothing requires that the Corporation reaches a similar decision for each Optionee and nothing requires the Corporation to elect that it will not deduct any amount in respect of such cash payment.
4.6 Retirement, Death or Disability of Optionee
Subject to Section 4.8 or unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator at the time of granting an Option, if an Individual Optionee dies or becomes Disabled while an employee, director or officer of the Corporation or a Related Entity or if the employment or term of office of the Individual Optionee with the Corporation or a Related Entity terminates due to Retirement:
(a) the executor or administrator of the Individual Optionees estate or the Individual Optionee, as the case may be, may exercise any Options of the Individual Optionee that have vested as at the Termination Date to the extent that the Options have vested as at the date of such death, Disability or Retirement and the right to exercise such Options terminates on the earlier of: (i) the date on which the Exercise Period of the particular Option expires; or (ii) the date that is 180 days after the Individual Optionees death, Disability or Retirement;
(b) the Individual Optionees eligibility to receive further grants of Options under this Plan ceases as of the date of the Individual Optionees death, Disability or Retirement, as the case may be; and
(c) Section 4.6 will apply to a Permitted Assign as if it applied to a Participant.
4.7 Termination of Employment or Services
Subject to Section 4.8 or unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator at the time of granting an Option:
(a) where, in the case of an Employee Participant or Executive Participant, an Individual Optionee or term of office with the Corporation or a Related Entity ceases by reason of the Individual Optionees death, Disability or Retirement, then the provisions of Section 4.6 will apply;
(b) where, in the case of an Employee Participant or Executive Participant, an Individual Optionees employment or term of office is terminated i) by the Corporation or a Related Entity without Cause (whether such termination occurs with or without any or adequate reasonable notice, or with or without any or adequate compensation in lieu of such reasonable notice), ii) by voluntary resignation of the individual Optionee in compliance with the termination provision contained in the Optionees employment agreement or iii) for Good Reasons, then any Options held by the Individual Optionee that have vested as at the Termination
Date continue to be exercisable by the Individual Optionee until the earlier of: (A) the date on which the Exercise Period of the particular Option expires; or (B) the date that is 90 days after the Termination Date. Any Options held by the Individual Optionee that have not vested as at the Termination Date immediately expire and are cancelled on the Termination Date;
(c) where, in the case of an Employee Participant or Executive Participant, an Individual Optionees employment or term of office terminates by reason of: (i) termination by the Corporation or a Related Entity for Cause; or (ii) voluntary resignation by the Individual Optionee not in compliance with the termination provisions contained in the Optionees employment agreement, then any Options held by the Individual Optionee, whether or not they have vested as at the Termination Date, immediately expire and are cancelled on the Termination Date;
(d) where, in the case of a Director Participant, an Individual Optionee ceases to hold office, then any Options held by the Individual Optionee that have vested as at the Termination Date continue to be exercisable by the Individual Optionee until the earlier of: (i) the date on which the Exercise Period of the particular Option expires; or (ii) the date that is 180 days after the Termination Date. Any Options held by the Individual Optionee that have not vested as at the Termination Date, immediately expire and are cancelled on the Termination Date;
(e) where, in the case of a Consultant Participant, an Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement terminates by reason of: (i) termination by the Corporation or a Related Entity for any reason whatsoever other than for breach of the consulting agreement or arrangement (whether or not such termination is effected in compliance with any termination provisions contained in the Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement); or (ii) the death or Disability of the Individual Optionee, or (iii) voluntary termination by the Optionee in compliance with the termination provisions contained in the Optionees consulting agreement, then any Options held by the Optionee that have vested as at the Termination Date, or at the date of the death or Disability of the Individual Optionee, as the case may be, continue to be exercisable by the Optionee until the earlier of: (A) the date on which the Exercise Period of the particular Option expires; or (B) the date that is 120 days after the Termination Date. Any Options held by the Optionee that have not vested as at the Termination Date, or at the date of the death or Disability of the Individual Optionee, as the case may be, immediately expire and are cancelled on the Termination Date;
(f) where, in the case of a Consultant Participant, an Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement terminates by reason of: (i) termination by the Corporation or a Related Entity for breach of the consulting agreement or arrangement (whether or not such termination is effected in compliance with any termination provisions contained in Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement); or (ii) voluntary termination by the Optionee (whether or not such termination is effected in compliance with any termination provisions contained in the Optionees consulting agreement or arrangement), then any Options held by the Optionee, whether or not
such Options have vested as at the Termination Date, immediately expire and are cancelled on the Termination Date;
(g) an Optionees eligibility to receive further grants of Options under this Plan ceases as of the date that the Corporation or a Related Entity, as the case may be, provides the Optionee with written notification that the Optionees employment, term of office, consulting agreement or arrangement, as the case may be, is terminated, notwithstanding that such date may be prior to the Termination Date.
(h) Notwithstanding Sections 4.7(b), 4.7(d) and 4.7(e), unless the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, otherwise determines, at any time and from time to time, Options are not affected by a change of employment or consulting arrangement within or among the Corporation or a Related Entity for so long as the Employee Participant continues to be an employee of the Corporation or a Related Entity, or for so long as the Executive Participant continues to be a director or officer of the Corporation or a Related Entity, or for so long as the Consultant Participant continues to be engaged as a consultant to the Corporation or a Related Entity, as the case may be.
(i) Section 4.7 shall apply to a Permitted Assign as if it was applied to a Participant.
4.8 Discretion to Permit Exercise
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 4.6 and 4.7, the Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, at any time prior to or following the events contemplated in such sections, permit the exercise of any or all Options held by the Optionee in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Plan Administrator, provided that the Plan Administrator will not, in any case, authorize the exercise of an Option pursuant to this Section 4.8 beyond the expiration of the Exercise Period of the particular Option.
4.9 Liquidity Event
Notwithstanding anything else in this Plan or any Option Agreement, the Plan Administrator may, in connection with a Liquidity Event, in its discretion, and without the consent of any Optionee:
(a) take such steps as are necessary or desirable to cause the conversion or exchange of any outstanding Options into or for options, rights or other securities of substantially equivalent value (or greater value), as determined by the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, in any entity participating in or resulting from such Liquidity Event; and/or
(b) accelerate the vesting of any or all outstanding Options to provide that such outstanding Options will be fully vested and exercisable contemporaneously with the completion of the transaction resulting in the Liquidity Event, provided that the Plan Administrator shall not, in any case, authorize the exercise of Options pursuant to this section beyond the expiry date of the Options. If any of such Options are not exercised contemporaneously with completion of the transaction resulting in the Liquidity Event, such unexercised Options will terminate and expire upon the completion of the transaction resulting in the Liquidity Event. If, for any reason,
the transaction that would result in the Liquidity Event is not completed, the acceleration of the vesting of the Options shall be retracted and vesting will instead revert to the manner provided in Section 4.4 or in the applicable Option Agreement, as the case may be.
4.10 Option Agreement
Each Optionee must, at the time of exercise of an Option, sign and deliver a Option Agreement. Each Optionee acknowledges that the Option Agreement restricts transfers of the Option Shares. The Shares and share certificates representing the Option Shares acquired upon the exercise of Options shall be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, as such term is defined in, and in accordance with, the Option Agreement.
4.11 Conditions of Exercise
Each Optionee shall, when requested by the Corporation, sign and deliver all such documents relating to the granting or exercise of Options which the Corporation deems necessary or desirable and which shall include, without limitation, (i) the Notice of Grant, (ii) the Exercise Notice, and (iii) the Option Agreement.
4.12 Incentive Stock Options
The following provisions will apply, in addition to the other provisions of this Plan which are not inconsistent therewith, to Options that are specifically intended (as evidenced in the relevant Option Agreement) to qualify as incentive stock options (for the purposes of this Section 4.12, ISOs) under Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, I.R.C. (for the purposes of this Section 4.12, the Code). For greater clarity, Options may only be granted as ISOs if the shareholders of the Corporation have approved the Plan:
(a) Options may be granted as ISOs only to individuals who are employees of the Corporation or any present or future subsidiary corporation or parent corporation as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code (for the purposes of this Section 4.12, collectively, Related Corporations) and Options shall not be granted to non-employee Directors or independent contractors;
(b) for purposes of Section 4.6, Disability means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code;
(c) if an Optionee ceases to be employed by the Corporation and/or all Related Corporations other than by reason of death or Disability, Options will be eligible for treatment as ISOs only if exercised no later than 90 days following such termination of employment;
(d) the Exercise Price in respect of Options granted as ISOs to employees who own more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of shares in the capital of the Corporation or a Related Corporation (for the purposes of this Section 4.12, a 10% Stockholder) will be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per
Common Share on the Date of Grant and the term of any ISO granted to a 10% Stockholder will not exceed five years measured from the Date of Grant;
(e) Options held by an Optionee will be eligible for treatment as ISOs only if the Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the Common Shares with respect to which such Options and all other options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code held by such individual and granted under the Plan or any other plan of a Related Corporation and which are exercisable for the first time by such individual during any one calendar year does not exceed US$100,000;
(f) by accepting an Option granted as an ISO under the Plan, each Optionee agrees to notify the Corporation in writing immediately after such Optionee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any share acquired pursuant to the exercise of such ISO; for this purpose, a Disqualifying Disposition is any disposition occurring on or before the later of (a) the date two years following the date the ISO was granted or (b) the date one year following the date the ISO was exercised;
(g) notwithstanding that the Plan will be effective when adopted by the Board, no ISO granted under the Plan may be exercised until the Plan is approved by the Corporations shareholders and, if such approval is not obtained within 12 months after the date of the Boards adoption of the Plan, then all ISOs previously granted will terminate and cease to be outstanding and the provisions of this Section 4.12 will cease to have effect; furthermore, the Board shall obtain shareholder approval within 12 months before or after any increase in the total number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan or any change in the class of employees eligible to receive ISOs under the Plan;
(h) no modification of an outstanding Option that would provide an additional benefit to an Optionee, including to a reduction of the Exercise Price or extension of the exercise period, shall be made without consideration and disclosure of the likely United States federal income tax consequences to the Participants affected thereby;
(i) Options intended to be ISOs under this Plan shall be granted prior to October 12, 2028; and
(j) ISOs will be neither transferable nor assignable by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during the Optionees lifetime, only by such Optionee.
ARTICLE 5
SHARE CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS
5.1 General
The existence of any Options does not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation or its shareholders to make, authorize or determine any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or any other change in the Corporations capital structure or its business, or any amalgamation, combination, merger or consolidation involving the Corporation, to create or issue any bonds, debentures, shares or other securities of the Corporation or to determine the rights and conditions attaching thereto, to effect the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or to effect any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise, whether or not any such action referred to in this section would have an adverse effect on this Plan or any Option granted hereunder.
5.2 Reorganization of Corporations Capital
Should the Corporation effect a subdivision or consolidation of Common Shares or any similar capital reorganization including a distribution of capital or assets or a payment of a stock dividend (other than a stock dividend that is in lieu of a cash dividend), or should any other change be made in the capitalization of the Corporation that, in the opinion of the Plan Administrator, would warrant the replacement or amendment of any existing Options in order to adjust: (a) the number of Common Shares that may be acquired on the exercise of any outstanding Options; and/or (b) the Exercise Price of any outstanding Options in order to preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the Optionees, the Plan Administrator, will authorize such steps to be taken as may be equitable and appropriate to that end. For clarity purposes, dilution will not be deemed a capital reorganization for the purposes of this Section 5.2.
5.3 Other Events Affecting the Corporation
In the event of an amalgamation, combination, merger or other reorganization involving the Corporation by exchange of Common Shares or Common Shares, by sale or lease of assets or otherwise, that, in the opinion of the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, warrants the replacement or amendment of any existing Options in order to adjust: (a) the number of Common Shares that may be acquired on the exercise of any outstanding Options; and/or (b) the Exercise Price of any outstanding Options in order to preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the Optionees, the Plan Administrator will authorize such steps to be taken as may be equitable and appropriate to that end. For clarity purposes, dilution will not be deemed an event which will require a replacement or amendment of any existing Options for purposes of this Section 5.2.
5.4 Immediate Exercise of Options
Where the Plan Administrator determines, in its discretion, that the steps provided in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 would not preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the Optionees in the circumstances or otherwise determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Options.
5.5 Issue by Corporation of Additional Shares
Except as expressly provided in this Article 5, neither the issue by the Corporation of shares of any class or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any class, nor the conversion or exchange of such shares or securities, affects, and no adjustment by reason thereof is to be made with respect to: (a) the number of Common Shares that may be acquired on the exercise of any outstanding Options; or (b) the Exercise Price of any outstanding Options.
5.6 Fractions
No fractional Common Shares will be issued on the exercise of an Option. Accordingly, if, as a result of any adjustment under Sections 5.2 to 5.4 inclusive, an Optionee would become entitled to a fractional Common Share, the Optionee has the right to acquire only the adjusted number of full Common Shares and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional Common Shares so disregarded.
5.7 Conditions of Exercise
The Plan and each Option are subject to the requirement that if at any time the Plan Administrator determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Common Shares subject to such Option upon any securities exchange or under any provincial, state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, securities exchange or of the holders of the Common Shares generally, is necessary or desirable, as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of such Option or the issue or purchase of Common Shares thereunder, no such Option may be granted or exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Plan Administrator, in its discretion. The Optionees shall, to the extent applicable, cooperate with the Corporation in relation to such listing, registration, qualification, consent or other approval and shall have no claim or cause of action against the Corporation or any of its officers or directors as a result of any failure by the Corporation to obtain or to take any steps to obtain any such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval.
ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
6.1 Legal Requirement
The Corporation is not obligated to grant any Options, issue any Common Shares or other securities, make any payments or take any other action if, in the opinion of the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, such action would constitute a violation by an Optionee or the Corporation of any provision of any applicable statutory or regulatory enactment of any government or government agency.
6.2 Optionees Entitlement
Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, Options previously granted under this Plan, whether or not then exercisable, are not affected by any change in the relationship between, or ownership of, the Corporation and a Related Entity. For greater certainty, all Options remain valid and
exercisable in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Plan and are not affected by reason only that, at any time, a Related Entity ceases to be a Related Entity.
6.3 Withholding Taxes
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, all distributions or payments to a Participant under the Plan shall be made net of applicable source deductions. If the event giving rise to the withholding obligation involves a distribution or issuance of Common Shares, then, the withholding obligation may be satisfied by (a) having the Participant elect to have the appropriate number of such Common Shares sold by the Corporation, the Corporations transfer agent and registrar or any person appointed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, each on behalf of and as agent for the Participant, as soon as permissible and practicable, with the proceeds of such sale being remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities, or (b) any other mechanism as may be required or appropriate to conform with local tax and other rules.
Notwithstanding the first paragraph of this Section 6.3, the applicable tax withholdings may be waived where the Participant directs in writing that a payment be made directly to the Participants registered retirement savings plan in circumstances to which subsection 100(3) of the regulations made under the Income Tax Act (Canada) apply.
6.4 Rights of Participant/Optionee
No Participant has any claim or right to be granted an Option (including an Option granted in substitution for any Option that has expired pursuant to the terms of this Plan), and the granting of any Option is not to be construed as giving an Optionee a right to remain in the employ of the Corporation or a Related Entity. No Optionee has any rights as a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of Common Shares issuable on the exercise of rights to acquire Common Shares under any Option until the allotment and issuance to the Optionee of certificates representing such Common Shares.
6.5 Termination
Subject to any shareholders agreement of the Corporation, the Board may terminate this Plan at any time without shareholder approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the discretion of the Plan Administrator, the termination of this Plan shall have no effect on outstanding Options, which shall continue in effect in accordance with their terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.
6.6 Indemnification
Every Director will at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Corporation from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever, including any income tax liability arising from any such indemnification, that such Director may sustain or incur by reason of any action, suit or proceeding, taken or threatened against the Director, otherwise than by the Corporation, for or in respect of any act done or omitted by the Director in respect of this Plan, such costs, charges and expenses to include any amount paid to settle such action, suit or proceeding or in satisfaction of any judgement rendered therein.
6.7 Participation in this Plan
The participation of any Participant in this Plan is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon such Participant any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in this Plan. In particular, participation in this Plan does not constitute a condition of employment or service nor a commitment on the part of the Corporation to ensure the continued employment or service of such Participant. The Plan does not provide any guarantee against any loss which may result from fluctuations in the market value of the Common Shares. The Corporation does not assume responsibility for the personal income or other tax consequences for the Participants and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.
6.8 Amendments
Subject to any shareholders agreement of the Corporation, the Board may,
(a) without notice, at any time or from time to time, amend this Plan or any provisions hereof in such respects as it, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate; provided that no such amendment shall have any adverse effect with respect to any Options outstanding as at the date of such amendment without the prior consent of the applicable Optionee(s); and
(b) subject to any required regulatory approval, at its discretion from time to time retrospectively amend the Plan and, in the event of an amendment that is adverse to the interests of the affected Optionee, with the consent of the affected Optionee, retrospectively amend the terms and conditions of any Options which have been theretofore granted.
6.9 Governing Law
This Plan will be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the province of Québec and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
6.10 Corporate Action
Nothing contained in this Plan or in an Option shall be construed so as to prevent the Corporation from taking corporate action which is deemed by the Corporation to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on this Plan or any Option, including, with respect to an Option previously granted, any adjustments to the Exercise Price, Exercise Period or number of Option Shares, provided that any such adjustment is required by any securities exchange or applicable securities laws.
6.11 Notices
All written notices to be given by the Optionee to the Corporation shall be delivered personally or by registered mail, postage prepaid, email with receipt, addressed as follows:
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
420-1111 boul. Dr.-Frederik-Philips
Montréal (Québec) H4M 2X6
Attention: President
Any notice given by the Optionee pursuant to the terms of an Option shall not be effective until actually received by the Corporation at the above address.
THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN was adopted by the board of directors of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. on October 15, 2018.
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MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. |
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/s/ Joseph G. Oliveto |
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Name: Joseph G. Oliveto |
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Title: President and CEO |
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Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
SCHEDULE A
AMENDED AND RESTATED FORM OF NOTICE OF GRANT
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
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Re: Grant of Options
Dear ·:
This letter is to inform you that Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Corporation) is granting you an option to purchase [number] common shares in the share capital of the Corporation at a price of $[price] per share (Common Shares).
Your option will vest as follows:
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25% |
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From the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date. |
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At the end of each month after the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date. |
Your option expires on [date].
Your option, when vested as set out above, may be exercised by you in whole or in part at any time prior to its expiry by delivery of an (i) an executed Subscription Form and Undertaking (see the form attached as Schedule 1 to this letter) to the Corporations head office to the Chief Executive Officer specifying the number of shares to be purchased and (ii) an executed Option Agreement (see the form attached as Schedule 2 to this letter), accompanied by a cash payment, money order, bank draft or certified cheque representing payment in full of the exercise price for the purchase of the Common Shares.
The Corporation has the right to amend, in the future, the stock option plan (the Stock Option Plan) attached hereto. You understand and acknowledge that, when the Corporation amends the Stock Option Plan, your option will become subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated from time to time, provided that the number of underlying shares, exercise price, vesting schedule and expiry date of your option will not be affected.
In order to make this grant of option effective you must sign and deliver a copy of this letter to the Corporation and in doing so, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. All capitalized terms in the following paragraphs 2 to 11 [12] have the meanings set forth in the Stock Option Plan.
2. You have received and agree to the terms of the Stock Option Plan.
3. Subject to Sections 4.9 and 5.4 of the Stock Option Plan and unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, at the time of granting an Option, each Option is exercisable in the instalments set forth in Section 4.4 of the Stock Option Plan.
4. In no event is the Option granted hereunder exercisable after the expiration of the relevant Exercise Period.
5. No fractional Common Shares will be issued on the exercise of the Option granted hereunder. If, as a result of any adjustment to the number of Common Shares issuable on the exercise of the Option granted hereunder pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, you would be entitled to receive a fractional Common Share, you have the right to acquire only the adjusted number of full Common Shares and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional Common Shares so disregarded.
6. Nothing in the Stock Option Plan or in this letter will affect the Corporations right, or that of a Related Entity, to terminate the employment of, term of office of, or consulting agreement or arrangement with you at any time for any reason whatsoever. Upon such termination, your rights to exercise Options will be subject to restrictions and time limits for the exercise of Options. Complete details of such restrictions are set out in the Stock Option Plan, and in particular in Sections 4.6 and 4.7 of the Stock Option Plan.
7. Each notice relating to the Option, including the exercise thereof, shall be in writing. All notices to the Corporation shall be delivered personally or by prepaid registered mail and shall be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. All notices to you shall be addressed to your principal address or email address on file with the Corporation. Either the Corporation or you may designate a different address by written notice to the other. Such notices are deemed to be received, if delivered personally, on the date of delivery, and if sent by prepaid, registered mail, on the fifth business day following the date of mailing and if sent by email upon receipt of a receipt of delivery. Any notice given by either you or the Corporation is not binding on the recipient thereof until received.
8. When the issuance of Common Shares on the exercise of the Option may, in the opinion of the Corporation, conflict or be inconsistent with any applicable law or regulation of any governmental agency having jurisdiction, the Corporation reserves the right to refuse to issue such Common Shares for so long as such conflict or inconsistency remains outstanding. The Corporation may postpone the issuance of Common Shares until it receives satisfactory proof that the issuance of such Shares will not violate any of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) promulgated thereunder, or the requirements of applicable state law or provincial law relating to authorization, issuance or sale of securities, or until there has been compliance with the provisions of such acts or rules. You understand that the
Corporation is under no obligation to register or qualify the Common Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any stock exchange to effect such compliance.
9. Subject to Section 4.6 of the Stock Option Plan, the Option granted pursuant to this notice may only be exercised by you personally and, subject to Section 3.6 of the Stock Option Plan, no assignment or transfer of the Option, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, vests any interest or right in such Option whatsoever in any assignee or transferee, and immediately upon any assignment or transfer or any attempt to make such assignment or transfer, the Option granted hereunder terminates and is of no further force or effect. Complete details of this restriction are set out in the Stock Option Plan.
10. In the event of a Liquidity Event, all non-vested Options will become fully vested and become exercisable contemporaneously with the later of the completion of the transaction resulting in a Liquidity Event or your termination, if you are terminated in connection with the Liquidity Event or within twelve months thereafter. The Corporation will provide reasonable advance notice of an anticipated Liquidity Event such that you can exercise the Option in connection with such event as described in this paragraph.
11. You further agree that:
a. any rule, regulation or determination, including the interpretation by the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, the Option granted hereunder and the exercise thereof, is final and conclusive for all purposes and binding on all persons including the Corporation and yourself; and
b. the grant of the Option does not affect in any way the right of the Corporation or any Related Entity to terminate your employment, term of office or consulting service.
c. the Shares to be acquired upon exercising this Option will be acquired for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof.
d. this Amended and Restated Notice of Option Grant constitutes the sole and entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the stock options to purchase the Common Stock described herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
12. [NOTE: For U.S. taxpayers, include the following sentence UNLESS the options are intended to be ISOs: The Options granted pursuant to this letter are non-qualified share options and are not intended to be incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.][NTD: Corporation will lose the U.S. tax deduction associated with exercise of non-ISOs and takes on other year-end reporting burdens.]
13. [NOTE: For U.S. taxpayers, include the following sentence IF the options are intended to be ISOs: The Options granted hereby is intended to be an ISO and the Optionee acknowledges and agrees that Section 4.12 of the Stock Option Plan is applicable to the Option and the Optionee.]
Please return the signed copy of this letter to the Corporation, to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer. By signing and delivering a copy of this letter, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this letter and the Stock Option Plan.
Yours truly,
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SCHEDULE B
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. (THE CORPORATION)
SUBSCRIPTION FORM AND UNDERTAKING
Date
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I, the undersigned, , hereby subscribe for ( ) common shares in the share capital of the Corporation (the Common Shares) out of the ( ) Common Shares available for purchase by the undersigned, and I enclose herewith my cash, money order, bank draft or certified cheque made payable to the order of the Corporation in the amount of dollars ( ) in payment of the said subscription. The undersigned declares himself/herself bound by each of the provisions of the Corporations current Option Agreement, which he/she undertakes to respect effective from the registration of the undersigned in the share register of the Corporation. The undersigned further recognizes having received copy of said Option Agreement, having examined same thoroughly, having obtained, if needed, the services of legal counsel to provide interpretation of same, having clearly understood all of its provisions and conditions and undertakes to execute such Option Agreement.
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SCHEDULE C
OPTION AGREEMENT
(SEE ATTACHED)
THE OPTION AGREEMENT between Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Corporation) and (the Holder), dated (the Effective Date).
WHEREAS
(a) Holder owns common shares (Shares) in the share capital of the Corporation that he/she acquired as a result of the exercise of options to purchase such shares granted by the Corporation pursuant to the Stock Option Plan; and
(b) It is a condition of Holder owning the Shares that Holder execute and deliver this Option Agreement.
(c) The terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan are hereby incorporated by reference as terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and all capitalized terms used herein, unless expressly defined in a different manner, have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Stock Option Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH:
1. Definitions
1.1 The following terms when used herein shall have the meaning hereinafter ascribed:
1.1.1 Articles means the articles of incorporation of the Corporation as amended or continued from time to time;
1.1.2 Change of Control has the meaning set forth in the Articles;
1.1.3 Class A1 Preferred Shares means the Class A1 Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.4 Class A2 Preferred Shares means the Class A2 Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.5 Class B Preferred Shares means the Class B Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.6 Class C Preferred Shares means the Class C Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.7 Class D1 Preferred Shares means the Class D1 Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.8 Class D2 Preferred Shares means the Class D2 Preferred Shares in the share capital of the Corporation;
1.1.9 Escrow Agent means the Chief Executive Officer as that position is filled from time to time or such other person (including any officer of the Corporation) as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board and who agrees to act as Escrow Agent hereunder;
1.1.10 Market Stand-Off has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.2;
1.1.11 Preferred Majority has the meaning set forth in the Articles.
1.1.12 SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
1.1.13 Section 409A means Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
1.1.14 Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
1.1.15 Separation from Service has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2;
1.1.16 Specified Employee has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2;
1.1.17 Stock Option Plan means the Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan adopted on October 15, 2018, by the Corporation, as amended, from time to time in accordance with its terms.
2. Transfer of shares restricted
2.1 Until such time as the Corporation shall have completed an Initial Public Offering, Holder shall not sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, charge or otherwise alienate any or all of Shares or any interest therein without the prior permission of the Board. To ensure that that undertaking (and the ones contained at Sections 3 and 6 below) is met, the share certificates representing the Shares shall be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and the Escrow Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed by Holder to comply, on Holders behalf and in Holders name and stead, with all of the Holders obligations (including compliance with Section 3 hereof) under this Option Agreement.
2.2 Should the Corporation complete a Liquidity Event or Initial Public Offering, Holder will be free to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, charge or otherwise alienate the Shares held at such time in accordance with the Liquidity Event or subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, subject to applicable securities regulatory requirements and any escrow or hold requirements of underwriters or selling agents of the Corporations Initial Public Offering.
3. Offer to purchase a majority of the Corporations Shares. In the event that an offer (an Offer) for a an event that would result in a Liquidity Event is made by any party (the Offeror) to and accepted by a Preferred Majority (the Accepting Shareholders); the Holder undertakes to and shall, upon written request of the Corporation or the Accepting
Shareholders, sell to the proposed Offeror all of the Shares and/or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreements or arrangements of the Change of Control at the price per Share payable under the Offer, for such Share which price shall be paid in accordance with (including in the manner, form and time of closing) the terms of the Offer. This provision will apply mutatis mutandis to any future compulsory purchase or compulsory sale provisions contained in the Corporations then-current shareholders agreement.
4. Bankruptcy. In the event the Holder is declared bankrupt or becomes insolvent or is deprived of the legal ownership or possession of Holders assets, the Holders Shares shall not be transferred to a third party without the written consent of the Board. Prior to any such potential transfer, the Holder will be deemed to have sold, immediately before such event, all of the Shares to the Corporation or a person or persons designated by it, for the total sum of one dollar payable on demand.
5. Legend on share certificates. Subject to Section 9.1.4, Share certificates issued to Holder (and held hereunder by the Escrow Agent) shall bear the following legend (or the French version of such legend):
There are restrictions on the right to transfer the shares represented by this certificate. In addition, such shares are subject to an Option Agreement dated , as the same may be amended from time to time, and may not be hypothecated, pledged, sold or otherwise transferred except in accordance with the provisions thereof.
6. Financing. In the event that any lender or investor of the Corporation requires that the Holder become a party to any shareholders agreement or other contract affecting the Corporation or the Shares, the Holder shall enter into such agreement upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the Board. Holder hereby grants Escrow Agent an unconditional and irrevocable power of attorney and mandate (i) to sign on behalf and in the name and stead of the Holder any such shareholders agreement or other contract and all documents, instruments, articles and resolutions necessary to give effect to such shareholders agreement or other contract or the transactions therein contemplated, and (ii) to do or cause to occur all actions in furtherance of the foregoing.
7. Application. For greater certainty, the present Option Agreement applies to any and all Shares currently held by Holder and any and all Shares hereafter acquired by Holder, unless the parties to this Option Agreement agree otherwise in writing.
8. Escrow Agent
8.1 The Holder represents and warrants that Holder is the beneficial owner of the Shares issued in Holders name.
8.2 The Holder does hereby deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates in respect of the Shares, which Shares shall be held by the Escrow Agent under and pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof.
8.3 The Escrow Agent acknowledges that in his quality as Escrow Agent, he has no real or beneficial ownership in any of the Shares, such real and beneficial ownership residing solely with the Holder and all dividends or other distributions in respect of the Shares shall enure in favour of the Holder.
8.4 In the event that the Escrow Agent shall receive any shares of the Corporation issued by way of a share dividend or share split upon the Shares, he shall hold such shares pursuant to the terms of this Option Agreement.
8.5 It shall be the duty of the Escrow Agent and he shall have the full power and authority and he is hereby fully and irrevocably empowered and authorized to (i) receive on behalf of the Holder all notices of shareholders meetings and all communications generally sent by the Corporation to its shareholders, (ii) represent the Holder and the Holders Shares transferred to the Escrow Agent as aforesaid, and to vote upon the said Shares, as in the judgement and discretion of the Escrow Agent may be in the best interests of the Corporation, at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation for the election of directors and for all other matters in question which may be brought before such meetings, as fully as the Holder might do if personally present, and (iii) sign, with respect to Holders Shares and Holders status as a shareholder of the Corporation, all resolutions, instruments, consents, waivers, approvals and other documents on behalf of the Holder and in the Holders name as the Escrow Agent deems appropriate in his discretion.
8.6 The Escrow Agent shall possess and be entitled to exercise in his sole and absolute discretion all shareholders rights of every kind in respect of all Shares or other shares or securities deposited hereunder (save the right to receive cash dividends and other cash distributions) including the right to vote and to take part in or consent to any corporate or shareholders action as a holder of such shares or other securities. The Holder shall have no right to vote or take part in or consent to any corporate or shareholders action in respect of all or any such Shares or other securities, or in any way to bind or govern the decisions, actions or discretions of the Escrow Agent in respect of all of such shares or other securities.
8.7 The rights, privileges, proxy, mandate and power of attorney herein given by the Holder to the Escrow Agent are irrevocable.
8.8 The Escrow Agent may delegate his authority hereunder and may appoint a proxy or mandatary to attend meetings, sign documents or otherwise act for him and in the name of the Holder. The Escrow Agent may act as a director or officer of the Corporation and shall be entitled to receive remuneration therefrom. The Escrow Agent shall not be entitled to remuneration for acting in such capacity.
8.9 By way of supplement to the provisions of law or regulation for the time being in effect relating to mandataries, it is agreed:
8.9.1 That the Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability or responsibility by reason of any error of law or mistake or any matter or thing done or
permitted to be done under or in relation to this Option Agreement except for his own individual gross negligence or intentional fault;
8.9.2 That the Escrow Agent may, in relation to this Option Agreement, act on the opinion or advice of a lawyer, accountant, broker or other expert, and shall not be responsible for any loss occasioned by so acting, and shall incur no liability or responsibility for deciding in good faith not to act upon any such opinion or advice; and
8.9.3 Any person appointed Escrow Agent under the provisions hereof shall be vested with all the responsibilities, duties and powers as though originally named herein. Any Escrow Agent may resign at any time by delivering a 3-day notice in writing to the Holder. Upon receipt of the resignation of the Escrow Agent, a new Escrow Agent shall be appointed by the Board.
8.10 In the event of the dissolution or total or partial liquidation of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Escrow Agent shall receive the monies, securities, rights and property to which the Holder is entitled, and shall distribute the same to the Holder.
8.11 In the event that the Corporation is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with any other closely held Corporation, or all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation are transferred to another closely held Corporation, then in connection with such transfer the term Corporation for all purposes of this Option Agreement shall be taken to include such successor closely held Corporation and the Escrow Agent shall receive and hold under this Option Agreement any shares which such successor Corporation issues on account of the ownership by the Holder of the Shares. The term shares as used in this Section shall be taken to include any shares of capital stock which may be received by the Escrow Agent resulting from such amalgamation, merger, consolidation or transfer. For the purposes hereof, closely held means a Corporation that has not made a public offering.
9. Purchase for Purpose of Investment.
9.1 For Holders who are resident of the United States:
9.1.1 Securities Law Restrictions. Regardless of whether the offering and sale of Shares under the Stock Option Plan have been registered under the Securities Act, or have been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state, the Corporation at its discretion may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of such Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on certificates or the imposition of stop- transfer instructions) if, in the judgment of the Corporation, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state or any other law.
9.1.2 Market Stand-Off. In connection with any underwritten public offering by the Corporation of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Corporations initial public offering, Holder shall not directly or indirectly sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, offer, grant or sell any option or other contract for the purchase of, purchase any option or other contract for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Shares acquired under this Option Agreement without the prior written consent of the Corporation. Such restriction (the Market Stand-Off) shall be in effect for such period of time following the date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be required by the Corporation; provided, however, that with respect to any particular underwritten public offering, such period shall not exceed 180 days.
In the event of any adjustment of, changes in or additions to the Shares, any new, substituted or additional interests or securities which are by reason of such adjustment, change or addition distributed with respect to any Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into which such Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to the Market Stand-Off. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Corporation may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this Option Agreement until the end of the applicable stand-off period. The Corporations underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Section 9.1.2. This Section 9.1.2 shall not apply to Shares that are registered in a public offering under the Securities Act.
9.1.3 Investment Intent at Exercise. In the event that the sale of Shares under the Stock Option Plan is not registered under the Securities Act but an exemption is available which requires an investment representation or other representation, the Holder shall represent and agree at the time of exercise that the Shares being acquired upon exercising this Option are being acquired for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof, and shall make such other representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Corporation and its counsel.
9.1.4 Legends. If the Corporation chooses to deliver certificates to evidence the Shares purchased under this Option Agreement by a Holder who is a United States resident in an unregistered transaction, all such certificates shall also bear the legend set forth in Section 5 as well as the following legend (and such other restrictive legends as are required or deemed advisable under the provisions of any applicable law):
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION,
AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL (A) REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, OR (B) IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO BILLPOINT, SUCH OFFER, SALE, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
9.1.5 Removal of Legends. If, in the opinion of the Corporation and its counsel, any legend placed on a share certificate representing Shares sold under this Option Agreement is no longer required, the holder of such certificate shall be entitled to exchange such certificate for a certificate representing the same number of Shares but without such legend.
9.1.6 Administration. Any determination by the Corporation and its counsel in connection with any of the matters set forth in this Section 9 shall be conclusive and binding on the Holder and all other persons.
9.2 The Holder acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation makes no representation about the applicability of Section 409A to this Option Agreement and the Holder covenants and agrees that the Corporation shall have no liability to the Holder in the event that Section 409A applies to this Option Agreement. The Holder acknowledges and agrees that he is solely responsible for all U.S. tax obligations arising in relation to this Option Agreement.
In the event that any non-qualified deferred compensation (as determined under Section 409A) is payable upon the Holders Separation from Service under this Option Agreement, or any other plan in which the Holder participates, then notwithstanding anything else in the applicable agreement or plan, if the Holder is a Specified Employee, no amount shall be payable prior to the six months from the date that the Holder experiences a Separation from Service.
For the purposes of this Section 9.2, Separation from Service shall have the meaning given thereto under Section 409A and the regulations and authority thereunder; and Specified Employee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 409A and the regulations and authority thereunder and shall be determined in accordance with the Corporations regular process for the identification of Specified Employees.
10. Governing Law. This Option Agreement will be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the province of Québec and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
11. Severability. Each provision of this Option Agreement constitutes a distinct covenant, such that any decision of a court or tribunal to the effect that any of the provisions of this Option Agreement is null or unenforceable shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
12. Language. This Option Agreement and the schedules thereto as well as the notices and other communications to be given or made pursuant hereto have been or will be in the English language at the express request of Holder. La présente convention, les annexes aux présentes et tous avis, et autres communications donnés ou faits en vertu de cette convention, ont été rédigés en anglais à la demande expresse du détenteur dactions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement and dated same as of the Effective Date.
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. |
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Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Option Agreement
SCHEDULE D
NOTICE OF SURRENDER OF VESTED OPTIONS
TO: MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. (the Corporation)
and the Board of Directors
WHEREAS the undersigned holds vested options (the Vested Options) pursuant to the Stock Option Plan of the Corporation, as amended from time to time, entitling the undersigned to purchase common shares in the capital of the Corporation; and
WHEREAS the Corporation has agreed to allow the undersigned to surrender the Vested Options.
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby elects to surrender the Vested Options and requests that the Corporation terminate the Vested Options in exchange for a cash payment to the undersigned equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares underlying those Vested Options, as determined by the board of directors of the Corporation as of the date of surrender of the Vested Options, over the exercise price of the Vested Options.
DATED , 20
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Option Agreement
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: , 2019
APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS: , 2019
IPO DATE: , 2019
1. GENERAL.
(a) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the Prior Plan). From and after 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on the IPO Date, no additional share awards will be granted under the Prior Plan. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the IPO Date will be granted under this Plan. All share awards granted under the Prior Plan will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan.
(i) Any shares that would otherwise remain available for future grants under the Prior Plan as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the IPO Date (the Prior Plans Available Reserve) will cease to be available under the Prior Plan at such time. Instead, that number of Common Shares equal to the Prior Plans Available Reserve will be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) and will be immediately available for grants and issuance pursuant to Share Awards hereunder, up to the maximum number set forth in Section 3(a) below.
(ii) In addition, from and after 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on the IPO Date, any shares subject, at such time, to outstanding share awards granted under the Prior Plan that (i) expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement; (ii) are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares or otherwise return to the Company; or (iii) are reacquired, withheld (or not issued) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award or to satisfy the purchase price or exercise price of a share award (such shares the Returning Shares) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) as and when such shares become Returning Shares, up to the maximum number set forth in Section 3(a) below.
(b) Eligible Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.
(c) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Share Appreciation Rights (iv) Restricted Share Awards, (v) Restricted Share Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Share Awards, (vii) Performance Cash Awards, and (viii) Other Share Awards.
(d) Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Shares.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine (A) who will be granted Awards; (B) when and how each Award will be granted; (C) what type of Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Shares under the Award; (E) the number of Common Shares subject to, or the cash value of, an Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Share Award.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or in the written terms of a Performance Cash Award, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or Common Shares may be issued in settlement thereof).
(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair a Participants rights under the Participants then-outstanding Award without the Participants written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.
(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or bringing the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan into compliance with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or ensuring that they are exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek shareholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which Common Shares may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participants rights under an outstanding Award without the Participants written consent.
(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for shareholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (B) Rule 16b-3.
(viii) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participants rights under any Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a
Participants rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participants rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participants consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.
(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.
(x) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(xi) To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Share Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Share Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Share Award, (3) Restricted Share Unit Award, (4) Other Share Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of Common Shares as the cancelled Share Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Share Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Awards, and (ii) determine the number of Common Shares to be subject to such Share Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding
such delegation will specify the total number of Common Shares that may be subject to the Share Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Share Award to himself or herself. Any such Share Awards will be granted on the form of Share Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(w)(iii) below.
(e) Effect of Boards Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Share Reserve. Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, and the following sentence regarding the annual increase, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Share Awards will not exceed shares (the Share Reserve), which number is the sum of (i) new shares, plus (ii) the number of shares subject to the Prior Plans Available Reserve plus (iii) the number of shares that are Returning Shares, as such shares become available from time to time. In addition, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of not more than ten years, commencing on January 1st of the year following the year in which the IPO Date occurs and ending on (and including) January 1, 2029, in an amount equal to % of the total number of shares of Capital Shares outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the Share Reserve for such year or that the increase in the Share Reserve for such year will be a lesser number of Common Shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence.
For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Share Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If a Share Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Share Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than shares), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of Common Shares that may be available for issuance under the Plan. If any Common Shares issued pursuant to a Share Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares subject to a Share Award (or portion thereof) that are surrendered to the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Share Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Share Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be Common Shares.
(d) Limitation on Grants to Non-Employee Directors. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Share Awards granted under the Plan or otherwise during a single calendar year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director during such calendar year for service on the Board, will not exceed in total value (calculating the value of any such Share Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Share Awards for financial reporting purposes), or, with respect to the calendar year in which a Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board, .
(e) Source of Shares. The shares issuable under the Plan will be authorized but unissued Common Shares.
4. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Eligibility for Specific Share Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Share Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Share Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any parent of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, unless (i) the shares underlying such Share Awards is treated as service recipient stock under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Share Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Share Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Share Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Ten Percent Shareholders. A Ten Percent Shareholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.
5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for Common Shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares subject to the Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or share appreciation right pursuant to a corporate transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in Common Shares equivalents.
(c) Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the shares subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii) if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Common Shares will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares otherwise issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the net exercise, (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares otherwise issuable are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(iv) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Share Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Common Share equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Share equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Shares, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.
(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of
the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.
(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, on the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participants estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of Common Shares subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of Common Shares as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participants death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is three (3) months following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement, which period will not be less than thirty (30) days if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR as applicable will terminate.
(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participants death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Common Shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participants Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements or other applicable securities laws, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participants Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Shares received on exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would
violate the Companys insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participants Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Shares received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Companys insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participants Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six (6) months if necessary to comply with applicable laws) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participants death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participants Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participants estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participants death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six (6) months if necessary to comply with applicable laws) and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participants death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participants Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participants Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participants termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.
(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any Common Shares until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participants retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participants Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Companys then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act
to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Share Award will be exempt from the employees regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Share Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Share Award Agreements.
6. PROVISIONS OF SHARE AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.
(a) Restricted Share Awards. Each Restricted Share Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Companys bylaws, at the Boards election, Common Shares may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Companys instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Share Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Share Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Share Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Share Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. A Restricted Share Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii) Vesting. Common Shares awarded under the Restricted Share Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii) Termination of Participants Continuous Service. If a Participants Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the Common Shares held by the Participant as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Share Award Agreement.
(iv) Transferability. Common Shares acquired under the Restricted Share Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Share Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Shares awarded under the Restricted Share Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Share Award Agreement.
(v) Dividends. A Restricted Share Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Common Shares will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Share Award to which they relate.
(b) Restricted Share Unit Awards. Each Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Share Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Share Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each Common Share subject to the Restricted Share Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each
Common Share subject to a Restricted Share Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Share Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Share Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii) Payment. A Restricted Share Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of Common Shares, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement.
(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Share Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the Common Shares (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Share Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Share Unit Award.
(v) Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of Common Shares covered by a Restricted Share Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Common Shares covered by the Restricted Share Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Share Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.
(vi) Termination of Participants Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, such portion of the Restricted Share Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participants termination of Continuous Service.
(c) Performance Awards.
(i) Performance Share Awards. A Performance Share Award is a Share Award that is payable (including that may be granted, may vest or may be settled) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Share Award may, but need not, require the Participants completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board or the Committee may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Share Awards.
(ii) Performance Cash Awards. A Performance Cash Award is a cash award that is payable contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. The Board or Committee may specify the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.
(iii) Board Discretion. The Board retains the discretion to adjust or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Share Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.
(d) Other Share Awards. Other forms of Share Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Shares, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or share rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Share Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Share Awards will be granted, the number of Common Shares (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Share Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Share Awards.
7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of Common Shares reasonably required to satisfy then outstanding Share Awards.
(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan, as necessary, such authority as may be required to grant Share Awards and to issue Common Shares upon exercise or settlement of the Share Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act or other securities or applicable laws, the Plan, any Share Award or any Common Shares issued or issuable pursuant to any such Share Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance of Common Shares under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue Common Shares upon exercise or settlement of such Share Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Shares pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the tax treatment or time or manner of exercising such Share Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Use of Proceeds from Issuance of Common Shares. Proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to Share Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action
approving the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(c) Shareholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Common Shares subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of Common Shares under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Shares subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) subject to applicable employment standards legislation, the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultants agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is domiciled or incorporated, as the case may be.
(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participants regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes a leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, subject to applicable employment standards legislation, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(g) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Shares under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participants knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that such Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Shares subject to the Award for the Participants own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Shares. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant
to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Shares under the Share Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on share certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Shares.
(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, foreign, state, provincial or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding Common Shares from the Common Shares issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Share Award; provided, however, that no Common Shares are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Share Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a written agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Companys intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).
(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Shares or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code or the Tax Act, as applicable. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code or the Tax Act, as applicable, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participants termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(k) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Companys securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired Common Shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to voluntary terminate employment upon a resignation for good reason, or for a constructive termination or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
(l) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, to the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
To the extent Section 409A of the Code is applicable, if the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the Common Shares are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code is a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participants separation from service or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
9. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON SHARES; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year pursuant to Section 3(a), (iii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), (iv) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 3(d), and (v) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share subject to outstanding Share Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) Dissolution. Except as otherwise provided in the Share Award Agreement, in the event of a Dissolution of the Company, all outstanding Share Awards (other than Share Awards consisting of vested and outstanding Common Shares not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Companys right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such Dissolution, and the Common Shares subject to the Companys repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Share Award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Share Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Share Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the Dissolution is completed but contingent on its completion.
(c) Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Share Awards in the event of a Transaction unless otherwise provided in the Share Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Share Award. In the event of a Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Share Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction:
(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent company) to assume or continue the Share Award or to substitute a similar share award for the Share Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction);
(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Shares issued pursuant to the Share Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent company);
(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Share Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Share Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Transaction), with such Share Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Transaction;
(iv) arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Share Award;
(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Share Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and
(vi) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Share Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. For clarity, this payment may be $0 if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Companys Common Shares in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Share Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Share Award.
(d) Change in Control. A Share Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Share Award Agreement for such Share Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
10. PLAN TERM; EARLIER TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board (the Adoption Date), or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
11. EXISTENCE OF THE PLAN; TIMING OF FIRST GRANT OR EXERCISE.
The Plan will come into existence on the Adoption Date; provided, however, that no Share Award may be granted prior to the IPO Date. In addition, no Share Award will be exercised (or, in the case of a Restricted Share Award, Restricted Share Unit Award, Performance Share Award, or Other Share Award, no Share Award will be granted) and no Performance Cash Award will be settled unless and until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, which approval will be within 12 months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
12. CHOICE OF LAW.
The laws of the province of Quebec and the laws of Canada applicable therein will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan.
13. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) Affiliate means, at the time of determination, any parent or subsidiary of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which parent or subsidiary status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(b) Award means a Share Award or a Performance Cash Award.
(c) Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.
(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Capital Shares means each and every class of of the Company, regardless of the number of votes per share.
(f) Capitalization Adjustment means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Shares subject to the Plan or subject to any Share Award after the Adoption Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, share split, reverse share split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(g) Cause shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, in addition to such meaning as shall have been or shall hereafter be ascribed to such term or similar terms from time to time by the jurisprudence or law: (i) a failure or refusal by the Participant to perform his or her customary duties or services for the Company or any Affiliate without lawful justification after being provided with 10 business days notice from the Company and an opportunity to cure such failure to perform, in a manner satisfactory to the Company or any Affiliate; (ii) the Participants conviction for a criminal act or other indictable offence pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Code or of any other criminal or penal statute of any jurisdiction which the Company or any Affiliate reasonably determines may have an adverse effect upon the reputation or good will of the Company or any Affiliate or on the performance of the Participants duties, or the commission by the Participant of any indictable or criminal offence or act which denotes moral turpitude, whether relating or not to the course of employment; (iii) a breach by the Participant of, or his or her failure or refusal to perform, in any material respect, any of his or her obligations under any employment agreement, employee invention and confidentiality agreement or such other material written agreement between participant and the company or any related entity; (iv) wanting in adequate capacity or qualification to fulfil the Participants employment functions; (v) any breach of any non-compete or non-solicitation covenant of the participant; or (vi) any dishonest or fraudulent act relating directly or indirectly to the course of
employment. The determination that a termination of the Participants Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
(h) Change in Control means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Companys securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, (C) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any individual who is, on the IPO Date, either an executive officer or a Director (either, an IPO Investor) and/or any entity in which an IPO Investor has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting rights or participation in profits or capital contributions) of more than 50% (collectively, the IPO Entities) or on account of the IPO Entities continuing to hold shares that come to represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities as a result of the conversion of any class of the Companys securities into another class of the Companys securities having a different number of votes per share pursuant to the conversion provisions set forth in the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; or (D) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the Subject Person) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;
(ii) there is consummated a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; provided, however, that a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction will not constitute a Change in Control under this prong of the definition if the outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving Entity or its parent are owned by the IPO Entities;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; provided, however, that a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries will not constitute a Change in Control under this prong of the definition if the outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the acquiring Entity or its parent are owned by the IPO Entities;
(iv) the shareholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company will otherwise occur, except for a liquidation into a parent corporation; or
(v) individuals who, on the IPO Date, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of the Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger amalgamation, arrangement, or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company and the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.
(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(j) Committee means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(k) Common Share means, as of the IPO Date, a common share in the share capital of the Company.
(l) Company means Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc and any successor corporation thereto.
(m) Consultant means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a Consultant for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Companys securities to such person.
(n) Continuous Service means that the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not
terminate a Participants Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participants Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that partys sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Companys leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(o) Corporate Transaction means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the Common Shares outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(p) Director means a member of the Board.
(q) Disability means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(r) Dissolution means when the Company, after having executed a certificate of dissolution with the Registraire des entreprises du Quebec, has completely wound up its affairs.
(s) Employee means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.
(t) Entity means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(u) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) Exchange Act Person means any natural person, Entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that Exchange Act Person will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of shares of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the IPO Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities.
(w) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of the Common Shares determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a Common Share will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such share as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Shares) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Shares on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Shares, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(x) Incentive Stock Option means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(y) IPO Date means the date of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the underwriter(s) managing the initial public offering of the Common Shares, pursuant to which the Common Shares are priced for the initial public offering.
(z) Non-Employee Director means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (Regulation S-K)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(aa) Nonstatutory Stock Option means any Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(bb) Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(cc) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase Common Shares granted pursuant to the Plan.
(dd) Option Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ee) Optionholder means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(ff) Other Share Award means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Shares which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).
(gg) Other Share Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Share Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Share Award grant. Each Other Share Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(hh) Own, Owned, Owner, Ownership means a person or Entity will be deemed to Own, to have Owned, to be the Owner of, or to have acquired Ownership of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(ii) Participant means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
(jj) Performance Cash Award means an award of cash granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).
(kk) Performance Criteria means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (i) sales; (ii) revenues; (iii) assets; (iv) expenses; (v) market penetration or expansion; (vi) earnings from operations; (vii) earnings before or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, incentives, service fees or extraordinary or special items, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or per share basis; (viii) net income or net income per common share (basic or diluted); (ix) return on equity, investment, capital or assets; (x) one or more operating ratios; (xi) borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; (xii) market share; (xiii) capital expenditures; (xiv) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment, or net cash provided by operations; (xv) share price, dividends or total shareholder return; (xvi) development of new technologies or products; (xvii) sales of particular products or services; (xviii) economic value created or added; (xix) operating margin or profit margin; (xx) customer acquisition or retention; (xxi) raising or refinancing of capital; (xxii) successful hiring of key individuals; (xxiii) resolution of significant litigation; (xxiv) acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); (xxv) joint ventures and strategic alliances; (xxvi) spin-offs, split-ups and the like; (xxvii) reorganizations; (xxviii) recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity) or refinancings; (xxix) or strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on the following goals: achievement of timely development, design management or enrollment, meeting specified market penetration or value added, payor acceptance, patient adherence, peer reviewed publications, issuance of new patents, establishment of or securing of licenses to intellectual property, product development or introduction (including, without limitation, any clinical trial accomplishments, regulatory or other filings, approvals or milestones, discovery of novel products,
maintenance of multiple products in pipeline, product launch or other product development milestones), geographic business expansion, cost targets, cost reductions or savings, customer satisfaction, operating efficiency, acquisition or retention, employee satisfaction, information technology, corporate development (including, without limitation, licenses, innovation, research or establishment of third party collaborations), manufacturing or process development, legal compliance or risk reduction, patent application or issuance goals, or goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures or other business combinations (in whole or in part), joint ventures or strategic alliances; and (xxx) other measures of performance selected by the Board.
(ll) Performance Goals means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. The Board is authorized at any time in its sole discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, (a) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development; (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions; or (c) in view of the Boards assessment of the business strategy of the Company, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, and any other circumstances deemed relevant. Specifically, the Board is authorized to make adjustment in the method of calculating attainment of Performance Goals and objectives for a Performance Period as follows: (i) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (ii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; and (iii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding Common Shares of the Company by reason of any share dividend or split, share repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common shareholders other than regular cash dividends. In addition, the Board is authorized to make adjustment in the method of calculating attainment of Performance Goals and objectives for a Performance Period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (iv) to exclude the effects of any items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (v) to exclude the effects to any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (vi) to make other appropriate adjustments determined by the Board.
(mm) Performance Period means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participants right to and the payment of a Share Award or a Performance Cash Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.
(nn) Performance Share Award means a Share Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).
(oo) Plan means this Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
(pp) Restricted Share Award means an award of Common Shares which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).
(qq) Restricted Share Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Share Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Share Award grant. Each Restricted Share Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(rr) Restricted Share Unit Award means a right to receive Common Shares which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).
(ss) Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Share Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Share Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(tt) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(uu) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(vv) Share Appreciation Right or SAR means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Shares that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.
(ww) Share Appreciation Right Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Share Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Share Appreciation Right grant. Each Share Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(xx) Share Award means any right to receive Common Shares granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Share Award, a Restricted Share Unit Award, a Share Appreciation Right, a Performance Share Award or any Other Share Award.
(yy) Share Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Share Award grant. Each Share Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(zz) Subsidiary means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(aaa) Tax Act means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(bbb) Ten Percent Shareholder means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Affiliate.
(ccc) Transaction means a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control.
US Standard Form
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company), pursuant to its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of the Companys Common Shares set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice, in the Option Agreement, the Plan and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.
Optionholder: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Common Shares Subject to Option: |
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Exercise Price (per share): |
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Total Exercise Price: |
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Expiration Date: |
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o Incentive Stock Option |
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o Nonstatutory Stock Option |
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Same as Vesting Schedule |
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Vesting Schedule: |
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, subject to Optionholders Continuous Service as of each such date. |
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Payment: |
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By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement): |
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o By cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company |
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o Pursuant to a Regulation T Program if the shares are publicly traded |
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o If and only to the extent this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and subject to the Companys consent at the time of exercise, by a net exercise arrangement |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except as provided in the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this option award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of, if applicable, (i) equity awards previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement or other written agreement entered into between the Company and Optionholder specifying the terms that should govern this option upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.
By accepting this option, Optionholder acknowledges having received and read the Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents. Optionholder consents to receive Plan and related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that all information (including personal information) provided to the Company or an Affiliate in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to third parties (including persons located in jurisdictions other than the Optionholders jurisdiction of residence) and may be disclosed to such persons, in connection with the administration of the Plan.
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ATTACHMENTS: Option Agreement, 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise
ATTACHMENT I
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
OPTION AGREEMENT
(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (Grant Notice) and this Option Agreement, Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) has granted you an option under its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) to purchase the number of shares of the Companys Common Shares indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the Date of Grant). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:
1. VESTING. Subject to the provisions contained herein, your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.
2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of Common Shares subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.
3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a Non-Exempt Employee), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six (6) months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six (6) months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six (6) month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your retirement (as defined in the Companys benefit plans).
4. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:
(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Shares are publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Shares, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a broker-assisted exercise, same day sale, or sell to cover.
(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Common Shares issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the net exercise in cash or other permitted form of payment. Common Shares will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the net exercise, (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.
5. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole Common Shares.
6. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the Common Shares issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).
7. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the options term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:
(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;
(b) three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 7(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above regarding Securities Law Compliance, your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, if during any part of such three (3) month period, the sale of any Common Shares received upon exercise of your option would violate the Companys insider trading policy, then your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Shares received upon exercise of your option would not be in violation of the Companys insider trading policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six (6) months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven (7) months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;
(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 7(d) below);
(d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;
(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or
(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.
If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of your options exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three (3) months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.
8. EXERCISE.
(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Companys Secretary, equity plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.
(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the Common Shares are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of Common Shares acquired upon such exercise.
(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the Common Shares issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two (2) years after the Date of Grant or within one (1) year after such Common Shares are transferred upon exercise of your option.
(d) By accepting your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your Common Shares until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any Common Shares (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 8(d). The underwriters of the Companys shares are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 8(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
9. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.
(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.
(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise.
10. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective shareholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.
11. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.
(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a same day sale pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.
(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested Common Shares otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole Common Shares having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the maximum amount of tax permitted to be withheld by law
(or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes).
(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such Common Shares or release such Common Shares from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.
12. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the fair market value per Common Share on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option.
13. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
14. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control. In addition, your option (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your option) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law.
15. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of and the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Plan prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Companys policy permitting certain individuals to sell shares only during certain window periods and the Companys insider trading policy, in effect from time to time.
16. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of this option will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating your benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Companys or any Affiliates employee benefit plans.
17. VOTING RIGHTS. You will not have voting or any other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this option until such shares are issued to you. Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a shareholder of the Company.
Nothing contained in this option, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.
18. SEVERABILITY. If all or any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
19. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The rights and obligations of the Company under your option will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Companys successors and assigns.
(b) You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your option.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your option in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your option, and fully understand all provisions of your option.
(d) This Option Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
(e) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Option Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
(f) You acknowledge and agree that your participation in the Plan and acceptance of your option is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon you any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan and this Option Agreement.
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This Option Agreement will be deemed to be signed by you upon the signing by you of the Stock Option Grant Notice to which it is attached.
ATTACHMENT III
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Boulevard, Suite 420 |
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Montréal, Québec CA H4M 2X6
This constitutes notice to Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of Common Shares of the Company (the Shares) for the price set forth below.
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[Value of Shares delivered pursuant to net exercise(1): |
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(1) The Company must have established net exercise procedures at the time of exercise, in order to utilize this payment method.
(2) The option must be a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and the Company must have established net exercise procedures at the time of exercise, in order to utilize this payment method.
(3) Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option.
By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of grant of this option or within one (1) year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this option.
I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the Lock-Up Period). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.
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Very truly yours, |
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US Standard Form
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company), pursuant to its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), hereby awards to Participant a Restricted Share Unit Award for the number of shares of the Companys Common Shares (Restricted Share Units) set forth below (the Award). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this notice of grant (this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice), and in the Plan and the Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (the Award Agreement), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms in this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice or the Award Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.
Participant: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Restricted Share Units: |
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Vesting Schedule: , subject to Participants Continuous Service through each such vesting date.
Issuance Schedule: Subject to any Capitalization Adjustment, one Common Share (or its cash equivalent, at the discretion of the Company) will be issued for each Restricted Share Unit that vests at the time set forth in Section 6 of the Award Agreement.
Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan. Participant acknowledges and agrees that this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice and the Award Agreement may not be modified, amended, or revised except as provided in the Plan. Participant further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Common Shares pursuant to the Award specified above and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the terms of this Award, with the exception, if applicable, of (i) equity awards previously granted and delivered to Participant, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement or other written agreement entered into between the Company and Participant specifying the terms that should govern this Award upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.
By accepting this Award, Participant acknowledges having received and read the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents. Participant consents to receive Plan and related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. Participant acknowledges and agrees that all information (including personal information) provided to the Company or an Affiliate in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to third parties (including persons located in jurisdictions other than the Participants jurisdiction of residence) and may be disclosed to such persons, in connection with the administration of the Plan.
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. |
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ATTACHMENTS: Award Agreement and 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
ATTACHMENT I
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice (the Grant Notice) and this Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (the Agreement), Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) has awarded you (Participant) a Restricted Share Unit Award (the Award) pursuant to the Companys 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) for the number of Restricted Share Units/shares indicated in the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement or the Grant Notice shall have the same meanings given to them in the Plan. The terms of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice, are as follows.
1. GRANT OF THE AWARD. This Award represents the right to be issued on a future date one (1) Common Share for each Restricted Share Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 below) as indicated in the Grant Notice. As of the Date of Grant, the Company will credit to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for your benefit (the Account) the number of Restricted Share Units/Common Shares subject to the Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to issue you the cash equivalent of Common Shares, in part or in full satisfaction of the delivery of Common Shares in connection with the vesting of the Restricted Share Units, and, to the extent applicable, references in this Agreement and the Grant Notice to Common Shares issuable in connection with your Restricted Share Units will include the potential issuance of its cash equivalent pursuant to such right. This Award was granted in consideration of your services to the Company.
2. VESTING. Subject to the limitations contained herein, your Award will vest, if at all, in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service and the Restricted Share Units credited to the Account that were not vested on the date of such termination will be forfeited at no cost to the Company and you will have no further right, title or interest in or to such Award or the Common Shares to be issued in respect of such portion of the Award.
3. NUMBER OF SHARES. The number of Restricted Share Units subject to your Award may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments, as provided in the Plan. Any additional Restricted Share Units, shares, cash or other property that becomes subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Share Units and shares covered by your Award. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional Common Shares shall be created pursuant to this Section 3. Any fraction of a share will be rounded down to the nearest whole share.
4. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. You may not be issued any Common Shares under your Award unless the Common Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units are either (i) then registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you shall not receive such Common Shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
5. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. Prior to the time that Common Shares have been delivered to you, you may not transfer, pledge, sell or otherwise dispose of this Award or the shares issuable in respect of your Award, except as expressly provided in this Section 5. For example, you may not use shares that may be issued in respect of your Restricted Share Units as security for a loan. The restrictions on transfer set forth herein will lapse upon delivery to you of shares in respect of your vested Restricted Share Units.
(a) Death. Your Award is transferable by will and by the laws of descent and distribution. At your death, vesting of your Award will cease and your executor or administrator of your estate shall be entitled to receive, on behalf of your estate, any Common Shares or other consideration that vested but was not issued before your death.
(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your right to receive the distribution of Common Shares or other consideration hereunder, pursuant to a domestic relations order, marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by applicable law that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this Award with the Company General Counsel prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to verify that you may make such transfer, and if so, to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement.
6. DATE OF ISSUANCE.
(a) The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Share Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligations set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, in the event one or more Restricted Share Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Shares for each Restricted Share Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an Original Issuance Date.
(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:
(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an open window period applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Companys then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell Common Shares on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Companys policies (a 10b5-1 Arrangement), and
(ii) either (1) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding Common Shares from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a same day sale commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement ) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation in cash,
then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Companys Common Shares in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the Common Shares under this Award are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).
(c) The form of delivery (e.g., a share certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.
7. DIVIDENDS. You shall receive no benefit or adjustment to your Award with respect to any cash dividend, share dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment; provided, however, that this sentence will not apply with respect to any Common Shares that are delivered to you in connection with your Award after such shares have been delivered to you.
8. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The Common Shares issued in respect of your Award shall be endorsed with appropriate legends as determined by the Company.
9. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge and agree that the manner selected by the Company by which you indicate your consent to your Grant Notice is also deemed to be your execution of your Grant Notice and of this Agreement. You further agree that such manner of indicating consent may be relied upon as your signature for establishing your execution of any documents to be executed in the future in connection with your Award.
10. AWARD NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT.
(a) Nothing in this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the vesting of your Award or the issuance of the shares in respect of your Award), the Plan or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in this Agreement or the Plan shall: (i) confer upon you any right to continue in the employ or service of, or affiliation with, the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or affiliation; (iii) confer any right or benefit under this Agreement or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of this Agreement or Plan; or (iv) deprive the Company of the right to terminate you at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that you may have.
(b) By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the right to continue vesting in the Award pursuant to the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice may not be earned unless (in addition to any other conditions described in the Grant Notice and this Agreement) you continue as an employee, director or consultant at the will of the Company and affiliate, as applicable (not through the act of being hired, being granted this Award or any other award or benefit) and that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a reorganization). You acknowledge and agree that such a reorganization could result in the termination of your Continuous Service, or the termination of Affiliate status of your employer and the loss of benefits available to you under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award. You further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Plan, the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting schedule set forth herein or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that
may be found implicit in any of them do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant for the term of this Agreement, for any period, or at all, and shall not interfere in any way with the Companys right to terminate your Continuous Service at any time, with or without your cause or notice, or to conduct a reorganization.
11. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.
(a) On each vesting date, and on or before the time you receive a distribution of the shares underlying your Restricted Share Units, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws, you hereby authorize any required withholding from the Common Shares issuable to you and/or otherwise agree to make adequate provision, including in cash, for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any Affiliate that arise in connection with your Award (the Withholding Obligation).
(b) By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the Company or any Affiliate may, in its sole discretion, satisfy all or any portion of the Withholding Obligation relating to your Restricted Stock Units by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to pay any portion of the Withholding Obligation in cash; (ii) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) withholding Common Shares from the Common Shares issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the Award with a fair market value (measured as of the date Common Shares are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Obligation; provided, however, that the number of such Common Shares so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation using the maximum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Companys Compensation Committee; and/or (iv) permitting or requiring you to enter into a same day sale commitment, if applicable, with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a FINRA Dealer), pursuant to this authorization and without further consent, whereby you irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares to be delivered in connection with your Restricted Stock Units to satisfy the Withholding Obligation and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates.
(c) Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Shares or any other consideration pursuant to this Award.
(d) In the event the Withholding Obligation arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Shares or it is determined after the delivery of Common Shares to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.
12. TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences to you of this Award and shall not be liable to you for any adverse tax consequences to you arising in connection with this Award. You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of this Award and by signing the Grant Notice, you have agreed that you have done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. You understand that you (and not the Company) shall be responsible for your own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
13. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By accepting your Award, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your Common Shares until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any Common Shares (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 13. The underwriters of the Companys shares are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 13 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
14. UNSECURED OBLIGATION. Your Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, you shall be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Companys obligation, if any, to issue shares or other property pursuant to this Agreement. You shall not have voting or any other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to you pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a shareholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.
15. NOTICES. Any notice or request required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this Award by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this Award, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
16. HEADINGS. The headings of the Sections in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Agreement or to affect the meaning of this Agreement.
17. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The rights and obligations of the Company under your Award shall be transferable by the Company to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Companys successors and assigns.
(b) You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award and fully understand all provisions of your Award.
(d) This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
(e) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
(f) You acknowledge and agree that your participation in the Plan and acceptance of your option is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon you any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan and this Agreement.
18. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. Your Award (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your Award) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a resignation for good reason, or for a constructive termination or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
19. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating benefits under any employee benefit plan (other than the Plan) sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any or all of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Affiliate.
20. SEVERABILITY. If all or any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
21. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Companys policy permitting certain individuals to sell shares only during certain window periods and the Companys insider trading policy, in effect from time to time.
22. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by you and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely by the Board by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to
you, and provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no such amendment materially adversely affecting your rights hereunder may be made without your written consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board reserves the right to change, by written notice to you, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the Award as a result of any change in applicable laws or regulations or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change shall be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.
23. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This Award is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, including but not limited to by reason of complying with the short-term deferral rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise not exempt from, and determined to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Award shall comply with Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. If it is determined that the Award is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and you are a Specified Employee (within the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of your Separation from Service (as defined in Section 409A), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of your Separation from Service or within the first six (6) months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one day after the date of the Separation from Service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of adverse taxation on you in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
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This Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement shall be deemed to be signed by the Company and the Participant upon the signing by the Participant of the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice to which it is attached.
ATTACHMENT II
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Canadian Standard Form
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company), pursuant to its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of the Companys Common Shares set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice, in the Option Agreement, the Plan and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.
Optionholder: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Common Shares Subject to Option: |
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Exercise Price (per share): |
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Total Exercise Price: |
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Expiration Date: |
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Type of Grant: Nonstatutory Stock Option
Exercise Schedule: Same as Vesting Schedule
Vesting Schedule: , subject to Optionholders Continuous Service as of each such date.
Payment: By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):
o By cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company
o Pursuant to a Regulation T Program if the shares are publicly traded
o Subject to the Companys consent at the time of exercise, by a net exercise arrangement
Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except as provided in the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this option award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of, if applicable, (i) equity awards previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement or other written agreement entered into between the Company and Optionholder specifying the terms that should govern this option upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.
By accepting this option, Optionholder acknowledges having received and read the Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents. Optionholder consents to receive Plan and related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that all information (including personal information) provided to the Company or an Affiliate in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to third parties (including persons located in jurisdictions other than the Optionholders jurisdiction of residence) and may be disclosed to such persons, in connection with the administration of the Plan.
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ATTACHMENTS: Option Agreement, 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise
ATTACHMENT I
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
OPTION AGREEMENT
(NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (Grant Notice) and this Option Agreement, Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) has granted you an option under its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) to purchase the number of shares of the Companys Common Shares indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the Date of Grant). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:
1. VESTING. Subject to the provisions contained herein, your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service (as such date is determined in accordance with Section 6 thereof).
2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of Common Shares subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.
3. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:
(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Shares are publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Shares, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a broker-assisted exercise, same day sale, or sell to cover.
(b) Subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a net exercise arrangement by surrendering to the Company for cancellation a portion of your option with respect to the minimum number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price and all applicable withholding taxes, provided, however that such tax withholding shall not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate applicable to you. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the net exercise in cash or other permitted form of payment. Common Shares will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are surrendered by you to pay the exercise price or applicable tax withholding obligations pursuant to the net exercise, and (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise.
4. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole Common Shares.
5. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the Common Shares issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and would be in compliance with other applicable securities law. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
6. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the options term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:
(a) immediately on the date of termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;
(b) three (3) months after the date of termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 6(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above regarding Securities Law Compliance, your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the date of termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, if during any part of such three (3) month period, the sale of any Common Shares received upon exercise of your option would violate the Companys insider trading policy, then your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the date of termination of your Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Shares received upon exercise of your option would not be in violation of the Companys insider trading policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six (6) months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven (7) months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three (3) months after the date of termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;
(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 6(d) below);
(d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;
(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or
(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan, this Option Agreement or any other agreement between you and the Company or an Affiliate, your Continuous Service will be deemed to have terminated on your last day of actual and active employment with the Company or an Affiliate, whether that day is selected by agreement with you, unilaterally by the Company or the applicable Affiliate or otherwise and whether advance notice (pursuant to contract, civil or common law) is or is not given to you. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except if required by applicable employment standards legislation, no period of notice or payment in lieu of notice that follows or is in respect of a period that follows your last day of
actual and active employment shall be deemed to extend your period of employment for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining any of your rights or entitlements under the Plan or this Option Agreement. Except as required by applicable employment standards legislation, you will not be entitled to damages or any compensation for any loss or in lieu of receiving any benefit under the Plan or this Option Agreement due to the termination of your employment, including compensation or damages in respect of any option that does not vest or is not awarded as a result of the termination of your employment with the Company or an Affiliate.
7. EXERCISE.
(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Companys Secretary, equity plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.
(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the Common Shares are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of Common Shares acquired upon such exercise.
(c) By accepting your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your Common Shares until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any Common Shares (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 7(c). The underwriters of the Companys shares are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7(c) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
8. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.
(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.
(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and
other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by applicable law that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement.
(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Shares or other consideration resulting from such exercise.
9. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective shareholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.
10. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.
(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a same day sale pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, provincial, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.
(b) Upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, you may surrender to the Company for cancellation a portion of your option with an in-the-money value not in excess of the maximum amount of tax permitted to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes).
(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such Common Shares or release such Common Shares from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.
11. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that, to the extent applicable, this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the fair market value per Common Share on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option.
12. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
13. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control. In addition, your option (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your option) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law.
14. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of and the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Plan prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Companys policy permitting certain individuals to sell shares only during certain window periods and the Companys insider trading policy, in effect from time to time.
15. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of this option will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating your benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Companys or any Affiliates employee benefit plans.
16. VOTING RIGHTS. You will not have voting or any other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this option until such shares are issued to you. Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a shareholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this option, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.
17. SEVERABILITY. If all or any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
18. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The rights and obligations of the Company under your option will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Companys successors and assigns.
(b) You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your option.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your option in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your option, and fully understand all provisions of your option.
(d) This Option Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
(e) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Option Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
(f) You acknowledge and agree that your participation in the Plan and acceptance of your option is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon you any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan and this Option Agreement.
(g) You and the Company have expressly required that this Option Agreement and all documents relating thereto be drafted in the English language. Les parties aux présentes ont expressément exigé que la présente convention et tous les autres documents qui y sont afférents soient rédigés en langue anglaise.
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This Option Agreement will be deemed to be signed by you upon the signing by you of the Stock Option Grant Notice to which it is attached.
ATTACHMENT III
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC. |
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1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Boulevard, Suite 420 |
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Montréal, Québec CA H4M 2X6 |
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This constitutes notice to Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of Common Shares of the Company (the Shares) for the price set forth below.
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By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, and (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option.
(1) The Company must have established net exercise procedures at the time of exercise, in order to utilize this payment method.
(2) Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option.
I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the Lock-Up Period). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.
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Canadian Standard Form
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company), pursuant to its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), hereby awards to Participant a Restricted Share Unit Award for the number of shares of the Companys Common Shares (Restricted Share Units) set forth below (the Award). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this notice of grant (this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice), and in the Plan and the Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (the Award Agreement), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms in this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice or the Award Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.
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Vesting Schedule: , subject to Participants Continuous Service through each such vesting date.
Issuance Schedule: Subject to any Capitalization Adjustment, one Common Share (or its cash equivalent, at the discretion of the Company) will be issued for each Restricted Share Unit that vests at the time set forth in Section 6 of the Award Agreement.
Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan. Participant acknowledges and agrees that this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice and the Award Agreement may not be modified, amended, or revised except as provided in the Plan. Participant further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Common Shares pursuant to the Award specified above and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the terms of this Award, with the exception, if applicable, of (i) equity awards previously granted and delivered to Participant, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement or other written agreement entered into between the Company and Participant specifying the terms that should govern this Award upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.
By accepting this Award, Participant acknowledges having received and read the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents. Participant consents to receive Plan and related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. Participant acknowledges and agrees that all information (including personal information) provided to the Company or an Affiliate in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to third parties (including persons located in jurisdictions other than the Participants jurisdiction of residence) and may be disclosed to such persons, in connection with the administration of the Plan.
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ATTACHMENTS: Award Agreement and 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
ATTACHMENT I
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice (the Grant Notice) and this Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (the Agreement), Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) has awarded you (Participant) a Restricted Share Unit Award (the Award) pursuant to the Companys 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) for the number of Restricted Share Units/shares indicated in the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement or the Grant Notice shall have the same meanings given to them in the Plan. The terms of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice, are as follows.
1. GRANT OF THE AWARD. This Award represents the right to be issued on a future date one (1) Common Share for each Restricted Share Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 below) as indicated in the Grant Notice. As of the Date of Grant, the Company will credit to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for your benefit (the Account) the number of Restricted Share Units/Common Shares subject to the Award. This Award was granted in consideration of your services to the Company.
2. VESTING. Subject to the limitations contained herein, your Award will vest, if at all, in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the date of termination of your Continuous Service and the Restricted Share Units credited to the Account that were not vested on the date of such termination will be forfeited at no cost to the Company and you will have no further right, title or interest in or to such Award or the Common Shares to be issued in respect of such portion of the Award.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan, this Option Agreement or any other agreement between you and the Company or an Affiliate, your Continuous Service will be deemed to have terminated on your last day of actual and active employment with the Company or an Affiliate, whether that day is selected by agreement with you, unilaterally by the Company or the applicable Affiliate or otherwise and whether advance notice (pursuant to contract, civil or common law) is or is not given to you. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except if required by applicable employment standards legislation, no period of notice or payment in lieu of notice that follows or is in respect of a period that follows your last day of actual and active employment shall be deemed to extend your period of employment for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining any of your rights or entitlements under the Plan or this Agreement. Except as required by applicable employment standards legislation, you will not be entitled to damages or any compensation for any loss or in lieu of receiving any benefit under the Plan or this Agreement due to the termination of your employment, including compensation or damages in respect of any option that does not vest or is not awarded as a result of the termination of your employment with the Company or an Affiliate.
3. NUMBER OF SHARES. The number of Restricted Share Units subject to your Award may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments, as provided in the Plan. Any additional Restricted Share Units, shares, cash or other property that becomes subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Share Units and shares covered by your Award. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional
shares or rights for fractional Common Shares shall be created pursuant to this Section 3. Any fraction of a share will be rounded down to the nearest whole share.
4. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. You may not be issued any Common Shares under your Award unless the Common Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units are either (i) then registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you shall not receive such Common Shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
5. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. Prior to the time that Common Shares have been delivered to you, you may not transfer, pledge, sell or otherwise dispose of this Award or the shares issuable in respect of your Award, except as expressly provided in this Section 5. For example, you may not use shares that may be issued in respect of your Restricted Share Units as security for a loan. The restrictions on transfer set forth herein will lapse upon delivery to you of shares in respect of your vested Restricted Share Units.
(a) Death. Your Award is transferable by will and by the laws of descent and distribution. At your death, vesting of your Award will cease and your executor or administrator of your estate shall be entitled to receive, on behalf of your estate, any Common Shares or other consideration that vested but was not issued before your death.
(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your right to receive the distribution of Common Shares or other consideration hereunder, pursuant to a domestic relations order, marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by applicable law that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this Award with the Company General Counsel prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to verify that you may make such transfer, and if so, to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement.
6. DATE OF ISSUANCE.
(a) The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Share Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligations set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, in the event one or more Restricted Share Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Shares for each Restricted Share Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an Original Issuance Date.
(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:
(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an open window period applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Companys then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell Common Shares on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Companys policies (a 10b5-1 Arrangement), and
(ii) either (1) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to permit you to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by surrendering a portion of the Restricted Share Units, on the Original Issuance Date, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a same day sale commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement ) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation in cash,
then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Companys Common Shares in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the Common Shares under this Award are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).
(c) The form of delivery (e.g., a share certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.
7. DIVIDENDS. You shall receive no benefit or adjustment to your Award with respect to any cash dividend, share dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment; provided, however, that this sentence will not apply with respect to any Common Shares that are delivered to you in connection with your Award after such shares have been delivered to you.
8. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The Common Shares issued in respect of your Award shall be endorsed with appropriate legends as determined by the Company.
9. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge and agree that the manner selected by the Company by which you indicate your consent to your Grant Notice is also deemed to be your execution of your Grant Notice and of this Agreement. You further agree that such manner of indicating consent may be relied upon as your signature for establishing your execution of any documents to be executed in the future in connection with your Award.
10. AWARD NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT.
(a) Nothing in this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the vesting of your Award or the issuance of the shares in respect of your Award), the Plan or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in this Agreement or the Plan shall: (i) confer upon you any right to continue in the employ or service of, or affiliation with, the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or affiliation; (iii) confer any right or benefit under this Agreement or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of this Agreement or Plan; or (iv) deprive the Company of the right to terminate your employment without regard to any future vesting opportunity that you may have.
(b) By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the right to continue vesting in the Award pursuant to the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice may not be earned unless (in addition to any other conditions described in the Grant Notice and this Agreement) you continue as an employee, director or consultant at the will of the Company and affiliate, as applicable (not through the act of being hired, being granted this Award or any other award or benefit) and that the Company has
the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a reorganization). You acknowledge and agree that such a reorganization could result in the termination of your Continuous Service, or the termination of Affiliate status of your employer and the loss of benefits available to you under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award. You further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Plan, the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting schedule set forth herein or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in any of them do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant for the term of this Agreement, for any period, or at all, and shall not interfere in any way with the Companys right to terminate your Continuous Service at any time, with or without your cause, or to conduct a reorganization.
11. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.
(a) On each vesting date, and on or before the time you receive a distribution of the shares underlying your Restricted Share Units, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws, you hereby agree to make adequate provision, including in cash, for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, provincial, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any Affiliate that arise in connection with your Award (the Withholding Obligation).
(b) By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the Company or any Affiliate may, in its sole discretion, satisfy all or any portion of the Withholding Obligation relating to your Restricted Stock Units by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to pay any portion of the Withholding Obligation in cash; (ii) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) permitting you to surrender to the Company for cancellation a portion of the Restricted Share Units with a fair market value (measured as of the date Common Shares are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Obligation; provided, however, that the number of such Restricted Share Units so surrendered will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation using the maximum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, provincial, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such surrender procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Companys Compensation Committee; and/or (iv) permitting or requiring you to enter into a same day sale commitment, if applicable, with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a FINRA Dealer), pursuant to this authorization and without further consent, whereby you irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares to be delivered in connection with your Restricted Stock Units to satisfy the Withholding Obligation and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates.
(c) Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Shares or any other consideration pursuant to this Award.
(d) In the event the Withholding Obligation arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Shares or it is determined after the delivery of Common Shares to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.
12. TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences to you of this Award and shall not be liable to you for any adverse tax consequences to you
arising in connection with this Award. You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of this Award and by signing the Grant Notice, you have agreed that you have done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. You understand that you (and not the Company) shall be responsible for your own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
13. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By accepting your Award, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any Common Shares or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your Common Shares until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any Common Shares (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 13. The underwriters of the Companys shares are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 13 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
14. UNSECURED OBLIGATION. Your Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, you shall be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Companys obligation, if any, to issue shares or other property pursuant to this Agreement. You shall not have voting or any other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to you pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a shareholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.
15. NOTICES. Any notice or request required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this Award by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this Award, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
16. HEADINGS. The headings of the Sections in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Agreement or to affect the meaning of this Agreement.
17. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The rights and obligations of the Company under your Award shall be transferable by the Company to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Companys successors and assigns.
(b) You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award and fully understand all provisions of your Award.
(d) This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
(e) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
(f) You acknowledge and agree that your participation in the Plan and acceptance of your option is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon you any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan and this Agreement.
(g) You and the Company have expressly required that this Agreement and all documents relating thereto be drafted in the English language. Les parties aux présentes ont expressément exigé que la présente convention et tous les autres documents qui y sont afférents soient rédigés en langue anglaise.
18. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. Your Award (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your Award) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a resignation for good reason, or for a constructive termination or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
19. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating benefits under any employee benefit plan (other than the Plan) sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any or all of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Affiliate.
20. SEVERABILITY. If all or any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
21. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act. In addition,
you acknowledge receipt of the Companys policy permitting certain individuals to sell shares only during certain window periods and the Companys insider trading policy, in effect from time to time.
22. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by you and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely by the Board by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to you, and provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no such amendment materially adversely affecting your rights hereunder may be made without your written consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board reserves the right to change, by written notice to you, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the Award as a result of any change in applicable laws or regulations or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change shall be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.
23. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This Award is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, including but not limited to by reason of complying with the short-term deferral rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise not exempt from, and determined to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Award shall comply with Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. If it is determined that the Award is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and you are a Specified Employee (within the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of your Separation from Service (as defined in Section 409A), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of your Separation from Service or within the first six (6) months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one day after the date of the Separation from Service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of adverse taxation on you in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
* * * * *
This Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement shall be deemed to be signed by the Company and the Participant upon the signing by the Participant of the Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice to which it is attached.
ATTACHMENT II
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
2019 EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: , 2019
APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS: , 2019
IPO DATE: , 2019
1. GENERAL; PURPOSE.
(a) The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees of the Company and certain Designated Companies may be given an opportunity to purchase Common Shares. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(b) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of such Employees, to secure and retain the services of new Employees and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations and Affiliates.
(c) The Plan includes two components: a 423 Component and a Non-423 Component. The Company intends (but makes no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The provisions of the 423 Component, accordingly, will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes grants of Purchase Rights under the Non-423 Component that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or determined by the Board, the Non-423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component. In addition, the Company may make separate Offerings which vary in terms (provided that such terms are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan), and the Company will designate which Designated Company is participating in each separate Offering.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b) The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine how and when Purchase Rights will be granted and the provisions of each Offering (which need not be identical).
(ii) To designate from time to time which Related Corporations will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated 423 Corporations or as Designated Non-423 Corporations, which Affiliates may be excluded from participation in the Plan, and which Designated Companies will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).
(iii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.
(iv) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.
(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.
(vi) To amend the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.
(vii) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company, its Related Corporations, and Affiliates and to carry out the intent that the 423 Component be treated as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(viii) To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan as are necessary or appropriate under applicable local laws, regulations and procedures to permit or facilitate participation in the Plan by Employees who are foreign nationals or employed or located outside the United States. Without limiting the generality of, but consistent with, the foregoing, the Board specifically is authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and sub-plans, which, if applicable to a Designated Non-423 Corporation, do not have to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate in the Plan, the definition of eligible earnings, handling and making of Contributions, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances, any of which may vary according to applicable requirements.
(c) The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan and in any applicable Offering Document to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Further, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Board or Committee may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate, or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether or not the Board has delegated administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.
(d) All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
3. COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments and the following sentence regarding the Evergreen Increase, the initial number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall equal shares (the Share Reserve). In addition, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each year for a period of up to ten (10) years, commencing on January 1, 2020 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2029 (each, an Evergreen Date), in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) percent ( %) of the total number of Capital Shares outstanding on December 31st immediately preceding the applicable Evergreen Date, and (ii) shares (the Evergreen Increase). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the Evergreen Date of a given year
to provide that there will be no Evergreen Increase for such year or that the Evergreen Increase for such year will be a lesser number of Common Shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For the avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of Common Shares reserved under this Section 3(a) may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Shares under the 423 Component and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Shares under the Non-423 Component.
(b) If any Purchase Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the Common Shares not purchased under such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) The shares purchasable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued Common Shares.
4. GRANT OF PURCHASE RIGHTS; OFFERING.
(a) The Board may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Offering (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each Offering will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate, and, with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase Rights will have the same rights and privileges. The terms and conditions of an Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offerings need not be identical, but each Offering will include (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference in the Offering Document or otherwise) the period during which the Offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the Offering Date, and the substance of the provisions contained in Sections 5 through 8, inclusive.
(b) If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding under the Plan, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company or a third party designated by the Company (each, a Company Designee): (i) each form will apply to all of his or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.
(c) The Board will have the discretion to structure an Offering so that if the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offering is less than or equal to the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the Offering Date for that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate immediately as of that first Trading Day, and (ii) the Participants in such terminated Offering will be automatically enrolled in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Day of such new Purchase Period.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Purchase Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the Board may designate in accordance with Section 2(b), to Employees of a Related Corporation or an Affiliate. Except as provided in Section 5(b) or as required by applicable law, an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee has been in the employ of the Company, a Related Corporation or an Affiliate, as the case may be, for such continuous period preceding such Offering Date as the Board may require, but in no event will the required period of continuous employment be equal
to or greater than two years. In addition, the Board may provide that no Employee will be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such Employees customary employment with the Company, the Related Corporation, or the Affiliate, as applicable, is more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year or such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component and applicable laws.
(b) The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Purchase Right under that Offering, which Purchase Right will thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering. Such Purchase Right will have the same characteristics as any Purchase Rights originally granted under that Offering, as described herein, except that:
(i) the date on which such Purchase Right is granted will be the Offering Date of such Purchase Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise price of such Purchase Right;
(ii) the period of the Offering with respect to such Purchase Right will begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; and
(iii) the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the Offering, he or she will not receive any Purchase Right under that Offering.
(c) No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns shares possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of the Company or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the share ownership of any Employee, and shares which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as shares owned by such Employee.
(d) As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations or Affiliates, do not permit such Eligible Employees rights to purchase shares of the Company or any Related Corporation or Affiliates to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds US$25,000 of Fair Market Value of such shares (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time, subject to compliance with applicable laws.
(e) Officers of the Company and any Designated Company, if they are otherwise Eligible Employees, will be eligible to participate in Offerings under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code will not be eligible to participate.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Offering under the Non-423 Component, an Eligible Employee (or group of Eligible Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Eligible Employee(s) is not advisable or practical for any reason.
6. PURCHASE RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE.
(a) On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that number of Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board, but in either case not exceeding 15% of such Employees earnings (as defined by the Board in each Offering) during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering.
(b) The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and Common Shares will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.
(c) In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of Common Shares that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date during such Offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering and/or (iii) a maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date under the Offering. If the aggregate purchase of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Purchase Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participants accumulated Contributions) allocation of Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.
(d) The purchase price of Common Shares acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be not less than the lesser of:
(i) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares on the Offering Date; or
(ii) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares on the applicable Purchase Date.
7. PARTICIPATION; WITHDRAWAL; TERMINATION.
(a) An Eligible Employee may elect to authorize payroll deductions as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company or Company Designee, within the time specified in the Offering, an enrollment form provided by the Company or Company Designee. The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participants Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general funds of the Company except where applicable laws or regulations require that Contributions be deposited with a Company Designee or otherwise segregated. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may begin such Contributions with the first payroll occurring on or after the Offering Date (or, in the case of a payroll date that occurs after the end of the prior Offering but before the Offering Date of the next new Offering, Contributions from such payroll will be included in the new Offering). If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her Contributions. If required under applicable laws or regulations or if specifically provided in the Offering, in addition to or instead of making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through a payment by cash, check, or wire transfer prior to a Purchase Date, in a manner directed by the Company or a Company Designee.
(b) During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company or a Company Designee a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such Participants Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate and the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions and such Participants Purchase Right in that Offering shall thereupon terminate. A Participants withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings under the Plan, but such Participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent Offerings.
(c) Unless otherwise required by applicable law, Purchase Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan will terminate immediately if the Participant either (i) is no longer an Employee for any reason or for no reason or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. In this regard, unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a Designated Company will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from an Offering under the 423 Component to an Offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the Participants Purchase Right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from an Offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the Purchase Right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. In the event that a Participants Purchase Right is terminated under the Plan, the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions.
(d) During a Participants lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable by a Participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by the Company, by a beneficiary designation as described in Section 10.
(e) Unless otherwise specified in the Offering or required by applicable law, the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.
8. EXERCISE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) On each Purchase Date, each Participants accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share), up to the maximum number of Common Shares permitted by the Plan and the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Offering, if any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participants account after the purchase of Common Shares and such remaining amount is less than the amount required to purchase one Common Share on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will be held in such Participants account for the purchase of Common Shares under the next Offering under the Plan, unless such Participant withdraws from or is not eligible to participate in such Offering, in which case such amount will be distributed to such Participant after the final Purchase Date, without interest, unless the payment of interest is required by applicable laws. If the amount of Contributions remaining in a Participants account after the purchase of Common Shares is at least equal to the amount required to purchase one whole Common Share on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will not roll over to the next Offering and will instead be distributed in full to such Participant after the final Purchase Date of such Offering without interest, unless the payment of interest is required by applicable laws.
(c) No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the Common Shares to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state, foreign and other securities, exchange control and other laws applicable to the Plan. If on a Purchase Date the Common Shares are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and the Purchase Date will be delayed until the Common Shares are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will not be delayed more than 12 months and the Purchase Date will in no event be more than 27 months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the Common Shares are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all applicable laws or regulations, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed as soon as practicable to the Participants without interest, unless the payment of interest is required by applicable laws.
9. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
The Company will seek to obtain from each U.S. federal or state, foreign or other regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Purchase Rights and issue and sell Common Shares thereunder unless the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so would cause the Company to incur costs that are unreasonable. If, after commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Common Shares under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights and/or to issue and sell Common Shares upon exercise of such Purchase Rights.
10. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.
(a) The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit a Participant to submit a form designating a beneficiary who will receive any Common Shares and/or Contributions from the Participants account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares and/or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant to change such designation of beneficiary. Any such designation and/or change must be on a form approved by the Company or as approved by the Company for use by a Company Designee.
(b) If a Participant dies, in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any Common Shares and/or Contributions to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant. If no executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such Common Shares and/or Contributions, without interest, unless the payment of interest is required by applicable laws, to the Participants spouse, dependents or relatives, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON SHARES; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
(a) In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year pursuant to Section 3(a), (iii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights, and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering. The Board will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then: (i) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent company) may assume or continue outstanding Purchase Rights or may substitute similar rights (including a right to acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders in the Corporate Transaction) for outstanding Purchase Rights, or (ii) if any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such Purchase Rights or does not substitute similar rights for such Purchase Rights, then the Participants accumulated Contributions will be used to purchase Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) within ten business days prior to the Corporate Transaction under the outstanding Purchase Rights, and the Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.
12. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, shareholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which shareholder approval is required by applicable laws, regulations or listing requirements, including any amendment that either (i) materially increases the number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Plan, (ii) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to become Participants and receive Purchase Rights, (iii) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at which Common Shares may be purchased under the Plan, (iv) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (v) expands the types of awards available for issuance under the Plan, but in each of (i) through (v) above only to the extent shareholder approval is required by applicable laws, regulations, or listing requirements.
(b) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(c) Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to comply with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans) including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the Effective Date, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain any special tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participants consent if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right and/or the 423 Component complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, or other applicable laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Offering Document to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars; (ii) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Companys processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (iii) establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Shares for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participants Contributions; (iv) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code; and (v) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an
Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.
13. SECTION 409A OF THE CODE; TAX QUALIFICATION.
(a) Purchase Rights granted under the 423 Component are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(ii). Purchase Rights granted under the Non-423 Component to U.S. taxpayers are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Subject to Section 13(b) below, Purchase Rights granted to U.S. taxpayers under the Non-423 Component will be subject to such terms and conditions that will permit such Purchase Rights to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral exception available under Section 409A of the Code, including the requirement that the shares subject to a Purchase Right be delivered within the short-term deferral period. Subject to Section 13(b) below, in the case of a Participant who would otherwise be subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent the Board determines that a Purchase Right or the exercise, payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Purchase Right will be granted, exercised, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the adoption of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the Purchase Right that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Board with respect thereto.
(b) Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a Purchase Right for special tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain special or to avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, including Section 13(a) above. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants under the Plan.
14. TAX WITHHOLDING
The Participant will make adequate provision to satisfy the Tax-Related Items withholding obligations, if any, of the Company and/or the applicable Designated Company which arise with respect to Participants participation in the Plan or upon the disposition of the Common Shares. The Company and/or the Designated Company may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the Participants compensation or any other payments due the Participant the amount necessary to meet such withholding obligations or withhold from the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or any other method of withholding that the Company and/or the Designated Company deems appropriate. The Company and/or the Designated Company will have the right to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or a Designated Company to satisfy withholding and/or reporting obligations for such Tax-Related Items.
15. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan will become effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the IPO Date. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or if required under Section 12(a) above, materially amended) by the Board.
16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Proceeds from the sale of Common Shares pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, Common Shares subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participants Common Shares acquired upon exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).
(c) The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at-will nature of a Participants employment, if applicable, or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue in the employ of the Company, a Related Corporation, or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company, a Related Corporation or an Affiliate to continue the employment of a Participant.
(d) The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without resort to that states conflicts of laws rules.
(e) If any particular provision of the Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will not affect the other provisions of the Plan, but the Plan will be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.
(f) The Companys insider trading policy as in effect from time to time may be applicable to an Employees rights under the Plan. Notwithstanding any Plan provision to the contrary, no Employee shall, while in possession of material undisclosed information, elect to enroll or elect to increase, decrease or cease Contributions. The Board may require an Employee to acknowledge that such election is being made in compliance with the Companys insider trading policy.
(g) If any provision of the Plan does not comply with applicable law or regulations, such provision shall be construed in such a manner as to comply with applicable law or regulations.
17. DEFINITIONS.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) 423 Component means the part of the Plan, which excludes the Non-423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.
(b) Affiliate means any entity, other than a Related Corporation, in which the Company has an equity or other ownership interest or that is directly or indirectly controlled by, controls, or is under common control with the Company, in all cases, as determined by the Board, whether now or hereafter existing.
(c) Board means the board of directors of the Company.
(d) Capital Shares means each and every class of of the Company, regardless of the number of votes per share.
(e) Capitalization Adjustment means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Shares subject to the Plan or subject to any Purchase Right after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, share split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(f) Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(g) Committee means a committee of one or more members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(h) Common Share means, as of the IPO Date, a common share in the share capital of the Company.
(i) Company means Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. and any successor corporation thereto.
(j) Contributions means the payroll deductions and/or other payments specifically provided for in the Offering that a Participant contributes to fund the exercise of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments into his or her account if specifically provided for in the Offering, and then only if the Participant has not already contributed the maximum permitted amount of payroll deductions and/or other payments during the Offering.
(k) Corporate Transaction means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the Common Shares outstanding immediately preceding the merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(l) Designated 423 Corporation means any Related Corporation selected by the Board as participating in the 423 Component.
(m) Designated Company means any Designated Non-423 Corporation or Designated 423 Corporation, provided, however, that at any given time, a Related Corporation participating in the 423 Component shall not be a Related Corporation participating in the Non-423 Component.
(n) Designated Non-423 Corporation means any Related Corporation or Affiliate selected by the Board as participating in the Non-423 Component.
(o) Director means a member of the Board.
(p) Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan, as set forth in Section 15.
(q) Eligible Employee means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.
(r) Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is employed for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Code by the Company or a Related Corporation (including an Affiliate). However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.
(s) Employee Stock Purchase Plan means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an employee stock purchase plan, as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.
(t) Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(u) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of a Common Share determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a Common Share will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such shares as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Shares) on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Shares on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Shares, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A of the Code.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any Offering that commences on the IPO Date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares on the Offering Date will be the price per share at which shares are first sold to the public in the Companys initial public offering as specified in the final prospectus for that initial public offering.
(v) IPO Date means the date of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the underwriter(s) managing the initial public offering of the Common Shares, pursuant to which the Common Shares are priced for the initial public offering.
(w) Non-423 Component means the part of the Plan, which excludes the 423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that are not intended to satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.
(x) Offering means the grant to Eligible Employees of Purchase Rights, with the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the Offering Document approved by the Board for that Offering.
(y) Offering Date means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to commence.
(z) Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation or Affiliate within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(aa) Participant means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.
(bb) Plan means this Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2019 Employee Share Purchase Plan, including both the 423 Component and the Non-423 Component, as amended from time to time.
(cc) Purchase Date means one or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of Common Shares will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.
(dd) Purchase Period means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.
(ee) Purchase Right means an option to purchase Common Shares granted pursuant to the Plan.
(ff) Related Corporation means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company whether now or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(gg) Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(hh) Tax-Related Items means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising in relation to a Participants participation in the Plan.
(ii) Trading Day means any day on which the exchange(s) or market(s) on which Common Shares are listed, including but not limited to the NYSE, Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or any successors thereto, is open for trading.
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made , 2019
BETWEEN:
MILESTONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation governed by the laws of the Province of Québec (the Corporation)
- and -
, an individual principally resident in the City of ,
(the Indemnified Party)
RECITALS:
A. The Indemnified Party is or has been a duly elected or appointed director or officer of the Corporation or, at the request of the Corporation, a duly elected or appointed director or officer of an Other Entity (as defined below);
B. The Corporation considers it desirable and in the best interests of the Corporation to enter into this Agreement to set out the circumstances and manner in which the Indemnified Party may be indemnified in respect of certain liabilities or expenses which the Indemnified Party may incur as a result of acting as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity;
C. The Indemnified Party has agreed to serve or to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity subject to the Corporation providing the Indemnified Party with directors and officers liability insurance and an indemnity against certain liabilities and, in order to induce the Indemnified Party to serve and to continue to so serve, the Corporation has agreed to provide the indemnity in this Agreement;
D. The by-laws of the Corporation contemplate that the Indemnified Party may be indemnified in certain circumstances.
THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the meanings set out below:
(a) Act means the Business Corporations Act (Québec), as the same exists on the date of this Agreement or may hereafter be amended;
(b) Agreement means this agreement, including all schedules, and all amendments or restatements as permitted, and references to Article or Section mean the specified Article or Section of this Agreement;
(c) Business Day means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which Schedule I Canadian chartered banks in Montréal (Québec) are open for commercial banking business during normal banking hours;
(d) Claim includes any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or other proceeding of any nature or kind in which the Indemnified Party is involved because of the Indemnified Partys association with the Corporation or Other Entity;
(e) Losses includes all costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages, fees (including any legal, professional or advisory fees or disbursements), liabilities, amounts paid to settle or dispose of any Claim or satisfy any judgment, fines, penalties or liabilities, without limitation, and whether incurred alone or jointly with others, including any amounts which the Indemnified Party may reasonably suffer, sustain, incur or be required to pay in respect of the investigation, defence, settlement or appeal of or preparation for any Claim or in connection with any action to establish a right to indemnification under this Agreement, and for greater certainty, includes all taxes, interest, penalties and related outlays of the Indemnified Party arising from any indemnification of the Indemnified Party by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement;
(f) Other Entity means a Subsidiary and any other entity in respect of which the Indemnified Party was specifically requested by the Corporation to serve as a duly appointed director or officer or similar position of such Other Entity;
(g) Parties means the Corporation and the Indemnified Party collectively and Party means any one of them; and
(h) Subsidiary has the meaning set out in the Act.
1.2 Certain Rules of Interpretation
In this Agreement:
(a) Governing Law This Agreement is a contract made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Québec and the federal laws of Canada applicable in the Province of Québec.
(b) Submission to Jurisdiction Each Party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Québec courts sitting in Montréal (Québec) in any action, application, reference or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and consents to all claims in respect of any such action, application, reference or other proceeding being heard and determined in such Québec courts. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defence of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action, application or proceeding.
(c) Headings Headings of Articles and Sections are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Number Unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa.
(e) Severability If, in any jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement or its application to any Party or circumstance is restricted, prohibited or unenforceable, the provision shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of the restriction, prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or without affecting its application to other Parties or circumstances.
(f) Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and sets out all the covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions and agreements between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, pre-contractual or otherwise. There are no covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions or other agreements, whether oral or written, pre-contractual or otherwise, express, implied or collateral, between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement except as specifically set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 Representations of the Corporation
The Corporation represents and warrants to the Indemnified Party that:
(a) Incorporation and Corporate Power The Corporation is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Canada and has all necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement, to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, to own its assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.
(b) Due Authorization The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on behalf of the Corporation. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
(c) No Conflict The Corporation is not a party to, bound or affected by or subject to any:
(i) indenture, mortgage, agreement, obligation or instrument;
(ii) charter or by-law; or
(iii) applicable law, statute, regulation, rule, order, ordinance, judgment, decree, licence or permit,
that would be violated, breached by, or under which default would occur or an encumbrance would be created as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of any of the obligations provided for under this Agreement.
2.2 Representations of the Indemnified Party
The Indemnified Party represents and warrants to the Corporation that the Indemnified Party is not an undischarged bankrupt.
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION AND
OBLIGATIONS OF INDEMNIFIED PARTY
3.1 Indemnification
(a) General Indemnity Except in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party, or except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Corporation agrees to indemnify and hold the Indemnified Party harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including but not limited to the indemnity under the Act, from and against any and all Losses which the Indemnified Party may reasonably suffer, sustain, incur or be required to pay in respect of any Claim, provided that the indemnity provided for in this Section 3.1(a) will only be available if:
(i) the Indemnified Party was acting honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation or Other Entity, as the case may be; and
(ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, the Indemnified Party had reasonable grounds for believing that the Indemnified Partys conduct was lawful.
(b) Indemnity as of Right Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party is entitled to an indemnity from the Corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defence of any Claim, if the Indemnified Party:
(i) was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the Indemnified Party ought to have done; and
(ii) fulfils the conditions set out in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above.
(c) Derivative Claims In respect of any action by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party, in respect of which the Indemnified Party is made a party because of the Indemnified Partys association with the Corporation or Other Entity, the Corporation shall make application, at its expense, for the approval of a court of competent jurisdiction to advance monies to the Indemnified Party for costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such action and to indemnify and save harmless the Indemnified Party for such costs, charges and expenses of such action provided the Indemnified Party fulfils the conditions set out in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above and provided that such advance or indemnification is not prohibited under any applicable statute and provided the Indemnified Party shall repay such funds advanced if the Indemnified Party ultimately does not fulfil the conditions set out in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above.
(d) Incidental Expenses Except to the extent such costs, charges or expenses are paid by the Other Entity, the Corporation shall pay or reimburse the Indemnified Party for the Indemnified Partys reasonable and necessary travel, lodging or accommodation costs, charges or expenses paid or incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in carrying out the Indemnified Partys duties as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity.
(e) Specific Indemnity for Statutory Obligations Without limiting the generality of the preceding Sections 3.1(a) through (d) of this Agreement, the Corporation agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save the Indemnified Party harmless from and against any and all costs, charges, expenses, fees, damages or liabilities arising by operation of statute and incurred by or imposed upon the Indemnified Party in relation to the affairs of the Corporation or Other Entity in the Indemnified Partys capacity as a director or officer thereof, including but not limited to all statutory obligations to creditors, employees, suppliers, contractors, subcontractors, and any government or any agency or division of any government, whether federal, provincial, state, regional or municipal, provided that the indemnity provided for in this Section 3.1(e) will only be available if the Indemnified Party fulfils the conditions in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above.
(f) Partial Indemnification If the Indemnified Party is determined to be entitled under any provisions of this Agreement to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of the Losses incurred in respect of any Claim but not for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnified Party for the portion thereof to which the Indemnified Party is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be so entitled.
(g) Advance of Expenses Subject to Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement, the Corporation may, at the request of the Indemnified Party, advance to the Indemnified Party sufficient funds, or arrange to pay on behalf of or reimburse the Indemnified Party for any costs, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in investigating, defending, appealing, preparing for, providing evidence in or instructing and receiving the advice of the Indemnified Partys
counsel or other professional advisors in regard to any Claim or other matter for which the Indemnified Party may be entitled to an indemnity or reimbursement under this Agreement, and such amounts shall be treated as a non-interest bearing advance or loan to the Indemnified Party, pending approval of the Corporation and the Court (if required), to the payment thereof as an indemnity and provided that the Indemnified Party fulfils the conditions set out in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above. In the event it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indemnified Party did not fulfil the conditions set out in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above, or that the Indemnified Party was not entitled to be fully so indemnified, such loan or advance, or the appropriate portion thereof shall, upon written notice of such determination being given by the Corporation to the Indemnified Party detailing the basis for such determination, be repayable on demand and shall bear interest from the date of such notice at the prime rate prescribed from time to time by The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
3.2 Notice of Proceedings
The Indemnified Party shall, as a condition precedent to the Indemnified Partys right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give notice in writing to the Corporation as soon as practicable upon being served with any statement of claim, writ, notice of motion, indictment, subpoena, investigation order or other document commencing, threatening or continuing any Claim involving the Corporation, the Other Entity or the Indemnified Party which may result in a claim for indemnification under this Agreement, and the Corporation agrees to give the Indemnified Party notice in writing as soon as practicable upon it, or any Other Entity, being served with any statement of claim, writ, notice of motion, indictment, subpoena, investigation order or other document commencing or continuing any Claim involving the Indemnified Party. Such notice shall include a description of the Claim or threatened Claim, a summary of the facts giving rise to the Claim or threatened Claim and, if possible, an estimate of any potential liability arising under the Claim or threatened Claim. Failure by the Indemnified Party to so notify the Corporation of any Claim shall not relieve the Corporation from liability under this Agreement except to the extent that the failure materially prejudices the Corporation.
3.3 Subrogation
Subrogation The Corporation: Promptly after receiving written notice from the Indemnified Party of any Claim or threatened Claim (other than a Claim by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party), the Corporation may, and upon the written request of the Indemnified Party shall, by notice in writing to the Indemnified Party, assume conduct of the defence thereof in a timely manner and retain counsel on behalf of the Indemnified Party who is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, to represent the Indemnified Party in respect of the Claim. On delivery of such notice by the Corporation, the Corporation shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any fees and disbursements of counsel the Indemnified Party may subsequently incur with respect to the same matter. In the event the Corporation assumes conduct of the defence on behalf of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party consents to the conduct thereof and of any action taken by the Corporation, in good faith, in connection therewith, and the Indemnified Party shall fully cooperate in such defence including, without limitation, the provision of documents, attending examinations for discovery, making affidavits, meeting with counsel,
testifying and divulging to the Corporation all information reasonably required to defend or prosecute the Claim.
3.4 Separate Counsel
In connection with any Claim or other matter for which the Indemnified Party may be entitled to indemnity under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel of the Indemnified Partys choosing and to participate in the defence thereof but the fees and disbursements of such counsel shall be at the Indemnified Partys expense unless employment of such other counsel has been authorized by the Corporation, in which event, the fees and disbursements of such counsel shall be paid by the Corporation.
3.5 Settlement of Claim
No admission of liability shall be made by the Indemnified Party without the consent of the Corporation and the Corporation shall not be liable for any settlement of any Claim made without its consent. No admission of liability and no settlement of any Claim in a manner adverse to the Indemnified Party shall be made without the consent of the Indemnified Party, acting reasonably.
3.6 Determination of Right to Indemnification
If the payment of an indemnity or the advancement of funds under this Agreement requires the approval of a court, under the provisions of the Act or otherwise, either the Corporation or the Indemnified Party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order approving such indemnity or the advancement of such funds by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement.
3.7 Other Rights and Remedies Unaffected
The indemnification and payment provided in this Agreement shall not derogate from or exclude any other rights to which the Indemnified Party may be entitled under any provision of the Act or otherwise at law, the articles or by-laws of the Corporation, the constating documents of any Other Entity, any applicable policy of insurance, guarantee or third-party indemnity, any vote of shareholders of the Corporation, or otherwise, both as to matters arising out of the Indemnified Partys capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity, or as to matters arising out of any other capacity in which the Indemnified Party may act for or on behalf of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 4
INSURANCE
4.1 Liability Insurance
(a) Insurance Policy So long as the Indemnified Party is a director or officer of the Corporation or an Other Entity, the Corporation shall maintain at all times a directors and officers liability insurance with a responsible insurer, with a scope of coverage that is at least as broad, in all material respects, as the Corporations directors and officers liability insurance in place as of the date of this Agreement.
(b) Currency of Policy The Corporation shall provide to the Indemnified Party a copy of each policy of insurance providing the coverages contemplated by this Section 4.1 promptly after such coverage is obtained, and shall promptly notify the Indemnified Party if the insurer cancels or refuses to renew such coverage (or any part of such coverage).
(c) Coverage The Corporation shall not do any act or thing (including changing insurers) or fail to do any act or thing, that could cause or result in a denial of insurance coverage or of any claim under such coverage; without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Corporation shall give prompt and proper notice to the insurer of any claim against the Indemnified Party.
(d) Exclusion of Indemnity Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any Losses which have been paid to, by or on behalf of, the Indemnified Party under:
(i) any applicable policy of insurance maintained by the Corporation; or
(ii) in respect of an Other Entity, any applicable policy of insurance or other arrangements maintained or made available by the Other Entity for the benefit of its respective directors or officers and for greater certainty, the indemnity provided under this Agreement will only apply with respect to any Losses the Indemnified Party may suffer or incur which would not otherwise be paid or satisfied under such insurance or other arrangements maintained or made available by such Other Entity.
ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
5.1 Continuance
The Corporation shall give to the Indemnified Party 15 days notice of any application by the Corporation for a certificate of continuance in any jurisdiction, indicating the jurisdiction in which it is proposed that the Corporation will be continued and the proposed date of continuance. Upon receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may require the Corporation to agree to such amendments to this Agreement as the Indemnified Party, acting reasonably, considers necessary or desirable in order to provide the Indemnified Party with a comprehensive indemnity under the laws of the proposed jurisdiction of continuance.
5.2 Corporation and Indemnified Party to Cooperate
The Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall, from time to time, provide such information and cooperate with the other, as the other may reasonably request, in respect of all matters under this Agreement.
5.3 Effective Time
This Agreement shall be deemed to have effect as and from the first date that the Indemnified Party became a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity.
5.4 Insolvency
The liability of the Corporation under this Agreement shall not be affected, discharged, impaired, mitigated or released by reason of the discharge or release of the Indemnified Party in any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding of creditors.
5.5 Multiple Proceedings
No action or proceeding brought or instituted under this Agreement and no recovery pursuant thereto shall be a bar or defence to any further action or proceeding which may be brought under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
GENERAL
6.1 Term
This Agreement shall survive until three years after the Indemnified Party has ceased to act as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity.
6.2 Deeming Provision
The Indemnified Party shall be deemed to have acted or be acting at the specific request of the Corporation upon the Indemnified Partys being appointed or elected as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity.
6.3 Assignment
Neither Party may assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party.
6.4 Enurement
This Agreement enures to the benefit of and is binding upon the Parties and the heirs, attorneys, guardians, estate trustees, executors, trustees, administrators and permitted assigns of the Indemnified Party and the successors (including any successor by reason of amalgamation) and permitted assigns of the Corporation.
6.5 Amendments
No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver or termination of this Agreement and, unless otherwise specified, no consent or approval by any Party, is binding unless executed in writing by the Party to be so bound. For greater certainty, the rights of the Indemnified Party under this Agreement shall not be prejudiced or impaired by permitting or consenting to any
assignment in bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or any other creditors proceedings of or against the Corporation or by the winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation.
6.6 Notices
Any notice, consent or approval required or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement (in this Section referred to as a Notice) shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered (whether in person, by courier service or other personal method of delivery), or if transmitted by facsimile or e-mail:
(a) in the case of a Notice to the Indemnified Party at:
Fax:
E-mail:
(b) in the case of a Notice to the Corporation at:
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc.
1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Boulevard, Suite 420
Montreal, Quebec
H4M 2X6
Attention: Joseph Oliveto
E-mail: joliveto@milestonepharma.com
Any Notice delivered or transmitted to a Party as provided above shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is delivered or transmitted, provided that it is delivered or transmitted on a Business Day prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of delivery or receipt. If the Notice is delivered or transmitted after 5:00 p.m. local time or if such day is not a Business Day, then the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business Day.
Any Party may, from time to time, change its address by giving Notice to the other Party in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
6.7 Further Assurances
The Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall, with reasonable diligence, do all things and execute and deliver all such further documents or instruments as may be necessary or desirable for the purpose of assuring and conferring on the Indemnified Party the rights created or intended by this Agreement and giving effect to and carrying out intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of this Agreement, or evidencing any loan or advance made pursuant to Section 3.1(g) hereof.
6.8 Independent Legal Advice
The Indemnified Party acknowledges that the Indemnified Party has been advised to obtain independent legal advice with respect to entering into this Agreement, that the Indemnified Party has obtained such independent legal advice or has expressly determined not to seek such advice,
and that the Indemnified Party is entering into this Agreement with full knowledge of the contents hereof, of the Indemnified Partys own free will and with full capacity and authority to do so.
6.9 Execution and Delivery
This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in counterparts and the counterparts may be executed and delivered by electronic means, with all counterparts together constituting one agreement.
6.10 Language
The Parties confirm that it is their wish that this Agreement, as well as any other documents relating to this Agreement, including notices, schedules and authorizations have been and shall be drawn up in the English language only. Les signataires confirment leur volonté que la présente convention, de même que tous les documents sy rattachant, y compris tout avis, annexe et autorisation, soient rédigés en anglais seulement.
IN WITNESS OF WHICH the Parties have duly executed this Agreement.
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. of our report dated February 18, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc., which appear in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP(1)
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
April 12, 2019
(1) CPA auditor, CA, public accountancy permit No. A113048
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP/s.r.l./s.e.n.c.r.l.
1250 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Suite 2500, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3B 4Y1
T: +1 514 205 5000, F: +1 514 876 1502, www.pwc.com/ca
PwC refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP/s.r.l./s.e.n.c.r.l., an Ontario limited liability partnership.